Edison’s Congregation Ohr Torah recently held a fundraiser for its Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund at a local private residence. Billed as “A Midsummer Night’s Mitzvah,” the event featured picture perfect weather after several days of oppressive heat and humidity that made the outdoor reception particularly enjoyable.
Over 150 people gathered in support of the fund while enjoying music by Avidon and Friends, delicious food from Mike’s Chicken of Lakewood, and wine and bar drinks from The Cellar Kosher Wine and Liquor Store and hosted by Ari Lockspeiser. With a donor underwriting the expenses, 100% of the funds raised went directly to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund.
Avi Maza of Highland Park, attending with wife Lauren, was “very happy to come to such a beautiful event to help the people of our community. Congregation Ohr Torah goes out of its way to make sure everyone is cared for in dignity.” In a lighthearted tone befitting the vibe of the event, Shoshana and Aaron Akman, also of Highland Park, said they “came for dinner, but also to support the community and have a good time.”
Economic realities have increased the costs of living for most people and the impact is greater in the Orthodox Jewish community with additional costs for yeshiva tuition and kosher foods. Fortunately, Jewish communities come together with organized charitable programs to help on many fronts. Many synagogues such as Ohr Torah have a specific fund to help the community for the non-specific issues that may arise. The six men and women of this event’s planning committee wanted to have a fun event that would be less formal and likely more enjoyable than the standard formal dinners with multiple speakers and presentations. Meyer Berg of Edison noted: “It is extremely important to give and support the fund. There are people in need and we want to make sure the rabbi has the resources available to help.”
There was a brief acknowledgement in which thanks were extended to the attendees, local businesses such as Glatt 27 who sponsored the dessert fruit platters, and Roberts Florals who donated the floral arrangements as well as to the host family who opened their home to the community for the event. It was noted that it is unfortunate that the fund is needed, but it is good to see the community support for such a worthy cause. A warm welcome was extended to soon-to-be rabbi emeritus, Rabbi Yaakov Luban, before an introduction of incoming congregational leader Rabbi Sariel Malitzky who briefly spoke.
Rabbi Malitzky thanked everyone for having prayed for the event’s good weather and supporting such a Chesed (compassion) that is done in a tzniut way for so many years under the aegis of Rabbi and Rebbetzin Luban. He continued by acknowledging that the hardest part of being a congregational rabbi is not preparing sermons or lectures, as time consuming as they may be.
The most difficult part is seeing the pain and comprehending the struggles of many individuals in the community.
While a rabbi may not be able to cure medically related issues, the pain of financial hardships is one that the rabbi is able to mitigate. Even with local organizations like Tomchei Shabbos of Middlesex County, there are still needs to be met. Does the family have the means to get Shabbat clothes for their growing children? Are their emotional needs being met? Are they able to attend a yeshiva day school or are they unable to afford tuition? Being able to help families maintain their dignity via the distribution of gift cards to local stores or an anonymously paid tuition bill can make all the difference. “You can lose hope for humanity if you rely on what is in the newspapers, and then you see a fund like this,” said Rabbi Malitzky.
He added that the name “Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund” is a misnomer; the rabbi is merely a messenger and the fund belongs to all the people who contribute. The rabbi concluded with the story of a Jewish man who had had major surgery in New York. Although being from out-of- town and knowing nobody locally, many types of Jewish communities rallied together to provide aid to the man. Satmar Chasidim provided food; the yeshivish community in Monsey helped during the recuperative period; the Jews of the Upper West Side aided the man during his hospital stay; and an anonymous donor from central New Jersey helped with the man’s family during the summer. “Who is like the people of Israel? With Hashem’s help, we will continue to do great work.”
Some attendees joined friends at seats around the many tables in the host’s backyard; most preferred to congregate in the area of the food buffet and bar area and mingle as they enjoyed the upbeat music from the band. After an evening of dining and socializing, attendees brought chairs in front of the band and enjoyed singing along and dancing until the event ended with Maariv.
Gedalia and Phyllis Reiss said that they have lived in the area for 37 years and have seen the community grow and evolve. “It is good to support the shul and support those in need in a dignified and anonymous way.” Blimie and David Hallel of Edison were joined by Leah Price of Brooklyn to enjoy the “wonderful night and support the Rabbi’s Fund.”
When asked why he came to the event, Dr. Levi Tiefenbrunn succinctly summarized the sentiments of the evening, “This is my shul, but more than that — it is my family.”
Donations to the fund can be sent via check made payable to Congregation Ohr Torah (RMDF in the memo), 48 Edgemount Rd, Edison, NJ 08817 or by using Zelle: [email protected] (RMDF in memo).
Deborah Melman is a staff writer at The Jewish Link.
