Our Update #16
Dinner
Our upcoming Freedom & Unity VIP Benefits Dinner is fast approaching, on Wednesday, May 28th 2014. A lot of effort and energy was expended to make this dinner unique and it will hopefully be an extremely successful event. In attendance will be countless government officials, prominent attorneys, dignitaries as well as Dror friends.
Pesach
In an effort to bring some Simchas Yom Tov to our brothers who unfortunately had to spend Pesach behind bars, a full menu of meals was send to the facilities for the entire Yom Tov. Thanks to R’ Aryeh Leib Glantz for his tireless efforts in arranging this.
Dror ensured that all the families were cared for in preparation for Pesach. We arranged for girls to go to the families and help them out with household chores, babysitting etc. Financial aid was provided for the families which enabled them to shop for their Yom Tov needs with ease. In addition, Dror arranged for money to be deposited in inmate’s accounts, ensuring that they too had their Yom Tov Necessities.
Before Pesach, Dror and Aleph, worked hard as a team, to arrange transfers for numerous inmates to better facilities, which eased up their terrible Matzav and bought them some Simchas Yom Tov.
Chol Hamoed
Dror distributed entrance tickets to Chol Hamoed shows, plays and fun activities, generously sponsored by TT production.
The Simcha this bought to these families is evident from the thank you messages we received:
“I got the tickets and went… it was a real Oneg Yom Tov”
“What a treat!!!! I really enjoyed it! ….. Thank you so so so so so so much”
” Thank you so much for sending us the tickets! It was a nice change of pace!”
A special Bein Hazmanim outing was arranged for the bochurim, before going back to their normal Yeshiva schedule. Thanks to our dear board member, Shia Lefkowitz, for giving us access to his private boat for an amazing Kumzitz in the beautiful waters off the Seagate Shore. The boys felt truly relaxed and at ease as they sang and danced together.
Shia, you can’t imagine what a smile you brought to these bochurim’s faces. The Bochurim commented that this was exactly what they needed to air out after that morning’s visit to their fathers in prison. Beautiful pictures were sent to their mothers back home so they too were able to share in their sons’ joy. A grateful mother from overseas responded, “Thank you for the beautiful pictures that you sent me. It’s so nice of you…. It’s really warming up my heart. _____had such a good time…..”. Another woman responded, ” The pictures were very nice. I’m going to show them to the kids when they get home, they look like they’re having a great time. Thank you so much!”
Prevention
A successful meeting was recently held at the home of R’ Eluzer Moskowitz. Numerous Prevention initiatives were discussed, including the Gemach Association as well as an upcoming Legal Advice & Prevention event.
Legal Advocacy
B’Chasdei Hashem and with a lot of effort we were able to get a case dismissed for an individual who was facing a 30 year prison sentence.
Another case was advocated and the defendant received probation instead of a prison sentence.
Unfortunately, the past few weeks had been extremely hectic for our legal team. The 24 hour emergency line rang non- stop and Amrom Israel patiently answered each call & ensured that each caller was assisted in the best possible way. R’ Yidel Lichtenstein & R’ Chaim H. Freund had a difficult week guiding and assisting these individuals who suddenly found themselves in trouble with the law, wherein R’ Yidel had to post bail for a dozen individuals.
Kosher Food
A special thanks to Burech Weider from Deli 52 for ensuring that new meals were ready right after Pesach for immediate delivery to the Facilities.
Thanks to Shulem Witriol of China Glatt for sponsoring 400 meals for our brothers behind bars.
Text Support Group
The best chizuk that women can receive is when they share their pain with others in similar situations as theirs. It is for this reason that the Dror Text Support group has been a great source of Chizuk for women who find themselves caring for their families alone while their husbands languish in prison. In recent weeks the women truly shared their pain & encouraged each other. The need for this group is evident from messages posted this week “Thank you for the chizuk- it came at the right time” “This is an excellent way for all of us to air out our feelings”
Kollel Maran M’Rottenberg
Kollel Maran M’Rottenberg, Dror’sTorah study Program, was put on hold for the past few months due to some legalities. After weeks of meeting and consulting with prominent lawyers, we were thrilled to hear that all our legal concerns pertaining to this program were not a problem. They confirmed that this program is 100% legal. The inmates have anxiously been waiting for this program to restart once again and we are glad to bring them this good news.
Visiting Program
We started our new visiting program under the leadership of R’ Shulem Weber, where we ensure that no prisoner is too lonely for too long a time. Every visit gives Chizuk and a ray of light to a prisoner.
Kevias Mezuza
A Kvias Mezuza ceremony was held at the new office of the law firm of Sussan Necheles & Hafetz.
The firm invited Rabbi Stein and the Dror Board members to affix Mezuzos on the doors. Dror wishes them continued success in the extraordinary work they do for our community.
Mazel Tov
A heartfelt Mazel Tov to Yoeli Guttman upon the Bar Mitzvah of his son.
A double Mazel Tov to Moishe Diamond upon the birth of his twin boys.
A warm Mazel Tov to Yidel Lichtenstein upon his son Yanky’s upcoming Upsherin in Miron.
May they see much Yiddish Nachas from their children!
Nichum Aveilim
We express our deepest feelings of condolence to Yanky Mayer and Shloime Tausig; we are sorry for their losses and wish them only Besuros Tovos going forward.