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This past Shabbos, Parshiyos VaYakhel-P’kudei, as we closed Sefer Sh’mos and the words of Chazak, Chazak, v’Nis’chazeik reverberated throughout shuls, Mrs. Magda Schwartz a”h, the well-known sheitel macher of Kew Gardens, passed away. Fittingly, as we each intoned, “Be strong! Be strong! And may we be strengthened!” the source of strength for many people went to her eternal reward.

Recognizing a national shortage of qualified teachers in Jewish and special education, SINAI Schools and Touro University have partnered to create The SINAI Teacher Fellowship Program, beginning this fall. This trailblazing collaboration offers current and prospective SINAI faculty the unique opportunity to earn a graduate degree at a greatly discounted tuition, while also receiving full compensation as an assistant teacher at SINAI and hands-on training and mentorship from experienced SINAI educators.

When it comes to the weeks before Passover, three words are most important to Masbia’s Executive Director. They are: logistics, logistics, logistics. But this year, there’s something even more critical - sponsors, sponsors, sponsors. The Charoset Drive is what Masbia calls those weeks leading up to Passover.

OU’s Women’s Initiative Brings Back Conference Designed to Train and Support Lay Leaders

New York, N.Y. — The Orthodox Union’s Women’s Initiative has announced that its second Leadership Summit will take place May 1-2 at the Sheraton Eatontown Hotel in Eatontown, N.J.

BIRTHS

Ellen Abberbock on the birth of a great-niece, born to Yehuda Leib and Shira Abberbock of Philadelphia. Mazal tov to the grandparents, Dr. Stuie and Sari Apfel, and Dr. Gary and Judy Abberbock

In this week’s parshah, Vayikra, the Torah discusses the various offerings one would bring to the Beis HaMikdash – the Holy Temple. In the opening paragraph, the Torah states: “When a man among you brings an offering to Gd, you should bring your offering from animals – from cattle or from flocks” (Vayikra 1:2). In Parshas Vayikra, Hashem’s closeness is revealed to us, and we learn how to maintain our relationship with Hashem and how to show our love toward him.