The 17th annual Florida Shabbos of Chizuk, the flagship event of Agudath Israel of Florida, took place Shabbos Parshas Shmos. The event was sponsored by the Irwin Saks Charitable Foundation in memory of Reb Yitzchok ben Avrohom z”l.

The event was enhanced by the presence of Rabbi Yosef Frankel, V’Yelipoler Rav and Member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah; Rabbi Yaakov Reisman, Rav of Agudath Israel of Long Island; and Rabbi Yaakov Litzman, Israeli Minister of Health and MK in the United Torah Judaism party; as well as Agudath Israel executive vice president Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel; and executive director Rabbi Labish Becker.

Hundreds of participants throughout South Florida attended the events that took place over Shabbos. A lively Tisch, conducted by Rabbi Frankel, was held on Leil Shabbos at Congregaton Torah V’Emunah, North Miami Beach. Rabbi Frankel described the comparison of the Jewish people to the kochavim, stars, that shine in the darkness and explained how our generation can bring the geulah when the previous generations could not.

In Miami Beach, Rabbi and Mrs. Chaim Summer hosted an Oneg Shabbos. Rabbi Litzman and Rabbi Reisman participated and peppered the zemiros and divrei Torah with timely remarks.

Motzoei Shabbos the Melave Malka began with Rabbi Moshe Matz, director of Agudath Israel of Florida, delivering impassioned remarks regarding the situation in Eretz Yisroel today.

Rabbi Zwiebel brought greetings from the national office and emphasized that the success of Agudath Israel rides on the trust, encouragement and participation of the tzibbur.

Rabbi Frankel delivered insightful remarks from a Torah perspective about the ongoing tension in Eretz Yisroel and around the world.

Rabbi Litzman, reported on the political and security situation affecting Acheinu Bnei Yisroel in Eretz Yisroel and expressed gratitude to the American Torah community for its support.

The evening concluded with a profound address by Rabbi Reisman. He focused on making sense of the current crisis in Eretz Yisroel, basing his remarks on a fascinating Jewish Observer article by Rabbi Mordechai Gifter ztz”l, Rosh HaYeshiva of Telshe and Member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, whose Yarhzeit coincided with the Shabbos of Chizuk.

Rabbi Becker, who chaired the session acknowledged the highly effective work of Agudath Israel of Florida under the guidance of its president, Dr. Jonathan Rubin, Rabbi Matz, and Agudath Israel regional vice president Rabbi Ephraim Leizerson.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)