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ISSUE 567
SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
ערב סוכות
י”ב תשרי תשפ”ז
איין טאג אין יאר וואס ברענגט
ה׳ כסלו, דער גרויסער ישועות פאר א גאנץ יאר
טשענגער יארצייט
בראשות נכדי רבינו
מקום שהתפללו אבותי
1-(718)-CSENGER
U P DAT E D A N D
E X PA N D E D
E XC U R S I O N S P I C T O R I A L
Globetrotter
Travel the world with
Raizy Friedman
E XC U R S I O N S R E P O R T
Clementon Closes
The end of an era for an
iconic amusement park
TRIPLE SUKKOS ISSUE
FREE
ISSUE 567
SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
ערב סוכות
י”ב תשרי תשפ”ז
DON’T KNOW WHICH WAY TO TURN?
WE’LL POINT YOU THE RIGHT WAY.
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CALL OR TEXT:
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בחגיך
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Be My Guest
Who else shares
Baily's sukkah?
N E W S E R I A L !
Remember Me
A story for young adults
by Bracha Rosman
Branching Out
How to grow your own
esrog tree
Tea Time
A trendy tea
bar warms cool
Sukkos nights
Show of
Gratitude
The meaning
and message of
Birchas Hagomel
Three true stories
of salvation at
the brink
TRIPLE SUKKOS ISSUE
FREE
ISSUE 567
SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
ערב סוכות
י”ב תשרי תשפ”ז
The leaders in
corporate recruiting
Call, text or WhatsApp 732.800.7633
Info@SwiftStaffingGroup.com
SwiftStaffingGroup.com
REFUAH CARE IS ON ITS WAY.
RefuahatHome
845.354.9330
TRIPLE SUKKOS ISSUE
If Walls
Could Talk
For Aryeh
Hoffman, one
sukkah opened the
door to the next
At Your
Service
Reb Shulim
Markowitz on
what a shamash
really does
My son
is bored
in school
The therapist
responds
70 Years
Reflections on
each decade
of life
A YO M T OV
C O L L E C T I O N
WHAT WAS THE
MOST UNIQUE
HACHNASAS
SEFER TORAH
YOU EVER
ATTENDED?
!יום טוב
אפרייליכן
FREE
ISSUE 567
SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
ערב סוכות
י”ב תשרי תשפ”ז
איין טאג אין יאר וואס ברענגט
ה׳ כסלו, דער גרויסער ישועות פאר א גאנץ יאר
טשענגער יארצייט
בראשות נכדי רבינו
מקום שהתפללו אבותי
1-(718)-CSENGER
U P DAT E D A N D E X PA N D E D
E XC U R S I O N S P I C T O R I A L
Globetrotter
Travel the world with
Raizy Friedman
E XC U R S I O N S R E P O R T
Clementon Closes
The end of an era for an
iconic amusement park
TRIPLE SUKKOS ISSUE
Now in print
and digital form
Our Yom Tov gift to you!
175 Route 59, Spring Valley, NY 10977
845-694-8888, springvalley@medrite.com
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Monday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Saturday: 6:30 PM -12:00 AM
FREE
ISSUE 567
SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
ערב סוכות
י”ב תשרי תשפ”ז
The leaders in
corporate recruiting
Call, text or WhatsApp 732.800.7633
Info@SwiftStaffingGroup.com
SwiftStaffingGroup.com
REFUAH CARE IS ON ITS WAY.
RefuahatHome
845.354.9330
TRIPLE SUKKOS ISSUE
FREE
ISSUE 567
SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
ערב סוכות
י”ב תשרי תשפ”ז
DON’T KNOW WHICH WAY TO TURN?
WE’LL POINT YOU THE RIGHT WAY.
CALL: 718.451.3800
LEVMEDICAL.ORG
Hope beats here™
845-470-7991
CALL OR TEXT
WHATSAPP :
845.274.7351
CALL OR TEXT:
845.414.9966
FREE SPEEDY
DELIVERY
OPEN DAILY
UNTIL 10PM
OPEN MOTZAI
SHABBOS
ושמחת
בחגיך
F I C T I O N
Be My Guest
Who else shares
Baily's sukkah?
N E W S E R I A L !
Remember Me
A story for young adults
by Bracha Rosman
Branching Out
How to grow your own
esrog tree
Tea Time
A trendy tea
bar warms cool
Sukkos nights
Show of
Gratitude
The meaning
and message of
Birchas Hagomel
Three true stories
of salvation at
the brink
TRIPLE SUKKOS ISSUE
FREE
ISSUE 567
SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
ערב סוכות
י”ב תשרי תשפ”ז
The leaders in
corporate recruiting
Call, text or WhatsApp 732.800.7633
Info@SwiftStaffingGroup.com
SwiftStaffingGroup.com
REFUAH CARE IS ON ITS WAY.
RefuahatHome
845.354.9330
TRIPLE SUKKOS ISSUE
If Walls
Could Talk
For Aryeh
Hoffman, one
sukkah opened the
door to the next
At Your
Service
Reb Shulim
Markowitz on
what a shamash
really does
My son
is bored
in school
The therapist
responds
70 Years
Reflections on
each decade
of life
A YO M T OV
C O L L E C T I O N
WHAT WAS THE
MOST UNIQUE
HACHNASAS
SEFER TORAH
YOU EVER
ATTENDED?
!יום טוב
אפרייליכן
FREE
ISSUE 567
SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
ערב סוכות
י”ב תשרי תשפ”ז
איין טאג אין יאר וואס ברענגט
ה׳ כסלו, דער גרויסער ישועות פאר א גאנץ יאר
טשענגער יארצייט
מקום שהתפללו אבותי
1-(718)-CSENGER
U P DAT E D A N D E X PA N D E D
E XC U R S I O N S P I C T O R I A L
Globetrotter
Travel the world with
Raizy Friedman
E XC U R S I O N S R E P O R T
Clementon Closes
The end of an era for an
iconic amusement park
TRIPLE SUKKOS ISSUE
Now in print
and digital form
Our Yom Tov gift to you!
175 Route 59, Spring Valley, NY 10977
845-694-8888, springvalley@medrite.com
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Monday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Saturday: 6:30 PM -12:00 AM
FREE
ISSUE 567
SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
ערב סוכות
י”ב תשרי תשפ”ז
איין טאג אין יאר וואס ברענגט
ה׳ כסלו, דער גרויסער ישועות פאר א גאנץ יאר
טשענגער יארצייט
בראשות נכדי רבינו
מקום שהתפללו אבותי
1-(718)-CSENGER
U P DAT E D A N D E X PA N D E D
E XC U R S I O N S P I C T O R I A L
Globetrotter
Travel the world with
Raizy Friedman
E XC U R S I O N S R E P O R T
Clementon Closes
The end of an era for an
iconic amusement park
TRIPLE SUKKOS ISSUE
Now in print
and digital form
Our Yom Tov gift to you!
175 Route 59, Spring Valley, NY 10977
845-694-8888, springvalley@medrite.com
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Monday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Saturday: 6:30 PM -12:00 AM
If Walls
Could Talk
For Aryeh
Hoffman, one
sukkah opened the
door to the next
At Your
Service
Reb Shulim
Markowitz on
what a shamash
really does
My son
is bored
in school
The therapist
responds
70 Years
Reflections on
each decade
of life
A YO M T OV
C O L L E C T I O N
WHAT WAS THE
MOST UNIQUE
HACHNASAS
SEFER TORAH
YOU EVER
ATTENDED?
!יום טוב
אפרייליכן
175 Route 59, Spring Valley, NY 10977
845-694-8888, springvalley@medrite.com
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Monday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Saturday: 6:30 PM -12:00 AM
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D ear
Readers,
One of Yom Tov’s highlights is the opportunity to
spend time with family. Parents and children, maybe even
grandparents and cousins, take a break from routine to spend
time together in a refreshing new setting.
But then comes the dreaded question: Where should we go?
We solved that problem for you. Every year, we create our Excursions
supplement with families like yours in mind. We carefully curate ideas
for outings, trips and visits that create the perfect backdrop for family
time over Chol Hamoed, and cover a wide range of activities for every
age, and for varied interests and abilities.
This year, we’re excited to announce that we’ve collaborated with
KosherTrippers, a platform for Jewish travel research, to create an
expanded and upgraded Excursions as our Yom Tov gift to you.
Excursions is now available in two convenient formats: the print
guide you’ve come to rely on, now as a separate supplement, and a
new user-friendly digital version, available at koshertrippers.com/
excursions. As always, we’ve carefully revised all listings with up-
to-the-minute information and added new destinations for original,
exciting experiences.
For over a decade, Excursions has been a Chol Hamoed tradition. We
hope you enjoy this year’s updated, expanded and convenient edition.
Thank you for making us part of your simchas Yom Tov. From The
Monsey View and KosherTripper teams, we wish you a safe trip,
tons of fun, and memories that will last a lifetime.
With wishes for a beautiful Yom Tov,
The Monsey View
IN COLLABORATION WITH
פרייליכן א
רייזע!
www.themonseyview.com 845.600.8484
THE MONSEY VIEW
SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
A FILM BY MENDEL WAGSCHAL
Kings Kosher Films Presents
Film Production & Post-Production By BenHesh Studio
ARI ABRAMOWITZ • CHAIM BROWN • LEIBY WIEDER
SHIMSHY STEINMETZ • NOSSON CHAIM TISCHLER
Turn the
Page for
Showtimes
Monday & Tuesday,
September 28 & 29
Wednesday,
September 30
Chol Hamoed Succos 5787
4½-Hour Runtime (Including Intermission)
,אֹלֵקֵ י ֲאֲ בֹוֵתֵ ינּוֱֵאֱ ֹלֵקֵ ינּו ֵו 'ֶנֶיָך דְָיְִהִ י ָרָ צֹון ִמִ ְלְ ָפ
ִרִ יֵכֵ נּוְְדַַתְְו ְצְ ִעִ יֵדֵ נּו ְלְ ָׁשׁלֹוםַַתְְו ּתֹוִלִ יֵכֵ נּו ְלְ ָׁשׁלֹוםֶׁׁש
ְמְ חֹוזִִל ַתַ ִּגִ יֵעֵ נּוְְו ,ְמְ ֵכֵ נּו ְלְ ָׁשׁלֹוםְִתִ ְסְְו ,ְלְ ָׁשׁלֹום
(אם דעתו לחזור .ה ּוְלְ ָׁשׁלֹוםָָחְַחַ ִּיִים ּוְלְ ִׂשׂ ְמְֵצֵ נּו ְלְְפֶֶח
אֹוֵיֵב לַָּכַ ף ָּכִַתַ ִּצִ יֵלֵ נּו ִמְְו )ִזִיֵרֵ נּו ְלְ ָׁשׁלֹוםְְחַַתְְו מיד אומר
ל ִמִ יֵנֵיֶָרֶ ְך, ּוִמִ ָּכֶעֹות ַּבַ ֶּדָּיֹות ָרַַחְְו ִלִ ְסְ ִטִ יםְְו אֹוֵרֵ בְְו
ַלַ חְְׁשִִתְְו ,עֹוָלָ םָָל ָלָ בֹוא ׁשֹותְְּגַַרְְתִַהַ ִּמ ּיֹותֻֻנָָעְְרֻֻּפ
ֵחֵ ןְֵנֵנּו ְלְְּתִִתְְו ,ֵדֵ ינּוָָי ֵׂשֵ יֲֲעַַמ לָָכְְּב הָָחָָלְְצַַהְְו הָָכְָּבְ ָר
,ֵאֵ ינּוֹֹר לָָכ ֵעֵ יֵנֵיְֵעֵ יֶנֶיָך ּוְבְְּב ֲחֲ ִמִ יםַַרְֶסֶ ד ּוְלֶֶחְּוְל
הִָפִ ָּלְְּת ַַעֵׁשֹוֵמ לִֵּכִ י ֵק ,ֲחֲ נּוֵנֵנּוַַּת קֹול עַַמְְׁשִִתְְו
:הִָפִ ָּלְְּת ַַעֵׁשֹוֵמ 'ה דָָּתַַא רּוְךָָּב .הָָּתַַא ֲחֲ נּוןַַתְְו
As we present our latest Excursions Trip Guide,
please keep the following in mind.
We took great care to present up-to-the-minute information. However, before
heading out anywhere, we advise you to verify the hours, inquire about prices,
and make reservations in advance whenever possible. Some venues will not let
you in once full, and others require reservations even though they did not state so.
We present this list for informational purposes only; it is not an endorsement of
any specific attraction, and discretion should be used.
תפלת
הדרך
www.themonseyview.com 845.600.8484
THE MONSEY VIEW
SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
Monday & Tuesday,
September 28 & 29
15 Livingston Avenue,
New Brunswick NJ, 08901
Wednesday,
September 30
1148 East Jersey Street,
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
RESERVE YOUR SEAT TODAY!
KingsKosherFilms.com
show 5 Wednesday, SEPT. 30 - 7:30 PM
MEN (LOWER TIER) WOMEN (UPPER TIER)
show 3
Tuesday, SEPT. 29 - 1:00 PM
MEN (LOWER TIER) WOMEN (UPPER TIER)
show 4
Tuesday, SEPT. 29 - 7:30 PM
MEN (LOWER TIER) WOMEN (UPPER TIER)
show 1
MONDAY, SEPT. 28 - 1:00 PM
MEN (LOWER TIER) WOMEN (UPPER TIER)
show 2
MONDAY, SEPT. 28 - 7:30 PM
MEN ONLY
Contents
PARKS & SCENIC
60
60
Farms & Orchards
52
52
Palisades Mall
125
125
Airplane Observation
American Dream
126
126
Page 10
Page 10
Page 40
Page 40
Botanical Gardens
48
48
Indoor Fun
80
80
Outdoor Fun
102
102
Historical & Museums
109
109
Aquariums & Zoos
115
115
Boating & Ferries
119
119
At the Sea & Tours
122
122
Meetup Locations
129
129
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THE MONSEY VIEW
SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
This Sukkos, serve the best.
Crispy-golden waffles paired with
delicate, flavorful macarons is the
perfect dessert to elevate your
Yom Tov menu.
B . W E R T H E I M E R
Nothing about the name Raizy Friedman screams exotic.
But when you ask her about her travels, her voice takes
on a unique lilt, and her words carry flavors from around
the world.
“My love of travel started, typically enough, with a family
trip to Eretz Yisroel. It was my first foray beyond New York,
and I was immediately hooked.”
Eretz Yisroel is, of course, special to every Yid, but for Rai
zy, the traveling itself sparked a lifelong passion.
“Let’s start with the unreal nature of flight itself,” Raizy
says. “In three minutes, you’re lifted ten thousand feet in
the air, and the entire world shrinks to the size of a wall
map. You suddenly realize how tiny the world and all its
stressors are. You're just above it all.”
Paradoxically, she says, world travel also shows you how
big the world is. “You stand in front of giant waterfalls, on
towering mountains, or under a star-studded sky, and
you realize how vast creation is, how big Hashem is. You
feel an overwhelming sense of humility before the Cre
ator of this awesome, wonderful world.”
Raizy also finds that travel makes her feel so, so grate
ful. “Some of the places we visit are home to affluent
residents, but others still have entire communities living
in subhuman conditions. These trips always leave me
overwhelmed with joy for the life we get to live.”
THAI
LAND
The Khlong Toei slums in Thailand
A city park called “The 80th Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty the King in Bangkok Park”
Thailand was perhaps the most
jarring country to visit.
“First of all, the poverty you see
there is incomprehensible. Entire
families live in homes made of
beaten-up plywood and scrap
materials, in filth and squalor un
imaginable to us,” Raizy says.
Additionally, Thailand is ruled by
a king, and Thai citizens can face
severe legal and social risks for
criticizing him or the royal family.
“When we were visiting,” Raizy
shares, “the king’s birthday was
being celebrated. Trying to make
polite conversation, we asked our
cab driver whether he liked his
king. He was obviously flustered
and answered diplomatically, ‘His
father was a very good king.’ We
could tell he was frightened and
wasn’t able to speak freely.”
But amidst the oppression and
poverty, or rather because of it,
Thailand also offers incredible
sights. Massive outdoor markets
are packed with poverty-stricken
Thai locals peddling their wares.
Two of the most iconic Thai mar
kets are Maeklong Railway Market
in Bangkok, and Damnoen Sad
uak Floating Market in Ratchaburi.
Maeklong Railway Market is a fully
functioning market sitting directly
on an active railway track, where
trains roar past six to eight times a
day. In seconds, vendors pull back
13
www.themonseyview.com 845.600.8484
THE MONSEY VIEW
SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
The King
and Queen
Pagodas
in Doi
Inthanon
National
Park, built
specifically
to honor
the Thai
royal family
their awnings, fold up their umbrellas and
clear their goods off the rails. As soon as the
train passes, they set up shop again.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market showcases
dozens of local traders, primarily women
wearing traditional straw hats. They navigate
narrow canals in sampan boats, hawking
fresh tropical fruits and vegetables.
On some boats, locals cook food on the spot
for hungry tourists, who shell out a dollar or
two for heaping bowls.
“While we obviously couldn’t eat any of it, it
was still fascinating to watch!” Raizy says.
At the end of a long week, the grateful Thais
take home their windfalls: between $75 and
$125 a week.
For the kosher traveler, Chabad houses across
Thailand offer a full range of kosher foods, as
well as complete Shabbos meals. “We met
the most fascinating people at those Shab
bos meals — businessmen, occasional tour
ists like us and Israeli backpackers — many of
whom were first learning about Yiddishkeit.”
Ironically, a visit to Thailand, one of the
poorest countries on earth, can cost tens
of thousands of dollars. No direct flights run
from the States to Thailand, so travelers must
first fly to a destination in Europe. Only after
that can they board the eleven-hour flight to
Thailand, for a total of about seventeen hours
of travel. Raizy first flew to France on her way
to Thailand. On the way home, she headed to
Switzerland, where she spent Shabbos before
continuing homeward.
The active railroad that runs through the market
A passing train forces peddlers to temporarily close up shop
14
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THE MONSEY VIEW
SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
Thailand’s
panoramas
appears
straight out
of a story
book
Colorful floating market filling the canals
Phuket, Thailand, home to one of
Thailand’s many Chabad houses
Chabad of Phuket, Thailand
15
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THE MONSEY VIEW
SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
SWIT
ZERL
AND
17
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THE MONSEY VIEW
SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
Switzerland welcoming her visitors with crisp mountain air and pristine cleanliness
Landing in Switzerland directly
from Thailand was a shock to the
system. While Thailand screams
poverty and neglect, Switzerland
is the epitome of culture, class
and world-renowned precision.
“The air in Switzerland is crisp and
clean,” Raizy says. “The streets are
perfectly maintained, and fines
are issued for littering. The fine for
dropping a soda can on the street
can be close to $100.”
By contrast, in Thailand, Raizy
found the streets heaped with
garbage, the smell pervading the
air.
Precision, punctuality and propri
ety are Swiss ground rules, but the
Yiddishe community in Switzer
land was warm and welcoming.
“When we finally arrived in Swit
zerland, the takeouts were all
closed. We were craving a hot
meal with nowhere to buy one.
But no worries! Random Yid
den, friends of friends, learned
about our plight and sent over a
Betty Crocker and frozen pizza.
The piping-hot delicacy warmed
bodies and hearts. For Shabbos,
we had reservations in the Davos
hotel. Overall, Switzerland was an
exceptional and luxurious experi
ence.”
18
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THE MONSEY VIEW
SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
19
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THE MONSEY VIEW
SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
CAN
CUN
Widely popular for its gorgeous beaches lined with
pure white sand, Cancun, a beach town in Mexico, is
a sought-after vacation destination.
“We actually splurged and booked a room over
looking the ocean, but that room didn’t give me the
rush of joy I get from traveling,” Raizy shares. “When
I travel, I want to travel! Sitting by the ocean all day
isn't for me.”
Nonetheless, she recommends it as a stunning,
relaxing trip for those who want to do nothing.
“Going midweek in the summer gives you a unique
advantage. Winter is peak season in Cancun, as
it serves as an escape from the brutal winters in
the north. But in the summer, Mexico gets very hot,
so the beaches are deserted and you get it all to
yourself.”
Sitting on the Cancun beaches, Raizy grabbed the
opportunity for another snorkeling trip.
“Unlike scuba diving, where you descend tens of feet
underwater and require specialized gear, snorkel
ing is much like regular swimming, just with goggles
and a snorkel mask.” A snorkel mask uses an airpipe
that stays above the water and lets the snorkeler
breathe as they explore the beautiful world of coral
reefs.
21
The Monsey View