Our Update #19
Women’s Night Out
The women’s night out, which was held once again, hosted by Mr. & Mrs. Motty Ornstein of Monsey, NY, is a major source of support and encouragement to the women. Spending time with other women in a similar situation shows them that they are not alone and also provides a good “night out” , especially beneficial during the long summer nights.
A lavish dinner was served, and included a powerful speaker, a roundtable discussion as well as comedic entertainment.
The women were most appreciative. In the words of one of the attendees, as received via email: “Thanks for last night! You guys always do an amazing job! Meeting other women in similar crisis… exchanging encouragement to each other… really helps me through the day with renewed strengths.”
Need we say more?
Legal Team
• B’Chasdei Hashem, a case which was closely followed and guided by the Dror Legal Team was dismissed with absolutely no charges.
• Our Legal team, together with our Esteemed Ruv, Rabbi Stein, once again traveled to Washington to discuss various issues concerning the welfare of our incarcerated brethren.
• Our Legal team, together with our Esteemed Ruv, Rabbi Stein, were warmly received by Commissioner Steve Banks at his office at the HRA. He was presented with a special Award of Appreciation to thank him for all he has done for Dror at his former position as Chief of Legal Aid. We wish him good luck on his new position as the Commissioner of HRA.
• Our devoted board member, Yidel Lichtenstein, takes פדיון שבוים as a partner for his business endeavors. He therefore invited the Dror members to tour the property of his latest project and to accept their wishes for Hatzlacha.
Prevention
Guided prison tours are arranged for Yeshivas with youth at risk so that the boys can witness firsthand what their negative actions can lead them to. This summer, Dror once again arranged numerous tours in various facilities for a couple of different Yeshivas.
Rosh Hashana Preparations
• In an effort to bring some Simchas Yom Tov to our brothers who unfortunately have to spend Rosh Hashana behind bars, Dror ensured that each inmate’s requests were fulfilled. Whether it was a Kittel, a special edition Machzor, honey, Challah and even סמנים, Dror obtained the items, contacted the chaplains to confirm that the items would be accepted and then shipped them.
• We would like to thank Stern’s Bakery and Leibers for generously sponsoring Yom Tov food for our unfortunate brethren in prison.
Extra Special care and concern
• No request is ever viewed as too small or too large when it comes to Dror. Thus, when Dror heard that a special needs child wished to have a few special toys, then those toys, along with other games and activities, were delivered to the family the next morning. Thanks to Yossi Itzkowitz from Toys 4 U and The Herman Family from Double Play for generously sponsoring the toys.
• Dror is well aware of the lonely feeling that a family experiences on the first Shabbos when they sit at the Shabbos table without their father/husband. Care packages were delivered to families to show them that they’re being thought about and cared for and to assure them that they’re not alone-Dror will be there for them throughout these trying times!!
Volunteers
A Special thank you is due to all our volunteers for going out of their way this summer, spending hours upon hours on the roads to drive families to visit their loved ones behind bars. In addition, they went the extra mile to drive families to and from the mountains for summer weekends.
Mazel Tov Wishes
Mazel Tov to Mr. & Mrs. Meir Fischel & Family on their new home. Those familiar with the Fischels and their selfless acts of kindness for Klal Yisroel, are well aware that this home was not built merely as a house for them to reside in, but was built for others- so that they can continue to welcome others in and assist everyone in need. It is for this reason, that the מזוזות in his new home were affixed by representatives from various organizations, including Chai Lifeline and Dror- as he considers it our home just as much as his. Dror presented Meir with a beautiful silver מזוזה and appointed our New Jersey executive board member, Rabbi Eluzer E. Moskowitz, to affix it to the home.
Mazel Tov to Yoeli Mendlovic, the backbone of Dror, upon the Bar Mitzvah of his son, Leibish. No words will ever be suffice to thank him for all he does for the Klal, throughout every hour of the day and night.
Mazel Tov to Tuli Tessler upon the birth of his new baby boy.