By Chanita Teitz
It was a beautiful wedding! The kallah’s smile was radiant with joy. The chassan looked happy and proud. The guests filled the hall and spilled over outside. I read that about 20,000 people attended the wedding of Sarah Techiya and Ariel Beigel; a simcha mixed with sadness, joy mixed with mourning. This was the wedding for all of AmYisrael. We were all invited; some even flew to Israel for a few days just to be mesamei’ach the chassan and kallah. Those of us who couldn’t go in person were able to tune in online, watching videos and pictures, thanks to modern technology.
One family from Montreal who flew to Israel to attend the wedding beautifully expressed their sentiments on a video that they posted online: since the Jewish nation is one family, they felt as though they were coming to a family wedding.
A picture of Sarah Techiya’s father and brother who were killed by terrorists on the way to the ShabbatChattan about two weeks ago was on a table in the hall’s entrance. They were on everyone’s mind as the chassan and kallah marched to the chuppah. When the chassan said, “Im Eshkacheich Yerushalayim” he was crying, the kallah was in deep thought, and the guests were wiping the tears from their eyes. But then came the mazaltovs, and music filled the room, dancing erupted, and a joyous mood swept through the crowd. Just watching the chassan and kallah dancing and singing AmYisraelChai with their guests, while the crowd outside also sang AmYisraelChai, brought tears to my eyes. Our nation lives and will continue to live in our land despite the attempts to destroy us. May Sarah Techiya and Ariel have simcha and joy, a long and happy life together, and may we all share in the simcha of Am Yisrael Chai!
Chazaq Event: The Niggun That Opens The Soul
By Natan Alper
On Sunday night, November 8, Rabbi Shmuel Stern was invited by the Chazaq organization to speak at the Beth Gavriel Center in Forest Hills. Men and women were welcome and refreshments were served.
Rabbi Stern provided his audience with a unique experience by playing on his guitar and presenting his speech simultaneously. He recited many spiritual stories in conjunction with various inspiring songs.
Rabbi Stern emphasized throughout his speech that every person has a mission in this world. There is an accepted opinion that someone who has a strong connection or passion with a certain mitzvah should try to perform that mitzvah as often as possible since that may be his or her mission in life. Through our mission, we bring our body and soul together, leading to a closer relationship with G‑d. Getting closer to G‑d will strengthen our belief in Him and in our ability to strive for and achieve greatness. With a joint effort to achieve our mission in life and continuous prayer to G‑d, may He bring Mashiach quickly in our days.
A Busy Week
At Bnos Malka
Despite a shortened school week due to the Thanksgiving vacation, it was busy at Bnos Malka Academy. Starting with the culmination of what has become an annual schoolwide event, Bnos Malka Academy girls once again wrote letters and packed Chanukah care packages for Jewish soldiers stationed in Fort Benning, Georgia. Coordinators Rabbi Hayim Schwartz of the Rabbinical Seminary of America and Mr. Richard Taub paid a visit to Bnos Malka and remarked that thousands of Jewish soldiers will appreciate the efforts of the girls. Rabbi Schwartz explained, “While many of these soldiers are not religious, they will all appreciate these care packages. It will certainly leave them with a good feeling that fellow Jews are thinking of them and their commitment to protect our country.” The entire school got involved; the younger classes made cards and drew pictures, and the older girls packed the bags of goodies that included chocolate Chanukah gelt and dreidels.
The week included the fourth-grade Navi gala to celebrate the completion of the first perek in Sefer Yehoshua. As a special treat, the students were privileged to hear Rabbi Weichselbaum and Rabbi Bamberger speak. Rabbi Weichselbaum spoke about Yehoshua and his gadlus, and Rabbi Bamberger gave a speech about three special women in our history, Rachav, Yehudis, and Sara Schenirer. The students were moved by the powerful message that every Jewish woman can be great in her own way, and how each girl can be a heroine in her everyday life. The gala includes a special breakfast and a giant brownie which each girl decorated with a theme of EretzYisrael. The girls showed their talents with some highly creative and imaginative designs. Some scenes included Rachav’s house, Sefer Yehoshua, the Meraglim hiding, and even a map of Eretz Yisrael. As one student, Avital Davidowitz, said, “I enjoyed the yummy food and the speech. I felt like a grownup at a shiur.” Mrs. Hollander, the fourth-grade morah, put together a spectacular and inspiring slideshow of EretzYisrael, which also highlighted the words of Nodeh Lecha in bentching. As a reminder of the special day, students received a bentcher as a keepsake, which is particularly appropriate since Yehoshua wrote the second paragraph of Birkas HaMazon.
The Bnos Malka Ridgebacks made their basketball debut this week. Despite the loss, 33—26, to Shulamith of Brooklyn, Bnos Malka made an impressive showing in their first game in the girls’ yeshiva basketball league. Assistant Principal Mrs. Shuly Zuckerman remarked, “They were incredible. They showed more teamwork than you would think for their very first game; even the referee was shocked how well they played.”
Thanksgiving week would not be complete without the annual Kindergarten Feast. While there was no carving of the turkey, the children enjoyed a special lunch with sliced turkey, yams, and corn and butternut squash muffins. The children were adorable as they showed their artwork representing Native Americans and Pilgrims and how much they knew about each.
Upcoming Events
Nusach Carlebach davening at Yeshiva Kesser Torah. This Friday evening ShabbosMevarchim, ParashasVayeishev, December 4 (and every Friday evening of ShabbosMevarchim). Minchah will begin at 4:20 p.m. and the davening will conclude about 5:35 p.m. Men and women are welcome.
AIM starts this motzaei Shabbos. AIM Queens is a motzaeiShabbos program for frum high-school girls of the community, run by Chanie Lindenbaum and Tovi Bochner with the help of a team of post-seminary girls. All are invited to spend time with their friends in a warm and informal setting that lends itself to interacting with our speakers. The events are free of charge and pizza is served for melavehmalkah. The program is funded by Torah Umesorah and by community members. December 5: R’ Dovid Goldwasser; December 19: R’ Jeffrey Greenberg; January 2: R’ Shmuel Marcus; January 16: Mrs. Amit Yaghoubi; February 6: Mrs. Deena Kobre; February 20: Mrs. Elana Jacobs; and March 5: Ms. Leora Jeger. Program begins at 8:30 p.m. at 141-52 71st Road Kew Gardens Hills. To get involved or dedicate a shiur, call Chanie 646-713-8561 or Tovi 347-556-0421, or e-mail aimqueens@gmail.com.
Queens Jewish Center blood drive in memory of Ludmila Herz. Sunday, December 6, 8:30 a.m.—1:00 p.m. Queens Jewish Center Auditorium, 66-05 108th Street in Forest Hills. Your donation will help to save up to three lives. Community hospitals need your help. Please share this lifesaving gift! Event link for flyer and appointments: www.myqjc.org/event/blood-drive2015.html. For more information, please contact QJCBloodDrive@MyQJC.org. Walk-ins welcome. Eligibility criteria: ages 16—75 (16-year-olds must have parental permission; adults 76 and over need doctor’s note), minimum weight 110 lbs., eat well (low fat) and drink fluids, no tattoos for past 12 months, bring ID with signature or photo. For questions concerning medical eligibility, call 800-688-0900 or visit www.nybc.org.
Shlock Rock concert.December 12 at Etz Chaim 147-19 73rd Ave. at 7:45 p.m. Advance reservations $15, at the door $20. For tickets, contact eric.levy613@gmail.com, visit www.etzchaimkgh.org, or call 631-523-3202.
Chanita Teitz is a real-estate broker at Astor Brokerage in Kew Gardens Hills, serving the entire Queens vicinity. For all your real-estate needs, call her at 718-263-4500 or e-mail chanita@astorbrokerage.com.
