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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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:
