Susie Garber

One person can make a difference in the world! As Jews, we know this is true, and the following story demonstrates this fact. Mrs. Renee Labovitz took her passion for helping others along with her legal expertise, determination, and unwavering faith, and made an enormous difference for those suffering from mental illness or substance abuse.

This writer had the privilege to interview a New York resident who normally visits Sderot for business. He shared his meaningful experience, which took place from Sunday, November 13, until Wednesday, November 15. In those three days, he experienced so many incredibly inspiring stories that can give all of us chizuk.

“Bring them home! Bring them home! Bring them home!” The surging crowd of over 290,000 people gathered in the National Mall of Washington, DC, chanting a fervent prayer with one voice. There were Jews from communities all over the United States and Canada, as well as non-Jewish supporters of Israel. Everyone was there to show dedication and support to Israel and to the families of the hostages. There were Chabad Jews helping other Jews put on t’filin, and Jews from all different backgrounds, both secular and observant. You couldn’t help being swept into a feeling of achdus at this unbelievable event that was the largest gathering for a Jewish event in the history of North America.

On Wednesday, November 8, Rebbetzin Shira Smiles shared an inspiring virtual musar shiur, which is part of a series of lectures. There will be two more shiurim in this series: on Wednesdays, November 15 and November 22.

On Tuesday Evening, November 15, Navigating the Medical System featured Dr. Kevin Jang, orthopedic surgeon at the NewYork-Presbyterian Queens Hospital and assistant professor of clinical orthopedic surgery at Weill Cornell Medical Center, on the topic of common shoulder injuries diagnosis and treatment. The virtual session was hosted by Congregation Etz Chaim.

How needed is the topic that Mrs. Dina Schoonmaker chose for her current virtual series of lectures, titled, Overcoming Anxiety and Sadness: M’nuchas Ha’nefesh and Bitachon.