Rabbi’s Blog: Al HaNissim - Ours and Theirs
12/20/2022 04:31:13 PM
Dear OZ family,
The liturgy of “Al Hanissim” that we add to the Amida and to Birkat Hamazon, refers to the historical involvement of God in the Chanukah story as follows:
“You fought their battles, judged their claims, and avenged their wrongs”. This stands in contrast to the Purim liturgy of the blessing...Read more...
Rabbi’s Blog: Shine A Light... on Anti-Semitism
12/14/2022 06:22:03 PM
Dear OZ family,
This past week, a number of our elected officials gathered to express their outrage at the significant increase in Anti-Semitic attacks across the city. The main targets have been Jews who are dressed in distinctive garb, and the number of attacks are staggering even as the amount of attacks are...Read more...
Rabbi's Blog: Vayishlach, Confrontation, Anti-Semitism, CUNY
12/06/2022 01:58:52 PM
Dear OZ family,
With rising Anti-Semitism all around us, I draw your attention to tomorrow’s case that will be presented before a judge regarding the two men who had planned to blow up synagogues in the New York area. They were caught with weapons and materials that indicated clearly that they were on their way to achieve their destructive ends. Thanks to...Read more...
Rabbi's Blog: The Challenges of Yaacov / Israel
12/02/2022 12:59:01 PM
Dear OZ family,
This is the first of three parshiyot where Yaacov faces challenges , set upon him by three individuals. This week, in Parshat Vayetze, is Lavan. Next week in Parshat Vayishlach, is Esav, and in two weeks, Parshat Vayeshev will introduce further grief for Yaacov, regarding Yoseph. The first...Read more...
Rabbi's Blog: Toldos Told Us About Anti-Semitism
11/21/2022 03:09:42 PM
Dear OZ family,
This week’s parsha, Toldos, contains the first blatant act that bears the trappings of Anti-Semitism. Yitzchak is banished from Philistia by the king who tells him, ”Go out from us, for you have become far stronger than us”. Of course, Yitzchak posed no threat to the Philistines. They...Read more...
OZ: Main Sanctuary Update
10/26/2022 12:06:46 PM
Dear friends,
As you may have seen, caution tape was placed yesterday around some of the pews toward the center right area of the Main Sanctuary & Balcony.
A loose plaster tile was spotted on the ceiling directly above this area, and we have already engaged an engineer to assist with reviewing the area.
Scaffolding will be installed this morning to immediately begin the process...Read more...
Rabbi's Blog: Remembering Murray Zucker z'l
10/25/2022 04:30:01 PM
Dear OZ family,
The first day of Rosh Chodesh Marcheshvan has been turned into a sad day for Ohab Zedek. Today is the fourth yahrzeit of Murray Zucker, who, together with his wife, Veronica (she should be well and healthy), maintained OZ in the leanest of times. Murray and Veronica moved to the West Side in...Read more...
Rabbi's Blog: Remembering Miriam Feig
10/20/2022 04:29:31 PM
Dear OZ family,
Today would have been Miriam Feig’s 100th birthday. Miriam gave us Oct. 20th as her birthday, but she also gave us a date in February as her birthday. She told me once she was born in 1922 and told others a few different years.
Read more...
Rabbi's Blog: The 8th of Tishrei
10/03/2022 08:31:33 PM
Today, the 8th of Tishrei, is the anniversary of an important Jewish historical event, although the date does not appear in Seder OlRead more...
Rabbi's Blog: Rosh Hashana Greetings
09/25/2022 01:16:34 PM
Dear OZ family,
Today I can wish everyone a Boker tov, a Shavua Tov, a Chodesh Tov, and a Shana Tova all on the same day.
Each day, God grants us 86,400 seconds of life, and it only takes a few of them to say a kind word, or to brighten someone’s day, or just to...Read more...
Rabbi's Blog: Comment on the Queen
09/09/2022 01:14:03 PM
Dear OZ family,
A glance at the beginning of some of the books of Tanach, reveals that our prophets traversed the reigning tenure of three, four, or even five kings. Our sages attributed that to the tensions and life-shortening job descriptions of Biblical...Read more...
UPDATED / OZ Condolences: Stanley Nachamie z’l
09/05/2022 11:41:15 AM
The funeral and burial is scheduled to take place, iy"H at 10:30am, Tuesday September 6 at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, 83-45 Cypress Hills St, Glendale, NY 11385. Shiva will be at the home of Benjamin and Susan Nachamie, apt. 7D, 1175 York Avenue, NY, NY. Details to follow.
Dear Friends,
It is with profound sadness that I inform...Read more...
OZ Condolences: Stanley Nachamie z’l
09/05/2022 11:08:16 AM
Dear Friends,
It is with profound sadness that I inform you of the untimely passing of our member, Stanley Nachamie, a long-time resident of our community, and dear friend to many West-Siders. Stanley suffered from Myotonic Dystrophy and struggled heroically to the very end. Stanley had a very kind soul, and was always ready to extend...Read more...
Rabbi's Blog: Elul & Commemoration
09/04/2022 12:31:01 PM
Dear OZ family,
The month of Elul is a time when Jews look back and make evaluations. This is in preparation for Rosh Hashana, and it coincides with a time that we turn towards a new school year as well. Labor Day Weekend turns the corner on a summer of relaxation and recreation for many people, as...Read more...
Rabbi's Blog: Summer’s End - Plag Thank You!
08/26/2022 11:32:17 AM
Dear OZ family,
Another summer is coming to an end. It seems that as we get older, the summers end faster and faster. It makes sense. When a specific amount of time is less of a percentage of our lifetime, it moves along faster. That means that the summer seems a lot longer to an eight year old than to a sixty year old. I already started at YU and Stern, and I just began my 80th...Read more...
Rabbi's Blog: Lavi & Primary Elections
08/23/2022 01:27:48 PM
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...
Rabbi's Blog: 5K Shlep + More!
08/22/2022 11:28:46 AM
Dear OZ family,
Congratulations to team OZ for receiving the Best Fundraising Team Award, the second year in a row at this year’s 5k schlep. That is an annual race that the Rabin Medical Center in Israel sponsors to raise funds for breast, ovarian and prostate cancer research. Alisa was interviewed after the race and very movingly pointed out...Read more...
Rabbi's Blog: Mazel Tov, Mitzvot, and More...
08/18/2022 11:56:46 AM
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...
Rabbi's Blog: Baruch Hashem It's Shabbos!
08/12/2022 11:26:16 AM
Dear OZ family,
This is one of 10 Parshiyot of the Torah that makes reference to Shabbat. It is the holiest day of the year for us. The Shabbat davening is the showcase of any shul and it is the day that brings out the best in us. Recently, the newly revived 95th Street Block Association asked me for the...Read more...
Rebbetzin's Blog: The 5k Schlep
08/12/2022 11:07:16 AM
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...
Rabbi’s Message: The Power of Our Words
08/05/2022 02:45:02 PM
OZ Tisha B'Av Schedule + More: www.OZNY.org/9Av
Dear OZ family,
The Shabbos before Tisha B’av always begins Sefer Devarim, which means, “Words”. That is a reminder of the power of our speech, and harps back to the story mentioned in Parshat Devarim of the devastating effect of the report of the Meraglim to...Read more...
Rebbetzin's Blog: One Year Ago Today...
08/04/2022 04:14:48 PM
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...
Rabbi’s Blog: With Gratitude to Hashem...
08/03/2022 12:58:47 PM
Dear OZ family,
With profound gratitude to Hashem, Alisa and I are very pleased to announce our grandson’s name, Shalev Tzvi. He is named after my father z”l, whose first name was Tzvi. When my father came to America in 1949, his relatives told him that he would need an English name. One cousin called him...Read more...
Rabbi’s Blog: Mazel Tov, Meet & Greet, and Mitzvah Opportunities
08/02/2022 01:56:19 PM
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...
Rabbi’s Blog: Like A Good Neighbor... OZ is There!
07/25/2022 02:42:31 PM
Dear OZ family,
Everyone knows about the life-saving work of Hatzala in many places. Their sensitivity, professionalism and prompt arrivals save countless lives. I remember twice in one day travelling in the back of an ambulance with an elderly member of the community. First, I accompanied her in the back of a...Read more...
Rabbi’s Blog: Netanya - Leaving on a Jet Plane
07/13/2022 09:43:46 PM
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...
Rabbi’s Blog: Netanya, Graduation, and Divine Providence...
07/08/2022 11:45:02 AM
Dear OZ family,
Our days here are so packed tight that I hardly have a moment to send out my thoughts for the day, so I’m sending my thoughts for the week just before Shabbos.
I am amazed at the plethora of July 4th...Read more...
Rabbi’s Blog: Netanya, Diversity, and Unity
06/30/2022 03:04:13 PM
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...
Rabbi’s Blog: Netanya, Voting, AIPAC, and CUNY
06/28/2022 04:07:59 PM
Dear OZ family,
Greetings from Netanya!
It is a unique Israel experience to hear a public service announcement in a mall that alerts shoppers to an upcoming minyan for Mincha.
Every mall has a shul and every store or outlet has a Mezuzah. Although Israel currently does not have a sitting government, the country is humming along quite smoothly. With new elections on the horizon, Israelis are...Read more...
Rabbi’s Blog: A Note from Netanya
06/23/2022 09:06:13 PM
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...
