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On Tuesday, in a third round of emergency funding, UJA-Federation of New York (UJA) announced nearly $9 million in new Covid-19 relief grants to support newly vulnerable families seeking to access Jewish life, front-line workers, and needy Jewish congregants in the New York region.

It is a mitzvah of the Torah to count the days between Pesach and Shavuos – for Shavuos marks the calendar date when Hashem gave us the Torah. Although Iyar does not contain many holidays, every single day of the month is included in the S’firas HaOmer counting. S’firas HaOmer is a period of serious introspection and self-refinement, as we prepare ourselves to receive the Torah anew on Shavuos. Each day of Iyar represents another step in this spiritual journey toward Sinai.

During these days of the Corona challenge, everyone is focused on what needs to be done now; masks, gloves, social distancing, washing hands etc… but very little, if anything, is being done on what happens the day this all ends. In my opinion, this is where our focus needs to be. Yes, the authorities, security forces and medical personnel still need to work on the present – and a big “Yasher Koach” for everything they are doing – but we, as individuals need to start planning what will happen when the gloves come off (wow… how that expression has changed!!)

Please recite Psalms 20, 30, 88, 121, and 130.

HaGaon HaRav Matis Blum zt”l was a true hidden Torah gem of Queens. He was unpretentious and the precise definition of a talmid chacham brandishing anivus. Rav Blum was known to always see the positive in everyone and never utter a harmful word, frequently expressing thoughtful humor. Rav Blum illustrated being a true mentch, always welcoming guests to his Shabbos table.