Tishrei 5774 has been a whirlwind of activity for Misaskim’s numerous volunteers. Many of Misaskim’s crucial programs have been put to use this past month, as they assisted the community in everything from holding a heart wrenching Tehillim Asifa, organizing the chol hamoed trip of a lifetime for hundreds of yesomim, preventing numerous autopsies, granting emergency beds for families of the sick, and providing dozens of families with shiva equipment. A bird’s eye view of just one month in the organization reveals the scope and impact Misaskim has on all parts of our community.

The month began with the sad levaya of community activist Shlomo Zakheim as Misaskim arranged for the levaya to be held on the tarmac at JFK International Airport. It continued with a groundbreaking Tehillim Asifa during the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah, with more than 30,000 tinokos shel beis rabban from 130 locations around the world taking part. For the first time, this year’s Asifa also offered the community an opportunity to sponsor the name of a choleh for Tehillim or a mi shebeirach. Thousands of sponsored names scrolled on the screen placed in the majestic Bobover beis medrash, as tens of thousands of children poured out their hearts with innocent kapitelach. In addition to the 30,000 children, Kol Mevaser’s line had more than 7,200 calls, some calls with more than 200 participants on the line.

Aseres Yemei Teshuvah took us straight into Yom Kippur, and then Sukkos, when Misaskim organized a day of Chol Hamoed outings for 600 yesomim. The outing began with a Circle Line boat ride in Manhattan, featuring a spectacular magician, ventriloquist, and an interactive parrot show. The children were thrilled when an NYPD helicopter took a special ride over the boat to say hello. Once the boat docked, the children were bused to the 4,500 square foot Misaskim sukkah built on the grounds of the Rachmostrivka Yeshiva, where they were served a catered meal. After the seudah, they traveled to Tiferes Rivka, a Yeled V’Yalda hall, for a magnificent simchas beis ha’shoevah lead by the renowned Avrohom Fried, featuring a 13 piece band and the acrobatic “Twins from France. The simchas beis ha’shoeva was also attended by distinguished Rabbonim and dignitaries. In a spectacular ending to the day, the yesomim were treated to a light show by Waltzing Waters, a magnificent spectacle described as “liquid fireworks”. On the next day Misaskim made the show available to the entire community with more than 5,000 people attending a show that left many in awe. On Hoshana Rabbah, Misaskim made arrangements for a family flying in for Israel for a levaya in Ellenville NY to be whisked through customs so that they could make the levaya in Upstate New York

As much as Misaskim moves heaven and earth to bring joy to the less fortunate, they do the same to reduce pain when tragedy strikes. Within 24 hours after Sukkos was over, Misaskim delivered shiva equipment to 257 aveilim in 52 different homes. The peace of mind this brings to families is immeasurable, as such a time leaves no room to think of how one will put together the numerous items required for a week of shiva. Also in the month of Tishrei, Misaskim volunteers provided emergency beds in a brand new apartment near Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital, giving families of the sick an urgently needed place to regain their strength. Keeping to their sacred mission of helping our entire nation, both the living and the deceased, Misaskim successfully worked with medical examiners in Baltimore, New Jersey, and Brooklyn to prevent autopsies. The expertise needed to navigate the complex legal hallways of autopsies are overwhelming, and Misaskim has spent decades rescuing families from having to deal with this horrific reality in addition to their loss.

Misaskim’s mission is to provide support and assistance to individuals experiencing crisis or tragedy by providing vital community services. In just one month of chessed, they have touched tens of thousands of members in our community, giving joy to those who have lost, and giving comfort to those who need it most. In just one month, they have transformed the lives of thousands of families, offering help and assistance throughout unspeakable tragedy. It is Misaskim’s deepest wish that they never again be needed to provide these services. But until then, they continue to stand ready to assist their sisters and brothers. Throughout life’s darkest moments, Misaskim is a source of light and warmth, encouragement and direction.

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