Our Update #36

Exciting Chanukah gift packages were shipped to all families. The surprise of finding a gift at the door bought true light into the darkness. While their fathers didn’t light the menorah with them this year, Dror’s children were included on the Chanukah giving list. The gifts provided a tremendous boost so that the kids felt someone out there was caring for them. During a time which is so family and giving oriented, we hope it made them feel a little less alone.

“Wow what a huge Chanukah gift. My kids just got all the gifts. Ur unbelievable. They are very excited BH. Thank you so so much. Keep up the great work and give over our thanks to all involved. Git Shabbos.” “Hi there. We were out of town for the last 2 shabbosim and just got home on Monday night. We had a surprise waiting at our door. The box full of Chanukah presents!!! We wanted to thank you so much for the special treats. The music is very much appreciated and especially useful for our long road trips!! Thanks again for all you do!”

 The Dror Volunteers were treated to a beautiful evening at the Dror Volunteer Appreciation Event. A complete program including an elegant dinner, contortion show and motivational speakers left the volunteers feeling energized to continue with their selfless work.

The Dror Support Group Director, Dr. David Pelcovits and Zahava Farbman MSW, PhD Candidate, Associate Director Project Chai Crisis Intervention, Trauma and Bereavement Services, for your expert advice and suggestions on how to deal with the families and prisoners.

Yoeli Wertzberger for so generously hosting the event!

Shimmy and Yoeli Stern for arranging everything, the smallest detail was handled.

Eli Gutter from Driveway Leasing for donating the men’s volunteer jackets.

Pinchus Endzweig for sponsoring the aprons for the women volunteers.

On Wednesday, February 14, Dror held its annual dinner at the Brooklyn Expo Center. A full dinner recap will follow.

 Rabbi Ephraim Stein worked tirelessly to arrange furlough for a prisoner so that he can attend his father’s levaya. Thank you to all who made it happen- Rabbi Richter, the Chaplain at Otisville and Berel Paltiel from Aleph institute.

Sometimes, when all resources have been used, all that’s left to do, is to give it over to Hashem. Members of Dror’s Legal Team and Family Support Team joined together and went to Eretz Yisroel to daven at Mekomos Hakdoshim for all those in desperate need. May their heartfelt Tefillos bring speedy Yeshuos to Jewish Inmates, their families and all of Klal Yisroel.

After years and years of rallying, praying, and negotiating, all of us at Dror pinched ourselves when our dear friend R’ Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin was released from prison. We were honored to host the Seudas Hoda’ah Motzei Shabbos after his release, as the Rubashkin family, together with community activists and the extended Dror family celebrated R’ Sholom’s miracle. The evening was uplifting with musical accompaniment by Ben Shimon and the Zemiros Chior.

After an inspiring speech, R’ Sholom wrote the first word in the sefer Torah that will be given to prison shuls in an effort to keep the hope alive for those still left behind.

Words will not sufficeto thank the devoted volunteers, Chaim Kahan and Moshe Haltovsky, for arranging the seudah and the Guttman Family for hosting the event.

In honor of R’ Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin’s miracle, and as a zechus for Jewish Prisoners,  Dror searched for a way to let the prisoners who are still behind bars, know, that Klal Yisroel didn’t forget them. Dror wanted to keep their hope alive and bring support to their dark cells.

Torahope is Dror’s latest initiative to keep Klal Yisroel united and imbue Jewish inmates with hope. Together, Klal Yisroel is writing Sifrei Torahs that will be donated to the shuls in prisons around the states. To make it affordable, anyone can sponsor a word in the Sefer Torah for only $10. Your $10 donation will go towards helping Jewish prisoners, their spouses and children.

“Klal Yisroel has united to help R’ Sholom Mordechai. Let’s keep the unity alive and give all Jewish inmates a message that we haven’t forgotten about them,” said R’ Ephraim Stein, founder of Dror and longtime activist at the Seudahs Hoda’ah for R’ Sholom Mordechai.

In preparation for the massive Hachnasas Sefer Torah, donors who contribute $180 or more will get VIP passes for the event!

Mr. & Mrs. Gross, upon their daughter’s wedding

Levi Yosef Lebowitz, upon the birth of a baby girl

Chaim Kompel, upon his son’s wedding

Mayer Fischel, upon his son’s wedding to the daughter of Zahava Farbman, MSW, PhD Candidate. At this time we would like to welcome Mrs.  Farbman to our support group program.

Tuly Lipshitz, upon his wedding

Ari Rabinowitz, upon the birth of a baby girl

Chaim Duvid Klein, upon his daughter’s wedding

Amrom Israel, upon his son’s Bar Mitzva

Mendy Ornstein, upon the birth of a baby boy

Chaim Hersh Freund, upon the birth of his two grandchildren.

Our Rav, Rabbi Ephraim Stein, upon the engagement of his grandchild to his sister, Rebetzin Faige Twersky’s grandchild

Yoel Usher Labin, upon his son’s Upsherin

Mr. and Mrs. Grossberg, upon the engagement of their son

Itche Rosenbaum, upon his son’s wedding

Heshy Israel, upon the birth of a baby girl

Lazer Israel, upon his son’s Bar Mitzva

Luzer Elya Moskowitz, upon his daughter’s engagement

Avrumy Klein, upon his daughter’s engaged to Shloime Mayer’s grandson

Avrohom Yakov Freidman, upon his son’s wedding

Shulem Weber, upon his son’s wedding

Shloimy Weber, upon his engagement

Yoeli Friedman, upon the birth of a baby boy

Moshe Zev Doppelt upon his granddaughter’s wedding

Avrumi Langer, upon his wedding

Mendy Hollander, upon his wedding