Dear CTC Community
In my mind I have composed this letter several times but given the swirling of events and emotions that preceded and followed our chasunah I have only just recently felt like I have found ground again to try and attempt to express Hillel’s and my appreciation for the chessed the CTC community performed for us by gladdening the groom and bride.
I fear I cannot clearly share how much we were touched by the warmth and joy we felt from each person who attended and each person who helped make the chasunah not just an event but an expression of Torah; Klal Israel joining together celebrating and rejoicing in the good of their fellow Jew – no matter we had been deemed as such only 2 hours before.
With limited resources, limited notice, and the timing being the week before Pesach, we didn’t expect it to be quite what it was: joyous and beautiful and shared by so many. I heard a teaching just before the chasunah how tefillah for another person has the ability to create a connection or a bond with the individual one is davening for; after this experience, I feel that the same can be said of the mitzvos bein adom l’chaveiro, especially when done b’simcha. Just another reminder to me that through the mitzvos not only can one connect to his Creator but also to his fellow man; and to strengthen the ties that already exist with each.
All that to say that during and after our simcha Hillel and I feel such a connection with each of you and we are thrilled and humbled to be welcomed into such a community, now truly our community. We apologize it has taken so long for us to express our thanks but it is still just as heartfelt. May HaShem bless each of you with your own stronger connection to Him and to each other.
Sincerely,
Hillel & Aiyelet Penrod