HOUSE g JEWISH STUDENT CENTER g BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK Serving the Community through Education and Inspiration Kislev 5768 November 2007 Vol. 22, No. 2 Chabad’s Can Menorah to Light up Lives in the he Jewish which is why in addition to cans, dona- Student Center in concert with tions are being accepted towards the T the Tau Kappa Epsilon frater- purchase of these large size cans. nity and the Alpha Phi sorority is bring- Receipts in the form of coupons will NEWS ing Binghamton University an innova- be given to participants who donate tive and meaningful way to celebrate towards this project. Project captains Alumni Women to Gather with Rivky in NJ Chanukah. Dubbed “You can light up a in each dorm and from various social life”, the project calls for the collection groups will coordinate the collection By popular demand, a special program of two tons of canned food which will of cans and sale of coupons at vari- will be held Sunday, December 16 for women alumni of Chabad and their friends. The be donated to CHOW. The twist in this ous points on campus as well as in the event will begin at 11am and will be held in humanitarian effort is that the cans will Student Union. the home of Leah (Tratt) ‘97 and Kevin ‘95 be used to construct a Menorah in the Community members are urged to Eisenberg located at 237 Harding Drive in center of campus (near the Dickinson contribute to this project as well. Cans South Orange, NJ 07079. Amphitheater) which will be lit in a cer- may be deposited at the Chabad House Rivky Slonim will address Raising emony on the first night of Chanukah, (in the entrance way of the Great Room) a Mentch: Thoughts on Parenting and Tuesday, December 4 at 6:15pm. The Personal Growth. Discussion will follow the and donations earmarked for this proj- celebration will include free delicious ect can be mailed to the Chabad House presentation with plenty of time to catch up Chanukah treats, music and entertain- and shmooze. Brunch and desserts will be 420 Murray Hill Rd Vestal, NY 13850. served. ment by the Crosbys as well as excit- “Chanukah is all about light, warmth ing prize drawings for which anyone There is a $10 suggested donation and celebration. This way we will be for the program; program sponsor is $54. who contributes to the can project will including hundreds of people less for- Reservations can be made to Naomi be eligible. After the ceremony, the tunate than ourselves in our festival of Rosenfeld at [email protected], Menorah will be disassembled and the The Can Menorah created at BU in 2003 lights. We are very excited about and Rikki Holtzman at rikkiholtzman@optonline. cans will be driven to the food pantry for proud of this effort. We hope that every- net or directly to Rivky at rslonim@chabado The Menorah, which will stand fif- distribution to the poor and homeless in one will contribute!“ said Toby Lass and fbinghamton.com teen feet high, will be constructed pri- the area. Michael Sokol, project chairs. “We are so excited about this special marily of #10 cans (institution sized) program for alumni and friends”, said Rikki Gelfarb Holtzman ‘04.“ It will be wonderful to spend time reconnecting with old friends, but Community invited to Cafe Comedy Night I suspect that most of us are especially look- ing forward to sharing and receiving inspira- habad House will host tion in a warm and intimate environment. a Chanukah Cafe During my years at Binghamton, I remember C Comedy Night featur- Weiner Illuminates the Slonims making me feel as if they were ing comedian Marc Weiner on there just for me! How much more amazed Shabbat Chanukah at am I that, 13 years later and now a wife and Saturday December 8 beginning mother, we are continually in touch. This 8pm. His show is titledJewber Chabad for Students program is just one more way that Chabad Jabber: Sharing the Guilt 5768. shows how much they care about us, long There is a $6 admission charge; By popular demand, Marc Chanukah treats and coffee will Weiner will return to Chabad House be served. Reservations are this time to spend Shabbat. On necessary and should be made Friday Night, December 7 he will by calling Chabad House at 797- present a comedy show with all in this 0015 or writing aslonim@chabad new material. He will also speak ofbinghamton.com. Marc Weiner at lunch and present a workshop is a comedian and television ISSUE producer. on Non Violent Communication on Saturday afternoon. “Weiner was The ’s Army Gathers ...... 4-5 The New York Times calls a huge hit when he presented his Chanukah Holiday Guide ...... 6-7 Marc Weiner “a gifted comic” comedy show at a Chabad Cafe A Miracle in the Seventh Year ...... 9 and “absolutely charming.” night in Spring ‘06 and there is tre- Chabad Happenings ...... 10-12 His life story was told in a mendous excitement about having NYTimes Magazine article, Of Alumni News ...... 12 currently is the voices of Map, and Swiper God And Weinerville which focused on the him back,” explained Slonim. the Fox, in the show on story of the talented comic who became “We traditionally do something spe- the network.Marc has per- religously observant. cial at Chabad for the Shabbat of formed at the Comic Strip, Catch a Rising Chanukah and we are delighted to His TV credits include appearances Star, the Comedy Cellar and scores of on HBO, Showtime, , venues around the country. make this year extra special. and Nickelodeon’s “Ned’s Declassified SPONSORS Most recently Marc has been a School Survival Guide”, as well as his In honor of the birth of our son student of Nonviolent Communication own show, Nickelodeon’s “Weinerville.” Micah Gabriel (NVC). He completed the 2006 BayNVC students,“ said Rivkah Slonim. “By popu- He was also a regular cast member of lar demand we are bringing him back for by Jane (‘01) and John (‘00) Brophy Leadership program, and is creator of and writer for and he the Empathy Labyrinth. Marc is currently a Shabbat with our students and are offer- traveling the world, performing his one- ing this program to the general community BU lights up for Chanukah man comedy show, and giving workshops on Saturday night. When Marc performed on the Empathy Labyrinth, a powerful in the Spring I laughed so hard, I cried! I can’t wait to enjoy him again on Chanukah Guideline for Lighting your communication tool with which he trains The Chabad House Jewish with all our friends in the community.” Student Center has mounted a Menorah in the Dorm Room people to improve their personal and campaign to ensure that each Jewish The Chabad House has organizational relationships. student will have a Menorah and obtained the following statement from “Weiner brought down the house candles to light for the Chanukah Residential Life concerning students when he was here in the Spring for our holiday. Student leaders will be manning lighting Menorahs in their dorm rooms: Chanukah Kiosks in each housing community during lunch and dinner Permission must be obtained by students from the Resident Director to CHABAD HOUSE NON-PROFIT ORG hours, as well as in the Library, Lecture U.S. POSTAGE burn candles in observing religious hol- JEWISH STUDENT CENTER Halls and Union. Students will be able PAID idays. Approved candles must never to pick up their free “Chanukah kits” 420 Murray Hill Road BINGHAMTON, NY be left burning unattended. Failure to including dreidels, chocolate “gelt” and Vestal, New York 13850 PERMIT NO. 157 a sheet with instructions and blessings obtain permission to burn candles may for Menorah lighting. “We don’t want result in judicial charges. Residents Change Service Requested any Jewish student to be without a are liable for damage or injuries result- menorah and candles for the holiday,” ing from the use of candles. said Iris Feinberg, project chair. “We are Please be sure to notify your RD going to light up the nights!” in advance of Chanukah. CHABAD HOUSE of BINGHAMTON g 420 MURRAY HILL ROAD, VESTAL, NY g 797-0015 2 November 2007 from the Chabad House Jewish Student Center DIRECTORS Capital Campaign Campaign Objective: 3 million dollars The Eternal Flames of Chanukah Dear friend, through most holidays will be almost This year Chanukah comes “ear- lost in the luminous radiance of Godli- ly” but nobody’s complaining. Chanu- ness which will fill the universe. In that kah is a time of joy and fun, presents age, Godliness will be manifest, no and parties – a winning holiday with longer shrouded and obscured, and young and old. the holidays will be eclipsed by this “blinding light.” Many believe that Chanukah en- joys such universal appeal because it The spiritual light of Chanukah mimics the “holiday season” culture (and Purim) however, will remain vis- around us, but of itself, holds little reli- ibly bright even against this backdrop. gious significance. While the first part Unlike the other holidays whose ob- of that position may be true, the latter servance was commanded by God is decidedly faulty. and devolve upon the Jewish people as an obligation, these holidays which Chanukah is of course a post were legislated by the Jewish sages Biblical holiday. As such it does not embody the overtures and spirit of rank with the three pilgrimage festi- the Jewish people. They spring forth vals, nor with Rosh Hashana or Yom from the pure essence of the Jew- Kippur, all of which are clearly man- ish soul, from the light which refused dated in the . Still, a study of throughout the generations to be ex- sources related to the holiday’s his- tinguished. As such their luminance is tory and mode of celebration will re- unparalleled. veal its place in Jewish life as vener- able indeed. Maimonides describes Chanukah is a manifestation of the precept of Chanukah as “...an Jewish steadfastness in the face of exceedingly precious one and one great challenge. It speaks to us about should be careful to observe it...even the triumph of light over darkness, if one has no food to eat except what spirit over might, Torah over Helleni- he receives from charity, he should zation. It is the story of our people, beg or sell some of his clothing for the our mission and our struggle to fulfill it purpose of oil and lamps to light...” -- then as now. More intriguing, however, is The small flames of Chanukah Nachmanides’ (Ramban) statement have great power. They have guided Dedication & Memorial Opportunities in which he asserts, “The lights of us throughout the generations and Building Dedication $500,000 continue to illuminate our present un- Chanukah will never be nullified.” Social Hall $360,000 The Kabbalistic and Chassidic mas- til we come to a brighter tomorrow. Student Lounge/Cafeteria/Game Room $150,000 ters understood the words of Nach- With best wishes for a joyous manides to mean the following: In and inspiring Chanukah holiday, Library/Research Center/Computer Pod $120,000 the Messianic era the spiritual light Main Kitchen $100,000 (significance) brought to the world Fitness Room $75,000

Published by Chabad House of Binghamton Main Entrance/Lobby $50,000 ...... Reserved 420 Murray Hill Road, Vestal, NY 13850 Atrium/Second Floor Student Lounge $50,000 ...... Reserved (607) 797-0015 • Fax: (607) 797-0095 Conference Room $36,000 ...... Reserved E-mail: [email protected] Web Page: www.chabadofbinghamton.com Guest Suite $36,000 Rabbi’s Study $36,000 ...... Reserved Chabad Of Binghamton Cafeteria Kitchen $30,000 Rabbi Aaron Slonim Rivkah Slonim Rabbi Dan and Mrs. Yael Lewin Classrooms (2) $25,000 ...... Reserved Director Education Director Education & Chabad on the West Side Guest Rooms (3) $25,000 Mr. Michael Wright Mr. Barry Newman Mr. Bruce O. Becker Multi-media Entertainment Center $25,000 President Vice President Secretary/Treasurer Offices (3) $25,000 Dr. Jerome C. Cohen Mrs. Paula Rubin Past President Women’s League Chairperson Outdoor Student Lounge/Deck $18,000 Main Entrance Mezuzah $18,000 ...... Reserved Honorary Chairman of the Board Founding Board Members Dr. Israel J. Rosefsky, OBM Prof. Philip M. Piaker, OBM Kiyor–Ritual Hand Washing Station (2) $10,000 ...... Reserved Mr. Abe Piaker, OBM Mezuzah (25) $5,000 ...... (5) Reserved Board Members Mr. Richard Frankel Mr. Alan Piaker Mr. Brian Savitch Mr. Charles Gilinsky Dr. Barret Raff Mrs. Lillian Sommer Builder’s Tablet Opportunities Ms. Pam Gray Dr. Liz Rosenberg Mrs. Susan Walker Chai Builder $18,000 Builder $10,000 Mr. Alfred Lavker Dr. Charles Rubin Pillar $5,400 Benefactor $3,600 Student Executive Board Chai Sponsor $1,800 Sponsor $1,000 President Social Chairs Abie Mizrahi Danielle Skurnick Please help us make this dream a reality! Vice President Liaison to Greek Community Bernie Sonenberg Tobey Lass To discuss major gift options or dedication opportunities please contact Treasurer Special Projects Rabbi Slonim at (607) 797-0015 or [email protected] Dan Zenilman Elliot Zenilman Secretary Marketing and Webmaster All major gifts can be paid over a period of 3-5 years. Gifts can be made Tamir Hessing Bernie Sonenberg on line at www.chabadbuilding.com. Public Relations At Large Yael Notkin, Shira Segev Iris Feinberg Editor: Rivkah Slonim Proofreading and Technical Assistance: Marlene Serkin For up-to-date pictures of the construction, Production and Layout: Rabbi Yitzchak Creeger visit www.chabadbuilding.com Materials reprinted from www.Chabad.org We are not responsible for the Kashruth of any advertiser’s product or establishment. The Chai Times is published monthly during the Fall and Spring Semesters at B.U.

CHABAD HOUSE of BINGHAMTON g 420 MURRAY HILL ROAD, VESTAL, NY g 797-0015 November 2007 3

TORAH thoughts Adapted from the Works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Nightlight by Yanki Tauber

he mitzvah of kindling the in the life of man, the point, says the b) The original Chanukah lights begins at Talmud, from which light went out to menorah stood well T sunset.... They are to be the entire world. In their endeavor to indoors, in the inner placed in the outer doorway of one’s supplant the spirituality of Israel with sanctum of the Holy home; if one lives on the second floor, the paganism of Hellene, the Greeks Temple (called the one should place them in a window invaded the Temple, defiled it with Heichal). The Chanukah which looks out to the street. their decadent images and rites, and menorah is placed at the Talmud, Shabbat 21b contaminated the oil designated for the perimeter of the home, kindling of the menorah. on the outer doorway of Evening comes early in winter, But one family refused to ones home or, if one lives filling the streets with darkness and cold. on the second floor... in One by one the lights come on. Amid yield to the darkness. Matityahu the Hasmonean and his sons (the a window overlooking the electrical glare, a warmer, purer the street. glow asserts itself. It is the last week Maccabees) rallied a small but of Kislev, and from the doorways and determined group of fighters and c) Seven flames windows of Jewish homes, Chanukah drove the Greeks from the land. burned in the Temple lights illuminate the night. After liberating the Holy Temple and menorah. The rededicating it to the service of G- Chanukah menorah “For a mitzvah is a lamp, and d, they searched for ritually pure oil holds eight lamps, all of The Rebbe Torah, light” (Proverbs 6:23). The with which to light the menorah. They which are kindled on the The Rebbe essence of our mission in life is to found a single cruse of oil that had eighth and culminating the primordial singularity of light and shed light: every time we fulfill a survived defilement by the Greeks. night of the festival. darkness. mitzvah we are lighting a lamp, Miraculously, the one-day supply Why these dissimilarities? Therein lies the significance illuminating a world darkened by burned for eight days, until new pure ignorance and strife with the wisdom In Torah law, there is a rule-of- of Chanukah, when the menorah and harmony of the Creator. thumb that all rabbinical institutions moves from within the Holy Temple are modeled after their biblical out into the street, and from the Every mitzvah is a lamp, but Chanukah transforms prototypes. So why, in instituting the daytime to the evening. Chanukah there are two mitzvot whose actual practice of kindling the Chanukah transforms the menorah from a tool form mirrors their quintessential the menorah from a lights, did our sages so differentiate that disseminates the light of day function. These are the two mitzvot tool that disseminates between them and the lights they into a tool that extracts the luminous whose fulfillment involves the come to commemorate? essence of darkness itself. generation of physical light: the lamps the light of day into a of the menorah, which the Torah tool that extracts the Standard Operating More specifically, the lighting instructs to be lit each afternoon Procedure of the Temple and Chanukah luminous essence of menorahs, together with the third in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem; G-d saw the light that it is good, light-generating mitzvah, the lighting and the Chanukah lights, kindled at darkness itself. and He separated between the light of the Shabbat lights, chart a three- nightfall each evening of the eight- and the darkness. And G-d called the phased progression of light through day festival of Chanukah. oil could be prepared. light day and the darkness He called space and time. Indeed, the Chanukah lamps Every winter of the more than night; and it was evening and it was The Temple menorah stood in the are the offspring of those of the 2,100 winters since, we remember morning, one day. holiest place on earth, in the edifice menorah. The mitzvah of lighting and reenact the triumph of light over Genesis 1:4-5 that was the seat of G-d’s manifest the Chanukah lights was instituted darkness with the eight flames of the In the beginning, darkness and presence in the physical world. The by our sages to commemorate the Chanukah menorah. miraculous rebirth of light in the Holy light were one — a single, seamless Shabbat lights find a source of light Temple after its suppression, in the A Different Menorah expression of the goodness and in a less sacred environment — in the perfection of their Creator. But G- 2nd century BCE, by the Hellenist There are, however, several home, a place that embraces both our d wanted contrast and challenge in rulers of the Holy Land. marked differences between the holy endeavors (Torah study, prayer, His world. So He separated between acts of charity, etc.) as well as our more The Temple’s menorah was a five- Chanukah menorah and the menorah light and darkness, between mundane activities. Yet the home is our foot high, seven branched-candelabra in the Holy Temple: revealed good and concealed good, private sanctum; here we are in control, made of solid gold and topped with a) The Temple menorah was challenging us to cultivate the day making the task of achieving harmony seven oil-burning lamps. Its seven lit during the day (no later than and sublimate the night. between the spiritual and material flames, fueled by premium olive oil 1-1/4 hours before sunset) and On the most fundamental level, components of home life, if not always prepared under special conditions burned through the night. The our task is to harness the light of day so easy, then within reasonable reach. of spiritual purity, were the physical Chanukah lights are kindled at night. that it extends to illuminate the night. The Chanukah lights, however, test expression of the spiritual light which (Immediately after sunset according We strive to preserve and develop all the very limits of our light-generating emanated from the Holy Temple. For to the custom of some communities, that is good and G-dly in our world, capacities. Placed in the doorway or in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem was the or after three stars come out, and to direct these positive forces to a window, they straddle the private and epicenter of G-d’s manifest presence according to the custom of other.) overcome and transform the evil and public areas of our lives, the boundary negativity of the dark side of creation. between the home and the street. With great sadness Chabad of Binghamton extends heart- This process was exemplified by the In terms of their placement in time, felt condolences to our esteemed friend and supporter menorah in the Holy Temple: kindled the Temple’s menorah was kindled in in the light of day, its rays reached early afternoon, the Shabbat candles Mr. George Rohr, deep into the night; kindled in an inner are lit eighteen minutes before sunset, sanctum brimming with divine light, and the Chanukah lights are kindled at noted philanthropist and driving force behind the it radiated its glow to the mundane or after nightfall. This also corresponds National Chabad on Campus Network, world without. to the sequence of their appearance on and his father, Mr. Sam Rohr and the entire family, But there are times when the macro-historical level. The Temple this standard operating procedure menorah came first, in the luminous on the loss of their mother and wife, is no longer operative. Times years when G-d still communicated when darkness invades the divine openly with man; commanded by G-d Mrs. Sarah Rohr obm lighthouse, extinguishing the at Sinai, the mitzvah to kindle the a true Aishet Chayil. menorah and defiling its oil. Times Temple menorah was written into the when we can no longer draw from Torah (Exodus 27:20-21). The Shabbat the day to illuminate the night. lights came in later, spiritually darker May you find strength in the continuation of your great deeds At such times, we must turn to times, a rabbinical institution designed to foster harmony in the home on the and be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. the night itself as a source of light. We must search for the hidden single holy day. Most recent in linear time cruse of pure oil, for the undefiled are the Chanukah lights, instituted 21 centuries ago in commemoration of May you enjoy much Nachat, Simchas and Good Health always. and undefilable essence of creation. We must delve below the surface the miracle of Chanukah. realities of day and night to unearth Continued on Page 5 CHABAD HOUSE of BINGHAMTON g 420 MURRAY HILL ROAD, VESTAL, NY g 797-0015 4 November 2007 The Rebbe’s Army Gathers The International Conference of Shluchim

In the Courtyard Rebbe’s holiday mood when Shluchim would come for the Conference. “He of the Rebbe took it very much as his simcha; it B. Olidort was to him as a family reunion.” And as family simchas go, the Rebbe was specific about the “family” photograph. Rabbi likes to tell He wanted all the Shluchim to be in about the time he had seven projects the photo, and he wanted it taken on his table, and felt he needed to against the backdrop of Lubavitch drop some of them. He wanted the Headquarters. Rebbe’s advice on how to prioritize, as he couldn’t possibly work on them all. Like a proud father, the Rebbe kept the photos on his desk. “The “In answer to my dilemma,” said Rebbe saw the Conference — spe- Steinsaltz, his eyes crinkled with cifically the unity of the Shluchim, as delight at this trenchant anecdote, “the a potent mass of spiritual energy with Rebbe gave me yet another project.” the power to move mountains,” Rabbi If the creative energy of the indi- Krinsky says. vidual is a reflection of the Divine, it In 1983, Rabbi Manis Friedman, should come as no surprise that the Dean of Bais Chana, the women’s Rebbe saw endless creative potential based in S. Paul, Minnesota, A small portion of the group photo of all the Shluchim gathered in front of in the eyes of every human being. was one of 70 Chabad represen- , headquarters of Chabad- Lubavitch The more they achieved, the tatives in the U.S. who had come more he expected of them. And he for a Shabbos with the Rebbe, the Lubavitch Lay Leaders one common denominator among them was their affection for the shluchim, or demanded this of his shluchim, daring first Conference of Shluchim. It was Gather in New York for them to accelerate their own personal relatively, an intimate experience; the Chabad emissaries. “He is like a son to drive to do more, reach higher, probe issues were more local, the program Their Own Conference me,” added Rosenblum of Sternberg. deeper, always appreciative of their simpler, the presentation unembel- By Goldy Cohen Weiler, whose description of the achievements, never satisfied. lished. S. Paulo, Brazil-based Rabbi Yosef Motl Malowany may have appeared “My rabbi is magic,” exclaimed as rooted in hyperbole, explained that The numbers have increased, venues outgrown, and the Wirley Weiler at the lay leadership por- he was serious in calling him “magic.” scope of the program is broad, comprehensive and sophis- tion of the International Conference Malowany, he said, gives the rich and ticated. The issues are more complex today, and the chal- for Chabad-Lubavitch Emissaries on the less fortunate equal treatment, dis- Sunday. lenges more nuanced. But in substance, the Conference is playing a love of every Jew that is rare The annual convention, which ran in today’s world. still about stock-taking and reexamining the interior land- from Nov. 8 to Nov. 12, drew thousands In a speech to fellow lay lead- scape of the Chasid, the Shliach.... of emissaries from across the globe ers, Bozeman, Mont., resident Quincy ...It’s about integrating the love of G-d, of Torah and of to Lubavitch World Headquarters in Daniel OrHai said that his friendship Brooklyn, N.Y. Before the event’s grand the Jewish soul, in every dimension of life. with Rabbi Chaim Bruk, co-director of banquet, supporters of the emissaries Chabad-Lubavitch of Montana, has led gathered at a Manhattan hotel for a day him in new directions in Jewish obser- of workshops, lectures and engaging vance. Productive disquiet of this kind Twenty conversations. is characteristic of Chabad-shluchim four years later, Friedman says the “Twenty years ago, I prayed for According to the lay leaders them- and is translated day after day into the focus has not changed. direction,” recounted OrHai. “Jews wide variety of their activities within selves, not only were they treated to everywhere are praying for direction, Of course, the numbers have a delicious luncheon at the Marriot disparate and scattered communities increased, venues outgrown, and the and shluchim are the answers to our everywhere. Marquis, but they feasted on a buffet of prayers.” scope of the program is broad, com- inspiration. Once a year, shluchim are offered prehensive and sophisticated. The According to many, their atten- a bird’s-eye view of their collective issues are more complex today, and “I know something about lead- dance at the conference gave them a creative output. Once a year, at the the challenges more nuanced. But in ership,” stated outgoing Israeli naval new appreciation for the global reach annual International Conference of substance, says Rabbi Friedman, the commander David Ben Ba’ashat, one of Lubavitch and the vision of its leader, Chabad Shluchim, they get to feel Conference is still about stock-tak- of the attendees, “and I would recom- the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel the reverberations of their aggregate ing and reexamining the interior land- mend [my fellow leaders in the Israeli Schneerson, of righteous memory. energy, and see the dazzling mosaic scape of the Chasid, the Shliach. Defense Force] to come here and see what leadership is. On behalf of the IDF “I am getting a deeper understand- they complete, unveiled for just a few “It’s about how we answer our we salute you.” ing of the Rebbe’s world and the job of moments before they move on to a indebtedness to the Rebbe,” says an emissary,” said Sam Shwartzman new challenge. Friedman. As the crowd broke into a thun- of West Hills, Calif. He supports Rabbi derous standing ovation, the sense Shluchim choose from a four day How do we return our debt to the Avi and Dena Rabin, co-directors of of unity in purpose and Jewish pride menu of thoughtfully planned and pro- Rebbe? Chabad-Lubavitch in his city. fessionally presented sessions. They was palpable. Rabbi Friedman quotes from participate in workshops by leading the statement by the Baal Shem Tov experts in the entire gamut of com- promising that redemption will follow “I know something about leadership,” stated outgoing munity building, education, spiritual when certain mystical unifications are and social outreach. They learn new Israeli naval commander David Ben Ba’ashat, one of the achieved. strategies and take home a wealth of attendees, “and I would recommend [my fellow leaders in new applications. It’s not about letters and numbers the Israeli Defense Force] to come here and see what lead- and mystical configurations. Yet there’s an introspective ership is. On behalf of the IDF we salute you.” dimension to the Conference as well. It’s about integrating the love of Shluchim come, they say, to draw G-d, of Torah and of the Jewish soul, in every dimension of life, he explains. and drink from the fountain of their “We work together,” explained Adan Shochet of Brussels agreed: spiritual sustenance. In the courtyard “It’s about learning to look at a Robert Rosenblum, a supporter of Rabbi “I got a feeling for what Chabad is about of the Rebbe, the ambient warmth Jew the way the Rebbe did; to value Avrohom and Maryashi Sternberg, in Brussels, but now I get to see the real yet inspires those who remember and what is precious and Divine in every co-directors of the New London- thing.” even those too young to remember. So individual.” based Chabad-Lubavitch of Eastern this year’s conference dedicated more For his part, Eli Arnaldes of The possibilities thus become Connecticut. “I’m in the money busi- time to traditional Chasidic study and Tarzana, Calif., said that the conference truly endless. ness and [Rabbi Sternberg] is in the “” type opportunities, with gave his life a little boost. It “gives a rabbi business. It is my pleasure to feed senior shluchim leading. And the Conference in the court- spiritual strength to continue doing the yard of the Rebbe becomes an occa- Chabad’s work with as much as I can.” hard work,” he said. Rabbi , Chairman sion for celebration. All the visiting community members of the educational and social services have found various ways of supporting division at Lubavitch Headquarters their Chabad Houses back home, but Courtesy of chabad.org and of the Conference, remembers the Courtesy of Lubavitch.com CHABAD HOUSE of BINGHAMTON g 420 MURRAY HILL ROAD, VESTAL, NY g 797-0015 November 2007 5

From Darkness backer of the network of Chabad Ohr Avner schools in the CIS and beyond. to Great Light Back then, you could count the num- B. Olidort ber of Shluchim on one hand; achieve- ments were measured in the tiniest baby On Sunday, November 11 the cav- steps. Today, there are roughly 4,500 ernous space at Pier 94, draped in black Shluchim worldwide. Growth happens in velvet with hundreds of tables elegantly leaps and bounds: During his speech, decked out to serve 4,300 dinner guests Mr. Leviev pledged to add another 100 gathered for the banquet session of the Shluchim in the following year, bringing Rabbi Yosef Annual Chabad-Lubavitch Shluchim con- the number of Shluchim in Russia to Y i t z c h o k ference, and more than a dozen 30-ft flat 400. S c h n e e r s o n , screens that allowed the guests to follow Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, Vice sixth Lubavitcher events on the podium, offered an illustra- Chairman of Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch Rebbe disem- barks at Pier 97 in tion in brilliant contrast. and Director of the conference, Manhattan upon It was nearby at Pier 97 some announced the opening of new Chabad his arrival in the Centers in Anatolia, Turkey; the Turkish 68 years ago, that the Chabad leader United States in Republic of Northern Cyprus; Jackson responsible for transferring the head- 1940. quarters of the war-ravaged Chabad- Hole, Wyoming; the Dominican Republic; Lubavitch movement from Europe to the Belgrade, Serbia; Iasi, Romania; and U.S., disembarked the Drottingholm at Seoul, South Korea. He also announced the New York Harbor, to a small, waiting a pledge by the Rohr Family — a three- entourage of Chabad Chasidim. year commitment to sponsor an addi- The name Chabad was then barely tional 50 new Chabad Shluchim. known to anyone outside of the observant Speaking in Hebrew, Leviev talk- Jewish community. Upon his arrival in the ed of his debt to Chabad-Lubavitch, its U.S. Rabbi Joseph. I. Schneerson sent and its Shluchim. “100 years a few of his Chasidim—there were only ago,” he told his audience, “the Rebbe a few at the time—to begin the arduous Rashab [Rabbi Sholom Dov Ber 1860- task of seeking out Jewish children, and 1920) sent a Shliach to Samarkand, to as was often the case, pleading with their strengthen Jewish life there.” But the local parents to allow them to devote a few community would not cooperate, and hours a week to Jewish education. turned the young Chabad Chasid away.

Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky announced the opening of new Chabad Centers in Anatolia, Turkey; the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus; Jackson Hole, Wyoming; the Dominican Republic; Belgrade, Serbia; Iasi, Romania; and Seoul, South Korea.

Diamond magnate, Mr. Lev Leviev, addresses the crowd at the Banquet session Few Chabad Shluchim find them- “He knew he couldn’t return to his selves pleading with parents today. Rebbe empty handed,” said Leviev. “So Instead, they are constantly expanding he began to collect Jewish children, and and building to accommodate ever grow- formed a cheder, with 10 youngsters.” ing numbers of Jewish children enrolling Eventually, most of the Jews of in their outstanding pre-schools, Hebrew Samarkand were lost through assimila- schools and day schools around the tion during the regimes of Lenin and world. Stalin. But those 10 children remained Back then, the Jewish world was firmly rooted in their yiddishkeit. still reeling from the Holocaust, and “My grandfather was one of those financial support was hard to come by. 10,” said Leviev. This year’s banquet guests included an eclectic who’s who in Jewish philan- “If not for the Chabad Shliach at the thropy among them Michael Steinhardt, time, I would not be standing here with Gennady Bogolubov, Eduardo Elzstain, you today.” Kenneth Abramowitz and many more. Mr. The banquet dinner formally closed Lev Leviev, the international diamond and the annual four-day conference. real-estate magnate was guest speaker. The subject of a recent New York Times magazine feature, Leviev is the financial Courtesy of Lubavitch.com

Nightlight, from Page 3 So goes the journey of light: a journey through time and space to ever duskier vistas, to increasingly alien The Shluchim and guests at the banquet burst into exuberant dancing. environments; a journey from midday in Jerusalem to the darkest reaches of a world awaiting redemption. The Next Generation Cycle and Circumference This is also the significance of the difference between the number of lamps in the Temple and Chanukah menorahs. Seven is the number of creation. G-d created the world in seven days, employing the seven divine attributes (sefirot) which He emanated from Himself to serve as the seven spiritual building blocks of the created reality. Seven is thus the dominant number in all natural cycles and processes. Hence, the standard operating procedure to bring light to the darker corners of creation is associated with the seven- branched menorah of the Holy Temple. If seven is the cycle of nature, the number eight represents the circumference (shomer hahekef) that defines and contains it, the pre-creation reality that both transcends and pervades the created reality. If the seven lamps of the Temple menorah embody the normative process of overriding darkness with light, the eight lamps of the Chanukah menorah represent the endeavor to access a higher reality — a reality The group photo of the children of Shluchim gathered in from of 770 Eastern Parkway. Parallel to the Shluchim conference a conference for their sons “ the shluchim of tomorrow” was held. 500 children from all in which darkness is but another ray of divine truth. parts of the world — many from remote locations in which they are the only observant children — gathered Courtesy of MeaningfulLife.com for a few days of inspiration, a sense of community and some good old fashioned fun.

CHABAD HOUSE of BINGHAMTON g 420 MURRAY HILL ROAD, VESTAL, NY g 797-0015 6 November 2007 Chanukah Illuminated Light Up Your Home – Menorah Kindling Calendar and Guide

Kindling the Menorah Menorah Kindling Blessings Nightfall Dec. 4 - 11 ...... at 5:18 p.m. Shabbat candle lighting Dec. 7 ...... before 4:14 p.m. Kindle the Chanukah Menorah on each of the Before kindling the lights, recite: Shabbat ends Dec. 8 ...... after 5:18 p.m. eight nights of Chanukah. Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho- Use olive oil or candles large enough to burn until 1 olom A-sher Ki-de-sho-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Ve-tzi-vo-nu Tuesday, Dec. 4 half an hour after nightfall. Le-had-lik Ner Cha-nu-kah. 1 After Nightfall Use a Shamesh (service candle) to kindle the Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, Blessings 1, 2 & 3 lights, and place it in its special place on the Menorah. who has sanctified us by His commandments, and has commanded us to kindle the lights of Chanukah. Before kindling recite the blessings, and after Wed., Dec. 5 ------After Nightfall kindling recite Hanairos hallolu... (We kindle these 1 2 Blessings 1 & 2 lights...) 2 Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho- All members of the family should be present at the olom She-o-so Ni-sim La-avo-sei-nu Ba-yo-mim Ho- Thursday, Dec. 6 kindling of the Chanukah lights. Students and singles heim Bi-z’man Ha-zeh. After Nightfall who live in a dormitory or in their own apartments, Blessed are you, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, 1 2 3 Blessings 1 & 2 should kindle a Menorah in their own rooms. who wrought miracles for our fathers in days of old, at The Chanukah lights are kindled either in the front this season. Friday, Dec. 7 ------Before Shabbat window or by a doorway. 1 2 3 4 The following blessing is said only on the first evening Blessings 1 & 2 On Friday afternoon the Chanukah lights (which (or the first time one kindles the lights this Chanukah): should burn until 1/2 hour after nightfall) are kindled Saturday, Dec. 8 before the Shabbat candles are lit. From the time the After Shabbat Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho- Shabbat candles are lit until Shabbat ends and the 1 2 3 4 5 3olom She-heche-yo-nu Ve-ki-yi-mo-nu Ve-higi-o-nu and Havdallah Havdalah (separation between Shabbat and week- Liz-man Ha-zeh. Blessings 1 & 2 day) prayer is recited the Chanukah Menorah should not be relit, moved or prepared. After this time the Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, Sunday, Dec. 9 who has kept us alive, and has preserved us, and After Nightfall Chanukah lights for Saturday night are kindled. 2 3 6 enabled us to reach this season. 1 4 5 Blessings 1 & 2

After kindling the lights recite: Monday, Dec. 10 After Nightfall We kindle these lights to commemorate the saving acts, miracles and wonders which You have performed for 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 our forefathers, in those days at this time, through Your holy Kohanim. Throughout the eight days of Chanukah, Blessings 1 & 2 these lights are sacred, and we are not permitted to make use of them, but only to look at them, in order to offer thanks and praise to Your Great Name for Your miracles, for Your wonders and for Your salvations. Tuesday, Dec. 11 After Nightfall 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Blessings 1 & 2 This page contains sacred writings. Please do not desecrate it.

he festival of Chanukah is about needle, and I will open for you an light overcoming darkness. Our opening through which caravans Tworld is currently experiencing can enter” (Midrash). We simply An Insight a Night a particularly dark time. We have need to begin the process for become apprehensive, even about G-d to help us attain that which opening the letters in our mailbox. Our we perceived as unattainable. sons, daughters, friends and neighbors hough a person might are half way around the world, fighting have a burning desire to an enemy that has no borders. Tbe spiritual, a concrete “The soul of man is a lamp of action is needed to ignite a G-d” (Proverbs 23:27). Our challenge, flame. Lacking the oil of genuine whether we are on the front lines or fighting rush hour at home, is to bring light into the substance, one’s passion can world. The reason the Chanukah candles are lit after nightfall is to remind us that even quickly fade, failing to introduce in our darkest moments, we have the potential to illuminate if we kindle a flame. any enduring light into the world. he Greeks were great philosophers. They acknowledged the mitzvot as part of a A life without mitzvot is like a great culture, and the Torah as a great work of Jewish literature. What they would wick without oil — it yields little Tnot tolerate was that “G-d, Creator of the Universe, ordained the practice of these or no light. mitzvot.” In the words of the prayer recited on Chanukah, the Greeks set out to have There are nine the Jews forget “[G-d’s] Torah,” and to cease observing “[G-d’s] commandments.” branches on the Chanukah menorah, even though Chanukah is celebrated for eight Whenever we do a mitzvah, we become G–d’s autograph on His masterpiece, days. The ninth branch is the shamash, the “servant” candle, which stands apart from declaring for all that this is not a jungle where the strong devour the weak. It is a the other candles. This candle is lit so that when we make use of the Chanukah light, beautiful garden, filled with the light of its Creator. we do so from the shamash, and not from the eight Chanukah flames. “ …These [eight Chanukah] flames are kodesh (holy). We are not permitted to make use of them, only ing Solomon wrote, “Everything has its season … A time to be born, a time to to gaze at them” (Chanukah liturgy). die … A time for war, a time for peace” (Ecclesiastes). In Judaism, peace is the Kultimate goal. Yet, if one is being attacked, Jewish law forbids a passive stance. The Hebrew word kodesh literally means separate and beyond. In Judaism, Peace and the sanctity of human life requires, at times, that one must defend one’s although we can appreciate holy objects and observances on many levels, they are self, one’s family and one’s country. essentially higher than our finite understanding and perception, since they are rooted in the Infinite. It was this “holiness” that the Greeks failed to destroy. And it is this Despite the fact that the Maccabees were fewer in strength and in numbers, holiness that is manifested in the they stood up against the lights of Chanukah. oppressor with complete faith in G-d’s mercy. One n Chanukah we celebrate lesson of Chanukah is two miracles: the victory that when we resolve to Oof the Maccabees over introduce spirituality into the forces of Antiochus IV in the our lives, G-d assists us battlefield, and the miracle of the well beyond our limitations. oil, which burned for eight days. G-d tells His children, The victory in the battlefield was “Make for Me a small miraculous, but it was physical, opening, like the eye of a limited by time and space. The

CHABAD HOUSE of BINGHAMTON g 420 MURRAY HILL ROAD, VESTAL, NY g 797-0015 November 2007 7

Lighten Up Your Latkes Chanukah Illuminated Your latkes don’t have to be as drenched in oil as your menorah, but we still Light Up Your Friends haven’t figured out how to make a real light latke. Nevertheless, we’ve miraculously survived this long eating them every year. So Do a latke party with a dreidel gaming room and a menorah lighting ritual. It’s ethnic, keep up the tradition. it’s hip and it’s a great way to assert our identity in a season inundated by the You’ll need: dominant, majority culture. 5 large potatoes, peeled How to Play Dreidel 1 large onion 4 eggs The Story: When King Antiochus prohibited 1/3 cup matzo meal the study of Torah, Jews were forced to teach 1 tsp. salt in secret. If one of Antiochus’ soldiers would be 1/4 tsp. pepper heard to approach, they would quickly hide their 1/3 cup oil for frying scrolls and take out their dreidels, pretending Grate potatoes and onion on the fine side that all along they were simply gambling. of a grater, or in food processor, or in blender Fortunately, we don’t need to hide and we with a little water added to it. Add eggs and mix can use nuts, raisins or Cheerios instead of cash. well. Add matzo meal and seasoning and mix The Rules: On the sides of the dreidel are well. Heat oil in frying pan, then add mixture four Hebrew letters: Nun, Gimmel, Dalet, Hay. one tablespoon at a time into frying pan. When These stand for the Hebrew words, “Ness golden brown, turn over and brown other side. Gadol Haya Sham.” That means, “A great miracle happened there.” Light Up Your Kids 1. Everyone contributes equally to the kitty. It’s called Chanuka Gelt. The kids line up and you give 2. Take turns spinning the dreidel. them each a few coins. Parents do it, teachers too. And nowadays, they If it lands on: have us doing this for eight days straight! Nun — do nothing Once you get to the last day, teach your kids how to give ten percent of their Gimmel — take the whole kitty cash holdings to a good cause. Then take them to a quality toy store and guide Hay — take half the kitty them in investing in lasting, meaningful acquisitions. Who knows, they might Shin — pay into the kitty even let you play with them! 3. If the kitty empties out, everyone contributes equally once again. THE MENORAH LAST WORD Just the simple act of lighting a menorah for eight days teaches the soul a deep, wise lesson. Think about it: On the first day, there are eight empty Some people are waiting for a final, apocalyptic war. But the final lamps before you. But you only light one. The next day, you light two and war is not a war of destruction and doom. It is not fought on battlefields, the next day yet another. All along, you know that eventually you will nor at sea, nor in the skies above. It is not a war between leaders or light them all. nations. So here are your lessons: The final war is fought in the heart of each human being, such as you and me. It is fought with the weapons of simple, 1. We are lamplighters. Our job in this world is not just to good deeds and acts of kindness. It is the struggle to fill the bring in light, but to make others shine with their own light. world with inner wisdom as the waters cover the ocean floor, to bring 2. Each day, we have to bring in more light than we did the day before. Never the Moshiach and enlighten humankind. stand still. Never say, “Now I’ve made it.” The final war is the battle of Chanukah and the miracle of light. It is happening 3. Real growth happens step by step. now and victory lies at the door.

miracle of the oil, which enabled never be defiled. This spark of holiness continuously burns and longs to be fanned the Jewish people to resume the into a great flame. The universe was created to perpetuate light, and it is inherently An Insight a Night service in the holy Temple, was good (Genesis). But there spiritual. Jews around the world are times when darkness emulate this miracle and spirituality invades G-d’s world. At such today by observing Chanukah. times, we search for the The Chanukah struggle is found hidden “single jar of pure oil” within each of us. Chassidic teachings (Chanukah liturgy), the pure explain that we have two souls. One and indestructible spark of soul is drawn to the spiritual, the other Creation, which radiates to the material. We may reconcile goodness and holiness. this duality by being involved with the owever miraculous material world, but toward a spiritual their victory, some end. This is one reason why there are Hwould attribute the so many mitzvot in the Torah, all of them involving physical action. When the physical Maccabean military success is engaged for spiritual purposes, the conflict is transformed into peace and harmony. to their superior strategy. A world of peace begins with inner peace. When one makes peace within, it has an The last night of the holiday is called Zot Chanukah, “This is Chanukah.” Our Sages effect on his or her home, environment and eventually the entire world. explain that “zot” refers to something when it is revealed and tangible, “when it can be hat does a soul look like? Look at the flame of a candle. A flame is bright, pointed to with a finger.” When the Jewish people witnessed a scientific impossibility, jumping, never resting; the natural desire of a soul is to “jump up” to G-d, the miracle of the oil, there was no denying G-d’s Presence. Wto break free of physical limitations. The wick and candle anchor a flame; a Why does G-d perform miracles? Without “miracles,” such as the oil found in physical body grounds the soul, forcing the soul to do its job, to give light and warmth. the holy Temple, one might believe that the laws of physics define reality. However, The human body, precious and holy, is likened to the holy Temple. The Baal Shem Tov, once we see the inexplicable, we witness a transcendent reality and attain a higher founder of Chassidism, always advised against asceticism, fasts and hurting the body. consciousness. We can then look back at physics, point with our finger and realize, Better, he would say, to use your body to perform a deed of kindness. “This too is a miracle.” Kindness is contagious. When our soul tells our body to do a kind deed, The Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism, teaches that the ultimate miracle is the both the soul and body are affected. Even more, other souls around us awaken and arrival of Moshiach. At that time, nature itself will uncover its miraculous essence. influence their bodies to do the same. Before long, we can create an international What is now perceived as a epidemic of kindness. This is one reason why the Chanukah menorah is placed where wall between the physical and it can be seen from the street, spiritual will be revealed as either in the doorway across from a bridge. How can we bring the mezuzah or in the window, about this miracle? With the reminding us of our duty to share light of our collective mitzvot. the spiritual light of warmth and wisdom with our surroundings. Chassidic teachings explain that despite any entity that tries to sever our connection to G- dliness, the essence of a soul can

CHABAD HOUSE of BINGHAMTON g 420 MURRAY HILL ROAD, VESTAL, NY g 797-0015 8 November 2007 Chanukah Eyes: A Mother’s Diary by Ruchama King Feuerman The fourth night of Chanukah, back, belly to belly. like the Maccabees who found that Elana wanders over to the my husband is late for the candle “This is too easy,” he scoffs. I one last vial of oil to light the meno- radiator and looks across the street lighting. My children’s unlit clay think he’s right, and I make a left rah, we all whoop and cheer. As we at the neighbor’s fancy holiday dec- menorahs are positioned precari- and a right, and go on a long stretch make our way back home, we spot orations. ously on the radiator. My second that turns into a different, more another two menorahs, each one a I say to her in a quiet voice, daughter, Elana, stares across the ritzy—dare I say WASPy?— neigh- victory. In our own neighborhood, “Look at our candles, look closely street at the neighbor’s lawn. The borhood. Here, electric lights blaze we easily pick up six houses here, and tell me what you see.” Healys have draped their cedar seven houses there, surpassing the forth from every house. Multicolored She stares for a long time, her tree with electric blue lights. reindeers poke their hooves into number of 50 by the time we arrive home. big brown eyes grave and finally Next door, a deer stands welltended zoysia grass. There tells me. The flames are shaped like poised with one hoof lifted prettily, are elves or maybe fawns lurking When we come inside, my arrows, they point upward, there’s a as if about to break into a prance. near Holly bushes, and Santas and husband is pouring olive oil into dark blue in the center, the flames Nearby, a bloated, inflated snow- keep moving here and there but man sways drunkenly in the night are held in place by the wick, air. My six-year-old daughter chews they’re tiny and they’re beauti- on the end of her plastic dreidel. ful to look at. Then she adds, A wistful look crosses her face. “The flames are arrows pointing to “Why can’t we have decorations heaven.” like that?” she asks. The image delights me, and I remind her how we go “all she seems pleased, too, but then out” on Sukkot. We have fancy I see her eyes return to the win- lights, murals painted on the walls, dow, to the pretty lights across the and assorted fruit and tchotchkes street. hanging from the rafters of our Sukkah. But on Chanukah, I tell I want to tell my daughter how her, the menorah is all we’ve got. the world tries to grab you with its fancy big lights. They are powerful, “Can’t we have something and they’ll dazzle you for sure. But big?” she begs. “Something pretty, the light of the menorah is subtle, maybe a lamb or a sheep?” it gradually envelops you, and the Oh great, I think: a paschal more you look at it, its inner loveli- lamb on our porch. But that’s the ness will sneak up and take your wrong holiday. I gaze down at our soul by surprise. That’s what I want rickety display of homemade meno- to say, but why say anything? She’s rahs. I know they can’t compete only six. with Mrs. Healy’s Christmas tree, She’ll find out. “The fact is, the dazzling strings of light and the Christmas lights are pretty,” I say candy canes and wreaths dangling out loud. from telephone poles, not to men- tion jolly Ole Santa and all the She nods, taking in my words, treats in his mysterious fat bag. I relieved, it seems, that I agree with guess my daughter wants a swank- her. ier holiday. My husband likes to say about Across the street, I see a fam- sleighs clumped around rhododen- glass cups. The breakable colored fireworks that no matter how spec- ily at the window putting a match drons. There are unusual shadow candles have been twisted into the tacular, you can’t look at the show to their oil menorah. I look at my and light displays; some are actu- kids’ clay menorahs. We make the for more than an hour. At a certain watch. It’s time to light, but my ally artistic. My kids grow silent at blessings, sing a little, dance a little point the fireworks seem gaudy, a husband won’t be home for a good all the holiday splendor. and then the kids disperse. I linger little much for the eyes. But you never get tired of gazing at the half hour. “Where are all the menorahs?” in front of our homemade display stars. “Come on, kids,” I suddenly my son wonders out loud. ... and then I remember a custom. The old Hasidic masters used to My daughter yawns and I pat decide. “Let’s go on a menorah “So many Santas,” Elana sit and gaze at the lit candles for a the space on the couch beside hunt.” observes. I wonder when it was full half hour, even more. They say me. I realize I have let my eyes she stopped calling Santa the big that staring at the candles expands drift away from the candles. “Come I want to tell my red Zeide. a person’s vision; how the eyes back, let’s look at the menorah,” I daughter how the world “Keep looking,” I say tersely. I see the world, what they regard as say. She curves in next to me, her tries to grab you with turn left, then right. beautiful. eyes tired and a little dreamy, while its fancy big lights. They Aren’t I setting up the kids I sit now on the couch and try my own eyes blink and strain to see are powerful, and they’ll for disappointment? Christmas is to keep my gaze on the lights. It’s what she saw, little arrows of light dazzle you for sure. But everywhere. They’re at the age amazing to me how dreidels and pointing to the sky. the light of the meno- when they’re starting to realize how sufganiot and potato latkes can few of us we are. And in fact, my keep my kids happily occupied. It Ruchama King Feuerman is rah is subtle, it gradu- older daughter says, “How come feels restful here, watching. While a novelist, book coach and writing ally envelops you, and there’s so little of us?” the candles burn, women aren’t instructor. the more you look at it, “Yes, we’re little,” I agree. “So supposed to be working anyway— its inner loveliness will what? Chanukah celebrates the vic- to honor the extra role women had sneak up and take your tory of the few over the many. The in the miracle of Chanukah. I let my © 2006 World Jewish Digest soul by surprise. few are also strong.” eyes take their fill while my hus- band fries more latkes. But my daughter, steeped in a The kids are game. We pack Jewish education, counters, “God into our minivan. “Fifty menorahs,” said we’d be many. ‘You shall be I say. “After we find 50 lit meno- as numerous as the stars of the Are you a Parent who is CURIOUS? rahs, we go home to light our heaven,’” she quotes. own.” There. That’ll pass the time. Suddenly Elana shouts, “I An Alumnus who is NOSTALGIC? They press their faces to the win- see a menorah!” Our heads turn. A Friend who wants to LEARN MORE? dow. “There’s one,” my daughter “Where, where?” and she points Elana points. My son easily spots proudly. There indeed it is, sitting A Student who wants to check what’s up another two. “I see it, I see it,” in the window of what looks to be NOW? my youngest one crows, waving someone’s kitchen. On either side her fist. The numbers quickly add of the house is a fantastic net- Visit our Chabad Website at up. No surprise there. We live in work of lights and sleighs and an a Jewish neighborhood in New illuminated nativity scene. And in www.chabadofbinghamton.com Jersey. My son hits the jackpot between sits a dignified little meno- with five menorah houses, back to rah on a Jewish window sill. Feeling CHABAD HOUSE of BINGHAMTON g 420 MURRAY HILL ROAD, VESTAL, NY g 797-0015 November 2007 9 A Miracle In The Seventh Year

We work six days, and the sev- the Torah commands to desist from some dark, murky corner. The story of “the miracle at enth day, Shabbat, is consecrated to all agricultural work. We were among “If you really want it, you can Komemiyut” spread quickly. Farmers G-d, a day to spiritually refresh and the very few settlements in Israel take all that you like, and for free, from all the agricultural settlements reconnect with our Creator. at the time to observe the laws of with our compliments,” they offered in the region came to see with their In a similar vein, every sev- the Sabbatical year and refrain from in amusement. own eyes what they could not believe enth year is holy; the Shemitah working the land. Instead, we con- when they heard the rumors about centrated on building and succeeded We consulted with Rabbi it. (Sabbatical) year is a year devoted Mendelson. His response was: “Take to strengthening our bond with G-d, that year in completing much of the When the farmers from Kibbutz p e r m a - it. The and specifically to honing our faith in One who Gat arrived, they pulled a surprise His omnipotence and our trust in His nent hous- on us. After absorbing the sight of ing. The tells wheat kindness. to sprout the bountiful quantity of wheat flour- m o s h a v ishing in our fields, they announced This year, the year 5768 since g r a d u - from good creation (Sept. 13, 2007-Sept. 29, seed can they wanted payment for the trac- ally devel- tor-load of old rotten wheat they had 2008), is a Shemitah year. Below oped and also order we present the first hand account of it to grow scornfully given us for free only a expanded short time before. shemita observanc as related by a and more from infe- farmer in Israel. and more rior wormy Even more startling: they said f a m i l i e s l e f t o v e r they would file a claim against us at moved in, seed as a beit din, a rabbinical court, and with My name is Dov Weiss, and I was well.” Rabbi Mendelson himself, no less! one of a group of about thirty young as well as a number In any They must have figured that in a sec- men that started the moshav (agri- ular court such a claim wouldn’t have cultural settlement) of Komemiyut, of young case, we singles. By didn’t have even the slightest possible chance of in the south of Israel. It was in 1950, gaining them a single penny. after we had completed our army the end of an alter- service. I was still a bachelor then. the year we native. So Rabbi Mendelson accepted Among the founders was also the numbered we loaded their case seriously, and in the end well known Torah scholar and rab- a r o u n d all the old judged that we should pay them. He binical authority, Rabbi Benyamin eighty peo- i n f e s t e d explained that the reason they gave Mendelson, of blessed memory. He ple. seed that it for free was because they thought had previously immigrated to Israel As the the kibbutz it worthless for planting, while in truth from Poland and had served as the Sabbatical had offered it really was excellent for that pur- rabbi of Kfar Ata. year drew to us free pose. We were astonished to hear of charge his ruling, but needless to say, we At first we lived in tents, in the to its completion we prepared to renew onto a trac- complied. middle of a barren wilderness. The tor and returned to Komemiyut. nearest settlements to ours were our farming activities. For this we The whole story became an several kibbutzim associated with the required seed to sow crops, but for The laws of shemittah forbade extraordinary kiddush Hashem (glo- left-wing Shomer Hatzair movement: this purpose we could only use wheat us to plough and turn over the soil rification of G-d) in the eyes of Jews Gat, Gilon, and Negvah. Several of from the sixth year, the year that pre- till after Rosh Hashanah, the begin- across the country. Everyone agreed our members supported themselves ceded the shmitah, for the produce ning of the eighth year, so we didn’t it was a clear fulfillment of G-d’s by working at Kibbutz Gat, the closest of the seventh year is forbidden for actually sow the seed until sometime promise in the Torah (Leviticus 25): to us, doing different types of manual this type of use. We went around in November. This was two or three Six years you shall sow your labor. Others worked in our fields, to all the agricultural settlements in months after all the other farmers had field, and six years you shall prune planting wheat, barley, rye and other the area, near and far, seeking good already completed their planting. your vineyard, and gather in its fruit. grains and legumes. I myself drove quality seed from the previous years’ That year, the rains were late in But in the seventh year shall be a a tractor. Our produce, which grew harvest, but no one could fulfill our coming. The farmers from all the kib- sabbath of solemn rest for the land, throughout the 15,000 or so dunam request. butzim and moshavim gazed upward a sabbath for G-d... (nearly 4000 acres) allotted us, we All we were able to find was longingly for the first rain. They And if you shall say: “What shall sold to bakeries and factories. some old wormy seed that, for rea- began to feel desperate, but the we eat in the seventh year? Behold, heavens were unresponsive, remain- we shall not sow, nor gather in our That year, the rains were late in coming. The farm- ing breathlessly still and blue. produce!” But I will command my ers from all the kibbutzim and moshavim gazed upward Finally it rained. When? The blessing upon you... longingly for the first rain. They began to feel desperate, day after we completed planting our Editor’s note: thousand dunam of wheat fields with but the heavens were unresponsive, remaining breath- those wormy seeds, the sky opened Today, Komemiyut is world lessly still and blue. up and the rains exploded down to famous for its high-quality shmu- saturate the parched earth. rah matzah (lit. “matzah that has Finally it rained. When? The day after we completed been watched”) -- round, hand-made planting our thousand dunam of wheat fields with those The following days we were matzah prepared under exacting wormy seeds, the sky opened up and the rains exploded nervous in anticipation but we turned supervision from the time the wheat our attention to strengthening our down to saturate the parched earth. is harvested through the end of the faith and trust in G-d. Anyway, it did baking to guard against the minutest not take a long time for the hand of moisture. At that time, there were not yet sons that were never made clear the Al-mighty to be revealed clearly water pipes reaching our moshav. to us, was laying around in a stor- to all. Those wheat fields that were We had to content ourselves with age shed in Kibbutz Gat. No farmer planted during the seventh year, Translated-adapted by what could be grown in dry rugged in his right mind anywhere in the months before the first rain, sprouted Yerachmiel Tilles from the Hebrew fields. Every few days we would world would consider using such only small weak crops. At the same weekly Sichat HaShavua. Rabbi make a trip to Kibbutz Negvah, about poor quality seed to plant with, not if time, our fields, sowed with the old Tilles is co-founder of ASCENT 20 kilometers distant, to fill large con- he expected to see any crops from infested seed and long after the OF SAFED, and editor of Ascent tainers with drinking water. it. The kibbutzniks at Gat all burst appropriate season, were covered Quarterly and the Ascent and The second year we were there, into loud derisive laughter when we with an unusually large and healthy KabbalaOnLine websites. 5711 on the Jewish calendar (1950- revealed that we were actually inter- yield of wheat, in comparison to any Courtesy of Chabad.org 1951), was the shmitah year which ested in this infested grain that had standard. comes every seventh year in which been rotting away for a few years in

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CHABAD HOUSE of BINGHAMTON g 420 MURRAY HILL ROAD, VESTAL, NY g 797-0015 10 November 2007 Chabad HAPPENINGS

Supper with Soul Chabad House is alive with the sounds of learning Torah at the numerous classes offered every day, all day.

Knead a Break? The Challah Baking workshop is a peren- nial favorite!

The Chabad House on the West Side has been enjoying special themed Shabbat including Shabbos Sushi, Mexican Shabbat and an Italian themed Shabbat for which this team was hard at work preparing.

Chabad students enjoyed a glorious day Apple Picking!

Chodesh Circle Events Chabad ladies enjoy a special time together each month at our Chodesh Circle events. For Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan participants enjoyed make-overs, lots of samples and a though provoking presentation on inner beauty by Yael Lewin. On Rosh Chodesh Kislev participants enjoyed a multi- media presentation on the evolution of courtship and dating practices in America and a thought provoking discussion on the topic of the dating scene on campus today. Joy Mushabac, MSW, presented and led the discussion.

Ashkefardic Night – an evening of cultural delight took Chabad House by storm! A large and enthusiastic crowd enjoyed a dazzling array of ethnic foods, music, dancing, henna tattoos and the special ambi- ence. Students spoke of their family backgrounds relating the his- tory of the Jews around the world through a personal lens.

CHABAD HOUSE of BINGHAMTON g 420 MURRAY HILL ROAD, VESTAL, NY g 797-0015 November 2007 11 HAPPENINGS Chabad Putting up the biggest, coolest and warmest Sukkah in Broome County took a lot of work and effort which was all worth it as hundreds of students enjoyed meals, Jazzukah and hanging out under the stars during the Sukkot holiday, not to mention the popular Pizza in the Hut on Monday and Thursday!

Chabad Games It! On Saturday night, October 13, Chabad took over a Game-It gaming complex evening for an event that featured Laser Tag, a blazing fast batting cage and ever-popular miniature golf. Air hockey was also a huge draw, with heated matches throughout the night. Some nostalgic gamers enjoyed the tunnels, tubes and slides. All in attendance had a fantastic time.

Jazzukah! Hundreds of students filled the Chabad Sukkah for an outstanding evening of great food, music and Chabad’s Sukkahs on the Move fun. Mouth-watering Ribs and side dishes, music and jamming plus good old fashioned shmoozing had Shakin’ it up on Campus! everyone agreeing that this is a MUST repeat. Hundreds of students at BU shook the Lulav and Etrog each day at the Chabad pop up sukkot which were set up around campus and in the Sukkah Mobile which travelled across the Students enjoyed the post Yom Kippur Break university and to off-campus housing locations. Shake, shake, the Fast co-sponsored with Hillel. shake; we’re bringing mitzvos on the spot to people on the go!

For many more pictures of these and other Chabad activities, please see our website: www.ChabadofBinghamton.com

CHABAD HOUSE of BINGHAMTON g 420 MURRAY HILL ROAD, VESTAL, NY g 797-0015 12 November 2007 Chabad HAPPENINGS

The twelfth annual Piaker Memorial Lecture featured a talk by journalist Barbara the uniqueness of Israel, especially Jerusalem, and the unrivaled beauty to be found in Sofer titled Jerusalem beyond the Matrix: Hope and Healing Amidst the Paradoxes. life there even midst the darkness of the political turmoil. Sofer kept her audience spell Sofer, a Jerusalem resident, spoke with deep feeling, humor and keen observation about bound and presided over a lively question and answer exchange.

The Annual Women’s League of Chabad’s Salute to Jewish Womanhood featured a presentation by noted Talmud scholar Dr. Deena Zimmerman of Jerusalem, Israel. Titled “Tasting from the Tree of Life; Women and Torah Study Today,” Zimmerman’s talk was a guided study in Talmudic texts spiced with personal observations and experiences. The program also served as this year’s Inter- sisterhood event for Beth David and Temple Concord. “It was a delightful eve- ning of community and bonding as well as a stimulating and informative talk,“ said Rivkah Slonim.

Chabad Alumni News Class of ‘01 Mazel Tovs! g Jane and John Brophy announce the birth of their son Micah Gabriel. See ‘00 for complete details. Class of ‘90 g Chaya (Cindy Schwartz) and Ed Harris announce the birth of their daughter Ahuva Class of ‘03 Adele on August 16th, 2007. She was welcomed home by older siblings Aryeh Moshe, g Pamela Szalavetz and Eric Pollock announce their marriage on July 29, 2007 in Kayla, Yaakov, and Tehila Bracha. Brooklyn, NY. Pamela received her MA in Dance and Dance Education from NYU and is a Dance Educator at Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn, NY. Eric is the Director of Market research for Kinray Inc. in Whitestone, NY. They have made their home in Class of ‘95 Brooklyn Heights, NY. g Marc Brown announces his engagement to Shira Pringle; A late spring/early summer g Dudi and Erica Fish announce the birth of their son Lev Yamin, on August 25th, 2007. 2008 wedding is planned. Marc is currently working as a senior associate at Phillips Lytle LLP in Buffalo, New York. Shira works as a family physician and hospitalist at North York General Hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They will make their home in Buffalo, New York. Class of ‘04 g Mike Boxer and Shira Axelrud announce their engagement. Mike is an Administrative Class of ‘97 Director at Transcontinental Music Publications and a freelance musician. Shira teaches Hebrew at Rodeph Sholom School and is completing a Master’s degree in School of g Jeff and Diane Rosenberg announce the birth of their daughter Leah Yocheved (Lilah Psychology at Touro College. Jessica) on October 9, 2007. She was welcomed home by big brother Andy. g Jasmin Kovarsky announces her marriage to Austin Hai on November 4 2007. Jasmin works at Empyrean Capital Partners in Operations. Austin owns a remanufactured fitness equipment business. They will make their home in Los Angeles. Class of ‘98 g Yaron Markfeld and Natalie Benhamou announce their engagement. Yaron is a third year Medical student at St. Matthew’s University; Natalie is a third year student at the St. g Michelle Glater announces her engagement to Rabbi Avi Epstein; a wedding is Louis School of Law. They hope to get married in Spring ‘09. planned for December 30th 2007. Michelle is a Clinical Pharmacist Specialist for Pediatrics and Neonatology at Saint Vincent’s Hospital of Manhattan. Avi is the Rabbi of Congregation Beit Hillel of Flatlands and also teaches at Shaare Zion in Queens. They will make their home in Brooklyn. Class of ‘06 g Natalie Benhamou and Yaron Markfeld announce their engagement. See ‘04 for full Class of ‘99 details. g Dr. Eleanor Spumberg announces her engagement to Larry Gold;a November 2008 Class of ‘06 wedding is planned. Eleanor is completing her psychiatry residency at Westchester Medical Center; Larry is working as a financial accountant for American International g Shira Axelrud and Mike Boxer announce their engagement. See ‘04 for complete Group in New York City. They plan to make their home in Westchester. details. g Justin Myrowitz and Rebecca Robart announce their engagement; a June 2008 wed- ding is planned. Justin is in a joint program at Baltimore Hebrew University for an MA Class of ‘00 in Jewish Communal Service and at University of Maryland Baltimore County for an MA in Public Policy. Rebecca is currently at Johns Hopkins’s School of Public Health for g John and Jane Brophy announce the birth of their son, Micah Gabriel. He was wel- Nutrition. They plan on making their home in Baltimore. comed home by older siblings Samuel Eitan and Aaron Yehuda. Send us your Mazel Tovs so we can share them with the world!! CHABAD HOUSE of BINGHAMTON g 420 MURRAY HILL ROAD, VESTAL, NY g 797-0015