In the summer, community women approach Mrs. Shifra Witty, President of the Erna Lindenfeld Hachnosas Kallah Fund, to ask when the Hachnosas Kallah Tea is going to take place this year. All year long, women anticipate this exciting annual event in Queens. The event always takes place at the Electchester Electrical Building, which is the only place large enough to accommodate the 500 women who attend each year. As always, women of all ages come together to support this worthy organization and to enjoy a fun evening of entertainment, as well.
This elegant event helps fund a vital tz’dakah organization that helps to fund so many new couples beginning their married life. It helps people in New York, Israel, and all over the United States. The board meets monthly to review who needs the funds. The organization donates around $150,000 annually to those who need help.
This year’s tea is dedicated by Yisrael and Sandi Hachohen in memory of their incredible, beloved mothers, Dora “Dvora” Lipshitz a”h and Hashanah Leah Hacohen a”h. Dora (Dvora) bat Moshe was the oldest daughter of eleven children. She and one of her sisters were the only survivors of their family. They felt that their support of one another helped them survive the concentration camps and forced march. After the war, she immigrated to Sweden and then to Canada. In Montreal, she met her future husband Elimelech Lipshitz, where they built a home of chesed.
Hoshana Leah Hacohen was a native Sabra. One set of grandparents emigrated from Lithuania over a century ago and lived in Yerushalayim. Her other grandparents helped settle the new city of Tel Aviv. Hoshana studied in Israel and then moved to New York where she married Mordechai Hacohen. She lived in Queens and she taught at the Yeshiva of Central Queens and Touro College. She was heavily involved in Israeli causes. She designed floats for the Israel Day Parade. Her home was open to many Shabbos guests and she tutored weaker students, instilling a love of both limudei kodesh and Eretz Yisrael.
The Erna Lindenfeld Hachnosas Kallah Fund of Queens is now in its 35th year. The founder of the organization was Rebbetzin Ruth Schonfeld a”h.
It was established in memory of Mrs. Lindenfeld by her children who are still active in the organization. The fund has helped thousands of financially deprived young couples. The fund provides us with a wonderful opportunity to help a couple build a bayis ne’eman.
This year, there will be a performance of “Good Housekeeping” by Mrs. Zisi Naimark. A talented cast will perform, and it will take place on Tuesday, November 12, at 7:30 p.m. at the Electchester Electrical Building, located at Parsons Boulevard and Jewel Avenue, in Flushing. There will be welcoming remarks from the Lindenfeld Family, and Mrs. Sandi Hacohen will speak on behalf of the Hacohen family.
There is something so exciting about coming together as a community to support such a worthy cause in such an elegant setting with enjoyable entertainment and delicious food. Everyone has a good time. Hope to see you there!
To donate to the Hachnosas Kallah Fund, send checks to:
Mrs. Beverly Goldberger
135-19 78th Road
Flushing, New York 11367