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Chacham Rav Ovadia Yosef zt”l was the former Sefardi Chief Rabbi of Israel and one of the foremost Talmudic authorities of his generation. On Motza’ei Shabbos, October 9, Chazaq, Stories to Inspire, and the Queens Jewish Link hosted a beautiful virtual commemoration on the occasion of the Rav’s eighth yahrzeit, which was 3 Cheshvan.

Have you ever tried to make a shidduch? It’s not easy. There is someone in our community who has made over 100 shidduchim. Sharon Ganz started her events approximately 25 years ago. She was living in Toronto, and she wanted to find a way to help singles meet new people. The problem with running events in one city was people were meeting the same people at the events. She ran her first Shabbaton in Toronto. This was followed by Shabbatonim in Montreal, Denver, Florida, Memphis, the Catskills, Los Angeles, New Jersey, and New York. Her goal was to bring people from different cities together so they would be new to each other.

The Young Israel of Forest Hills filled to capacity as community members gathered to hear words of wisdom from Rabbi Shalom Arush on Wednesday evening, October 20. Soulful Jewish music played on guitar, and drums created a joyful spiritual mood. The event was hosted by Chazaq. Rabbi Arush spoke in Hebrew with a translator present.

On Sunday, October 3, Congregation Etz Chaim hosted an important mental health seminar virtually. Rabbi Moshe Rosenberg, rav of Congregation Etz Chaim, welcomed everyone. He shared the genesis of this program, which started with Mrs. Linda Baron Katz, community member and mental health advocate, who had the idea to do something significant during mental health awareness week. This program was dedicated in memory of her sister Susan Baum and her father-in-law Mr. Marty Katz. Malka and Moshe Cohen, community members, joined to help make this happen, and they also sponsored in memory of Moshe’s brother Jack.

On Sunday, October 3, Let’s Get Real with Menachem featured Rabbi Daniel Kalish, Menahel of the Mesivta of Waterbury, who spoke about finding the positive in every situation.

This Simchas Torah, the program at Ahavas Torah in Scottsdale, Arizona, was unique, just like the shul and the Jewish community there. This shul hosts a vibrant, young community and many visitors and guests. There’s a warm, welcoming atmosphere and a strong connection to Torah and mitzvos. Rabbi Ariel Shoshan, the rav of Ahavas Torah, led a stirring Hallel that was so beautiful it would be hard to describe in words. I would say that it is worth a trip to Arizona just to hear Rabbi Shoshan lead Hallel.