We sent this issue of The Jewish Link to press with more than a modicum of happiness and relief, noting that at 236 pages, with a new, first-time-ever pullout Chol Hamoed Activity Guide, this is the largest issue of our newspaper in our history. We thank our valued advertisers and contributors for their continued support and constant encouragement, knowing that even in the toughest of times, our community continues to be enthusiastic about our dynamic print media. We hope that the joy of Pesach, back together with our loved ones after two years of “pandemic Seders,” is as exciting and wonderful as it should be.
Whether you are a new reader or a Jewish Link Super Fan who settles down to read our paper every Friday night or Shabbat afternoon, it is our hope that our unique brand of Link stories engages you on every page and encourages you to keep reading, particularly on this Yom Tov week as we begin the counting of the Omer on the second night of Pesach.
On one level, the Omer reminds us of the mourning in our world, even during the most joyous of times. Especially when our world and our Yom Tovim are fraught with the ongoing tragedy in Ukraine, terror in Israel, serious economic fears; and smaller-scale-yet-very-real concerns, like school issues and shidduchim, we ask ourselves if our articles (which cover all of these topics) present something that will be of benefit to our readers. When we consider an article for printing, we ask ourselves three questions: 1) Is it true?, 2) Is it good?, and 3) Is it beneficial? While we print our share of hard news that addresses the real issues of strife in our world, we like to balance it with the benefit, to use the Hebrew—the toelet—but we enjoy it most when The Jewish Link centers on our favorite three themes: mazel (joy), chesed (kindness) and Torah (emet).
We hope that the joy you read about in our community section—about shul dinners, new hirings of rabbis, everything new in kosher food and wine, and new educational opportunities and fun Chol Hamoed trip options—displays mazel. We hope that the many appeals and chesed projects to help Ukrainian refugees, either in Europe, Israel or right here at home, will enlighten you to the chesed opportunities available in our community. And last but certainly not least, we hope that the Torah we deliver, this week with special divrei Torah from Rabbi Efrem Goldberg, Rabbi Steven Burg and Miriam Gedwiser, as well as our fabulous standard bearers Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, zt”l, Rabbi Haim Jachter, Rabbi Moshe Taragin, Rabbi Neil Winkler, Rabbi Yossi Goldin, Mitchell First and so many others, will spiritually enhance your chag.
From our homes to yours, we pray that this Pesach we will all be blessed with mazel, chesed and Torah. And if you have mazel, chesed or Torah to share, please let us know at [email protected].
Chag Kasher V’Sameach!
