Following last week’s horrific tragedy in Meron that claimed the lives of 45 precious neshamos in Klal Yisrael, Pele Yoetz called a special conference to discuss the lessons that can and must be gleaned from the calamity, along with the proper hashkafic answers to the many painful, difficult questions that are arising as a result. Pele Yoetz Department Directors discussed the relevant issues at length with Hagaon Harav Dovid Levy shlit”a, Nasi of Pele Yoetz, and the Spinka Rebbe of America shlit”a, founding father and patron of the organization.
The theme of the evening’s conference was ‘The Force of Achdus’ and how Klal Yisrael is bound, right here and now, to tap into this power in order to cope with the oceans of agony and grief filling our hearts. Yidden everywhere, young and old, in Eretz Yisrael and the Diaspora, and from virtually all segments of the population, are deeply affected by this disaster. No one is indifferent to the unspeakable tragedy of 45 pure and righteous men, bachurim and children who ascended to Shamayim at the tziyun of the holy Tanna Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai with the cry of ‘Shema Yisrael’ on their lips.
The Spinka Rebbe shlit”a, who addressed the group first, highlighted the determination and willpower of adolescents and youth, and how they can be trained to direct their thoughts and express them into positive, construction action, as Chazal teach “At a time when we fulfill the will of Hashem, blessing hovers in the midst of Yisrael.” When we empower our children with the skills to express their desires and positive thoughts, they are able to successfully ascend the ladder of Torah and ruchniyus.
Hagaon Harav Dovid Levy shlit”a focused on unity as an eminent spiritual force that furnishes those coping with a variety of challenges and hardships with the capacity and faith to search and find support, assistance, knowledge, understanding and solutions from others. Now, especially during these heartbreaking times, our collective powers can and must be channeled to help the victims and bereaved families who are in such dire need of Klal Yisrael’s strength and support.
Elaborating upon Harav Levy’s remarks, Rabbi Avraham Vitman, Project Director of Al Pi Darko, added that achdus is the foundation of Pele Yoetz and the key to its success. Only with the unity that we obesrve with so many departments and projects operating under the large umbrella organization of Pele Yoetz and working in synchrony and tandem, can we effectively resolve the range of challenges in chinuch and shalom bayis, emotional and domestic issues, and help people cope with tragedies the likes of what occurred this past week.
Tools for dealing with hysteria and strong emotions among children were published in the attached Question and Answer column that appears in the e-mail.
Executive Director Rabbi Menachem Sheinberger emphasized that every child is an olam malei, and he called attention to the importance of investing into every child individually. He likewise praised Pele Yoetz’s tutors who dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to facilitate each child’s academic and social development and success.
The meeting concluded with a heartfelt expression of prayer to Hashem Yisborach that He should grant us all wisdom and strength to continue learning from and surmounting this terrible tragedy. May we all emerge stronger it than before, fortified in spirit and mind, so we can continue serving Hashem with unity and strength until the coming of Mashiach Tzidkeinu speedily in our days. Amen!
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