News

The Hillcrest community has been abuzz since learning that Rabbi Etan Schnall, a maggid shiur at Yeshiva University, would be assuming the recently vacated position of Rabbi at the prestigious Young Israel of Hillcrest, a formative shul of their Orthodox Jewish community that was once the most populated Young Israel in New York City.

Psalms 113-118 constitute the Hallel (Praise). These psalms focus on Hashem’s saving power and are used during Pesach, Shavuos, Sukkos, and Chanukah to praise Him for various aspects of His saving power.

The Masbia Soup Kitchen Network, which has three locations in New York City and operates a digital breadline for eight hours every day in ten languages, is now reserving time slots for asylum seekers. Since appointments on the digital breadline known as the Plentiful App, are in high demand, and regulars pounce on them as soon as they become available, Masbia will now reserve a half hour every day (2-2:30 p.m.) for newly arrived asylum seekers to New York City to receive free raw food packages at any of Masbia’s three locations. Spanish flyers with this information are distributed by the Masbia Relief Team, along with free, brand-new socks and shoes as they come off the buses at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown.

Hundreds of Thousands Throughout the World To Unite In Learning and Tefilla On Behalf of Klal Yisrael

The Chofetz Chaim’s yahrtzeit is an eis ratzon. There is perhaps no one in recent generations who did so much to help and enrich Klal Yisrael – both in sur mei’rah and asei tov. Whether it is the sefer Chofetz Chaim that brought to the forefront of Klal Yisrael’s agenda the importance of being careful with one’s speech, or Ahavas Chessed that codified all the halachos of chessed or, of course, the Chofetz Chaim’s magnum opus sefer Mishnah Berurah that continues to be the foundational daily halacha sefer in Klal Yisrael, we are still today being spiritually enriched by the Chofetz Chaim. Certainly, the Chofetz Chaim, through his sefer Likutei Halachos on hilchos korbanos in the Beis Hamikdosh also brought the concept of tzipisa l’yeshua, longing for the yeshua to the forefront of public consciousness. Thus, there is no doubt that the day of his yahrtzeit is a tremendous eis ratzon, an opportune time for tefilla and for invoking rachmei shomayim on behalf of all Jews.

Congress Member Grace Meng, as New York’s senior appropriator on the House Appropriations Committee, deserves a salute for her efforts in ensuring the funding and increase to the Nonprofit Security Grants that will help 13 borough synagogues, educational institutions, and community centers with protecting their properties against threats and attacks. Nearly $2 million in federal funding for security improvements has been allocated through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program and will be administered via the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The money covers target-hardening and other physical security enhancements such as barriers, gates, safety gear, surveillance equipment, and other safety measures.

Kids start school. Thoughts turn to the upcoming Yamim Tovim. Our weather becomes a bit cooler. At YUConnects, however, this month brings additional warmth: kindling new matches and warming the hearts of many dating couples.