Hi,
I hope you’re having a great day.
Thanks to all of you who offered prayers and good wishes for my nephew!
The huge number of people all over the world praying for Yehudah is amazing!
And is a tremendous source of encouragement to him and the family.
We are very grateful that everyone came out of the crash alive.
The children were, thank G-d, unhurt.
And my niece Shaindel, their mother, has been discharged from the hospital.
(Thank G-d, with only a few broken ribs.)
To anyone who saw the van, standing vertically on the side of the road, it was a miracle!
Yehudah is, thank G-d, alert, but did suffer serious spinal injury.
The next few weeks and months will be crucial.
We are hopeful that intensive rehab will be successful.
So please keep praying! (Yehuda Pinchas ben (son of) Osna).
What else can we do?
I wanted to share an amazing project:
As I mentioned, while Yehudah is getting the best medical care available? The family has strong faith in the power of prayer and other spiritual efforts.
And in the power of a united Jewish community.
They have requested that their community unite to enhance its Shabbat experience.
It’s called the “Ottawa Jewish Community Shabbat Project for Rabbi Simes & Family.” (The project is sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Ottawa and many other organizations.)
And I wanted to ask the readers of the Torah Minute to join this project.
You are a great “community” of Jews of all backgrounds.
A community with tremendous spiritual power!
Here are some of the things they’re doing inOttawa.
Lighting Shabbat candles – and making sure to do it before sunset. (Click here for user friendly instructions and explanations: http://www.aish.com/sh/ht/fn/48965051.html)
Reciting Kiddush over wine Friday night. (Click here for user friendly instructions and explanations: http://www.aish.com/sh/ht/fn/48967396.html)
And setting aside time for Jewish learning. (Please let me know if you want some guidance with this. I would love to help.)
… In addition, here’s something else for you to consider that would be extremely meaningful to me.
“The CTN Jewish Unity Shabbat Service”.
I will be leading a special ‘user-friendly’ Shabbat morning service a week from this Shabbat. That’s Saturday, July 17.
The CTN User-Friendly Service is not a complete service. Instead we take select prayers and discuss their meaning and relevance.
I share short insights, inspiring stories and nuggets of inspiration. (And maybe a few jokes!)
(Please note that this service is designed for people who do not attend a full traditional service. If you do usually attend a full service, great! Please have Yehudah in mind.)
I guarantee you will not be passive while I “conduct the service’.
You’ll be engaged, stimulated and inspired.
Let’s unite to enhance our Shabbat and create tremendous spiritual energy …
… and to give encouragement to Yehudah and his family!
The Jewish Unity Shabbat Service
Saturday, July 17th 9:30 – 11:00 A.M.
TheCTNCenter2832West Touhy.
Please let me know if you will be coming! Thank you!
All the best,
Rabbi Moshe Katz
Director
ChicagoTorah Network
2832W. Touhy Avenue
Chicago,IL60645
P 773. 761. 0400 ext. 201