Our Update #20
Succos 5774 at Dror
Dror provided ד’ מינים to various prisons upon the request of the inmates. Inmates were thus able to fulfill this Mitzvah and experience Simchas Yom Tov.
As he does every Yom Tov, our מנהל Rabbi Yoel Usher Labin once again raised funds which enabled lonely families to spend Yom Tov with their extended family overseas.
The Dror legal team and close friends of Dror gathered on Chol Hamoed for a beautiful dinner hosted by our board member, Rabbi Yisroel Hager. Dror thanks Rabbi Hager for so graciously hosting us and for his constant assistance to Dror. Our esteemed Rav, Rabbi Stein, took the opportunity to thank everyone for giving of their time to assist Dror in difficult situations.
An Appreciation Event was held at the home of our esteemed board member, Mr. Yidel Lichtenstein, for members of the 76th Precinct, where he has been serving as Chaplain for many years. Our dear friend and noted Askan, Abe Friedman, took the podium to convey a few words of appreciation in the name of the community.
On Chol Hamoed, busses filled with cheerful children of the families of Dror made their way from Brooklyn, Monsey, Lakewood, and Virginia to Hershey Park, for a fun filled day. The fun began the moment they boarded the buses, when the children were treated to nosh bags, activities, and treats. After an amazing day at Hershey Park, the families gathered in Lancaster, PA for a gourmet supper and Simchas Bais Hoshoeva with Music, singing, dancing and entertainment for the children by AJ Greenwald.
Below are just a few of the many thank you emails we received following the trip:
“We all want to thank you for a wonderful, fully thought out Chol Hamoed trip. You took a time when the kids would have missed having their father home, and made it a day of new memories and friends.”
“I would like to thank you again. The kids had a phenomenal time and can’t stop talking about it. Thank You Thank You!!!!!”
“WOW!!!! I must say thank you for the exceptional day at Hershey Park. In addition to the big things, you always seem to think one step ahead to cover the little things too. From snacks and crafts on the bus, to ponchos and sandwiches at the park, you didn’t miss a thing. The simchat bet hashoeva, and dinner was a very nice way to bring the Yom Tov feeling into a fun day. I never imagined my boys would get up and dance, as they did, BH, all went well.
כל העוסקים בצרכי ציבור באמונה ה’ ישלם
Our dedicated עסקנים who cover the 24 hour emergency phone line were baruch Hashem successful in dismissing a couple of cases. On Erev Yom Tov, with סייעתא דשמיא and their unrelenting work, they were B”h able to ensure that a Yid received bail and was released in time to go home to his family for Yom Tov.
Dror legal team; always on the go!
In the last couple of weeks the legal team traveled numerous times to Washington and Albany to advocate for our incarcerated brothers. Their efforts were met with success B”H in numerous areas. One of the meetings held was to get the Board of Prisons to include the Kollel M’Haram M’Rottenberg in the catalog of educational programs in the prison system. In the next couple of weeks we hope to officially announce the program and incorporate it in the prison system.
Their Simcha is our Simcha
Dror is there for the families in times of sorrow and in times of joy as well. In the past month, numerous Dror families celebrated their sons’ Bar Mitzvah. Dror took the place of the absent father and stood at their side to assist them with their Bar Mitzvah arrangements.
One family was B”H able to obtain a furlough for their father to join in the Bar Mitzvah. Dror representatives were at the prison at 5:00 a.m.to pick him up, after which they joined in the Bar Mitzvah as well.
For another family, Dror made all the Bar Mitzvah arrangements from beginning to end. Dror booked a hall, negotiated an substantial discount and co-sponsored the hall and catering. Dror arranged a singer, music and the Twins from France as a surprise guest appearance.
A special thanks to Shloime Reichberg from Mekimi, Lipa Schwartz from Misameach, Meilich Rubin, Shimmy Miller, Zindy Koenig, and and the many others who infused Simcha into the lives of these suffering families.
Annual Shabbaton
As our annual weekend Getaway is drawing closer, preparations which began over a half a year ago are now in full swing. Entertainers, speakers, singers and all are ready to make this Shabbos a smashing hit!! We are proud to announce that the director of our family support program, Dr. David Pelkovitz, as well as, Charley Harary, will be joining us this year.
Food
A special thank you to Yechiel Binet from KRM Supermarket for their sponsorship towards our food program.
Transportation
Dror representatives had a successful meeting with Assemblyman Dov Hikind, at which we requested that Dror volunteer drivers be recognized by the TLC so as to avoid any issues from arising when they drive families to visit their loved ones in prison.
Nichum Aveilim
The Dror Legal team and all of Klal Yisroel are mourning the passing of our beloved close friend, noted Askan, renowned lawyer, professor of law and tireless, dedicated activist R’ Moshe Tzvi (Harry) Reicher. His dedication to Klal Yisroel in general and to Dror in particular was legendary. In addition, R’ Moshe Tzvi dedicated hours upon hours of his valuable time to assist individual cases L’shem Mitzva – with no need for recognition or imbursement. It is interesting to note that R’ Moshe Tzvi dedicated a lot of time and effort advocating for the Kollel M’Haram M’Rottenberg program, and the successful meeting in Washington was held during his Shiva period. May he continue to be a מליץ יושר and continue to advocate for us from his place up in Gan Eden.
Mazel Tov
Mazel Tov to Mr. and Mrs. Tessler and family upon the wedding of their daughter. We take this opportunity to thank Toby, her daughters and family for their constant assistance to Dror in every possible way.
Mazel Tov to our friends and supporters, Chaim Duvid Desser, Yossi Itzkowitz from Toys 4 U and Avrohom Yida Bondo from Pomegranate upon the marriage of their children. In the name of the families assisted by Dror, we thank you for your support!