Our Update #15
First Board Meeting
Dror has taken a step forward with the establishment of a full, functioning board of directors who will ensure that all activities, on all levels, run smoothly and effectively.
A special thanks to Yidel Lichtenstein for initiating and coordinating this effort.
Family support
• It has been a few months since our outstanding retreat in Bushkill, PA, but the momentum of support continues as strong as ever! A text support group for women has been launched, and is being utilized extensively. Additionally, a phone support group, run by professional staff has been formed and is available any time.
• A special 24-hour retreat has been organized for women. It included speeches by Dr. David Pelcowitz and Rabbi Yosef Mizrachi, as well as wonderful entertainment; comedy, exercise, make-up, a kumzitz and swimming. Everyone in truly received a much-needed dose of rejuvenation.
• Dror is also planning the next dinner/support session with Dr. Pelkovitz, which will take place after Pesach.
Continual Help to Families
• In our never-ending quest to help families in any way possible, Dror is has sponsored fun Sunday programming for young girls of two families. This will make a real difference in their lives and spirits!
• Chaim Hersh Freund met with a family in order to advise them on continuing operations at their business so that the family should be able to function even though their breadwinner is currently incarcerated.
• Dror has paid out a פדיון הבן expenses for a child whose father couldn’t attend the Simcha of his only son .
Food Update
Under the direction of the askan, R’ Aryeh Leib Glantz, who doesn’t let a day pass without thinking of his brothers behind bars, food provision for inmates continue to be arranged in the best way possible—fresh and delicious. This includes frozen meals, pizza, cheese cake, cookies, vegetables, and chocolate—all of which is delivered every single week to the vending machines at each facility.
Purim
B”H, this year, as every year, the askanim arranged Purim seudos in prison, headed by Lipa Meisels and with the participation of one of the esteemed board members, R’ Chaim H Freund . The two singers, M.B.D And Lipa Schmeltzer were present and ensured that the room permeated with Simcha, despite the less than perfect situation.
It was very encouraging to see how all the yidden came over to R’ Chaim Hersh to thank him for his efforts in helping them out with every detail, small or large on Purim and on every day of the year.
Prevention
Thanks to our board member, Amrom Israel, for arranging another tour of Sullivan Correctional Facility where they people were able to tour behind the scenes at the prison.
Dinner
Dror is working on an upcoming exclusive dinner for various attorneys and corporate executives which will hopefully help us raise desperately needed funds to further assist our incarcerated brethren.
Volunteers
• Working together with our Board member, R’ Shulem Weber, arrangements are being made to maximize the volunteers to boost the prisoner visiting program.
• A overwhelmingly special Thank You to all the Dror volunteers who give of their time and energy to lift the spirits of our dear constituents.
• A special note of thanks to the volunteers who spent their day of Purim taking families to visit their love ones and to enable true Simchas Purim for the children and their fathers together!
Mazel Tov
• Mazel tov to R’ Chaim Hersh Freund, Chairman of the Board, upon the engagement of his daughter
• A heartfelt Mazel Tov to R’ Chaim Kompel and his family upon the marriage of their daughter. May they be zoche to build a true Bayis Ne’eman B’Yisroel!
• Mazel Tov to Nuchem Ornstein upon the birth of a baby girl
• Mazel Tov to our dear volunteer, Chaim Mordechai Twersky, upon his engagement.