Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on April 20, 2024

"This event every year and in general, our community has always been a beautiful show of crossed political working together in a beautiful way, while we maintain our views and our perspectives on things, we've always been able to work together and grow together,"said Rabbi Levi Slonim with the Chabad Center for Jewish Life at Binghamton University.

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'Most influential rabbi in modern history' recognized today - WICZ

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Posted By admin on April 20, 2024

Rabbi Itzik Schwartz from Chabad of Sheepshead Bay, NY, had 3000 sets of Shmura Matza to give out which should have been plenty. But then he read a letter of the Rebbe which changed everything.

Rabbi Itzik Schwartz from Chabad of Sheepshead Bay, NY, had 3000 sets of Shmura Matza to give out which should have been plenty. But then he read a letter of the Rebbe which changed everything.

Rabbi Itzik Schwartz shares:

When we planned the quantities for this years Matzah distribution, we decided to distribute to 3,000 familiesa goal we hoped to meet with a ton of effort. But then, I saw the following letter from the Rebbe, and I realized that the Rebbe wants more.

This is from Igros Kodesh Vol. 19 (letter #7292):

Surprisingly, it seems from between the lines and from information I have received from others, that this years Shmura Matzah operation seems to have been lessened compared to the previous years, although logically, it should have been the opposite.

I consulted with some friends and decided to purchase an additional 600 sets! That was also a lot of money, and I had a hard time believing that we could distribute it all (a total of 3,600 sets).

To my surprise, on the morning of Yud Nissan, we found out we had distributed it all! We want to make the Rebbe happy on his birthday, and purchase another 1,200 sets, to ensure that as many Jews as possible can eat Matzah on the Seder nights as the Rebbe wished!

I am starting an emergency fundraising campaign for $12,000. If there is money, we can buy the matzahs. BH we already raised $790.

I am reaching out to you, if you havent yet participated in Mivtza Matza this is your chance to do so. And if you have, you can add to your donation, and Hashem should bless you with all the brachos!

Zelle: [emailprotected]

PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=33ZP6UN4S7XXW

CashApp: https://cash.app/$ChabadSheepsheadBay

Credit Card: https://square.link/u/3rSx746A

The program is operated by Rabbi Yitzchak Schwartz, Outreach Director at Chabad of Sheepshead Bay, headed by Rabbi Shlomo Cohen, Director of Chabad Of Sheepshead Bay.

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We Had Plenty of Matza, But Then Something Happened - Anash.org - Good News

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Posted By admin on April 20, 2024

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Rabbi Greenberg spreading message of Education and Sharing Day - Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman

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Posted By admin on April 20, 2024

In a special pre-Pesach interview , Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, the former Chief Rabbi of Israel and Rabbi of Tel Aviv, spoke to Arutz Sheva and stressed that the interception of the Iranian attack on Israel is not the only miracle, but also the fact that an international coalition stood by Israel.

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It is by Gods grace that all these countries joined us in responding to the Iranian attack, says Rabbi Lau, the USA, England, to a certain extent France, and even Jordan, which on the one hand is our enemy and on the other hand fought with us.

Rabbi Lau says that it is obvious that there was a common interest in this coalition, but even so, the Hand of God is visible here. I understand why. We all have a common enemy; the Iranian threat, but everything is from heaven and suddenly all of these countries have a common enemy with us, and we are no longer isolated, nor alone in the face of this great danger.

According to Rabbi Lau, Hashem did us a great favor that 99% of all the UAVs were destroyed without harming us. There was only some damage to places, and no harm to people. This whole story was a great miracle, but we have yet to appreciate its magnitude. We experienced G-ds true protection and this connection with the superpowers and our neighbors, as well as other details that are confidential, all I can say is that this was a great divine miracle.

Leading Religious-Zionist rabbis have called on all communities in Israel to add a special prayer of thanksgiving in Shuls, reciting the Hallel Hagadol (Tehillim 136) in Shul.

The rabbis wrote that This is the day which Hashem has made, let us rejoice therein. After the night of missiles and drones, we will all thank Hashem for the miracles he wrought for us in taking us out of Egypt and for those He performed this year. We call on all shuls to say on Shabbos day, Psalm 136- Hodo LaHashem. Everyone should say it when the ark is open and thus we will be grateful to Hashem for all the good and kindness He has bestowed upon us.

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Rabbi Lau: We Have Yet To Appreciate the Magnitude Of The Miracle - VINNews

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Posted By admin on April 20, 2024

It cant be often that a father and son are ordained as a rabbi on the same day, and it may well neverhavehappened before in British Jewry.

But on Sunday, Rabbi Yosef Gabai and his son Michael formally entered the rabbinic fold at a ceremony at the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue in Lauderdale Road, west London.

It was a double celebration asthe latest cohort of studentsfrom the Montefiore Endowment semichah programme graduated alongside the first set of rabbis to qualify from its unique course to train diaspora dayanim.

Rabbi Gabai senior, who is from a Moroccan background, came to the UK from Israel around 20 years ago. Hefounded the Ohel Shalom Sephardi Synagogue in Stamford Hill and also runs a wholesale bakery business.

His son Michael, 23, has a degree from UCL and is now studying for a doctorate in biophysics in London, looking at how to improve cancer drug design. He also studied at Gateshead Yeshiva, and when he was looking for somewhere to continue his Jewish learning, it was his father who recommended the Montefiore course.

Father and son: Rabbis Yosef Gabbai (third from left) and Michael Gabbai (second from right) at their ordination

The programme, Rabbi Michael said, is not only about becoming an expert in halachah but also about the extra-curricular activities, including public-speaking and counselling. It became clear that this is something I wanted to stick with long-term.

Rabbi Michael is now in his third month as rabbi of Wembley Sephardi Synagogue, having deputised over thepast two yearsfor its previous rabbi, Jeff Berger, who is also a Montefiore alumnus. Its a lovely and warm community, Rabbi Gabai said. Its small but theres fire and passion there, and you need to bring that out of the members there. They have been so welcoming.

The course was launched 18 years ago by the chairman of the Montefiore Endowment, Lucien Gubbay and the late spiritual head of the S & P Sephardi Community, Rabbi Abraham Levy, who wanted to restore rabbinic ordination for the centrist Orthodox community in the UK. It allowed students to continue in their careers while studying part-time and, as Mr Gubbay emphasised at Sundays event, it was committed to Torah in the everyday world and not Torah in the ivory tower.

While a home-grown initiative, it also enjoys international input from Israels Eretz Hemdah Institute for Advanced Jewish Studies, combining in-person andvirtual learning.

After the anxieties of Saturdays night, with Irans attack on Israel, the verses of thanksgiving at the ceremony rang out even more powerfully than usual.

We need good rabbis like we need air, said SPSC senior rabbi, Joseph Dweck.

New dayanim (top row): Avrohom Brief, Daniel Kada. Binyomin Marks, Michael Harris, Chaim Kanterovitz, Mendel Cohen and Natan Peres: and new rabbis (first row): Glenn Bezalel, Harris Bor, James Mindell, Oren Yefet, Michael Gabai and Yosef Gabai (photo: Dina Tangi)

Also joining the Gabais in top hats specially worn for theoccasion and newly presented tallitot were new rabbis Glenn Bezalel, James Mindell, Harris Bor, and Oren Yefet.

Rabbi Bezalel is deputy head at City of London School for Boys and author of the recently published Teaching Classroom Controversies, which tackles the teaching of complex issues. Rabbi Dr Bor is a barrister and author of Staying Human: A Jewish Theology for the Age of Artificial Intelligence.

Rabbi Mindell was previously interim minister at Northwood United Synagogue and is now building the community of KarmeiHanadiv in Kiryat Malachi in Israel. Rabbi Yefet, who is from an Adeni background, is an engineer in high-rise construction who teaches at the Adeni Kol Yaakov congregation in Finchley.

The new dayanut courses graduates includetwo United Synagogue ministers, Rabbi Dr Michael Harris of Hampstead Synagogue and Rabbi Mendel Cohen, of the Saatchi Shul. A number of other US rabbis have followed in their footsteps and joined the course as students.

So far, the only graduate currently serving on a bethdin is Dayan Daniel Kada, of Holland Park Synagogue, who sits on the Sephardi Beth Din.

The other graduates are Rabbis Avrohom Brief,who leads the new Chasidic community in Westcliff, Natan Peres, Binyomin Marks and Chaim Kanterovitz. Rabbi Kanterovitz, the former senior rabbi of Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue, is now the mashgiach - spiritual supervisor - at Orayta Yeshivah in Jerusalem.

Eretz Hemdahs own dayanut course takes eight years full time but the Montefiore programme was specially adapted, focusing on areas of divorce, marriage and conversion. While it was scheduled to take five years part-time, in the event, it took seven.

Dayan Ofer Livnat, of the Sephardi Beth Din, who was the instructing dayan on the course, said the learning there was the highest he had ever experienced.

The qualification is recognised by the main centrist Orthodox rabbinic body in the USA, the Rabbinic Council of America.

One dayanut student, Rabbi Yehezkel Mandelbaumof Kingston Synagoguesaid aspecial featureof the programme was that it attracted both United Synagogue rabbis like himself along with others from Stamford Hill. There is such a broad variety. This is unique for me.

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All in the family: father and son become rabbis on the same day - The Jewish Chronicle

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Posted By admin on April 20, 2024

PORTLAND, Maine A man from Buxton has been sentenced to a year in prison for threatening to shoot Jewish people.

A judge in Portland on Thursday sentenced Brian Dennison to 12 months and one day behind bars.

Dennison posted the threat to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sept. 8, 2021. Using account name @Ma1lus, he wrote, "I'm going to kill jews with my ar15 tomorrow."

His first trial started in 2022, but the judge declared a mistrial after an FBI agent involved in the case got COVID-19 and couldn't finish giving his testimony. Then, in December of last year, Dennison went back to trial to determine whether there was true intent behind his post.

Prosecutors had been seeking an 18-month prison sentence.

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Maine man sentenced for threatening to kill Jewish people - NewsCenterMaine.com WCSH-WLBZ

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Posted By admin on April 20, 2024

Oberlin is deeply committed to our Jewish community, and vibrant Jewish living, dining, and culture are longstanding and valued parts of our history. Many students at Oberlin identify as Jewish and participate in rich offerings from the Jewish Studies Program, the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, and campus chapters of Hillel and Chabad. Students also lead a variety of organizations and activities focused on Jewish life and culture.

Hillel is a student-centered, pluralistic Jewish space that welcomes people of all movement and secular backgrounds, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities, and all approaches to Israel.The Cleveland Hillel Foundation provides Oberlins Jewish life staff. Rabba Amalia Haas is the Rabbi in Residence at Oberlin, and Yaffa Muhlbaum is the Springboard Social Justice Fellow. More about Oberlin College Hillel

With Rabbi Shlomo and Devorah Elkan serving as codirectors, Chabad at Oberlin is a meeting ground for conversation that highlights and complements the diversity at Oberlin College and Conservatory, offering social, educational, recreational, and religious programming for students and faculty. We are here for you, whether you need matzo ball soup when youre feeling under the weather, someone to talk with about Jewish and spiritual issues, or simply a good chat. We want you to feel at home and comfortable.More about Chabad at Oberlin

The Heritage Kosher Kitchen at Talcott Hall provides delicious meals Monday through Thursday as a part of Oberlins regular meal plan. View menus for the Heritage Kosher Kitchen

Grab & Go meals are available daily in DeCafe in the basement of Wilder Hall. Kosher catering is also available upon request. Kosher dining is under the supervision of Rabbi Shlomo Elkan and is managed by AVI.

Approximately 30 students live in Johnson House, the residential program house for Jewish Studies. Founded in 1969 by students as a Winter-Term project under the name Hebrew House, Johnson House today is a three-story, Queen Anne-style mansion complete with a fireplace, library, kitchen and lounges. You can view photos of Johnson House on the Identity-Based Communities housing page. More about Hebrew Heritage House

Oberlins Jewish music a cappella group that performs at student functions throughout the year. Repertoire includes everything from traditional Jewish melodies, modern Israeli pop tunes, and an array of American songs by Jewish artists. More about CHALLaH Cappella

Established in 1971, the Jewish Studies Program explores more than 3,000 years of Jewish civilization through the primary lenses of religion, history, and culture. We offer a range of courses for the major and minor, from introductory courses to private readings.

Students acquire a broad knowledge of the field along with fundamental tools required for its continued pursuit. These skills include the ability to engage with core religious and historical texts of the Jewish tradition, as well as methods for interpreting other materials relevant to the study of the Jewish religion, history, literature, philosophy, and culture. More about Jewish Studies

Oberlin Winter Term is a time for students to pursue interests outside of regular course offerings through in-depth learning experiences each January. Projects can be done independently or in groups, on Oberlins campus, across the U.S., or around the world. Traditionally, students and faculty plan Winter Term offerings connected to student interest in their Jewish heritage, including Intensive Yiddish and Intensive Hebrew.

The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life strives to meet students where they are, serving foremost as a companion on the journey that is exclusively theirs. In this spirit, we offer an extraordinary array of diverse and vibrant opportunities designed to help students thrive as they authentically address their ultimate questions both within and across faiths. More about Religious and Spiritual Life

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Jewish Life at Oberlin - Oberlin College and Conservatory

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Posted By admin on April 20, 2024

A woman has been arrested for allegedly yelling antisemitic and racist remarks at the Jewish Community Center on Thursday afternoon.

West Hartford police said they were called to the community center at 2:30 p.m. after getting a report of a woman yelling in the parking lot.

Officers later found the woman, Beth Rosenberg, 42, at the New England Jewish Academy on Bloomfield Avenue. She refused to pull over for police on this occasion, and a few afterwards.

Rosenberg was found in a parked car at the West Hartford United Methodist Church on New Britain Avenue, and she was forcibly removed from the vehicle and taken into custody.

Police said she faces a slew of charges including intimidation based of bigotry or bias, criminal trespass, breach of peace, reckless endangerment, interfering with an officer, engaging police in pursuit and more.

Rosenberg was held on a $50,000 bond. She was later taken to a local hospital for treatment.

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Woman accused of making antisemitic comments at Jewish center in West Hartford - NBC Connecticut

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Posted By admin on April 20, 2024

The very first time I participated in counting the Omer was the spring of 2020. I was working for a Jewish nonprofit and navigating the terrifyingly uncertain, unprecedented early days of the pandemic. In this virtual reality, a Jewish educator held a Zoom class on preparing for Passover during which she explained that the Torah commands us to count the days between the second night of Passover and Shavuot, which is when Moses received the Ten Commandments from God on Mt. Sinai. Id heard about counting the Omer in the past, but had never followed through. This year was different, though.

I was tuning into this Zoom from my childhood home in suburban Maryland, having fled my apartment in New York City at the very beginning of the pandemic in March 2020. It had been weeks since Id hugged or touched anyone. Immediately after going to the grocery store, Id strip down and throw my clothes directly into the washing machine, terrified of catching COVID-19. I dared not take my bicycle out of the garage, gripped with fear that a ride on one of my favorite trails wouldnt ensure sufficient social distancing. Perhaps doing this mitzvah of counting the Omer might be good for my soul, I thought. I tried to be positive, thinking the practice might help me gain a sense of time and ritual though I really wondered if it would actually just remind me of how many days it had been since I had embraced another human and felt some semblance of a normal life.

I counted the Omer each evening that spring, and after counting, I walked outside for at least a moment to breathe in the spring nighttime sky and notice. Notice the temperature, feel the pollen and hear the sounds of the birds. Then Id go inside and fall asleep, proud to have remembered to fulfill this mitzvah. Underneath the calm of this ritual, I deeply yearned to be held and reassured that it would all be okay.

I did not count the Omer again for another two years. Time was both speeding up and slowing down as vaccines began to roll out, and in 2021 and 2022, I simply forgot to count the very first night of the Omer on the second night of Passover. I didnt pay much attention to the passing days thereafter, either.

But last year, in 2023, something different happened. I was taking a walk in Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C., where I permanently relocated after getting stuck in the area in 2020, and as I walked the trails of the park, signs of spring emerging, my inner voice piped up. When Im able to pause from the go-go-go, I can hear her wise, soulful counsel accompanied by a warm buzz in my third eye and in my heart, which Ive come to trust even when seemingly inconvenient or surprising. And what she said was totally bonkers: I was going to lead a retreat and group bike ride from D.C. to Pittsburgh along the C&O Canal and Great Allegheny Passage. I had previously joked with a friend of mine who lives in D.C. that we should bike from here to there, but the possibility of actually doing it had never occurred to me until that moment.

It wasnt a fleeting thought. Step by step, the buzz of excitement was building inside of me. I was yearning to get outside and back in the saddle of life.

I realized that if I was actually going to lead this group trek, first, I needed to go do it myself. As someone who had never fixed a flat tire or biked more than 25 miles in a day and could not have told you that a pannier is the fancy term for a bike bag, saying yes to biking more than 330 miles in the course of a few days was both a thrilling and unbelievable idea. But I didnt let that stop me.

I started making concrete plans. Memorial Day weekend seemed like an apt time to depart. It was about two months away, so Id have time to train, but Id be able to complete the ride before the heat started. Checking my calendar, I discovered: I didnt have work on the Friday leading into Memorial Day because it was Shavuot. I was thrilled! I may have even chortled. I could get more time in on this ride without taking more time off. Weee!

And then it hit me. Id be hitting the road on Shavuot. Since Passover was about to begin, my training would coincide directly with counting the Omer. Each of those 49 days would center the training, learning and preparing I needed to tackle my goal. Serendipitously, I had just purchased a Counting the Omer workbook. Everything was falling into place.

I began to train and count the Omer. Most days, I read the inspiring message in the workbook that infused one or two of seven different spiritual qualities. Id say the blessing to count the day. Some days, Id open the workbook and write or reflect on the prompt. And each day, I trained and planned.

As I entered days 40, 41, 42 and I managed to bike another mile, map out another leg of my itinerary I could feel the finish line of counting the Omer moving towards the starting line of my 330 mile bike journey.

I wasnt just moving forward with a Jewish ritual and planning for a life goal I was moving forward with my life. The first time I counted the Omer, back in 2020, most of my reflections to myself and to my therapist were about how alone I felt, fearful of the world. Now, as I sped toward this Omer finish line and my bike ride starting line, I shook off the lingering feelings of isolation. I was reconnecting with friends and family and discovering how to call in support. I asked friends to share bike ribbons to put on my handlebars and suddenly fabrics of all flavors were arriving in my mailbox. My massage therapist held me accountable to my workouts, including strength training sessions. At work, I resisted striving for perfection and overextending myself because I had to make time for my training goals. And after much deliberation on what type of panniers to buy, my cousin lent me hers!

As I counted the days and made the days count, getting physically and mentally prepared to make this several hundred miles possible, I went from biking 10 miles to riding 30 or 40 and then 65 with ease. It wasnt tour de France speed, but who was counting that? Not me. What I was counting was the momentum I was gaining in and out of the bike saddle.

My cousin and my uncle joined me on Shavuot for Day 1 of my 7 day ride to Pittsburgh. We headed down to Georgetown in the morning to greet the Mile 0 Marker of the C&O and begin the trail. Canada Geese were waddling about as we crossed over a footbridge behind a boat house, and they flew off as we approached. We took a selfie and then we began to pick wild mulberries that shaded the starting point. I was completing a journey, one of listening to my intuition and counting the steps of life, as I rolled on to the start of the next journey and path ahead. I had left the narrow constraints of my early pandemic life. I listened to my internal revelation and it helped me start my journey toward something better.

I was ready to roll, one day at a time.

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This Jewish Ritual Changed My Life When I Needed It Most - Alma

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Posted By admin on April 20, 2024

With Passover beginning on Monday, federal law enforcement say they're concerned about potential threats to U.S. Jewish communities.This is the first Passover since the Oct. 7 deadly attacks of Israel by Hamas, followed by the retaliation in Gaza.FBI Director Christopher Wray has shared they're worried lone actors could target large gatherings, high-profile events, or religious locations and cause violence.At UVM Hillel, executive director Matt Vogel said they've been preparing for their Passover week.Starting Monday, they will have a full-on Kosher kitchen transformation."Whether it's Matzah pizza or Matzah brei or scrambled eggs, we'll have Kosher for Passover cereal and milk so students can our home like it's their home," Vogel saidHowever, Vogel said the feeling of anxiousness is always there."Working for a Jewish organization, I've had concerns since the Tree of Life massacre and when Jewish communities turned into targets of white supremacists and hate," Vogel said.Michael Schirling, UVM police's chief safety and compliance officer, said they'll be on standby.He shared this statement to NBC5. "Our safety teams are aware of the FBI Director's statement. We are in regular contact with the Hillel team and other organizations on campus regarding security responses and posture," Schirling said.Vogel said overall he feels safe, but shared that it's unfortunate his community has to have this in the back of their mind."Just because that's the current climate we're in, and that's been the climate, unfortunately, before Oct. 7," Vogel said.Down the street at Chabad of Burlington, Rabbi Eliyahu Junik has also been getting ready with his own Passover festivities. "We're hoping to have a joyous and safe holiday," Junik said.Junik said he's in close contact with Burlington police but, like Vogel, overall, isn't concerned.Instead, Junik said he's leaning on this faith."The night of Passover is also called 'leil shimurim', which is the night of protection," Junik said. "God protected us when we left Egypt. The sages teach us that every Passover we get to re-live that protection from God."Junik hopes the Jewish community can truly celebrate Passover, focusing on its true meaning."Each and every one of us needs to free ourselves more and more on our anxieties, traumas, and all the things that inhibit us from getting closer to other people and getting closer to God," Junik said.If interested in UVM Hillel's festivities, more info is on their Instagram.For more on Chabad of Burlington's events, visit their website here.

With Passover beginning on Monday, federal law enforcement say they're concerned about potential threats to U.S. Jewish communities.

This is the first Passover since the Oct. 7 deadly attacks of Israel by Hamas, followed by the retaliation in Gaza.

FBI Director Christopher Wray has shared they're worried lone actors could target large gatherings, high-profile events, or religious locations and cause violence.

At UVM Hillel, executive director Matt Vogel said they've been preparing for their Passover week.

Starting Monday, they will have a full-on Kosher kitchen transformation.

"Whether it's Matzah pizza or Matzah brei or scrambled eggs, we'll have Kosher for Passover cereal and milk so students can our home like it's their home," Vogel said

However, Vogel said the feeling of anxiousness is always there.

"Working for a Jewish organization, I've had concerns since the Tree of Life massacre and when Jewish communities turned into targets of white supremacists and hate," Vogel said.

Michael Schirling, UVM police's chief safety and compliance officer, said they'll be on standby.

He shared this statement to NBC5.

"Our safety teams are aware of the FBI Director's statement. We are in regular contact with the Hillel team and other organizations on campus regarding security responses and posture," Schirling said.

Vogel said overall he feels safe, but shared that it's unfortunate his community has to have this in the back of their mind.

"Just because that's the current climate we're in, and that's been the climate, unfortunately, before Oct. 7," Vogel said.

Down the street at Chabad of Burlington, Rabbi Eliyahu Junik has also been getting ready with his own Passover festivities.

"We're hoping to have a joyous and safe holiday," Junik said.

Junik said he's in close contact with Burlington police but, like Vogel, overall, isn't concerned.

Instead, Junik said he's leaning on this faith.

"The night of Passover is also called 'leil shimurim', which is the night of protection," Junik said. "God protected us when we left Egypt. The sages teach us that every Passover we get to re-live that protection from God."

Junik hopes the Jewish community can truly celebrate Passover, focusing on its true meaning.

"Each and every one of us needs to free ourselves more and more on our anxieties, traumas, and all the things that inhibit us from getting closer to other people and getting closer to God," Junik said.

If interested in UVM Hillel's festivities, more info is on their Instagram.

For more on Chabad of Burlington's events, visit their website here.

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Burlington Jewish organizations share any safety concerns ahead of Passover - WPTZ

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