Political Comment of the Day

Let us hope that in this new year of 5770 our own people will come to their senses and perceive the truth.

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Birchas Kohanim at the Kotel

These two videos were taken yesterday during Birkas Kohanim at the Kotel. They are both of the same event but one is from the Aish Hatorah building and gives an overview of the huge crowd and the other was taken from ground level. It must be an amazing experience to be there in person.
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Aussies at Simchas Beis Hashoevia

It was nice to see the Aussie flag well represented at Simchas Beis Hashoeiva in Crown Heights on COL and Shturem as well as Chabad.info. I must admit I didn't scrutinise the photos for Australians as it was getting a little boring looking at so many photos of sweaty men :)



I wish you all a Gut Moed.

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Avi does it again

Avi Vorchheimer has again published his list of Sukkas (or Sukkot) around the world and especially Australian sukkot. Since Chol Hamoed is a full week this year I imagine that the list will be even more helpful to families who are able to take the time off and those who work away from the main Jewish areas.

Kol Hakavod Avi. Another great community service from someone seeking nothing in return.

Check out the website - www.localsukkah.org

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We Can All Be Proud

On this erev Yom Kippur 5770 we can all be proud of the way that the Prime Minister of Israel, Benyamin Netanyahu, addressed the United Nations last week. That strong, articulate and impassioned speech has done much to counter the lies and half-truths told by our enemies.

The first part of the speech is below and I have included links to part 2 & 3 on YouTube.

Part 2 is here

Part 3 is here

Maybe even more impressive is Netanyahu's statement to the Israeli press after his speech where he emotionally recalls meeting with the Rebbe on Simchas Torah evening in 1984. He obviously took the Rebbe's words to heart.

From Lubavitch.com

Following his impassioned speech, Netanyahu spoke with members of the Israeli media. In answer to one journalist who asked whether he might not be lending credibility to Ahmadenijad by addressing his denial of the Holocaust, Netanyahu chose to focus on a prescient experience he had with the Lubavitcher Rebbe,Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, 25 years ago.

See the video for his answer to the reporter:

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Kesivah VeChasimah Tovah

I am posting this mainly for those of us that like chazonos and miss it when davening in Chabad shuls during the Yomim Noroim. This is taken from The Hampton Synagogue's 14th Annual Great Hampton Cantorial Festival. The chazan, Shraga Hershtik, is the son of Cantor Naftali Herstik.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 5770.
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Simons Sefer Torah - Today

If you go to http://simonssefertorah.blogspot.com/ now you can see a live "hookup" of the completion of the Sefer Torah at South Head Synagogue.

Later today, at 5:00pm, there will be another video link from that page of the actual Sefer Torah procession.

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The warmth of the Rebbe

I don't post all the JEM clips that they send me but I liked this one for the warmth the Rebbe expressed to these people.
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Aussie Musical Talent

This video shows the wonderful talent of Chanoch Rosenfeld on flute and Mendy Rimler whose sings solo. Both are originally from Melbourne and both boys come from musical families. It is great to see their talent being showcased on the web.

Yiddishe Kelev

Rabbi Benny Zippel of Chabad of Utah has help with tekias shofar.
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Mazal Tov!

Mazal Tov to Avrohom Kaminetsky and Shimon Szmerling on learning the entire Maseches Kesubos ba'al peh (by heart). This amazing achievement was celebrated by a Melava Malka at Yeshivah Gedolah last Motzoei Shabbos as reported on COL and CrownHeights.info.

Also, according to the report, a Mesifta bochur, Shmaya Shusterman, was also mentioned at the Melava Malka for learning the entire 53 Chapters of Tanya ba'al peh!

Mazal Tov to the Szmerling, Kaminetsky and Shusterman families on their sons' wonderful achievement.

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Siyumim for Sifrei Torah

(Click above for larger view)

The Siyum Sefer Torah in memory of Rabbi Groner ob"m will take place this Sunday. See the website here for more details and how to purchase letters etc.

If you will be in Sydney on Sunday 24 Elul (13 September) you can participate in the Siyum Sefer Torah for the Simons Sefer Torah. You can still buy letters, pesukim etc by going here.

Ma'ariv with the Rebbe

A short clip from JEM of the Rebbe davening Ma'ariv on the yartzeit of his mother, Rebbitzen Chana, on 6 Tishrei 5744 (1983).
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Shocking Video!

This amusing video was made by Australia's newest Jewish blog/website Galus Australis as a plug for their site. Who says blatant self-promotion doesn't work?!

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