The World of Lubavitch A publication of Chabad-Lubavitch, Toronto Vol. 41 No. 2 (144) TISHREI 5776 SEPTEMBER 2015 Love, Marriage and Hakafot

By Yanki Tauber Men usually don’t sit over coffee talking about their mar- riages. That’s why a particular conversation between three males stuck in my mind -- we were discussing the joys of wedded life. “I love my wife,” said Berl. “That’s why I do everything she asks me to do. She says, ‘Berl, please take out the garbage,’ and right away, I take out the garbage.” We all agreed that Berl loves his wife. Not to be outdone, I said: “I also do everything my wife asks me to do. In fact, she doesn’t even have to spell out what she wants. It’s enough that she says, ‘Whew! That garbage bag is sure smelling up the kitchen!’ for me to understand that she wants me to take out the garbage. Which I do, of course.” We all agreed that I love my wife even more than Berl loves his. But in the end it turned out that Shmerl’s marriage was the most loving of all. Shmerl’s wife doesn’t have to ask her hus- band to do things for her. She doesn’t even have to drop hints. “I wake up in the morning” Shmerl explained, “and I just know that she wants me to take out the garbage. Or buy her a diamond ring. She doesn’t have to crinkle her nose or mention the ring her cousin Sarah got for her birthday. I just know what she wants me to do for her, and I do it.” ********* It is with our observance of the minhagim – Jewish customs, that we express the depth of our love for G-d The month of Tishrei is replete with mitzvot--full of oppor- tunities for carrying out G-d’s will. For more than three weeks, our days are filled with praying, repenting, fasting, feasting, dancing, building a sukkah, acquiring a set of Four Kinds or a bundle of hoshaanot, and dozens of other mitzvot, customs and observances. The observances of Tishrei fall under three general catego- ries. There are biblical precepts that are explicitly commanded in the Torah, such as sounding the shofar on Rosh HaShanah, fast- ing on Yom Kippur or eating in the sukkah on Sukkot. There are also a number of rabbinical mitzvot--observances instituted by Chabad Lubavitch to the prophets and the sages by the authority vested in them by the Torah. For example, the five prayer services held on Yom Kippur and the taking of the Four Kinds on all but the first day of Sukkot Honour Marty Kelman are rabbinical institutions. Finally, the month of Tishrei has many minhagim or cus- Plans are in full swing for and gets much pleasure in shar- traced to his roots in the family toms--such as eating an apple dipped in honey on the first night the upcoming annual dinner of ing his good fortune with fam- fur business when he entered of Rosh HaShanah or conducting the kaparot in the wee hours Chabad Lubavitch. The gala ily, friends and those in need. the world of commerce and of the morning on the day before Yom Kippur. The minhagim celebration to be held Novem- He is all heart! He personifies worked side by side with his fa- are not mandated by biblical or rabbinical law, but by force of ber 19, 2015 will honour Marty the character traits of optimism, ther. While at times there were custom: these are things that we Jews have initiated ourselves as Kelman. “This is a man that en- enthusiasm and brotherhood. lean years, still Tzedaka and ways to enhance our service of our Creator. joys sharing his good fortune,” Marty’s generosity can be sharing were always viewed as Most amazingly, the climax of the month of Tishrei--the said Rabbi Zalman Grossbaum, an integral part of the business. point at which our celebration of our bond with G-d attains the Regional Director of Chabad This consideration for the less very pinnacle of joy--is during the hakafot of Simchat Torah, Lubavitch, “and the upcoming fortunate was taught by osmosis when we take the Torah scrolls in our arms and dance with them event will give us the opportu- and made a lasting and indel- around the reading table in the synagogue--a practice that is nei- nity to recognize Marty’s long ible impression on the young ther a biblical nor a rabbinical precept, but merely a custom. standing affiliation with Chabad apprentice. Today, Marty is the For it is with our observance of the minhagim that we ex- Lubavitch.” President of All City Storage, an press the depth of our love for G-d. The biblical commandments When making the an- immaculate and well managed might be compared to the explicitly expressed desires between nouncement, Rabbi Grossbaum downtown self storage facility two people bound in marriage. The rabbinical mitzvot, on which attributed to Marty the testimo- which caters and provides space G-d did not directly instruct us but which nevertheless constitute ny of the Talmudic sage Rabbi solutions to the ever growing expressions of the divine will, resemble the implied requests be- Yochanan who asserted that “A downtown residential and busi- tween spouses. But the minhagim represent those areas in which good heart surpasses all charac- ness community. we intuitively sense how we might cause G-d pleasure. And in ter traits.” Indeed, Marty en- The “battle cry” for this these lie our greatest joy. deavours to be of help to others Continued on page 3 Page 2 • World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2015 The Waking of Creation On the eve of Rosh Hasha- do them: he wants to get out of nah, all things revert to their bed, he wants to start the car, he primordial state. The Inner Will wants to pick up the receiver- ascends and is retracted into the On Rosh Hashana the -if he didn’t want to do these divine essence; the worlds are things, he wouldn’t do them. in a state of sleep and are sus- World Hangs in the But why does he want to do tained only by the Outer Will. these things? Because of an un- The service of man on Rosh Balance as G-d Reassess derlying will that his business Hashanah is to rebuild the di- should survive and prosper. But vine attribute of sovereignty why does he want his business and reawaken the divine desire, to survive and prosper? Be- “I shall reign,” with the sound- cause it brings him income and ing of the shofar. (The Kabbal- prestige--if this were not the istic masters) case, he would have no desire One night a year, the world for a business. Delving deeper, succumbs to a cosmic slumber. the desire for money and status On the functional level, the stem from deeper wants--the ity of creation? Why is G-d’s engine of volition. tion that motivate them. Other sleeper’s vital signs plod on: desire for food, shelter and ac- inner will withdrawn on Rosh But will is a multi-layered times, our deeds may be lifeless the sun still rises, winds blow, Hashanah eve, and why does ceptance by his fellows--which, thing. There is the outermost and lethargic, sustained only by rains fall, seeds germinate, fruit His outer will remain behind? in turn, are outgrowths of the layer of will that directly drives the most superficial aspect of ripens. But the consciousness What, indeed, is the difference our actions. Then there is the desire, intrinsic to every crea- our will. of creation is muted. For its between “inner will” and “outer deeper will that underlies this ture, to continue to exist. To illustrate, let us take soul of souls--the “inner will” will”? To answer these ques- external will, which, in turn, This does not mean that ev- the example of a person who of the divine desire for cre- tions, we must first examine contains yet a deeper will, ery time our businessman picks ation--has ascended, retreated the dynamics of “will” in our which is itself an outgrowth of owns and operates a business. up the telephone he does so to a place from where it views own lives. For as the Sages of yet a deeper will, and so on. Our businessman does many because he senses that his very its body and life with a cal- the Talmud have revealed to us, Thus, the relationship be- things in the course of the day- existence depends on it. Indeed, culated detachment. Only the “As the soul fills the body, so tween will and deed is not -waking at an early hour, com- he need not even be convinced “outer will”--the most external G-d fills the world.” static, but subject to changes muting to his office, answering that the act will yield a profit, element of the divine desire- The Layers of Will and fluctuations. At times, the the telephone, meeting with or even that it is crucial to the -remains to sustain the sleeping innermost level of will suffuses potential clients, and so on. functioning of his business. body of creation. Will is the soul of deed. our actions, enlivening them On the most basic level, these Ultimately, however, the act of And then, a piercing sound Ultimately, no act is ever per- with the desire and satisfac- deeds are driven by the will to Continued on page 18 rises from the earth and rever- formed that is not driven by the berates through the heavens. A sound that wakens the sleeping universe, stirring its soul to re- sume its conscious, willful ani- mation of its material shell. The cry of the shofar re- sounds. A profound yet utterly simple cry, a note free of the nuances of rational music. An utterly simple cry that rouses the soul of creation to a re- newed commitment to the en- deavor of life. Thus the Kabbalists de- Why Won’t They Lock Him Up? scribe the cosmic drama which Is it true that he shall be All-Plans-To-Whom-All-Is- 10% of the natural resources repeats itself each year, as the By Rabbi Tzvi Freeman announced on all the media Revealed is really concerned we consume now--if it weren’t world “falls asleep” on the worldwide at 6 pm, along with about the suspense factor here. for those nefarious busy bodies eve of Rosh Hashanah and Question: But allow me to let you in on a is “awakened” the following Shine light upon your exas- offers for free El Al tickets? If who market quantity rather than morning by the sound of the perated students who stumble so, who will finance this? few of the key details, as I hum- quality. Given the true needs of shofar. Indeed, it is told of cer- in the mind-boggling darkness, We are concerned and bly understand them: most people and the productiv- tain tzaddikim that on the night and reveal to us the true path troubled as this touches the es- 1. The first thing Moshiach ity possible with modern tech- and morning of Rosh Hasha- out of this mess of confusion: sence of our souls and allows does is do away with bad mar- nology, we should all be work- nah they would feel physically Tell us how the Great Master, our weakened bodies no sleep: keting. That’s the true villain ing an average of 2.5 hours a weak: so attuned were they to the Moshiach, shall be revealed. Is there truth to that which they that has held us back all these week. What’s responsible for the diminution of divine in- Is it true that he shall sud- say, that in those enlightened years. Ask any consumer elec- the other 60+ hours? Bad Mar- volvement in the world during denly appear on a main street in days there will be only study tronics or computer engineer. keting. this time, that it affected their of Torah and no more reckless We could all own household Moshiach’s marketing own souls’ investment in their Jerusalem, a poor old man with a wild but angelic look, spew- fun? robots to do our work. We bodies. Pour forth your pity upon could be consuming less than Continued on page 18 What does it mean that the ing forth wisdom and declaring our farblungent souls! Have world is asleep? How does our the time of redemption has ar- The World of Lubavitch Chabad Lubavitch of Ontario patience with our questions, A Publication of HaRav Dovid Schochet Mrs. Fajgi Itkin sounding of the shofar restore rived? If so, why will they not Spiritual Leader though they may sound foolish! Chabad-Lubavitch Chabad of Hamilton the consciousness and vital- lock him up? 770 Chabad Gate Rabbi Z. Aaron Grossbaum Rabbi Mendel Kaplan Is it true that the entire order of Thornhill, Ontario Executive Vice-President Chabad @ Flamingo L4J 3V9 Rabbi Vidal Bekerman Rabbi Yisroel Landa “The Crown of Torah” nature will change suddenly as (905) 731-7000 Chabad at York Israeli Community Services ON OUR COVER www.chabad.ca Rabbi Mendel Bernstein Rabbi Sholom Lezel By Loren Hodes. the Anointed One appears? Chabad of Richmond Hill Chabad of the Beaches Editor: Rabbi Tzali Borenstein Oil on canvas, finger painted Response: Rabbi Moshe Spalter Chabad of Durham Rabbi Mendel Nakkar Chabad of Barrie Three Torahs adorned with ma- Associate Editor: Rabbi Mendel Chaikin Rabbi Avrohom E. Plotkin Yes, definitely a case for Chabad on Downtown jestic silver glow with jewel like Rabbi Z.A. Grossbaum Chabad of Markham pity. No (aside from the media Rabbi Nechemia Deitsch Rabbi Mordechai Silberberg Advertising: Chabad of Midtown colour in the midst of an ark Chabad of London Rabbi Moshe Spalter made by two resplendent trees. announcements)--it’s not any- Rabbi Yechezkel Deren Rabbi Yisroel Simon Chabad of Maple Typesetting: Chabad of Kingston The trees represent the Torah thing like what you describe. Rabbi Yoseph S. Gansburg Tamar Shuchat Education Rabbi Yitzchok Slavin – the “tree of life to those who The arrival of Moshiach and Chabad of Mississauga Circulation: 8500 Rabbi Levy Gansburg grasp it”. Chabad Bayview York Mills Rabbi Moshe S. Spalter the accompanying turnabout in Subscriptions: $18 yearly Administrator & Media The intricate patterns are remi- Rabbi Menachem Gansburg the World Order, is a very prag- $5 per copy Chabad on the Avenue Rabbi Moshe E. Steiner niscent of medieval illumina- Chabad of Uptown SPRING 2015 Rabbi Moshe Goldman tion while alluding to the infinite matic ideal. In fact, much of it Chabad of Waterloo Rabbi Rafi Steiner Chabad of Guelph beauty and detail of the holy To- We cannot take Rabbi Yitzchak Grossbaum has happened already. Camp Gan Israel Rabbi Yoseph Y. Zaltzman rah. responsibility for the Russian Community Services Of course, as Maimonides Kashruth of the items Rabbi Yossi Hecht www.lorenhodesart.co.za, advertised in this Chabad of Aurora Rabbi Zalman Zaltzman [email protected]. puts it, nobody really knows publication. Chabad of Niagara 011 082 773 8623 exactly what’s going to hap- We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. pen--The Almighty-Master-Of- World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2015 • Page 3

will strengthen their body and counters. The calming breeze Camp Gan Israel Enjoys nurture their soul. that flow through is always most This year in addition to welcome and is a G-d send on construction of another double the hot and humid days. Record Enrolment bunkhouse, a self activated, “Still in order to maintain gravity driven playground has a balanced camper/staff ratio, been added. The self propul- an addition staff house is under Over 1200 youngsters en- followed by swimming, sports So too, Gan Israel, the sion challenge is inviting and consideration which is needed joyed a meaningful summer at- and recreational activities. But overnight camp in Haliburton keeps the youngsters engaged to facilitate the ever growing tending the city-wide Lubavitch no two days are alike and upon has been exceptionally well re- in creative configurations. Also, camper enrollment. Indeed, the Day Camp or Camp Gan Israel, entering the flagship Chabad ceived and continues to enjoy a through the generosity of Joey Chabad Lubavitch Organization our overnight camp up in Hali- Lubavitch building you could growing enrollment year after & Toby Tanenbaum, 6 gazebos has always taken a strong inter- burton. Both programs had un- successfully discern if it’s a year, with youngsters attending were purchased and strategical- est in camping. In fact, our be- ly positioned on the sprawling loved Rebbe o.b.m. extolled the camp site. Each structure is sur- virtue of this endeavour some rounded with foliage and tower- 60 years ago when Chabad in ing trees. These (partial) enclo- North America was still in its sures provide a most conducive infancy. He recognized the val- environment to keep the camp- ue of imbuing our youth with a ers focused during the designat- ‘high octane’ 24/7 energy boost ed time allotted for Torah study. that will remain with them for a So too, the gazebos are ideal for lifetime,” said Rabbi Yitzchok group programs and casual en- Grossbaum, camp director. Chabad Lubavitch to Honour Marty Kelman Continued from page 1 From its flagship centre in year’s campaign is, “Continuity, Thornhill, the Chabad Lubavitch a link between a point of ori- Organization continues to reach gin and a distinct destination.” out to the entire Jewish commu- The promotional material clev- nity with programs that contin- erly highlights this core defini- ues to educate and promote tra- tion by graphically enlarging ditional values. These objectives precedented record enrollments. field trip day (camp shirts and from all over the world. Ever the slogan under a magnifying are further augmented by some Being sensitive to the financial caps) PJ day, wacky hat day etc. since the purchase the pictur- glass. It cleverly draws atten- 15 satellite centres, strategically limitations of many families, This year a unique creative art esque 207 acre site along the tion to the primary objective of established throughout the GTA assistance was offered when program was introduced which shores of Basshaunt Lake, no ef- Chabad Lubavitch; to connect and beyond. So too, there are needed. “We feel we get great taught the basic skills of art and fort is spared in order to create a people with our illustrious past Chabad House student centres at value by providing a meaning- design. haven for youngsters where they so that we have the wherewithal all major universities along the ful summer experience for the to safeguard our future. southern rim of Ontario. youth in attendance, whether This summer over 1200 Indeed, after some four de- they participate as a camper or youngsters enjoyed a meaning- cade of public service, Chabad Lubavitch is recognized as a counsellor,” said Rabbi Zalman ful summer attending either the catalyst that connects Jews with Grossbaum, Executive Director Lubavitch Day Camp the city wide camp program, or Gan Judaism. With an unrestricted of Chabad Lubavitch. mandate that caters to young Israel the recently established The Lubavitch Day Camp and old alike, new initiatives are was established almost 40 overnight camp in Haliburton. constantly being added. Most years ago at the behest of the Being sensitive to the financial significant of late is the embrace Lubavitcher Rebbe o.b.m. who hardship of many families, both of technology and our informa- stressed the importance of keep- programs made provisions for tive web presence on line. The ing children in a nurturing en- campers to attend on a scholar- cyber site: chabad.ca is a virtual vironment over the long sum- ship basis. These endeavours reservoir of all things Jewish. mer. Furthermore, he noted, were facilitated by some 300 In addition to numerous es- “For many children this may teenagers who were offered says, holiday guidance, lifecycle be their only opportunity to be employment in a most reward- info, the site connects the entire Jewish world. Whether you are taught and imbued with tradi- ing environment. Notwithstand- ing the financial burden, Rabbi looking for kosher food in Bei- tional Jewish values. Indeed, jing, to purchase a mezuzah for Grossbaum noted, “we feel we the informal setting and creative a friend in South Dakota, map a program successfully introduces get excellent value by providing trail of comfort (and assistance) and promotes many basic ten- a meaningful summer for over a for your son as he backpacks ants of Judaism by osmosis.” thousand children and teenag- through Asia, the site brings it Each day starts with daven- ers, either as campers or coun- all to the screen of your iPhone, ing and some Torah thoughts, selors! (or computer screen). New Beema to be Dedicated An artistically designed Mr. Marr came to our aid. The cepted this project as a labour Beema will soon be dedicated planning, permit process, and of love. He chose walnut, for at the Chabad Lubavitch Com- architectural drawings for the its durability and rich grain munity Centre. This magnifi- move “up north” and construc- which dovetail seamlessly on cent work of art has been com- tion of the 25,000 sq. ft. head- the larger central panels. Posi- missioned by the Marr family quarters of Chabad Lubavitch in memory of their dear hus- at 770 Chabad Gate in Thorn- tioned in the center of the Shul band and father Gerald Marr. hill were all advanced and gra- it adds an element of reverence The project was spear- ciously provided by Mr. Marr and aura of holiness. headed by his son Shawn who and his team at the firm of E.I. The formal dedication will endeavoured to dedicate some- Richman Inc. be held on Hoshana Rabba, the thing meaningful in memory of Hence an essential dedica- seventh day of Sukkot, Sun- his father that would merge his tion of this nature is most cer- day, October 4, 2015. After love for art and his affection for tainly a fitting tribute and well the Shacharit service every- Chabad. earned honour bestowed upon Indeed, some 35 years ago him. one will be welcomed to say when Chabad Lubavitch was The bow shaped struc- L’chaim in the Sukkah as this searching a suitable site for a ture was painstakingly crafted day also marks the Yartzeit of city wide community centre, by Moise Bensimon who ac- Mr. Gerald Marr. Gerald Marr meets with the Rebbe Page 4 • World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2015 Lubavitch Day Camp, a Camp with a Heart By Mark Mietkiewicz represent the foundations of CHAT campus. And for young While campers are still blowing and snow is piling up Estee Steinmetz knows first Jewish belief, along with some guys who want to release their fast asleep, five full-time and on the same facilities where hand that nobody forgets their songs like “Ani Ma’amin.” inner William Tell, profession- two part-time kitchen staff re- children will be playing in sev- Lubavitch Day Camp (LDC) After that, the camp flag is al archers are brought in from port for duty as early as 6 a.m. eral months. In addition to local experience. And not just be- raised, and campers are trans- Peterborough to instruct in the Meals range from grilled cheese teens and young adults, hope- cause she’s the camp’s director. ported to a number of satellite safe use of bows and arrows – to spaghetti and meatballs to ful counsellors apply mainly She realized this when her car sites – with the youngest chil- in a supervised and safe envi- lasagna and soup to hamburg- from the North America but broke down in the middle of a dren at Chabad @ Flamingo ronment. ers. And kids who are lucky from as far away as Australia busy intersection – and the tow and older girls at Netivot Hato- And of course, girls will enough to celebrate their birth- and South Africa. The very best truck driver told her about the rah, both in Thornhill, and boys be girls. Not surprisingly, day while at camp are surprised are selected and will be flown years he spent at the day camp. at TanenbaumCHAT in North they love the painting classes with homemade cupcakes for here – and given a place to live, And that driver’s not alone. York. where advanced instructors all their friends. and fed – at the Day Camp’s Every summer, hundreds of Each week has a theme with teach them how to transform But whatever is be- expense. Both local and im- campers arrive at the central related daily activities. “Kosher canvasses into stunning works ing served, two things never ported counsellors are typically day camp campus on Chabad Week” is divided into Candy- of art. But who says that girls change: it’s nutritious and plen- from Chabad families. “That is Gate in Thornhill before setting land Day, Brochos Fair, Kosher don ’t want to work up a sweat, tiful. “We always have extra,” our core group. We bring them off on a path of discovery, ex- Supermarket and on Friday, of too? And they can – thanks to adds Mrs. Steinmetz. “I tell the because they live and breathe citement, friendship and Jewish course, Bakery Bash. During weekly Zumba classes and aero kitchen staff, ‘If we don’t have camp,” says Mrs. Steinmetz. learning. “Ahavas Yisrael Week,” they boxing activities. extra, that means you made too But the staff wouldn’t be com- Mrs. Steinmetz lives near- focus on Friendship Day, Big Younger kids love the op- little.” Surplus food is given to plete without a very impressive by and has just completed her Sister / Little Sister and Cook- portunity to participate in drum families in need. third group – alumni who do 12th summer as camp director. ing with Grannies. And can you circles – and to even learn how Although Mrs. Steinmetz not come from Chabad homes Her ties to the camp go back a imagine celebrating Pesach, make their own instruments. is a foe of waste, she under- and may not be fully observant bit further, though. She started Purim, Chanukah and Rosh Ha- And speaking of music, they’re stands that sometimes you need (yet) but love camp and respect at the age of two, as a Tiny Tot shanah all in one week? That’s crazy about their weekly Sing- to spend a little extra to get the its values. Camper. Jump ahead a couple just what they do during Jewish along conducted by the lively value you need. “I can spend Far more than just being a of decades and she co-directed Holiday Week – in July! and charismatic “Rabbi B”, also $380 and get cheaper apples job, Mrs. Steinmetz is amazed the camp for two years with known as Rabbi Yossi Berktin. and the kids won’t eat them. Or at how being a counsellor is an her husband, Binyomin, after Full day excursions include $450 and they’re delicious and opportunity to grow. She has which she took over the reins. visits to Canada’s Wonderland, FOOD the kids eat them.” seen teenagers who during the Back when the camp had (only) Woodbine Centre, Toronto and AND PLENTY OF IT No external food may be school year are having a very 400 campers, she filled out the Bowmanville Zoos, the On- brought onto the premises in hard time. “Either scholasti- year as a schoolteacher. With tario Science Centre and the Napoleon said “An army order to ensure the highest lev- cally it doesn’t work for them. the growth of the camp, being very popular Chicopee Tube marches on its stomach.” Per- el of Kashrus and because the Or socially it doesn’t work. The director is now a year-round re- Park. The girls love to pick haps. But Monsieur Bonaparte camp caters to children with a And they come to camp and sponsibility. fruit at Andrews’ Scenic Acres. never attended Lubavitch Day multitude of food allergies and they’re different people.” Asked why she likes it, she Not so much the boys. “So we Camp and never saw what hap- sensitivities. It’s not uncommon For the younger children, answers in a contrary manner. don’t send them” to pick fruit pens at 770 Chabad Gate. to receive an early morning call there is a 4-to-1 ratio of coun- “You are going to have to ask says Mrs. Steinmetz. Popular Rabbi Moshe Spalter points from a parent asking if their sellors to campers with a 5-to- me why I don’t like it. I don’t half-day trips include bowling, out that unlike practically any child could please bring along 1 ratio for the older ones. The like it because it’s only two Bunch of Fun Playland, Chuck other day camp, Chabad pro- breakfast because they woke camp also accommodates a months. Otherwise I love it, ev- E. Cheese, Dave & Buster’s vides daily hot meals and a up late. The answer: Sorry, no. limited number of children with ery part of it.” and laser tag. And of course, couple of snacks at no extra But don’t worry. There will be special needs depending on the Campers range from two to each camper gets a box lunch cost. As Administrator of the plenty of cereal and milk wait- severity and what their needs 14 years of age in seven divi- for the trip. Chabad Lubavitch Community ing for them when they arrive are. They receive one-on-one sions. This year, they hit a re- Not complacent to rest on Centre, Rabbi Spalter is one of at camp. attention. cord 700 campers spread over their laurels, the camp is always the many people who ensure Mrs. Steinmetz may be two four-week sessions. On any looking for ways to offer their that the Day Camp, which is STAFF camp director but with her own particular day, they welcome campers new and exciting ac- OCA (Ontario Camps Associa- GETTING THE VERY kids in most divisions, she is about 550 campers at Chabad tivities – many of which you’d tion) accredited, runs smoothly BEST also a camp mother. Do her Gate. The day starts off with a never find in other day camps. and efficiently. He points out Assembling a first class kids get special treatment? Ac- lineup where the campers recite For boys, there are tennis class- that all food is prepared on the staff of 150 is a priority which tually, Steinmetz and the coun- the Pesukim or verses which es held at the Tanenbaum ww- premises. begins while the winds are sellors of her youngest kids Page 5 • World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2015

have perfected a routine she before taking a lick. calls “Dodge the Mommie.” If Yahalom has learned the her children are coming, Estee importance of respecting her makes sure that she disappears. elders while at camp. Yahalom As for the counsellors, who is “13 turning 14,” has Steinmetz acknowledges that it been going to camp for seven can be a bit intimidating to be years, and is now a Counsellor- responsible for the camp direc- in-Training. She’s pleased that tor’s child. But she reassures after all these years as a camp- them, “I obviously picked you er, she is now beginning to look as my child’s counsellor be- after kids. “They’re really fun. cause I think you’re fantastic.” The kids love me. And I love them.” GETTING EVERYONE WHERE THEY NEED TO CAMP NEVER REALLY BE ENDS

With four campuses, and Does Estee Steinmetz look 550 campers and over 100 staff forward to Shabbos so she can on any given day, getting every- put up her feet and get away one where they are supposed to from it all? It doesn’t work that be is no small feat. Those lo- way. Even when she’s shopping gistics fall on the shoulders of for her family, she can’t re- Shua Goldstein, 28, Transporta- ally get away because everyone tion Director (as well as Boys’ recognizes the Camp Direc- Division Director – and Es- tor. And every week, she hosts tee’s brother.) Originally from Shabbos meals for staff as well Thornhill, Rabbi Goldstein swing around to pick up the go to a Jewish school.” end of the summer. But Rabbi as the special Friday night din- now lives in Florida but returns younger pre-school ones. Then Always vigilant about Goldstein adds, “it’s more than ner with parents and kids. north each spring to map out they’re called on to shuttle the spending, Mrs. Steinmetz re- just the kippah and tzitzis. It’s When camp ends in Au- gust, Mrs. Steinmetz needs to the transportation plan. campers to the various cam- members the early days when the fact that they’re proud of wrap up some related office He sees his role as “to make puses – and back to Chabad she set aside several thousand the fact that they’re Jewish. work. She then has a week or camp smooth.” Since transpor- Gate to swim. (Chabad has a dollars for publicity. No more. And they’re proud of Judaism so off to get her own kids ready tation is provided, at a minimal pool on location and every mo- As the camp has grown, she in general.” for school “and to breathe.” cost, about 400 families take ment of the day is used so that has found that word of mouth is Each summer, parents are September is spent making cal- advantage of it. “The better the all campers can benefit from a the camp’s best friend and that invited to attend a very spe- culations about where every buses run, the better the camp daily swim.) many age groups fill up in the cial Friday night dinner and penny was spent, going over is. The smoother the camp, the spring. What about last minute sample the same camp spirit staff ratios. What worked, what more fun the kids have.” THE BOTTOM LINE pleas from parents? Mrs. Stein- that the children enjoy daily. can be improved on. In Novem- The Day Camp outsources metz has been known to work Shua Goldstein remembers that ber, registration opens for the a fleet of eight buses for the What does all this cost? a bit of magic in order to make after a Friday night family din- coming year and preparations summer. This is preferable to For the July session, $935 and room for late applicants. (But ner last year, they received an begin. By January, staff appli- owning their own buses be- slightly less for August which please don’t count on it.) email from a woman saying her cations are pouring in followed cause they need to ensure that is a day shorter. “That’s the ‘of- husband had refused for years by interviews. And before you backups are immediately avail- ficial cost,’” says Estee Stein- IMPACT OF THE DAY “to embrace this Friday night know it, summer and Lubavitch able in case of breakdowns. The metz. But a family will not CAMP thing.” After their Chabad ex- Day Camp are here again. buses cover quite a territory. be turned away due to lack of perience, they now shut off the As if all this is not enough, South to Eglinton in Toronto, funds. Chabad makes no secret TV for a couple of hours on Fri- Estee Steinmetz does harbour a north to Gamble in Richmond Of the 700 children, about that they are fostering an obser- day nights and make Kiddush dream. One day she is going to Hill, west to Keele and east to 500 attend public school. vant Jewish environment. But over wine. figure out how to gather alumni Yonge. Buses can be tracked Knowing how important camp it’s never done in an aggressive Estee Steinmetz is moved for a massive Lubavitch Day via GPS and plans are in the could be to a child who may or heavy-handed manner. by the subtle changes in the Camp celebration. It won’t be works for more sophisticated have limited exposure to Jew- “The goal of the camp is to campers. Like the kids who easy but that’s never stopped tracking via tablet. ish activities during the rest of make Judaism fun,” says Shua come to the office because of her before. Many buses do double and the year, Mrs. Steinmetz adds, Goldstein. They see kids com- a minor scrape or cut. You give And of course, that will in- even triple duty. After they’ve “I try for the most part not to ing without kippahs or tzitzis them a lollipop – and they stop clude you too, Mr. Tow Truck delivered the older kids, they turn away anyone who doesn’t who begin to wear them by the and say a berachah (blessing) Driver! Page 6 • World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2015

New Mesifta Opens You’d Be Doing The Same Thing in Thornhill as the Lubavitcher Rebbe After much planning and shivah to mentor the younger Dear Editor: returned and said that the Rebbe to keep them all. So what does consultation with leading edu- students. The Shluchim will I read with pleasure would see us at once. he do? Discard 613 mitzvoth? cators a new Mesivta called provide opportunities for an your article on Rabbi Yosef He ushered us into the No, he keeps as many of them as Ohr Temimim has opened Yitzchak Schneershon. I had house, through the crowded humanly possible.” for the 2015/16 semester. the great fortune to personally living room, and up the stairs. With these few words experience this remarkable We wondered why we had been he removed the venom The inaugural semester will we had brought with us. be under aegis of two skilled rabbi’s dedication to helping admitted before all those people Jews return to the observance downstairs who had been there Then he asked us to try and keep educators Rabbi Eliezer Pos- of mitzvoth. Even today, many before us. as many mitzvoth as we could. ner and Rabbi Dovid Bisk. decades later and despite the At the top of the stairs stood If we kept as many as we could, With a caring and ex- anemia of old age, I blush when the Rebbe. He was handsome then we’d be doing the same perienced team of educators, to I recall the chutzpa displayed by and saintly looking, with thing as the Lubavitcher Rebbe! motivate and guide each stu- six of my friends and I towards gleaming, bright eyes. He wore Then he asked for our dent, the Yeshivah is ready to Rabbi Schneersohn, and how we a large fur hat. His hand was Jewish names and the names were gently turned around. outstretched in greeting. I was of our mothers. We also offered provide the student body with our legal names and addresses an authentic Chasiddic environ- It was in 1929, when several surprised since I never knew articles appeared in various that Chassidic rebbes extended but he said he had no use for ment, an appreciation for the Jewish newspapers them. Several of the boys put values espoused by the Rebbe, available in and the inspiration to develop Rabbi Boruch Zaltzman Philadelphia and nurture spiritual growth in those days and good personal character. accelerated Torah learning pro- about one Rabbi The school will offer a gram. The Yeshivah administra- Schneersohn, the comprehensive Torah curricu- tion recognizes the importance Lubavitcher Rebbe. lum, in keeping with the expec- of a healthy physical outlet and These articles quoted the Rebbe tations of mainstream Chabad will also provide additional ex- at great length and tra-curricular activities - swim, in much detail. My gym, professional chess coach- friends and I read ing and music lessons. these articles and The School is housed wondered amongst in the spacious Chabad @ ourselves whether Flamingo building at 8001 the Rebbe was actually planning Bathurst St. The students will to replace the enjoy a beautiful Beis Medrash Al-mighty. We (study hall), a Mikva on prem- discussed this with ises, with surrounding parks. an official of our A well-equipped dormitory synagogue, and he with eight bedrooms, newly suggested that we renovated 4 washrooms and visit the Rebbe and Rabbi Eliezer Posner ask him what he showers, with a large living- had in mind. room area for the boys to relax Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn upon his arrival in America Yeshivahs. In addition, students One of the after a full day of learning, pro- articles had mentioned that their hands in greeting. their hands in their pockets, but will make use of technology to he stopped them with a gesture, achieve optimal learning skills. vide space for a limited number he had been given the use of a “This is the happiest moment house on 33rd Street by Mrs. I’ve had in Philadelphia,” he said thanked us, and said he had no “A unique feature of the Me- of out of town students. Faggen-Miller, a woman well as he started to arrange chairs use for money; what he wanted sivta will be the individual This project has been under was mitzvoth. consideration for many years known for her charitable nature. around his desk. We tried to learning experience that we are Accordingly, late one Saturday help him, but he insisted that he He asked us whether creating for each student,” the and responds to the educa- evening we all piled into the car wanted to do this task himself. we put on tefillin every day. school’s founder Rabbi Baruch tional needs of many develop- and drove to the listed address. Once we were seated he Several admitted they had Zaltzman explained. ing young men. With prayer- Our intention was to confront took a long look at each one of given up. Whereupon he offered A group of senior students ful wishes we look forward to the Rebbe and challenge him us and then began: “You look them tefillin so they could (Shluchim) have joined the Ye- much success. that we thought he was trying to like very intelligent young men, fulfill the mitzvah. All of us displace G-d. and therefore I must speak on promised to try to live up to his As we climbed the steps to your level. You are wondering suggestions. He then blessed us the front porch, we saw through about those people downstairs individually and shook hands the window that the living room who were here before you. Well, with us again, and we left. was crowded with men. We rang here are some of the problems We stood on the porch for nearly the doorbell and a dignified, for which they are asking help. two hours digesting the visit. bearded man came to the door “One man’s daughter is Everyone agreed to pray and inquired what we wanted. seriously ill. What can I do? at least once a day. One said One of us responded: “We’d like Nothing more than he can do, he would give up his Saturday to speak to the Rebbe. We have provided he approaches G-d. work as a dental technician an important question to ask.” He should be able to ask for a and some months later he even All this time the man was complete recovery. prevailed upon his employer to taking notes. We subsequently “Another has a lawsuit do the same. One of us, Gabriel found out that he was and wants me to pray that Lowenthal, of blessed memory, Rabbi Yehezkel Feigen, the he will win. I do not know attached himself to a synagogue Rebbe’s personal secretary. who’s right, but he can pray and taught what he had learned “About what?” he said: “The that the L-rd will give justice. from the Rebbe’s philosophy to Rebbe must know the question “There is a man who wants to many others. I have lost track of before he can see you.” buy a business and wants me some of the boys, but I’m sure “We’d like to know how to intercede to make sure it he expects us to keep an old- succeeds. If I could do that, I’d that the ten minutes we spent fashioned religion in a modern be a rich business man. with the Rebbe strengthened the country.” (We knew we couldn’t “But if I could not spirit of Judaism for all of us. tell this man our originally answer your question, I’d The Depression and later intended question.) have no right to be a rabbi.” World War II gave me little hope “You’ll have to wait,” he The Rebbe smiled and of ever gaining more light from said. “You see there is quite a continued. “First, I must admit Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak. How- crowd before you. But come in.” a great secret, which I trust you ever, I found continued inspira- We told him we’d wait on will most likely keep. There are tion from his son-in-law, Rabbi the porch, as there wouldn’t be 613 mitzvoth, and while the Menachem Mendel, the present room for all of us in the packed Lubavitcher Rebbe tries to keep Rebbe, to keep as many of the living room. In a few minutes he them all, he finds it impossible 613 mitzvoth as I can. World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2015 • Page 7

Slovakian Man Fulfills His Father’s Dying Wish, 70 Years later

By Menachem Posner 2014, something changed. Exu- everything. berant with dancing, Pasternak “But three weeks after I They sat together in the car, told the rabbi that he was ready. was born, we were discovered. driving from Bratislava, the He would have a brit milah and We were taken to a small con- First Bearded US Air capital of Slovakia, to Vienna, take the Hebrew name “Ilan,” centration camp. Three days Austria, just an hour away. which sounds similar to Ivan later, my father was sent off to Rabbi Baruch Myers was ac- and is quite popular in Israel to- Auschwitz and then Dachau. Force Officer companying Ivan Pasternak, day. “My mother and I were for- a 70-year-old member of his As they drove towards Vi- tunate. She managed to bribe Rabbi Elie Estrin, who to- In January of 2014, the mili- community who was going to enna, Pasternak told the rabbi a Slovak night guard to turn a gether with his wife Chaya, is tary ban on wearing a beard and undergo his circumcision, fi- the other reason he chose that blind eye towards us, and she the director of the Rohr Chabad other such displays of religious nally entering into the covenant name. ran, holding me for 15 kilome- House for Jewish Life at the belief, was lifted by the Penta- ters, to safety. My mother and I University of Washington in gon, paving the way for Rabbi then hid with a gentile family. Seattle, graduated this summer Estrin to join the military chap- There were roundups very of- from Officer Training School at laincy. ten; we were in constant danger the Maxwell Air Force base in The stop in Alabama is part of being discovered. I never Montgomery, Alabama. Estrin, of a seven thousand mile road- cried all through those terrible who now holds the rank of Cap- trip Rabbi Estrin, Chaya, and times, my mother would tell tain, is the first bearded officer their 5 children have embarked me. in the United States Air Force in on, making their way through “When the war ended, we 40 years. 23 States. They began their jour- went back to Prešov, but noth- During the entire five week ney on June 11th in the Chabad ing was the same. My mother Commissioned Officer Training on Campus RV, known as the waited patiently for my father Course, Rabbi Estrin was forced “Mitzvah Tank”, which is gen- to come home, hoping to hear to eat Kosher MRE’s (ready- erally used to service students that he was alive. But alas, we to-eat meals) but said that staff in the outlying areas of WU’s received word from the Red were fantastic about facilitating vast campus. The Estrin’s trav- his required accommodations, Cross that he had been killed in eled cross-country to attend the Dachau, as had been so many of some of which included his ad- Chabad on Campus Director’s herence to Shabbat and the 25 my mother’s friends and rela- Conference in Stamford, CT, tives. hour fast of Tisha Be’av. and are currently making their Rabbi Baruch Myers officiates the brit milah of Ivan Pasternak in Vienna. The 4:30 am wake-ups ev- “We settled in Bratislava. way back home through the My mother would tell me about ery morning for PT were defi- southern States. nitely “different” for Estrin, 35, of Abraham. “My family is originally her family, how large it had Chabad on Campus has ex- as was the incessant push-ups “There are a number of from Prešov“ he began. “My been and how almost everyone perienced tremendous growth and sit-ups, and the 1.5 mile run- such men in our community,” parents, Marta and Teodor Pas- had been killed. Occasionally, since the year 2000, expand- ning PT test, but for the father of explains Myers, who has served ternak, were married there in I would ask her about my cir- ing from 77 Jewish centers, to five, the road to the armed ser- as chief rabbi and Chabad rep- 1940. It was not long after that cumcision, knowing that it was vices was “a logical extension of their current status of over 230 resentative to Slovakia since Jews were persecuted in earnest something every Jewish male his existing service to the Jewish full-time, professionally staffed 1993. “There were years of by Czechoslovakian Nazi sym- should have. She told me that community.” centers, becoming the largest Communist rule when it was pathizers. It was the first city she believed it could only be In his 11 years serving the network of professional Jewish socially unacceptable and only where Jews had to wear special done for an eight-day-old baby, Jewish student community at educators, serving the needs of the most devout kept this tradi- white arm bands, and it did not and it was impossible for me the University of Washington, Jewish student populations on tion alive. Over the years, many take long before many people, now. Estrin notes that out of the many campuses around the world. men and boys have decided to including my grandparents and “For years, I knew that my students with whom he and his Rabbi Elie Estrin said, “The ‘take the plunge,’ thus earn- many other relatives, were de- father had chosen a Hebrew wife had a close rapport, more AF leadership training was ex- ing their Jewish names and the ported, never to be seen again. name for me, and I was haunted than a dozen had gone on to join ceptional, and I believe it will as- right to be called to the Torah.” “Realizing that Prešov, by the fact that I had never tak- the military. And, after speaking sist me in my work both on cam- Pasternak had been some- where they were well-known, en the name. with an alumnus who had served pus and as an Air Force chaplain. what of an enigma to the rabbi. would be a death trap for them, Upon their arrival in Vi- with the prestigious U.S. Army I’m looking forward to getting A teacher by profession, he my parents decided to run to enna, Ivan Pasternak under- Rangers, he became convinced back to work and applying it all regularly attended services ev- Pressburg [now Bratislava] us- went his brit and took the name that chaplaincy was an ideal fit. in the real world.” ery Shabbat in the cozy little ing a false non-Jewish identity. Ilan—the very same name his sanctuary carved out from the Marta and Teodor Pasternak be- father had chosen for him be- cavernous old synagogue that came Mr. and Mrs.Paulovič. fore being taken away by the was far too large for a commu- “I was born in the summer Nazis. nity reduced to a fraction of its of 1944, and of course, there “Today, I am more than 70 prewar self, having been deci- was no way they could have years old,” he reflects, “and mated by World War II and the me circumcised under those I feel that my parents and my Holocaust. circumstances. So they waited, grandparents are looking down After his retirement and hoping they would be able to do from somewhere above, and the passing of his wife, Zuz- it when I got older. My father they are satisfied knowing that ka, Pasternak took up the du- had a Hebrew name picked and everything is in order.” ties of shamash, caring for the synagogue and making sure that the books were in order. Yet he was hesitant to un- dergo circumcision, even if not doing so created a barrier be- tween him and the crusty old stalwarts who formed the back- bone of the regular minyan . They would grumble in Hun- garian about the younger men who lacked Jewish names and the education they carried with them from their youths. During Simchat Torah of Page 8 • World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2015

Touch, Look and Learn: Jewish Children’s Museum’s Experiential Objective By Mordechai Lightstone narrative about Abraham’s Brooklyn’s Museum Row on Experiential learning Tent—a refuge to desert way- Eastern Parkway in the Chas- has long been at the core farers that afforded them food sidic neighborhood of Crown of Jewish education. Think and water, and a chance to Heights, welcomes some 36 Orphaned Girls’ Bat of brushing the letters of bless G-d—a stand at the ex- 200,000 children every year. the aleph-bet with honey or hibit lets children assemble Chaya Serebryanski, the Mitzvahs in Jerusalem directly engaging children in the blessings said over food. museum’s program and mar- the Passover seder. A bank of phones on a nearby keting director, says “children By Faygie Levy are overwhelmed with thanks, Along those lines, the wall allows thewm to record should be able to experience Smiles were intermingled and in awe that there are peo- relatively new fourth-floor ex- their own personal prayers. their rich heritage, and see with a few tears and plenty ple who are so generous and hibit of the Jewish Children’s An exhibit about the Tab- the continuation of the Jewish of laughter as 36 girls from thoughtful to children who lost Museum in Brooklyn, N.Y., ernacle in the desert doesn’t people and their role in reach- across Israel came together their fathers.” represents yet another build- merely suffice to show a di- ing a greater Jewish future.” in Jerusalem recently for a The day’s festivities in- ing block for young minds. orama of the structure, but By example, she points to joint bat mitzvahcelebration, cluded a trip to Rachel’s Called “A Voyage Through provides the chance for kids the final aspect of the exhib- complete with a celebratory Tomb, located between Je- Jewish History,” the goal is to to build it themselves. it. In a room connected with dinner, speakers, singing and rusalem and Bethlehem; and learn through entertaining and Entering the hall of Jew- the arrival of Moshiach and dancing. engaging activities. ish sages, a copy of the Tal- the Messianic era, guests are However, Designed by Work With mud lets guests literally peel given the chance to carry on this wasn’t Your Brain—a museum and back the text, showing the their experience outside the your typi- exhibit design firm, and built layers of commentary and the museum walls, encouraging cal celebra- tion. For one, in part thanks to a dona- each of the tion from philanthropist Da- girls celebrat- vid Slager and a grant from ing this mile- New York City—the themes stone in a Jew- of the floor present visitors ish child’s life with a powerful experiential had lost a par- survey of Jewish history. ent—in nearly Entertainment was on tap for 36 orphaned girls from across Spanning the time all of the cas- Israel who celebrated their bat mitzvahs earlier this year. of Abraham through moder- The program included speakers, singing, dancing, and, of es, their father. course, a celebratory meal. nity, the exhibit offers not just Secondly, the a survey of Jewish history, but arrangements a chance for guests to actively separating and making chal- and the costs were handled participate in exploring such lah—separating the tradition- by the Colel Chabad social- history. Guests are not merely al Shabbat loaves being one of service organization to make spectators to the past, but put three mitzvoth specifically for A replica of the Western Wall (Kotel) in Jerusalem, things as easy on the families squarely in the center of it. women (the others are lighting complete with handwritten prayers and notes. as possible. The various sections the Shabbat candles and going “Family milestones can include “Patriarchs and historical context. them to take a lesson or action to the mikvah as part of family be much more stressful and Matriarchs,” “Mount Si- The seven-story museum, from Jewish history and purity.) Addressing the birth- difficult, both financially and nai Experience” (including which opened its doors to the tradition, and implement it day girls, Rebbetzin Yemi- emotionally, without a par- the Exodus from Egypt and the general public for the first into their lives. ma Mizrachi, a popular To- ent,” explains Rabbi Am- giving of the Torah on Mount time ten years ago in 2005, “We hope that by encour- rah scholar and speaker in ram Blau, director of Colel Sinai), “Temple and Taberna- is the largest Jewish-themed aging everyone to do a good Jerusalem, said: “The world Chabad’s Widows and Or- cle,” “Land of Israel,” “Sages children’s museum in the deed,” she says, “we can unite gains strength from you young phans Project in Israel, known Through the Ages,” “Jewish world. It primarily serves el- our guests as active members women. When we see your at Chesed Menachem Mendel. World Today,” “The Holo- ementary-school-age kids and in the tapestry of Jewish his- beautiful smiling faces, glow- “It’s heartwarming to see the caust” and “One Good Deed.” their families. tory.” ing from this special celebra- joy on the faces of these young In the midst of it is a mas- According to its direc- For more information, vis- tion, and we know all the hard- women and their families sive replica of the Western tors, the museum, along it http://jcm.museum ships you have been through, in reaching this momentous Wall (Kotel), where visitors we can’t help but feel that we occasion.” can write down their prayers must smile and be happy as Established in 1788 by on notes and insert them into well.”This was the fourth year Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Lia- the wall, just like in Jerusa- that Colel Chabad has offered di, the founder of the Chabad- lem. a bat mitzvah program; it also Lubavitch movement—Colel Recreating the Midrashic Chabad is the oldest continu- runs an annual bar mitzvah ous operating charity in Israel. ceremony for boys who have The Widows and Orphans lost a parent. Project is just one of many When asked why the or- programs in its vast network of ganization began offering services, which includes soup such affairs for the young kitchens, children’s camps, se- girls and boys, Rabbi Men- nior needs and more. achem Traxler, the organiza- “When Colel Chabad tion’s director of volunteer- called me last year before ing, responded rhetorically: my son’s bar mitzvah, I was “Why not?” More seriously, overcome with emotion,” said he added: “We look for every Almira, a widow and mother way we can help during their of six. “I couldn’t even imag- childhoods, especially during ine how I was going to plan for the school years, so they will Have a Sweet New the ceremony. And now, with be able to grow and lead their 905-731-7000 ext. 231 my daughter’s bat mitzvah, we own lives successfully.” Year! World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2015 • Page 9

A Contest with Real Spin: 145 Special-Needs Kids Get Brand-New Bikes By Mindy Rubenstein run organization created the No one really had to rein- bike donation program four vent the wheel for this particu- years ago in honor of Michaela lar contest. In fact, it spun off Noam Kaplan, who was a par- Striders,” “Triaids”—then en- nity helped them resettle in the from one good deed and picked ticipant there. She passed away tered that contest by submitting United States. An anonymous up motion from there. in her sleep in 2009 at the age a photo and description of the individual donated a brand- The Friendship Circle of of 5. It is in her memory that child, and why he or she needs new bicycle to be given to a Michigan recently donated 145 the contest is named “The Mi- an adaptive bike. refugee child, and he turned out bicycles—the majority of them chaela Noam Kaplan Great Each individual needed 50 to be the recipient. adapted in specific ways—to Bike Giveaway.” votes to be entered into a draw- “Somehow, I got volun- children with special needs “Despite her physical limi- ing. The child with the most teered for that,” recalled Reyts- throughout the United States, tations due to cerebral palsy, votes in each category received man, now an engineer for the two-thirds of whom are not Michaela adored life, traveled a bike, as well as one selected Ford Motor Company who Jewish. To do so, it partnered the world, went to school—and by the drawing. lives in Ann Arbor, Mich. with 10 large bike companies, loved her adaptive bicycle,” Families solicited votes “I picked a bike, and he each of which donated two recounted her parents, subur- and donations to go towards told me his story: When he was bikes to the contest. ban Detroit residents Gabriella Rabbi Tzvi Schectman, director of a particular category for their a little kid, he really wanted a “Providing adaptive bikes Burman and Adam Kaplan. the Friendship Circle program children; that gave the Friend- bike and couldn’t afford one. to children with special needs “While this therapeutic benefit but she was able to pedal on ship Circle the ability to add One day, his stepfather just can provide a sense of belong- was important to us, being on the bike, strengthening and in- more bikes to the categories. presented him with a bike out creasing flexibility in her legs In all, more than 6,000 do- of nowhere as a gift. That was and hips. nors participated. the highlight of his childhood. Manufacturers of special- According to the Friend- That bike allowed him to go needs equipment build adap- ship Circle, the real beauty of anywhere. He could visit his friends. And so, he promised tive bicycles with proper head the annual contest is not only himself that before the age of and chest supports, harnesses, being able to give away so 30, he would return the favor foot plates and Velcro strap- many bikes; equally important and give another kid a bike. ping to keep a child safe while is the awareness it raises. That turned out to be me. riding “People have no idea that The only condition was that I The bicycle program has it’s such a crucial need for a promise that before I turn 30, I grown steadily, starting with family,” said Schectman. “It re- would give someone else a bike 18 bikes given away during the ally resonates with them. Even as well: It’s important to keep first effort in 2011. This year, if they don’t win, they may thew tradition going. some 1,870 people registered end up getting a bike anyway “I never heard from him for the contest from every U.S. because of the generosity of again, never saw him again, state, versus 153 registrants the family or friends. “The organic never knew his name, but his first year. growth is tremendous.” only request was to make sure While adaptive bikes can In fact, of the final tally, that the tradition keeps going. run from $300 to $5,000, the at least 100 bikes were given When I was getting close to average bike given away in away as a direct result of dona- 30, I started asking around, ‘Is the contest was priced at about tions sent in by those voting for there anybody who would ac- $2,000. and giving to the contestants. tually want a bike?’ I was told “Families of special-needs The giveaway was born to check with the Friendship Robert Seaberg from Iowa, one of last year’s winners of a brand-new bike children have a lot of thera- from an initial mitzvah and then Circle. given away as part of an annual contest run by the Friendship Circle of pies and expenses,” explained a desire to “pay it forward.” It History was made. Admin- Michigan. istrators called Reytsman back, Schectman. “Insurance doesn’t all started with a phone call telling him “We just started pay for bikes. Parents just can- to the Friendship Circle in the ing, inclusion and confidence,” the bike also meant that she a huge bike giveaway.” “I said Rabbi Tzvi Schectman, could be a kid, too, and that we not afford to buy them.” summer of 2011 from an indi- learned that you can turn some- family coordinator at the as her parents could celebrate As part of the contest, vidual who wanted to give a bi- thing into a bigger tradition,” Friendship Circle who directs those precious moments with which was publicized mainly cycle to a needy child because he said. “To me, it is this amaz- the program. ”By riding a bike her.” on social media and through he himself had once been one. ing story about how one guy so with their families and friends, Michaela’s spastic quad- word of mouth, families chose Donor Mikhail Reytsman many years ago got a small gift children with special needs can riplegia did not allow her mus- bikes that best suited their chil- came over with his family from from his stepfather and created experience freedom and joy.” cles to move fluidly on their dren—for example, “Mobo Russia as part of a refugee a ripple effect well into the fu- The Chabad-Lubavitch- own, explained her parents, Cruisers,” “Buddy Bikes,” program; the Jewish commu- ture. Israel’s Chief Rabbinate Revises Tablet Logo By Dovid Zaklikowski - Je- the tablets was introduced rectangles that together, form a stationary to be printed and the Torah,” Lau said. “This was rusalem, Israel by the Roman order, derived square. new logo to be affixed in the not only incumbent upon me in Israel’s chief rabbinate from their architectural style To the Rebbe, a Jewish chief rabbinate’s new offices. my position; it is a privilege for updated the design of their prevalent at the time of the symbol should be drawn “This is the true way it me to be the one to make this logo in which the Ten destruction of Jerusalem and according to Jewish sources. should be according to the change.” Commandments will now be the Holy Temple in the year The Rebbe explained that, more depicted in a square rather than 70 CE. “The Roman desire to so, in the case of the tablets, the familiar rounded shape. eradicate everything Jewish, since the rounded style was To many Israelis, it is included even the shapes of our introduced with the intention merely a curious change of most holy symbols,” wrote the to do it contrary to Jewish design. For others, it is a return late Michel Schwartz, a famed tradition, one should refrain to authentic Jewish tradition. artist of Judaica works. from drawing the tablets in that The two tablets, or luchot, as Schwartz recalled when he way. In the 1980’s the Rebbe recorded in the Talmud (tractate first began drawing Jewish art spoke publicly on this issue. Baba Batra 14a), formed a was for the Chabad educational Rabbi Dovid Lau, chief square. But it is the cylindrical arm in the early 1940’s. At rabbi of Israel, said that when design that has become familiar the time, Rabbi Menachem he was recently made aware to most. Mendel Schneerson, headed the of the Jewish sources and the Historians point out that educational arm and instructed Rebbe’s words, he arranged for the familiar rounded top of him to draw the tablets as two a new logo to be drawn and new The current location of the offices of the chief rabbinate and the new logo (inset). Page 10• World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2015

Rabbi Borrows a Chopper and Rescues Stranded in Nepal By Faygie Levy self in a Nepali helicopter to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin with the three young children of the Chabad emissaries to Nepal When Chabad of Nepal reach the stranded. got word that about 50 Israe- Since the quake had first out to some backpackers when all under age 6, were sent with opened your home to the en- lis were stuck in several re- happened, Lifshitz communi- they left the Chabad House so their Nepali nanny to stay with tire world, we have opened our they could stay in touch and their grandparents in Israel. home to your children here in became vital link in those criti- Meeting with the presi- Israel.” cal days after the earthquake. dent, who greeted them with a “With the kindness of Gd, When the Rabbi touched hug and kosher chocolate, they they succeeded in saving 25 down in Dhunche with food were able to call their parents friends today,” his wife wrote and water, he found the group in Nepal. on their Facebook page. cold, tired and hungry. The re- During the course of the “They are weak after full days [without supplies] in the lief was clear on their faces as conversation with Rabbi Lif- wilderness. We brought them they gathered up their personal shitz, Rivlin praised the hu- all to the Chabad center. The belongings and backpacks. manitarian work the couple crew here greeted them with Most were eager to head back was doing there, together with tremendous emotion. They’ve home, though the Chabad their team of rabbinical stu- now had a hot meal, and re- House in Kathmandu would be dents and Israeli volunteers. ceived warm clothing and sup- the next best thing in the short “What you are doing for plies. They are all here for the term. the world, and certainly for night.” Twenty five were airlifted Israelis who are [in Nepal], is In response to the photos to Kathmandu and about the remarkable. Your activity, in of the rescue operation, one Rabbi Chezky Lifshitz—co-director of Chabad of Nepal with his wife, Chani— same number remained in vari- took to the skies himself in a Nepali government helicopter to reach the stranded. ous regions of the mountains waiting for their chance to be mote villages with no food, cated with many of the Israelis rescued. Bad weather delayed electricity or water, after the stuck in the mountain regions some helicopter rescues near earthquake in late April, they in remote areas like Dhunche Mount Everest, and a second sprang into action, organizing and Syrabrubesi, using satel- attempt had to be made. an effort to try and reach them. lite phones fixed with GPS that While the rabbi was out But a rescue mission to deliver the hikers are carrying. He then rescuing the stranded, his wife food and a satellite phone to relayed their locations to the Chani was serving up 2,000 them by motorcycle yesterday Nepalese government. meals a day to Nepalis back ended after a 10-hour journey It was an earlier tragedy at the Chabad center in Kath- that met with blocked roads that made the use of the satel- mandu. and no way to get through to lite phones possible. The fam- Four days after the 7.8 them. ily of Nadav Shoham, a hiker magnitude quake that struck So the next day they tried killed last year in a freak bliz- the impoverished South Asian the Jewish, Israeli and univer- woman posted: “Thank you again. This time, Rabbi Che- zard, donated the phones to country on April 25, the couple sal spheres—and the way you very much for extracting from zky Lifshitz—co-director of ensure other hikers could be decided to send their children opened your home to people my brother and his girlfriend, Chabad of Nepal with his wife, reached in case of emergency. to their home country. Shmuel, in times of need—is amaz- there are no words to thank you Chani—took to the skies him- The phones were handed Rivki and Yitzchak Lifshitz, ing,” said Rivlin. “Just as you for all you are doing.” Pedi-Sukkahs to Plow Through Manhattan Once Again

Chabad-Lubavitch teens on “Pedi-Sukkahs” will once again parade through Manhattan dur- ing the intermediate days of Sukkot, Wednesday, September 30 - October 4. The cycles are modified pedi-cabs with an at- tached sukkah—a hut-like struc- ture covered with bamboo—at- tached in the back. The “Pedi-Sukkahs” are the newest version of the well- known Chabad Sukkah Mobile which, for the last 50 years, have been offering Jews in downtown or remote areas the opportunity to perform the Mitzvoth of eat- ing in the Sukkah and shaking the Lulav and Etrog. World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2015 • Page 11

Collegian Finds Inventive ‘Sandy Koufax’ Solution for Shabbat Commencement Speech By Carin M. Smilk year’s commencement speaker phone. They might come up with for the school’s Watson School After consulting with a a new word for Don Green- of Engineering on May 16. number of rabbis, Greenberg berg’s commencement speech However, when the 22-year-old told administrators at the New at Binghamton University in learned that the ceremony was York state campus that accord- way at that. It was taped on of my friends through Chabad Upstate New York. Something on Saturday—the Jewish Sab- ing to Jewish law, he could not Wednesday at a podium in front at Binghamton. It’s just one of like ... “valedictation.” bath—it appeared that it would use the microphone at the cer- of a blue background as he a kind here, just terrific! The emony. stood in full graduation regalia. amount of programming and “I’m reminded of when “So ... this is awkward,” vibrancy of the Jewish commu- Sandy Koufax refused to pitch began Greenberg, in the intro- nity here is on a different level during the first game of the duction to his talk. “I know this than other places. 1965 World Series, which co- is sort of an interesting arrange- ”And the school itself,” he incided with Yom Kippur eve,” ment, but I want to first and continued, “is very cognizant said Rabbi Aaron Slonim, foremost express my tremen- and accommodating to differ- executive director of the dous gratitude for the school for ent groups.” Rohr Chabad Center for Jew- making it happen. On Saturday, when some ish Student Life at Binghamton “The problem is that Sat- 2,500 students and their fami- University, a Jewish campus or- urday is the Jewish Sabbath, a lies gathered on campus for ganization where Greenberg is day that as a central part of my the engineering ceremony, they an active member. “His courage Orthodox upbringing is free of watched Greenberg’s pre-re- gave many Jews the strength to all electronics, like, say, a mi- corded commencement speech be unabashed about their Juda- crophone, as well as writing, on jumbo screens on either side ism.” driving, cooking and lots of of the stage. ”I was considering not other things,” he explains. “It’s “Don’s unwavering com- speaking,” acknowledges a time to relax with family and mitment to Shabbat and to Ju- Greenberg, who noted that dur- friends, and forget about the daism is a source of great pride ing his four years there, he did week. And iwt’s a big part of and strength to Jewish students no schoolwork on Shabbat. He my life. here at Binghamton University, would work right up until Fri- “My family walked here and in particular, to Jewish col- day night and then stop for the this morning, and we will walk lege students around the world,” weekly holiday. “I wasn’t sure to Chabad at noon for the tradi- said Slonim. “I also want to ex- what the protocol was or what tional Shabbat lunch.” press my gratitude to everyone would be right for my graduat- Indeed, Chabad has been at Binghamton University who ing class. I went out on a limb, an important part of his col- did not make Don choose be- and the school made it work.” lege life. He was involved tween his religious conviction Greenberg’s commencement speech was taped on Wednesday at a podium as he stood in full graduation regalia. (Photo: Jonathan Cohen/Binghamton University/RNS) With the help of univer- there from the get-go, attend- and this remarkable opportuni- sity administrators, Greenberg ing weekly Friday-night Shab- ty. This incident only highlights The graduating college se- not be possible. The issue sur- found a way to deliver the bat dinners, holiday programs this outstanding truth about our nior was nominated to be this rounded the use of a micro- speech—a rather innovative and other events. “I met most campus culture and its values.” Indian Chief Set a Jew Straight By Eli Federman celebrated the High Holidays. his ancestry. My fa- Was culturally Jewish and re- ther explained that he We recently commemo- membered going to Shul with was Jewish. rated the yartzeit of my father his grandfather Binyomin. The tribal leader - Yitzchok Leib (Lyle) Feder- He spent much of his life paused, squinting in man, HY”D. I think about him searching for an identity. He thought, and said: at least once a day. He lived his eventually discovered and em- “There are two kinds life humbly searching for mean- braced his Jewish heritage at of Jews. One with his ing - and helping others along an Oglala tribal meeting on the head down, ashamed Pine Ridge Indian Reser- of who he is; and the vation in South Dakota. other with his head He strived for a belief up and proud of who system that was all-inclu- he is.” He continued, sive, connected with nature “Be that Jew who is with a social justice mis- proud of who he is.” sion. Those values were My father said reinforced by his exposure that was one of the to the counter-cultural and most transcendental environmental movements In 2006 Oliver Red Cloud, now 94 years old, sits in the back of the pickup leading the moments in his life. of the late ‘60s. annual Oglala Nation Pow Wow parade in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. I share this fami- He found those values and history. proval. ly story with the hope in the Native American Eventually, he was called They asked my father about that it inspires others to embrace Eli Federman way of life. His began his to a tribal meeting where he their heritage with humble pride. journey by providing aid for the way. Never dogmatic and would be formally inducted into food and clothing, and teaching the Oglala Lakota tribe. At the always intellectually honest. computer skills on the poverty I strive to embody - even if a meeting, the tribal elders asked stricken Pine Ridge Indian Res- my father what he had observed modicum of - those virtues. ervation. Here’s one little story of on the reservation. He also volunteered at the “I observe two kind of Indi- how his humanitarian work on sobriety meetings to fight the the Pine Ridge Indian reserva- ans,” my father explained. “One rampant alcohol and drug abuse. with short hair, head down, tion reminded him of his own Soon he started practicing heritage. drunk and ashamed of who he is; Native American rituals like the and one with long hair, head up, My father grew up with sweat lodge (or ceremonial sau- little to no Jewish tradition. He sober and proud of his people.” na) and learning the traditions The elders nodded in ap- Page 12• World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2015

Deaf Boys and Girls Experienced Summer Camp Steeped in Judaism By Menachem Posner child in his Houston, Texas, and just living Judaism in a very For most of his childhood, neighborhood who was deaf, and warm environment with boys 12-year-old Joel Pennington one of the only Jewish students like him.” SIMCHAT TORAH was unique. He was the only in the special school for the deaf One of them was Elian Zfati, that he attended in Austin. from Frederick, Md., who also “Joel has a very special relished the opportunity to inter- HAKAFOT soul and was always drawn to act with other Jewish deaf boys. Judaism,” says his mother, Orit “My son especially enjoyed All are welcome to come & join the Celebration Pennington. “But we really had learning foreign sign languages no way of teaching him beyond from the children from Russia, SHMINI ATZERET what he picked up at home.” Israel and other countries,” says Orit made her son a his mother, Simi, who is also Sunday, October 4 Monday, October 5 special Sign Language deaf, in an interview conduct- ed via an interpreter. “He also Candlelighting 6:35 p.m. Shacharis 1 0:00 a.m. Haggadah for Passover and another booklet for Rosh gained tremendously in his Jew- Mincha 6:40 p.m. Yizkor approx. 11:30 a.m. Hashanah, but was stymied when ish engagement, learning how to Maariv 7 :30 p.m. Mincha 6:30 p.m. it came to finding a synagogue or read the Hebrew alphabet and so much more.” Hakafot (followed by) 7:50 p.m. Candlelighting after 7:34 p.m. Hebrew school where he would be able to interact with Jewish Simi Zfati learned about the Kiddush peers and experience Jewish camp from internal network- tradition firsthand. ing within the Deaf community, SIMCHAT TORAH “His soul was thirsty for which she describes as close- Monday, October 5 Tuesday, October 6 something more that I was able knit. She says that many more to give him,” she acknowledges. of her friends sent their children Maariv 7:25 p.m. Shacharis 1 0:00 a.m. “He knew it was there, but he there this year after hearing of could not access it.” last summer’s success. Kiddush 7:45 p.m. Kiddush 11:00 a.m. Orit describes what “I myself went to Jewish Hakafot 8:45 p.m. Hakafot 12:00 p.m. happened next as a “miracle.” In camp when I was a child,” she Torah Reading 12:45 p.m. the spring of 2014, she attended says recalling her own child- a ceremony in an Orthodox hood in a Deaf Orthodox Jewish Signing updates of their days to their parents back home via computer. synagogue. During the reception home. “I loved going to camp, that followed, she met a person but I felt very alone a lot of the who put her in touch with time, not able to understand what Sunday, September 13 Tuesday, September 22 R Y Rabbi David Kastor, a deaf was happening and why.” O Candlelighting 7:13 p.m. Mincha 3:15 & 4:15 p.m. rabbi; she never even knew one But this summer came full- Mincha 7:20 p.m. O Candlelighting 6:57 p.m. existed. circle for her. Ninety miles to the S Maariv 8:06 p.m. M Kol Nidre 7:10 p.m. The two began learning south of where Elian attended H on a weekly basis over VP camp, his two sisters, aged 10 and Monday, September 14 (video phone). During one 12, joined with other deaf girls for their own camp experience Shacharis 9:00 a.m. of their sessions, Kastor within Camp Gan Israel of the Shofar approx. 11:30 a.m. K Wednesday, September 23 introduced his young pupil to Poconos in Dingmans Ferry, H Rabbi Yehoshua Soudakoff of Mincha 6:00 p.m. I Shachris 9:00 a.m. Pa. This is the first time such a the Jewish Deaf Foundation, who A Tashlich 6:30 p.m. Yizkor 12:00 p.m. program has taken place there. P is Deaf and was busy organizing S Maariv 8:05 p.m. Mincha 5:30 p.m. “They were so looking Light Candles after 8:12 p.m. P Neilah 6:45 p.m. a Jewish overnight camp for forward to the experience,” says H Maariv 7:55 p.m. Deaf boys within the framework their mom. “It is so special for HIGH A Tuesday, September 15 U of Camp L’man Achai in Upstate them to meet deaf girls, and Shachris 9:00 a.m. R New York. learn about Judaism and their HOLIDAY N Shofar approx 11:30 a.m. Yom Tov & Shabbos At the camp last summer, common Jewish heritage in Mincha 6:45 p.m. Services Joel found himself among 10 their own way.” Altogether, 30 A Shacharis 10:00 a.m. other deaf boys from throughout SERVICES Maariv 8:10 p.m. children participated in the two H the United States and Israel for programs, including eight boys a first-of-its-kind experience. and two girls from Israel, and Soudakoff, 23, and other deaf two counselors who flew in staff members led discussions on along with them. Jewish topics, organized sports “For me, it is amazing to see activities and took the kids on how the program has grown,” excursions, many of them fo- said Soudakoff. “As more and cused on nature. more children and their families SIMCHAT TORAH “For the first time, Joel was become involved in this project, able to be part of a group—a the more the Jewish deaf Jewish deaf boy among Jewish community grows—in numbers, HAKAFOT deaf boys like himself,” says involvement and cohesiveness. his mother. “There he was mak- Our community is thinking more All are welcome to come & join the Celebration ing challah, being fully engaged about Judaism, talking about it SHMINI ATZERET in a communal Shabbat dinner more and doing more.” Sunday, October 4 Monday, October 5 Candlelighting 6:35 p.m. Shacharis 1 0:00 a.m. Mincha 6:40 p.m. Yizkor approx. 11:30 a.m. Maariv 7 :30 p.m. Mincha 6:30 p.m. Hakafot (followed by) 7:50 p.m. Candlelighting after 7:34 p.m. Kiddush SIMCHAT TORAH Monday, October 5 Tuesday, October 6 Maariv 7:25 p.m. Shacharis 1 0:00 a.m. Kiddush 7:45 p.m. Kiddush 11:00 a.m. Hakafot 8:45 p.m. Hakafot 12:00 p.m. Torah Reading 12:45 p.m.

R Sunday, September 13 Y Tuesday, September 22 O Candlelighting 7:13 p.m. Mincha 3:15 & 4:15 p.m. Mincha 7:20 p.m. O Candlelighting 6:57 p.m. S Maariv 8:06 p.m. M Kol Nidre 7:10 p.m. H Monday, September 14 Shacharis 9:00 a.m. K H Shofar approx. 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 23 Mincha 6:00 p.m. I Shachris 9:00 a.m. A Tashlich 6:30 p.m. P Yizkor 12:00 p.m. S Maariv 8:05 p.m. Mincha 5:30 p.m. Light Candles after 8:12 p.m. P Neilah 6:45 p.m. H Maariv 7:55 p.m. HIGH A Tuesday, September 15 U Shachris 9:00 a.m. R HOLIDAY N Shofar approx 11:30 a.m. Yom Tov & Shabbos Mincha 6:45 p.m. Services A Maariv 8:10 p.m. Shacharis 10:00 a.m. SERVICES H Page 13• World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2015

Le Parisien’: Chabad High School Ranks No. 1 in France

By Faygie Levy wife, Yakuta, teaches Judaic for their preparation for the When the French daily subjects there. national French exams.” newspaper Le Parisien came Remarking that the “In France,” he contin- out with its annual list of best school has been highly rated ues, “the national exams and year—namely, the Jan. 9 ter- high schools in the country, for several years, Nisenbaum diplomas are central to the every day, gives the school a ror attack at the Hyper Cach- many people probably did says “it’s very important that people and the culture, as special atmosphere of work er kosher grocery, where four a double take at the No. 1 they play a major role in en- and respect, which eases the Jewish men were killed. ranked school—Beth Hanna, suring the future of the stu- learning, and creates a close a Chabad-Lubavitch girls’ dents. relationship between the stu- That is no mere coinci- school in Paris. The Chabad school sys- dents themselves and with dence, says Nisenbaum. Not surprised were mem- tem in Paris was founded their teachers.” “The schools and their di- bers of the Jewish commu- by the late Rabbi Shm- This comes despite the rectors have an intense moti- nity who are familiar with uel “Moulé” Azimov, who fact that Jewish school chil- vation. They know they have the school, noting that it is a left a profound imprint upon dren there have some added the future of the French Jew- welcoming place that builds the Jewish community of stress to their day. ish community in their hands,” strong dedication to Jew- Paris and beyond. They now attend classes states the rabbi. “If the world ish life and values, and has He grew it so extensively under armed guard due to outside looks less beautiful graduated many girls over that today more than 1,500 a week of violence that oc- now, we have to magnify the the years. girls are enrolled in the dif- curred in Paris earlier this inside that much more.” Among those who were ferent divisions of Beth Haya pleased but not surprised is Mouchka, with some 700 Rabbi Chaim Shneur Nisen- students in the high school baum, who works at the Rabbi Chaim Shneur Nisenbaum alone. It is the largest Jewish preschool-through-grade school in France and one of 12 Complexe Scolaire Beth the Jewish school should rank the largest in Europe. Haya Mouchka, which in- high—not only on the media According to Le Pa- cludes Beth Hanna. list, but also on the Minis- risien, what made the Beth Three of the rabbi’s try of Education list because Hanna a particular standout this year and led to the school receiving “added value” points—and thus, the stellar ranking—were a high proportion of matriculation exam-takers, grade-point averages, exceptional attendance rates and other significant factors. Nisenbaum credits the high school’s director, André Touboul, with the school’s academic success. “The school has re- mained faithful to the meth- ods which have proved effec- tive over the years,” explains Even Mickey takes a moment to Shake the Lulav.

Beis Chana, high school for girls in Paris, beat out France’s other 4,300 high schools. the rabbi. “Furthermore, the While visiting a theme park on Sukkot of 2014, fact that it is a fully Jewish Chabad’s Yossi BenShimon discovered that (this) daughters have graduated many parents choose schools school, with a Torah pro- Mickey was Jewsih and offered him the opportunity from the high school and his not for their Jewishness, but gram during half of the day

Steeles Dignity Memorial Chapel Comfort Compassion 350 Steeles Avenue West Thornhill Ont. L4J 1A1 - (905) 881-6003 Established 1927 C.P. Saucier, Managing Funeral Director World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2015 • Page 14

By Rabbi Aron Moss

future and the turbulent past. with your wife in parenting Do you think this is a good Want Good Return Why Are You Waving And in the middle of all that is your child. Inevitably there cause? I could write about you. You are doing the waving. will be times when you will it in my weekly article but on your Honey? Branches Around? Because ultimately, G-d will be want to do things one way, and am not sure if it is worthy of there for you in all you do, if your wife will have a different promotion. This is not a Jewish you only let Him in. approach. You could alternate issue. Should it really bother Every year on the Someone asked me the decision making, so one me if there are no more hairy- night of Rosh Hashana, I why we wave the Lulav day you get your way and the nosed wombats? like to share with my fam- in six directions - right, We can’t even agree kids are allowed to drink Coke, Dave replies: ily a new thought about why left, forward, up, down, and the next day your wife is in Now you’re talking. I we dip apple in honey. I am backward. I didn’t really on a name charge and they only get water. would love to see a rabbi starting to run out of novel know how to answer. Is there One day bed time is optional promote conservation and eco- interpretations. Even Rabbi a simple way to explain this? Our baby is now almost and the next it is strictly awareness. And by the way, it Google didn’t help. Can you six weeks old, but we haven’t enforced. is a Jewish issue! If the hairy- tell me one I haven’t heard Answer: officially named her. We But think what this will nosed wombat is lost, we all before? The four species that we have a problem. I always do to your child. She needs lose. Every species is an integral bless on Sukkos correspond wanted to name her after parents who are united and part of the whole ecosystem. I Answer: to the four letters in G-d’s my grandmother. But my working as a team, with one would much rather you wrote Honey is a miraculous Hebrew name. Waving them in wife doesn’t like that name voice and one standard. When about something like that than substance. It can do the all six directions signifies our because she says it sounds there are cracks in the parents’ the usual myopic Jewish stuff... impossible. Just try this faith that G-d is everywhere. ugly. She wants some other unity, kids slip between those Rebbe responds: experiment with your family at Specifically, we are saying that name which is nice, but I think cracks. I have no doubt that the the Rosh Hashana table: on every level, at every stage it lacks any real meaning for Consider your child’s needs hairy-nosed wombat makes 1. Dunk a slice of apple of life, in all that happens to us, the family. Doesn’t it say before your own, and give her an important contribution to into a bowl of honey G-d is there. somewhere that the father a name that is meaningful, the world - otherwise G-d 2. Lift the apple out of Right and left represent has the right to choose the comfortable, and acceptable would not have created it. But I the honey Chesed and Gevurah, the firstborn’s name? to you both. May this be the happen to think that the Jewish 3. Hold the apple over power of love and the power of first of many harmonious people are at least as worthy of the bowl and allow a shaft of discipline. G-d, like a parent, Answer: compromises you make for preservation as the hairy-nosed honey to drip back down into can be loving and can also be I’m not sure you want to your children. wombat. the bowl strict. Sometimes G-d’s light know the answer to that. There While the contribution 4. While it is oozing shines on us, other times we is indeed a custom in some wombats make to the world downwards, quickly lift the feel left in the dark and have communities of alternating the Are Rabbis Too Eth- may not be obvious, the Jewish apple until the shaft breaks to find our way through on our right to name a child between nocentric? contribution is. From Moses 5. Watch carefully. The own. Whether things are good the parents. According to one to Maimonides to Marx, from honey on the apple starts to fall in life or things are tough, it Ashkenazi custom, the mother Philo to Freud to Forbes, a little, and then climbs back is all coming from G-d. He names the firstborn child, the Dave Asks: Jews as individuals and as a upwards towards the apple, knows exactly what we need, father the second and so on. The problem with rabbis community have given much defying the laws of gravity and that’s what we get. But some Sefardi communities like you is your narrow view to the world, and I don’t think 6. Say “Wow!” Up and down symbolize have the father choosing the of the world. You always we have run out of ideas. I The upward climbing hon- the highs and lows of life. When name for the first son, and then talk about the Jewish future, think we have more to give. ey gives us a moving message we feel we are on top of the the mother the second son, Jewish continuity, Jews This is not to put down for the new year. Even if you world, we need to remember while all daughters are named marrying Jews, having any other nation and their have fallen, you can always that G-d put us up there. When by the mother. Jewish children. What about achievements. Just as the climb back up. Even if you we feel down in the dumps, In your case, following the rest of humanity? Why attempt to save the hairy-nosed have become disconnected, we need to have faith that G-d either system, your wife gets to do we have to always divide wombat is not insulting to any you can reconnect. You may is with us there. There is no name this child. between people? Can’t we other animal, so too the desire have become estranged from success without help, and there But there is a different speak of humans rather than to continue the Jewish legacy your people and from your is no failure without hope. approach. These systems Jews? of four thousand years in no G-d. You may have lost your Forward and backward were only enacted to avoid way belittles the gifts of other way in life and fallen to a very stand for the future and the intractable arguments between Rebbe answers: people. low place. But you can always past. We don’t know what parents. That’s not the ideal You have a good point. My work is to try to keep pick yourself back up. No force tomorrow holds, but we have way to name a child. It is far Maybe I should broaden my Jewish souls Jewish, because I in the world can stop a Jew faith that G-d will guide us better that both agree on a perspective and be concerned believe Judaism is an idea that coming home. through whatever lies ahead. name together rather than one about more global issues is yet to have its time, and you The honey may fall down- And as for the past, all that has having to reluctantly concede and not so pre-occupied with can’t have Judaism without wards, but at a certain point it happened to us is a part of the to the other’s wish. Jewish particularism. So Jews. So I will continue to try plan. All our past experiences, turns around. In fact, it is the The need for consensus if you don’t mind, I would to preserve Jews, whether or even those that we would falling down that causes the is indicated in the writings of like to hear your point of not they are hairy-nosed. bouncing up. The further you rather forget, made us who we Kabbalah, which state, “When view on one such issue: The have strayed from Judaism, the are today. We are where we are a father and mother give a hairy-nosed wombat. now because that is exactly more rebound energy you have name to their child, they are I have been approached Can an Agnostic Meet built up for your return. where G-d wants us to be. Our given a prophecy to choose by an organisation that is A Jewish soul wants to be entire past was a lead up to this the right name to fit the soul dedicated to saving endangered G-d? Jewish. Materialistic distrac- moment. G-d brought you here of the child.” This implies species. They are campaigning tions can only hold us back for a reason. that the prophecy comes when to save the hairy-nosed wombat for so long. Our inner pull So the four species are there is agreement between the of northern Queensland in I am just back from my towards G-d is stronger than waved around, to recognise parents, and both are happy Australia, which is on the verge big trip to Israel. I thought the pull of gravity towards the that G-d is everywhere, in the with the name. of extinction. They say if we I’d never get there. I think earth. Honey always bounces good and the bad, in the ups This is just the first of many don’t do something soon the it’s the first Jewish thing I’ve back. So can we. and the downs, in the uncertain disagreements you will have wombats will be gone forever. done since my bar mitzvah World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2015 • Page 15

By Rabbi Aron Moss

(which wasn’t so Jewish ei- vine presence that never leaves ence of G-d within you, was ther). Jerusalem. awakened at the Wall, the inde- But here’s the weird part. The Kabbalists teach that structible presence of G-d in the telling him how great he is? big or small, you must acknowl- I went to the Wall in Jerusa- man is a microcosm. Whatever world. I guess it’s not surprising lem, and you know me, I’m the exists in the world, can be found that many have had that experi- edge the giver. Her request to Answer: be thanked was not for herself, last person to have a “spiri- within ourselves. If there is a ence. We loved having your won- tual experience”. But as I ap- Wall that is so holy that it can Now it’s up to you. You it was for her children. She got derful family over. You should nothing out of her son’s thanks, proached the Wall I started to never be destroyed, then within have been given a gift. You have be very proud of them all. other than the pride in seeing her cry uncontrollably. I felt this us must also be a spark of ho- come face to face with your But one thing disturbed me. child developing his character. strange magnetism towards liness that can never be lost. soul. These experiences don’t Your children behaved really But your son was learning a pre- the Wall, almost as if G-d This is our spark of Jewishness, happen often. But once you have well, but I am a little concerned cious lesson. was pulling me. What do you the essence of the Jewish soul. discovered the Holy Wall within about your wife. G-d trains us to thank Him, think? Not bad for an agnos- Our soul may be surrounded by yourself, you can start to rebuild Every time your wife gave like a devoted parent who wants tic, huh? foreign invaders - skepticism, your inner Temple around it, so your son anything, like a piece the best for His children. He ignorance, scars from negative that sense of holiness will never of chicken, a drink, or a toy to doesn’t need our thanks as much Answer: Jewish experiences - but it nev- be lost again. That’s the secret of play with, she insisted that he as we need to thank Him. Be- You have a powerful Jewish ertheless remains intact. Noth- faith. You don’t get it from the say thank you to her. cause everything we have, in- soul, and you caught a glimpse ing can extinguish the Jewish outside, you discover it within Your son acquiesced, and cluding life itself, is a gift. The of its power at the Wall. The Wall spark, it is always there waiting yourself. It was always there. each time she told him to, he minute we forget that, the min- is the last remnant of the Holy to be ignited. said thank you. This went on ute we take even the simplest throughout the meal, at least a Temple in Jerusalem. While ran- Even an agnostic Jew who pleasures for granted, we stop Is Your Wife Insecure dozen times. sacking Jerusalem 2000 years has been dislocated from his living a life of wonder. This is a worry. Is your wife Parents who do not impart ago, the Romans burnt the Tem- spiritual heritage for genera- or Something so insecure that she needs her the trait of appreciation to their ple, and knocked down its stone tions, is Jewish at the deepest son to constantly acknowledge children are not only making life walls. But one wall refused to level of his being. Nothing can My family very much en- her? Is it normal to almost force difficult for themselves, they are budge, the Western Wall. The take that away. Eventually, if he joyed being at your Shabbos someone to thank you, for even robbing their children of a basic sages predicted long ago that allows it, that innate Jewishness table, thanks again for the in- basic needs like food and drink, tool for life. Only when I see ev- the Western Wall will never be will surface. vite. I meant to ask you a ques- just to build up your own ego? erything as a gift, can I be happy destroyed. It represents a holi- Everyone has a different tion that has bothered me for I think you get my point... with what I have rather than mis- ness that no foreign power can catalyst that ignites this spark. years. It’s about prayer. Does Your wife was being an ex- erable about what I don’t have. ever touch. They can destroy the In your case, the microcosm met G-d have such an ego problem emplary mother, teaching her So we should thank G-d for Temple, but there is something the macrocosm. Your Jewish that he demands his creations children gratitude and humility. everything, even for asking us to that is beyond their reach, a di- spark, the indestructible pres- to pray to him 3 times a day, When you are given something, thank Him. Gratitude is a gift too. Page 16• World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2015

Ahava Spillman inter- viewed Rabbi Sholom Lezell S.L. Tishrei is a busy who is the Shaliach of Chabad month, We bring in help to of Danforth - Beaches. handle the extra crowd, thank G-d. Everyone is welcome, A.S. Is it true that prior Membership is not required. to your arrival you had al- We do suggest making a res- ready been introduced to ervation as it gets full quickly the Beaches neighborhood? and we post a suggested do- Tell us when and why? nation to help cover the ex- penses. S.L. Yes, it is true. When, Every Chabad house is in 1997, the Riverdale Shul financially independent. It is on Danforth Ave needed, at built by the community for the last moment, a chazan the community. So we have to and someone to lead the High raise all of our funds through Holiday Services, they turned ing Preschool, “Ganeinu”. vite all of you in the city and donations, program fees and to Chabad. As rabbinical stu- S.L. I find the Beaches to A.S. I read about a won- Thornhill to come visit us at tuition. Every dollar donated dents in New York, a friend be made up of all types. It’s a derful youth program too. Chabad in the Beaches. goes directly to the service of and I volunteered to help and friendly, respectful and family “Kids in Action,” “Kids our Jewish community. we met the local gathering of oriented neighborhood. The Night Out”, “Mummy and A.S. I am sure that there Jews. What we found was a area is often compared to a Me”. Are there other weekly are many beards roaming AS. What are your per- warm and welcoming com- lovely small town but the Jew- classes? the streets in your neigh- sonal objectives? What’s in munity with pure Jewish souls ish numbers will astonish you. borhood, but are there any store for the coming year? thirsty for more Torah and The known Jewish population S.L. There is a Weekly other yarmulkes? Yiddishkeit. is in the high hundreds, and Torah Portion class, a Jewish S.L. Our personal objec- in the surrounding neighbor- Mysticism class, a Talmud S.L. The streets are filled tives are to create the envi- A.S. When I mention hoods, approximately three and Mishnah class. Also He- with all kinds of beards. I get ronment where every Jewish family and individual has the Chabad in the Beaches, the thousand brew reading crash course and nods of acknowledgement opportunity to explore and usual response is “Wow! Are guest lectures. from them. Common ground A.S. I recently read is a great way to start a con- enhance their Jewish identity there Jews in the Beaches? and observance in a meaning- What convinced you to move a survey that stated dog A.S. Many Chabad versation and facial hair has owners are the best neigh- houses wait years before a initiated many. I look forward ful way. To this end we are in and establish a Chabad putting emphasis on meeting House in the Beaches? bours. Not only are they building is acquired. How to the day when other “yar- caring and empathetic, but did you accomplish this so mulkes” will give me that as many of our Jewish neigh- they are constantly out and early in the game? same knowing nod. bours as we can. S.L. We maintained a And in addition to the on- about (walking their pets) close friendship with our going programs we are work- friends in the East end, We and alert to the happenings S.L. We were very fortu- AS. Do you always get a ing on expanding our very would visit them during the around them. The Beaches nate to have dedicated friends minyan? popular Preschool to accom- various holidays over the have more dogs per capita and neighbours who shared modate more students, as well years. This gave me an inside than the rest of the GTA. our vision for this communi- S.L. We generally have as building on our ‘Building view on how underserved the Are your neighbours the ty. So when, at the right mo- a Minyan Shabbat morn- Bridges’ teen program. Jews in these neighborhoods friendliest? ment, by divine providence, ing. Sometimes when we are were. Our Rebbes taught us a rare opportunity presented short, we have in reserve Jew- AS. It is so commendable that the Jewish soul is en- S.L. Beachers are certain- itself that would satisfy all our ish neighbors who are will- that you have decided to de- graved in us like letters en- ly friendly. Last Chanukah, needs, we were able to pur- ing to help when needed. One vote your time and energy graved in stone, even if they I went to the store to replace chase the property that serves neighbor is a survivor. When to spreading Yiddishkeit are filled with dust and cannot a burnt out bulb for the large as the Shul and Preschool, we knock on his door he will to a neighborhood enjoying be seen from the surface, they outdoor Menorah, only to re- all programs as well as our attend, but only after making the spiritual taste you pro- are still there in all their glory. turn and find that one of those family residence. It’s at 2273 it clear he is an atheist etc. vide. Kol Hakavod! If any All that’s needed is a bit of kind neighbours beat me to it! Queen Street East. but wants to help because he of our readers would like scrubbing and polishing and it And the survey is true; there remembers how the Nazi’s to send you a well deserved will shine! are certainly plenty of ador- AS. I’ve heard about came knocking… Last week, donation, where should they able dogs of every size and your annual barbecue at the he showed up in Shul on his send it? A.S. How were you cho- breed. It is difficult for the Beach. It’s quite an event. own, “just to make sure we sen to stand at the helm of kids to keep up with so many Describe it for our readers. were okay with a Minyan.”A They can send a check to: names. Yid is a Yid. this new frontier? Chabad of Danforth - Beaches S.L. Yes, it’s a fun event. 2273 Queen St E AS. Tell us about your We serve great kosher food AS. What are your plans Toronto On M4E 1G5 S.L. The Jewish commu- family? and I get to do some cooking. for Tishrei? Do you have re- Or donate online at nity here was always close to It’s usually right when the served seats? Chabaddb.com/Donate my heart and I would try to S.L. I am the 5th in a fam- weather is changing for the arrange, from a distance, for a ily of 14. Devora is the eldest better. Rabbi to serve this communi- of 5 children. We married in It allows different seg- ty. So when, by divine provi- 2003 and moved to Toronto ments of the community to dence, we found ourselves in with our first daughter, Esther. meet and socialize in a fun, a position to serve the com- Now, thank G-d, we are the casual environment and intro- munity and make our home in proud parents of 6 children. duce new friends to our com- the Beaches, we volunteered munity. and happily embraced the op- A.S. Can you tell us of portunity. some of your achievements AS. How far do you trav- to date? el for a kosher loaf of bread? A.S. The Beaches is typi- S.L. In the 8 years since S.L. Interestingly there cally known as a breeding we moved to the Beaches we are many kosher products ground for young profes- have established educational available locally including sionals, food festivals, local programs for all ages with Kosher bread, it’s meat and pubs, and hip artsy types. It weekly Torah classes, Shab- dairy that deserves a special certainly isn’t renowned for bat and Holiday Services and trip. From where we are it’s its Jewish population. How family Programs, as well as about 30 minutes to Bathurst many Jews do live there and a Hebrew School, Bar/Bat and Lawrence. We love to how did you find them? Mitzvah Program and a thriv- make the short jaunt and in- World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2015 • Page 17 Shiurim & ClaSSeS at 770 Chabad Gate

 men  women  men/women Weekly Classes

sunday

7:45 am Tanya Rabbi yaRmush 8:00 am ChassidiC ThoughT Rabbi gansbuRg 10:00 am PaRshaT hashavua Rabbi sChoCheT 10:00 am LikkuTei siChos Rabbi gansbuRg 11:00 am TaLmud (avoda ZaRa) Rabbi sChoCheT 11:15 am TaLmud (keRisus) Rabbi sPaLTeR 7:00 Pm ChassidiC disCouRses Rabbi gansbuRg 8:30 Pm shuLChan aRuCh Rabbi Chaikin monday

11:30 am The Joy of Judaism Rabbi sPaLTeR 7:45 Pm The WeekLy ToRah RevieW Rabbi gansbuRg

tuesday

11:30 am ToRah sTudies - PaRsha Rabbi gansbuRg 8:00 Pm TaLmud (ChuLin) Rabbi sPaLTeR

wednesday

12:00 Pm The JeWish LeaRning insTiTuTe Rabbi gansbuRg

thursday

12:00 Pm a TasTe of Chassidus (hebReW) Rabbi gansbuRg 8:00 Pm in dePTh PaRsha sTudy Rabbi Z.a. gRossbaum 8:00-9:30 Pm Ch av Rusa-LeaRn WiTh youR PaRTneR 8:15-9:15 Pm ChassidiC disCouRses (advanCed) Rabbi gansbuRg 8:15-9:15 Pm TaLmud (makkoT) Rabbi sPaLTeR

shabbos

9:00 am Chassidus Rabbi gansbuRg 1 hR befo Re minCha PaRsha ThoughT Rabbi gansbuRg

daily classes sun -Thu 9:00 Pm Rambam aLTeRnaTing mon -fRi 5:00 am ChassidiC ThoughT Rabbi yaRmush mon -fRi 7:10 am ChassidiC ThoughT Rabbi gansbuRg mon -fRi 10am-12Pm koLLeL TifeRes Zekeinim Levi yiTZChok TaLmud, mishnah, haLaCha & Chumash Page 18• World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2015

and the world is plunged into a state of “sleep.” The Waking of Creation Then, a piercing sound rises from the earth and reverberates through the heavens. The cry of Continued from page 2 beneath it, and so on. The Kab- “blew into his nostrils a breath the shofar resounds: an utterly lifting that telephone receiver balistic writings abound with of life” that is the very “image simple cry, reflecting not the “contains” the entirety of the various divine motives for the of G-d.” fear of the subject, not the love will that drives it, including its creation of the universe: the There are many aspects to of the child or the sophistication deepest cause of causes. desire to express His infinite our relationship with G-d. We of the student’s understanding, This “inner will” is the soul potential; the desire that He be relate to G-d as our shepherd, but the simple trumpet blast of of his action, suffusing it with a known by His creations; the de- expressing our gratitude for His a people’s coronation of their life and vitality that reflect how sire to bestow goodness; among providence over and sustenance king. A cry that reflects the sim- deeply its origins lie in his in- others. Each of these “motives” of our lives. We fear and revere plicity of choice--true choice, nermost self. Thus, there is a relates to another layer of the Him, ever mindful of His maj- choice that is free of all external quality to the way that the own- divine will, describing the soul esty and power. We love Him motives and influences. er of a business picks up the of the universe as manifested with the boundless love of a A cry that rouses the soul of phone that shows a desire and on another level of reality. Have a Sweet New child, recognizing our intrinsic creation to a renewed commit- commitment deeper than that of At the heart of it all lies the Year! bond with our Father in Heav- ment to and involvement in the the most devoted employee. very essence of the divine will en. We gain a student’s unique Assessment endeavor of life. to create: G-d created a world appreciation of his master by There are times, however, because He wanted to be king. studying His wisdom, implicit when the soul of a deed ascends Defining Sovereignty in His creation and revealed to a notch, to view its body and G-d is all-capable and all- us in HisTorah. Each of these life with a calculated detach- Why Won’t They powerful. So it would seem relationships realizes another ment. a relatively simple matter for aspect or “layer” in the divine There are times when a per- Him to make himself king: all motive for creation, intensify- son reassesses what he does. Is He has to do is create a world, Lock Him Up? ing and enlivening G-d’s in- the business indeed turning a populate it with creatures, and Fact is, nature itself is su- volvement with His world. Continued from page 2 profit? Is it meeting my needs? rule over them. But this alone pernatural. Just that we’re too But once a year, “all things Is this what I want to do with would not make Him a king, at people will get people’s minds busy to notice. After a bit of revert to their primordial state” my life? least not in the ultimate sense of back on the right track. Think- time, studying with Moshiach, His actual involvement the word. as G-d reevaluates the very ing about real quality of life. core of His desire for a world, we’ll be able to see clearly with the business continues as A shepherd who drives About their relationship with without the wool pulled over before. He continues to get out the underlying “why” of His in- a herd of a million sheep is the earth and with their bodies our eyes. of bed in the morning, contin- not a king. A tyrant who rules volvement with us as shepherd, and their souls and the people ruler, father and teacher. Once 4. You appear concerned ues to drive to the office, con- an empire of a billion terri- around them. Once that’s done, a year, G-d asks Himself: Why that the World to Come may tinue to answer the telephone. fied subjects is not a king. A just about everything else we create a world? be a rather boring affair. Actu- He continues to “want” to do benevolent patriarch who ex- need to create paradise is here The First Coronation ally, Moshiach is when the real these things on the most exter- tends his authority over doz- already. The timing of this cosmic fun starts. There will still be the nal level of will. But the deeper ens of his descendants is not 2. The people will come elements of his will are no lon- audit is not arbitrary: Rosh same sports, entertainment, and a king. A teacher with a thou- up with a real wise individual ger in it. The business can be Hashanah is the day on which good, clean shopping sprees. sand devoted disciples is not a and make him their mentor said to be “asleep,” animated king. All these have one thing G-d’s sovereignty of the world But kicking a ball or buying and leader--not the other way only by the most external layer in common: their subjects are was first realized. clothes will be a form of medi- around like in the fairy tales. of its soul. compelled to submit to them. Rosh Hashanah is the sixth tation on the Oneness of Cre- As you put it yourselves: how Then something happens They may be compelled by day of creation, the day on ation. Come to think of it, so to rekindle our businessman’s their reliance on the shepherd’s which man was created. G-d else can he avoid being locked will all human activities. desire. Perhaps he sees a lucra- devotion to their needs, by their had already created the heavens up? This is stated clearly in nu- 5. Hi-tech is only here now tive figure on the year’s bal- ruler’s power over them, by and the earth, the animals and merous sources, for example, as a preparation for the techno- ance sheet or a most promising their filial bond to their father the angels; He already presided “They will search out David logical applications of the times projection for the future. Or a or by their appreciation of their over a world that submitted to their king...”, “They will make of Moshiach. M.I.T., IBM, Xe- certain deal materializes that master’s wisdom--the bottom His rule, over creatures who for themselves a king and rise rox-Parc--you guys ain’t seen embodies everything he loves line is that they are compelled. feared and loved Him and ap- out of the land”. It just seems nothin’ yet! When finally we about his business, everything And true sovereignty cannot be preciated His wisdom. But the pretty obvious that it’s the become masters over our own about it that reaffirms his self- compelled. world was still in a state of people who make the leader -- tools--rather than the other way vision and furthers his goals. A true sovereign is one suspended animation: its soul a self-declared leader is little around--we shall start to utilize His deeds, dry and mechanical whose subjects freely choose of souls had yet to be evoked. more than just another nut-case. them to discover the G-dliness in his contemplative interim, to submit to him. Not because Then G-d created man, the only Even the Kabbalists agree within Creation and within our- are reinfused with life and vital- they need him, not because they one of His creations with the that Moshiach isn’t planning on selves. ity. The business wakens from fear his power, not because they freedom to choose or reject his a sudden appearance. Rather, Wake up! There has never its slumber. love him, not even because they maker. the people will slowly wake King of the Universe been a time in the history of the appreciate his greatness, but be- Moments later, G-d was up to the fact that he’s already Once a year, the universe Jewish people like this before! cause they choose him as their king. “When Adam stood up here. Just not in places people enters into a state of suspended In 2000 years of Exile, the last king. on his feet,” the Zohar tells us, generally look. animation. So to become king of the few years have been the only “he saw that all creatures feared 3. The arrival of Moshiach G-d reconsiders His cre- universe, G-d created man--a time that Jews in every part him and followed him as ser- is not much of a greater miracle ation. Is it turning a profit? Is creature endowed with free of the globe are free to follow vants do their master. He then than the sudden fall of the com- it realizing My goals? Do I still choice. He created a being the Judaism of their ancestors. said to them: ‘You and I both, munist dictatorship. True, there desire to invest Myself in the that is both the furthest from come, let us worship and bow Sure, there are still those who will be a couple of big Signs- role of “Creator”? Him and the closest to Him of down, let us kneel before G-d cannot leave their place of ex- and-Wonders-scenarios--some The sun still rises, winds all His creation. Furthest from our maker.’” When the first ile, but compare this to the hor- blow, rains fall, seeds germi- Him in that man is a free and man chose G-d as his king, the that’ll make the Ten Plagues rible oppression of past times! nate, fruit ripens. G-d’s desire independent being--free even to primordial purpose in creation and the Crossing of the Red Sea As our sages put it, “There is no for a world continues to sustain rebel against his maker. Closest came to fruition, infusing G-d’s look like kid’s play. Like, how difference between our world and drive the universe. But G- to Him in that man is a free and work with life and vitality. about the splitting of the Eu- now and the times of Moshiach, d’s desire for a world is but the independent being--as only He Every year, “all things re- phrates, for one? But, who says except for the oppression by the most external layer of the uni- is free and independent. In the vert to their primordial state” glitz makes a miracle? Person- nations.” The greatest oppres- verse’s soul. words of the first man, Adam, as G-d again relates to His cre- ally, I think Moses would have sion remaining is that of the Why does G-d desire a “First and last, You created ation as He did prior to Adam’s been pretty impressed by the materialistic (un)consciousness world? There is a deeper mo- me.” G-d created man, “dust crowning Him king. On Rosh kind of miracles that happened of the modern world. tive beneath this membrane of from the earth,” the last and Hashanah eve, the divine “inner in Eastern Europe and on the So who, pray tell, is stop- will, and yet a deeper motive lowliest of His creations, and will” for creation is retracted Internet over the last few years. ping us? World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2015 • Page 19

What a Married Woman Needs to be Happy

By Family Therapist Abe Protects you. You are create peace and harmony in Kass MA, RSW, RMFT, CCHT competent and you can take your home. care of yourself. Still, you The formula is simple: If you are a woman, you want your husband to “protect When you treat your wife as need the following feelings a queen, she will treat you as that come from your relation- a king. ship with your husband to feel emotionally fulfilled. As the ===== body needs particular nutri- ents, so too, your emotional Abe Kass, M.A., R.S.W., side needs particular feelings R.M.F.T., a is a registered So- cial Worker, registered Mar- to feel fully happy and con- The recital of Kaddish is the bond which riage and Family Therapist, tent. You get these feelings unites the generations from the immemorial certified Hypnotherapist and unto eternity. It is the way we show our time- when you feel your husband: award winning educator. He less devotion to our parents and loved ones. In Cares about you, chooses you, has a clinical practice work- the event you cannot personally observe this and protects you. ing with individuals, couples, hallowed expression of love for the duration you.” You want a man that is and families in Toronto, Can- of eleven months, alternate arrangements can Here is how to increase strong. This means he can deal ada. For more information or be made through the Chabad Lubavitch Orga- nization. You may also consider placing bronze the likelihood you will receive with emotional problems, pro- to arrange an appointment he can be reached at, (905) 771- name plates of your departed ones on our Me- these emotional gifts from vide materially for the family morial Board which will insure The Observance your husband: and take responsibility to fix 1087 or visit his web at, www. of Yahrtzeit in perpetuity. AbeKass.com. Cares for you. Encour- both material and emotional For further information call 905.731.7000 age your husband to show he problems. But even a strong “cares” about you by express- person can be broken. If you ing your appreciation for the criticize and shame your hus- help and attention he does band with harsh words, it’s give you. Tell him what you possible he will become weak. like, not what you don’t like. Treat him with respect and ac- Let him know you need his knowledge his strength and help and involvement in your when you seek his protection, wellbeing to feel good about you increase the likelihood he yourself and your relationship will be there. with him. In total, when you con- Chooses you. Your hus- sistently experience the feel- band will choose to be with ing generated from the above you when he feels good behaviors, you will feel “trea- around you. Be interested in sured” by your husband. This him. Ask him questions. Don’t is the feeling you need to give advice unless he asks. be fully happy and content. Let him know you value his I know this because many opinions and decisions. Don’t women, in my work as a fam- push him away with anger ex- ily therapist, have told me. pressions, criticism, irritation Here is what to do if you or meanness. Make yourself are a man: pleasant and attractive and Treat your wife in such a you will make it easy for him way that she feels she is your to choose to be with you. Al- priceless “treasure.” Learn ways remember, marriage is a from the words above and or voluntary arrangement. Mar- from your wife’s guidance and riage is a choice. Reward the enthusiastically embrace these choice by being positive and relationship ideals. When you pleasant to be around. do, your payoff will be that Understands you. When she will devote herself to your you talk with your husband, wellbeing. You will feel “re- check to see if he understands spected” and “valued”—emo- what you are saying. You tional nutrients that, as a man, may discover you need to talk you need. slower, express simpler ideas, As well, acknowledge all or choose a better time to talk. your wife’s good efforts and Guide by telling him you just thoughts on your behalf. Ex- want him to understand, not press your appreciation with a react, comment or advise. As gift, kind words, and a help- well, your husband will be ing hand. When your wife more willing to listen to you feels “treasured” by you, she when you take the time to also will give you her admiration understand him. and love and together you will Page 20• World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2015

At Ease! Pioneering Jewish Army Chaplain Retires After Nearly 40 Years Thirty-eight years ago, Q: How involved was the Rabbi Jacob Goldstein enlisted Rebbe in your career? in the U.S. Army as a chaplain. A: I would say that I never After serving with distinction made a major decision without as the highest-ranking Jewish the Rebbe’s knowledge and chaplain for decades, he guidance. recently retired amid pomp and There were times when he Getting a dollar from the Rebbe in December 1990, shortly before the first Gulf war. (JEM Photo) circumstance in Fort Myer, Va. would give me very specific read on Purim. The Rebbe told imagine. welcome, and that opened the While the ceremony is normally missions. For example, in me: “A Megillah will be there, Q: Can you share an door for her family’s entrance reserved for those on active 1983, I was in Grenada and you will not need to read example? to Jewish observance. duty, the chief chaplain made over Chanukah. The Rebbe it.” And he gave me a blessing. A: This takes us back to Q: After such an involved sure that Col. Goldstein was requested that I inquire about I had no idea what that meant. “Operation Iraqi Freedom,” and fulfilling career, why did included in the proceedings. the welfare of the Jewish How would there be a Megillah when I was in Iraq in 2003. you remain in the reserves, On his way back home to residents of the island, make in Saudi Arabia, and who would I was going through Basra, not enlisting for active duty? Brooklyn, N.Y., he shared some an effort to lay tefillin on every possibly be able to read it there which is hot, very hot, and A: After my service in highlights of his colorful and Jewish soldier and, if possible, besides me? uncomfortable. In Camp Grenada, the Grand General very necessary career. give Chanukah gelt (monetary The next morning, I was Bucca—a huge prison for Iraqi asked the Rebbe the same thing Q: Nearly 40 years in the gifts) to the soldiers. I was told that I had been reassigned prisoners of war—there were (there was correspondence army is a very long time. Did also tasked with printing to Israel. you plan on doing this for so a Tanya there. At a later point my long? And then there was the father-in-law, the late A: Never in my wildest well-known example of how Rabbi Dovid Edelman, asked dreams did I imagine that I the Rebbe predicted what the Rebbe that I return home would serve for so long—nor would happen to me during the soon. The Rebbe looked at did I ever see myself in the first Gulf war in 1991. him and said: “What is the military in the first place. [Iraqi President] Saddam rush? He’s bringing the Sons Q: Why did you choose Hussein was threatening to of Noah close [to Gd]!” that particular branch of the bomb Israel, and there was talk Q: Looking back, what military? of Jews being gassed in Israel. are some accomplishments A: Because Army is the best, My mother, who lived in New that you would single out? of course. In all seriousness, York, was a Holocaust survivor, A: When I originally it began in 1967 when the and she was very agitated. I enlisted, I had quite a difficult Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem had just gotten mobilized and time because of my refusal to decided to bring her to the M. Schneerson, of righteous shave my beard. Thank Gd, memory—initiated the tefillin Rebbe to see if he could calm we’ve overcome that challenge, campaign. I began visiting her down. Before she could and there are a number of Rabbi Jacob Goldstein recently retired amid pomp and cir- a military base and putting say a word, the Rebbe told her bearded chaplains, including cumstance at a ceremony in Fort Myer, Va. on tefillin with the Jewish that there was nothing to worry Rabbi Menachem Stern, who’s fellows. This continued after I about; Israel would be safe. on active duty. Jewish military police, and I between them, as the Rebbe got married in 1969. Then, the night before I was Beyond that, another thing had gone to visit them. In the thanked him for facilitating the At one point, a chaplain—a called up, I went to the Rebbe that comes to mind is that morning, we gathered together publishing of the Tanya there). Roman Catholic priest—asked again. I had been called up for we now have kosher MREs a minyan of guys and began The Rebbe replied that my for the address of my bishop so a whole year and was supposed (“meals ready to eat”) for services. All of a sudden, a parents were elderly Holocaust he could request that I enlist. to go to Saudi Arabia. It was Jewish servicemen and women. Jewish female soldier showed survivors, and they needed me He didn’t end up writing to the just before Chanukah. Thinking And there are the many up and wanted to participate. close by. From that I understood Rebbe, but I consulted with the ahead, I told the Rebbe that I people whose lives a chaplain We were outside in the desert, that my mission was to be near Rebbe, and the rest is history. was taking along a Megillah to touches in ways you can only with no walls or anything my parents—something I did that could possibly serve to until my mother passed away separate males and females as two years ago. halachah (Jewish law) requires. Q: Is there a specific I was at a loss for a moment. assignment that you would Then I asked my assistant to go say is most memorable? to the ammo dump and bring A: Every one is different. back a load of artillery shells. Each experience is different. We took the shells and fashioned Some are more dangerous, and a mechitzah (partition), and she others were touching in other was able to join the services. ways. I was in Bosnia, which Today, that woman recently touched me in one way, and retired from the military and then I went to the U.S. South is a fully observant Jew. Her after Hurricane Katrina and children live in Israel, and oversaw 200 chaplains there, she plans to join them there. which was a whole different She told me that she knew world. Then there was 9/11 and nothing about Judaism when “Ground Zero,” where I was she showed up that morning the chief chaplain, impacting in Basra, and it was the people in a whole different determination to include her way. Each mission was unique, that changed her life. We made and each was significant at that it our business to make her feel time.