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lowing services to the chayalim/ HAFTR High School is chayalot (soldiers) and their famicommitting to provide direct lies: financial support and chizuk * Every Shabbat for the duto chayalim and chayalot in ration of Operation Pillar of Dethe Golan who are defendfense, the Yeshiva will host all of ing our homeland. Our High the wives and children of the IDF School Judaic Studies PrinciReservists from Ramat Ha’Golan. pal, Rabbi Gedaliah Oppen, is * The Yeshiva is also providin constant contact with Reb ing basic necessities for these Rafael, a Mefaked in the Isfamilies while their husbands/farael Defense Force, as well as thers are in battle. one of the heads of Yeshivat * Packages of basic necessiHesder Ha’Golan in Chitzties will be prepared for the chaypin, which is in the Ramat Ha’Golan. More than half of Left to right: Josh Lederer, Rabbi Gedaliah Oppen and Rachel Gelnick alim/chayalot. submitting letters and donations to our soldiers. * Pizza and nosh packages the Yeshiva students are waiting on the Gaza border for the will be given to the children of der with Syria. order move into Gaza, and many other our chayalim and chayalot. HAFTR High School is raising funds Yeshiva students are situated on the bor- so that the Yeshiva can provide the folIf you would like to donate to this
cause, please e-mail geoppen@haftr.org. HAFTR High School is also asking students and parents to write a personal letter of chizuk to a chayal or chayelet, indicating their support for the mission, gratitude for their service, and prayers for their safety and well-being. If you are interested in writing a letter, please submit the letter to geoppen@haftr.org. Four years ago, during the last Gaza war, the Bostoner Rebbe zt”l encouraged an undertaking in which Jews would daven and learn on behalf of an Israeli soldier in active duty. The concept has now been re-launched for the present operation in Gaza, with a global response from Jews from various walks of life. If you wish to daven and learn for a soldier or give a name of a soldier to be davened for, please contact Rabbi Oppen at geoppen@haftr.org or dial 011.972.2.581.1911.
Mincha and Maariv delivered by Rabbi Yair Hoffman. Each morning after the second Shacharis Minyan, a Daf Yomi Chaburah is also held. The esteemed Rabbonim of the Shul are Rav Shimshon Katz, a Rosh Yeshiva at the Pupa Shul in Williamsburg, Rav Motel Katz, a Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva
Torah V’Daas in Kensington, and their brother and brother-in-law. Donations can be made to Congregation Shomrei Shabbos Hurricane Fund and can be mailed to: c/o Dr. Moshe Lazar 555 Oak Drive Far Rockaway, NY 11691
HAFTR High School Shows Support for Soldiers of Israel
The Little Shul that Could By David Greenbaum It is one of the oldest Shuls in Far Rockaway, and the only shul in the area that was completely devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Congregation Shomrei Shabbos, also known as Rabbi Katz’s Shul, was inundated with close to four feet of water. It is located at 515 Hicksville Road, at the edge of Zone A in Far Rockaway. “The saltwater entered the flooring, the walls, the chairs, the bookcases, the Seforim, and the Taleisim and Tefillin. As the hurricane was transpiring, some brave individuals did what they could to raise the Seforim above the waterline, but eventually they had to succumb,” remarked Dr. Moshe Lazar, who is heading the rebuilding committee. “It was just too much for them. So many Seforim, and no place to put them,” he continued. The damage that Hurricane Sandy has caused is estimated at well over $75,000. “This figure does not include the cost of replacing the Seforim,” added David
Greenbaum, a regular at the shul. Congregation Shomrei Shabbos is home to hundreds of mispallelim, with two Shacharis minyanim (and more during Bein HaZemanim) an early Minchah, and a regular Mincha and Maariv. There are many important Rabbis in the community that daven there. “There is no question that this shul, which has serviced the community in so many ways, must be rebuilt,” stated Rabbi Katz. “The problem is that so many people in the area have been devastated and have suffered significant losses, that the members must reach out to the greater community for assistance.” The shul desperately needs your help. Congregation Shomrei Shabbos does not have a membership fee, and it is open to one and all. Many young people in the community come to Daven in the shul with an open-door and welcoming policy. The Shul also has a Daf Yomi shiur given each morning by Rabbi Pinchas Birnhack, and a Halacha shiur between
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