This past shabbos, Parshas Shekalim, Shabbas Rosh Chodesh Adar II, "Areivim Kol Yisrael" kicked-off in the Congregation Beth Abraham Jaacob (CBAJ) in Albany, NY. In being there, I represented the OU, as well as my wife, Dena, and our son, Dov Betzalel, who came down with a virus Wednesday evening and were unable to make the trip. Special thanks to Rabbi Daniel Schonbuch for his partnership and facilitation of this special endeavor!

On a personal note, the shabbos was a beautiful opportunity to step away and appreciate the beauty of a smaller shul-community and the types of wonderful people who make up their community. I was hosted with comfortable accommodations, good food, and I was treated like a guest of honor (albeit undeserved). Special kudos and hakaras hatov to Rabbi and Rebbetzin Bomzer who put a lot of time and effort into coordinating and personally hosting us. Their openness to the project and to me personally, set the tone for its success.

In terms of what we accomplished, I enjoyed a leil shabbas meal with the Rabbi and Rebbetzin, as well a shabbos meal and Friday night oneg hosted by one of the Rabbi's/Mashgichim of the va'ad hakashrus in the Capital Region. (Since it was Albany, four inches of snow did not prevent a full house at the oneg).

I was given the opportunity to address the community at the oneg, shabbos morning in the "drasha slot" as well as during the post-davening kiddush, and finally during shalosh seudos. Meals, walks, kiddush, and many other "in-between-moments" were used to connect with individual community members. Some wanted to hear about the OU and its activities, while others were responsive to probes regarding the quality of life in the community and their dreams of where they see the community going in the next 5 years.

The shabbos was a success, in my eyes, for the OU, the YLC and me personally. Selfishly, I had a good time and enjoyed the change of pace. Institutionally, we truly achieved and began to sharpen the goals of the project.

Uri Schneider, Young Leadership Cabinet (YLC) Member

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