Ohav Newsletter Pesach 5781 Updated

‫בס\"ד‬ MARCH 2021 - NISSAN 5781 The Ohavite CONGREGATION OHAV SHOLOM'S BI-ANNUAL NEWSLETTER Messages inside this issue From the editor RABBI IRA EBBIN - 2 BEN BARUCH, INTERN FOR SYNAGOGUE MARKETING PESACH SCHEDULE AND CHOMETZ FORM - 3 & 6 Dear Ohav Sholom, OHAV IN THE NEWS 5 I am happy to bring you the Pesach 5781 edition of the Ohavite, Ohav Sholom's bi-annual newsletter magazine. It has been a PRESIDENT DARON difficult year for all of us, and our goal was to use this as an RUBENSOHN - 4 opportunity to help bring us together through recounting our accomplishments as a shul this past year. SISTERHOOD FRAN GREEN - 7 Pesach represents the beginning of Bnei Israel's journey to MEN'S CLUB HOWIE freedom. The story of the exodus teaches us that freedom is a GOLDMARK AND AARON mindset. A common misconception is that freedom is the POLONSKY- 8 ability to do whatever one chooses. But the Torah teaches us that part of being free is creating a community that is SOCIAL JORDAN SMITH - 10 interdependent. YOUTH YONI GOLDENBERG - My bracha to our community is that we use this Pesach to grow 11 stronger as a community and appreciate what each member has to offer. In this issue, we feature Ohav Sholom's officers and QUESTIONS FOR THE SEDER their accomplishments over the past year. We thank them for 12 their efforts and pray for their continued success moving forward. Chag Kasher v'Sameach!

2 if G-d forbid, they are not physically free. Freeing Ourselves Friends, I have a personal message that I’d like to from COVID-19 share with you today. In all honesty, I have to tell you that I’m very concerned about many of you. It has RABBI IRA EBBIN been such a long and challenging year It has been hard to stay positive and optimistic, hard to imagine Dear friends, that we could ever go “back to normal”. However, with The month of Nissan and the holiday of Pesach is the implementation of vaccines, there is much referred to as Zman Cheiruteinu, the time of our encouraging news out there today. And with many of freedom. But in truth the word Cheirut never appears us already vaccinated or soon to have our vaccinations in the Torah. The word in the Torah for Freedom is completed, I would like you to encourage you to start Chafshi (‫)חפשי‬. Cheirut on the other hand, is actually a taking back some of your freedom. play on words from the Rabbis in the Mishna of Pirkei Avot. The Tablets with the ten commandments were The CDC recently came out with new guidelines referred to as Luchot Hacharut (‫)לוחות החרות‬, meaning regarding those who have been fully vaccinated. While engraved tablets. Since the words Cherut and Charut we are still required to remain masked and socially are spelled exactly the same, the Rabbis derived in the distanced in public places, the CDC has begun to relax Mishna, “Al Tikra Charut Ela Cheirut”, don't read it as some of those restrictions for those who have been charut, engraved, but rather Cheirut, meaning freedom. vaccinated and want to socialize privately in small groups with others whom have been vaccinated. The Rabbis wanted us to understand something so Additionally, in a conversation I recently had with the profound that it would be as relevant today as it was renowned infectious disease specialist Dr. Aaron Glatt, 3,000 years ago. Freedom is not defined by whether he said that anyone who is vaccinated should be you are shackled or enslaved. Freedom is a state of comfortable hugging their grandchildren, going mind. One could have all the wealth and the shopping, and YES going to a shul like Ohav Sholom, independence in the world, but if they are which has a policy of masking and social distancing. overwhelmed by their addictions, overly influenced by their surroundings or just scared to make a decision, We have been enslaved by this terrible virus for over a then they are anything but free. Dr. Viktor Frankl, the year now. We have all been frightened, and we have father of Logo Therapy and a Holocaust survivor, dramatically altered our lifestyles so we can be safe explained in his vital book, Man’s search for meaning - and protect the safety of others. But after speaking to “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: many of you, I feel it's important to encourage us all to the last of the human freedoms — to choose one's begin to responsibly start our own exodus, our Cheirut, attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose following the guidelines of the CDC and our medical one's own way.” experts. If you fall into this category but you still feel hesitant, please reach out to me. I’d love to talk to you. The Rabbis of the Mishna conveyed that message - that while the Jewish nation may have been liberated from Friends, the time has come. We are in Zman slavery, they would only attain national freedom with a Cheiruteinu and while we have gone through the guidebook - that being the Ten Commandments and ordeal of the past year, we also have witnessed the the Torah. Through that, they would fill their lives with most remarkable miracles. Please join me back in shul reverence, with self restraint, with the ability to sanctify this Pesach, or anywhere for that matter, so we can the mundane and make it holy, and with a national begin to take back our freedom. mission of redeeming the world by bringing G-dliness to the forefront. And the rabbis conveyed, like Frankl We miss you at shul and we really want to see you and the great Natan Sharansy did so many years later, back. that one could still attain Cheirut, regardless, even Chevi and the children join me in wishing you all a Chag Kasher Ve’Sameac\"h, and a Zissen Pesach, Freedom is not defined by whether you are shackled or enslaved. Freedom is a state of mind. - Rabbi Ira Ebbin

CONGREGATION OHAV SHOLOM 3 PESACH SCHEDULE 5781/2021 RABBI EBBIN’S SHABBAT HAGADOL Monday March 29: Pesach Day 2 DRASHA/CLASS Shacharit – 9:00 AM Mincha – 7:00 PM WEDNESDAY MARCH 23 AT 8PM www.ohav.org/connect Yom Tov Ends – 7:57 PM Thursday, March 25: Tuesday-Thursday, March 30 - April 1 Fast/Siyum of the First Born Chol Hamoed Shacharit 7 AM Morning Services – 6:50 AM Fast of First Born In Person and On Zoom Mincha – 7:05 PM at www.ohav.org/connect - 7:40 AM Thursday April 1: Mincha – 6:55 PM Virtual Yizkor – 8 PM on www.ohav.org/connect Search for Chometz – After 7:53 PM (If you will be away and will not be home on Friday, April 2: Chol Hamoed/Erev Yom Tov Thursday night, then search without a Bracha on the last night that you will be Morning Services – 6:50 AM Virtual Yizkor – 5 PM home) Candle Lighting – Before 7:02 PM Friday, March 26: Mincha – 6:45 PM Shacharit: 7:15AM Chometz Burning At Ohav – 7:45-9:15 Shabbat, April 3: Pesach 7th Day Morning Services – 9:00 AM AM Shir Hashirim Rabbi Ebbin’s Burning Talk – 8:30 AM Mincha – 6:55 PM Candle Lighting After 8:02 PM Candle Lighting – 6:54 PM Mincha – 7 PM Sunday, April 4: Pesach Last Day/Yizkor Service (It is recommended to use Egg Matzah for Hamotzi. Alternatively, you can have Challah Morning Services – 9AM carefully and dispose of the crumbs in the Yizkor Memorial Service – Approximately toilet.) 10 AM Mincha – 7:05 PM Shabbat, March 27: Erev Pesach Pesach Ends – 8:03 PM Morning Services – 9:00 AM Do Not Eat Chometz until 9 PM (SEE NOTE ABOVE) Latest Time To Eat Chometz 10:55 AM Latest Time To Dispose of Chometz 11:57 AM Mincha – 7 PM Candle Lighting/Seder Not Before 7:54 PM Sunday, March 28: Pesach Day 1 Morning Services – 9:00 AM Mincha – 6:55 PM Rabbi’s Class Candle Lighting/Seder Not Before 7:55 PM

The President's 4 Address gatherings were severely curtailed, I’m proud that DARON RUBENSOHN so many in our synagogue community, led by our hard working and dedicated Rabbi and our As I write this message, I recognize that we have just talented members, spearheaded so many initiatives finished celebrating Purim, and, thereby, have and programs to keep Ohav vibrant and connected completed the Jewish calendar cycle in what has been to our members. In turn, our members have an extremely challenging year. During Purim last March, stepped up with unprecedented generosity during I vividly recall attending the Megillah reading with the our various fundraisers recognizing the need and COVID-19 pandemic at our doorstep. During the Purim heeding the call to meet it. freilach that followed the Megillah reading, I asked one of our members, a practicing physician, his thoughts As Pesach rapidly approaches this year, I can’t help and predictions related to the unchartered territory that but yearn for the freedom that this holiday we were about to enter. As I think back to that symbolizes. The freedom to have Shabbat and Yom discussion, what is evident to me now is that nobody, or Tov meals with family and friends, the freedom to maybe only a handful of people, really had any idea of walk into a store without needing to wear a mask, what was to come. In fact, while I’m sure few of us the freedom to open our shul to hosting social and realized it then, Purim would be the last time that Ohav fundraising events. Unlike last year, this Pesach I will would hold in-person service for months to come, and have reasons to feel hopeful. Today, I received my the harsh reality is that some of us still haven’t been first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Through the willing or able to enter the building. As we celebrated heroic efforts of Rabbi Ebbin, Shawn and Hedy Pesach, alone or with only our immediate families, Gross and Rob Liebman, we have assisted over 500 many pointed out that it was probably the first time people, members and non-members alike, to get since the very first Pesach in Mitzrayim that everyone vaccinated. The pandemic has been difficult and had seders at home by themselves or with immediate stressful, and we can’t forget that over half a million family. Americans so far have succumbed to the virus, but I know we are resilient and that better days are Over the course of the past year, we at Ohav Sholom ahead for us as a shul and as a nation. have adapted to the new normal. Adhering to the My family and I want to wish you a chag kasher regulations and recommendations of the CDC, the v'sameach – a happy, and most importantly, healthy Governor’s Office and halachic authorities, we prayed Pesach! together on Zoom until we could resume in person services – first outside and then inside. We reconfigured our seating, and even where and how we daven. We held inspirational High Holiday services concurrently in our sanctuary and outside in a tent while doing all we could to make sure that nobody got COVID while attending shul. Although we have found a way to pray together, as well as to interact virtually in various classes and activities, we have greatly missed the social gatherings, the schmoozing during kiddush, and dancing and celebrating at simchas with our friends and fellow members. While our in-person \"While our in-person gatherings were severely curtailed, I'm proud that so many in our synagogue community... spearheaded so many initiatives to keep Ohav vibrant and connected to our members.\" -Daron Rubensohn

Ohav in the News 5 VOLUNTEERS FROM OHAV SHOLOM IN MERRICK HELP SENIORS GET VACCINATED \"Thanks to Ohav Sholom’s volunteers, Steve [Werbel] got his first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at the Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead on Feb. 11. He is just one of [now over 500] seniors that was helped by the effort, which includes congregants and non- congregants from Bellmore, Merrick, Wantagh, Seaford and other surrounding communities.\" -Alyssa Seidman, Merrick Herald BELLMORE-MERRICK SYNAGOGUES SAFELY CELEBRATE PURIM DURING PANDEMIC \" Congregation Ohav Sholom, in Merrick, offered both in-person and virtual programs during Purim. Additionally, last Friday, volunteers delivered a total 250 baskets to each member of the synagogue’s congregational family. Following a virtual Megillah reading, families enjoyed game show-style entertainment and competed to win prizes over Zoom, keeping the spirit of the holiday alive.\" -Alyssa Seidman, Merrick Herald

6 CHOMETZ SALE FORM DELEGATION OF POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR SALE OF CHAMETZ I, the undersigned, fully empower and permit Rabbi Ebbin to act in my place and stead, and in my behalf to sell all CHAMETZ possessed by me (knowingly or unknowingly) defined as claimed by The Torah and Rabbinic Law (e.g. Chametz, doubt of Chametz, and all kinds of Chametz mixtures), as well as Chametz that tends to harden and to adhere to a surface of inside of pans, pots and cooking and usable utensils, and all kinds of live animals that have been eating Chametz or mixtures thereof, and to lease all places wherein the Chametz owned by me may be found, especially in the premises indicated below and elsewhere. Rabbi Ebbin has the full right to sell and to lease by transactions, as he deems fit and proper and for such time which he believes necessary in accordance with all terms detailed in the general authorization contract which is in the possession of Rabbi Ebbin authorizing him to sell Chametz; on behalf of others. I hereby give the said Rabbi Ebbin full power and authority to appoint a substitute in his stead with full power to sell and lease as provided herein. The above given power is in conformity with all Torah, Rabbinical regulations and laws, and also in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, and the United States of America. Home Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Chametz I posses includes the following: Type of Chametz (groceries liquor etc.) Exact location (kitchen cabinet pantry etc.) Approximate Value $ Date:___________ Printed Name: ________________________ Signed Name: ____________________________ Also complete this part ONLY if you will be away all Pesach I specifically authorize Rabbi Ira Ebbin to sell all Chametz located anywhere in my home at the above address, and to lease my entire home (with the exception of ________________________). The keys to my home can be found with _____________________________(Phone #___________________________ All Chometz Sales Can Be Done Online at www,ohav.org/chometz OR you can submit this form into the office. There will be no “In Person” Chometz Sales, other than at Daily Weekday Services

Sisterhood Upcoming Events 7 FRAN GREEN, SISTERHOOD PRESIDENT It is hard to believe that just about a year ago, we were all struggling with how we were going to get through our first major Chag with just the people who live in our homes. A seder without our extended family seemed unfathomable and impossible! Not to mention, how do we cook for just 4-6 people?! As Jewish women, we only know how to cook for an army! I don’t know about you, but as scared as we all were, I enjoyed the first few months of the pandemic with my family. I had both of my girls at home and Brian and I were working from home. What a rare and special time it was. We played games, had lots of laughs and even watched Brian grow a beard! Oh and we adopted a puppy! Emerald “Emmy” Green has been a source of utter joy during these trying times! Sisterhood ended 2020 with a beautiful make-up tutorial by Tracy Moldwin back in December. Some of you joined us for a fun Zumba class in January and of course, February was filled with preparation for Sisterhood’s biggest fundraiser.....Mishloach Manot for Purim! Our dedicated Mishloach Manot Chairwomen, Sarit Conboy and Helene Pitzer were mindful of the pandemic fears and arranged for lovely pre-packaged trays in an attempt to assuage any fears of contamination. I would like to thank those of you who supported us in this fundraiser and express gratitude to Sarit and Helene for all of their hard work! Coming up for sisterhood is our first ever, Zoom Schlissel Challah Bake led by Ohav’s very own, Samantha Friedman. Then, in preparation for Shavuot, Naomi Elberg (known as @Naomi_tgis on Instagram) will show us how to make her yummy babka. Our book club has been ongoing throughout the pandemic with discussions approximately every six weeks. If anyone has any suggestions on things we can do over Zoom, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I am hoping that as the weather gets warmer and more people get vaccinated, that we will soon be able to gather in person again. In the meantime, stay safe, count your blessings and keep smiling. Wishing you all a Zissen Pesach!

Men's Club 8 AARON POLONSKY AND HOWIE Please remember to support these local businesses, GOLDMARK, MEN'S CLUB PRESIDENTS which in turn help support Ohav: 1) Kardesh Jewelers Dear Friends, 2) smile.amazon.com (AmazonSmile is a program that As we approach the holiday of Pesach, we think of donates 0.5% of your eligible purchases on Amazon to all the laws, customs and traditions associated with Ohav Sholom. All you need to do is start your the holiday, and what this holiday represents to us shopping at smile.amazon.com. The donation will be personally and as a People. made at no extra cost to you!) 3) Sip & Say Wine & Spirits - Use code Ohav at It is with a somber heart that we think about the checkout for 10% off! Ohav will get 5% of your past year. Physically, emotionally, mentally, purchase back as a donation! Direct Link to kosher for spiritually, intellectually; it's a challenge. Even after Passover wines: oup.sipsay.com/ohav this pandemic is over, the effects will be long 4) Tiffany Dry Cleaners lasting. However we must look to the positives that comes from such a plight. Looking forward, B'ezrat HaShem, we hope to have our annual Men's Club BBQ. Updates to come via Since very early in the pandemic, the events/Zoom email. meetings/clubs that have been held over the last 12 months have been nothing short of amazing. We invite you to take advantage of the pre-Pesach They’ve been high quality and high energy, and Pesach related items that are available for you informative and entertaining. The efforts of Rabbi and your family at Ohav to help you with your holiday Ebbin, Jordan Smith, the Sisterhood, Ohav Eats, preparation. As always should there be any specific Chaverim and numerous others have been a light in need that you or anyone needs assistance with, please a very dark time for many of us. We thank everyone reach out to us and we will do our best to help in the who has participated in providing these services to best possible way. our community. G-d willing, we will all be released from this bondage Thank you to Jeff Dacher for organizing and leading of COVID soon. Chag Kasher v'sameach! Ohav’s Mens Club Book Club. The reviews have been fantastic. Please keep an eye out for emails about \"Since very early in the the next book club meeting or reach out to Jeff. pandemic, the events/Zoom meetings/clubs that have been Thank you to Matthew Lerner on the creation and held over the last 12 months successful completion of the inaugural Shul have been nothing short of Cornhole League. This venture has proved to be a amazing\" good source of revenue. In addition, it is great -Aaron Polonsky and Howie exposure for young singles/families in the area. The Goldm 2nd season should start as soon as it is safe to do so. Please look out for emails, or ask Matthew Lerner/Aaron Polonsky if you have any questions. Softball season is here! We made the finals last year. Help us raise our fifth banner! Games are on Sundays and the season starts April 11 and runs through August. Contact Dave Denenberg or Adam Cohen for more information.

YOM HASHOAH 9 AND YOM HA'ATZMAUT Join Ohav Sholom and the MBJCC for these two special programs! Yom HaShoah Thursday, April 8 If you would like to present your family's story, please contact Rabbi Ebbin at [email protected]. Yom Ha'atzmaut Thursday, April 15 We are collecting pictures for a montage at the program. If you have a picture of your family in Israel please send to [email protected]

Social 10 JORDAN SMITH, VP SOCIAL Happy Pesach! It’s hard to believe it’s been over a year since our last in person social event took place. Even though we couldn’t be together in person, Ohav’s social landscape was actually more active than ever in 2020. We took full advantage of as many opportunities to connect virtually as possible. From our kick-off panel on maintaining our mental health during the pandemic, to games shows, cooking demonstrations, mixing our favorite drinks, discussing popular tv shows, movies, and books, educational classes with our favorite local rabbis, and our first ever Ohav-a-thon. You name it, we did it - together. Highlights of the past few months include Ohav’s Big Virtual Chanukah Sha-Bang and Picture Fail contest in December, latke-making with Daniel Smith, an amazing hamantaschen baking demonstration by our own Barry Gochman in celebration of Purim, and Ohav’s Virtual Reunion with Rabbi Wohlberg. Many thanks to Ohav’s Membership Committee for diligently helping to pack the Chanukah gift bags that you received in December, and to the many people who helped deliver those bags to you. Next up is Ohav’s Community Art Project! We are extremely excited that Ohav artist Janice Cepler has agreed to help us put together a work of mosaic Judaic art to hang in Ohav’s lobby. To make this a success we need your help! Please use the art supplies and instructions you received in your Mishloach Manot bags to create a watercolor and send it back to Ohav’s office by April 1. A video tutorial is available on Ohav’s YouTube channel. We will be unveiling the finished artwork on Sunday, May 23! Wishing you all a wonderful holiday. Hopefully as more of us are able to get vaccinated we can see a light at the end of the tunnel. I look forward to socializing with all of you together in person in 2021! \"Ohav's social landscape was actually more active than ever in 2020\" -Jordan Smith

Youth 11 YONI GOLDENBERG, YOUTH DIRECTOR Dear Ohav, Thank you for giving me the opportunity to grow with your children since I arrived at this shul. I really feel like the kids have welcomed me into your families. We miss being together in person on Shabbat and during events, but we didn’t let the pandemic get in the way of programming incredible events. Since COVID started, we have been meeting on Zoom groups twice a week, usually on Tuesday and Friday. Tuesday is game night where we play a variety of games including Heads up, Hangman, Kahoot, scavenger hunts and so much more. The kids even get to make their own Kahoot games and share them with the rest of the group! This is a great way for our children to build leadership skills and engage with their friends during this difficult time. On Friday afternoon, we have virtual Junior Congregation. Our programming is widely attended and enjoyed by our children. We even had a color war this summer that was very successful. We capitalized on the nice weather so that we can meet up in person and have a great time together. Hopefully with the weather warming up again, we can plan some in-person outdoor events. We can’t wait for when we can be back in shul to have youth groups! Normally, on holidays like Pesach, we give our groups a special theme in anticipation of the greater amount of kids that attend. Hopefully, once the pandemic is over, we can increase our attendance at youth events on Shabbat. I think having between 8-11 kids in a group is a great number for kids to meet new friends and have a meaningful experience. I also hope to create more programming for our middle school-aged kids and give them the opportunity to connect with other kids their age. For now, I hope everyone has a very meaningful Passover. I can’t wait for the day I can come back to Ohav and spend quality time with your children again.

A NIGHT OF QUESTIONS: SOME FODDER FOR 12 DISCUSSION AT YOUR SEDER BY RABBI IRA EBBIN 1.THE FIRST STEP IN THE SEDER IS KADDISH. WE DO NOT REFER TO THE STEP AS KIDDUSH. KIDDUSH IS A NOUN. KADDISH IS A VERB. AS FREE PEOPLE THE FIRST THING WE ARE ASKED TO DO IS TO BRING KEDUSHA, AND MAKE THINGS HOLY. THIS IS FUNDAMENTAL TO BEING JEWISH. QUESTION: IN WHAT WAYS DO WE CREATE SANCTITY AND MAKE THINGS HOLY? HOW DO WE SANCTIFY OUR TIME? DOES TIME CONTROL US OR DO WE CONTROL OUR TIME? 2. DURING THE SEDER, WE ARE REQUIRED TO RECLINE. RECLINING IS NOT ONLY AN ACT OF FREEDOM, IT IS AN ACT OF DISOBEDIENCE. MANY OF OUR GREATEST LEADERS DISPLAYED DEFIANCE, AND SPOKE TRUTH TO POWER (MOSHE, ABRAHAM, MORDECHAI). QUESTION: WHY IS DISOBEDIENCE, SOMETIMES IMPORTANT? CAN SOCIETIES THAT ARE ALWAYS SUBMISSIVE SURVIVE? 3. YACHATZ IS AN ACT OF BREAKING THE MATZAH, AND PUTTING SOME AWAY FOR LATER. IT IS A DEMONSTRATION OF SELF CONTROL AND RESTRAINT, A SYMBOL THAT WE ARE FREE FROM OUR ANIMALISTIC QUALITIES. QUESTION: HOW DO THE MITZVOT OF JUDAISM INSTILL SELF CONTROL? 4. RABBI JONATHAN SACKS EXPLAINS THAT MAH NISHTANA IS MORE THAN JUST A QUESTION ABOUT THIS NIGHT. IT IS A QUESTION ABOUT “WHY AND HOW ARE JEWS DIFFERENT THAN ALL OTHER PEOPLE?” QUESTION: HOW WOULD YOU ANSWER THAT QUESTION TO YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN? 5. THE HAGGADAH QUOTES THE TORAH THAT G-D PROMISED ABRAHAM THAT HIS CHILDREN WILL LEAVE EGYPT WITH GREAT WEALTH. RABBI SHMUEL GOLDIN POINTS OUT THAT THE JEWISH NATION HAD NO NEED FOR MONEY IN THE DESERT. HE FURTHER EXPLAINS THAT THERE WERE TWO THINGS THAT THE NATION USED THEIR WEALTH FOR WHILE IN THE DESERT: THE MISHKAN AND THE GOLDEN CALF, AND REFERS TO THIS AS “THE TEST OF WEALTH”. QUESTION: WHAT IS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH WEALTH? DO WE USE IT TO TO SERVE G-D OR OUR OWN PERSONAL IDOLATRY? 6. WE ARE OBLIGATED TO SEE OURSELVES AS IF WE WERE TAKEN OUT OF EGYPT. WE DO THAT BY COMPARING OUR LIVES TODAY, TO WHAT THEY, AND MOST OF OUR ANCESTORS HAD TO ENDURE. QUESTION: DO WE APPRECIATE THE TIMES THAT WE ARE LIVING IN? 7. IN THE “COVENANT BETWEEN THE PARTS” WHICH WE QUOTE IN THE HAGADDAH, ABRAHAM WAS TOLD IN ADVANCE THAT HIS CHILDREN WILL BE ENSLAVED. QUESTION: WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OUR NATION WAS CONCEIVED WHILE IN SLAVERY? HOW DOES THAT HELP US APPRECIATE LIBERTY?