Dear QJC Family,
First, I want to acknowledge that the past 24 hours have been very difficult for Klal Yisrael. We began the week with the rumors that the bodies of six hostages were found in Gaza, only to learn that not only were the rumors true but also that they had just been murdered days ago. These are people for whom we have been davening for 330 days, and with regard to one particular individual, someone who we connected with especially because of his American roots and his parents' outspoken leadership in trying to get the world to pay attention and bring the hostages soon. May Hashem avenge the blood of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Ori Danino, Alex Lobanov, Carmel Gat, and Almog Sarusi. May the rest of the hostages return home to their families swiftly, and may we hear good news for our people.
Tomorrow, September 2, at 3:00 PM at Beth Gavriel, there will be a communal vigil to honor the memory of the murdered hostages. This event is being put together by Congresswoman Grace Meng, Assembly Member Nily Rozic, Council Member Lynn Schulman, UJA, QJCC, and JCRC. Please attend if you are able to. Please do NOT post about this on public social media channels.
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On another note, those who were with us in the Main Shul yesterday were privileged to hear an inspiring presentation from Yakir Wachstock, co-founder of Boots for Israel. He spoke about the hashgacha pratit of his being called to spearhead this initiative and the way a request for 8 dozen boots has turned into over 60,000 boots for IDF soldiers, enabling them to carry out the important mission of this milchemet mitzvah.
Thank you to Toni Gordon for helping to make this presentation happen.
For those who would like to learn more about it or to contribute, here is some information.
Video: https://youtu.be/OLqiqJqIYOQ
To donate: https://thechesedfund.com/bootsontheground/bootsforisrael
May we hear besorot tovot,
Judah Kerbel
Rabbi, Queens Jewish Center
