Menorah at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin
I like this innovative idea which has been introduced in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine. An "ATM" style machine which, in the words of the article on the FJC website:
...enables congregants and visitors to donate funds for charitable purposes by transferring funds from their credit or debit cards to the Jewish community of Dnepropetrovsk – a member of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine.Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky (brother of Rabbi Mendel Kamenetzky of Melbourne) has introduced a number of innovations in his community and this one is certainly out there. I predict that it won't be too long before we see this type of machine in shuls and community centres all over the world.
I have just heard the news of the tragic passing of Zev and Rochel Simons in an accident yesterday on the Hume Highway. Emotions are raw and I can think of nothing meaningful to say. This tragedy overshadows all the meaningless annoyances in life. My heart goes out to their parents, children and siblings.
Rabbi Yosef Braun of the Tzemach Tzedek Community Centre in Sydney has expressed his feelings to the community:
Erev Shabbos Parshas Vayechi,
It’s not easy to write, but it’s even more difficult to remain quiet, even if our communication is a silent message. The enormity of yesterday's events hasn’t yet sunk in. It is impossible for our minds to digest such raw pain and suffering. We can analyse, hypothesise, and philosophise ad infinitum, but it’s of no use. There is a time to talk and a time to be silent. The Torah describes Aharon’s reaction after the passing of his two sons: “And Aharon was silent”.
Speech indicates clarity and understanding. Silence expresses that which no words can describe. The ability to be silent expresses our awareness that Hashem is beyond human grasp and cannot be comprehended by mere mortals.
At a time like this, let us stand together and support each other. We’re all family and we need each other’s companionship and closeness.
We daven to Hashem that he give strength, comfort and succor to the children, parents, family and friends. May our community experience no more suffering – only simchos and joy forever.
May we merit to penetrate the dark golus walls immediately and commence the days of Moshiach when Hashem will dry our eyes from tears and reunite us with our loved ones again.
This video has been making the rounds of the blogs but I thought that it was worth featuring here. The kids are quite entertaining and a cut above the average school choir. I don't get the rap at the end of the video but still enjoyed it overall. Their pronunciation is pretty good too!
The choir is made up of 5th graders from PS 22 in Staten Island, New York. They have gained some notoriety and have many videos on You Tube. See their blog with lots more videos here.
.
I found this story in Chabad.info quite fascinating. This young shaliach went out of his way to find a yid who has, seemingly, abandoned his yiddishkeit. As usual the "pintele yid" won out and the monk was pleased to reconnect with his roots. Another wonderful Chanukah story and a great achievement for the shaliach.
The story as it appeared in Chabad.info:
Year round, the Chabad House in Sri Lanka, directed by Rabbi Mendy Crombie, works primarily with businessmen who live in the capital city of Colombo. Holidays however, he makes a point to also reach out to the hundreds of tourists who come to enjoy the magnificent sea shores of Sri Lanka.
On his last trip out to the tourist area, Rabbi Crombie was told about a certain Jew who is deeply involved in one of the local cults, and even serves as a monk there. The Rabbi spent countless hours of searching for this man. This Chanukah he was able to locate him. Equipped with a menorah and candles he set out to meet this monk. The monk was touched to meet a Rabbi at this ‘dark’ corner of the world. After twenty years of having been entirely severed from Yiddishkeit, the Jew lit a Chanukah menorah for the first time.
As reported a number of times here Rabbi Yerachmiel Gorelik has been having problems getting the menorah displayed on public property in Colorado. Despite the "controversy" he had a big turnout at his Chanukah celebration according to The Coloradoan newspaper article. I wish him much hatzlocho in all his work.
In other news Australian, David Wakil, a scientist posted to the Antarctica has lit his menorah in those icy parts. In a letter to his Rabbi, Levi Wolff of the Central Synagogue in Sydney, he says:
It is hard for me to describe the feeling of the first Jew celebrating Chanukah in Antarctica. Believe me, the light of Chanukah illuminates me and my enviroment. I write this as tears fill my eyes. I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to Rabbi Wolff for his caring about Judaism.Shturem has more photos and a short video of Wakil's surrounds.
Another successful Chanukah in the Park sponsored by Yossel Gutnick and his Chabad House of Caulfield. This is pretty much the only thing they do all year but it is always a great success attracting many Jews who may not otherwise come to a Chanukah event. Kudos to Shlomie Gurewicz who organised the function again this year.
See more photos on COL.
.
The "Chanukah Parade" held last Thursday was a great success. The atmosphere was wonderful and the organisers did a great job. Thanks go to YG Shaliach Sholom B Cunin and to Rabbi Binyomin Serebryanski who organised the occassion.
Sholom Cunin sent me this publicity
"Let there be light" – Menorah Parade!
The Menorah, or chanukia, is traditionally lit by the window or door of Jewish homes, symbolising the power of light over darkness and right over might
The Lubavitcher Rebbe Rabbi M M Schneerson took this idea a step further, stressing that menorahs be kindled in public throughout the world, with Menorah Lighting ceremonies, to illuminate the pathways of freedom for all mankind.
To spread this important message a spectacular motorcade of over a hundred and fifty cars and vans with illuminated Menorahs on their roof, traveled along the streets of Melbourne And has brought the happiness and message of Chanukah to all, Jews and non-Jews alike.
This menorah parade was organized by Rabbi Binyomin Serebransky of Chabad, and Sholom B. Cunin together with the rabbinical students in the Yeshiva Gedolah, the students also handed out over 3000 menorahs to jews that hadn't had the chance to buy there own, thus spreading the Chanukah spirit to others, as the Rebbe teaches "every Jew is like a candle, all it needs is to be lit, and it will shine brightly".
Rabbi Klein next to the Rebbe's desk
Part of the crowd downstairs in 770
As these photos from COL show New York has had some snowfalls. It always looks so nice and clean after the first snow and before the streets become muddy and slushy. In any case I prefer our sunny and warm Chanukah weather.
A freilichen Chanukah to all.
.
Chabad.org News has featured Dovid Trakhtman in an article on Kosher catering. Many of us know Dovid for his food and outgoing personality. If you have spoken to him you know that his passion for tasty and fresh Kosher cuisine is genuine - hence the name of his business Passionate Catering.
Good on ya Dovid. Haztlocho Rabbo.
.
This is "anti-semitic" but very funny. You may have to watch it a few times to get all the words but its worth it.
.
From The Coloradoan - Chanukah 5765From my point of view, we need to keep traditional Christmas displays, scrap the museum/artwork gobbledygook, and request the city staff work with Rabbi (Yerachmiel) Gorelik to find a place for the menorah with the Christmas displayFrom the comments on this news piece it appears that most members of the public agree that this is an unnecessary "battle" and that the menorah should be able to be displayed on public land.
Fortunately in Australia we are not burdened by this obsession of separating church and state to the nth degree. We can participate in public menorah lightings openly and without a problem. There are a number major events being held by the Chabad community in particular:
Rav Motty Elon, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat HaKotel, on Yud Tes Kislev
The Satmar Rebbe singing it at a tish
While present day Lubavitch is not accepted in many circles (see previous post for one of the main reasons) there are those who respect and honour previous Rebbeim - especially the Alter Rebbe, the Baal HaTanya and Shulchan Aruch - whose release from Czarist prison is commemorated on 19 Kislev. The significance of this date is that this is when "the wellsprings" of Chassidus started flowing into the world. Chabad Chassidim also call it the Rosh Hashana of Chassidus and greet each other with Good Yom Tov.
In my mind the above videos highlight the importance of this day when Yud Tes Kislev is being commemerated in both the "National Religious" camp and in Satmar.
Good Yom Tov all.
Hat tip to Chabad Mont Pneimios.
.
Everyone's favourite websites Shturem, Chabad.info and Shmais have all succumbed to the disease of relegating Chabad to some sort of superstitious cult type organisation. They have quoted one sentence from an article in the Australian Jewish News about Malcolm Turnbull. The article states: Late into the night, Turnbull suggested to Rabbi Feldman that his victory could have been be due to the lucky dollar bill, which once belonged to the Lubavitcher Rebbe, that was given to him during his campaign.Far be it from me to take exception to the veracity of the heiliger Jewish News but that sounds like a misquote to me. What the heck is a "lucky dollar bill"? The Jewish News proves again and again that its journalists know very little about normative Jewish practices and next to nothing about Chassidic groups.
Shabbos Goyim of the future?The company’s representative in Israel, Amos Goren, a former GSS bodyguard, explains that the company already has a robot that is capable of carrying out a number of functions. All that needs to be done is to install a unique program that will specify the Sabbath Halacha. He said that scientists from the company have been consulting with Halachic experts and that the new “Shabbos robot” might be put on the market within a number of months.
The robot, which is fitted with a GPS system, will be familiar with the Jewish home. It will turn out the lights late at night, turn on the air conditioner if necessary and will even clear the table after the Sabbath feast is over.
Even the common problem of someone inadvertently turning off the light in the bathroom will be solved. From time to time the robot will make its way to the bathroom to make sure that the light is on. The robot is expected to cost approximately USD 4,000.
This short video is by Yisrael Campbell who is connected with the Jewlarious web site. It is funny but not as good as his jPhone sendup. Enjoy!
Thanks again to SS.
.
I enjoyed this video of the shluchim to Yeshivah Gedolah arriving at Melbourne airport last week. The chayos is great!
Thanks to SS for sending me this.
.
Rabbis Sholom & Yossi Blesofsky on the left and Chaim Herzog & ? Feldman on the right
Rabbi Arel Serebryanski
Rabbi Y Lieder (2nd row on the right)
Rabbis Yossi Gordon & Yanki Glasman
R Yitzchok Moully in blue shirt
R Levi Tennenbaum (R)
Rabbi Kantor (Thailand)
Is that R Benyomin Serebryanski on the left?
R Chaim Herzog at back
A poignant video. The singers are Mordechai Ben David and Avrohom Fried.
.
According to a report in the Ma'ariv newspaper ten percent of Israeli youth traveling abroad after their army service come to Australia. In Melbourne these travelers are catered to by Rabbi Dudu and Sara Lieder from their Chabad House on Carslile Street. Many young people who have never experienced a Shabbos or Yom Tov, lit Shabbos candles or put on tefillin are having their first taste of yiddishkeit not in the Holy Land but in the Land Down Under.
A few months ago Mrs Riva Cohen found out that while the Lieders provided Shabbos meals for dozens of Israelis each week their budget could not meet the expense of providing meat or chicken for these meals. She promptly formed Ohel Sara where she invited women in our community to contribute towards ensuring that a full Shabbos meal could be provided. This is not just about a free meal for some young people travelling around Australia but, by proving a complete Shabbos meal, this encourages them to spend more time at the Shabbos table with the Lieders. This provides them with a genuine, warm Shabbos experience which they often have never been part of before.
Every dollar raised goes exclusively toward these meals. In order to contribute to this worthy cause you can write a check to Solomon Kosher Butcher, purchase a Solomon voucher or leave cash in an envelope and slip it under Mrs Cohen's door. Alternatively you can email me at aussieecho@gmail.com and I will advise you how to make a contribution.
.
Rabbi Berger (on the left) at Yeshivah Ateres Menachem in OttowaRabbi Mordechai Berger, from Ottowa, Canada, is Founder & Principal of Yeshivas Ateres Menachem of Ottawa, a combined program of Yeshivah Studies with vocational and technology courses. He is an innovative educator, renowned for developing and implementing systems to maximise the educational performance of students.I wish him well in his new position and wish him hatzlocho in dealing with the parents, other teachers and especially the administration.
Shturem has published a link to Google maps of places in Paris which may have interest to Chabadniks. The map appears here and was compiled by Jewish Educational Media to coincide with the release of the DVD The Early Years Volume III, which focuses on the Rebbe and Rebbetzin’s life in Paris in 1938-1940.
I enjoyed watching this interesting video and learnt something about a group of people who I didn't know existed. The Beth Shalom B'nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation is a "Hebrew Israelite" group in Chicago. According to their website (see it here) there are 150,000 people in the United States who follow similar teachings. They consider themselves most similar to Modern Orthodox Jews while admitting that they do not observe halacha - for example they do not eat pork or shellfish but do mix meat and dairy.
If you are interested I would suggest watching the video first and then checking out their website. One thing that struck me was their passion which is certainly more exciting than in most shuls.
Thanks to Jake.
.
This is a short excerpt of the Rebbe's sicha after his heart attack on Shmini Atzeres in 1977. I think that the Rebbe spoke for 15 or 20 minutes from his "hospital room" in his office. You can hear the weakness in his voice which is sad - but it must have been reassuring for the chassidim to hear him after the shock of his illness.
The video is from JEM.
.
The famous Rabbi Katz has produced another video. Some of the jokes have been heard before but all are funny. Enjoy!
.
Motzoei Simchat Tora in Kfar Chabad
Another set of Tishrei Yomim Tovim have passed and hopefully we all got something out of this holiday season.
The video above is of "Hakafot Shniyot" in Kfar Chabad this year. Israeli's seem to be jealous that we in Chutz La'aretz have a separate day for Simchas Torah. Throughout Israel Hakafot Shniyot are held on Motzoei Shmini Atsers/Simchas Torah in town squares, halls etc. I suppose it is a nice way to continue the spirit.
.
Although we are a few days away I wanted to post this video from Hoshanna Rabbo 5748 (1987). It shows the Rebbe during Shacharis, giving out lekach to those that didn't receive it on erev Yom Kippur and a few seconds of 770 being prepared for Hakafos. Note the many different types of yidden who came to the Rebbe.
Quite poignant memories.
.
Well, I am getting ready for Sukkos and have taken a break to look at You Tube videos. I found this wonderful one from Chabad of UCSB (Uni of California - S Barbara). This young bochur is lots of fun and, IMHO, a great ambassador for Chabad on campus. Enjoy!
.
The latest crop of bochurim completing their rabbinical studies in Melbourne graduated this week from Machon Chaim LeSmicha. An article and photos appear in COL. Featuring in the group are some "home grown" boys which is always nice to see.
.
I love the look on this boy's face! (from Chabad.info)
This video has been posted on the Chabad sites over the last few weeks but I feel that it is especially appropriate for today.
May the Rebbe's brochos be fulfilled for all of us in the coming year.
.
Click on photo for larger pictureThe Jewish Centre of Ormond McKinnon held a fundraising dinner last week at Kimberley Gardens. A report of the event appears in Shmais with the same report but more photos on CrownHeights.info. From the accounts I heard from those who attended it was a very enjoyable evening.
Rabbi Levi and Channie Kurinsky have only been in the McKinnon area for two years but already they have made a big impact. This young, dynamic and hard-working couple have established ties with that community and are attracting people both young and old to their events.
Why, I hear you ask, is their centre not called a Chabad House? There are many different hypotheses and I am reluctant to write too much about this. It just seems strange and very wrong that people who are doing positive things in the community and making a Kiddush Hashem and a Kiddush Lubavitch cannot call their organisation a Chabad House.
Mazal Tov Rabbi Levi and Channie on your achievements so far. Haztlocho Rabbo for the future. May you go from strength to strength.
Yes. I have actually joined Facebook and created a group called Aussie Echo. I invite all those interested to join the group and to join Facebook if you haven't already done so.
Facebook is the latest "social engineering" phenomenan which is linking people all over the world. It does help one keep in touch with friends and family and share photos etc. I am not sure what else it offers - but it does seem to keep millions of people occupied. I look forward to "seeing" you there.
.
A New Zealand pizza parlor is using the image of Hitler to advertise their product. Articles appear in Stuff.co.nz and the Jerusalem Post.
I am not surprised about this as these sort of publicity stunts appear every so often in backward countries but what is astounding is the defence of the poster by the advertising company. "He's almost the poster boy for the Jewish people. Don't forget – but don't look when we invade Palestine," Kirk MacGibbon said. An ignorant and stupid statement. I have rachmones on the Jewish Community in NZ in having to deal with people like this.
.
Proof positive that Moshe Rabbeinu was a Satmar Choosid.
By the way, the hat he is talking about looks like the one below and is also known as a "frizbee":
The Gutnick- wedding made it to COL probably because of all the "dignitaries" who came for the occassion. The main reason for posting this was the photo above. It is good to see Rabbi Pinchas Feldman attending a family simcha, Michael Danby taking a low profile and, from this photo, that apparently there was an appropriate separation between men and women.
If you want to see lots more photos just click here.
.
COL has photos of a visit to Rabbi Groner by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Aharonov, Chairman of Agudas Chassidei Chabad and head of Tzach in Israel, who is currently visiting Australia. He was accompanied by Levi Edrei and Yisroel Naparstek (of Melbourne).
Please keep saying tehillim for the Refuah Shleima of HaRav Yitzchok Dovid ben Menucha Rochel.
.
From The Age
