We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada A publication of -Lubavitch, Toronto through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities SEPTEMBER 2011 VOL. 36, NO. 2 (136) TISHREI 5772 King in America Based on a public letter by the Lubavitcher A basic theme of Rosh Hashanah is that it achieves the coronation of G-d as king of and king of the universe, as expressed in our heartfelt prayer and request: “Reign over the entire world!” Such a request implies the readiness to place oneself in a state of full conformity with the Divine sovereignty; that one is prepared to utterly submit to the Divine king, to the point that one’s entire being, and all that one has, is the king’s alone. This is the meaning of kabalat ol--“the acceptance of the yoke” of Divine sovereignty--an acceptance which finds expression in all areas of daily life. In truth, every day of the year brings an acceptance of this submission, particularly when one recites the Shema in the morning and evening prayers. But there exists a most basic difference: on the daily level, kabalat ol, while being the inaugural and fundamental act of the day, is merely the basis upon which one’s behavior throughout the day is predicated. Rosh Hashanah, however, is a time when submission to the sovereignty of Heaven is also the quality and content of the day, pervading the entire person and manifesting itself in everything he does. Totalitarianism Today Every period and every locality has its special qualities and its particular challenges. In our time, there is a prevailing trend in many circles toward increased self-sufficiency and independence, not only in regard to material matters, but in ideological matters as well; an increasing unwillingness to submit to the established order, to accept things before they are fully understood by one’s own mind, and so on. This, it would seem, represents a challenge to the very concept of kabalat ol. This is particularly the case in countries that are (relatively) young and which were established upon a foundation of self-initiative and youthful energy, and where this spirit characterizes the entire structure of personal and communal life--all of which make it more difficult to conform to the criteria of kabalat ol. Notwithstanding the above, we have the axiom that G-d does not demand of a person something that is beyond his capacity. Since submission to the sovereignty of G-d is the essence of Rosh Hashanah (and the foundation of all our deeds throughout the year), this is obviously applicable to all times and places. Certainly, it is possible and 33rd Annual Dinner to Honour incumbent upon us to achieve a full acceptance of the Divine kingship also in our time, and also in the above- Jason Kenney mentioned circumstances. “MP Jason Kenney is a good energy, his optimism, and his Indeed, there is a special quality to our kabalat ol in our friend of Chabad and a great principled convictions are the time and in this part of the world. When a person who has friend of Israel,” said hallmark of his personality. been conditioned to having limits placed on his Zalman Grossbaum when Jason has been a most refreshing independence accepts something unquestioningly, this does announcing the guest of honour presence on the Hill, “who not constitute a thorough and unequivocal acceptance; for for the 33rd Annual Dinner of speaks what he believes, and such a person is accustomed to being told what to do and Chabad Lubavitch. As a believes what he speaks.” Thus is often compelled to yield his will and modify his Member of Parliament, Mr. in choosing a reference that best opinions. On the other hand, when a person who does not, Kenney enjoys much popularity portrays the honouree, Rabbi as a rule, surrender his independence and his convictions in the broad Jewish community, Grossbaum offered a quote from is convinced that he must recognize and submit to a higher speaking up for human rights, the Book of the Just, by Rabbi Jason Kenney authority, this decision is made on a much deeper and supporter of Israel, and as an Yaakov Tam, one of the most outspoken critic of all forms of anchored by a moral code of outstanding medieval scholars more fundamental level and yields an absolute and racism and hate. His views and ethics that is in sync with who writes, “Words from the immutable commitment. opinions reflect, and are traditional values. His boundless Continued on page 5 2 • World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2011 The 120-Day Version of the Human Story Come see the doings of G-d, communication to humanity. His fearsome plot on the At the end of Moses' (first) children of man forty days on Mount Sinai, G-d gave him two tablets of stone, Psalms 66:5 the handiwork of G-d, upon On the 7th of Sivan, Moses Understanding the Month which the Ten Commandments went up onto the mountain.... were engraved by the finger of On the 17th of Tammuz the of Elul & Yom Kippur G-d. But in the camp below, the Tablets were broken. On the Jewish people were already 18th he burned the [Golden] abandoning their newly made Calf and judged the covenant with G-d. Reverting to transgressors. On the 19th he the paganism of Egypt, they went up for forty days and made a calf of gold and, amidst pleaded for mercy. On the 1st of feasting and hedonistic disport, Elul he went up to receive the proclaimed it the god of Israel. Second Tablets, and was there G-d said to Moses: Descend, for for forty days. On the 10th of your people, which you have Tishrei G-d restored His brought up from the land of goodwill with the Jewish people an individual or a people in the very essence of the human people of Israel gathered at Egypt, have been corrupted; they gladly and wholeheartedly, which the all-reflectiveness of story--the basis, the process, and Mount Sinai to receive the have quickly turned from the saying to Moses "I have the moment rises to the surface, the end-goal of life on earth. The from the Almighty. There, they path that I have commanded forgiven, as you ask", and gave in which a series of events offer hundred and twenty days from experienced the revelation of them... him the Second Tablets. a condensed version of the Sivan 6, 2448 to Tishrei 10, 2449 G-d and heard the Ten And Moses turned and went Rashi, Exodus 32:1 and 33:11 entire universe of time. contained it all: the Commandments which down from the mountain, with A single drop of sea-water, One such potent stretch of underpinnings of creation, the encapsulate the entire Torah. The the two Tablets of Testimony in analyzed in the laboratory, will time was a 120-day period in saga of human struggle, and the following morning Moses his hand... And when Moses reveal the characteristics of the years 2448-9 from Creation ultimate triumph which arises ascended the mountain, where approached the camp and saw billions of her sisters; indeed, it (1313 bce). The events of this from the imperfections and he communed with G-d for forty the calf and the dancing ... he will tell you much about every period, experienced by the failings of man. days and forty nights and threw the tablets from his hands drop in every ocean on earth. Jewish people soon after their The Events received the Torah proper, the and shattered them at the foot of The same is true of history. On birth as a nation, choreograph On Sivan 6, 2448, the entire more detailed rendition of G-d's the one hand, each period is Continued on pg.19 unique, each year, day and moment distinct in content and character. And yet, as we often recognize, the story of an individual life may tell the story of a century, and the events of a single generation may embody those of an entire era. On the surface, time may more resemble the disparate terrain of land than it does the uniform face of the sea; but once you strip away the externalities of Sighting Moshiach background and circumstance, a By Tzvi Freeman for chabad.ca anything like what you describe. Once that's done, just about Even the Kabbalists agree that drop in the ocean of time will Question: The arrival of Moshiach and the everything else we need to create Moshiach isn't planning on a reflect vast tracts of its waters Is it true that the Moshiach accompanying turnabout in the paradise is here already. sudden appearance. Rather, the and, ultimately, its entire shall suddenly appear on a main World Order, is a very pragmatic 2. The people will come up people will slowly wake up to expanse. street in , a poor old ideal. In fact, much of it has with a real wise individual and the fact that he's already here. We, who travel the terrestrial man with a wild but angelic happened already. make him their mentor and Just not in places people surface of time, know it as a look, spewing forth wisdom and Of course, as Maimonides puts leader--not the other way around generally look. succession of events and declaring the time of redemption it, nobody really knows exactly like in the fairy tales. As you put 3. The arrival of Moshiach is experiences. We traverse its has arrived? If so, why will they what's going to happen--The it yourselves: how else can he not much more of a greater rises and slumps, its deserts and not lock him up? Almighty-Master-Of-All-Plans- avoid being locked up? This is miracle than the sudden fall of wetlands, its smooth and rocky Is it true that he shall be To-Whom-All-Is-Revealed is stated clearly in numerous the communist dictatorship. passes. To us, the universal announced on all the media really concerned about the sources, for example, "They will True, there will be a couple of nature of the moment lies worldwide at 6 pm, along with suspense factor here. But allow search out David their king...", big Signs-and-Wonders- buried deep beneath its more offers for free El Al tickets? If me to let you in on a few of the "They will make for themselves scenarios--some that'll make the immediate significance; to us, so, who will finance this? key details, as I humbly a king and rise out of the land". Ten Plagues and the Crossing of the moment yields not the Is there truth to that which they understand them: It just seems pretty obvious that the Red Sea look like kid's play. totality of life and history, only say, that in those enlightened 1. The first thing Moshiach it's the people who make the Like, how about the splitting of those specific elements and days there will be only study of does is do away with bad leader -- a self-declared leader is the Euphrates, for one? But, who facets thereof which it Torah and no more reckless fun? marketing. That's the true villain little more than just another nut- says glitz makes a miracle? embodies. Is it true that the entire order of that has held us back all these case. Continued on pg. 19 But there are also vistas of a nature will change suddenly as years. Ask any consumer more inclusive nature, the Anointed One appears? electronics or computer engineer. The World of Lubavitch Chabad Lubavitch of Ontario landscapes of such diversity and Response: We could all own household A Publication of HaRav Dovid Schochet Rabbi Yossi Hecht impact that they are virtual Chabad-Lubavitch Spiritual Leader Chabad of Aurora Yes, definitely a case for pity. robots to do our work. We could 770 Chabad Gate Rabbi Z. Aaron Grossbaum Mrs. Fajgi Itkin mini-worlds of their own. There No (aside from the media be consuming less than 10% of Thornhill, Ontario Executive Vice-President Chabad of Hamilton are stretches in the journey of announcements)--it's not the natural resources we consume L4J 3V9 Rabbi Vidal Bekerman Rabbi Mendel Kaplan (905) 731-7000 Chabad at York Chabad @ Flamingo now--if it weren't for those www.chabad.ca Rabbi Mendel Bernstein Chabad of Richmond Hill Rabbi Yisroel Landa Editor: Israeli Community Services nefarious busy bodies who Dr. Yitzchok Block Rabbi Moshe Spalter Chabad @ Western Rabbi Sholom Lezel ON OUR COVER market quantity rather than Chabad of the Beaches Associate Editor: Rabbi Tzali Borenstein Klezmer by Ibby Kleiner. quality. Given the true needs of Chabad of Durham Rabbi Avrohom E. Plotkin Rabbi Z.A. Grossbaum Chabad of Markham During the intermediate days most people and the productivity Advertising: Rabbi Mendel Chaikin Chabad of Downtown Rabbi Yeshya Rose of , which are known possible with modern technology, Rabbi Moshe Spalter Chabad @ U. of T. Rabbi Nechemia Deitsch Typesetting: Chabad of Midtown Rabbi Yisroel Simon as Simchat Bait Hashoeva, we should all be working an Chabad of Kingston Adler Graphics Rabbi Yechezkel Deren special celebrations are average of 2.5 hours a week. Chabad of Maple Rabbi Yitzchok Slavin Chabad of Mississauga arranged with music and What's responsible for the other Publication Mail Reg. # 09785 Rabbi Yoseph S. Gansburg Circulation: 8500 Education Rabbi Moshe S. Spalter dancing, commemorating the 60+ hours? Bad Marketing. Subscriptions: $18 yearly Rabbi Levy Gansburg Administrator & Media Chabad Bayview York Mills celebration that took place in Moshiach's marketing people SEPTEMBER 2011 Rabbi Moshe E. Steiner will get people's minds back on Rabbi Menachem Gansburg Chabad of Uptown the holy temple during this Chabad on the Avenue Rabbi Yoseph Y. Zaltzman time. Our sages tell us that the right track. Thinking about Rabbi Moshe Goldman Russian Community Services real quality of life. About their Chabad of Waterloo Rabbi Zalman Zaltzman “whoever did not see the joy Chabad of Niagara of Simchat Bat Hashoeva has relationship with the earth and We cannot take responsibility for the Kashruth of the items advertised in this publication. not seen true joy in his life” with their bodies and their souls “We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the and the people around them. Publications Assistance Program towards our mailing costs” World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2011 • Page 3

A Birthday Tradition Haliburton Camp Site in the Throes of Completion

Finally after three construction seasons, Chabad’s 207 acre camp site in Haliburton is nearing completion. No doubt this arduous task has been quite costly and time consuming. Yet consistent with the Talmudic adage “L’phum Tzara Agra,” loosely translated, the gain is Marty Teplitsky hands the key of the new to Rabbi Grossbaum proportionate to the pain, we can as Marty Richman looks on now begin to look forward to a On Thursday, July 7, during Rabbi Menachem M. new venue and vista. An oasis in the first week of camp, friends Schneerson of righteous the country where children will and family of Chabad supporter memory, lauding Mr. Richman’s enjoy the great outdoors, and well known attorney, Marty support for Chabad Lubavitch of strengthen the body and nurture Teplitsky, gathered at the Ontario and extending best the soul. Chabad Lubavitch Community wishes for good health and long Overnight camping has always Center in Thornhill to celebrate life. been high on the priority list at Marty’s birthday. They Ten years later, when Morty Two of the bunk houses at Camp Gan Israel in Haliburton celebrated by presenting a new Goldhar turned 60 a second van Chabad. In fact, our beloved 15 passenger van to the was gifted by the same group. Rebbe o.b.m. extolled the virtues Lubavitch Day Camp. As staff Now, as Marty Teplitsky reached of this venture some 50 years slope, the building offers a accommodate two units and and campers sang Happy the 70 year milestone, the ago when Chabad in North magnificent view of Basshaunt includes washrooms and Birthday, Marty handed the keys tradition continues. America was still in its infancy. Lake which will be enjoyed from showers. In the second phase a of the new van, decked out with Needless to say, the extensive He recognized the value of the wide, north side porch. The similar pod will be constructed a giant ribbon and bow, as is and expensive transportation imbuing our youth with a ‘high central room with a high ceiling on the other side of the central befitting a birthday gift, to Rabbi component for over 600 campers octane’ 24/7 energy boost that is equipped with a stage and square. This will help organize Zalman Aron Grossbaum. The is provided by a commercial bus will stay with them for a auxiliary rooms for dressing, the camp in divisions by age. van was donated by a group of fleet. Some ten yellow school makeup and stage props. The But, let’s not forget about the friends and spearheaded by his buses pick up the campers daily lifetime. The facility will be natural beauty, some two good friend Marty Richman. and also provide transportation called; The Sidney & Naomi Ahron Hakodesh is strategically As the guests enjoyed delicious for field trips. Yet, for a camp of Spiegel Camp Gan Israel, in positioned and constructed so hundred acres of foliage, mature hors d’oeuvres, prepared by the this size, there are numerous recognition of their most that it is concealed when the trees, nature trails, and 6000 feet camp caterer Shlomo Shoshan, daily contingencies that are generous gift and continued facility is transformed for of frontage along Basshaunt Rabbi Grossbaum reminded facilitated by a 15 passenger support to make this most performances and night Lake. To enjoy conventional everyone that this has become a van. The van is used to pick up ambitious project a reality. activities. sports, three distinct areas have tradition of sorts among these campers that live in remote areas Indeed, it was the Rebbe who Currently under construction is been cleared and are being friends. Some 25 years ago and also deliver lunch and suggested the name Gan Israel, the spacious dining room and nurtured accordingly. when Marty Richman turned 50, supplies to the numerous camp Gan meaning garden and Israel commercial kitchen. Being In addition to hosting girls in his friends stymied by the divisions and locations. the name of the Baal Shem Tov, cognizant of the demands of a July and the boys in August we dilemma “what do you buy for In closing, Mrs. Esti Steinmetz, hope to maximise use of the the guy who has everything” director of Lubavitch Day Camp the founder of the universal facility that is almost constantly decided to purchase and donate shared her heartfelt blessings and Chassidic movement. From an in motion either preparing meals, facility by making it available a 15 passenger van to Lubavitch wished the donors long, healthy early age the Baal Shem Tov baking, or serving, etc. every for other community groups Day Camp. Indeed, this and blessed life, with the ability would spend extended periods consideration for efficiency and before and after the summer wonderful gesture was crowned to maintain this tradition for of time in the forest serving G- convenience is being months. Plans are underway to by a letter from the Rebbe, many years to come. d where tranquility reigned incorporated. The kitchen, open registration with G-d’s help supreme. decked out in stainless steel, will in the spring for the inaugural Finally after a lengthy process have two complete parallel 2012 season. COR and great expense we installed a facilities for dairy and meat. The A project of this magnitude is a septic system that meets the entire dining room will be testament of faith and bears A Product of Quality most stringent requirements of flanked by a wraparound porch. witness to the resolve and the Ministry of the Environment. Naturally the expanse between generosity of numerous ...A Respect for Tradition Upon receiving their approval these two prominent structures benefactors who have graciously we had the go ahead to proceed will by osmosis become the come to our aid. No doubt very A HAPPY & HEALTHY with construction of the central promenade. soon their efforts and support infrastructure of the camp On the periphery of a spacious will be rewarded with much NEW YEAR TO OUR facilities. expanse and flanked by mature satisfaction as we extend the FRIENDS & CUSTOMERS Strategically situated along the trees are a pod of three bunk horizon of Jewish life, both entrance roadway is the custom houses. Each is designed to literally and figuratively. built administration building, which also includes an • CHICKENS infirmary. “We felt that the combined use would ascertain • TURKEYS that if a camper is sequestered for a day or two in the infirmary, • STEWING HENS there would always be some activity in the adjoining area,” said Rabbi Itchy Grossbaum, Camp Director. The structure Delivered Fresh Daily from our includes offices and a reception modern Toronto Plant area. The infirmary component has an examination room to be outfitted with First Aid 115 Saulter Street South equipment, two bedrooms, three washrooms, and a resident suite Toronto, Ontario M4M 3K8 for a doctor or nurse etc. Further down the roadway facing east and flanked by a full (416) 462-1313 length porch is the Shul/ Construction of the kitchen / dining room. Assembly Hall. Perched on a Shul / Auditorium can be seen in the background. Page 4 • World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2011

Enhanced Training Toronto Friendship Circle Session Offered to Volunteer Wins North American Friendship Circle Essay Contest Volunteers Today there are some 65 grade eleven at the time, started in ways that I never thought we branches of the Friendship the Friendship Circle program. I could. Sometimes I will look at Circle throughout North thought she was crazy. Who him and think things like, Wow! America which cater to children would want to spend an hour a Look how much he has grown! with special needs. Since its week with someone like that? I He wasn't always able to reach inception, some 15 years ago, thought to myself. But every that cupboard! I notice the this initiative has become the week she came home from extent of his vocabulary, as paradigm for inclusiveness in a Friendship Circle with a huge compared to three years ago. most rewarding manner. The smile on her face and an amazing When he used to only say primary objective is to assign story to tell about some new thing "apple" when he wanted to eat, teenage volunteers to visit and David had done that day. When he can now say things like, interact on a weekly basis with she graduated high school she "Please, cookie" and "I want a special needs youngster. Today play puzzle." He even knows Mrs. Yehudis Bernstein flanked by the volunteers who received their there are over 4,000 his Brachot (blessings) better certificate of achievement for completing an indepth training course. beneficiaries and their families, than I do! He can sing any who are serviced by a brigade song, knows the words to all his One of the most challenging “special friend” teaching them of 8,000 teenagers. During the favorite books, and can do aspects for the Friendship Circle how to greatly enrich their course of time the Friendship puzzles without us showing him volunteers is communicating interaction. “I learned so much Circle has evolved and extended where the pieces go. Being with with their special friends. When from these sessions,” said Suzy, its scope with many creative him makes my heart melt with interacting with children with “it taught me to remember that programs. Here in Toronto the happiness - when he smiles at special needs one must always each person is different and Friendship Circle was started me, I can't not smile back. He be cognizant of the responds to different means of some eight years ago and knows that flashing his huge circumstances, limitations and communication. It helped me accommodates some eighty grin at me is all it takes to make frustrations that is often hidden discover what my special friend special needs children by a my day. behind a curtain of silence. responds to and what he turns volunteer force of one hundred I have learned a lot of lessons In addition to the annual away from, what helps him learn and thirty teenagers. Meira Shields from David. I learned that you mandatory training session some and what does not.” Being exceptionally impressed told me that Friendship Circle is can get pleasure and excitement ten volunteers completed 10 by the devotion of the teenage something from which I, too, from even the smallest things in hours of additional training at At the conclusion of the volunteers, a supporter from the would greatly benefit and enjoy life. It is important to appreciate the end of last season. Mrs. classes, Mrs. Esther Grossbaum Stamford, CT chapter wanted to and that I should consider everything we have and try our Yehudis Bernstein, of Spark thanked Yehudis for her show his appreciation and participating. I took her advice best to learn and grow to our Learning Centre presented the informative and practical commitment towards this noble and called up David's mother. She maximum potential. He taught four workshop sessions, titled sessions. Yehudis noted, cause and offered an essay was really excited for me to me that with patience, love, and “Allow Me”,offered to “Honestly, I wasn’t aware of contest with cash prizes for the come. Still somewhat sceptical, I understanding, we can all caregivers of individuals with how much Friendship Circle winners. The winners receive an asked one of my friends to come accomplish things we thought special needs. accomplishes. I am so impressed $1,800 scholarship stipend along with me. were too far out of our reach The interactive series was by the variety of programs and towards university or teacher’s It took me a couple of weeks to I don't know if David will ever informative and beneficial, yet the dedication of the volunteers college. More than one hundred get used to David, but by the know my name. I don't know if engaging and enjoyable. The and all the coordination that you and twenty, grade 12 students second month, I was hooked. For he will even remember me when course material was a guide to and Goldy accomplish! I also put pen to paper and described three years now, every Thursday I get back from Israel next year. promote communication skills look forward to continuing to their Friendship Circle at 5:15 sharp we pull into his I do know, however, that every between the volunteers and their work together.” experience in the North driveway, and there he is, waiting week when we spend time American essay competition. for us by the window. As we together there is an extraordinary Amongst the three winners was walk up the stairs to the door, we feeling that is reciprocated Meira Shields from the Toronto can see him running to greet us between the two of us. David is branch. Below is her essay calling out, "Good job! Good truly the most special friend I describing what the Friendship job!" We are the "Good-Job" have and I know that everything Circle means to her. girls because we were the ones he has taught me over the past who taught him those words. His three years has been an integral Meira Shields, Toronto being non-verbal doesn't matter to part of my growth. David will I don't remember when I first me because we can communicate stay with me forever. met David. It was a long time ago. I have always known his family - his sisters used to babysit me, his mother taught me. The first time I actually noticed David was when I was about eleven years old and he was three. I saw this cute kid running around the playground of the camp his parents directed and I was a little scared. I had never met anyone like him before. I kept my distance. I wasn't that outgoing girl who could befriend just anyone. For the next few summers, whenever I saw him there - whenever my friends would talk about how amazing he was - I would smile and nod my agreement, even though I did not really believe this to be true. When I was thirteen years old, my older sister, who was in World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2011 • Page 5

Dinner to Honour Chabad Hosts Group of I.D.F. Jason Kenney Cont. from page 1 Combat Soldiers heart penetrate the heart of the continues to enhance the Walking into the Chabad and made the heavy burden they participant received his own listener.” landscape of Jewish life across Lubavitch Community Centre at were carrying regarding these chance to share personal Today, Chabad Lubavitch has a the GTA and beyond. In addition the end of May left some experiences a little lighter.” experience from his military presence in seven of the ten to our base, we have established visitors puzzled. They walked “Having the sessions in the service. This was the most Provinces. And in tandem with 15 satellite centres strategically into scenes of Hebrew speaking shul also brought these young intense part of the entire the Jewish presence in numerous positioned from Niagara Falls, to young men re-enacting house to men to realize that they are a program. Many difficult cities across the country, some Aurora. So too, house searches and other highly part of something much bigger experiences were brought up. two hundred Shluchim stand on student centres have been charged situations in the rooms than just the state of Israel” She Many strong emotions were the vanguard to bolster established at almost all of the centre. It was all part of continued. “They realized that processed, leaving the traditional values and heighten universities along the southern a program arranged by the they are part of the Jewish participants much more free and participation in Jewish life. And rim of Ontario. “Peace of Mind” in order to promote our message But now we must “Close the organization, together and mandate Chabad Lubavitch Gap.” Programs of this with Chabad Israeli has gone numerous times to the magnitude are quite costly. In Centre under the “Hill.” Mr. Kenney, the Minister fact as a result of our ever leadership of Rabbi of Immigration and Culture has growing cornucopia of programs Yisroel Landa and always offered his help with and in light of our enormous hosted at the Chabad alacrity and enthusiasm. So too, capital projects our expenditures Lubavitch Community Jason has always been there to are racing far ahead of our Centre, in Thornhill. act as the liaison to the office of support stream. In order for During the week of the Prime Minister and the Chabad Lubavitch to remain May 22 – 29th, twenty government of Canada. solvent it is imperative that we discharged Combat In recognition of Mr. Kenny’s take precaution to close the Gap. Servicemen who had commitment to human rights, This year our battle cry of places been in some of the traditional values, and our beloved emphasis on bridging this most difficult situation Land of Israel, Chabad Lubavitch schism; “Please Mind the Gap.” in Gaza and the like, of Southern Ontario is most At the helm of the campaign spent a week together The group relaxes with Rabbi Landa (centre) pleased to bestow and confer are Mrs. Georganne Burke and with their therapists, upon him, the Distinguished community activist Mr. Larry relieving some of the stress of people and that there is a true flexible regarding these Public Service Award. Zeifman. They are being ably intense battle situations. and strong connection between experiences, regarding the war The campaign moniker is, assisted by a long standing In this program, where half the in the Diaspora and Jews and themselves as individuals. “Please Mind the Gap,” the committee that is headed by Joey day is dedicated to therapy and in Israel. “ Following this they discussed, catch phrase introduced by the Tanenbaum, Special Gifts Chair. the afternoon to seeing the The acknowledgment the career choices, separating from London Tube reminding “Chabad Lubavitch enjoys the sights, the soldiers have a participants received, for their the parents, interpersonal commuters to be mindful when admiration of the entire chance to process their combat three year military and combat relationships etc. disembarking of the gap between community and has a loyal experiences and make the service, by the hosting the train and the platform. We support base which makes our transition to civilian life smoother community, had extremely According to one of the too, at Chabad Lubavitch find work a labour of love,” said Joey and healthier. The main-stay of important therapeutic value. In soldiers, the most memorable ourselves travelling at high Tanenbaum. The dinner will be the three month transition is Israel, such recognition is less experience, was during the speeds in our quest to be of held Sunday, December 4, 2011 at groups of twenty and two or three common as many have served in Friday night service, held at a service to the entire growing the Beth Abraham Yoseph therapists being hosted in a the military and have private home of one of the Jewish community of Southern . Tickets for the gala Jewish community abroad. experienced combat. The warm hosting families. The T'filla was Ontario. Our flagship centre in celebration are $540 and available “The hospitality the group welcome the participants receive held after an intense week of Thornhill, serves as the hub for at Chabad. Your participation is received in the community was from the community helps them sessions where very difficult a myriad of initiatives that greatly appreciated. beyond expectation” said Linoy acknowledge they have been experiences were shared and Hazan, of the Peace of Mind through something traumatic. strong emotions were brought up organization. “The warmth and This is the first and most and processed. All that energy support the participants received important step to processing found its way out during the Kabalat Panim for from the hosting families their experiences and moving T’filla. In the middle of Kabalat changed the entire perspective forward in life. Shabat we simply started singing Rabbi Korobkin these young men had on Jews in During the sessions the and dancing together in one of the Diaspora and even about participants learned about the the most exciting and moving Most recently the Thornhill Torah by Rabbi Dovid Schochet their views of their combat reactions to normal combat moments of the week. It really is Shluchim of Chabad Lubavitch followed by an acknow- experiences. These brave young experiences. But then, every a memory for a life time.” hosted a reception to welcome ledgement of appreciation for men now realized that in the war Rabbi Daniel Korobkin, the the warm welcome by Rabbi they were also defending Jews newly appointed Spiritual Korobkin. all over the world. This had a Leader of the neighbourhood During the reception, each of very important impact on their Shul , the BAYT. Introductory the participating view of their IDF experiences remarks were offered by Rabbi introduced themselves and their Zalman Grossbaum, A D’var respective area of Shlichus. SUE'S THORNHILL FRUIT MARKET LTD. 7241 Bathurst Street 905-731-2132/3 • Quality Fruit & Vegetables • H Fresh Cut Flowers and Potted Plants • A VERY HAPPY HEALTHY NEW YEAR ! Rabbi Korobkin, 3rd from left meets with Chabad rabbis of Thornhill Page 6 • World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2011

Toronto Television Hot Air Balloon Rides at Toronto Series Finds Home at Lag B'Omer Parade and Jewish.TV Celebration The Toronto-based television translate it into our own ideas Children and adults at the to further the Rebbe’s wish that waiting time. At the center of the program “Messages” has found and thoughts, and bring it into Chabad Lubavitch Lag B’Omer Lag B’Omer be a day of great park a large canopy was erected a new home at Jewish.TV, the our own lives. Watching the parade and celebration in joy, especially for children. This and under the able multimedia portal of show will encourage people to Toronto’s Earl Bales Park were component was well planned administration of Howard website Chabad.org, where it engage in their own type of amazed to be offered the and organized by Rabbi Yossi Rosenberg, proprietor of Howie can be found under the heading thoughtful discussion to put the opportunity to get a ride up in a Gansburg. On the heels of the T’s the service was second to “Wisdom From the Rebbe: Rebbe’s message into their own real, full size, hot air balloon spirited rally the children none. In tandem with the Learning From the Rebbe’s words.” carnival atmosphere there was Talks.” According to Rabbi Moshe cotton candy and popcorn. So The long-running show, which Spalter of Chabad of Toronto, too, there was face painting and produced 182 episodes during the show’s executive producer, caricature drawings. Keeping the its seven years of production, as well as a panelist, “Messages” buzz alive and to entertain some brought the teachings of the was professionally produced three thousand participants Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. with a polished three-camera Bounce Entertainment blasted Schneerson, of righteous shoot, 26-person crew and high- forth Jewish music. memory, to a late-night quality lighting and audio. The day’s celebration audience in Ontario. Guest experts included well- concluded with a traditional From the Jewish.TV platform, known rabbis and lecturers, Medurah Bonfire with music by producers say, the show will including Chabad at Binghamton the SimanTov Band. Though the continue its mission of looking University director Rivkah day started with clouds and was at key teachings of the Rebbe Slonim; educator, writer and interrupted by rain, it quickly from a scholarly point of view. Chabad.org editor Chana changed to a bright day, “The Rebbe’s syntax is very Weisberg; and Rabbi Manis allowing the many participants much a Torah one,” explains Friedman, director of Bais to fully enjoy the day. Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, director Chana Women’s International. and see the landscape below marched along Bathurst St. In no small measure the of Chabad@Flamingo and a For Spalter, the series filled a from a bird’s eye view. “Never, accompanied by theme floats success was due to Yerucham scholar-in-residence for many of void in productions about the in my wildest dreams, did my built by Yeshivas Lubavitch and Ifraimov, Chabad’s maintenance the television series’ episodes. Rebbe. children ever imagine that they the 8th grade of the Cheder director who puts his heart and “To understand what the “This is really the only video would get to do something like Chabad. The parade was led by soul in everything he Rebbe says, a person needs a series that exists that studies the this,” said Donny, the parent of a contingent of “Yids on undertakes. But an event of this significant amount of Torah teachings of the Rebbe rather two excited children as they Wheels” motorcycle brigade and nature would not be possible background. This program than the life of the Rebbe were being lifted out of the the Marching without the brigade of hundreds gives the average layperson the himself,” says Spalter. “It’s more balloon basket at the end of their Band. The ability to understand the than actual footage of the Rebbe. ride. “Chabad once again has children message of what the Rebbe is It studies his ideas.” shown itself to be ahead of the carried During the pack.” The hot air balloon was signs and show’s time on donated by the Remax Real banners of television, Kigel Estate Company due to the every shape witnessed its efforts and lobbying of one of and color profound effects their greatest salesmen: Randy promoting firsthand. Cohen, a member of Chabad of Mitzvot and “I am Thornhill. Jewish absolutely It was all part of the full day education convinced that celebration in honor of Lag as they everyone who B’Omer. This multifaceted proudly had any contact extravaganza was sponsored and marched down On the set of “Messages” Season 4 with the show – arranged by Chabad Lubavitch Up, Up and Away! the participants, of Ontario and Tzivos Hashem Bathurst saying.” the studio crews, the audience, Canada together with all the Street. The numerous of volunteers from the entire During its run, episodes of myself – were spiritually Chabad institutions of the G.T.A. contingencies i.e. permits, police community all decked out in “Messages,” which reached enriched by it,” says Kigel, who, Preparations began many supervision, street closing were knitted shirts embossed with the more than 50,000 people, since the show ended, moved months before the event. In fact, arranged by Rabbi Mendel Lag B’Omer logo. Special weekly, on Canadian television, from Toronto to Vienna. they began the day after last Zaltzman. Coordinating the thanks to Esti Steinmetz of brought together three student “While the show aired on TV, year’s phenomenal success, floats, and Yeshiva volunteers Lubavitch Day Camp, Rabbi panelists, a guest expert and people often came up to me to when we all agreed that it will were left in the able hands of Yonah Vilenkin of Tzivos host Michael Kigel, of three thank me for certain episodes be a real challenge to exceed the Rabbi Itchy Grossbaum. Hashem Canada and Rabbi Rabbis and Kigel, to discuss an and to discuss their content with previous year.” Returning to the park the Moshe Spalter of Chabad issue about which the Rebbe me. It was most significant that The day began at 12:00 with a marchers were ready to indulge, Lubavitch for this amazing spoke. The group would watch many Jews who were altogether rally and amazing trampoline picnic, and enjoy a slew of event. a short Jewish Educational ignorant regarding [Chassidic show at the parks amphitheater. exciting activities, but were first Media clip of one of the thought] could open themselves, Though it was cloudy and misty, tested by a brief downpour. Rebbe’s talks, after which the in the comfort zone of their nearly all of the 1200 seats were Spirits never dropped as they students or host would take living room, to these influences.” full of eager, joyful children and recalled last year when the skies turns asking relevant questions For all those involved in the their parents. Rabbi Meyer turned dark and prior to the for the scholar to clarify. The production of “Messages,” the Gitlin served as the M.C. while designated hour there was a light group would discuss the topic – continuation of the program will Rabbi Yossi Hecht – continuing shower, still when the clock Yirmi Cohen Jewish motherhood, for only increase its impact. the family tradition of his struck 12 P.M. the sky suddenly Broker/Financial Advisor example – until they grandfather, the unforgettable cleared. So too, this year, the Business & Life Insurance collectively felt that the issue “This show is enormously Rabbi JJ Hecht – led the skies cleared and the celebration Disability/Critical Illness was understood. beneficial, especially for those children as they recited the 12 continued. There were 10 Employee Benefit Plans “What’s really special about who have little Jewish Pesukim. Dovid Altein on fairway rides for children of all Investments/Rrsps & Resps this program is that it brings out background or familiarity with keyboard along with the students ages. There was an entire array Tax Savings the intellectual power of the the Rebbe,” says Kaplan. of Mesivta and Yeshivah Chabad of carnival booths and of course Bus: 905.760.8770 Rebbe’s videos,” says Rabbi “Broadcasting it on Jewish.TV is – kept the spirits on a high. thousands of prizes. Fax: 905.889.4995 Shais Taub, creative director of a significant step forward in Many were decked out in clown Anticipating a large crowd, [email protected] Jewish.TV. bringing the Rebbe’s teachings suits and embracing the moniker much effort was invested to 37 Whitney Place Thornhill, Ont. “This show helps us to take to audiences who might have “TRC”; The Rebbe’s Clowns, a provide the BBQ menu in an L4J 6V9 what the Rebbe said and missed it previously.” reflection of their commitment orderly fashion with little World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2011 • Page 7

Chabad Lubavitch Lubavitch Day Camp Completes Receives Ontario Another Successful Season

Trillium Grant Six hundred children and one planned by their dynamic leaders hundred and fifty teen staff ensure their maximum enjoyment members enjoyed another of what might be their last successful season at Lubavitch experience as campers. Once a Day Camp. week the CIT members spend a “In our constant search for full day with experienced improvement, we introduced counsellors to learn, hands – on, some new innovative programs what being a responsible and this year,” said Camp Director, caring counsellor entails. Mrs. Esti Steinmetz . To further advance their The CIT program in Lubavitch training, the CIT group plans a Ben Katan Photography Day camp has been gaining grand activity for the entire camp. This year the chosen Picture above is Peter Shurman, M.P.P. of Thornhill, Gary Gladstone, city-wide recognition. Boasting Ontario Trillium Foundation, & Rabbi Zalman Grossbaum fifty young teens this unique project was a carnival! Booths camp experience allows were planned, signs created, and campers, parents, and Earlier this summer Mr. Peter tutelage and guidance of teenagers to enjoy the summer the palpable excitement of the counsellors joined together to Shurman, MPP for Thornhill, licensed and certified tradesmen, months while acquiring the campers attested to the CIT’s spend the Friday evening service visited Chabad’s flagship centre teenagers will have the necessary skills needed to success. Due to the large and meal, in an on Chabad Gate to offer his opportunity to engage in become a staff member in day success of the program, plans are atmosphere that can only be congratulations for our worthy carpentry, electrical, and camp in the future. CIT’s, an presently in place to extend this found at Lubavitch Day Camp! submission and subsequent plumbing projects. Naturally, acronym for Counsellor In program to up to 80 campers It’s hard to say what the approval for funding from the ample time will remain each day Training, have a double track next summer! highlight of the evening was. It Ontario Trillium Foundation. for recreation and to enjoy the program. The might have been the The seed money is to further our great outdoors. The grant program includes beautiful choir objective to engage teenagers in provides initial funding for a two activities for the performed by our a work/ fun environment where year period. “I’m convinced that campers own very own girls they can experience physical this project holds much promise enjoyment, such as division. Maybe it skill training and also enjoy the and will be beneficial for field trips, art was the humorous great outdoors. This initiative numerous teenagers,” said Rabbi projects, and skit that the boys has been made possible by our Zalman Grossbaum, director of stimulating division presented. 207 acre camp parcel in Chabad Lubavitch. “There is activities. It also Was it possibly the Haliburton. The site provides an nothing like a hands on includes training delicious food opportunity to engage teenagers experience,” he intoned. sessions, guidance prepared by camp in a novel and beneficial This novel idea, coined, L’avda as counsellor caterer, Shlomo manner. A number of the U’lshamra, literally translated “to assistants, and Shoshan or beautiful existing structures need to be work and protect,” is a biblical opportunity for décor. Was it the repaired and upgraded. These reference: “And G-d placed growth in responsibility and Another new program this year welcoming staff members, or the existing facilities create an Adam in the Garden of Eden to maturity. The field trips, such as was the “Shabbat for the Family” undeniably beautiful and uplifting opportunity to host a teenager serve and protect.” Our Paintball shooting, strawberry at Lubavitch Day Camp. Friday atmosphere? Whatever may have program similar to “Habitat for initiative was well received by picking, Laser Tag, Rock night, the unmistakable sound of been the best part for all those Humanity.” The project will the Ontario Trillium Foundation climbing and Zip Line, are children’s voices filled the families who joined together in begin next spring by inviting that graciously agreed to provide offered exclusively for the CIT hallways at Lubavitch Day song and spirit, we are sure to see young adults to engage in a some of the seed money needed group. Activities that are Camp. Two hundred and fifty them back next year! training program. Under the to launch this program. Chabad on Ontario Campuses Begin a New Year

Chabad Houses on university campuses across the country welcomed the Jewish students back for another year at their home away from home, as they've come to be MANY NEW CLASSES NOW AVAILABLE affectionately known. With welcome BBQs and v”c tabling, the dedicated rabbis and rebbetzins are reaching out to KINDER KRAFTS by SURIE identify the Jewish students and invite At the welcome BBQ at the Rohr Chabad Centre for Jewish Life SPECIALIZING IN them to participate in in Waterloo JUDAIC MOBILES and ALEPH BAIS CHARTS the varied offerings at Chabad. programs. PERSONALIZED WALL HANGINGS atmosphere of spirituality, The renowned Chabad House at The diamond in the crown is charged with spirited singing and HANDCRAFTED SIMCHA NAPKINS Western, for example, offers a certainly the Shabbat dinners, words of Torah from the rabbi or SIMCHA FAVOURS & So Much More weekly lunch and learn on where "home away from home" a student leader, every single campus featuring deli sandwiches is not a slogan but a simple fact Jewish student feels cared for and a class on the weekly Torah of life. These homemade dinners, and connected. portion which is very popular, and served with love and free of The Chabad Houses on campus Surie Janowski the Chabad Student Network in charge to all Jewish students, are a shining example of what Ottawa invites students to create a sense of community and Chabad is really all about - By Appointment Only (905) 731-1789 volunteer to assist seniors and the support that is vital for those tender loving care for every www.kinderkraftsbysurie.com homeless, among their many other away from home. In an single Jew. Page 8 • World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2011

Site of Holy Ark Uncovered Vilnius The site of the Aron Kodesh, or Holy Ark of The Great Synagogue of Vilnius dating back to the end of the 16th century, was recently uncovered in the excavations of this historically significant synagogue. Lithuania’s Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius visited the site to view the synagogue’s excavated Rare Canadian Jewish fragments and attend as 25 Jewish Lithuanian students of Military Wedding the local Beis Menachem school prayed there. Takes Place in Mexico “For us it is very important to Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius (left) looks on as a student bring back an authentic part of from Chabad’s Beis Menachem recites a prayer. At his right is Chabad- By Joshua Runyan Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula. Lithuanian history which Lubavitch representative to Lithuania, Rabbi Sholom Ber Krinsky The Canadian Armed Forces Capt. Lazer Danzinger, a rabbi included the history of the celebrated its first traditional and member of the Chabad- Jewish community,” the Prime Lubavitch Napoleon is said to have stood Soviets, is a triumph for every Minister told Lubavitch.com in at the door of the structure in Jew.” community of a phone interview after the Thornhill who 1812 in stunned admiration. The excavations are part of a modest ceremony. The findings Chabad-Lubavitch representative broad effort sponsored by the serves as so far, he said, “are important Canada’s only to Lithuania, Rabbi Sholom Ber government, initiated during this not only for Lithuania, but for Krinsky, who led the students in year to restore the old Jewish full-time the global Jewish community. It military prayer, said: “Holiness quarter of Vilnius, and includes is a powerful symbol of both a transcends time. To pray on this digs to uncover some of the Jewish great Jewish heritage, a great chaplain, place today 60-70 years after this eight smaller in the tragedy when the entire Jewish great shul was destroyed by the area. officiated at community was destroyed, and the wedding it is a very powerful symbol for in the Cohens’ the Jewish future.” favorite Canadian Capt. Rabbi Lazer Danzinger Also uncovered was a part of SIMCHAT officiates at the wedding of Maj. Alain vacation spot the original floor, and the top of SIMCHAT Cohen and Alexi Haligua-Cohen in full of Merida. one of the four pillars military dress uniform. He had been surrounding the bima of the TORAHTORAH pressed into Great Synagogue--a magnificent Jewish military wedding in service, so to speak, when the renaissance structure in this HAKAFOT recent memory with the nuptials major found out that the armed once great Jewish center of HAKAFOT of Maj. Alain Cohen and Alexi forces did indeed have a rabbi Torah study, widely known as All are welcome to come & join Haligua-Cohen at a resort on on staff. “Jerusalem of Lithuania.” the Celebration Partly destroyed by the Germans during WWII, and SHMINI ATZERET fully demolished by the Soviet Hundreds Don authorities in 1955-1957, these Wednesday, October 19 Thursday, October 20 findings are some of the first Candlelighting 6:09 p.m. Shacharis 10:00 a.m. at March of the Living after efforts to unearth and Mincha 6:15 p.m. Yizkor approx. 11:30 a.m. restore the Synagogue began Thousands of participants in Tefillin with us told us that they earlier this summer, under Maariv 7:00 p.m. Mincha 6:10 p.m. the March of the Living felt this was the most fitting thing archeologist Zenonas Baubonis. marched in May from the gate to do, that the best way to respond Kiddush 7:30 p.m. Hakafot 8:45 p.m. Out of respect for regulations of Auschwitz to Birkenau, to the Holocaust is to do another that forbade a synagogue where a memorial ceremony ,” says twenty year-old SIMCHAT TORAH building to stand taller than a was held at a monument to the Yehuda Glaser, from Chicago, IL. church, the synagogue was Thursday, October 20 Friday, October 21 camp’s victims. A Californian man who visited constructed on a deep During the ceremony, Chabad the Tefillin booth told Glaser foundation with its floor well Maariv 7:05 p.m. Shacharis 10:00 a.m. rabbinical students wrapped that he has a pair of Tefillin back below street level, to allow for Kiddush 7:30 p.m. Kiddush 11:00 a.m. Tefillin with more than 500 at home, but hadn’t been using an interior height of five stories. people. The opportunity to them recently. Hakafot 8:15 p.m. Hakafot 12:30 p.m. The synagogue was of such practice a mitzvah at these sites After donning Tefilin at the Torah Reading 1:30 p.m. magnificent architecture, where so much of Jewish life ceremony, “he told me that he was destroyed, was well will begin wrapping Tefilin received. every day when he gets back R Wednesday, September 28 Friday, October 7 “Many people who put on home,” Glaser said. Y O Candlelighting 6:46 p.m. Kapparot 3:30-6:00 a.m. Mincha 6:50 p.m. O Mincha 3:15 & 4:15 p.m. S Maariv 7:40 p.m. Candlelighting 6:30 p.m. M Kol Nidre 6:45 p.m. H Thursday, September 29 Shacharis 9:00 a.m. K H Shofar approx. 11:30 a.m. Saturday, October 8 Mincha 5:45 p.m. I Shachris 9:00 a.m. A Tashlich 6:15 p.m. Yizkor 12:00 p.m. Maariv 7:40 p.m. P Mincha 5:00 p.m. S Light Candles after 7:44 p.m. P Neilah 6:15 p.m. H Maariv 7:30 p.m. HIGH Friday, September 30 U A Shachris 9:00 a.m. N Shofar approx 11:30 a.m. R Yom Tov & Shabbos HOLIDAY Light Candles at 6:42 p.m. Services A Mincha 6:40 p.m. Shacharis 10:00 a.m. SERVICES Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 p.m. Two rabbinical students at the March of the Living H World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2011 • Page 9

World's Largest Jewish Community Center Nears Completion

by R. C. Berman - Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine Straddling two blocks, a $60 million, 400,000 square foot Jewish Community Center and Holocaust Museum now under construction in Dnepropetrovsk Construction of New will be a city within a city, a showcase for a Ukrainian Visitor Center to Begin at industrial backwater waking up to boom times in Jewish and Jerusalem’s civic contexts. The seven-tower, twenty-story museum and center multiplex will stretch around the existing The new Menorah Centre Golden Rose synagogue is more than Ukraine’s largest saluted the building as “good for sweeping in its scope of Holocaust memorial. It will also the image of the city,” a step programs. house one of the world’s finest forward for democracy, freedom “Any Jewish person, any age collections of contemporary of religion and revitalization. and every time of the day will Jewish art and a museum of Now experiencing a boom, as have a reason to spend quality modern Jewish life. Igor evidenced by the number of time at the center,” said Kolomoysky, Privat Group cranes perched atop the steel Dnepropetrovsk’s Chief Rabbi partner, is funding the museum skeletons of growing high rises, and Chabad-Lubavitch complex and collecting the art Dnepropetrovsk is faced with a representative, Shmuel that will form the nucleus of the widening gap between rich and Kaminezki. At maximum museum’s collection. poor. Menorah center stores will capacity, the center will hold Plans for the center received offer help to financially Ample outdoor space for events and breathtaking views will put the over 10,000 people, a chunk of enthusiastic reception from local struggling families and seniors. center on the itinerary of any visitor to the Western Wall Dnepropetrovsk’s 50,000 Jews. officials. Mayor Ivan Kulichenko A discount card will allow them (architecture drawings) Funded by Gennady Bogolubov, brought the plans along with him to purchase groceries and by Baila Olidort roots, Guma, who had yet to president of the Jewish when he attended a conference prepared food at near or below Guma Aguiar takes his build Leor, his multi-billion Community of Dnepropetrovsk of mayors in Belgium. He shared wholesale costs. Medical clinic blessings seriously. dollar energy company, was and partner in the international architectural drawing of the services will be provided on a The biggest of them all, insists greeted by the Chabad rabbi industrial firm Privat Group, the center with Jerusalem Mayor Uri sliding scale, and prescriptions the 33 year-old energy magnate, with spontaneous warmth that center will cement the city’s Lupolianski to promote positive for low-income residents will be was learning about the took him by surprise. Jewish renaissance. ties between the two cities. subsidized. Lubavitcher Rebbe. With his inimitable generosity A Jewish mall in the center For its aesthetic appeal, the To get a sense of how huge the “The Rebbe is the most and acceptance, Lipszyc helped will offer easy access to kosher center drew approval from the Menorah Community Center and inspiring and unifying force that the young man uncover his food and lifestyle necessities on city’s architectural planning Museum is, it helps to hear that we’ve had in a very long time,” Jewish roots and discover a level unfathomable in the lean board. The outermost of seven and his inspiration is the yiddishkeit. Today, the trim and its seven lights will be viewable days of the communist and impetus for a visitor center now toned father of three dedicates towers stand five stories high by airplane passengers on their under construction at time to building his spiritual immediate post-glasnost era. and climb to ten, fifteen and way to the international airport. Jerusalem’s Western Wall. profile, studying with Chabad Kosher restaurants, coffee finally twenty stories at the “The largest menorah in the Perched on a bluff facing the rabbis and realizing the day-to- shops, fast food joints, an center. Atop each building is a world,” according to Rabbi Wall with a view of the Temple day applications of Chabad Internet café, a bookstore, large spotlight fixture that will Kaminezki. Inside the hulking Mount, the center will provide teachings in his own life. Judaica store, supermarket and give the complex the look of a structure, will be programs that guests a quiet space to reflect The Rebbe’s focus on pharmacy will line the first two free form menorah. keep the spiritual and physical on their visit to Israel’s holiest translating spiritual inspiration floors of the center. Currently, Dnepropetrovsk’s municipal needs of those in need at the site. Inside, permanent and into bricks-and-mortar, down-to- ten tons of kosher meat chief architect Julia Saenko forefront. changing exhibits on high- earth achievements, resonates products are produced in definition monitors will explore well with the Brazilian-born Ukraine, including ten different Join us for the Rebbe’s ideas about businessman. So when Rabbi kinds of deli meats, per month. Jerusalem, Israel and related Sholom Lispkar of Bal Harbor, When the center is completed, themes, helping visitors anchor Florida, suggested that he do demand is expected to grow KAPOROS the spiritual experience at the something “for the Rebbe” with further. In conjunction with CHAI wall. a number of properties that he’d Above the mall, floors of Kosher Poultry, we will “We are working together bought at the Western Wall, auditoria and suites will become have chickens available. with J.E.M. (Jewish Guma’s imagination was fired. home to programs for children, Educational Media) to produce “Over the years, I had different children with special needs, Friday morning, October 7 outstanding footage and content ideas and different architectural women’s groups, adult that will offer visitors plans drawn up for these 3:30 am - 6:00 am education and seniors. A wing is substantive food for thought,” properties, but there was never Chabad Lubavitch Community Centre Guma said in an interview. any real direction.” This idea reserved for Jewish courses offered to the community’s Cost: $15.00 Per Chicken Pre-Reserved “People walk away from the had tremendous appeal for $16.00 Per Chicken at the Door Kotel and are not sure how to Guma. college students and for its on- These chickens will be donated to charitable translate the spiritual high they “It would allow me to finally site business school. Teachers at feel into something concrete. gift to others what I have been the school and community organizations, to be distributed to needy families This “home” dedicated to the so fortunate myself to have—a workers will live in the 30 and other charitable purposes. Rebbe’s legacy, will allow them life enriched by the inspiration apartments within the complex. Please fill out the form below and return it to to direct all that energy in a and impact of the Rebbe. I’m Weddings will be held under our office by Wednesday, October 5 sustaining way.” thrilled to do this now.” the stars near a permanent Born Jewish, Guma, who was Ample outdoor space for rooftop tent. Festive receptions Name______raised as an Evangelical events and breathtaking views and banquet will take place in Christian, has traveled a long will put the center on the the plush catering halls a short Number of Chickens: Male______Female______distance since that Friday night itinerary of any visitor to the elevator ride away. A massive several years ago when he Western Wall, says Rabbi commercial kitchen will provide Each order must be accompanied by full payment. walked into Chabad of Ft. Lipszyc. He expects it will all the kosher catering. Lauderdale, and met Rabbi quickly become “one of the most Your cheque should be made payable to: In an adjacent space, the CHAI KOSHER POULTRY Moishe Meir Lipszyc. Knowing visited Chabad addresses in the museum, planned with direction very little about his own Jewish world.” of Yad Vashem in Israel, will be Page 10 • World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2011

Miami Yeshiva Gives College Grads Taste of Something New By Karen Schwartz Ezra Rosen, 23, went to Miami last winter to study at a brand-new yeshiva for 10 days. With his boss’ and parents’ blessing, he left New Jersey at the end of December with a round trip ticket. Young Abraham Animated He’s still there. After studying for 10 days at Yeshiva Torah Ohr, a Chabad- Film Wins Audiences Lubavitch run institution in North Miami Beach that caters to young men who never had a chance to study classic Jewish texts, Rosen realized he wasn’t ready to go home. Instead of returning after his week off work with, as he says, a “little Rabbi Sholom B. Lipskar of The Shul of Bal Harbour gives a lecture for students from the Miami Torah Experience and bit of Torah,” he decided to stay Yeshiva Torah Ohr. and acquire much more. He’s spent the last several student, a prospective lawyer, Storfer early this year while months learning with a group of and a University of California, Stewart was working at Merrill diverse individuals with similar Berkeley student, studies for 14 Lynch. When he was let go from ambitions for Jewish growth. hours each day and spends some his job a short time later, he by Mendy Rimler of the polytheistic culture of his Rosen had previously studied in of their remaining time getting started studying in the morning The last scene in Young time and eventually arrives at his different Jewish environments, others involved. and looking for work in the Abraham is a showdown own recognition of a one and gone to college and worked in Looking back on the journey afternoons. What started as just between Nimrod, king of Ur only G-d. During Abraham’s commercial mortgaging. This that has brought him to Miami, mornings turned into staying the Kasdim and biblical Abraham, brief stint in his father’s idol time around, he was teaching Storfer says his parents were whole day, and six months ago ending as Abraham emerges shop and throughout the film, himself to translate Hebrew and caught off guard at first, but that he moved into the dorm. from a furnace before a nation the comically broad dialogue diving headfirst into the text. they are proud of his and his “I realized it was what I really of converted idolaters and a provides a healthy dose of The yeshiva is led by a man family’s work in Florida. wanted to do,” says Stewart, who repentant King Nimrod. laughter while conveying real who himself comes from a non- “Many people, especially in the plans to stay on this trajectory for That is the climax and message Jewish values. observant upbringing and last generation or two, never had the next six months, further of the CGI (computer generated The dazzling visuals work in started studying Torah relatively the chance to do what Jews have developing his skill sets and imagery) animated motion tandem with the Midrash and late in life. been doing for thousands of enhancing his spiritual growth. picture, a vivid and compelling various commentaries to enhance Rabbi Immanuel Storfer, 30, years,” he says. “And it’s never “Both physically and spiritually, retelling of the biblical and and bring the story to life. went to New York University too late.” he really looks after his students. Midrashic story of Abraham’s According to Ibn Ezra, an and studied psychology before Levi Stewart, 23, an Emory “It’s the best thing that could have discovery of G-d. At last, eleventh century commentator, deciding to make Torah study a University graduate, first met happened to me.” entertainment with Jewish and Abraham traveled to Noah and larger part of his life. He first visual depth for young audiences. studied Torah under his wing. met a Lubavitcher on a mobile Released in June to a hugely Then, after years of preparation “,” around enthusiastic response, Young and study, Noah urged Abraham Chanukah time in 1998, he Jewels for Gems Abraham lays out an authentic to return to Ur Kasdim and put recalls, when he was stopped If you have jewelry you no narrative in a brilliantly animated an end to the idol worship. on the street and asked to take longer wear or enjoy, world and redefines the future of “Many people have called us a menorah to light. Jewish films. just to ask if that really “I wasn’t so interested at Why sell your jewelry for a To research and write the happened; people don’t know a first,” says Storfer. “I was a fraction of its value? script, the producers of the $1.8 lot of these details,” says typical NYU student walking Why not consider donating it? million project Saadyah El Bernath. around Manhattan and a guy Haddad and Eliyhau Cohen Jennifer Slifkin brought her started speaking a lot about approached two Montreal-based five children to a screening of Judaism, a lot about the Chabad rabbis, Yisroel Bernath Young Abraham and watched Rebbe.” The Friendship Circle and Zvi Herschovich. the film together with them. “Eventually I took the catering to children with special needs “The goal was to bridge In a movie-saturated society, menorah,” he continues, “and is the recipient of this initiative. traditional Judaism and “this film competes for kids' eventually, I did light the Hollywood,” says Rabbi attention,” says Slifkin, an menorah.” This is a “win win” offer worthy of consideration. Bernath, Director of Chabad attorney. “The animation was top He transferred out of NYU We will have the jewelry we receive appraised NDG and Loyola Campus. After notch and definitely comparable after his sophomore year, and by two recognized appraisers and issue a tax an exhaustive study of numerous with anything else out there.” after attending the deductible receipt for the real value. Midrashic sources and In an age where form is always Institute for Jewish Studies in For more information or to make arrangements commentaries, the pair a factor, Young Abraham has Jerusalem and receiving his for an appraisal, please call submitted the first draft in Pixar appeal while still ordination from the central March of 2006, but they were remaining historically accurate Lubavitch yeshiva in New York, Chabad Lubavitch of Southern Ontario “involved throughout the and retaining the true meaning Storfer dedicated his efforts to The Friendship Circle following years to monitor the of the story of Abraham’s teaching others. 905. 731.7000 ex 35 project to ensure that the film triumph of faith and tradition. Early this year, Storfer moved stayed true to the text.” The possibility for making this to Florida with his wife Rochie Set in ancient Mesopotamia, an outstanding educational and their two children to open the film opens with King experience, says Rabbi the yeshiva, basing the project Nimrod’s demand of his general Hershcovich, is what inspired on the Miami Torah Experience Terach to hand over his newborn them to work on this film. he ran for two winters under the son, Abraham, who had been “This film sets a new bar for direction of Lubavitch of marked by Nimrod’s stargazer a producers who can teach more Florida and in conjunction with rebel of the kingdom. As young people by getting the information the Chabad on Campus Abraham grows up on the run out there in a film, while keeping International Foundation. from Nimrod’s men, he their feet on the ground and The current group, which ruminates on the idolatrous ways sticking to the sources.” includes a Los Angeles film World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2011 • Page 11

that reach thousands of Jewish boys and girls in South Florida and beyond. His colleague, Rabbi Menachem Nagar is the creative director of Chabad.org and a medical student. Like Rabbi Shmuly, he has been a certified Scout chaplain for nearly a decade. Rabbis Shmuly and Menachem hiked indefatigably through the 40,000 strong Jamboree site - which featured scouts from 168 countries - looking for Jewish scouts to invite for Shabbat. En Chabad Rocks route they had occasion to offer many Jewish scouts a great Jewish scouting experience by Scout Jamboree offering candies for a blessing, One hundred girls lit Shabbat candles candle sticks, Tefillin, etc. The “Excuse me, are you Jewish?” Loewenthal of Chabad of official Jamboree Bulletin who assembled for the Friday of the Israeli delegation in asked Rabbi Shmuly Gutnick, a Denmark, along with the amplified the Rabbis' call by night Kiddush. A delicious meal gratitude for bringing the Jewish Chabad emissary to the World invaluable aid and experience of publishing a formal invitation to ensued, replete with inspiring and Shabbat experience to the Scouting Jamboree in Rinkaby, Rabbi Michoel Albukerk of Jewish scouts to attend the discussions, singing, dancing, Jamboree. Sweden. 'Tzivos Hashem', to assist him in Friday night Shabbat program at and above all an uplifting spirit One Jewish scout from Brazil “Yes I am, how can I help providing Jewish programs for the Jamboree Synagogue tent. of joy and Jewish fellowship. stated this was the most you?” answered the scout in his the Jamboree This was all done On Friday, Rabbi Yitzy This was followed by a songfest meaningful and beautiful fully emblazoned scout uniform in coordination with the local Lowenthal and a team from which lasted deep into the night. Shabbat of her life! One hundred behind the Jamboree Shliach in Malmo, Rabbi Shneur Chabad Copenhagen arrived The Shabbat program was the other girls lit candles with her, registration desk. “Would you and Raizel Kesselman, and with Shabbat meals for the highlight of Jewish programming and she was sure they must all Jewish Scouts. A massive tent at the Jamboree and inspired the feel the same way! was used to accommodate the hearts of those present. Jewish Scouts who attended the anticipated large crowd. Scouts hailing from France, Shabbat program and Rabbi Loewenthal recounts: England, Germany, Sweden, participated in other Jewish "As my car pulled into camp and Greece, America, Israel, Brazil, activities earned a specially I was getting out, a young boy of 14 approached me and asked if I could teach him how to put on Tefillin, as he had never done it before. We put Tefillin on him and celebrated his Bar Mitzvah. Afterwards, he said that being at the Jamboree, and especially meeting us, made him want to get a pair of Tefillin. However, he was concerned that his parents would not like it. He thought they would worry that 'laying Tefillin' was ‘not modern’. I suggested that he Kipa Making Craft at the Jamboree explain, that ‘being modern’ could mean ‘being able to do like to put on tefillin?” within a Rabbi Alexander Namdar, your thing’ - and Tefillin has few minutes a loud ‘Mazal Tov’ Director of Chabad Sweden. become ‘his thing’." Rabbi Shmuly with two of his scouts is heard, as a crowd of Rabbi Shmuly is better known The evening got off to a flying bystanders join in to celebrate as the 'Rockin’ Rabbi' by both start with a large number of this young man’s Bar Mitzva. Jewish and non-Jewish scouts scouts enthusiastically singing Australia, Mexico and Italy, designed achievement award in The World Scouting for his affable manner, cheerful and dancing throughout the found they had one place on the form of a beautiful Jamboree takes place every four smile and inextinguishable 'Maariv' prayer. For many it was Earth where they were all home embroidered 'JamboJew' patch, years and brings together tens enthusiasm - all hallmarks of their very first experience of - the Shabbat table! During the and everyone could participate in of thousands of scouts from Scouting spirit. He is the Shabbat. Rabbi Loewenthal evening, a special presentation the dedicated 'JamboJew' every country in the world - was made to Chabad by the head Facebook page. among them hundreds of Jews. Chabad Shluchim are not new to Scouting. The Scouting movement identifies with many of the core values which Judaism holds dear. It is no coincidence therefore, that for the last 23 years, Chabad shluchim have successfully participated in these venues, bringing excitement and inspiration to Jews and non- Jews alike. Furthermore, this year, many of the Jewish European scouts who journeyed to the world Jamboree received welcome and accommodation at Chabad houses en route - in Getting ready for Shabbat dinner Amsterdam, Berlin, Hanover, Brussels, and Copenhagen. Rabbis Shmuly Gutnick and director of the Chabad Youth distributed specially prepared Rabbi Menachem Nagar were Network of Florida where he Jewish songbooks to the requisitioned by Rabbi Yitzi conducts year-round programs hundreds of international scouts Page 12 • World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2011

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AS. What is the Jewish Senior Hashana and the High Circle (JSC) and when was it Holidays? created? DBM. We have services for DBM. Jewish Senior Circle is a Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur senior support organization in several retirement homes, which serves the needs of shofar blowing in many more Jewish seniors in the GTA. It locations. There will also be a began in 2008. distribution of apple and honey AS. How were you chosen to before Rosh Hashanah to organize this new venture? hundreds of seniors. DBM. Beginning as a student in AS. How are you marketing Yeshiva, I would visit elderly your programs? people in senior homes or their DBM. We have recently put out private residences every Friday several news articles in various afternoon. I continued this news papers. My wife posts activity for over eight years and group emails and we are developed a special feeling for In this Issue we interview Rabbi Dov Ber Marshall by Ahava Spillman currently putting out a the elderly and always received of Chabad Jewish Senior Circle promotional video as well. pleasure from each visit. When AS. How has the Rebbe Rabbi Yossi Yarmush of Tzivos influenced your work? Hashem told me that he was baking and deliveries, Holiday enjoyed it immensely. Many living in a modern world? DBM. In 1980 The Rebbe working on funding to help services, Holiday home package more people attended than I DBM. One way is through our initiated "Colel Tiferes Zekeinim seniors, I embraced the deliveries and much more. had anticipated. They were art workshop which attracts Levi Yitzchok" to encourage the opportunity. His guidance, Volunteers range from high attentive, interested, and asked anyone interested in a social elderly, who are retired and thus assistance and leadership have school and university students to excellent questions. The event with art. Another thing is have moretime, to dedicate time been invaluable from the very capable seniors and all ages in second time I spoke, it felt like to bring them holiday programs to the study of Torah. It is a very beginning. between. There are many I was visiting old friends. The which even secular people relate great zchus to be involved in AS. What were your goals children who tag along with atmosphere was cordial and to. Many seniors spend time bringing this initiative to the when you began JSC? family members and mothers relaxed and some residents reminiscing about their Greater Toronto Area. DBM. From my past who bring their infants along to brought their friends along to childhood and are very proud of Also through the connections experiences I knew that this kind cheer up the seniors. participate. Tell us about your their grandparent's devotion to that have been built with the of work was something that AS. How can a senior obtain most successful programs and yiddishkiet. This is an ideal time, staff of the senior facilities we could add value and substance your services? why you think they work. when life slows down a bit, to are looking at a bright future of to many lives. There are many DBM. By calling our office DBM. The programs in which reflect and learn more about bringing more yiddishkiet to seniors out there who live in 905-882-9227 or through our family members bring along their heritage and family tree. many more deserving seniors. complete isolation. Even for website JewishSeniorCircle.com children and have the children AS In the world of geriatric AS. What’s your vision for those who are well off, days can click on "seniors". take an active part in the complacency, how does the future? be long and lonely: they are AS. What centres does JSC presentations, are very effective Judaism offer a promise of DBM. There is no limit to how unable to get around, meet visit? in making the seniors feel part of something better for seniors? much can be accomplished for people or engage in enjoyable DBM. Are you sure you want the community. We all know DBM. The Torah viewpoint on this often neglected part of activities. Most of all it is the whole list it's a bit long. that kids are the future but this is totally opposite to that of society. The warmth of depressing for many who had Leisureworld Richmond Hill, seniors feel that reality much modern society. Longevity and yiddishkiet and the attention of a always been productive Leisureworld Cheltenham, more passionately, wanting to old age are considered in Torah caring volunteer can absolutely members of their community Leisureworld Norfinch, Terrace see evidence that “tomorrow” is to be one of the greatest possible alter a person’s life. We would and now find themselves unable Gardens, Forest Hill Pl, Pine in good hands. blessings. “Many years bring like to see to it that every senior, to continue their established Villa, Kensington Pl, Lchaim AS. Describe an unexpected wisdom”, says the Biblical verse. wherever they are, has the lifestyle. Retirement, Ahavas Achim, reaction you have had from a “The older elderly scholars get, opportunity to live with the AS. How have your objectives Lansing Retirement, Four Elms, first time participant? the more settled their minds parsha and enjoy Torah life to changed? Amica on Steeles, Thorn Mills, DBM. Before setting up any become,” says the . the fullest. DBM. While working to bring Bayview Extendacare, Baycrest volunteer to visit a senior I Members of the Sanhedrin AS. We wish you hatzlacha in volunteers to visit one on one Terrace, Cummer Lodge, Valley always meet both people. (Jewish Supreme Court and your fine endeavours and a with lonely isolated seniors, we View, Carefree Lodge, Several months ago I was governing body during the happy and successful Rosh are simultaneously working on Brookside Court and Hilltop PL visiting a very lonely and bitter Biblical and Mishnaic eras) Hashana. How do people get group programs to bring seniors This does not include man. He had lost his wife some would normally have to be over involved either financially or together for social events. In condominium buildings and thirty years earlier and has been seventy. The Torah tells us to through volunteering? many buildings there are seniors homes where we run programs. all alone since. His adopted son rise before people the age DBM. Tax deductible donations who don't meet their own AS. That’s quite an impressive never comes to visit. This was seventy or older, even if they are should be made out to Jewish neighbours and don't seek list. If a seniors' centre wants my first time meeting him in not Torah-scholars, out of Senior Circle and mailed to 37 companionship. Our programs to be on your roster, what person. When I called him to let respect “for the trials and Troyer Court Thornhill ON L4J help seniors meet new friends should it do? him know I would be coming, tribulations they have 2M6. To volunteer please visit : and stay socially active. For DBM. They can contact the he asked if I would stop by the undergone”. jewishseniorcircle.com and click example, many residents in office number mentioned above store and buy some pens as he AS. What’s in store for Rosh on "volunteer". nursing homes are delighted to or email: didn’t have any. We talked for a share past experiences with [email protected] while, he told me some jokes other residents who share their AS. Who gives classes and on and we had a nice time. As I got common Jewish heritage. what topics? up to go, he showered me with AS. How is JSC funded? DBM. We have several blessings and gave me a kiss on DBM. We received our seed extremely dedicated volunteers my hand and told me very funding from the Trillium who teach classes. Rabbi Aron affectionately that I had made Foundation. The needs of the Kamman, Rabbi Yosef his day the happiest in decades. program have quickly exceeded Rappaport, Rebetzen Sara AS. What was your first event; the amount funded and we are Rabiski and other families who how many attended? Does working hard to discover other join together to make programs attendance increase as your venues as well as publicizing the lively. We also have an art courses become familiar to the fine work we do to encourage teacher who runs our Judaic-art- community? the community to demonstrate workshops. DBM. Our first event was a its generosity. The topics are based on the Chanukah menorah lighting in a AS. Tell us about the various weekly parsha, current events rented room of Bernard Betel programs. Who are the and important dates on the Centre, We had over 45 volunteers? Jewish calendar. Sometimes we attendees. Our list of locations DBM. Programs include engage guest lecturers who is steadily increasing as well as volunteer visitations, educational speak on various topics. Didn’t the amount of people who attend classes, children/teen produced you speak at The Terrace a each program. plays, Judaic-art-workshops, pre- couple of times last year? AS. How do you promote Shabbos services, Challah AS. I did and must tell you I Jewish ideas to secular seniors Page 14 • World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2011

By Rabbi Aron Moss

Is It Really Rosh has the power to break down the understand in olden times it Hashana Again? walls of inertia surrounding the was easy to know who your soul, and kick start your climb mother was and there was no born from the mother. world. And so, up the spiral. way of proving fatherhood. This is not to say that a father the direct physical link between With the new year upon us, I You need to hear the Shofar. But these days we have DNA and child are not intimately mother and child is a reflection wonder what is the Jewish We all do. testing, so why can't someone attached. Of course they are. But of a soul link between them. view of time? Some cultures Wishing you a sweet new year, be Jewish even if only their as deep and essential as the bond While the father's soul see time as a cycle - what was may you be written and sealed in father is Jewish? between father and child may be, contributes to the identity of the will be again in an endless the book of life, Answer: the child's actual body was never child's soul, it is the mother's pattern. Others see time as a Jewishness is not in our DNA. a part of her father's body. But soul that actually defines it. If line, starting at the beginning It is in our soul. The reason it is she was a part of her mother. the mother has a Jewish soul, the and marching ever onwards. Why Are all the passed through the maternal line Every child begins as an child does too. Which view of time does Good Guys Taken? is not just because it is easier to extension of their mother's body. If the mother is not Jewish but Judaism adopt? identify who your mother is. It is This is a simple fact. It doesn't the father is, his Jewish soul will Answer: Here is the dating paradox: because the soul identity is more mean she will be closer to her not be extended to the child. Neither, and both. In Judaism, Why are all the good guys directly shaped by the mother mother, or more similar to her There may be a spark of time is neither cyclic nor linear. taken already? Why are my than the father. mother, or follow her mother's Jewishness there, but if it was It is a blend of the two. Time is friends' husbands all such From a purely physical ways. We are not discussing the not gestated in a Jewish mother, a spiral. wonderful people, and the perspective, a child is more emotional bond between parent the child will have to go through On the surface, Jewish time guys I meet all seem to be directly connected to their and child, but rather the natural conversion for their Jewishness seems to have a cyclic pattern. missing something? mother. The father's contribution physical bond. There is a more to be activated. Every year we celebrate the Answer: to the production of a child is direct physical link between Other religions are passed down same festivals in the same way. It is not that the good guys are instantaneous, remote and short- mother and child, because a by the father. Jewishness is We blow the same Shofar every taken, it is that a taken guy is lived. The mother on the other child starts off as a part of her passed down by the mother, Rosh Hashana, and we recite the more desirable. Loving and hand gives her very self. The mother. because being Jewish is a same prayers. There is a sense of being loved brings out the best child is conceived inside the The body and its workings are spiritual identity, it defines our having come full circle. Having in us. So a guy in a relationship mother, develops inside the a mirror image of the workings very being. And our very being travelled through the rhythms of does have something that the mother, is sustained and of the soul. The physical world we get from our mother, both in time during the year gone by, we available guys are missing - nourished by the mother, and is is a parallel of the spiritual body and in soul seem to be back where we someone to love. started. A painting will always look But we are not. We do not better once it is framed and hung arrive at Rosh Hashana as the on the wall. A couch is far more same people we were a year ago. attractive in a home than in a Every year teaches us new showroom. And people are more lessons and exposes us to new beautiful when they have found realities. We can't help being love. The human soul is only transformed by the dramas and truly itself when it has opened disappointments, tests and up to someone else. triumphs that each of us face in When we love someone, we are any given year. We have grown more alive. Our feelings are older, hopefully wiser, and more vivid, our sensitivity is advanced ourselves and our heightened and our personalities world further along the path of flourish. When we are loved by destiny. someone, we feel more confident We are spiralling upwards. As and free, content and complete. we reach a new year, we are at We can share love with our the same side of the spiral as we family and friends, but until we were last new year, but this time find our soul mate we are only a level higher. The world as a half a person. It is when man whole, and the world in and woman come together that miniature that is everyone of us, they are the image of G-d, they have been furthered in their long are complete. trek upwards toward their holy You can't go furniture shopping goal. in someone else's living room. And what if you're no higher And you can't compare the guys than you were last year? If you you date to your friends' come to Rosh Hashana with husbands. A complete person nothing to show for the year that doesn't need you. A half, seeking went by; if you haven't their missing half, does. developed your character and Feel your halfness, and deepened your sensitivity to recognize the halfness in others; if you haven't matured in another. Then you'll find there your perspective or broadened are plenty of wonderful guys out your understanding of life; if the there. One is waiting for you. year passed by without Without you, he's only half the impacting on your inner self, guy he could be. then you've got some catching up to do. It's time to wake up Why is Jewishness and come alive. Your soul is waiting to start spiralling Passed Down by the upwards. Mother? I know just what you need to get you started. You need to hear Why is Judaism passed down the blowing of a ram's horn. It through the mother? I World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2011 • Page 15

By Rabbi Aron Moss

lowly organ, to say that it can Why a Bris? The answer: values. You have and should be used in a holy values, principles of right and simply the right thing to do. A friend asked the other day way. In fact, it is in sexuality wrong, good and bad that direct You have a wonderful sense of Did You Get the why we have a Bris that we can touch the deepest your life and demand that you values. But values do not live in (circumcision). I rambled on part of our soul, when we behave a certain way. You don't a vacuum. To survive and Message Yet? about health, tradition, old approach it with holiness. give charity because it makes spread, values need institutions Rabbi, do you think we are people, 8 days, pain and a Why circumcise a baby? sense, or because you in which they can be fostered too flooded with information whole lot of other nonsense Wouldn't the statement be more before leaving this one to you. instinctively feel the urge to and taught. That is the function these days? No matter where powerful if it were made by a we are, we are online, Answer: give, or because the law of a shule. A shule is where mature adult? contactable, and never alone. The Bris is a physical symbol of demands you to. You give values are taught and lived. By The circumcision is performed You used to have to go and the relationship between G-d and charity because it is moral, it is joining a community we become when a child is still not aware of check your mail in your the Jewish people. It is a right, it is good to help those sensitised to the needs of others, letterbox once a day. Now you what is happening. This is constant reminder of what the who are in need. as we come into contact with can check your email on your because the Jewish connection to Jewish mission entails (a But where do your morals come people outside of our immediate phone every two minutes. Is G-d is intrinsic - whether our reminder which men need more from? What is the source of the circle of family and friends. By this a good thing? Sent from minds believe in G-d or not, my iPhone™ than women). Let's look at its value of charity? The Torah. It hearing the Torah reading and whether our hearts love G-d or was the Hebrew Bible that studying its messages, values are Answer: details: That's a great question. I will not, our souls know G-d. We can proclaimed that our income is If circumcision is what G-d shared and passed down. have to think about it. I will get join the covenant with G-d even wants, why aren't we born only partly ours. A tenth of it You need to give Tzedakah to back to you with an answer without being consciously aware circumcised? doesn't belong to us at all, but is feed the poor and shelter the soon. All the best, of Him, because subconsciously G-d created the world given us on loan, to distribute to homeless. But you also need to Rabbi Moss we already know Him. imperfect, and gave us the worthy causes. The Hebrew ensure that the very value of Sent from my Blackberry© while I Why specifically on the eighth was in the middle of dinner with mission to perfect it. G-d created word for charity is Tzedakah, Tzedakah itself is not homeless, day? my family™ wheat, humans make bread. G-d meaning justice. The Jewish and that your children should The number seven represents Instead of spending time© with the created a jungle, humans create tradition saw charity not as a never suffer from moral poverty. people closest to me® nature - seven days of the week, civilisation. The raw materials noble act of generosity, but as a That's why we need shules. I was checking emails™ and seven colours of the rainbow, are given to us, and we are to moral act of justice. To give is Because values need a home too. responding to complete strangers® seven musical notes (doh re mi use our ingenuity to improve on etc); the number eight is the the world that we were born number that surpasses seven, and into. thus represents the miraculous, This is symbolised by the Bris what is beyond nature. We do - we are born uncircumcised, the Bris on the eighth day and it is up to us to "finish the because the Jewish people job". This is also true survive on miracles. Our history metaphorically. We each have defies the laws of nature. We instincts and natural tendencies welcome a new Jewish child into that are inborn, but need to be this miraculous existence on the refined. "I was born that way" eighth day of his life, as if to does not excuse immoral say, "Expect miracles!" behaviour - we are to cut away any negative traits, no matter Who Cares for the how innate they may seem. Homeless? Why on earth would G-d choose circumcision to represent I am a strong believer in the something sacred?! value of charity. But I can't Jewish spirituality is about see how it is important to give money to a shule. There are making the physical world holy. homeless people and starving The way we eat, sleep, work and children, so why should I give procreate should be imbued with money so people can just the same holiness as the way we gather together to pray and pray; our homes should be as hear a rabbi's speech? Isn't sanctified as our synagogues. We that a luxury in comparison? find G-d on earth just as much Answer: (and perhaps more) than in the Why do you care that there are heavens. So we put a sign on the homeless people? What's it your most physical and potentially business? Are they members of your own family that you should be concerned about them? And MY ZAIDY'S who's children are starving? PIZZA - FALAFEL Yours? If not, why is it your 441 Clark Ave. W. problem? Why should you feel (Spring Farm Plaza) Thornhill responsible for someone else's (905) 731-3029 child? What is it that makes you We Deliver care for the needs of others? It is certainly not logic that drives you to help others. If MY ZAIDY'S PIZZA anything it is illogical to just & BAKERY give away hard earned money to 9340 Bathurst St. ktrah ckj someone who you don't even @ Rutherford know. Neither is it human nature (Longo’s Plaza) Thornhill that demands we care for a (905) 832-4800 stranger. And there is no legal Shana Tova to all our obligation to share your wealth Friends & Customers! with others. So what pushes you to do it? Page 16 • World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2011

Monday, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, 11:30 - 12:30 Sheppard & Crestwood Area Chabad Lubavitch Community Centre Call 905-731-7000 for exact location 770 Chabad Gate World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2011 • Page 17

Telling it Like it Wasn’t: A Former Times Reporter Looks Back at Crown Heights Riot

By Ari L. Goldman “Hasidim and blacks clashed in You’ve got this story all wrong. frame and spoke the truth was Twenty years ago, on the night the Crown Heights section of All wrong.” the fearless poet of the New of Aug. 19, 1991 – the night Brooklyn through the day and I didn’t blame the “rewrite” York newspaper business in that Gavin Cato and Yankel into the night yesterday.” reporter. I blamed the editors. It those days, Jimmy Breslin, then Rosenbaum were killed – my In all my reporting during the was clear that they had settled a columnist for Newsday. He editor called me at home to tell riots I never saw – or heard of – on a “frame” for the story. The was one of numerous reporters, me that riots had broken out on any violence by Jews against way they saw it, there were two photographers and television the streets of Crown Heights. blacks. But the Times was narratives here: the white journalists who were beaten or “We’re covered for tonight but I dedicated to this version of narrative and the black narrative. otherwise injured during the want you to start your day there events: blacks and Jews clashing And both had equal weight. riots. In Breslin’s case, he was tomorrow,” he said. amid racial tensions. To show After my outburst things got a dragged from a taxi by a group Over the next three days, Jewish culpability in the riots, little better. The next day’s report of rampaging young men, working 12 hours shifts and the paper even ran a picture – began like this: “Black youths pummeled and stripped of his Ari Goldman only going home to sleep, I saw laughable even at the time – of a hurling rocks and bottles clothes. That night, he vowed to published in an academic journal and heard many terrible things. I Chasidic man brandishing an scuffled with the police in the tell the truth of his humiliation, called Polity. Her article is called saw police cars set on fire, open umbrella before a police Crown Heights section of although he anticipated the “Crown Heights: Politics and stores being looted and people officer in riot gear. The caption Brooklyn last night, even as resistance. “And someone up in Press Coverage of the Race War bloodied by Billy clubs, rocks the higher echelons of That Wasn’t.” and bottles. One woman told me journalism, some moron starts “Journalists and their audience that she barricaded herself into talking about balanced alike rely on ‘frames’ when her apartment and put the coverage,” he said. writing about and understanding mattresses on the windows so The other person who spoke newsworthy events because they her children would not be hurt the truth was the brilliant former provide cues for understanding by flying glass. executive editor of the Times, others’ experiences,” Conaway Over those three days I also A.M. Rosenthal, who by 1991 wrote. But, she added, saw journalism go terribly had become a columnist for the sometimes the frames are wrong. wrong. The city’s newspapers, paper. Rosenthal was one of the She continued: “The New York so dedicated to telling both sides first journalists at the Times to Post, a tabloid, shifted away of the story in the name of call the riots what they were. from the race frame to focus on objectivity and balance, often “Pogrom in Brooklyn,” was the black anti-Semitism within a few missed what was really going headline of his column on Sept. days of the initial rampages, on. Journalists initially framed 3, 1991, just two weeks after the while The New York Times the story as a “racial” conflict riots ended. persisted with the racial frame and failed to see the anti- “The press,” Rosenthal wrote, for at least two years. Semitism inherent in the riots. A boy weeps beside his fallen father, who was beaten “treats it all as some kind of unconscious by a marauding gang of Caribbean foreign “Yet,” she added, “one cannot As the 20th anniversary of the nationals during the Crown Heights anti-Jew hatefest cultural clash between a poverty- understand the events [that riots approaches, I find myself ridden people fed up with life unfolded in Crown Heights] re-examining my own role in the read: “A police officer scuffling Mayor David N. Dinkins tried to and a powerful, prosperous and without getting beyond the coverage and trying to extract with a Hasidic man yesterday on personally calm the racially unfortunately peculiar bunch of binaries of black versus white some lessons for myself and my President Street.” troubled neighborhood after two stuck-up neighbors — very sad encouraged by the use of the profession. I was outraged but I held my nights of violence.” of course, but certainly race frame, and understanding At the time, I was a religion tongue. I was a loyal Times But the Times still had trouble understandable. No — it is an the more complex dynamics of writer at The New York Times employee and deferred to my changing its frame. Perhaps most anti-Semitic pogrom and the the conflict.” and was well connected in the editors. I figured that other troubling was an article written words should not be left unsaid.” As someone who saw the Lubavitch community, the reporters on the streets were in the midst of the rioting under It pains me to recall that not conflict unfold I can attest to this predominant Jewish group in witnessing parts of the story I this headline: “Amid Distrust in many people at the Times took first-hand. I am telling my story Crown Heights. I was one of was not seeing. Brooklyn: Boy and Scholar Fall Rosenthal seriously at the time. in print for the first time because probably a dozen Times But then I reached my breaking Victim.” The article compared He had gone from being the it is important that we journalists reporters and photographers on point. On Aug. 21, as I stood in the life of Gavin Cato, the 7- editor of a great “liberal” examine our mistakes and learn the streets over the course of the a group of Chasidic men in front year-old boy killed in the car newspaper to being a from them. Fitting stories into riots. We were a diverse group, of the Chabad-Lubavitch accident that spurred the riots, “conservative” columnist who frames - whether about blacks and representing many religions and headquarters, a group of and the life of Yankel seemed to return to the same Jews, liberals or conservatives, racial backgrounds. demonstrators were coming Rosenbaum, 29, who was issues over and over again: the Arabs and Israelis, Catholics and My job was to file memos to down Eastern Parkway. “Heil stabbed to death later that night. security of Israel, anti-Semitism, Protestants or Muslims and Jews the main “rewrite” reporters Hitler,” they chanted. “Death to It recycled every newspaper the persecution of Christians in — is wrong and even dangerous. back in the Times office in the Jews.” Police in riot gear cliché and was an insult to the China and the war on drugs. Life is more complicated than Manhattan about what I saw and stood nearby but did nothing. memory of both victims, but, But Rosenthal was right about that. And so is journalism. heard. We had no laptops or Suddenly rocks and bottles again, it fit the frame. Crown Heights. In 1993, two This article originally appeared cellphones in those days so the started to fly toward us and a “They did not know each years after the Crown Heights in the Aug. 12 issue of The other reporters and I went to Chasidic man just a few feet other,” the article said. “They riots, an exhaustive state Jewish Week. payphones and dictated our away from me was hit in the had no reason to know… They investigation sharply criticized memos to a waiting band of throat and fell to the ground. died unaware….” In the eyes of Mayor Dinkins for not stenographers in the home Some ran to help the injured the Times, the deaths were understanding the severity of the office. The photographers man but most of us ran for morally equivalent and had equal crisis. It also faulted his police handed their film off to couriers cover. I ran for a payphone and, weight. commissioner, Lee Brown, for PERSONAL, on motorcycles who took the my hands shaking with rage, The Times editorial page mismanaging the police during MARITAL & FAMILY film to the Times. dialed my editor. I spoke in a followed suit. “The violence the riots. COUNSELLING following an auto accident in Yet, when I picked up the way that I never had before or The critical state report was Abraham Kass, B.A., M.A. paper, the article I read was not since when talking to a boss. Crown Heights reminds all New widely covered in the press. “For Clinical member of the Ontario the story I had reported. I saw “You don’t know what’s Yorkers that the city’s race the Mayor,” the Times headline & American Associations for headlines that described the riots happening here!” I yelled. “I am relations remains dangerously said, “A Harsh Light.” But Marriage and Family Therapy in terms solely of race. “Two on the streets getting attacked. strained,” the editorial said. It another report, this one on how concluded by praising Mayor (905) 771-1087 Deaths Ignite Racial Clash in Someone next to me just got hit. the press covered Crown Telephone Enquiries Welcome. Tense Brooklyn Neighborhood,” I am writing memos and what Dinkins, giving him credit “for a Heights, got little publicity. It Affordable Fees. the Times headline said. And, comes out in the paper? hard night’s work” and doing was written in 1999 by Carol B. Strictly Confidential. “the job that New Yorkers worse, I read an opening ‘Hasidim and blacks clashed’? Conaway, then an assistant Let me help. paragraph, what journalists call That’s not what is happening elected him to do.” professor at the College of Holy a “lead,” that was simply untrue: here. Jews are being attacked! The one who first broke the Cross in Worcester, Mass., and Offices in Thornhill, Ont. Page 18 • World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2011 World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2011 • Page 19 The 120-Day Version of the Human Story Continued from page 2 the mountain. ("I Am the L-rd your G-d...")--the even outright evil. It is a world It was the 17th of Tammuz. first letter of the Ten whose First Tablets have been What a Married Woman Moses destroyed the idol and Commandments. Torah is G-d's shattered--a world gone awry of rehabilitated the errant nation. preconception of what life on its foundation and its true self, a He then returned to Sinai for a earth should be like; the basis world wrenched out of sync with Needs to be Happy second forty days, to plead and raison detre of creation is its inherent goodness. by Family Therapist Abe Kass need to be fully happy and before G-d for the forgiveness that we develop ourselves and The Broken Tablets are a plot If you are a woman, you need content. I know this because of Israel. G-d acquiesced, and our environment to this ideal. contrived by the Author of the following feelings that come many women, in my work as a agreed to provide a second set But G-d wanted more. More than existence to allow the possibility from your relationship with your family therapist, have told me. of tablets to replace those which the realization of His original for a Second Tablets. Every husband to feel emotional Here is what to do if you are a had been broken in the wake of blueprint for existence, more than failing, every decline, can be fulfilled. As the body needs man: Israel's sin. These tablets, the falling into place of a pre- exploited and redirected as a particular nutrients, so too, your Treat your wife in such a way however, were not to be the programmed perfection. More positive force. Every breakdown emotional side needs particular that she feels she is your handiwork of G-d, but of human than a “First Tablets” world that of the soul's First Tablets feelings to feel fully happy and priceless “treasure.” Learn from construction: is wholly the handiwork of G-d. content. You get these feelings the words above and or from And G-d said to Moses: Carve A created entity, by definition, perfection is an opportunity for when you feel your husband: your wife's guidance and yourself two tablets of stone, has nothing that is truly its own: man to carve for yourself a Cares about you, chooses you, enthusiastically embrace these like the first; and I shall inscribe all the tools, potentials and second set, in which the Divine understands you and protects relationship ideals. When you upon them the words that were possibilities it possesses have script is chiselled upon the tablets you. do, your payoff will be that she on the first tablets which you been given to it by its Creator. of human initiative and creation. Here is how to increase the will devote herself to your have broken... Come up in the But G-d desired that the human A second set which includes an likelihood you will receive these wellbeing. You will feel morning to Mt. Sinai, and experience should yield a profit entire vista of potentials that were emotional gifts from your beyond what is projected--or beyond the scope of the first, husband: present yourself there to Me on wholly Divine set. Cares for you. Encourage your the top of the mountain. even warranted--by His initial husband to show he “cares” Moses ascended Sinai for his investment in us. So He created G-d said to Moses: Do not be about you by expressing your third and final forty days atop us with the vulnerabilities of the distressed over the First Tablets, appreciation for the help and the mountain on the 1st of Elul. human condition. which contained only the Ten attention he does give you. Tell G-d had already forgiven Israel's He created us with the freedom Commandments. In the Second him what you like, not what you sin, and now a new and to choose, and thus with the Tablets I am giving you also don't like. Let him know you invigorated relationship between potential for failure. When we act Halachah, Midrash and Agadah. need his help and involvement in By Him and His people was to be rightly and constructively, we are Had Israel not sinned with the your wellbeing to feel good rebuilt on the ruins of the old. behaving according to plan and Golden Calf, our sages about yourself and your Abraham Kass, On Tishrei 10, we received our realizing the potential invested conclude, they would have relationship with him. M.A., R.S.W., second set of the Ten within us by our Creator. But received only the Five Books of Chooses you. Your husband Commandments, inscribed by when we choose to act wrongly Moses and the book of Joshua. will choose to be with you when G-d upon the tablets carved by and destructively, we enter into a For as the verse says, "Much he feels good around you. Be "respected" and "valued"— Moses hand. state of being that is not part of wisdom comes through much interested in him. Ask him emotional nutrients that, as a Thus, we have three forty-day the plan of Torah--indeed, it is grief." questions. Don’t give advice man, you need. periods, and three corresponding the antithesis of what Torah unless he asks. Let him know As well, acknowledge all your states of Torah: the First Tablets, prescribes. Yet this state of being you value his opinions and wife's good efforts and thoughts the Broken Tablets, and the is the springboard for teshuvah Remembered & Enacted decisions. Don't push him away on your behalf. Express your Second Tablets. These embody (return)--the power to rise from These hundred and twenty days with anger expressions, criticism, appreciation with a gift, kind the foundation of our existence, the ruins of our fall to a new have left a lasting imprint on our irritation or meanness. Make words, and a helping hand. the challenge of life, and the dimension of perfection, a experience of time. For the yourself pleasant and attractive When your wife feels ultimate achievement of man. perfection unenvisionable by our Jewish calendar does far more and you will make it easy for “treasured” by you, she will give untarnished past. than measure and mark time; in him to choose to be with you. you her admiration and love and The Plot the words of the Book of Esther, Always remember, marriage is a Our sages point out that the This is how Chassidic teaching together you will create peace "These days are remembered and voluntary arrangement. Marriage and harmony in your home. opening verse of the Torah's explains G-d's creation of the enacted." The festivals and is a choice. Reward the choice The formula is simple: When account of creation, Bereishit possibility of evil. This is "His by being positive and pleasant to you treat your wife as a queen, bara Elokim... ("In the fearsome plot upon the children commemorative dates that mark be around. she will treat you as a king. beginning G-d created the of man." The soul of man is a our annual journey through time Understands you. When you ===== heavens and earth...") begins spark of G-dliness, inherently are opportunities to re-enact the talk with your husband, check to Abe Kass, M.A., R.S.W., R.M.F.T., a is with the letter bet, the second and utterly good; in and of itself, events and achievements which see if he understands what you a registered Social Worker, registered letter of the Hebrew alef-bet. it is in no way susceptible to they remember. are saying. You may discover Marriage and Family Therapist, This is to teach us that there is corruption. Its human frailties are Every Shavuot, we once again you need to talk slower, express certified Hypnotherapist and award an alef that comes before the bet nothing less than a contrived experience the revelation at Sinai simpler ideas, or choose a better winning educator. of the created existence; that plot, imposed upon it in total and our acquisition of the time to talk. Guide him by He has a clinical practice working creation is not an end in itself, contrast to its essential nature. blueprint and foundation of our telling him that you just want with individuals, couples, and families but comes to serve a principle If the First Tablets are the lives. Every year on the 17th of him to understand, not react, in Toronto, Canada. which precedes it in sequence Divine vision of creation, the Tammuz we once again deal comment or advise. As well, For more information or to arrange and substance. Broken Tablets are our all-too- with the setbacks and your husband will be more an appointment he can be reached at, familiar world--a world that The pre-Genesis alef is the alef breakdowns epitomized by the willing to listen to you when you (905) 771-1087 or visit his web at: tolerates imperfection, failure, take the time to also understand www.AbeKass.com. of Anochi Hashem Elokecha... events of the day. The month of him. Elul and the first ten days Protects you. You are Tishrei, corresponding to Moses' competent and you can take care third 40-day stay on Mount of yourself. Still, you want your Sighting Moshiach Cont. from pg. 2 Sinai, are, as they were then, husband to “protect you.” You days of goodwill between G-d want a man that is strong. This Personally, I think Moses would good, clean shopping sprees. But a time in the history of the Jewish and man--days in which the means he can deal with have been pretty impressed by kicking a ball or buying clothes people like this before! In 2000 Almighty is that much more emotional problems, provide the kind of miracles that will be a form of meditation on years of Exile, the last few years accessible to all who seek Him. materially for the family and take happened in Eastern Europe and the Oneness of Creation. Come have been the only time that Jews responsibility to fix both material And Yom Kippur, the holiest and on the Internet over the last few in every part of the globe are free and emotional problems. But to think of it, so will all human most potent day of the year, years. even a strong person can be activities. to follow the Judaism of their marks the climax of the 120-day Fact is, nature itself is broken. If you criticize and 5. Hi-tech is only here now as ancestors. Sure, there are still saga. shame your husband with harsh supernatural. Just that we're too a preparation for the those who cannot leave their place busy to notice. After a bit of technological applications of the of exile, but compare this to the Ever since the day that G-d words, it’s possible he will gave the Second Tablets to the become weak. Treat him with time studying with Moshiach, times of Moshiach. M.I.T., IBM, horrible oppression of past times! people of Israel, this day is a respect and acknowledge his we'll be able to see clearly Xerox-Parc--you guys ain't seen As our sages put it, "There is no strength and when you seek his without the wool pulled over nothin' yet! When finally we difference between our world now fountainhead of teshuvah: the protection, you increase the our eyes. become masters over our own and the times of Moshiach, except source of our capacity to reclaim likelihood he will be there. 4. You appear concerned that tools--rather than the other way for the oppression by the nations." the deficiencies of the past as fuel In total, when you consistently the World to Come may be a around--we shall start to utilize The greatest oppression remaining and momentum for the attainment experience the feeling generated rather boring affair. Actually, them to discover the G-dliness is that of the materialistic of new, unprecedented heights; from the above behaviors, you Moshiach is when the real fun within Creation and within (un)consciousness of the modern the source of our capacity to exact will feel "treasured" by your starts. There will still be the ourselves. world. a profit from G-d's volatile and husband. This is the feeling you same sports, entertainment, and Wake up! There has never been So who, pray tell, is stopping us? risky investment in human life. Page 20 • World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2011

though, one particular book him Hebrew. convert even greater. would change his life. At the time, conversion was "Until then, I had thought that "One day," he says, "I chanced not on his mind. "I just wanted Judaism was a religion of upon a Haggada, in Spanish and to know how Jesus prayed," he strictness and law, whereas Hebrew. I was drawn to it, and says. Christianity was a religion of read it from beginning to end, in On Friday nights, Calderon love. But suddenly I realized amazement." At the end of the attended services at a local that it was really the opposite." Seder service, Calderon read the synagogue ("it was kind of like a "You see," he explains, "in prayer looking forward to Protestant church") where the Christianity, if you don't believe celebrating the Pesach holiday rabbi agreed to let him join the in Jesus, you can't go to "next year in Jerusalem - weekly Hebrew class. He also heaven. But in Judaism, there is The Monk in the Jerusalem rebuilt" and stared at a discovered a Messianic Jewish a place in heaven for everyone; drawing of the Third Temple. congregation, and prayed there you don't have to be Jewish. So Calderon sat in silence - not his as well. really, Christianity is the usual contemplative silence, but Thus began a period when, religion of strictness, and Minyan a stunned silence. Calderon recalls, he would pray Judaism is the religion of love!" "Christianity," he explains, to Jesus while in synagogue on After a period of "trying it By SAM SER meant spending most of the day "looks at Judaism as something Friday night, and wear a kippa out," Calderon knew that he If only the abbot could see in silence, reflecting on the of an archeological concept, not to church on Sunday morning. wanted to convert, and that he Justo Jorge Calderon now. With divine. as something that is still alive, To Calderon, these interreligious wanted to move to Israel to do curling peyot dangling below "The word 'monastery' is relevant and flourishing... prayer sessions didn't seem like a so. There was just one problem: his chin and the long black derived from the Greek 'monos,' Looking at this prayer at the end contradiction. finances. cloak of his small hassidic sect meaning one, or alone. We of the Haggada, I was shocked "It sounds strange," he admits, "A ticket to Israel cost $1,200. hanging off his broad shoulders, monks were each one seeking that modern Jews still nurtured "but at the time, it made sense to As a nurse, I was only making Calderon sure doesn't look like the One," explains Calderon, hopes for the future of their me. Judaism was not 'outside' $200 a month. How could I a Benedictine monk anymore. revealing his divinity student's religion." Christianity, but part of it... like ever afford to go to Israel?" he Besides, he goes by Aharon mind-set. The discovery rocked an ancestor." says. now, and he's the proud father Although Calderon's parents Calderon, but he was still unsure Soon, however, something in The situation was bleak. But of three little children. weren't happy what to make of it. Shortly the Shabbat prayers struck then something happened that Calderon's story is one of about his thereafter, though, he Calderon, and shook the would be right at home in a those stranger-than-fiction tales commitment experienced his second foundations of his faith. It was hassidic story, the kind that that grows more intriguing the to the "surprise," which sent his part of the Saturday morning circulates in the little longer it goes on. Fortunately, monastic spiritual quest in an entirely kiddush, specifically, the passage Stropkover shul in Jerusalem it's also one he doesn't mind life - he's unforeseen direction. from Exodus that says: "And the where Calderon is now a sharing. It begins in a small their It came on one of his weekly Children of Israel observed the gabbai: There was a raffle in town outside Buenos Aires, visits to the abbot of the Sabbath, to make the Sabbath Calderon's town, with a grand Argentina, where Justo Jorge monastery. Upon entering the for their generations an eternal prize of a new ambulance; he was born into a family of abbot's study, Calderon found covenant. Between Me and the entered. Just before Rosh Roman Catholics. him poring over a Hebrew Children of Israel it is a sign Hashana, Calderon was "Today I am a very kosher Bible. (The abbot, Calderon forever..." informed that he had won the Jew," the 40-year-old says with learned, had once studied "This expression stuck in my grand prize. He sold the a smile, "but once I was a very in Jerusalem, and was mind," Calderon says, repeating ambulance and, suddenly able kosher goy." comparing ancient the words. "'It is a sign forever.'" to afford the airfare, flew to When Calderon was 12, he texts.) "I was "That meant," he says, "that Israel. says, his parents sent him to a fascinated by the there is an eternal bond, At first, Calderon, in his new private religious school to get a language," he established by God. And since identity as Aharon, studied at a better education than the public recalls. "I wanted to God does not change, then that yeshiva for potential converts. schools provided. Before long know, what secrets bond" - the sign observed by But within a few months the he was spending extra time are in those letters?" Jews, marking Saturday as the yeshiva had closed. In early studying with the monks. At 14, By that point Sabbath - "must still be in 1999, Calderon met Rabbi he joined the pre-mission Calderon had spent effect!" Why, Calderon asked Eliahu Birnbaum and joined the Justo Jorge Calderon seminar. several years in the himself, would the Church move Spanish speakers' ulpan his "I was young and idealistic," monastery and, the Sabbath day to Sunday, if it wife had just started. Around he explains with a shrug. photo: Isaac Harari although he was wasn't really a day sanctified by Rosh Hashana that year, After high school, with his only son, and they hoped for well on his way to a permanent God? Calderon underwent a brit mila. religious zeal increasing, grandchildren - the young man stay there, he returned to his The question was more than a Before Succot, he entered a Calderon went looking for the felt at home in the Benedictine home for a planned one- or two- little troubling to Calderon. After mikve and completed his "ancient, original teachings" of monastery. At home, that is, until year break. Once at home he all, if Sunday was not really the conversion. Catholicism. The local he experienced what he calls began attending classes at the holy Sabbath, and if God's Back home in Argentina, Benedictine monastery offered "my two surprises." The first Catholic-run university in town covenant with the Jews had not there was little celebrating the oldest, "purest" form of came in the monastery's library. and working as a nurse for the been abrogated and superseded going on. Although Calderon's Christian life around. Based on One of the largest around, it Red Cross. But, with his by Christianity, then maybe other mother was happy that he a 1,400-year-old order and helped make the monastery "surprises" spurring him on, tenets of the Christian religion would, having given up the centered around a largely self- famous, Calderon says. Of the Calderon also sought out Jews were also not true. Maybe, he monastic life, provide her with sustaining "holy village," it thousands of volumes it held, who would be willing to teach allowed himself to think, Jesus grandchildren, several family was not actually the son of God? members told Calderon, "If Calderon stopped going to you're Jewish, don't come back church. here." "Everything I believed," he "A few years earlier, I had says, "just fell apart." realized that love, hate and Steeles He started a conversion class at jealousy were separated only by the local Reform synagogue. a fine line," Calderon says. "I Memorial Dignity When the synagogue closed made a choice to love the down due to financial Jewish people. Later, I began to difficulties, Calderon sought out see the hatred that some people Chapel Comfort more Jews and discovered the in my town had for Jews." local Chabad rabbi. Rather than eagerly welcome a Back in Israel, Calderon met Compassion new convert, the rabbi at first and married a Jewish woman tried to dissuade Calderon. who had emigrated from Russia "He would say, 'Why would with her family. In yet another 350 Steeles Avenue West you want to be Jewish? We have strange turn, Calderon's mother- so many commandments, while in-law met Russian Orthodox Thornhill, Ont. L4J 1A1 • (905) 881-6003 non-Jews need only to observe missionaries in Jerusalem and converted to Christianity. Established 1927 the Noahide laws. Besides, you are already a good person in "Family gatherings," Calderon C.P. SAUCIER, Managing Funeral Director God's eyes!'" This, however, says with a knowing shrug, only made Calderon's desire to "can get pretty weird."