Fwd: Emergency Relief Fund for Bondi Beach Victims; From Small Town to Big Impact; Jewish Schools Need Your Voice

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Shabbat Shalom <shabbatshalom@ounetwork.org>
Date: Thu, Dec 18, 2025, 5:10 PM
Subject: Emergency Relief Fund for Bondi Beach Victims; From Small Town to Big Impact; Jewish Schools Need Your Voice
To: <agentemes4@gmail.com>

If you are unable to see the message below, click here to view.

 

Plus: Challah on the Table for Kiddush? PARSHAT MIKEITZ December 19-20, 2025 / 30 Kislev 5786   THIS SHABBAT Shabbat Chanukah First day of Rosh Chodesh Tevet   SPECIAL DAYS The second day of Rosh Chodesh Tevet is celebrated on Sunday, December 21 Chanukah is celebrated through Monday, December 22  FEATURED Support the Victims of the Bondi Beach Terror Attack The Orthodox Union has established an emergency relief fund to provide immediate support for the victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack that will cover medical expenses, trauma counseling, and recovery. Please consider making a contribution to help those affected. Donate Now A Giant Step Backward in the Moral Progress of Society New York Governor Kathy Hochul's announcement that she will support and sign the amended Medical Aid in Dying Act early next year, a measure that legalizes state-sanctioned suicide, is a tragic development for all New Yorkers. Read More Sometimes It's Hard to See the Light Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph Our tradition teaches us about the pre-history of the holiday of Chanukah. During the very first winter, Adam watched as the days got shorter and shorter, the dark nights getting ever longer. He was filled with fear and despair that the waning light signified his coming death; he prayed and fasted for eight days. And then, one day, he noticed that the days suddenly started getting longer. He celebrated the winter solstice, reminding him and his offspring that "there is no room for hopelessness," and that the dark nights, with patience and the right perspective, can transform into glorious mornings. Read More From Small Town to Big Impact How does growing up in a small Jewish community prepare you for a future of building more inclusive ones? In this episode of the Oh, You? podcast, our EVP and COO, Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph, sits down with Sima Kelner, director of Yachad Israel, to reflect on her small-town roots, her early involvement in NCSY, and how making Aliyah brought her back to Yachad. Together, they discuss expanding Yachad Israel's impact, the strength of working alongside the OU in Israel's broader network, and navigating the challenges of adjusting to life in Israel in the aftermath of October 7. Watch Now  AROUND THE OU Tragedy in Sydney In the wake of the horrific shooting at a Chabad Chanukah event at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, we stand with the Sydney Jewish community and daven for the full recovery of those who were injured. Read More Teach Coalition New Federal Scholarships: Jewish Schools Need Your Voice! Three Teach Coalition member school leaders explain why now is the time for the Jewish community to get involved and help shape the new federal scholarship tax credit program so it truly meets the needs of Jewish schools and families. Read the op-ed in eJewish Philanthropy OU Women's Initiative Siyum of Sifrei Ezra, Daniel, and Nechemiah Watch the recording of the recent Torat Imecha Nach Yomi Sifrei Ezra, Daniel, and Nechemiah Siyum with Dr. Michelle Levine, Mrs. Rochel Gans, and Mrs. Stacey Goldman. Watch Now Jewish Action Lights In this powerful reflection from our archive, Rabbi Moshe Weinberger, rabbi of Congregation Aish Kodesh in Woodmere, NY, challenges us to see Chanukah in an entirely new light. Read More  UPCOMING EVENTS   OU Women's Initiative   Save the Date: Torat Imecha Nach Yomi Third Cycle Siyum Sunday, February 15, 2026, in Woodmere, NY, and Tuesday, February 18, 2026, in Jerusalem    TORAH Rabbi Moshe Hauer, zt"l The Root of Positivity The original exile of the Jewish people came about due to the tension between Yosef and his brothers and Yosef's badmouthing them to their father. Yet, when we reencounter Yosef later in his life, he has completely changed this behavior. How did Yosef turn around so dramatically? Read More L'Kadsho Challah on the Table for Kiddush? Should the challahs be on the table when reciting Kiddush or brought afterwards? Rabbi Akiva Willig discusses! Plus… Rav Doniel Schreiber on lighting Shabbos candles, Rabbi Shmuel Silber on bishul, and more! Should the challahs be on the table when reciting Kiddush? Learn Now More on L'Kadsho Rabbi Menachem Genack Chanukah Candle Lighting in the Synagogue Why do we light Chanukah candles in the synagogue? Is this just an additional method of publicizing the Chanukah miracle, or is it because a synagogue shares the holiness of the Beit Hamikdash? Read in Hebrew Rebbetzin Dr. Adina Shmidman Not by Might, Not by Power At the first yahrtzeit shiur in memory of Marcy Stern, a"h, Mrs. Shira Schiowitz shared a thought that added a dimension to the Chanukah haftarah by placing two familiar pesukim in conversation with one another. Read More Rabbi Aaron Goldscheider Why We Light at Night The unique Jewish definition of a day reflects our hopeful and optimistic approach. The night is only temporary. We are here because God created us in love, and through love we discover the meaning and purpose of life. Read More Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, zt"l Disguise In the Book of Bereishit, a recurring drama plays out in different forms. The stories of Jacob, Leah, Tamar, and Joseph each feature a scene of disguise, a mistaken perception, and a failure to see beyond appearances. What do these episodes have in common? Read More Rabbi Jack Abramowitz Why Chanukah? A reader asks: The Jews were saved from persecution lots of times. What is it about Chanukah that makes this particular salvation deserving of a holiday 2,200 years later? Read More Rabbi Ephraim Glatt, Esq. Israeli Oil for Your Menorah Is using Israeli olive oil in your menorah required? Preferred? Completely unnecessary? Rabbi Glatt addresses this timely topic in his series, "Halachic Highlights." Listen Now Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb Two Kinds of People On Chanukah, we light the menorah according to Hillel, who asserted that we can relive the miracle as it unfolded in history. On the first day, the phenomenon was almost insignificant. But with each passing day, as the oil of the Temple's menorah continued to burn, the wonder deepened, and the sense of awe grew steadily. Read More Halacha Yomis Only One Sefer Torah in Shul This Shabbos? This Chanukah, Rosh Chodesh falls on Shabbos and we read from three Sifrei Torah. What if there is only one sefer Torah in shul? Read More