Rabbi's Blog

Dear OZ family,

I heard wonderful news yesterday. An old friend, Lavi Greenspan, who davened at OZ many times, just became a chosson. His life has taken many twists and turns, and his faith never wavered. I have included a message that was sent yesterday to the OZ Women’s Living Emunah group, and it will brighten your day. This is a great week...Read more...

Dear OZ family,

Now it’s Esti and Aaron’s turn. This has been an amazing summer of Simcha in our family. First, the birth of Menachem Mendel Schwartz, then the Bat Mitzva of Meira Bloom, then the birth of Shalev Tzvi Zolty, and now the birth of baby girl Feldman. We’d like to invite everyone to a Kiddush...Read more...

Dear OZ Family,

The NY 5K Cancer Schlep is only 10 days away.  If you would like to join Team OZ and walk/run witth us please register at https://events.elitefeats.com/schlep22. When entering the registration information type Team OZ Alisa Schwartz in either the how did you hear about registration field or the running /walking in honor of field.  I would love to have you walk with...Read more...

Dear OZ Family,

One year ago today, August 4th, I stood with the Rabbi and rang the bell at Sloan Kettering Hospital.  I had successfully finished my course of cancer treatments and I joined the group known as "survivors".  I was filled with tremendous gratitude to Hashem and to all of you for your prayers, love and, support during that difficult time.  B"H since then we have been blessed...Read more...

Dear OZ family,

Alisa joins me in expressing our profound gratitude for the wonderfully warm Mazel Tov wishes we have received for Mindy and Yoni’s son. It’s hard to believe that our baby has had a baby. Every child born to our family is a slap of revenge at what the Germans did to my father’s parents’...Read more...

Dear OZ family,

We just boarded our flight to JFK. It’s never easy to say good-bye to our family in Israel. We attended smachot here and we look forward to soon celebrating smachot in New York as well.

I caught a sunrise minyan today at the Sanz Shul in Netanya that started at 4:55am. Travel in Israel is very precarious right now because of President Biden’s visit, so we had to get a very early start.

I have been...Read more...

Dear OZ family,

Greetings from Netanya and Chodesh Tov!

We had a festive Rosh Chodesh tefilla and breakfast at Beit Elazraki today and I’m sending some pictures and videos. Beit Elazraki is a microcosm of what we’ve seen in...Read more...

Dear OZ family,

Greetings from Netanya!

We enjoyed a beautiful Bat Mitzvah celebration with our granddaughter Meira and her family. I attached a picture of Chani and her family below. (Chani was two years old when we came to OZ.)

My morning davening experience in Netanya has been quite interesting. Alisa and I are staying at Beit Elazraki, a children’s home in the Kiryat Sanz section...Read more...

Dear OZ family,

I share perspective today regarding two events in Israel. The first cuts to the heart of every Israeli. The ghoulish violence that took the lives of three Israeli and made orphans of 16 children in Elad, is broadly celebrated across Palestinian populations. Murderers of Israelis are handsomely...Read more...

Dear OZ family,

Those who complete the entire book of Tehillim on a monthly basis completed today’s recitation with chapter 17, which ends with a prayer to behold God and to see His countenance in an awakened state, in charity. Some actually have the custom of reciting this verse whenever giving charity.

By rights, we should all selfishly cling to our own means of survival and support, as early man did, and as...Read more...

Dear Friends:

I am happy to announce that the Annual Dinner & Community Celebration will be held on March 28, 2022. Look for invitations in the mail shortly.

We welcome David & Nicole Debora as our Guests of Honor & Couple of the Year - they have quietly been reliable supporters of our shul for many years. Esther Rimokh and Heather Conn have distinguished themselves by their leadership in selfless acts...Read more...