Our Update #12

A Freilichen Chanukah!

• What an awesome Dror Chanukah celebration it was!
  Dror expresses our sincere appreciation to Neuhaus Productions, TT Presents, R’ Zvi Weinreb and Niggun Distribution—each for doing their vital part to make it a celebration truly worth remembering.
• Dror sent a beautiful glass menorah as a small token of appreciation to some of the major partners in our holy work. They deserve so much more, but will get that eternally in Olam Habah!
• We would like to recognize, and convey special thanks to two special families who happily gave of their time to beautifully wrap all the gifts: The Gross and the Mayer families. May you all be rewarded with abundant blessings in your lives!

Shabbaton Preparations

• Preparations are in full swing for our upcoming Shabbaton!
  This annual Shabbaton is the highlight of the year for many adults and children alike as they are infused with Chizuk and friendship that will elevate and strengthen them to withstand the pressures they deal with throughout their day.
• The planning committee has been feverishly meeting with hotels, caterers, entertainers and many other parties to ensure that this year’s Shabbaton is a success on every level. A special thanks to Shmiel Yaakov Hecht,  for skillfully overseeing this project.

Kollel Maharam M’Rutenberg.

• Kollel Maharam M’Rutenberg is the unique Kollel operated by Dror within the confines of the prison system, under the supervision on Rabbi Labin.
• This past week the Kollel made a tremendous Kiddush Hashem as a judge gave a Yid a reduced prison sentence because he had a certificate from the Kollel recognizing his productive accomplishment and studying while he was in prison.

Thank you!

A special note of thanks to Z. Klein, N. Prero, Y.M. Twerski and D. Birnbaum for volunteering their time and energy to helping out families in need and providing them much necessary assistance of all kinds.

Volunteers Needed
We are currently in the midst of reorganizing our group of volunteers who will drive family members to visit their love ones. This group is truly a lifeline, and an extremely important Dror project. These tireless volunteers have already saved so many families an average of $250 per trip, amounting to thousands of dollars in savings that make a real difference for these families.
If you, or a friend, or anyone you know can join this volunteer force and drive a family once a month, or if you have any other ideas or suggestions how Dror can further assist these families please email info@dror-free.org

Prevention

• As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is of utmost importance when educating our fellow Yidden in proper business practices to ensure they do not get into trouble with the law.
• To that end, this past week, R’ Arye Leib Glanz gave a speech in Satmar Yeshiva Gedola, on the topic of keeping ourselves and our businesses safe and away from misfortune.

Chanukah in Otisville and Rikers

• A special Thanks to Satmar butcher of Williamsburg, and Chaim Hersh Kaufman of Imperial for providing the food for the Chanukah party at the Otisville Prison.
  The world renowned singer, Mordechai Ben David (MBD) and Avrohom Mordechai Malach brought Simcha to the hearts of the Yidden in Otisville and we are much indebted to them for their amazing performance.
• A special note of thanks to the Tevel family for arranging the beautiful Chanukah mesibah held for Yiddishe inmates at Rikers Island.

In other news…

• Israel Trip:
  Last month the Dror team flew to Israel on a surprise visit to participate in the wedding of our dear friend Avrum Meir Schwartz who is always happy to help and lend a helping hand where needed!
• While in Israel, they were also able to attend the wedding of the second bachur who was incarcerated in Japan, Yaakov Yosef Greenwald, which took place during their stay.

Mazel Tov

• A Heartfelt Mazel Tov to Avrum Meir Schwartz upon the wedding of his son. May he have much Nachas from him and his entire mishpacha.
• Mazel Tov to Volvy Steinmetz upon the birth of a baby girl
• Mazel Tov to Gross family upon the birth of a baby boy. Mazel Tov, and we would like to wish a heartfelt mazel tov to the grandparents R’ Daniel Klein from Klein’s ice cream.

מצוה גוררת מצוה

No words can express our amazement and awe for the way our dear friend and Menahel, Rabbi  Yoel Usher Labin, extends himself, time and time again, for his fellow Yidden.
Not only did he give of his time and energy for our brothers behind bars, as usual; this time he went a step further and gave a part of himself, his essence. Yoel Usher donated a kidney and saved the life of another Yid. Literally.
(See the story on VIN News here: Giving The Gift Of Life: Two Orthodox Men Share A Firsthand Account Of A Kidney Transplant http://t.co/3VoRA0cgBo )