Dear COLlive readers,
This past year has been a trying one for residents of our shechuna – Crown Heights. On one hand, we have continued to see tremendous growth in the mosdos, Shuls, schools and kosher options.
On the other hand, the constant threat of anti-Semitism has become more bold and visible as many have been harassed, abused and even violently attacked. Crown Heights has been mentioned in the news media and in speeches by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, US anti-semitism envoy Elan Karr and others.
As we all stand in shul on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, surely this is one of the things we will be davening about, that we be able to raise our children in the ways of Torah and Chassidus without threat of interference, while not fearing to walk our neighborhood’s streets.
On a personal note, my family and I conclude the year on a sad note, with the loss of my beloved father, Rabbi Shmarya Katzen OBM. His lifelong dedication to the chinuch of children as a pre-1A teacher at Lubavitch Yeshiva serves as a reminder of the great and worldwide impact each individual has the ability to accomplish.
As we daven for the geulah and coming of Moshiach, I will be yearning to be reunited with him in Yerushalayim – speedily in our days.
Wishing you all the best in the coming year,
Mica Soffer
Publisher, COLlive.com
