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Rabbi's Blog: Sept. 10 - Prelude to 9/11

09/10/2021 05:58:15 PM

Sep10


Shabbos Bulletin: www.OZNY.org/Happening

Rabbi Schwartz will host 2 Shuva Drashas:

  • In-Person: Shabbos, Sep. 11 @ 7:05pm - 9/11, Repentance, and Reflection: Looking Back to Move Forward (following Shalosh Seudos and Mincha)
  • On Zoom: Monday, Sep. 13 @ 8:00pm - Jonah & Hosea: Finding Meaning in the Readings of Yom Kippur (www.OZNY.org/Event/Jonah2021)

Dear OZ family,

 

Anniversaries that end in 0 are always enhanced. It’s hard to believe that 20 years have passed since that infamous day forever known by a calendar date. Those of us who were here at the time the twin towers were taken down will remember that our immediate reaction to the tragedy was resolute and certain. We would stand up to evil as we always have and that we would grow stronger, closer and better.  Over 2,500 innocent people were immediately murdered and thousands of families would never be the same.

 

Our city did get better. Many older New Yorkers may remember the profound differences between the sweltering blackouts of the summers of 1977 and 2002. The first was characterized by chaos, widespread looting, and gripping fear in an uncontrolled city. The second was filled with thousands of acts of random kindness, incredible selflessness, and charitable works until power came back. The city that had, within the year that experienced the horrors of 9/11, came together as one, when it was needed most.

 

We shouldn’t need to experience tragedy to find common ground. May we use this season of repentance to make the best of ourselves, those around us, our environment, and of every situation that confronts us. We will have a special Seudah Shlishit tomorrow at 6pm, at which we will reflect upon some of the ways that 9/11 impacted on our community. We will hear from first responders, and those who worked on resolving Halachic issues such as Agunah or burial and mourning. That will be followed by Mincha and my Shabbos Shuva Drasha, which is entitled, “9/11, Repentance, and Reflection: Looking Back to Look Forward.”

 

Please join us.

 

If you can't make the Shabbos Drasha, I will also host a Zoom drasha on Monday evening at 8:00pm entitled: "Jonah & Hosea: Finding Meaning in the Readings of Yom Kippur".

 

Please join me in wishing Mazel Tov to Sarah and Stuart Milstein and their entire family celebrating Matthew’s Bar Mitzvah. Also, Mazel Tov to Shoshana and Jeff Okun on the bris of their son, Asher Noam. Mazel Tov to Rabbi Jay and Linda Goldmintz on the birth of a granddaughter to their children, Rabbi Yoni and Talia Mandelstam. The child was named, Efrat Rachel, and she carries the name of our long time member Rachel Rosenbaum who passed away just a few weeks ago. Also, Mazel Tov to Jennie Michael on the bris of her greatgrandson, Shmuel, born to her grandchildren, Shoshana and Zechariah Rosensweig.

 

May 5782 bring us all much Mazel and good tidings.

 

Be safe. Be healthy. Be excellent.

 

Rabbi Allen Schwartz

 

Fri, March 29 2024 19 Adar II 5784