Community Magazine May 2019

YAD EZRA V’ SHULAMIT Last month’s cover story (How Many People Can One Person Feed?) about Aryeh Lurie and his Yad Ezra V’Shulamit organization was truly astounding. Aryeh Lurie is an absolutely selfless man. It is amazing what one individual can do! It was so inspiring to read how he used his experiences of hunger as a child to create an organization that provides food and nourishment to so many families. Hopefully, we can all look within ourselves and realize that we too have potential to do so much for others. May Hashem bless him and his fine organization. Solomon N. FAILURE TO GET OUT THE VOTE Last month’s article about the community’s failure to get out and vote for the February special election to elect the NYC Public Advocate was very disheartening. We had the golden opportunity to vote for a candidate that was endorsed by our own rabbis – yet we failed to come through. Now, our yeshiva system and our religious values are at risk. Not sure why – but for far too long, many fellow community members do not bother to vote. By not doing so – we are only hurting ourselves. By not voting in an election, no matter at what level, it signifies a lack of caring. The old adage of ‘actions speak louder than words’ is true, and in this case that action was not voting. What would have spoken louder to those in legislature, and those thinking of running in the future, would have been getting out to vote. One can only assume by not voting, you’re saying you don’t care. Charles P. BET AVEL ETIQUETTE In last month’s Jido column, a reader complained to Jido because a few visitors at a house of mourning were talking about gambling. Jido addressed the issue of the dangers of gambling addiction in the community, which is an important point, but I was surprised that he did not also discuss the protocol of visiting a house of mourning. To me, the fact these visitors were having such a mundane conversation in the house of the mourner is equally disturbing. Unfortunately, I have been to some homes where you would never know it was a house of mourning because people were talking about the food, politics, or sports. The purpose of visiting a person who is sitting shiva is not about a social visit or speaking with friends. As a matter of fact, one should not even initiate a conversation. The person sitting shiva is the one who should first speak with you. If someone other than the mourner tries to talk to you, simply tell the person in a very nice way that you will speak with him/her later – outside the house. That is, unless the mourner wants to be part of the conversation. Leon H. HEALTHY HOMELIFE Thank you so much for providing such a high caliber of kosher and intellectual reading material for the entire family. I especially enjoy Mozelle Forman’s monthly column “Healthy Homelife.” Her points are verywell thought out andare always on point. Last month’s topic about empathic listening made for an exceptional article. It seems like this has become a lost art. I hope the article will raise awareness about this important topic. Kudos Mozelle – keep those inspiring articles coming! Ruth H. ELLEN RESPONDS TO LETTER FROM FAN Thank you, dear Jacklyn M. for your thoughtful feedback regarding my  Count to Ten  article that appeared in the March issue (letter from Jacklyn appeared in the April 2019 issue). The “THINK” mnemonic is very meaningful to me.  I even had it printed and framed (see below), and it sits on a bookcase shelf for all to see when they enter my home. It was my original intent to talk about “THINK” in the article and I ran out of space.  Wishing you a wonderful summer. With gratitude, Ellen Kamaras APRIL 2019 ISSUE Tell us what you really think! Send us a letter! Letters submitted become the property of Community Magazine and will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. Letters may be edited and revised for length, style and grammar before publication. All submissions are considered for publication unless otherwise requested. EMAIL: letters@CommunityM.com WEB: www.CommunityM.com FAX: 718-504-4246 POST: Community Magazine 1616 Ocean Pkwy Brooklyn, NY 11223 l tters BeresheetSpacecraft –OneGiantStep for Israel >Page48 VolumeXVIIINumber 7 Adar II -Nissan 5779 April2019 COMMUNITY Can One Person Feed? AryehLurie’sYadEzraV’Shulamit organizationhas so fardistributedover 1,000,000 foodbaskets How Many People PesahPrep IncludesKeepingKids InThePicture WordsofRabbiEli J.Mansour Failure toGetOutTheVoteBringsTroubling Consequences forourYeshivot MachlaAbramovitz SPECIALPASSOVERFEATURES 14 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE