This past week, Shevach High School students were privileged to hear words of inspiration in these trying times from Mrs. Shaindy Kappel, founder of Aneinu and creator of the T’hilim M’chulak booklets. Thanks to Mrs. Kappel’s creative thinking and desire to help bring a y’shuah to a friend in need, these booklets were crafted and are regularly used across the globe. Now, many women around the world not only say T’hilim regularly, but they can collectively say the entire sefer in a short amount of time.
Shevach’s theme of the morning was “Imo Anochi B’Tzarah.” Mrs. Kappel brought home the feeling that we are like “soldiers” in the war going on now in Eretz Yisrael. We are experiencing events that are unprecedented in the memory of all of us alive today. At the same time, we need to be focused on our individual “missions.” In this world of darkness, we need to be the light. That is our goal vis-à-vis ourselves, and vis-à-vis others, as well. In order to be the light unto the nations, we have to challenge ourselves to be all that we can be. We must realize that even small changes accumulate to make a great impact.
There may be confusion as to why this is all happening. But if we were to look deeply into ourselves and tap into our emunah and bitachon, we would find clarity. This is a test for all of klal Yisrael as they come together in unity to play a part in the conflict facing Eretz Yisrael. T’hilim gives us the connection we are looking for. Our t’filah, coupled with our chesed activities, make our Yiddishkeit real, Mrs. Kappel emphasized. It replaces the confusion with tranquility, and it has the power to bring us y’shuos.
The students left empowered to make a difference personally and play their roles using the kochos of t’filah and chesed, for the sake of the Jewish people overall.
