PARSHAS BALAK 5779

 “RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Balak
     
16 Tamuz 5779/July 19, 2019 – Avos perek 6
            Last week, the morning before we
left on a trip, our head counselor here in Camp Dora Golding, Rabbi A.C.
Posner, shared with the campers a post from a Sullivan county Facebook page
which was making its rounds. It was written by Ann-Marie Barton, a non-Jewish
bus driver who had driven a group of frum boys on a trip and was incredibly
impressed:
            “I had a bus full of 14 year old
boys from one camp and I could not have asked for a better behaved, polite and
grateful group of boys. Each one thanked me as they got on my bus and again as
they got off. I asked them all not to leave a mess and there was not one thing
left on my bus. Not ONE thing!!… My hat is off to the parents raising these
boys.”
            What I found very moving was that
when Rabbi Posner finished reading the post, our campers erupted with clapping
and cheers. It had not been written about our campers, and we didn’t know which
camp those boys were from. Yet they instinctively felt a sense of pride because
that kiddush Hashem clearly represented us as well.
            In the last few days, our
inextricable unity was displayed as well. A rebbe from Virginia was tragically
swept out to sea, while trying to help a camper. After a couple of days
searching for the body, the coast guard announced that they were concluding
their search. Immediately, myriads of Jewish organizations throughout the east
coast mobilized. The coast guard said they had never seen anything like it.
With tremendous siyata dishmaya, the rabbi’s body was found, allowing
the bereaved family to have a modicum of closure.
            At the same time, a father and
mother appealed to fellow Jews for help. Their two-year old daughter, Eliana,
has a rare genetic condition that severely impedes normal functioning.

But there is hope for her in a new medication
that can help regenerate the missing gene. The problem is that it costs 2.2
million dollars, and insurance won’t give a penny. In addition, the FDA will
only allow it to be administered up to two years of age and Ilana turns two
this week. It became a race against the clock to raise the overwhelming amount.
Yet, within days the goal was reached, and the fund was closed. (The family
asks everyone to continue davening for Chana bas Shani.)
            There are a lot of issues and
formidable challenges in our communities. But sometimes we need to step back
and recognize how incredible we are and how lucky we are to be part of it.

A few months ago, I went to the warehouse of an
organization called Olam Chesed. At the time, I knew nothing about the
organization. But I was told that they would be willing to donate a couple of
products as prizes for the Chol Hamoed learning program I have been privileged
to facilitate the last few years.
            I was greeted at the warehouse by R’
Mutty Reznick, who was working there alone at that time. He showed me into the
vast warehouse and told me to walk through it and look around; I was literally
blown away. There were endless shelves and piles of quality merchandise,
organized and waiting to be organized.
            Olam Chesed was founded and is run
by Mordechai Roizman and his wife, a wonderful family in our community who we
have met and know. But we had no idea that they were running such an incredible
organization.
            Olam Chesed partners with big-name
companies like Walmart, Bed Bath and Beyond, Target and La-Z-Boy. Through
overstock and returned items, these businesses donate brand-new, high-quality,
brand-name items.
            Since its inception, Bonei Olam has
disseminated millions of dollars worth of merchandise to Jewish families
contending with divorce, unemployment, and tragic situations, such as fire and
poverty. The organization doesn’t disseminate funds; it disseminates
ready-to-use, quality household goods to families in need.
            Olam Chesed is housed in a huge
warehouse that was donated. The Roizmans gave up their jobs to become fully
invested in unloading, stocking, and organizing the massive undertaking. During
the winter it’s freezing in the warehouse, and during the summer the heat can
be stifling. Yet they, and their worthy volunteers, spend their days there.
Why? For the sake of chesed and helping those who need it.
            It’s that sense of altruism and
unity that gives us hope that we will merit to witness Moshiach.

            We
all know that there is a lot of divisiveness among the Jewish people. When it
comes to chesed however, there are no barriers. The chesed we do for each other
is incredibly unique and no other group or nation can boast anything remotely
like it.
            As we begin the three weeks of
mourning for the Bais Hamikdash, and seek to build and foster internal unity
amongst ourselves, we can gather chizuk from the chesed we perform for, and
with, each other.
Shabbat Shalom & Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum       
**Although this article is not an appeal, and I was not asked
to write it, if anyone would like more information, or to donate funds to the
incredible work of Olam Chesed, visit: 
worldofgiving.org.

Sign Up For Our Email List

More Posts

Yom Kippur 5785

  “RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”   Erev Shabbos Kodesh – Yom Kippur 9 Tishrei 5785/ October 11, 2024 OH DEER For those living in New York City, it’s quite rare to see deer. But for those of us who live on the other side of the Hudson River it is quite common. In fact, recently the number of deer has grown exponentially. It is not unusual for a family of deer to sprint across our yard, or even be grazing calmly in our yard. (So far, my effort to get them to pay for their usurped meals haven’t been successful…) Often,

Read More »

Parshas Nitzavim-Vayeilech 5784

  “RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”   Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Netzovim-Vayelech 23 Elul 5784/ September 27, 2024 Pirkei Avos – Perek 5-6 KUGEL JUICE It’s been said that more people become religious because of the Rebbetzin’s kugel than because of the Rabbi’s sermon. This past Friday I couldn’t stop thinking about my wife’s kugel all morning. While she does make a mean potato kugel (that’s a big compliment for those who don’t know), that’s not why I thought about it all morning. During a game played at last year’s Chanukah mesiba in my home for my students, one student won a

Read More »

Parshas Ki Savo 5784

  “RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”   Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Ki Savo 17 Elul 5784/ September 20, 2024 Pirkei Avos – Perek 3-4 UNAPOLOGETIC PRIDE Each year before Tisha b’Av I spend a considerable amount of time working with the learning director of Camp Dora Golding, my rebbe, Rabbi Noach Sauber, to develop a program for our campers that will be engaging, inspiring and meaningful. That includes asking our talented rebbeim in camp to introduce each of the kinnos recited. On Tisha b’Av this summer, my friend and summer colleague, Rabbi Mayer Erps, shared the following personal anecdote[1]: “On occasion I’ve

Read More »
Scroll to Top