This has been a week of tragedies. Breaking news this week is the vicious assault on a woman in Kew Gardens Hills on Monday morning. She had just dropped her daughter off at school and was walking home when someone grabbed her, dragged her into a building, raped and beat her. Police cars and news reporters were at the scene throughout the day and the street was closed. Hopefully they will catch the person who did this and we wish the woman a speedy and full recovery.
“Rain, rain, go away.” Last week we witnessed a torrential rain and hail storm in Israel that led to flooding throughout the country and dangerous, deadly flash flooding in the Judean desert. Ten students were killed when they were caught hiking in the flood area.
When we pray for rain on Shemini Atzeret we ask that it should be “for a blessing and not for a curse.” Everything has its benefits — Israel surely needs rain — but it can be catastrophic when it is too much. Now is not the rainy season anymore and this rain came down fiercely with massive rain and hail.
On Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in the Unesaneh Tokef prayer we say, “who will live and who will die, who by water…who at end of his days and who will die not at the end of his days.” These teenagers had their whole lives still ahead of them. We grieve with their families and with the entire nation.
On Shabbos afternoon my grandson walked over. As we talked about the deaths he said he doesn’t blame anyone — not the principal or teachers who organized the trip, not the parents or students themselves who knew the warnings and went anyway. Blame is a tricky thing. They will have to deal with their own “what ifs” for the rest of their lives.
Today we have the technology to replay a television show, a video, or a computer game. We can pause and start again. But you can’t replay life — there is no starting over once it is over.
We can only live each day carefully, thinking clearly, and using good judgement. And always praying for Hashem’s help and protection.
Umacha Hashem dimah mei’al kol panim.
Upcoming Events
Breakfast for RIETS Rabbi Israel Klavan Scholarship Fund, May 6, 9:00 a.m., at the Queens Jewish Center, 66-05 108th St., Forest Hills. The featured speaker is Rabbi Marc Penner, dean of RIETS. The guest of honor is Mrs. Chana Hochman in memory of Rabbi Joel Hochman, a’h. Chairman: Rabbi Shmuel Gold. For information, call 718-459-8432 or visit MyQJC.org.
Annual Journal Breakfast of Yeshiva Kesser Torah, May 6. At the Yeshiva of Central Queens, 147-37 70th Road, Kew Gardens Hills. Rabbi Elyakim G. Rosenblatt, rosh hayeshiva, honoring Dr. Fred (Efraim) and Mrs. Darya (Sarah) Bassali, Great Neck, and Mr. Bruce and Mrs. Debra Schonfeld. Divrei berachah by Rabbi Moshe Turk. Parking available.
Navigating the Medical System, May 8, 7:30 p.m. at Cong. Etz Chaim, 147-19 73rd Ave. Dr. Jonathan Siegel, associate director of the emergency department at NYP/Q assistant professor of emergency medicine Weill-Cornell, will speak on “Trauma and Emergency Care: How to Stop the Bleeding and Respond as a Bystander.” Free admission; healthy refreshments will be served. Sponsored by NYP/Q, Margaret Tietz Rehab, Rory Lancman, and Dan Rosenthal.
Shiur Ha’chodesh for Women By Women, May 9, 7:30 p.m. at Congregation Etz Chaim 147-19 73 Avenue in Kew Gardens Hills. Presented by Rabbi Israel D. Rosenberg Educational Institute of Congregation Etz Chaim. Featuring Dean Rachel Friedman, “Rising from the Valley of Doom: Yechezkel’s Prophecy of Hope.” Suggested donation: $5. For further information, please contact Hadassah Waxman, hwaxman@earthlink.net or 718-261-0766.
Chazaq Fundraising Campaign, May 15, 2 p.m.–10 p.m. and May 16 9 a.m.–8 p.m. Chazaq needs you to dedicate a few hours at its operations center at Beth Gavriel Community Center in Forest Hills to iy’h raise $1,000,000. There will be a full menu for volunteers during these hours. Please e-mail Events@Chazaq.org to join this momentous campaign!
Tea For Tammy, May 15, Rosh Chodesh Sivan, 139-03 72nd Road, side entrance, Kew Garden Hills. Doors open at 8 p.m. Program begins at 8:30 p.m. Special guest speaker is Rabbi Paysach Krohn. A new Tammy video never before seen in Queens will be shown. Admission by donation to Tammy Project USA towards the overwhelming costs of Tammy’s care. An exclusive gift with message from Tammy for all donations of $180 or more. For more information, call 347-952-5059 or e-mail rengelson@gmail.com.
Annual Avigdor’s Helping Hand Pre Shavuos Bake Sale, Wednesday, May 16, 7 p.m.–10 p.m. at the home of Dr. Ari and Alyson Walfish, 138-14 78th Drive. Cakes and goodies as well as orchids and flowers for yom tov. There will also be a raffle for exciting prizes! Bakers and buyers are welcome. All proceeds go to the Avigdor’s Helping Hand tzedakah, which is an all-volunteer tzedakah assisting almanos/almonim and helping make chasunahs for yesomim across the country. For any other information, please contact AHHBakesalequeens@gmail.com, 718-568-9720, or sign up at Avigdorshelpinghand.com.
Chanita Teitz is a real-estate broker at Astor Brokerage in Kew Gardens Hills, serving the entire Queens vicinity. For all your real estate needs, call her at 718-263-4500 or e-mail chanita@astorbrokerage.com. Read more of Chanita Teitz’s articles at 5TJT.com.
