Englewood rabbi leads NJ delegation to Jerusalem

Englewood rabbi leads NJ delegation to Jerusalem

Rabbi Zev Reichman of Englewood is flanked by Daniel Fogel, JCT’s vice president, left, and Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon, the head of the school’s beit midrash. (Michael Erenburg)
Rabbi Zev Reichman of Englewood is flanked by Daniel Fogel, JCT’s vice president, left, and Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon, the head of the school’s beit midrash. (Michael Erenburg)

Rabbi Zev Reichman of East Hill Synagogue in Englewood attended an event honoring IDF reservists who are returning students at the Jerusalem College of Technology and who served in the ongoing war in Gaza. The gathering, held at JCT’s Lev Campus, included about 300 attendees, mostly students who served in the IDF during the war, and their families. The students, who are entitled to special aid at JCT as returning reservists, also received gift vouchers as a thank you for their service. Israeli comedian Yair Jacobi performed standup for the group.

“It’s a privilege to be here with my community this evening,” Rabbi Reichman said. “To be in Israel during the war and to be with you, who have defended the Jewish people, is remarkable. We are so glad you’ve returned and wish you and your families well. I am thankful to my friend Rabbi Rimon and JCT for making this event possible.”

Eliyahu Liebman, the father of hostage Eliakim Liebman and head of the Kiryat Arba Municipal Council, said, “The test of one’s faith is not when things happen according to plan, but rather when unpredictable events unfold. My wife and I didn’t plan to be the parents of a hostage. However, we need to continue to believe that what happened to us on Simchat Torah will make us grow. On one hand, we are in great pain, but we will also come out of this stronger as a nation.

“My son worked as a security guard at the Re’im music festival. When the attacks began, people ran for their lives. My son, along with another friend, stayed there for three hours to help Jews escape until they were caught by Hamas and were taken into Gaza.”

Rabbi Reichman is the author of publications such as “Remove Anger from Your Heart: A Torah Guide to Patience, Tolerance and Emotional Well Being,” and “Flames of Faith: An Introduction to Chassidic Thought.”

JCT Vice President Daniel Fogel, who recently returned from months in IDF reserve duty, spoke of his military service before delivering two messages to the JCT students.

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