נייעס פון זשעיל פארט דיקס Fort Dix

BS"D  Sunday Parshas Vayechi, 6 Teves 5772 (1/1/12)

This Shabbes Parshas Vayigash was a great excitement and encouragement to the families whose head of the family is incarcerated away from them.  These families came together in unity, at a completely new event organized by the organization of "Dror".

It's fair to begin to say, that the mitzvah of Pidyon Shvuyim is a mitzvah with many branches.  Mitzvas Pidyon Shvuyim is the greatest mitzvah according to the Shulchan Arukh.  And for this reason, we see many organizations working hard on this mitzvah.  Unfortunately, over the past decade, there have been more Orthodox Yidden coming to prison.  And for this reason, more organizations have opened to help these people with all their needs, in myriads of manners.

I would like to remind the readers of the great help provided by "Aleph Institute" for Yiddishe prisoners and their families.  They have dedicated many years to helping Yidden in such situations.  "Reaching Out", under the leadership of Rabbi Spritzer, has also dedicated many years of effort in this area.  It is difficult to find a Yid who comes to prison who doesn't know of Rabbi Spritzer of "Reaching Out" and Rabbi Boyarsky and Rabbi Mendel Katz of "Aleph Institute".

As more Orthodox Yidden have come to prison, more organizations have been formed, such as "Shloimas Serayich" under the management of Rav Yisroel Chayim Shtesl.  His specialty is trying to help Jewish prisoners while they are in jail.

After this, another great organization was created - "L'Asurim", which works in conjunction with other organizations.  "L'Asurim" was founded and is led by Rabbi Hollander along with his Board of Management and many volunteers, including Rabbi Elimelech Weiss and the Apter Ruv, Rabbi Shaya Kraus shlita.  They specialize in organizing volunteer visitors to jails and many other things.

Over the past two years, a new organization was founded - "Dror".  "Dror" came up with different ideas to help in other ways that hadn't yet been met up until then. They specialize in three things - helping the families of those who are incarcerated and who have limited access to their families; they created Kollelim in the prisons; and they help with legal advice.   This organization is under the leadership of the Nasi (President) - Rabbi Stein.  Their Board of Directors includes Rabbi Yoel Osher Labin, Rabbi Yoel Mendlowitz, Rabbi Yiddel Tabak and Rabbi Chaim Freund.  They arrived with fresh ideas and energy, and looked into areas that other organizations hadn't yet gone into.

It is a Kiddush Hashem to see all of these organizations working together to reach their goal of helping Yidden in prison along with their families.

And thus this past Shabbes, a convention was organized for our families to gather together - united, encouraged and strengthened - at a special event at a Holiday Inn in NJ.  From what we've heard from the families who attended, they enjoyed the experience and were strengthened greatly, beyond all expectations.  One cannot explain the great strength and unity that came out of this event, helping them to deal together with the nisyonos of having a loved-one in prison.  Many programs and enjoyments were prepared for this occasion.  There was Torah, chizuk and food for all of Shabbes.  There were Shabbes seudos k'yad ha'melech, and many events planned to last throughout the entire Shabbes of inspiration.  There's no question that by doing this thing, the mitzvah of Pidyon Shvuyim was fulfilled on a high level, as when this comes to the attention of the family member who is in prison, it brings him gladness to see that his family has been strengthened.  And when the family outside is strengthened, it brings bigger strength for those who are inside.

The effort in preparing a Shabbes like this is extraordinary.  It involved both money and great work to ensure that everyone should be invited and that attention should be paid to each person, and that there should be a staff of entertainers, and people to give Torah inspiration.  There was a great spirit of ruchniyus.  Of course, whoever helped in this effort, and whoever helps this organization in the future has a great reward.

As the families arrived on Friday morning, there was a warm welcome for everyone.  Each person and family felt that all attention was placed on them, as if they were the only ones there.  It is difficult to explain, but talking with the families after this, one could see the greatness of this Shabbes.  A Shabbes like this will be remembered forever.  Each family also got to know each other; and talking to each other, shares the strength and experience that each one has gained.  Listening to the speeches also gave much strength.  Enjoying the Oneg Shabbes and entertainment and the holy spirit was a great experience.  The Oneg Shabbes gave strength for the nefesh and neshomo.

At the closing of the Shabbes, for Melava Malka, there were invited guests/volunteers from other organizations.  For instance, the great askan, Rabbi Shua Brook from Aleph Institute who works in Family Affairs was there.  His participation was a great chizuk for the families.  Volunteers from L'Asurim were also there, including Reb Chezky Kraut.  Reb Levi Hirshfield and Reb Eli Brociner also attended.  They have organized visits for inmates, especially at Ft. Dix.  They also brought much inspiration through their comments.  And many other askanim were also there from all organizations.  This is Kiddush Hashem to see all of these organizations working together for the mitzvah of Pidyon Shvuyim, sharing their help and expertise.

In the merit of this, "Dror" should succeed in their mission and merit to go l'maale maale.  And in their merit they should zoche zein that all Yidden should receive a yeshia and go back home speedily to be reunited with their families.  And we should all zoche zein to the yeshia shleima bimheiru b'yumeini - Umein!

By: Yaakov Alter ben Shifra Tsharna, in the name of all Yidden
in Ft. Dix and all over for their families who were strengthened through this great event

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The Jewish Community of Ft. Dix would like to express our "thank you" for the following people who were involved in the preparation of the great event of the Convention this Shabbes Parshas Vayigash by the Dror Organization at the Holiday Inn in NJ.

We shall begin with the Nasi (President) of the organization of "Dror":
Rabbi Efraim Stein, shlita, Faltishaner Rav
He is well known for his many years of dedicated work in Pidyon Shvuyim.

Rabbi Yoel Mendlowitz, shlita
Director of Dror, it is to his credit for the great convention which occurred this Shabbes.

Rabbi Yoel Osher Labin, shlita
Menahel of Dror
It was his effort to organize that all the families came for this Shabbes.

Rabbi Yehuda Tabak, shlita
Member of Board of Directors of Dror
It is beyond words to state how he has helped over the years in the mitzvah of Pidyon Shvuyim.

Rabbi Chaim Hersh Freund, shlita and Rabbi Amrom Izrael, shlita
Members of Board of Directors of Dror
They both helped greatly with this event.

Reb Zisha Mermelstein
Arranged the hotel and was a great help.

Reb Nochum Orenstein, Reb Yanky Kish, Reb Shimon Kopershtok and Reb Yisroel Shorr
Friends of Dror who helped prepare the Shabbes.

Reb Chaim Dovid Desser, Reb Aba Winkler, Reb Yoel Hersh Fuks, Reb Levy Folkowitz, Toher Singers, other entertainers
They were involved in singing and entertaining and brought much joy to the event.

Reb Dovid Shick
Helped greatly with food for the event.

Reb Kalman Yonasan Shtarn from Skvere, his daughter - Mrs. Smith, and Menachem Amos
Gave nice speeches.

The Children of Reb Yitzhak Friedlander of Union City
Helped greatly.

Rebbetzin Samet and Family
Were a great help in giving inspiration to the families that they should be willing to come, as well as with other preparations.  They made the Shabbes Gilyon (Torah pamphlets), and more.

Finally, all of the other families were very kind and helpful throughout the event.

May Hashem help all the people who were involved in this great event.  They should be rewarded elef p'umim.  And in the merit of this, we should all have a speedy yeshia.  And as we were united over this past Shabbes, may we always be united, home with our families in gichen.  And we should have nachas and kiddusha from our children, parnassa and all other inyunim.  And Hashem should grant all our desires, and send the Geula Shleima with Moshiach Tzidkeini bimheiru b'yumeini - Umein!

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Jan. 6th, 2011
Erev Shabbos Kodesh Chazak Parsha Vayichi 5772
By: Yosef ben Hagaon  Rabienu Ovi Mori rav Chaim ztz"l

A tremendous Kiddush Ha-shem combined with an out of the ordianry feeling  of Simcha was experienced this week in  the Jewish Kehilla of Ft. Dix. The first Series of classes on the Laws of the Sanhedrin, Shabbos and Tefilla are  being completed. We also finished our  2nd Perek  learning  together.

Before we even begin to thank those that sponsored this, we must give thanks to those that atttended. I once saw a Masseh from Reb Aron Kotler Ztz"l. They introduced him to a person who gave extra ordianary donations in the support of Limud Hatorah. When they introduced him they told the Rosh Yeshiva Reb Aron Ztz"l that this is a man who loves Torah. And Reb Aron replied that, if he loved Torah he would learn Torah, and not just support it. He may honor Torah but love... If someone likes ice cream he buys it for himself, maybe also for others, but for sure for himself.

I therefore must congratulate those who are here in prison and regardless of the circumstances, come every day to learn an Amud Gemorra. People don't realize what Mesiras Nefesh this entails, and it is not the time to get into it right now. But I will just touch on it . Most of the days when someone decides to go to the BAIS MEDRASH instead of somewhere else, he knows he is giving up any chance to be somewhere else before he gets locked up where he is for a couple of extra hours. Some people are in midst of appeals, others in  middle of commissary purchases, others are trying to get into a program where they will get time reduction, and other issues as well; and yet they choose everyday to come learn Gemorra for at least an hour! Ashrie Yiliditom!!! This means that sometimes they will miss thier commissary or other things they have to do, because there was a choice made to learn Gemorra.

I am talking about our Mora Diasra  Rabbi Samet Shlit"a our spiritual leader. I am talking about Jacob Mertz. I am talking about Amos. I am talking about all the others that attend the Shiurim. The Rabbi Gives Shiurim, and a Mussar Schmuz on Tuesday nite.. The Shiurie Halacha By Jacob every single day are a Gevald! I am talking about myself.  I need to tell everyone, that Rabbi Samet is an incredible human being. Nothing will ever happen here in Ruchniyus without him. When someone wants to know what a real Baal Bitochon from the "Alter Heim" was like they just have to see his Emunah on an every day level. When someone wants to see a Chassidishe Yid with the whole livush, one just has to take one look at him. When someone needs a pick me up all one has to do is talk to the Rabbi who is always Besimcha. How he does it, some people do not know. But I do know. Because whoever is a real Shomer Torah Umitzvoth , and who know of the RBS"O, and that the RBS"O is always Manhig the Olum,  then it is totally understandable why someone can be all the time Besimcha. If someone wants to ever see a real old time Yireh Shomaym should come visit the Rabbi here very very soon. Because I can tell you he is going to go home very soon.

I need to tell you, if someone came into the Bais Medrash and heard the Shiur/Chavrusah going  on and didn't know where they were, they would perhaps think they were in Lakewood or Brisk. The fighting that goes on for the right Pshat is incredible. We learn for that hour and everyone knows, unless there is an emergency no one is allowed to bother us. The Kol Torah is incredible. One person joined the Shiur just because he was impressed that we were "allowed" to argue with each other, and as soon as a Pshat became acceptable the arguing was over and we went further. He never experienced something like that in the world where he came from. it doesnt matter who is in charge of the Shiur, everyone can argue until the right Pshat is arrived at.

 One day the Chaplain came in and told us that we have to quiet down, and why we fight. He even told one person to back off because he felt he was too close to the Rabbi with his fingers. Oy Vey! he should only know. He should only go to a Yeshiva. It was when this happened with the Chaplain that I knew we were for real in Ft. Dix. That I knew we made it, to the Olum Hatorah. This Goy Chaplain will never know what he did for me, when he acted with his usual hate for Jews. 

And now that I adressed the learners of the Torah, albeit not adequately because only someone that has been in jail knows what it means to commit to be somewhere every day at a certain time, can I now adress the sponsors. Because the learners of the Torah get more credit than the sponsors. The sponsors should thank the people that come to the Shiurim for giving them this chance at such a Mitzvah.

I have no words to describe a human being by the name of Reb Yoel Laben Shlit"a of Dror. He is also the Rosh Yeshiva of Kollel Maharam M'erutenberg. For those who don't know, Kollel Maharam M'erutenberg was established by Harav Laben to design a program for those people in jail who want to learn Torah just like Yeshiva. It is designed mostly for Bnie Torah.  And it is easily understood why the name is Maharam M'erutenberg.  We must remember there is no diffrence in being Shomer Torah Umitzvoth whether we are in jail or whether we are not. The Torah is the same, and the obligation to observe it is the same. In the Olem Haemes which is for Netzach Netzochim they arent going to ask if we were in jail. Only some people on this world are concerned with something as trivial as that. Only the yentas and the Loshon Hora websites.  When we get up there the first question asked is Kovata Itim Latorah? And with a resounding voice that will be heard in Kol Haolom Kulo the answer by those in jail  will be YES!!!YES!!!YES!!!! We were Kovea Itim Latorah.

But then we here in Ft. Dix and perhaps others IN OTHER jails  will ask the RBS"O can we continue for one more minute. And when HKB"H says we can, I CAN VISIULIZE MYSELF STEPPING FORWARD AND SAYING.  Do YOU know why we were able to be Kovea Itim Latorah in jail?  Because of Dror. Because of Kollel Maharam M'erutenberg. Because of its Manhig Reb Yoel Laben. He is the one that has made it easier for us to learn Torah here in jail,  because of the things he did for us here. He is a one man crew that can take down walls. I cant describe what this man has done for us here, I can only tell you, I am already Mekaneh his Olum Habo.

I want to mention one story, besides all the other things  that I know about Harav Laben Shlit"a. And I only know him for a few months. I made the curriculums for all the Shiurim here. Sometimes I write Divrie Torah and send them to him, and other times I send diffrent Divrie Torah to others as well. Somehow he got hold of as many of these Divrie Torah  that he could and called up my mother Shetichy"a to ask to see her. ( I didnt know about this until later). When my mother didnt answer the phone he went over on his own. He rang the bell and someone mistook him for a Meshuluch and didnt treat him the way he should of been treated. He went again the following day and found my mother, and sat with her for over  an hour, showing her all the papers and Divrie Torah and Bechinos  that I took on the subjects that I learned, and also Bechinos that he sent me that I answered, and he went over them with my mother Shetichy'a one by one.

He spent a lot of time there.  I don't have to tell you, but what more Nachas can a parent who only knows the Derech of the RBS"O all her life, have when she sees a person coming like this and telling her about her son who is in jail? I AM MEKANEH HIS OLUM HABO. Dont read further, just sit back and  contemplate what he did. Picture YOUR mother getting a report from someone who has nothing to gain, but be the cause of making another Yid feel good.  What did he do for others that noone knows about? If my mother didnt tell me I would never know. Whatever he does is totally Lishma. He himself comes every week to visit people here and in other prisons. Since I know he will get this article I will stop here to talk about him to be Mekayem "Ein Mesaprim Lfunuv Ela Miktzas Shivosho"

Then we have Lasurim. Lasurim is an Orginazation that caters to inmates in prison. Whenever we have a problem who do we call? Lasurim. This is the only Organazation that I know  of, where if you have a problem, they don't just make promises. They hear you and immediately get to work from the outside. So whom do we call when we have a problem? Lasurim!!  Thats who! And I can be Mayid and testify, that almost all the time, they are able to accomplish. They come every week to visit people in jail. Not one or two people, but they come in droves. They are makpid to get lists from those here who have no family or for one reason or another dont have visits. People mamish look forward to Thursday because of this. More people come to davening on Thursday because they want to be able to tell their visitor that they davened in a Minyan that morning!!! This is a GEVALD!!!! They send people every week TO THE INSIDE of the jail and constantly want to know what they can do. And do they!. They have sponsored some of the Torah classes here. Again. For those who have never been to jail, you can never fully comprehend the work of Lasurim.

This Lasurim is run Bekovod Godol, by Reb Eli Wiess Shlit"a. When he comes here he sits with as many people as he can INSIDE the Bais Medrash. He makes everyone feel special, as if he only came here to solve that persons needs. And he doesnt just talk. He is a doer, and a big doer.  There are so many problems on a day to day basis, that it is indescribable to go into. And for others reasons, I don't want to go into them. No one should come to jail. But if you do, you better have their number. What did we do for Daled Minim ?  What did we do for a tremendous Succah Bravchus? 15x30 if I am not mistaken. What do we do for Seforim? Who does the AW call when he needs to know if certain needs we have are legitimate. The list is long, and I don't want to bore you. But Kimat no one in jail is worth any money. So when these people help us out, they know they are never going to be reciprocated in any way, because it is simply impossible. So this is Chesed Shel Emes at its purest form.

And I need to add one item that may be more important than all the information in this article put together. There is "An Odom Godol VeTzenuah AD Meod" whose name never comes up in the limelight. We know here that many of the problems that need to be solved by Lasurim and Dror end up by one individual. And that person is the one that is the Shliach Elokim to help those in our Matziv. I am speaking about Harav Haodom Hagodol HaRav Tzvi Biyarsky Shlit"a. For those of you who dont know him, if he ever crosses your path, give him Kovod Godol, and give him whatever he needs. He will not want the Kovod, but that doesnt matter. If he needs something from you it is to help another Yid. When we say in davening on Shabbos "Vechol mee Sheoskim Betzrochie Tzibur Bemunah HKB"K Yeshalem Schorom he is the one that comes to my mind.

 It says by a Bosor Vedom that Shliach Odom Kmoso. I dont know how it works when someone is a Shliach from the ADON OLOM HImself. Thats how we all look at Harav Biyarsky. The Mishna says on Reb Elazar Ben Azarya " Harie Ani Kben Shivim Shona..." And we all know that "Kben" was because he grew some white hairs so he should look older so people will listen to him. I need to tell you that when a problem comes to Reb Tzvi the Eibershter blessed him with such Midos and finesse and he is "Noseh Chen" that he is able to speak to Wardens, BOP officials, and DOJ officials, and they Poshut like him. HKB"H blesses him with a maturity that on him can be said "Harie Ani Kben Shivim Shonah". ASHRIE YELIDITO.

Rabbi Laben from Dror. Rabbi Wiess from Lasurim. Rabbi Tzvi Biyarsky,  You have no idea what you do for us. You may think you do but even you people don't understand. And I hope you never do understand.   Ha-shem should bless you with everything.

Let us hope the same way we were Mesayem the 5th Perek of Sanhedrin , which was the  2nd perek that we learned together, that HKB"H will act Midah Kineged Midah and be Mesaym our sentences way ahead of the time. Bimhayra Bkorov Mamish.
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On behalf of the whole Jewish Community of Ft. Dix, we thank you Rabbi Wies. We thank you Rabbi Laben. We thank you Rabbi Biyarsky. To all your Organazations. May you contimue to do Chesed and may the RBS"O make all your Organazation go kaput because there will be no need for it anymore. May HKB"H reward you and all your families with Kol Tuv Shebaolom.

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די וואכעדיגע פרשה איז "ואלה שמות בני ישראל הבאים מצרימה". דאס זענען די אידישע קינדער וואס זענען אין מצרים- די גלות דגלות, און די חשכות פון די גלות. מיר אלע דא אינטערגעשריבן די נאמען, בעטן פון יעדן צי בעטן דעם בורא כל העולמים, אז ער זאל זיך מרחם זיין אויף אינז, און שיקן די ישועה בכלל ופרט, און עס זאל שוין גענוג זיין...

 די וואכעדיגע פרשה שטייט "ותאל שוועתם מן העבודה". די ספרים זאגן, די פסוק זאגט מן העבודה, און עבודה נישט פון תפילה. קען מען זאגן, אז דער אייבערשטער האט געזאגט ויעודה אלקים , און עס שטייט " כי ידעתי את מכאוביו". דער רבונו של עולם זעהט יעדן צער פון יעדן איד, און די טיפקייט פין די גלות. און ער זאגט וידע, איך ווייס אלע וואס ענק טוען. און ער העלפט . און אזוי ווי ער האט ארויסגענומען די אידן פון מצרים, פון די שטארקע מצרים, וואס קיין שום עבד האט נישט געקענט אנטלויפן פון דארטן, האט ער ארויסגענומען בעצם היום הזה, און מיט אלע גוטע השפעות, אלע גוטע ברכות ברכוש גדול. און דאס לערנט פאר אונז בכלל ובפרט, אז וואס מען דארף און ווי מען איז, דארף מען זיך בעטן פון די באשעפער. בעטן אז מען זאל אלע מתפלל זיין פאר אונזער ישועה. און אין דעם זכות  וועט זיין א ישועה פאר גאנץ כלל ישראל מיט ישועת עולמים

א גוטן שבת, א לעכטיגן שבת, א פרייליכן שבת, דאס שבת זאל משפיע זיין אלע גיטע השפעות מיט א גרויסע ישועה פאר אונז אלע, און אלע ארום אינז, און פאר  גאנץ כלל ישראל. א גוט שבת!

A peaceful and blessed Shabbes,

This weekly Torah Portion is "And these are the names of the Children of Yisroel who came to Egypt".  These are the Jewish children who were in Egypt [today Ft. Dix] - the exile of exiles, in the darkness of exile.  We all here have written our names below, pleading for all to plead from the Creator of All Worlds, as He should have mercy upon us, and send the salvation generally and individually, and it should be enough already...  In the weekly Torah Portion, it states "their cry arose and was accepted from the [difficult] work".  The Sforno (commentator) said, the verse says from the work, (work - not from prayer).  This means to say, as the Creator saw the difficulties and tortures of the Jews, and the Creator had said "and G-d knew", and it says "because I saw their pain".  The Master of the World sees each trouble/difficulty of every Jew, and the deepness of the exile.  And He says "and He knew, I know all which you do".  And He helps.  And just as He took out the Jews from Egypt, from the powerful Egypt, from which no slave can escape, so should He take us out from here this very day, and with all good influences, in all good influences in great wealth.  And this teaches for us as a whole and particularly, as what we need and when we need and where a person is, we need to plead from the Creator.  We plead as everyone should pray for our salvation.  And in the merit of this, there should be a salvation for all Congregation of Yisroel with an eternal salvation.

A good Shabbes, a bright Shabbes, a happy Shabbes.  This Shabbes should bring forth all good influences with a great salvation for all of us, and all around us, and for all Congregation of Yisroel.  A good Shabbes!

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מיר בעטן פון יעדן וואס קען מתפלל זיין פאר אונז, פאר אונזער ישועה פאר אלע נעמען וואס זענען אונטער.