By COLlive reporter
The Association of Crown Heights Shuls, headed by Rabbi Lazar Avtzon, held its annual Melava Malka this past Motzoei Shabbos at his shul, Merkaz Sefarad, marking his 59th birthday.
Attending were representatives of locals shuls who heard from the Mashpia Rabbi Michoel Seligson and Rabbi Avtzon. Joining later were family and friends.
Rabbi Avtzon said local shuls and their respective Rabbonim, Mashpiim, presidents and gabboim are the front lines and first point of contact for local families.
“Whether looking for help with Shalom Bayis, financial support, coping with children, sickness or death in the family chas veshalom, people turn to their local Rabbi or leader before anyone else,” he said.
“As such, there is a need for local Shuls to take a greater leadership role and to be better equipped to handle the many situations and challenges they are faced with,” he said.
During the evening, several ideas for initiatives were discussed. Among them were for neighboring shuls to hold joint events during the current year of Hakhel, to encourage residents to have life insurance, and creating an accessible listing of davening and shiurim times.
