Ami Athletics Unites Queens For Unforgettable Grand Selichot Evening

The energy in Forest Hills was electric as hundreds of men and women — many in their 20s and 30s — poured into the grand sanctuary late Thursday night for the second annual Ami Athletics Grand Selichot event. The room hummed with ratzon and anticipation, the air thick with a shared yearning for teshuvah and connection. It was more than just a pre-Yom Kippur gathering — it was a night of inspiration, unity, and purpose.

Emcee, Deejay Aleksandr “DJ Alex” Niyazov, representing Ami Athletics, opened the evening with warmth and enthusiasm. He spoke about Ami’s mission of strengthening Jewish identity through body and soul — fostering a generation that’s as passionate about avodat Hashem as they are about teamwork, growth, and communal strength. He then introduced the first speaker of the night, Rabbi Asher Vaknin, whose words set the tone for the unforgettable journey that followed.

 

Rabbi Asher Vaknin: Small Steps, Massive Change

Rabbi Vaknin began by reminding the crowd that teshuvah isn’t about dramatic overhauls — it’s about consistent, sincere steps toward Hashem. “The Yetzer Hara tries to convince you that if you can’t fix everything at once, it’s not worth starting,” he said. “But Hashem doesn’t expect perfection — He expects effort. Even one small shift in the right direction creates a ripple that changes everything.”

He shared a striking mashal about a king who rewarded a humble servant not for a grand act, but for a simple step that showed loyalty and growth. “That’s how Hashem views us,” Rabbi Vaknin explained. “When we move closer — even slightly — He runs to greet us.”

The rabbi also spoke powerfully about forgiveness — both seeking it from others and granting it. “There is no kapparah if we’re holding grudges,” he said. “Selichot means letting go, even when we were hurt. Only then can we truly be forgiven from Above.”

 

Charlie Harary: Becoming Royalty Again

The crowd then welcomed renowned speaker Charlie Harary, whose presence electrified the room. Known for his ability to blend deep Torah concepts with real-world impact, Harary wasted no time diving into a message that deeply resonated with the young audience.

He began with a story of a king whose son had wandered so far from the palace that he forgot his royal lineage. “We too forget,” Harary said passionately. “We are children of the King — princes and princesses — but life distracts us, confuses us, and makes us think we’re less than we are. Selichot is not just about asking for forgiveness — it’s about returning home to our identity.”

Harary challenged the audience to reframe their approach to teshuvah. It’s not a list of failures, he stressed, but an opportunity to reclaim greatness. “The King doesn’t care how far you’ve gone,” he declared. “He only cares that you’re on your way back.”

In one of the most memorable moments of the night, Harary recounted a story about a man who came to selichot year after year feeling unworthy — until a rav told him, “Hashem loves that you’re here trying. That effort alone is more precious than you can imagine.” The message drew tears from many in the audience and perfectly encapsulated the heart of the evening: Hashem wants us — not our perfection, but our presence.

 

A Night of Tefilah, Music, and Movement

Following the inspiring speeches, the lights dimmed and the crowd joined in stirring selichot led by a lineup of beloved performers: Avi Perets, Shlomi Elishaev, Achiad Hodefi, Shimon Deri, Netanel Cohen, David Atzraf, Ouri Bitan, and Eliya Syani. With powerful melodies and soulful harmonies, the room transformed into a space of deep emotion and spiritual elevation. No tallitot were worn, but the sincerity in every voice made it clear that the tefilot were rising straight to Shamayim.

The ruach only grew stronger as the kahal sang together — hundreds of hearts beating as one, united in yearning and hope. It was an unforgettable image: a generation standing shoulder to shoulder, committed to growth, change, and malchut Shamayim.

 

A Mission That’s Just Beginning

The night concluded with words of gratitude and a glimpse into the future. The event — made possible by Ami Athletics and supported by Richie Rich and Kaykov Media among nearly 20 community partners — is part of a larger vision: to create a vibrant, year-round Jewish community hub where physical wellness, spiritual growth, and communal connection go hand in hand.

Ami Athletics’ mission is clear: to inspire the next generation to embrace Torah, leadership, and purpose in every part of life — from the gym to the beit midrash. Thursday night’s Grand Selichot gathering proved that mission is well underway.

In the quiet moments after selichot ended, many lingered, still humming the tunes and reflecting on the words they’d heard. They didn’t just leave with inspiration — they left with a renewed sense of who they are and where they’re headed. And in that, the true essence of teshuvah was alive and pulsing in Queens.

By Shabsie Saphirstein