Dear Fellow Students,

I would like to welcome back all of the returning students and greet the new incoming students for the first time. By now most of us have settled in and are ready to face the challenges that the coming year brings.

There is a story I would like to relate to you that took place this weekend, which made me stop and think about our roles as students and more importantly as Jews. While driving down Route 17 in my Suburban, I suddenly heard my tire pop. Slowly and cautiously I pulled over to the side of the road, and got out to take a look. After looking at my shredded tire, I assessed my situation. I was stuck in the middle of a busy highway, with no means of communication, and miles from the nearest phone or gas station. Immediately I turned on my hazards and stood aside my car hoping someone would pull over.

Within minutes a car pulled over and a middle aged Hasidic man came out with the rest of his family. Without hesitation he dumped all of the contents of his trunk to the side of the road and pulled out his jack. One of my friends, excited to see all the help we were receiving thanked the man's wife for pulling over. She responded rhetorically, "For a Jew we wouldn't stop???"

To make a long story short, after multiple attempts to try and fix the tire, he lent me his Allstate card and we contacted a tow truck driver through a cell phone provided by another Jew who stopped on the side of the road to help. Before leaving, the man's wife begged us to take some fruit and soda, and we kindly accepted.

To most, the experience of a flat tire is not one we look upon as an uplifting experience, yet that is how I will always remember that day. Not only was there a tremendous amount of Gmillat Chesed that went on in that brief hour, but there was a certain kinship felt between all who were participating in our predicament. It truly lent meaning to the idea of "Ish Echad Blev Echad". Achdut is something that is rarely felt in our community today. Unfortunately, it seems as if the only time we are truly together is when a tragedy hits our community. It is this lesson that I was reminded of that day on the road. It is only through unity that we truly achieve our goals.

It is with this idea in mind that I look to our coming year both academically and religiously. It is only through student unity that we can achieve the goals that we have set forth. How can we expect the administration to listen to us if we are at ends with each other? All the student councils, student clubs, as well as student newspapers, must work together to achieve a better student life on campus. Every voice on campus counts. That means getting involved any way you can. Whether it is through various committees, or as a member of a club, you must always remember that your voice can and will be heard. With every added active member our student voice as a whole gets louder. It is only through our involvement and our unity that will be recognized and heard. I don't think I have to tell you how this relates to us religiously. In this month of Elul, it is important that we as Jews stand together as we plead to Hashem for forgiveness. G-d listens a lot better to one loud voice than to many faint ones. It is with this that I wish all of you a very sweet New Year.

Kativa Vichatima Tova !!!

Dror Barber
YCSC, President