Chabad of Yonkers Rabbi Mendy Hurwitz celebrates his birthday in July, and for the past decade has invited the community to enjoy a lavish kosher barbecue at the Chabad of Yonkers/Greystone Jewish Center synagogue.

This year, the Fourth of July’s summer temperatures encouraged an outdoor event in the shade of Yonkers’ trees, with summer breezes providing the best ventilation to celebrate our nation’s Independence—and our freedom from the previously necessary COVID-19 safety restrictions.

Rabbi Hurwitz spoke about how we should best manage difficult times and experiences, quoting the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson: “We need to recognize what brought about sad times was lack of kindness to one another. The best way to reverse that is to exhibit kindness to all.”

Added Rabbi Hurwitz: “Every day you can do a mitzvah, a good deed, helping another person. You can at least put a smile on your own face, and bring a smile to another person,” as he toasted a “L’chaim.”

For more information on Chabad of Yonkers/Greystone Jewish Center, call (914) 963-8888 or visit www.JewishYonkers.com.

Robert Kalfus can be reached at [email protected] or 917 379-4165.