(Courtesy of The Bayit) Highlighted by its annual blood drive clothing drives, the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale-The Bayit will mark the 21st anniversary of 9/11 and the approach of the High Holidays with a Chesed Day on Sunday, September 11, filled with learning, volunteering and giving opportunities.
This year’s blood drive, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., takes on added urgency with the recent announcement by the New York Blood Center of a blood supply emergency in the metropolitan area. Donor response has been lower than usual due to a summer with high rates of COVID-19 and relentless heat waves.
Beginning with a clothing swap the night before, the events of the day include a used seforim sale, sheimot collection, a sofer for mezuzah and tefillin checks, pushka exchange and food packing for the Bronx Jewish Community Council Food Pantry. Members will also have the opportunity to learn about and join various committees. Children are encouraged to participate by preparing treats for our local firehouse and police precinct in honor of 9/11.
Another special event is a brunch and shiur from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in memory of Bayit members Rivka and Rabbi Yitzchak Haut, z”l. Ira Epstein, a lecturer on comedy and the music of Israel will discuss “How Hatikvah Became the Israeli National Anthem.” Utilizing audiovisual clips, he will trace the development of the anthem from its original nine-verse poem to its current text consisting of two short verses.
This year’s Blood Drive honors the memory of synagogue member Gella Schweid Fishman, z”l, who died in 2017 and is remembered as a teacher and writer who was an indefatigable advocate of Yiddish language and culture. In her long career as an educator, Gella taught Yiddish language, literature and culture in primary schools as well as at Yeshiva University and Stern College. She is credited with introducing Yiddish into the curriculum at three Modern Orthodox schools and was the founder of the Secular Yiddish Schools in North America Collection at Stanford University.
Rabba Sara Hurwitz, a member of the Bayit’s clergy, recalled Gella as “a beloved Riverdale resident with a brilliant mind, passionate work ethic and sweet smile. She gave so much to her students and Jewish community over the years. By giving blood, the gift of life, one honors her legacy.”
Seryl Ritter, the Bayit’s blood drive coordinator, notes that as an alternative to traditional blood donation, donors who meet specific minimum height and weight requirements have the option of giving two complete transfusion units of red blood cells at one time using the ALYX System.
All donors are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment by calling NYBC at 1-800-933-BLOOD (2566), registering online at www.thebayit.org/bd or scanning the QR code displayed with this article. Walk-ins are welcome, but priority will be given to those who schedule in advance.
Donors in good health between the ages of 16 and 75 are welcome and will be required to present a photo ID. (16 year olds must bring an NYBC parental consent form and proof of date of birth.) Those with blood donor cards should bring them as well. Masking is required at the blood drive site in the Bayit’s social hall. Anyone recovering from COVID-19 must be at least 14 days symptom-free before donating blood. Those who are experiencing a cold, sore throat, respiratory infection or flu-like symptoms are not eligible to donate. Further information is available by contacting Seryl at [email protected] or 917-301-8463.
The clothing drive will run from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on September 11, when bags of men’s, women’s and children’s clothing as well as gently used linens, blankets, quilts and towels can be dropped off at a truck parked outside the synagogue.
Preceding the clothing drive is a clothing swap on Motzei Shabbat, September 10 from 8:30 -10 p.m. Please bring your gently worn, clean, outgrown or unused women’s, men’s and children’s clothes and shoes to the Bayit and trade them for something “new.” Unclaimed items will be donated to the clothing drive. (Clothing only—please leave your toys, gear and furniture at home.)
Another Chesed Day activity is a food-packing session from noon to 1p.m. Food items will be packed in bags to be delivered to the Bronx Jewish Community Council (BJCC), which operates the largest food pantry in the East Bronx. To volunteer, contact Yael Oshinsky at [email protected].
Children can participate in the mitzvah of giving by attending the Youth Department’s 9/11 Tribute to the FDNY and NYPD, set for 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. They will be honoring New York City’s bravest and finest by preparing cards and decorating cupcakes for delivery later that day to the Riverdale firehouse and police precinct.
The day will also feature a Get Involved Fair, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Participants will have an opportunity to meet with leaders of the synagogue’s various committees—including Youth, Social Action, Caring Callers and Meals (for shivas and the sick)—to hear about their upcoming plans for the new year and to volunteer their time and talent.
Throughout the day the Bayit will conduct its used seforim sale. Drop off your surplus seforim at the Bayit from Tuesday, September 6 through Friday, September 9 and give them the opportunity to find a new home.
Sheimot can be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Please bring your sacred writings requiring burial packed in sturdy, but not heavy medium-size bags or boxes. Cost of burial is $25 per box or bag. Donations can be made at www.thebayit.org or by cash/check at dropoff. Please make checks payable to Hebrew Institute of Riverdale.
Mezuzah and Tefillin checks by Sofer Moshe Sandowski will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fees of $10 and $100, respectively, are paid directly to the sofer.
For further information on Chesed Day activities, visit thebayit.org/chesedday.
