The tallit bag is one of the most useful religious items. Its purpose is to carry and protect the tallit and also the tefilim.

Isaac Yedid, Esq. and Raymond Zeitoune, Esq.

Forming a legal entity for your new business will establish much-needed separation between you and your business. Protecting your personal assets is the first and foremost reason to think about incorporating, but let’s face it, small business owners are typically concerned about one thing: taxes.

Rabbi David Laine

Purim, celebrated on the 14th of Adar, is the most action-packed day of the Jewish year. 2,400 years ago, Haman, the Persian prime-minister, persuaded King Ahasuerus to issue a decree ordering the extermination of all the Jews. Mordechai, the leader of the Jews, rallied his people, urging them to unite in prayer and repentance. Meanwhile, his cousin Esther, who due to a miraculous chain of events was Ahasuerus’ queen, lobbied the king to spare her people. Ahasuerus acceded to her request, Haman was sent to the gallows, Mordechai became new prime-minister, the Jews successfully defended themselves against their enemies, andwe celebrate!

Though we dress up in holiday finery, Purim doesn’t feature holiday work restrictions. Nonetheless, all the better if you can take the day off from work and focus on the holiday and its mitzvot.

Head to your synagogue and hear the whole Megillah. The Megillah, aka “The Book of Esther,” is the scroll that tells the Purim story. Listen to the public reading twice: once Purim Night and again on Purim Day. This year, that’s Saturday night February 23rd, and Purim day, February 24th. Pay attentionit is crucial to hear every word.

When Haman’s name is mentioned in the reading, children twirl graggers (noisemakers) and adults stamp their feet to eradicate his evil name. Tell your kids that Purim is the only time when it’s a mitzvah to make noise!

The Megillah is read by a professional from a handwritten parchment scroll, using an age-old tune. (You can read the entire story of Purim on page 60.)

One of Purim’s primary themes is Jewish unity. Haman tried to kill us all, we were all in danger together, so we celebrate together, too. Hence, on Purim day we place special emphasis on caring for the less fortunate.

Give money or food, “matanot la’evyonim,” to at least two needy people during the daylight hours of Purim. In case you can’t find any needy people, your synagogue will probably be collecting money for this purpose. At least, place two coins in a charity box earmarked for the poor.

On Purim we give a donation to whoever asks; we don’t first ask to check the person’s bank statement.

On Purim we emphasize the importance of friendship and community by sending gifts of food, mishloach manot, to friends.

Send a package containing at least two different ready-to-eat food items and/or beverages to at least one Jewish acquaintance during the daylight hours of Purim. Men send to men and women to women.

It is preferable that the gifts are delivered via a third party. Children, in addition to sending their own gifts of food to their friends, make enthusiastic messengers.

Last, but certainly not least, during the course of Purim day, gather your family, maybe invite a guest or two, and celebrate with a festive Purim meal. Traditionally, this meal begins before sundown and lasts well into the evening.

The table should be festively bedecked with a nice tablecloth and candles. Wash for bread or challah, and enjoy a meal featuring meat, wine, and plenty of Jewish songs, words of Torah, and joyous Purim spirit. Sing, laugh and have fun together. Wishing you a Happy Purim!

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Rabbi David Laine is the director of Chabad Vocational Schools.

Rabbi Yehoshua Hecht

On Saturday January 5, 2013, a few hours after the conclusion of the holy Shabbat, the caring and loving heart of Rabbi Abraham B. Hecht stopped beating. At the age of 90, a few months shy of his 91st birthday, the Rabbi returned his soul to its Creator at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn.

Present at the petira were three of his nine children, Rabbi Aaron Hecht of San Francisco, together with his two elder sisters Rabbanit Nechama Kantor and Rabbanit Esther Kaplan of Brooklyn.

Remarkably, the day and hour of his passing coincided with the hour and day of the two hundredth Yahrzeit anniversary of the saintly Bal-HaTanya Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812) who passed away a few hours after Shabbat Parshat Shemot, on the eve of Tevet 24, 5573.

World Kindness Day 2012 was surely one to remember, thanks to Life Vest Inside. The organization works to cultivate the awareness that individuals can effect real and positive change in the people around them, simply by ‘living kindness.’

Dr. Sammy M. Saadia is proud to announce the opening of his new office at 309 Avenue U (between West Street and McDonald Avenue), in Brooklyn. His brand new, state-of-the-art, dental office is filled with the most up-to-date dental equipment, and modern dcor. His office offers digital x-rays with 96% less radiation than traditional x-rays. Each room is equipped with a thermopedic chair, and flat screen television with cable. You may just feel like you’re at a spa, instead of a dental office!

Dr. Sammy specializes in preventive and cosmetic dentistry. His 23 years of experience and his new location allow him to provide the utmost professional care to his valued patients. His education at the NYU College of dentistry has given him the skills to handle almost any dental procedure. His expertise goes from composite fillings all the way to bleaching.

Kspace Miami is a meeting place for Jewish young adults in the South Florida area. This wonderful organization’s goals are to offer an open space to people between the ages of 18 and 36, where they can relax, have a good time and meet each other in a comfortable atmosphere. They also provide them with a path of enlightenment and tradition in a Jewish environment in order to awaken and strengthen their Jewish identity.

The Aleh Foundation is pleased to announce that they will be holding their 2013 Awards Dinner on Wednesday, May 8, at 6:30 pm at the Museum of Jewish HeritageA Living Memorial to the Holocaust in lower Manhattan. This year’s gala will recognize distinguished leaders and supporters of the foundation, including the evening’s Young Leadership Awardee, Steven Matsas, who is the Managing Editor of IMAGE Magazine. Steven and his family bring together enthusiasm for social issues with the wise insights of the Jewish tradition. They were introduced to the ALEH Foundation by our beloved board member, Mr. Sam Amster.

Al Shams

Two thousand, three hundred years ago a miracle occurred in Judea and today we celebrate the holiday of Hanukah.

This year, Governor Nathan Deal of Georgia and his wife Sandra, graciously extended an invitation to approximately 120 members of the Jewish community to observe the third day of Hanukah at the mansion. My wife, Amanda, and I were fortunate to be invited.

Guests were able to tour portions of the mansion and to view beautiful decorations. Traditional Hanukah treats were served, including latkes, donuts, lox, chopped liver, fresh and dried fruit.