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In Parshas Ki Seitzei, we find a pasuk that holds profound comfort and strength for those facing suffering and illness. The Torah teaches us (D’varim 22:4): “You shall not see your brother’s donkey or ox fallen on the road and ignore them; you shall surely help him lift them up.”

“We didn’t want Shabbos to end!” was the sentiment shared by six couples, who were guests at a recent Emet Shabbaton in Far Rockaway. While a Shabbos away with strangers can be awkward, this one was actually the beginning of new friendships. The couples represented all stages of marriage, from newly married to those married for a decade, but they all shared having grown in Judaism through Emet. Hosted by Rabbi Nissim Musheyev, Emet’s Community Development Director, and his wife Mazal, the Shabbaton exemplified not only the beauty of Shabbos but also the importance of being in a warm community as an observant Jew.

This past Sunday, Camp Kaylie hosted an incredible wedding on their premises, showcasing the remarkable sense of community and camaraderie fostered within the camp. The campers took charge of all the preparations, resulting in a magical and unforgettable experience for the couple and all attendees. Throughout the day, the campers diligently crafted floral centerpieces, adorned the chupah, created a stunning cupcake cake, made signs, prepared water bottles for the chasan and kallah, served as waitstaff, and decorated the “just married” golf cart, among other tasks. The level of unity and collaboration displayed by everyone involved in the camp was truly remarkable, as they worked together to ensure that every detail was flawlessly executed. The genuine enthusiasm of the campers was particularly heartwarming, as they wholeheartedly dedicated themselves to making this wedding a true celebration of love and unity.

In the month of Elul, we embark on a journey of self-reflection and renewal. Just as the earth readies itself for the harvest, we too must reap the fruits of our deeds. The Hebrew letters of “Elul” are said to embody the phrase “Ani L’dodi, V’dodi Li” – “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine” (Shir HaShirim 6:3). This phrase encapsulates a profound message, underlining that even in the face of challenges and hardships, we remain embraced by Hashem’s boundless love and guidance.

Chasidic songs were performed by a quartet honoring the yahrzeit of Rabbi Manfred Gans at Congregation Machane Chodosh on Sunday, August 6. The theme was Rising Spiritually after Enduring Adversity.

Maria Rodriguez, a Christian native of Venezuela, is standing on a street corner here one recent windy afternoon, eagerly describing the familiar type of chicken she eats regularly, seven-tenths of a mile down Coney Island Avenue in a small quasi-restaurant in the heart of Flatbush, a heavily Orthodox neighborhood in Brooklyn.