No doubt there was tremendous shock and anguish upon hearing the news of what has been taking place in Israel. While we did the right thing in celebrating a joyous Simchas Torah despite it all, coming out of Simchas Yom Tov, there is tremendous pain and fear.
While there will likely be more to follow, please consider supporting our brothers and sisters in Israel in the following ways:
a) Show up in the following ways: -Community Vigil at Macdonlad Park at on Monday, October 9 at 6:00 PM -We will have a Communal Tehillim following the Vigil on Monday at 7:00 PM at Havurat Yisrael, which is right by Macdonald Park. It is of great value for us to come together as a community and pray together, showing our unbreakable unity and solidarity. I hope you will join us.
-There will be a vigil being held by our elected officials at Kew Gardens Hills Library at 1:00 PM. This will include QBP Donovan Richards, Congresswoman Grace Meng, Congressman Gregory Meeks, DA Melinda Katz, and more.
c) Donate The following are just a few possible organizations to which to donate, where the money will be directed to the needs of the moment: -UJA Federation -United Hatzalah -Friends of the IDF
Most importantly, keep Israel in your hearts as you go about your week. It is okay to not be glued to the news, but to stay updated and to keep Israel in our thoughts and prayers and actions is our task at this moment.
With wishes for besorot tovot,
Rabbi David Algaze, Havurat Yisrael Rabbi Elisha Friedman, Young Israel of Forest Hills Rabbi Judah Kerbel, Queens Jewish Center Rabbi Yossi Mendelson, Congregation Machane Chodosh
Postscript from Rabbi Kerbel: although our minhag is to resume Tachanun after Tishrei, we will be resuming beginning tomorrow. We need this tefillah to ask Hashem to protect the Jewish people.
Hope and Meaning After October 7 with authors Yair Agmon and Oriya Mevorach Sunday, Nov 2nd 9:00a to 10:00a Yair and Oriya open a heartfelt conversation about their personal experiences on October 7, and how it led them to create their deeply moving book. They’ll share selected passages and offer insights into the power of storytelling in the face of trauma — and how meaning can emerge from the darkest of places.
