It was with great anticipation that the entire Queens community awaited the 38th annual Erna Lindenfeld Hachnosas Kallah Tea. After two years of celebrating the annual tea on Zoom, everyone was thrilled to meet together in person at the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills on Monday evening, December 5. The tea has been a Queens hallmark event for decades, providing our community and beyond with the opportunity to give tz’dakah to an incredibly worthy cause while enjoying incredible entertainment.
This year’s Tea was dedicated to the memory of the unforgettable Rebbetzin Shifra Witty a”h, who served as president of the Hachnosas Kallah Fund for 25 years. The sponsors included Jeff & Dassy Ganz, Moshe & Chanie Metzger, Chaim Shaul & Ettie Zelmanowitz, and Rabbi Noach & Shalva Witty.
The evening began with Rabbi Moshe Bamberger, author, speaker, and Mashgiach Ruchani of Beis Medrash L’Talmud/Lander College for Men, greeting everyone. Rabbi Bamberger acted as Master of Ceremonies of the evening. He introduced Mr. Eric Lindenfeld who spoke on behalf of his family and in memory of his grandmother Erna Lindenfeld a”h.
Next, Rabbi Noach Witty represented the Witty family and paid tribute to their beloved mother, who was the wife of Rabbi Shlomo Witty zt”l. “Morah Shifra” was the cherished teacher of hundreds of pre-school children during her many years at the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills early childhood program. Our treasured president, Mrs. Witty a”h, held leadership positions in many local tz’dakah organizations, but her heart found its home with the Erna Lindenfeld Hachnosas Kallah Fund. She led with love and compassion for every chasan and kallah. She brought the organization to international renown. Millions of dollars were distributed to needy couples during her tenure.
The audience viewed a beautiful video about Mrs. Witty, put together by her family. Elegant tz’dakah boxes for the organization were donated by Mrs. Nechama Biderman in memory of her husband, Dov Beryl ben Yaakov David z”l.
Everyone enjoyed the entertainment of the evening with Bracha Jaffe. Grandmothers and granddaughters, mothers and daughters, sisters and friends danced together in the aisles. The energy was electrifying and there was an amazing feeling of achdus as everyone was there to support this wonderful organization.
The Erna Lindenfeld Hachnosas Kallah Fund began in 1985, with the one objective of enabling our community and beyond to fulfill the mitzvah of Hachnasas Kallah. Donating to and supporting this organization is a way to share in the mitzvah of being m’samei’ach chasan v’kallah and helping to build batim ne’emanim b’Yisrael.
Please participate and share in the z’chus of this incredible mitzvah. Whether you were able to attend last week or not, your financial support will enable the organization to continue to help young couples begin their married lives in dignity.
For donations via QuickPay/Zelle, please send to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For donations using PayPal or credit card, please visit our website. www.HKqueens. Checks can be mailed to 137-37 71st Avenue, Flushing, NY 11367.
By Susie Garber
