Rabbi's Blog

Dear OZ family,

Shalom U’vracha.

I join Alisa in extending our heartfelt gratitude for all the good wishes from the community. We have always lifted ourselves up to meet challenges, often with the help of others. Someone’s challenge can be another person’s opportunity for a chesed.

There are people sitting shiva, there are tuitions that need to be paid, rents to make up, people need Shabbos meals, the elderly need calls and visits, and so much more. If anyone reading this knows of any person who lost their apartment in the tragic building collapse at Champlain Towers in Surfside Florida, please connect them to the following. We know of 2 and 3 bedroom apartments that are available in Surfside for free for those who need. They just need to show that they lived at the Towers and they can move in. The number to call is 646 522-2007.

Last night at 9pm, we began the “Living Emunah Women’s Chizzuk Group” to an overwhelming response. The group will be reading chapters from Rabbi David Ashear’s Living Emunah series. I was privileged to inaugurate the series with a brief discussion on "Tikvah, Emunah and Bitachon." These sessions will now continue running for about 15 minutes every Monday and Wednesday evenings at 9pm. Studies show that people are happiest when they are part of something bigger and when they give to others. Let’s spread the happiness and share the joy.

Be safe. Be healthy. Be excellent.

Rabbi Allen Schwartz

Rabbi Allen Schwartz

Congregation Ohab Zedek

118 West 95^th Street | New York, NY  10025-6604

Phone 212.749-5150, ext 200 | Fax 212.663-3635

E-mail ras@ozny.org