Joining Hands For Chazaq’s Upcoming 5th Annual Dinner

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History lauds the Socratic method of asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking as the father of the scientific method, yet it was Judaism’s Oral Torah that preceded this form of cooperative argumentative dialogue. The Oral Law outlived the Ionian Enlightenment and today remains the framework for all Jewish thinking; asking a question to reveal an underlying presumption. The question for this article is, what’s in a name? Particularly, what’s in the name “Chazaq”?

Judaism teaches us that what’s more important than the name given is the name acquired. So, the more important question is, what has Chazaq become? I can describe the answer to this question after working with the organization for the past few months, but I feel a description alone would not do justice. It may be further productive to also ask those affected by Chazaq what the organization now means to them.

We can start by asking the over 300 children transferred from public school to Yeshiva over the past year what Chazaq means to them. We can also ask the hundreds of teens whose lives have been turned around after partaking in Chazaq’s Teen Division what Chazaq means to them. Let’s not forget to ask the hundreds of children who benefited from Sunday school programs and after-school programs what Chazaq has become. While you’re at it, inquire of the countless viewers of millions of hours of Torah posted on the web by Chazaq what the organization
represents.

Better yet, ask the parents of our precious children how their lives have changed in the aftermath of Chazaq’s social earthquakes and programs. Ask those who attend Chazaq events and entertainment gigs what Chazaq’s place is in communal affairs. Ask the young Torah scholars who studiously apply themselves in Chazaq’s Beth Medrash (Yeshiva Gedola BN of Queens) what Chazaq is doing for the future of its global community.

By doing so, you may find that Chazaq has become bigger than any single term. No single word adequately encompasses the large social, educational, and cultural powerhouse that the Chazaq organization has become. But that’s fine; defining Chazaq is less consequential than keeping it going. 

It is on this note that Chazaq wishes to celebrate the past year’s accomplishments and simultaneously hope for the future. In the past year, Chazaq pioneered many social initiatives for women, men, and children to promote happiness, creativity, and well-being within the classic family framework. These projects included recreational culinary events, motherhood support groups, community carnivals, concerts, shows, and a multitude of other seasonal events.

Chazaq has also continued to utilize multimedia to spread its influence far and wide. Its enterprises include bi-monthly magazines, weekly newsletters (available in three languages), weekly publications in various news-outlets, a yearly calendar, Internet-radio podcasts, and the full gambit of social media. Via strategic social, cultural, and educational programs, Chazaq has successfully planted strong roots that will assuredly continue to nurture the American and even international charge of preserving, sustaining, and expanding the authentic Jewish idea.

Clearly, investing in Chazaq is not just investing in another organization. Investing in Chazaq is investing in tomorrow, it is investing in today, and it is expressing pride in what has been accomplished throughout Chazaq’s existence. The Chazaq Dinner and all those who partake celebrate by joining hands for the future. What one person cannot do, we can all do together.

When all is said and done, Judaism affirms that G-d has in store a magnificent future for His people. The final question for us is what role we will take in realizing that wonderful, beautiful sunrise.

 

Join Chazaq on December 4 at Leonard’s Palazzo–555 Northern Blvd in Great Neck, and be a part of the forward-movement. Please RSVP by calling 718-285-9132.