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My Thoughts On The Passing Of R' David Keehn

Dear Editor:

 As stated by others, he did go beyond the call of duty to help the community and his patients. But he went a lot further than that. He helped individuals, as well, when they were going through difficult times, no matter if they were relatives or not. I can attest to that fact, as over the last two years I have been going through a personal crisis, and he has been providing me with guidance and assistance that has been very helpful to me in dealing with this situation. And he never did so to score mitzvah points, although I am certain he raked up many for all the self-sacrifice and kindness he has shown. When my mother passed away, even though it was a work day and bad weather, he came to the funeral to provide me with great comfort. And he did many other things for me that are too numerous to put in writing.

Dear Editor:

 I found Moshe Hill’s recent columns somewhat confusing. In one column, he suggests that California imposing a COVID vaccine mandate on students was unnecessary.

Dear Editor:

 On this Shabbos Hatzolah of Queens, I felt that it is necessary to share a true story. I work in the main office of the Jewish Institute of Queens. This week, I received a call from a young man, identifying himself as a member of Hatzalah. He asked if we have a certain young lady in our employ. The name was vaguely familiar to me, since it was the maiden name of one of our wonderful teachers. He proceeded to tell me that she needs to be called to the phone immediately.

Dear Editor:

 I find myself once again disagreeing with Rabbi Schonfeld. He writes that he hasn’t had much influence or power: “It’s lonely at the bottom.”

A Tzadik In Our Midst

Dear Editor:

The Mishnah tells us in Avos 1:6 that one should acquire a chaver. I once heard Rabbi Fabian Schonfeld zt”l explain that when you learn Torah together with a chavrusa or go to shiurim with a chavrusa, you acquire a friend in a much more profound manner than someone you get together with for a weekly card game. When I think of my chavrusa and chaver b’dei’os for close to 30 years, Rabbi David Keehn z”l, Rabbi Schonfeld’s explanation becomes clear.

Dear Editor:

 Weekly, I thoroughly enjoy Rabbi Schonfeld’s articles. They are sanguine and sensible. However, in his past article, Rabbi Schonfeld writes, “I know that I’m really not so important. I’m a really regular guy – not particularly important.” Nothing can be further from the truth! I am not a member of his shul and only on occasion have I davened in his shul. Nevertheless, when I paid a shiv’ah visit when his mother was niftar, he changed the topic to the welfare of my family with genuine concern. Through the years, we also went on NORPAC missions to Washington, DC, where he was a source of a kiddush Hashem to the Jewish people. No, Rabbi Schonfeld, you are very important!