EDITORIAL

Dear Readers,

This is a month of miracles. Chanukah teaches us that although we remain small in numbers, we can achieve greatness by being persistent and not giving up. The Holocaust survivors among us are living proof of those miracles, of our eternal perseverance and existence. In this vein, I am pleased to let you know of a new project the JCC is currently working on: a music album entitled Shirei Hapleita (Songs of the Survivors). The album contains Yiddish songs composed during and prior to the Holocaust era.  5000 copies of the album will be distributed free of charge to survivors through various agencies. Hearing songs of their youth sung in the language they grew with will give them much joy and nachas. If you would like to make a difference in the lives of Holocaust survivors, please reach out to me at the email below for more information on how you can co-sponsor a song.

A short time before this publication went to print; Agudath Israel of America hosted its annual convention in the Crown Plaza Hotel in Connecticut. I’ve been attending for the past few years and would definitely encourage others to do the same. There are so many important reasons for this event to occur. It’s a great hub to meet askanim from communities across the country and beyond, including Mexico City and Israel. It’s an opportunity to come up with ideas that address common issues. It’s a great forum for sharing knowledge of existing programs as well; you do not always have to reinvent the wheel, especially if there’s another organization with a successful program in another part of the country or state. Additionally, hearing words of inspiration from our Gedolim and Rabbanim is always very inspiring. Finally, I think having so many leaders and great people in the same place creates a sense of cohesiveness for the religious Jewish community. When it comes to the outside world, we need to have one voice. An event like brings so many different factions of the Jewish community together, creating a bold statement.

Rabbi Ephraim Wachsman, Rosh Yeshivah of Meor Yitzchak of Monsey, spoke powerfully at the convention’s keynote session on Motzoei  Shabbos on the pressing matter of tuition, which has reached crises level for many families in the Orthodox community. He urged askanim and others to think outside the box when coming up with ideas on how to continue raising funds thereby hopefully eliminating this issue.  Rabbi Wachsman also related Yaakov’s dream of the ladder reaching heaven (in that week’s parashah) to our potential when we strive to accomplish our missions. We can only reach the pinnacle of our goals when we use the symbolic ladder, taking one step at a time to the top, while always remembering that we are aiming to reach a Heavenly goal that yields success.

Warm regards,

Shea Rubenstein

Shea@ TheJewishEcho.com

Shea Rubenstein is a co-founder of the Jewish Community Council of Marine Park and serves as its executive vice president.  The JCCMP offers many programs to Marine Park and its surrounding communities, including youth programs, social services, and job initiatives.