FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM OCTOBER 1, 2020 • BUZZ • THE QUEENS COURIER 41
vschneps@gmail.com
Through Dan’s Papers,
our new media in
the Hamptons, I’ve
had the pleasure of meeting
and falling in love with
Father Alex Karloutsos and
Father Constantine from
the Dormition of the Virgin
Mary Greek Orthodox
Church of Th e Hamptons in
Southampton.
Th ey agreed to write a new
Reflfl ections
column in Dan’s Papers called
“Hampton’s Soul: Common
Faith, Common Fate” with the
words of Rabbi Marc Schneier
and Father Constantine. Both
will be writing a column similar
to the one that Father Tom
Hartman and Rabbi Marc
Gellman wrote called “Th e God
Squad.”
Father Alex, the Vicar General
and Director of Public Aff airs,
has been the force behind building
the stunning hilltop church
in Southampton and now, he’s
using his eff orts to rebuild the
Greek Orthodox Church that
had been destroyed in the Sept.
11 attacks on the World Trade
Center.
He invited me for a tour of
his massive church complex. We
shared time talking and touring.
He is a remarkable man with his
fi nger on the pulse of the community
he serves.
It touched my heart when I got
a message from him about Yom
Kippur, oft en called the Day of
Atonement. On this day, Jews
ask God for forgiveness for their
sins and ask to secure their fate
in the Book of Life.
He shared with me his profound
memory of his fi rst experience
with a Jew celebrating the
High Holidays. It just so happens
it was Sandy Koufax, one
of his heroes. I wanted to share
his memories of learning about
Yom Kippur.
Enjoy his refl ections.
“Ever since Sandy Koufax
refused to pitch on the Holy
Day of Yom Kippur, this day in
the Jewish Calendar has always
moved me deeply … to my core in
fact. Repentance, forgiveness, love
and an at-one-ment with God,
neighbor and self.”
“I was a young boy in Bayard,
Nebraska, when Sandy played
against my Yankees. Never met
a Jewish believer at that time
and never ever heard about the
Great Fastday and Feastday of
Yom Kippur. Th ank you for your
friendship, love and support
throughout this past year.
Father Alex shared a powerful
message that I wanted to share
with you.
Victoria’s
DIARY
Victoria
SCHNEPSYUNIS
tweet me @vschneps
Rabbi Marc Schneier and Father Constantine will be doing a
column together for Dan’s Papers. Joining us at the planning
meeting was John Catsimatidis, Father Alex Karloutsos, Dr.
Peter Michalos, and Margo Catsimatidis.
Refl ections on life
“Each year we wonder, ‘Who will live and
who will die?’ We know that the question
is genuine, but this year it feels
more urgent than it has in my lifetime.
“By most measures human life has grown better,
more prosperous and longer. Hunger and
disease — the pandemic obviously aside — have
declined. Th ese processes are gradual,
and don’t make the morning
paper. Humanity as a whole lives
in a more comfortable and kinder
world than ever before.
“Nonetheless there is so much
that looms as danger. Amidst the
pandemic, the fi res, the social
unrest, random outbursts of violence
and so much more, we identify
with the anxiety of our ancestors.
On a deep level each of us must feel
that we are so small and the forces
that determine much of our lives
so great.
“Th at humility and recognition
are the spirit of Yom Kippur. Before
you, God, all of our gift s we are as
passing shadows. We try our best
and fail. We are grateful for Your gift s but too
oft en squander them. Help us be better; help us
grow; grant us another year of life to refashion
our souls and reach beyond our limitations, and
reach toward You.”
— Rabbi David Wolpe, Sinai Temple, Los
Angeles, CA I said goodbye to my
favorite singer. I just
read this morning that
Helen Reddy whose pop
song “I am woman” was
my inspiration from the
moment I heard it in 1972.
It became the anthem for
me during dark times
of my life. Th e lyrics
“I am strong, I
am invincible, I am
woman,” helped
launch a movement
for women’s rights.
Rest in peace, Helen
Reddy. You gave
us a gift of music
that will last
through time.
Father Alex in the main
sanctuary of his church.
The blowing of the shofar is my
favorite part of the service.
My
Hero
link
/WWW.QNS.COM
link
