The National Museum of American Jewish History is collaborating with The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership (Clal) and its Rabbis Without Borders Program to launch a new initiative, Sacred Stories: A Living Commentary on the Hebrew Bible and American Jewish History.
Last month Ahi Ezer Yeshiva was full of excitement, learning, and fun. The school celebrated in honor of Yom Ha’atzmaut. Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Masalton, said a perek of tehilim for the soldiers in Israel, and spoke to the girls about the importance of Yom Ha’atzmaut and how special Eertz Yisrael is to the Jewish nation. The Holy Land is a place where we can do so many mitzvot, and visit so many tzadikim and holy places. Eretz Yisrael is a place of kedusha (holiness)! All Jews have a special closeness and feel connected to Israel, no matter where in the world they are. We all have a constant yearning to be there.
For several years, the SAFE Foundation has been talking to children in our community about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. They are always happy to hear from young adults who have heeded their warnings and have chosen to abstain from these substances. They recently heard from three young community members who they are very proud of.
Eating a dairy meal on Shavuot has become an enduring tradition, but what’s the reason for this? If you check seven sources you’ll find seven different answers. Thus we’re not going to explain why we eat dairy on this holiday, we’re going to provide some sumptuous dairy dessert recipes instead.
Sometimes it’s hard to stay positive when things aren’t going well at work or with the family. Our society understands that and has responded to the problem with a bevy of self-help books and power of positive thinking messages. It’s still pretty impossible to have a positive attitude when you lose a job, a marriage fails, or a child is struggling with health problems. While it is possible to exude self-confidence that is reinforced by positive affirmations, it takes consistent effort. Here are some suggestions.
by David Harris
For many nations, a 65th birthday may not generate much excitement. But if the country happens to be Israel, which celebrated its birthday this year on April 15-16, it’s another story.
Israel has the dubious distinction of being the only UN member state whose right to exist is regularly challenged, whose elimination from the world map is the aim of at least one other UN member state (Iran), and whose population centers are deemed fair game by Hamas-controlled Gaza and Hezbollah-dominated Lebanon.
by Rabbi Boruch Leff
If your mother is anything like mine, she probably told you weeks ago not to get her anything for Mother’s Day. “Since when did Mother’s Day become a Jewish holiday? Don’t bother yourself over me.”
Of course we know to ignore such self-defacing comments. But she may have a point. Isn’t every day supposed to be Mother’s Day? The Torah tells us to honor and revere our mothers at all times. So why go out of your way to show her your gratitude on Mother’s Day?
by Clement Soffer
I have been involved in building several synagogues, Ahava ve Ahva in Brooklyn, Commack Jewish Center on Long Island, then the Chabad of Port Washington, Long Island, the great Safra Synagogue in Aventura, Florida and now the new Chabad of West Boynton Beach, Florida.
I am writing this article to make all of our wonderful Sephardic communities aware of an enormous mitzvah that has been forgotten. The mitzvah is the rededication of many of our old Sefer Torahs that are passul (defective) lying dormant, collecting dust and locked away in storage. Most of our synagogues have this dilemma. The rabbis and their committees are correct in removing them from circulation. It is their duty to do so.
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.
Sylvia Hamowy
It is every girl’s dream to look her best on her wedding day. From the moment you get engaged, there are few other things that you can think about. You remember all of the dreams you’ve had about that special day and all of the wonderful ideas that have been inside you for so long.
Filling the critical need for professional Sephardic rabbis and helping struggling Sephardic communities worldwide, the Shehebar Sephardic Center’s accredited rabbinical training program addresses the everyday issues faced by Diaspora Jews.
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.
