by Susie Garber

On Sunday evening, July 14, a crowd gathered at the Beth Gavriel Center for an eye-opening shiur on dating with purpose, given by Rabbi Jonathan Rietti, renowned speaker, on behalf of Chazaq. Rabbi Rietti involved the audience as he began by asking people to share qualities they hope to find in their future spouse.

Something exciting is happening, for women only, in Queens this month. Mikva the Musical: Music and Monologues from the Deep of Raise Your Spirits Theatre from Israel is coming to America. There will be one show in Queens: on Sunday, June 23, 8:00-10:00 p.m. at Beth Gavriel in Forest Hills, hosted by Chazaq Women’s Division. The renowned kiruv organization, whose motto is “building a stronger future,” brings quality programs to enrich the Jewish community and has brought over 600 Jewish students from public school to be enrolled in yeshivos.

On Sunday, June 30, Rabbi David Ashear delivered a shiur at Torah Ohr of Great Neck on how to achieve emunah. He began by explaining that there are different types of emunah. One type is the belief that we can be saved at any second. That type is very important, because this is the type of emunah that will produce Mashiach. “If the only merit we have is hope for Hashem’s salvation, that will bring Mashiach.” After 120 years, you will be asked: Did you anticipate Mashiach? Did you anticipate that Hashem would save you in your current situation? Were you upbeat? Hopeful? To achieve that type of emunah, you need to learn about how Hashem saved others in your predicament. It gives us hope when we hear stories of Hashem saving someone when there seemed to be no way out. He then shared an incredible story about a boy living in Yerushalayim who needed a liver transplant to survive. The doctor told him to travel to Belgium. His time was running out and there was a long list of people ahead of him to receive a liver. He went to see his rabbi and asked, since it looked impossible, shouldn’t he just enjoy his last days at home with his family in Israel. The rabbi replied, “Never give up. You do yours and Hashem will do His. Never give up!”

“For years I marveled at the m’siras nefesh of talmidim at Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim.” Rav Doniel Lander, Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshivas Ohr HaChaim, spoke at the Rabbinical Seminary of America Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim annual breakfast at the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills on Sunday morning, June 2.

The foundation of the Jewish people is the Jewish family. With this mitzvah in mind, Emet Outreach Rebbetzin Devorah Kigel is helping and guiding young women from all backgrounds of Judaism to find their soulmates and to build a bayis ne’eman filled with shalom bayis.

On Tuesday evening, June 4, community members gathered to hear a fascinating lecture on fertility and the latest treatments, along with a halachic perspective on these issues.