COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

Community Highlights 

Daniel Keren

Daf Yomi B’Halacha Maggidei Shur Inspiring Siyumim

Lomdei Dirshu in dozens of communities in Eretz Yisrael marked the great milestone of completing chelek hei of Mishnah Berurah, which covers the complex halachos of Pesach and the often-neglected halachos of Yom Tov. Dirshu celebrated the achievements of its myriad lomdei halacha, who invest so much time and effort each day to fulfill the Chazal dictum of “Kol hashoneh halachos b’chol yom muvtach she’hu ben Olam Habah.” The siyum was led by Rav Sariel Rosenberg, Rav of the Ramat David neighborhood of Bnei Brak and av beis din of the beis din founded by Rav Nissim Karelitz, zt”l. Rav Rosenberg has been delivering a very well-attended Daf Yomi B’Halacha shiur virtually since the inception of the program. He praised the shiur members for their mesiras nefesh in maintaining that kevius, despite the difficult period of the pandemic.

Flatbush Community Mourns the Petirah of Reb Avrohom Wolfson, Z”l

Reb Avrohom Wolfson, z”l, a longtime resident of Flatbush, passed away on the sixth night of Chanukah at the age of 70. The son of the legendary Reb Zev Wolfson, z”l, one of the greatest Torah philanthropists of our generation, Reb Avrohom was a student of his father’s ways and became a renowned baal chessed whose home was open to anyone in need. Besides his reputation for his generous heart, Reb Avrohom was renowned for his love of Torah, spending hours each day studying and developing a strong kesher with Gedolei Torah such as Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, zt”l, Rav Aharon Leb Shteinman, zt”l, and Rav Yehuda Lefkowitz, zt”l. Like his father, Reb Avrohom developed impeccable middos and always avoided the limelight.  Despite his wealth, he lived a simple and unassuming manner choosing to focus on growing in Torah and helping spread Torah especially to his assimilated brothers.

Flatbush Remembers Rav Dovid Feinstein, Zt”l

Among the many tributes held around the world in memory of the universally renowned posek Rav Dovid Feinstein, zt”l, was a special gathering at Khal Zichron Mordechai. The inspiring program was broadcast live on TorahAnytime to viewers around the world. Rabbi Shimshon Sherer, mora d’asra of the host shul, was maspid Rav Feinstein, recalling his many interactions with the niftar. Mr. Ruby Schron delivered divrei pesichah, while Mr. Avi Schoenbrun served as emcee, and Mr. Chaskel Bennet led the pirkei Tehillim.

OU’s Yachad Starts Virtual Support Group for Siblings of Individuals with Special Needs

The outbreak of COVID-19 has affected many Jewish programs, including those for members of our community with special needs. Since many daytime and residential programs have closed, many have had to return to their parents’ homes with service interruptions from special education instructors, behavioralists, social workers, and a wide array of therapists. This has resulted in increased stress for family members. In response, the Orthodox Union’s Yachad, a leading organization for individuals with disabilities in the Orthodox community, will offer monthly virtual support groups for siblings. For more information, visit the OU website. 

Rabbi Asher Weiss Addresses Touro College

World-renowned Rabbi Asher Weiss, one of the leading halachic authorities and Torah scholars, was honored by Touro College on December 6 with the inaugural Rabbi Raphael Zalman Levine HaCohen Endowed Distinguished Talmudic Scholar Award. In a virtual lecture, Rabbi Weiss spoke about “Timeless Faith: Eternal Torah Perspectives and the Coronavirus,” after being introduced by Rabbi Yonason Sacks, Rosh Yeshivah of Beis Medrash L’Talmud of Touro’s Lander College for Men. Dr. Alan Kadish, president of Touro College, noted that Rabbi Weiss “has played a historic role in providing clear and decisive halachic guidance from the onset of the COVID-19 crisis.”

My Extended Family’s Chanukah Party

My Extended Family’s 350 children from single-parent homes took over the entire Jewish Children’s Museum in Crown Heights on the first night of Chanukah for their annual Chanukah party. Each child received Chanukah gelt and a gift to help feel the light of Chanukah. My Extended Family is an organization that was created five years ago by Rabbi and Rebbetzin Yoseph Vigler of the Maayan Yisroel shul, dedicated to the support and wellbeing of children from frum single-parent homes. Currently, My Extended Family has branches in Flatbush, Crown Heights, Monsey, and Five Towns/Far Rockaway. Those programs are run by dedicated team members that arrange and organize weekly club nights where the children eat dinner together, work on homework while paired with a Big Brother/Sister chosen from local yeshivos, work on activities, or play sports. To find out more about My Extended Family and how you can help or register your child, please visit www.myef.org.

Shalheves Offers Free Inspirational Telephone Line for Ladies

Shalheves, an organization founded by the late Rabbi Ezriel Tauber, zt”l,  has been offering  shiurim for women for many years.  Now, they are offering a free telephone line to further inspire the women. The topics include shiurim in chinuch, middos, emunah, Torah, tefillah, Shabbos, Yomim Tovim, marriage, women and the Jewish home and how one can grow in life, in addition to other topics and lectures from Rabbi Tauber, zt”l. To access this wonderful learning opportunity, please call (718) 819-3699.

Mirrer Yeshiva Virtual Dinner Honors the Memories of Rebbetzins and Devoted Women

Mirrer Yeshiva’s Virtual Dinner was held on December 1, titled “An Evening of Reflection: L’zecher our Illustrious Rebbetzins Who Devoted Their Lives for Harbotzos Torah.”  Those honored were Rebbetzin Malka Kalmanowitz, a”h, and Rebbetzin Reichel Berenbaum, a”h. Also singled out for memorial tributes were pillars of the world-renowned Flatbush makom Torah Mrs. Marta Schron, a”h, and Mrs. Dvora Leah Hecht, a”h.