Personal note from Rabbi Kirschenbaum

23 December, 2009

Dear Friends,

Thank you for taking a moment to read this personal letter. I know you get a lot of email from us throughout the year, yet this letter may be the most important one we will send, so please indulge us in this one page note.

As we approach the end of 2009, I want to thank you, on behalf of Chaya and all our incredible volunteers of Chabad Prospect Heights, for all your warm comments, suggestions and responses to our weekly e-mails, on-line offerings and general programs. I also want to express our appreciation to those of you that have financially supported our vital work to educate and inspire people throughout brownstone Brooklyn with our programs.

While the year 2009 is not likely to go down in history as this country’s finest, it is perhaps now safe to say that things did not turn out to be quite as catastrophic as many had predicted. And although this recession seems far from over, the silver linings are beginning to show themselves.  People are reprioritizing. There is a new awareness that money can come and go; stocks can rise and fall; but the good we do for others, the education we give our children, the relationships we build and the wisdom we acquire — are forever.

At Chabad Prospect Heights, we have fostered this awareness by keeping all of our outreach and educational programs going strong – in spite of the downturn – and by launching new programs to help those most severely affected by it. (Not a single vital Chabad program was cut due to the recession.) Emergency assistance to hungry and destitute families is at an all time high. And the joyful faces we are greeted with every day are a testament to the Jewish warmth and pride that permeates our community by way of the numerous opportunities we provide.

As we close out our books on 2009, we are still in the red. Rather than carry this debt over into the new fiscal year, we are asking friends like you to step up and help put us in the black. WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW! Your support and partnership is vital.

Please do a timely mitzvah.

There are still 8 days left to the end of the calendar year. Please click here to make a secure tax-deductible on-line donation or you can mail your donation to the address below, or call us at 347.787.0864

May you and your loved ones be blessed with G-d’s blessings for all that is good and joyous. Thank you for your friendship. With heartfelt blessings and best wishes for a healthy and enlightening year and a pleasant winter,

Rabbi Ari Kirschenbaum
Director
Chabad Prospect Heights
340 Sterling Pl. Suite 1A
Brooklyn, NY 11238
www.BrooklynYid.com

All contributions are tax-deductible, and if received before Dec. 31 can be deducted from your taxes for this calendar year. Please Donate now. Chabad of the Conejo can accept Cash, Credit Card, Check, Stock Transfer, as well as donations of automobiles, boats or real estate. Chabad of the Conejo is a 501(c)3 charity and all contributions to it are tax deductible.