Fall 5775/2014 • Issue 29
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
FALL 5775/2014 • ISSUE 29 A PUBLICATION OF THE MONTREAL TORAH CENTER BAIS MENACHEM CHABAD LUBAVITCH JOANNE AND JONATHAN GURMAN COMMUNITY CENTER • LOU ADLER SHUL BAIS MENACHEM CHABAD LUBAVITCH Gleanings from the book A Vision of Love SEEDS OF WISDOM Based on personal encounters with the Rebbe a A young woman turned to the Rebbe for his advice. by MENDEL KALMENSON She was contemplating marriage to a young man whose level of Jewish observance was quite different from hers. Did the Rebbe think their relationship was viable? a "Before a couple decides to get married," the Rebbe explained, "the man must have a real understanding of what the woman wants most in her life, and the woman must have a real understanding of what the man wants most in his life. Each must know the other's vision for his or her life, and support it one hundred percent. a "They don't necessarily need to share the exact same vision for their individual lives, but they must genuinely desire that the other person achieve his or her goals. a "When a couple has this bond, then their marriage will be a healthy one." a You don't need to be on the same page, but you should be reading from the same book. MONTREAL TORAH CENTER BAIS MENACHEM CHABAD LUBAVITCH Joanne and Jonathan Gurman Community Center • Lou Adler Shul The Kenny Chankowsky Memorial Torah Library INDEX The Michael Winterstein Digital Learning Center Rabbi Moishe New Rabbi Itchy Treitel Editorial . .3 Attention à l'angle mort ! . .23 Nechama New Pre-School & Day Camp Director MTC’s Sponsors of the Day . .4 Mazeltovs . .24 Zeldie Treitel Program Director The Reform Rabbi and Sympathies . .25 Rabbi Levi New Kolel • Young Adults the Yeshiva Boys . .6 Rav Maimon Pinto Division Francophone The Rebbe, 20 Years After . .26 MTC Draw 2014 . .8 Velvel Minkowitz Administrator SoulMates . .29 Ita New, Chana Harrison and Rochel Zirkind Youth Programming An Interview with the Rebbe's MTC Kids . .30 Chanie Teitlebaum Accounting Doctor - Dr. Ira Weiss . .12 Strength of the Jewish people . .32 Yehuda Gottesman Administration Zaide’s Legacy . .17 MTC Pre-School . .34 Publication Mail Agreement No. #40030976 MTC Moments . .18 Questions or return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: MTC Recipes . .35 Language of the Soul . .20 The Montreal Torah Center, 28 Cleve Road, Hampstead PQ H3X 1A6 Highlights of Chabad in Israel . .36 Tel. 514-739-0770 • Fax 514-739-5925 Sukkot Street Festival . .22 Email: [email protected] • www.themtc.com Simchat Torah Celebration . .22 www.facebook.com/MontrealTorahCenter 2 Editorial Bearing Arms for Israel his summer, Nechama and I travelled "You won't find anything kosher here," said a "OK." down to NY for what seemed like voice off to my right. I turned to face a man "I want you to bear arms for Israel". Tvirtually every Sunday. Thankfully, most in his early 70s standing over several large of our travels were for simchas. On this plastic trays full of, excuse me, chazerai with I have no idea what he was thinking, but particular occasion we were unfortunately which he was replenishing the store's shelves. I certainly didn't mean to take up firearms. going to visit five separate shivahs. We were "I tried to convince the owner to make a I meant bare his sleeve and put on tefillin. He heading back to Montreal that very night and kosher section. I told him that there are lots of did. Right there by the gas pumps. Nechama time was of the essence. folks who travel the Montreal/New York route asked if it was alright if she took a picture and who eat kosher and if they knew it was would he mind if she emailed it to him. "Sure." So we're driving down the 87 and at some available here, they'd come by. As you can see, point have to stop to attend to nature's call. After it was over, I ventured to ask him when he wasn't interested." Now, over the years, we've got this down to a was the last time he had worn tefillin. science; we know which exits have gas stations "At my conservative bar mitzvah." right off the highway. At this point, however, we were not near any of our familiar haunts, As he made his way to the shop, he turned so hoping for the best, (one can travel for miles to us and said, "Thank you", and then with a off country exits till one reaches civilization), faint smile, "In my former life I was a child we took the nearest exit. Providence was with psychiatrist, practicing in Manhattan." us and there it was, only a few hundred meters Back on the 87, Nechama and I marveled at the from the highway. mystery of the Jewish neshama, the incredible Driving into the gas station and taking in the bond that unites us all and how irrepressible it scene, Nechama and I look at each other and is, especially in troubling times. If only we could I quip, "Be prepared for 'child-killer' barbs hang on to that when times are good. ״ coming our way. Dear friends, I share this story with you in light “I was thinking just the same," Nechama "Oh. Thank you....Actually, all I'm looking for is of the current situation in Israel and around responded. a Coke." I studied his face, "Are you Jewish?" the world. Like Nechama and me, I hope your neshama is moved by this singular Jew in a "Yes," and he busied himself with his The ample clientele was white, tattooed and a small town in upstate New York. number of them were walking out with cases merchandise. u of beer, and this was ten o'clock in the morning. I'm standing at the cash register waiting for Outside the shop, a cowboy was tending to a In honour of the 20th anniversary of our Rebbe's the cashier to come back with my coveted barbecue and serving up bacon, eggs, steaks passing this summer, this edition of the MOSAIC libation. I'm in a quandary and not a little and hotdogs to an appreciative audience. contains some related articles which I trust uncomfortable. How can I not invite this man you will find edifying and inspirational. As we walked towards the shop, the cowboy to put on tefillin?! Me, the one who teaches u greeted us with a hearty “Good Morning”, and that for a Jew to fulfill even one mitzvah is a beer-carrying customer on his way out held worth more than all the treasures of the world? I eagerly look forward to seeing you in Shul open the door. From the searching look in my Knowing as I do, the distinct effect the mitzvah over the High-Holidays. I believe all of us are eyes it was apparently obvious that I was of tefillin has in causing the fear of the Jewish acutely aware of the precarious reality we are looking for the restroom, for another customer people to fall upon our enemies, how can I, at facing. Coming together in prayer, song and politely advised me that the restroom was this critical hour for Israel, walk away? But unity has never felt more right. In unity we are currently occupied but that there was “a then I'm thinking to myself (my “yetzer hora” invincible. Let us storm Heaven's gate together nice clean one just outside, on the left side of – selfish inclination in fine form), “Look, he's no and “draw down” the Almighty's revealed and the building.” youngster and still working so hard. It wouldn't eternal blessings for each one of us and for all be right of me to interrupt or delay him.” of us as one. May we merit Moshiach's coming OK. Never assume. Meanwhile, the cashier tarries and the man without delay. Now I'm generally not a Coke drinker, but the has almost finished his task. I can hear some Shana Tovah! 87 is a different story. Caffeine and sugar are of you, dear congregants, saying, "You didn't welcome companions on a long road trip, ask him?!" Rabbi New especially after precious little sleep the night Coke in hand I turn to him and say, "Do you before. So I'm standing facing the cold-drinks have a moment?" section of the wall-to-wall glass refrigerator Publication Mail Agreement No. #40030976 and to my amazement – no Coke. "Can't be," "Yes." Questions or return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: I mutter to myself and stand there scrutinizing The Montreal Torah Center "I'd like you to follow me to my car." 28 Cleve Road, every shelf again and again. Hampstead PQ H3X 1A6 Tel. 514-739-0770 Fax 514-739-5925 Email: [email protected] 3 All MTC activities and programs on that particular day are attributed to the day’s sponsor. Each sponsorship is recognized on our website; in our weekly Mosaic Express and in this magazine. The sponsorship amount is $1800 per day and is billed annually, creating a consistent form of annuity contributing to MTC’s financial stability. BE A PART OF THE TEAM THAT MTC CAN RELY ON. CALL ITCHY AND BECOME A PROUD MTC SPONSOR! Tishrei 1 Howard Damie in honour of the yartzeit November 24 Cola Families in honour of the birthday of of Elinore Damie Kimberly Stacey Tishrei 2 Ruben Dubrofsky in honour of the yartzeit Teves 2 Cola Families in honour of the birthday of of Frances Dubrofsky, obm Edward Israel Tishrei 16 Stanley and Carole Satov in honour Teves 3 Cola and Cons Families in honour of the yartzeit of the yartzeit of Mr.