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Rabbis' Corner Did you know?

Hakhel: Gather and Inspire Jewish Free Loan began

BY RABBI AVROHOM DYCE influence and share the inspiration of the “in the neighborhood”
This marks Jewish Family & Child Ser-
The new year we have entered is spe- Torah and its wisdom. vice’s 75th year. In the run-up to JFCS’ cel-
cial – one that can have a truly positive, Hakhel isn’t complicated; we can use oc- ebratory event on May 18, 2023, this space
long-reaching effect on years to come. casions when people are gathered in any offers looks back at agency history our
In the year following the Shemitah (sab- case. Family dinners, parties, outings or community may – or may not – remember.
batical) year in ancient Israel, the entire even a walk are perfect times to spark a
Jewish people were commanded to come discussion about an upcoming Jewish fes- Jewish Free Loan once was a program
together for a gathering meant to resemble tival, discuss the parsha (Torah portion) of of Jewish Family & Child Service. Before
the divine revelation at Mount Sinai. the week or our favorite personality from that, it was the word-of-mouth effort of a
Called Hakhel (assembling), this gather- the Torah. few Jewish immigrant women in Old South
ing of all Jewish men, women and children Regarding the mitzvah of tzedakah (jus- Portland to assist neighbors in need – a few
would take place during the joyous festival tice/charity), the Torah says that the pauper coins at a time.
of Sukkot in the holy space of the Beit Ha- is also obligated to give, for even the most According to Stuart Director, his maternal
mikdash (Temple) in Jerusalem. impoverished person can find a way to help grandparents, Dinah and Nathan Rosen,
As the time came closer, one could hear his fellow pauper. The same applies to spir- owned a small grocery store across the street
the Cohanim (members of the priestly itual charity. There isn’t anyone who can’t, from the original Shaarie Torah location on
tribe) stationed throughout the holy city in some way, influence their fellow Jews SW 1st Street. Originally from Ukraine,
blaring golden trumpets with the sounds and bring them closer to Hashem. Dinah – known by family as “Baba Rosen”
traditionally used for the shofar – Tekia! On this note, the Rebbe would often quote – and a few fellow countrywomen who had
Terua! Tekia! – signaling for all to gather in the lovely Chasidic saying: “If only you relocated to Portland in the early 1910s and
the Beit Hamikdash. know aleph – teach aleph!” 1920s, spearheaded a very grassroots effort
After the people gathered, the king of Is- As to the absence of the Holy Temple to help support folks in their tight-knit Jew-
rael, flanked by the members of the Sanhe- in Jerusalem, we are told that G-d abodes ish immigrant community.
drin (tribunal of elders) and sages, would in the heart of every Jew, and when we Dinah and Nathan owned the neighbor-
read out inspiring passages from the Torah elevate our homes and business spaces hood’s only telephone and had some extra
scroll, including the Shema Yisrael prayer, through study and prayer, they become like space in their apartment, which was locat-
encouraging the people to be in awe of a mini-beit hamikdash radiating light to its ed above their store. The couple sometimes
Hashem and recommit themselves to the surroundings. provided short-term lodging to freshly
fulfillment of the mitzvahs. Let’s not forget to involve the young chil- arrived friends and relatives from the Old
The feeling of true unity of every Jew, dren. Share with them about their birthright Country, and they likely overheard neigh-
of all types and sizes, assembled together heritage. The obligation of the Hakhel cel- bors’ tsuris (woes) via the phone.
and the excitement of gathering for this sa- ebration was incumbent on the children just Dinah and her lady friends would hear of
cred purpose filled the people with a sense as on the adults. Children can be a source someone down on their luck and collect
of meaning and inspiration that was felt of inspiration to other children and even to some money to give them. The interest rate
throughout the next seven years until they adults with their pure genuine nature. was 0%, and the expectation was full reim-
would gather again for the next Hakhel At a time of so much divisiveness and bursement by some future date. The ladies
year. loneliness, after years of isolation, Hakhel ran their Hebrew Free Loan program, as
Though we await Moshiach (messiah) to couldn’t have come at a better time. they dubbed it, through the Depression of
celebrate Hakhel again in all of its gran- the 1930s and beyond, Stuart said – “with
deur, its energy is accessible to us this year Rabbi Avrohom zero loan defaults,” he added.
– just like all biblical ideas continue to be Dyce serves as Growing older, Dinah passed along the ex-
spiritually and personally relevant. The rabbi and co-direc- panding Hebrew Free Loan program to her
Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneer- tor of the Gresham youngest daughter, Nettie (née Rosen) Di-
son, z”l, called for the year of Hakhel to be Chabad Jewish Cen- rector, who kept it operational for decades
used as a time for people to come together ter. Together with until demand outpaced her ability to operate
to be inspired to higher purpose. his wife, Cheina, solo. In the 1970s, Nettie – with thousands
Every individual – man, woman and small and three children, of free-loan dollars in hand – approached
child – has a sphere of influence, whether they are excited to Jewish Family & Child Service. JFCS then
in regard to family members, friends, work celebrate our beau- ran what had morphed into the Jewish Free
associates or community members. People tiful heritage with Loan program through the late-1990s.
are affected by the things we do and say. their growing local Stuart recalled people approached the
We can use this capacity to be a positive Jewish community. free-loan program with requests to help
defray costs associated with Jewish Com-
Rabbis' Corner munity Center membership, medical and
moving expenses, books and tuition, bus
The Jewish Review offers space for the community's rabbis fare, housing and more.
Six years ago, Jewish Federation of
to share their thoughts on the week's parsha or current events. Greater Portland relaunched the Jewish
Rabbis are invited to schedule a date to submit a 500- to 600- Free Loan program, combining available
funds with those remaining from JFCS’
word piece: email editor@jewishportland.org. initial program.
Jewish Review Nov. 9, 2022 13