Shuva Israel Queens Celebrates 16 Years Of Service
Shuva Israel of Queens welcomed Admor Rav Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto shlita, the famed kabbalist, Chief Rabbi of Morocco, and president of their synagogue. The rare gathering filled the newly expanded beis ha’k’neses at the corner of 70th Road and 147th Street in Kew Gardens Hills to capacity, with many standing in the vestibule. This marked the 20 Teves hilula of two Moroccan g’dolim of yesteryear, Rav Yaakov Abuchatzera “the Abir Yaakov” z”ya (d. 1880), and Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon “The Rambam” z”ya (d. 1204). Admor Pinto is a direct descendant of the Abir Yaakov. The Rambam, a 12th-century physician, astronomer, and philosopher, left a legacy of halachic teachings and insight into shidduchim included within his works on Jewish law and ethics.
The unforgettable evening also commemorated the 16th anniversary year of the esteemed mosad led by Rav Shimon Sadon shlita, acclaimed student of Moroccan descent.
The program, graced with the participation of many women, included inspiring divrei chizuk from the mara d’asra and the Admor who kept the audience enthralled for upwards of an hour. Then, the Admor conducted a distribution of shots of Arak to each male attendee directly from the hand of the noted kabbalist, who also individually bestowed heartfelt brachos to the crowd. A dialogue on chidushim within the Torah soon followed.
Consuming a hint of Arak stems from a tradition Admor Pinto took note of in the house of his grandparents, the high value Arak once held in Sephardic households, and its unique powers like those found in the particularly strong bottle owned by the Baba Sali. In his hourlong remarks, Admor Pinto announced the creation of a kollel within the Shuva Israel organization.
Admor Pinto has scheduled meetings with Jay Schottenstein of American Eagle Outfitters, real estate mogul Jacky Ben-Zaken, Metropolitan Real Estate Investors exec Ilan Bracha of Prudential Douglas Elliman, talk-show host Donny Deutsch, Jacob Arabo aka “Jacob the Jeweler,” politicians Anthony Weiner, Michael Grimm, Justice Minister Yaakov Neeman, former Bank of Israel governor Jacob Frenkel, basketball player LeBron James, and Israeli soccer star Guy Levy.
We wish Mosdos Shuva Israel of Queens much success on their devoted mission in advancing Torah values throughout the metropolitan region.
By Shabsie Saphirstein
with Nerya Fozailov
