A Weekend of Marital Growth and Inspiration

Thanksgiving weekend was a time to relax, reconnect, learn, and be inspired, when over 300 people attended Emet Outreach’s sixth annual “Alumni Couples Retreat.” Held at the majestic Ocean Place Resort and Spa in Long Branch, New Jersey, the coastal setting was befitting a Shabbos of spiritual and marital rejuvenation.

In the sefer Sh’nei Luchos HaBris, the Shlah HaKadosh writes that one should recite verses corresponding to one’s name before the Yihyu L’Ratzon at the end of the Sh’moneh Esrei as a s’gulah to not forget one’s name on the “Judgment Day.” Many people recite a pasuk from T’hilim that begins and ends with the same letter that begins and ends with their Hebrew name.

Chanukah is observed towards the end of the month of Kislev; but with no other holiday until spring, the entire month takes on the festive mood of the upcoming holiday. For Kew Gardens Hills resident Sammy Goldsmith, the yahrzeit of his mother Barbara Goldsmith also occurs in this month. To honor her memory, he invited Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz, his 11th grade rebbe at DRS, and now the director of the Semicha Program at Yeshiva University, to speak on Jewish pride as it relates to Chanukah.

Congresswoman Grace Meng met with rabbis and lay leaders to discuss issues affecting the Queens Jewish community. The meeting focused on possible methods to combat anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiments, which has been recently and increasingly rearing its ugly head.