By Chanita Teitz
My son-in-law sent the following to our WhatsApp chat: “Welcome Home . . . though which one is home?” upon our arrival at 3 a.m. from Israel. Our trip was epic and so was our return.
We were booked on a 10:40 a.m. El Al flight on Thursday morning, scheduled to arrive at JFK at 4:15 p.m. local time. On Wednesday night, I received a call from my travel agent that the flight is delayed until 1:00 p.m. due to an El Al pilot strike. El Al pilots have been striking intermittently since before Rosh Hashanah.
The short delay was a blessing in disguise; my husband was able to daven first before going to the airport and I was able to get a little extra sleep. We checked in and proceeded to the lounge area, and at about noon it was announced that we were further delayed until 5:30 p.m. We spent the whole day waiting in the airport; we couldn’t leave due to security. We finally boarded at around 7:00 p.m., and we flew on an aircraft leased by El Al from a Portuguese company called High Fly, which also supplied the crew and the pilot. El Al did say that there would be an El Al representative on the flight, although I do not know who that was.
After all the waiting, the flight turned out to be smooth but boring. Entertainment was limited. No music, lousy movies, Charlie Chaplin TV choice. I would have been happy to watch the map that El Al always displays to see what country we were flying over and to check the temperature, speed, and time–that’s how bored I was–but this airline didn’t have that either. I was actually forced to sleep.
We finally landed at midnight, New York time, and passport control took a long time because we ended up on the slowest line. Luggage wasn’t coming either; the turnstile wasn’t moving for a long time. We finally got home after 3:00 a.m., unpacked, got a few short hours of sleep (a real tease), went to work, and then came home and took a nap before Shabbos.
And here we are just a few days later and I can hardly believe I was there. Home is where my heart is–where my children and grandchildren are, both here and there, and where my spiritual yearning is fulfilled, so I am pulled in two directions, 6,000 miles apart.
I have more to tell about the trip but I am still jetlagged. Stay tuned.
Rabbi Mordechai Becher Keynotes Shevach
Yom Iyun
On Friday, September 30, erev Shabbos Parashas Nitzavim, the students of Shevach High School were treated to their annual yom iyun assembly. This year’s theme “Ivri Anochi” began on the students’ boating trip the previous week, with workshops on the essence of a Yid. Our model, Avraham Ha’Ivri, stood apart; he recognized Hashem’s existence and spread Hashem’s awareness throughout the world. The Ivrim in Mitzrayim maintained their identity by not changing their names, language, and dress. Yonah HaNavi said “Ivri Anochi” and took responsibility for the storm at sea. As Yidden we take pride in our mesorah and recognize our responsibility to be a source of nachas to HaKadosh Baruch Hu and the entire Klal Yisrael.
Friday’s yom iyun opened with a slideshow created by Shevach students Dina Leah Garber and Chana Lavian. It portrayed the confidence and pride Jews have in our special role as Yidden, as well as the power of our actions to create an impact on others. The choir girls–Elisheva Marcus, Elianna Lamb, Sara Katayev, Avigail Landau, Shani Sommers, Esther Shira Chait, Tamar Shalamov, and Atara Nat–sang a beautiful song with musical accompaniment. In addition, there was a special yom iyun song that was sung by the entire 12th grade. Both songs were inspirational and encapsulated the theme. The songs were composed by Esther Shira Chait and Atara Nat.
In order to visually portray the theme, a beautiful banner was created by Elisheva Marcus, Avigail Landau, Moria Giahn, and Zohar Tal depicting the mesorah being handed down through the generations. The yom iyun instilled within the Shevach students the recognition of and pride in our responsibility as Yidden to continue the chain of mesorah.
The keynote speaker, Rabbi Mordechai Becher, noted senior lecturer for the Gateways organization, delivered an inspiring and informative speech in which he elucidated that in order to know what truly personifies a Yid, we must analyze the actions and ways of Avraham Avinu. Avraham Avinu was viewed by other nations as a “social disruptor,” someone who was not afraid to take a stand, even when it was not a popular one. We see in the story of Sodom that Avraham illustrated kindness past the boundaries of human nature. Although Sodom was a city whose inhabitants had sunk to the lowest levels of humanity, Avraham nonetheless davened on their behalf. He was truly in the category of an ish yashar. As time went on, the Jewish nation, as Avraham’s descendants, continued being “disruptors,” and in actuality a light unto the nations.
After Rabbi Becher’s thought-provoking words, he presented an enlightening video displaying Jewish artifacts that have lasted through time. The girls were privy to an original manuscript of the Sefer HaRambam, as well as children’s drawings and aleph beis letters etched in stone, from many years ago. The video clearly portrayed how throughout history Jews have maintained their identity and made an impact on society.
As a memento of this inspiring day, Sarah Tropper, Adina Mirsky, and Rivki Elias, assisted by Shira Mittel and Elisheva Adler, presented the students with a booklet and a bracelet. In the booklet there was a message from Shevach Principal Rebbetzin Rochelle Hirtz, personal stories of siyatta d’Shmaya by Shevach students, and quotes from Shevach teachers with their perspectives on the theme. The bracelet each girl received was inscribed with the logo “Ivri Anochi, Proud to be a Jew.”
Kudos to Mrs. Debbie Meltzer for organizing this special yom iyun that definitely instilled within the Shevach students much pride in their role as an Ivri. The girls left uplifted and better prepared for Rosh Hashanah and the year ahead.
American Friends
Of Sderot Presents
Eitan Katz In Concert
American Friends of Sderot hosted a special concert at the Queens Theatre in Flushing Meadows on chol ha’moed Sukkos, Wednesday, October 19, featuring world-renowned singing sensation Eitan Katz to benefit the community and hesder yeshiva of Sderot.
The evening began with Judah Rhine, director of AFS, welcoming the enthusiastic crowd and emphasizing the goals of the concert: to raise awareness about Sderot and recognize the role that the Yeshivat Hesder plays in the day-to-day lives of the residents of the community; to raise much needed funds for scholarships and the programs and projects that are currently in progress to continue to build and secure Sderot; and to enjoy a unique evening with the one-and-only Eitan Katz.
A tremendous hakarat ha’tov and deep appreciation to the sponsors of the evening: the Five Towns Jewish Times, Gourmet Glatt, the Jewish Home, Mr. Joel Mael, Mr. Shalom Maidenbaum, Mr. Barry Rosner, Seasons, Mr. Jared Solomon, Mrs. Esther Soniker, Traditions Eatery, and Wheels to Lease.
An inspiring video was shown on the giant screen, which imparted a beautiful flavor and description of the role and impact the hesder yeshiva plays within the community of Sderot. This included a wedding at the yeshiva during the IDF Operation Protective Edge two years ago; helping to rebuild homes and give much-needed chizuk to residents after rocket attacks; and taking the initiative to celebrate with the residents of Sderot during Purim, creating a truly festive celebration for the city. After seeing the video, many in the crowd expressed a renewed appreciation for the courage of the residents and the challenges they face on a daily basis.
Following the video, it was show time. Eitan Katz, along with his band, took to the stage and played for two consecutive hours (with no intermission!). He performed many of his tunes including “L’ma’ancha” and his newest recording “Ki L’Olam Chasdo.”
Many in the audience stood up and started dancing in the aisles during his upbeat tunes that truly personified a simchas yom tov for all. Eitan surprised the crowd and called up world-renowned Yehuda Piamenta, whose band totally revolutionized the sound of Chassidic music. They performed several songs together to the delight of the crowd.
Eitan, who has visited Sderot, shared some of his personal reflections about the “special” playground with a rocket-proof bomb shelter disguised as a caterpillar in the city’s park, which enables hundreds of children to play while living under the threat of missile bombardments and tunnels of terror from nearby Hamas in Gaza.
Following the concert, the Sderot raffle for Seasons gift cards and Sderot mezuzah covers took place and six prizes were awarded.
The concert was a memorable experience. Chaya Feldstein, one of the attendees, expressed her thanks “for enhancing her simchas yom tov.”
Judah Rhine reflected on the evening. “More than a concert, this was an opportunity to inform all that attended, some who came from as far as Connecticut and Toronto, about Sderot, the yeshiva, and the community. It also stressed how important it is for us to support Sderot in all their endeavors, and show our solidarity with our brave and determined sisters and brothers living on the front lines.”
What is so amazing and unique about Sderot? The city of Sderot, located in southern Israel and less than one mile from the Gaza border, has become one of the most significant national symbols of heroism.
Under the leadership of its founder, Rabbi Dov Fendel, the Hesder Yeshiva of Sderot, the largest hesder yeshiva in Israel, has a rocket-proof beit midrash and dormitories to secure the safety of the 500 students who study Torah there, and who also serve in the IDF. The Chanukah menorah, made from the Kassam rockets that fell in the city of Sderot, stands proudly on top of the hesder yeshiva, and is a true testament to Sderot’s brave determination in the face of continuous terror. Being on the front lines, Sderot has revealed to the world a model of outstanding courage that sets the tone for the State of Israel.
Against all odds, the community of Sderot, with the help of the hesder yeshiva, is growing and thriving. The town is hustling and bustling. Real estate is developing and, anchored by the new state-of-the-art train station that connects Sderot with the rest of the country, young families are moving to experience life in this special town.
The concert is just one of the programs created by AFS in order to bring awareness and raise much needed funds.
Everyone is encouraged to include Sderot on their itinerary the next time they visit Israel. Your support and participation in AFS programs will go a long way towards making the vision into a reality which will greatly benefit the Sderot community and the hesder yeshiva of Sderot. For more information, please contact Judah@Sderot or 718-650-6091 or visit www.sderot.org.
Upcoming Events
YI of KGH Scholars-in-Residence. Parashas Noach, November 4—5 on “The Interfacing of Halachah with Medicine,” given by Rabbi Dr. Aaron E. Glatt and Rabbi Ephraim Glatt, Esq. At Young Israel of KGH, 150th Street and 70th Road. Friday-night oneg at 8:00 p.m. by Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glatt. Main shul derashah Shabbos morning by Dr. Aaron Glatt, and hashkamah minyan derashah by Rabbi Ephraim Glatt. Seudah shelishis following Minchah at 5:00 p.m. by Rabbi Ephraim Glatt.
Queens Challah Bake. Wednesday, November 9. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and program starts at 7:30 p.m. Shaare Tova 82-33 Lefferts Boulevard, Kew Gardens, NY 11415. Admission: pay in advance, $25; pay at the door, $36. Preregistration encouraged at www.QueensChallahBake.com or QueensChallah@gmail.com.
Prof. Smadar Rosensweig on the Fall and Rise of Shevet Levi. Rabbi Israel D. Rosenberg Educational Institute Of Congregation Etz Chaim presents shiur ha’chodesh for women by women, a monthly program of advanced shiurim. On Wednesday evenings, 7:45 p.m. beginning Wednesday, November 9, at Congregation Etz Chaim, 147-19 73 Avenue Kew Gardens Hills. Suggested donation: $5. For further information, please contact Hadassah Waxman, hwaxman@earthlink.net, 718-261-0766.
Annual Worldwide Video Event for Yahrzeit of Rachel Imeinu. Motzaei Shabbos, November 12, 8:30 p.m. at Congregation Ahavas Yisroel 147-02 73rd Avenue, Kew Gardens Hills. This year’s presentation features Rabbi Paysach Krohn, Rebbetzin Tehila Jaeger, and Rebbetzin Tzipora Heller sharing stories of yeshuos through tefillah–“Tefillah: The Ultimate Connection.” The event is under the guidance of Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky and all proceeds go to aniyei Eretz Yisrael. The program is for women and girls only.
“Never Say Never” written by Zisi Naimark. The Erna Lindenfeld Hachnosas Kallah Fund of Queens annual tea and musical-comedy performance will take place November 14, 7:30 p.m. at Electchester Electrical Building, Parsons Boulevard and Jewel Avenue, Flushing, New York. This year, the tea is dedicated to the memory of Slava Frenkel, a’h. Admission: donation to hachnassas kallah.
Mrs. Shira Smiles. November 16, 8:00 p.m. Congregation Ahavas Yisroel. Sponsors needed for the shiur. Please let the coordinators know in what z’chus you would like to donate. Checks can be made out to Congregation Ahavas Yisroel and can be sent to Rosenthal at 136-05 72nd Road Flushing, NY 11367.
Sara Yoheved Rigler to Speak in KGH. November 28, 8:00 p.m. at Ahavas Yisroel. For women ($10/person); no reservation needed. “What Henny Machlis Accomplished with Unconditional Love.” November 29, 7:30—10:30 p.m. Interactive workshop titled “True Self-Esteem” (limited to 35 women; ($35/person). To reserve your place for the workshop, e-mail LeahBleiberg@gmail.com. Since space is so limited, please only sign up if you are committed to attending. v
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.
