An Update From Rabbi Schmukler
Dear Friends,
In these uncertain times, we’re all feeling vulnerable and insecure. Yet it’s important to remember that this is also a meaningful time. It’s a time of growth, a time of connection, a time of healing, a time of introspection and reflection. In our day-to-day lives, we often become so busy that we don’t have time to focus on what matters most. Now is the time to reach out to each other and build our relationships with friends and loved ones. Now is the time to deepen our relationship with G-d, who is always with us.
Jewish philosophy teaches us that everything we encounter in our lives is here to be uplifted. Rather than get lost in the statistics, news stories, and ever-changing details of this situation, let’s take this opportunity to uplift ourselves. Rather than succumb to feelings of helplessness, we can rise above our circumstances and become more loving, more giving, more compassionate, more upbeat. With every small gesture and kind word, we can all make a difference in the world.
If there is anything I can do for you, please reach out. My family and I are happy to lend a listening ear, deliver food, and support you in any way possible. Every day, I recite the entire book of Psalms with the JETS community in mind, and if you would like me to pray for you or recite Psalms on your behalf, call or Whatsapp with your Hebrew name and your mother’s Hebrew name. My personal cell phone number is below, so please don’t hesitate to call. We want to be there for the community that has always been there for us.
I also want to share a JETS update with you. We closed our physical doors last week, but immediately rolled out an online teaching schedule for our boys. Our staff is teaching from home, and our counselors are supporting the students remotely. This is a new horizon for us. Although many of our families can no longer afford to pay tuition, we still need to pay our teachers and staff. As our sages teach, through giving to others, we ourselves are protected. If you are in a position to help JETS, please consider doing so now by clicking here.
As it says in Psalms: “Hinei Ma Tov Uma Naim, Shevet Achim Gam Yachad”—“Behold how good and how pleasing it is for brothers (people) to live together in unity.” Let’s look back on this time in history as a moment when we stood together and became a stronger, more resilient, more open-hearted people.
Wishing you and yours excellent health, physically and spiritually,
Rabbi Mayer Schmukler
Founder & Director, JETS
[email protected]
m: (323)228-5905
