In Rabbi Brody’s recent post “Jewgrass, or don’t throw away your past“, he points out that Hashem doesn’t want Baalei Teshuva to throw away our past – He wants us to bring it into holiness, to sanctify it.
It’s the same with out skills and knowledge, Hashem wants us to use them to serve Him and the Jewish People. A good example of this is David’s involvement in the Achdus Auction. Here’s the writeup of the Auction from the web site:
Achdus – Unity is a word and a concept that is integral to the very existence of Klal Yisrael. The root of the word Achdus is Echad-One. Through Achdus disparate individuals and groups become one. When a common goal is emphasized, differences fade into the background and a unified, single entity emerges. Achdus.The Jewish nation was born in unity when the solitary focus of millions transformed them into a single unified entity- k’ish echad b’lev echad. It is said that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. When a group coaleces around a common goal, their joint effort produces so much more than could be accomplished individually.
This concept was the original impetus for Achdus-A Chinese Auction. Two different Yeshivas, often viewed as competing schools, united by a common goal; to provide our boys with the best Jewish education available, no matter which school they choose. We believe that such an endeavor is unprecedented. The amount of time and effort that has gone into the planning of this event is immense. Different members of different parent bodies joining together to achieve their common goal, Achdus. Different administrative bodies pooling their respective talents to achieve a common goal, Achdus. One event. One evening. One goal. Achdus!
It’s a beautiful idea. The Auction is being held at the New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th Street in Queens, next Motzaei Shabbos, November 4, with the doors opening at 8:00 PM and the drawings beginning at 10:30 PM. The admission is only $18 which includes a free $20 ticket, a Hot Buffet and Viennese Table and admission to many of the Exhibits at the Hall.
The Grand Prize is a trip for five to Eretz Yisrael including rondtrip air, rental car and $1000 in spending money!
It should be a great event, so please come by or participate at http://www.achdusauction.com.
Mark, Thank you for sharing this great information. I really hope that this joint fundraiser is successful and leads to even greater cooperation to benefit day school and yeshiva education.