BD”E for the Jewish Communities of New York

I remember those days I spent in Crown Heights, learning, sharing, and enjoying delicious heimishe delicacies. Now my heart is saddened.
I remember the years I walked the tree lined streets of Boro Park, a lovely neighborhood. Sharing with others on Shabbos, divrei Torah, and Shabbos delicacies.
My younger memories have faded, replaced by all the wonderful neshomas I have known in Crown Heights and Boro Park. The full groceries of every kind of kosher foods. The aroma of the bakeries Erev Shabbos, that was when I could still eat gluten, The slow demise of communities is more than my heart can hold.
And yet I know this is from HaShem, my G-d. The Might Awesome One that saved me from being lost in those days before becoming religious. I owe my life to HaShem.
All those memories will become IY”H also faded memories as soon as they are replaced by the arrival of Mashiach, please very soon.

Mayor DiBlasio, have you no heart.

Don’t you see that this is a decree from G-d.

You cannot close the Shuls “Permanently”

After reading the article below, this comes to mind: Imagine what it was like “In the Desert” as the children watched their parents enter the graves in the evening not to arise in the morning? What we are witnessing is so painful and soul-wrenching. Imagine “millions ....” everyone is blaming it on “the virus” but open your hearts and realize this is ....

JCN The Jewish communities of New York and New Jersey are reeling, as COVID-19 rips through its population, robbing us prematurely of many precious neshamos.

New York’s coronavirus death toll is nearing 100,000, and Governor Andrew Cuomo estimates that there will be “millions of cases.” Funerals in Crown Heights have been postponed due to the high number of passings. It seems the wave has just begun, and what was once fear and apprehension has turned to grief.

The first level of tragedy is that of those who lose their lives: Ultimately they die in isolation for fear of spreading the disease, and do not receive a full ‘tahara.’ Painful video footage shows chevra kadisha in NY preparing bodies in plastic bags for burial.

The next level of tragedy, however, reaches its gruesome grasp into the next generation: Many orphans are now left behind to grieve in poverty. The pandemic has hit the economy hard and unemployment rates are skyrocketing. Those who have lost a parent to COVID-19 are now grappling with shock, grief, a lack of income, and the upcoming holiday to prepare for. It is an unbearable task.

Emergency funds are being raised by tzedaka organization Ezras Yisroel to help these families cope through this painful time.

One of the most destructive aspects of the virus is that it has isolated us: The Jewish People have been forced to stay in their homes, without guests, without family for the seder, and for those who lose their lives, without the warm touch of a loved ones hand as they leave this Earth.

This is our opportunity to rise above this isolation and to join together as a global community, to support those who have been hit hardest.

Hashem should comfort them, and all of us.