Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom Makes Inaugural Visit to Cyprus
Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, the Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom, has made his inaugural visit to Cyprus, marking a significant historical milestone, at the invitation of Chief Rabbi Arie Zeev Raskin of Cyprus. During his stay, he was given a tour of the Jewish Community of Cyprus establishments, including a visit to the Jewish school in Larnaca.
Later, in collaboration with the Chief Rabbi of Cyprus, he laid the foundation stone at the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the forthcoming King David School building. In the afternoon, Chief Rabbi Mirvis delivered an address to the community at the grand synagogue, followed by a Rabbinical Conference gathering Rabbis from across Cyprus.
The visit culminated with both Chief Rabbis attending an event commemorating 75 years since the closure of detention camps in Cyprus. Post-event, the Rabbis engaged in discussions with the President Nikos Christodoulides, the Speaker of the House, Ms Annita Demetriou and other governmental figures. Chief Rabbi Mirvis articulated the community’s imperative needs, and underscored the importance of fortifying the office and institutions of the Chief Rabbi of Cyprus.
BUILT-IN CHARITY
To help establish a Jewish home as a charitable home, one in which its inhabitants are imbued with kindness and compassion, one should make charity "built-in." This can be done by affixing a charity box (pushka) to a wall of the home, preferably the kitchen, and putting tzedaka into it regularly.
The Rebbe explained, "The charity box should be affixed to the wall or cabinet of the kitchen. In this way, the pushka literally becomes a structural part of the home, making the act of kindness a foundation of the home. The pushka should be highly visible so that when friends and neighbors visit, they will notice it and perhaps adopt this practice as well. It is appropriate that the contents of the pushka be used to provide meals for poor people or to be donated to any needy institution."
Chief Rabbi's Mirvis and Raskin, in conversation with President Nikos Christodoulides of Cyprus
