Released Time Luncheon

CROWN HEIGHTS — On Tuesday , Chof Hey Adar Aleph, NCFJE sponsored a luncheon for their tireless and hardworking Released Time instructors in Crown Heights.

Over a delicious spread of salads, bagels, and sushi, beautifully prepared in Getzel’s shul, the bochurim heard inspirational words from Rabbi Cousin who encouraged them to continue in their amazing work.

Rabbi Cousin shared stories of old and emphasized how important the Released Time program was to the Friediker Rebbe and the Rebbe, giving Jewish children in public schools a weekly dose of Judaism.

Explaining the significance of the bochurims dedication, Rabbi Cousins told a story of a bochur who didn’t want to go on Released Time because he would be missing out on Seder, the Rebbe said that the Neshamos in Gan Eden, and even Nishmas Moshe Rabbeinu are jealous when you make a bracha with a child.

Another short story, which Rabbi Cousins shared, was about a bochur whom had a problem stuttering and didn’t want to go on released time. The Rebbe replied to him that if he goes on released time his stuttering would be healed.

Rabbi Shea Hecht also joined the bochurim, and when thanking the bochurim on their virtuous work he said: “ It’s not for me to thank, you are working directly for the Rebbe.

Rabbi Shazak Zirkind, the driving force behind the program, spoke to the bochurim and he too congratulated the bochurim on their work.

To motivate the bochurim he portrayed an analogy “If you have saved 20 people from drowning yesterday or even 30, 40, or 50, and you have the opportunity to save someone today, would you say I did my share yesterday?”

Rabbi Zirkind ended off the luncheon by awarding a group of bochurim from P.S 225, a school that doubled their enrollment of children this week.