Last week was the first of our many special Shabboses this year. We welcomed Shlomo Horwitz who performed/presented 5 separate times to different groups on different topics. Highlights were Oneg Shabbos to over 100 people, Shabbos lunch to over 40 young boys at the brave Pillemers and a Melave Malka (including Shlomo’s guitar virtuosity) to 36 young adults at the Kaplan’s.

We received the following moving email from Shlomo:

Rav Yossi,

I’d be honored if you’d include this letter for your shul in the next bulletin. I know you’ll want to delete some parts, but I hope you don’t…

Thanks, Shlomo

Dear Westmount Shul members,

My wife and I would like to thank you for the warm reception we received over Shabbos. Thanks to all of you for attending the various programmes, and to the Deveretts and the Pillemers to hosting us for lodging and lunch. Kudos also to the Kaplans for hosting the Melaveh Malka.

Allow me to tell you something you already know: your Rav and Rebbetzin are unique individuals and you are fortunate to be the beneficiaries of their wisdom, care and concern. As the Rav worked with me on the minute details of this Shabbaton, I was overwhelmed by his total devotion to your spiritual growth and well-being. When I got to Toronto I observed that the Rebbetzin shares his vision completely at every step of the way. My wife and I have been enriched immeasurably by our contact with the Michalowiczes and the entire shul.

Several of you have asked me to share some of the tips on avoiding peer pressure that were shared at the Melaveh Malka. [These are available on our website www.westmountshul.com ] If you have any specific feedback or questions about this or other of the programmes, you are welcome to contact me at shlomo@jewishcrossroads.org.

Thanks again, Shlomo Horwitz