Hamodia: Spirit of Helping Others Alive and Well in Houston

Hamodia: Mrs. Masha Toybina, who immigrated to the U.S. and has been living in Houston for about 30 years, told Hamodia:

“Thank G-d, many organizations and individuals have jumped to our aid, working very hard to help people who are suffering due to the floods. They are doing truly amazing work. It seems that anyone who can is out there volunteering. People are coming here from Louisiana; Hatzalah people came from New York and Los Angeles. It’s heartwarming to see how many people are rushing to Houston to help us out.

“An emergency soup kitchen was set up at Aishel House [normally serving Texas Medical Center patients and their families] and the Chabad House also made an emergency soup kitchen which provides kosher food. Many volunteers are running to stores to do errands for people who cannot. Massive evacuation efforts are taking place, and many people whose homes are untouched have opened their homes to those who have lost their homes or had to evacuate.

“There are whatsapp groups and spreadsheets where you can sign in and say what you can do and what you can give. All kinds of supplies are needed — everything from food to diapers to towels to clothing to telephone use. People need to make calls. There’s a real need for hot cooked food, so people are cooking and baking at the Chabad House and other places. The cooking is going on nonstop around the clock. Others are out delivering, also nonstop.

“Others are busy trying to find out who needs help, who is stranded somewhere, and to bring food to them. There are two young men on a military truck who are rescuing people. The wife of one of them is fielding calls and connecting people needing rescue with the men on the truck. Almost 100 people were rescued by this one truck so far. They take them to shelters, to hotels, or to private people’s houses. It is uplifting to see all this.”

Peretz Golding, a chemist in Houston, told Hamodia:

Agudath Israel Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief Fund

STATEMENT FROM AGUDATH ISRAEL OF AMERICA

Disaster Relief Fund
Agudath Israel of America’s hopes and prayers are with the residents of Houston and other Galveston Bay cities, who are struggling with the ongoing rain and terrible flooding brought by Hurricane Harvey.

Our sympathies go out to all Texans who have suffered loss of life, and to those who have tragically lost their homes and possessions. And we have only admiration for all the emergency workers, both local and from other parts of the country, who are working around the clock to rescue those in danger.

Although the storm is still ongoing and the full extent of its toll on Houston’s Jewish community still unknown, some of its families have already been hit hard by flooding

As we have done over the years when disaster strikes, Agudath Israel of America is serving as a conduit for sending humanitarian assistance like food, clothing and, in this case, Yomtov needs, to Jewish families and institutions in need.

Donations for that purpose can be sent to Agudath Israel’s offices at 42 Broadway, 14 th Floor, New York, NY 10004 (checks should be made out to Agudath Israel but marked “Disaster Relief Fund”).  Electronic donations can be made at agudathisrael.org – with “Disaster Relief Fund” typed into in the “comments”

Why use a Picture of Animal Rights Activists When talking About Kashrus of Chicken

Ami Magazine this week ran a story  "Battle of the Birds"covering the latest controversy over the Braekel chicken.In the magazine edition and online they used a accompanying photo of a animal rights activist who advocates against the Kapparot ritual.  The Photo is found on his website. Its most probably a oversight by an editor but it makes an interesting observation.

Jewish Groups Express Concern Over Fallout of Charlottesville Violence

Hamodia NEW YORK - Jewish groups expressed concern over the potential effects of statements made by President Donald Trump regarding the violence in Charlottesville, which have been interpreted by many as creating a “moral equivalency” between white supremacist groups and the counter-protesters with whom they violently clashed over the past weekend.

After the president faced wide criticism for failing to condemn the extremist groups who organized the protest, he then issued a strong statement calling out white supremacists. But a day later at an impromptu press conference, he said that fault lay on “both sides.”
Moreover, the size and attention that the event, which put Nazi symbols and ideology on display, drew and especially its violent ending, was seen as a cause for alarm by leaders of several Jewish organizations.

“We seem to be at a very fragile moment, “Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, executive vice president of Agudath Israel of America, told Hamodia. “On a certain level there was violence that was instigated on both sides, but even if that’s the case, this was a rally organized by white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups to promote racist and anti-Semitic philosophies, which is dismaying and frightening…For the Jewish community this is a wake-up call that there is a tremendous amount of hatred and danger for the Jewish People.”

Five years since 12th Siyum Hashas , Next Siyum in 2 1/2 years

Its been Five years since the 12th Siyum Hashas and start of 13th machzor of Daf Yomi at Metlife stadium. This Shabbos, Shabbos Veschanan Nachamu, 12Av 5777 August 5, 2017 will  mark the 5th year anniversary. The 13th Siyum Hashas is only 2 and a half years away!!!!
since the 12th Siyum Hashas of Daf  Hayomi at Metlife stadium.It was exactly five years ago in 2012 were many celebrated the Siyum and 5 years since lots of people have joined the machzor for the first time. Its hard to believe that 5 years flew by, but for those learning the Daf, they are about to complete seder nezikin finishing the three Bavos. The words of Rabbi Frand echo in our ears "Whats beyond your reach is within your grasp". Hopefully all those who started Brachos are still going strong. We can still join in the cycle. Here is the full video for those who want to relive the siyum experience.