<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Rabbi Yehuda {Leonard} Blank MS, BCC
Vice President of Professional Development and External Affairs
Chair of the Chaplaincy Commission
Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud HaRabbonim
917-446-2126 rablenblank@gmail.com
<>February 20, 2025, Shevat 22, 5785<>
<><><><><><><><><>><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
HOPE GOES WITH EMUNAH AND BETACHON
H HELPS THOSE WHO HELPS THEMSELVES
AND KLAL YISRAEL HAS TO BE PART OF THAT EQUATION
WE HAVE TO HELP EACH OTHER AND ALL THOSE IN NEED
SHIDDUCHIM IS ONE OF THOSE INYANIM.
===============================================
I received positive feedback from those who are aware of young men and women who are considered part of the older crowd from the later 30’s and on but are truly youthful and marriage minded. Of course everything is up to the Ribono shel Olam but we must also do our hishtadlus on behalf of those who are seeking a zivug. I was in contact with Baila Sebrow, one of the many well-known shadchanim who is by the way involved in the two events you will find attached to the links below. She is the author of “The Dating Forum” in the 5TJT ( Five Towns Jewish Times) about the hope and aspirations of the different age brackets to see if they truly desire to get married or just want a social life. Her response is there are many who sincerely want to marry and have not given up hope for that to happen. Of course having emunah and betachon is very important.
I have included the following paragraph from last week’s article with the two links for the two separate shidduch events.
There have been many meetings focusing on shidduchim for the younger population. But there are many who are in the older age brackets who want to get married. One event below is for ages 24-38 and one event, a Shabbaton for ages 45 -62 (I was told anyone older than 62 can attend this Shabbaton). I have written articles about those who are divorced, are widows or widowers and those who were never married and want a loving, caring relationship bringing meaningful companionship and a desire to care for each other. I am requesting my readership to send me shidduch events for Frum/ Observant divorced, widows, widowers or never married singles in the 30’s – 40’s age bracket and in the 50’s – 70’s age bracket. These events should be sent to me at my email address located at the top of this article at least two weeks in advance of an event. I will try my best to publicize these events. You might never know how much happiness you can bring to a couple in the age brackets mentioned above.
Please click here for the link to the shidduch event for singles 24-38.
Please click here for the link to the shidduch event for singles 45-62
===========================================================
To be understanding one must have an open heart, must be empathetic and connect with those who we are ministering to– not only listening- but listening with immense feelings, empathy, sincerity and to offer a “helping hand” whenever and however possible.
Chaplains are often given an opportunity to offer a listening heart and a helping hand with those who are not Jewish. I share those moments and opportunities because they are tremendously rich in Kiddush H. I recently visited someone who is a resident at a nursing and rehabilitation facility. Before my visit I contacted the nursing station on the floor to hear if he is on any restrictive diet and the response was no. I bought him kosher certified, parve, individual black and white moon cookies. Individual ones so he would not have to cut anything and parve so he could have them after his meat or dairy meals. In his room was a woman who came to visit a close friend who died that morning. When she found out that I am a Rabbi, she wanted to share her grief with me. The patient who I was visiting introduced me to her. He gave her a chance to speak to me giving her some time to share her grief. The person who she was grieving over was an elderly man who she befriended some years ago. Not only did she seek comfort from me as she was in tears but also wanted to know some of the Jewish funeral traditions. She was not Jewish but was seeking guidance so as to be respectful of her Jewish friend. My responses were appropriate and she was very grateful for my comforting words. She said she will always remember them. The patient I was visiting told her that I was a good and kind person and she can ask and tell me anything. After some time she excused herself to gather her friend’s belongings and to speak to the staff. This enabled me to spend quality time with the person I was visiting.. I encouraged her to make an appointment with a social worker who could recommend someone who deals with grief and bereavement. The person I was visiting shared his experiences at this nursing home and all of his concerns especially how he felt about other patients dying. My years of training and experience dealing with patients with grief and bereavement was quite helpful. She showed me pictures of her friend throughout the years and the Rabbi he was close to. She was very comforted by my presence.
I would like to delve into the topic of shidduchim. I am not a shadchan though I must say I was involved in helping make a successful shidduch about forty years ago. One must be very tactful and use tremendous finesse when discussing a possible shidduch especially from the older age bracket. Anything is possible and a potential shidduch might lead to marriage. However, if you do know someone and you don’t try you will never know if it is a good shidduch or not. If you are not sure how to go about it then seek advice on how to broach the subject. Of course speaking to a Rav or Rebbetzin can be very helpful, especially if they know the person involved. Confidentiality is extremely important. I received permission from Baila Sebrow to include her name and contact information for advice. She might also be available as a shadchan. She can be reached either via her email address Bsebrow@aol.com or phone number 516 – 849 – 5863. It is a wonderful zechus we can all have a cheilik in just by publicizing shidduch events for the different age brackets. Please send me a copy of the events and I will post them in the RAA newsletter as well as in my articles. I must have it at least two weeks in advance of the event. If there is a cutoff date mentioned on the flyer then please send me the flyer at least two weeks in advance of that cutoff date. Make sure it is legible and there is contact information on how to find out additional information about a specific event. Though the RAA would always appreciate a donation, there is absolutely no fee for placing the shidduch flyers in our newsletter and my articles. The RAA would surely be ecstatic if we could be the conduit for having brought men and women together for successful shidduchim.
May our gemilus chasadim be the zechusim that will help bring Mashiach as soon as possible. May we truly have Shalom al Yisrael. May there never be any type of harm to anyone from Klal Yisrael anyplace in the world. It is therefore critical for Klal Yisrael to have true and sincere achdus. We all need each other as brothers and sisters. May our kindness, goodness and gentleness help bring the beauty of our Torah and our Mitzvos into the hearts of all of our brothers and sisters so everyone will love G even more so and recognize His love for each and every one of us. May H give us the wisdom of to inspire each and every individual one from Klal Yisrael. May all of us be zoche to the Geula Sheleima Bekarov. Amein Selah.
Sincerely, Rabbi Yehuda Blank