It occurred to me that we have a true superstar and celebrity in our midst. Rather than waiting on line for hours to get a signature on a baseball from a totally meaningless person, I had the opportunity to witness an act of bravery and heroism that makes any pinch-hit homerun in the bottom of the 9th inning look positively trivial.
I was awestruck and will never forget what I saw on that momentous day. Dmitry’s choice of name was on point and more than appropriate. He follows in King David’s footsteps by displaying a stoic resolve reserved for true superheroes. Dmitry’s entry into this exclusive club was truly epic, but this is only the beginning. With the help of Hashem, Rav Yitzchok Fingerer, Rabbi Moshe Fingerer, and the loving BJX family, he will realize his potential and encourage others to follow suit.
Clifton DeMeco, a student at Adelphi, came to BJX five years ago to explore his Jewish roots. Later he met Eliana, who, like him, was always interested in upward spiritual mobility. They both have been coming to BJX every Shabbos where they are placed for lodging and meals. On a recent Shabbos we celebrated Clifton’s aufruf – two years to the day of his monumental bris which took place in our beloved beis medrash.
The day after the aufruf, Clifton and Eliana celebrated their wedding. I will not hide or sugarcoat my emotions. Simply put, I was awestruck and floored. I wanted to cry – because despite the statistics that paint a dismal picture of Jewish assimilation, this holy union proved that we will never cease to exist as a nation. They bucked the trend and proved that through siyata d’shmaya, sheer courage, and dogged determination, miracles can and do happen.
Outside of my wedding, this chassunah will be forever seared into my memory as one of the holiest and special moments of my life.
BJX is a laboratory for spiritual growth. We help souls grow and reach their true potential. We uplift those who are downtrodden and reconnect the disconnected. Outside of the Kosel Maaravi, I cannot fathom a holier place on earth. I am privileged to walk among great champions of Klal Yisrael and to be a part of something that will bring Mashiach.
May Hashem grant us all a happy and healthy New Year filled with much health, happiness, growth, and inspiration.
Ezriel Rovt
Brooklyn, NY