Catskills Emergency Numbers
HATZALAH: 718-387-1750 • 718-230-1000
Bikur Cholim of Catskills
888-354-2627
Chaverim 718-431-8181
Poison Control
800-222-1222
Center for Disease Control ���������������������������800-232-4636
AAA Road Services
800-222-4357
Zmanim Hotline 718-331-8463
AMBULANCE
Sullivan County
Ulster County
845-583-7100 or 911
845-338-3700 or 911
Hudson Valley ����������������������������������������������������845-292-3040
NON EMERGENCY
Ellenville
Fallsburg
Liberty
Monticello
Swan Lake
Woodbourne
845-647-8181
845-434-2008
845-295-0236
845-794-6330
845-292-6918
845-434-6763
Woodridge 845-434-6893
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Cocheton
Ellenville
Fallsburg
845-794-7100
845-647-4422
845-434-4422
Liberty 845-292-4422
Livingston Manor/Rock Hill/ Swan Lake/White Lake
Loch Sheldrake
Monticello
845-794-7100
845-434-4422
845-794-4422
Mountaindale 845-434-4422
Woodburne 845-434-4422
Woodridge
Ferndale
Ellenville
STATE POLICE
845-434-6644
Catskill Regional Medical Center
68 Bushville Rd (Rt 17 -Ex 102)
Harris
Bikur Ch New Sq
Comm Liason (for summer):
Yoel Moshe Fried
Chesed Room: 4th Floor, Rm 455
Ellenville Community Hospital (Rt 209) Ellenville
845-794-3300
888-354-2627
347-407-0792
845-647-6400
Orange Regional Medical 707 East Main Street Middletown 845-333-1000
Arden Hill Hospital
4 Harriman Dr Goshen 845-294-5441
Comm Liason Joel Friedman: 347-482-5388
Bikur Ch: Rm 163, Follow Blue signs from E R
Horton Medical Center
60 Prospect Ave Middletown 845-343-6161
Comm Liason Joel Friedman 347-482-5388
Kosher Refrigerator in Maternity Unit on 2nd fl Bikur
Ch: Ground fl next to the Fish Wall
URGENT CARE
Asisa Monticello, NY 845-419-1000
Chai Care
5208 Main St, S Fallsburg 845-409-2424
Dr Rosenfeld 97 Laurel Ave S Fallsburg 845-436-6027
845-292-6600
845-626-2800
Liberty 845-292-6600
Wurtsboro
Sullivan County
SHERIFF
845-626-2800
845-794-7100
Ulster County 845-338-3640
HOSPITALS
Bon Secours Comm Hospital
160 East Main Street Port Jervis
845-858-7000
Emergency Room: 845-858-7030
St Luke Newburgh Hospital
70 Dubois Street Newburgh
845-561-4400
Maimon Care 432 NY-52, Woodbourne 845-436-6666
ODA Monticello 60 Jefferson St� Monticello ������������������������� 845-794-5090
ODA Woodridge 6 Dairyland Rd� Woodridge ������������������������ 845-434-2060
Parcare
Ichud Bungalow Colony Ent� 2, Rt 42 ������ 718-500-0369
Refuah Health 36 Laurel Ave� S Fallsburg ���������������������������� 845-482-9394
BUS SERVICE
212-564-8484
Camps & Yeshivas: Make your Siyum Memorable! The 9 days are coming reserve Izzys’ smoker for your Siyum night!
Kumzitz Around the campfire
Stories that make the song play in your head and morph into something greater than the sum of lyrics and melody; an impetus for introspection and growth.
ROUGH TRANSLATION:
In my heart will build a Mishkan/Tabernacle to glorify His honor
In this Mishkan I shall [also] place an altar to acknowledge His splendor
And [as for what fire I shall use] I will take to me the fire of the eternal light [which is] the fire of the Akeidah
And as [for what] sacrifice will I bring, I will offer my soul, my own unique and special soul
The words originate from a piyut in Sefer Chareidim (Perek 7, Shir Yedidos) which was written by R’ Elazar ben Moshe Azkari zt’l
” Based on these words, “Bilvavi” was composed by Rav Yitzchok Hutner zt’l and was sung in Chaim Berlin at Shalosh Seudos in Rav Hutner’s own niggun. In 1968, the words were put to the now well-known melody composed by his talmid, Rav Shmuel Brazil.
BASED ON A TRUE STORY AS TOLD TO CHAVA L. BEER
It was two o’clock. Most of the workday was behind her, but the last two hours stretched interminably ahead. I hope Motti is behaving at the babysitter, Faigy mused, at least somewhat better than he did last night. She flicked a stray sheitel hair out of her face and sat up straighter in her swivel chair. The latest emails involved lots of back and forth and detailed research. Her eyes blinked and she reached for another sugar-free candy.
Exhaustion had become her middle name. Motti, her delicious firstborn, was teething, and somehow only slept during the day. Admittedly, that gave her the luxury of doing laundry and cleaning without interruption but she ached for a nighttime stretch of slumber. Juggling the neverending tasks of wifehood, motherhood and her nearly full-time office job required dogged determination. Faigy was up to the task, though the dark rings under her eyes were testimony to the difficulties involved.
“Your order didn’t arrive yet?” Faigy responded to the irate customer on the line.
“No. And I needed it yesterday! What kind of service is this?”
“I feel terrible. We sent out your package about one hour after you ordered it. Perhaps it got delayed due to the holidays.”
“I don’t know. But I’m really annoyed. Is there any way you can hurry it up? Or reimburse me for the aggravation?”
“According to the system, your package should land at your doorstep this afternoon. Apologies for the delay.”
“Awright. And if it doesn’t, I’ll be back to give you a piece of my mind.”
Faigy put down the phone and sighed. She was glad it wasn’t her package that was delayed. But come on; this wasn’t medication, it was just some sportswear! Then again, she couldn’t really relate. No packages, aside for medication, came to her door.
“The internet is a dangerous net, true to its name, and can easily ensnare the innocent into its claws. We may only use it for absolutely necessary purposes.”
That was Mrs. Gross, her beloved 11th grade mechaneches and Hineni teacher, delivering yet another powerful lesson.
“But everyone uses it for everything.”
“It’s so convenient to check things up there.”
“It makes everyone so b’achdus cause it’s so easy to schmooze using online apps.”
“What does it mean a necessary purpose? Everyone can define that differently.”
“Girls shhhh…I’m so happy you’re all chiming in here and sharing your opinions. That means you’re actually listening to what I’m saying and thinking about the effects of applying the lessons to your personal lives.
Now, as to your questions - and I’m sure there are many more… The bottom line is that the Internet is a dangerous place. Period. There are many ways to protect yourself from its influence. You can stay 1 foot away, or 1 mile away. How safe do you want to be? How pure do you want to stay?”
In the classroom, Faigy thought ruefully, it had all seemed so clear.
But in the frenetic lifestyle that was her current reality, shades of grey began to emerge. In that tired, overworked state, sticking to her bulletproof protection standards was oh, so difficult.
And her rationalizations were quite valid.
First, was the money factor. Shopping online would save them a pretty penny. With her husband in kollel, their family relied mostly on her hard-earned paycheck to cover the monthly budget. Faigy’s paycheck stretched to cover the inflated costs of rent, food and bi-weekly trips to Monsey for Shabbos. Oh, with some change to spare. If only she could shop for brand-name, high-quality baby clothing and gadgets available online for a fraction of the price. The frequent
conversations buzzing around her at work and all over didn’t make the challenge any easier.
“Pom-Pom has an a-may-zing sale, did you see? Their stretchies are 50% off, including shipping. This week only!”
“Pom-Pom? Don’t they have a local store?”
“Yes, but this sale is for online customers only.”
Faigy would swallow hard and continue plugging away at her computer. For the time being, she’d wait for a better buy at the local stores and wash her laundry more often.
Secondly, and no less importantly, was the convenience factor. As a working mother, Faigy barely had time and energy to make supper and take care of the basic needs of her family. Strolling down the avenue, baby in tow, in search of the finest, best-priced garments to clothe her precious prince was a distant dream. Well, maybe if stores would be open at 11 pm when Moishele was crying anyway, she’d brave the trip in the hope of soothing him…while finding a bargain. When else was a good time to shop? Nine to four was worktime. Four to six was Moishele – rest - cook - clean time. Six to eight was supper - laundry - husband time. Eight until who-knows-when was laundry - clean - baby kvetch time. Should she skip supper? Neglect her baby? Run herself ragged? Shop on Sunday, her only day to relax, visit her mother and cook in advance? Shopping in the packed stores with an active baby was a recipe for discombobulation at best and a full-blown headache at worst.
Three-thirty. Half an hour to her workday. Faigy stretched. Motti was busting out of his stretchies. He needed the next size desperately. The solution was just a click away.
Was it really so wrong to make a quick online order for the season? She knew which site she needed, had strictly filtered computer access now and had zero interest or extra time to ponder over inappropriate pictures. In any case, this was baby wear. What could be wrong?
relaxed wife and mother. No exhausting trips to the store and heart wrenching budgetary considerations. No screaming baby and tzumi/ bottle-stuffing while seeking the attention of an overwhelmed saleslady. The momentum was growing, reaching a crescendo.
Yet a still, soft voice tugged at her heartstrings, compelling her to stop.
“Faigy, it’s not a matter of right and wrong. It’s a question of standards, of a lifestyle, of what kind of spiritual protection you want to give yourself and your family. It’s a small purchase and takes a moment. But is it really such a bargain if it brings you into a new world you promised to stay far away from?”
No one could sense the battle raging within her. The chit-chat in the office and the pleasant background music faded into oblivion.
And Faigy, the strong, principled Faigy emerged victoriously.
Yes. She wouldn’t be swayed by the lures of society. No. She wouldn’t click those few buttons and enjoy the temporary peace of mind the purchase would bring her.
Deep within the recesses of her heart, she knew; this was the right way to go. There, sitting in a cool, comfortable office chair, she had scaled a mountain.
A tiny tear trickled out of the corner of Faigy’s eye and she quickly wiped it with a tissue. The intensity of the moment was immense and so was its magic.
I might as well maximize on this auspicious time to daven. For something, for someone, for a yeshua, hatzlacha. I certainly have Hashem on my side now.
After giving the matter some thought, Faigy mentally whispered a fiery tefilla to the One Above, the One who treasures those who remain strong in the battle for Kedusha.
Faigy’s temple throbbed, her heart raced and her palms oozed with sweat. Look, it wasn’t ideal to shop online, but maybe this was an exception. Her boss generously allowed them to use the computer for personal reasons, assuming it wouldn’t affect their productivity at work. Placing her summer order for those adorable, trendy onesies would take literally one minute, maybe two. Moishele would be ready for his summer portrait. She would be a
Tatteh in himmel, you know how hard it is for me to uphold my standards in such a confusing world with so many obstacles obscuring my vision. Help me continue staying strong and help Moishele and all my future children stay strong, no matter what challenges they will encounter.
An invisible quiet victory. No pomp or ceremony. But Faigy was building a mishkan. A magnificient edifice to house the shechina.
