Why and How is this Year’s Practices Different from Last Year’s ?
By Robert Kalfus
Chabad Yonkers Rabbi Mendy Hurwitz celebrates his birthday in July, and for the past decade, has invited the community to enjoy a lavish kosher BBQ at the Chabad of Yonkers/Greystone Jewish Center synagogue, where Yonkers residents, synagogue members, friends and family, elected officials and those running for office attended, meeting and greeting, and pressing the flesh – a practice which in the past pandemic year, we knew to spread infectious disease. Preventing the spread of Covid-19 became the overriding concern for all meetings, classes, birthdays, family gatherings, parties, graduations, and all social interactions.
Rising to those concerns, last year Rabbi Hurwitz literally served the community, having a drive-through Grand BBQ celebration, delivering an extensive menu of kosher hot dogs and hamburgers in buns, French fries, watermelon, cotton candy, a bottle of water, and birthday cake for dessert, to about 100 people in about 40 cars, who drove in and through the synagogue’s driveway, for three hours on the Sunday of his 37th birthday.
But this year, most New Yorkers and almost all of his synagogue members have received Covid-19 immunizations, which allowed an outdoor yet still socially distanced BBQ. The Fourth of July’s lovely summer weather encouraged an outdoor event in the shade of Yonkers trees, with summer breezes providing the best ventilation, celebrating our nation’s Independence, Freedoms, and due to personal and medical vigilance and perseverance, our freedom from the previously necessary Covid-19 safety restrictions.
Rabbi Hurwitz sweated over a hot grill, serving up a kosher BBQ wearing a birthday present from Robyn Fullerton, a blue apron stating in Hebrew and English “Mensch”, meaning a good, caring human being. Rabbi Mendy remarked that “Now I must earn this!” as he cooked the fresh and tasty meals on an Independence Day which fortunately was not one of the hottest days of this summer, and rain did not interrupt the pleasant festivities.
With the help of his brother Yoel, and his two oldest daughters, who helped serve and distribute the food, a steady stream of friends celebrated his birthday. His friend Leah Katz, renowned as an excellent seamstress and dressmaker at her store LaRobe by Leah, also displayed her well-known skills as a chef as she cooked, allowing Rabbi Hurwitz to mingle and greet guests, who enjoyed kosher franks, hamburgers, corn on the cob, relish, cole slaw, tomatoes, and several birthday cakes for dessert.
Rabbi Hurwitz spoke about how we should best manage difficult times and experiences, quoting the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who said, “We need to recognize what brought about sad times was lack of kindness to one another. The best way to reverse that is to exhibit kindness to all!” Added Rabbi Hurwitz, “Every day you can do a mitzvah, a good deed, helping another person. You can at least put a smile on your own face, and bring a smile to another person,” as he toasted a “L’chaim” (to Life!) with a fine single malt Scotch.
Noting his latest birthday, Rabbi Hurwitz said “As you age and get older, you need to continue your education and acquire knowledge and wisdom. You also do not lessen your activities, but you instead increase all the good that you can do and accomplish, and you never stop helping others. Chabad of Yonkers has programs for religious instruction, spirituality, outreach, education, and we seek the health and well-being of the entire Yonkers community.”
In addition to Rabbi Hurwitz’ regular Wednesday night Torah discussion and learning class on ZOOM, the synagogue is adding additional activities and classes. Please contact the Chabad of Yonkers/Greystone Jewish Center for info on upcoming activities, religious services and dinners, Hebrew school and Bar Mitzvah preparation, Shabbat morning and the upcoming High Holiday services, at (914) 963-8888, or www.JewishYonkers.com.
