HaGaon Rav Yosef Meir Stern Visits Queens
On Thursday evening, Parshat VaYeira, the Queens Bukharian community experienced a truly special event. All About Kindness, a wonderful community organization, together with Yeshivat Bnei Torah, hosted an evening of inspiration featuring chizuk and personal meetings with HaGaon Rav Yosef Meir Stern shlit”a from Eretz Yisrael. The idea for this uplifting gathering was spearheaded by Mrs. Lyudmila Mierova, Founder of All About Kindness and a parent at Yeshivat Bnei Torah. Having hosted Rabbi Stern multiple times in the past, Mrs. Mierova felt this public opportunity to learn from him would be deeply appreciated by the community.
As Mr. Ronen Nissani, an activist with All About Kindness and a fellow parent at Yeshivat Bnei Torah, expressed during his opening remarks, “The world stands on three things: Torah, avodah, and gemilut chasadim. This evening is a tremendous celebration of these pillars, uniting All About Kindness, Yeshivat Bnei Torah, and a towering figure of avodah, Rabbi Stern.”
Rabbi Stern delivered a powerful message in Hebrew, translated by Rabbi David Srour, menahel of Yeshivat Bnei Torah. His words resonated deeply with the audience, touching on themes of faith, family, and redemption.
Rabbi Stern began by describing our times as the birth pangs of Mashiach, quoting the Prophet Malachi’s divine words: “Behold, I am sending Eliyahu HaNavi, and he will return the hearts of fathers to their sons, and the hearts of sons to their fathers.” The Baal Shem Tov explains that fathers and sons share the same root soul. The transmission of faith in G-d and the Torah from Sinai is uniquely passed from parents to children through their shared connection.
Rabbi Stern highlighted how Jewish families, beginning with Avraham Avinu, transcend the natural order and rise above the stars. This spiritual elevation is anchored in the sanctity and purity of the home. He emphasized the pivotal role of the husband-and-wife unit in safeguarding this sanctity, which, in turn, secures the spiritual and physical success of their children.
Citing the Talmud, Rabbi Stern shared: “When a child honors their parents, it is as if the Shekhinah dwells among them.” He explained that by honoring parents, children invite the Shekhinah—the Divine Presence—into their homes, bringing with it prosperity, health, and protection. This divine blessing accompanies children through life’s challenges until they establish their own homes, their personal Beit HaMikdash.
The mutual cycle of parents modeling respect, sanctity, and love, and children responding with honor and reverence, fosters the presence of the Shekhinah in this world. Rabbi Stern passionately shared that this dynamic not only strengthens families but also heralds the ultimate redemption.
The evening concluded with personal meetings, where community members had the opportunity to seek blessings and advice from Rabbi Stern. These intimate encounters offered additional chizuk and strength, further reflecting the mission of All About Kindness. The event’s success was a testament to the dedication of Mrs. Mierova, Mr. Nissani, and the entire All About Kindness team.
About All About Kindness
All About Kindness (AAK) is a community organization focused on empowering families facing challenges to live lives of dignity. By providing basic necessities and fostering self-sufficiency, AAK helps families reclaim their independence. Beyond offering immediate aid, the organization builds spaces for collaboration, outreach opportunities, and initiatives that unite the community. Through education, empowerment, and resource-sharing, AAK strives to lay the foundation for a stronger, more connected future. Visit https://allaboutkindness.org/ to learn more.
About Yeshivat Bnei Torah
Located in Queens, Yeshivat Bnei Torah offers exceptional Sephardic education for bnei Torah and bnot Yisrael in a warm and loving environment. For more information, you can reach the school at (718) 971-9799.
A Special Thank You
A heartfelt thank you goes to Kaykov Media for capturing this remarkable evening of chizuk live and making it accessible to the public. You can view the event at https://www.youtube.com/live/vVPcm4wIK1M?si=rsuQaucVzvkblHrm.
The World Stands on Three Pillars
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