The World of Lubavitch A publication of -Lubavitch, Toronto APRIL 2015 Vol. 40 No. 1 (143) NISSAN 5775

Four Ways to use Your Head By Yanki Tauber Which is greater--theoretical knowledge or practical experi- ence? Which are truer, purer, more useful, more important- -the things we know with our bodies or the things we ponder inside our brains? Academics and basketball coaches have been debating the question for centuries, and it’s unlikely to be resolved in another 1,000-word polemic. But perhaps we’re asking the wrong question. Maybe the ques- tion is not whether theoretical knowledge is superior or inferior to the practical, but whether there can be “theoretical knowl- edge” at all. Does such a thing actually exist, or is it just a theory? ______Three people are talking in a doctor’s waiting room. This is my body, my life,” says Patient #1. “Just because the guy has a diploma hanging on his wall doesn’t mean that I’m going to blindly follow his instructions. I’m going to do my own research. I’m not doing or taking anything until I’m con- vinced that that’s the best way to go...” “Let’s face it,” counters Patient #2. “It may be my body, but right now, the guy behind that door knows more about it than I do... I’m going to educate myself about my illness, but that will take time. Until I acquire that knowledge, I’m best off following the doctor’s instructions.” “The guy behind that door spent eight years studying to be a doctor,” opines Patient #3, “and another twenty-five years treating people in our condition. You think I’ll ever acquire that kind of knowledge googling the internet? I’d just be wasting my time. I’m going to follow the doctor’s instruc- tions and leave the thinking to him... That’s his job!” Three ways to be a patient. Three ways to be a husband, a wife, a parent, a neighbor. Three ways to be a shoemaker, a teacher, an artist, a CEO. Do I defer to those who know better? Do I try to figure it out on my own? Or do I adopt a two-step approach, beginning by following those with supe- rior knowledge and expertise until my own knowledge and expertise take over? Three ways to live a life. Or is there perhaps a fourth way? Patient #4 speaks up: “Patient #3 is right -- no matter how much I research and educate myself, the doctor will still know more than me. So I’m going to listen to him, certainly now when I know next to nothing, and also later, after I’ve learned Annual Dinner Honours all that I can...” “But if you’re going to follow the doctor’s instructions any- way,” Patient #3 interjects, “why bother to study and learn? Steven Latner What’s the point?” The 36th annual dinner of standing support.” After brief remarks he “Because, like Patient #1 says, it’s my body and my life. I Chabad Lubavitch held on “It all began some thirty-five introduced the guest artist Alex want, I need to understand what I’m doing and why I’m do- Thursday, November 20, years ago when I came to the Clare. In addition to singing and ing it...” 2014, drew a large crowd and Greenwin office without an strumming some of his popular countless well wishers. It was appointment to see Steven’s songs, Alex related his spiritual “So it’s just to make you feel better about the fact that you’re truly delightful to witness the father Mr. Albert Latner,” he odyssey to Yiddishkeit after submitting to a higher authority?” challenges Patient #1. prevailing warm atmosphere as said. “He offered me a Havana being introduced to Chabad in It’s not just that. The doctor needs me as an active partner hundreds of friends welcomed cigar and although I don’t Jerusalem some 10 years ago. in my cure. He needs me to be asking the right questions, the opportunity to join in the smoke, I lit up and that gave Raised in a secular home he raising the right objections, even offering my own ideas; he tribute to Steven Latner. “This me a 45 minute window of embraced ritual observances needs me to be reporting to him how my body is reacting to honour was long overdue,” opportunity to explain what step by step. As a musical the treatment, what hurts and what feels better--none of which said Zalman Grossbaum, Chabad Lubavitch is all about.” artist the path was fraught I could properly do if I did not understand, as best as I could, Regional Director of Chabad The evening program was with numerous challenges, the how and why of what he’s telling me to do. If my mind Lubavitch, “and gave us the chaired by Richard Cooper, especially and Kosher. isn’t also involved--if I’m just a passive body carrying out opportunity to recognize the a good friend of Chabad and Latner family for their long brother-in-law of the honouree. Continued on page 3 Continued on page 12 Page 2 • World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2015 The Bridge Spanning the Infinite Abyss Miss... lived long enough, and had the Minneapolis, Minnesota necessary capacities, to make Blessing and Greeting: all sorts of experimentation, I received your letter with without distraction and some delay. In it you write interference and without error, about the uncertainty you A Discussion on Personal he would undoubtedly arrive feel regarding commitment to at the very same conclusions Yiddishkeit, inasmuch as you Freedom which we already find in the think that life in accordance Torah which G-d has given us, with the Torah and mitzvoth namely, the need to observe is restrictive, and limits Shabbat, eat kosher food, etc. the individual in personal But as mentioned above, G-d creativeness, particularly in His infinite goodness – and in the area of thinking and it is in the nature of the Good choosing for oneself, etc.; so to do good -- which is to spare that it is hard to reconcile such us all the trouble, as well as commitment with the idea of the possibility of error, and personal freedom these areas and have determined in regard to physical health is G-d has already provided us has already given us the results Frankly, this attitude is what is good and what is also true in regard to spiritual with complete and final results, beforehand, for the benefit of somewhat surprising, coming harmful to physical health, or health, and how the Neshama having put us on notice that if both the person who has the from a thinking person. I have established the methods [soul] can attain perfection a person will conduct his daily inclination and the capacity to suppose the difficulty here as to further technological and fulfillment. All the more life in a certain way, then he search, as well as those who do is due to the superficial advancement, it would be, at so since spiritual health is will have a healthy Neshama not. understanding of the meaning best, a waste of time to try to go generally related to physical in a healthy body, and it will The expression “yoke” in of the “acceptance of the yoke over all those experiments from health, particularly insofar as a be good for him both in this relation to accepting the Torah of the Torah and mitzvoth the beginning. Additionally, Jew is concerned. world and in the world to come. and mitzvoth in daily life is ,” because the word “yoke” there is no assurance that one Now the Creator of man, He has also left some areas to be understood in the sense suggests restrictiveness. may not make some error, and Who is also the Creator and where a person can carry on his that human nature makes it In truth, however, there are arrive at wrong conclusions, Master of the whole world, own experimentation, in other necessary to act on imperatives. many things in daily life that with disastrous effects, as surely has the best qualifications matters that do not interfere For human nature and the a person accepts and follows experience has shown in some that might be expected of any with the rules laid down by yetzer hara [evil inclination] are without question, even if he or cases. authority, to know what is good Him. such that an individual might she is a highly gifted intellectual, Ultimate Health for man and for the world in In other words, it is quite easily succumb to temptation. with a searching bent of mind. What has been said above which he lives. In his goodness, certain that if a human being Continued on page 14 Since you attend college, and have studied science, etc., you surely know that one does not go about starting everything in physics and technology from the beginning, by verifying everything through personal research and experimentation. For example, a person will board a plane without having first researched aerodynamics, etc., to verify that it is safe to fly in it, and that it will bring one to one’s destination at approximately the scheduled Is Golf the Path to Utopia time. Many have expressed the swinging style and point out answer. The follow through view today. Where your life is Or take an example from sentiment the the one Jewish what I needed to work on. From doesn’t begin after you hit the headed determines how your the area of physical health. It is well-established that there ideal that they can’t get thier him I gained more than just golf ball, it begins as soon as you life is lived. are things which are useful head around is Moshiach - advice. lift the club. A swing that will If the world is randomly or harmful to one’s health. the belief in the coming of One consistent flaw in my end in a full follow through hurtling through space, bound A person will not go about the Messiah. What good is swing was my follow through. is a different swing entirely. to eventually collide with an trying to verify the efficacy achieved by waiting for some The pro noticed that as soon as What will be effects what is. asteroid and return to vapour, if of a particular drug through future utopia? Shouldn’t we my club hits the ball my arms The destination influences the human history is a directionless personal experimentation. Even focus on the present, rather lock and the club stops. No whole journey. Where you are romp through time, then we if a person has a very strong than dreaming about the future? good, he said. You need a full going defines where you are. are going nowhere, and my life personal inclination to do some Why is the belief in the coming follow through. After hitting the This principle is true in certainly has no significance. research and experimentation, of the Messiah so central to ball you must keep swinging, golf, baseball, tennis and Why work, why build, why they will surely choose areas which have not been previously Judaism? making a complete semi-circle cricket. And it’s true in life love, why do anything if it all researched. Some of the deepest truths in the air. too. What you believe about ends in nothingness? This generally accepted I ever learnt were from my This made no sense to me. tomorrow shapes how you Continued on page 15 attitude is quite understandable golf teacher. He was a sharp What difference does it make The World of Lubavitch Chabad Lubavitch of Ontario and logical. For inasmuch as guy, with a keen eye for what I do with the club after I A Publication of HaRav Dovid Schochet Mrs. Fajgi Itkin experts have amply researched detail. He would observe my have hit the ball? Contact has Chabad-Lubavitch Spiritual Leader Chabad of Hamilton 770 Chabad Gate Rabbi Z. Aaron Grossbaum Rabbi Mendel Kaplan been made between iron and Thornhill, Ontario Executive Vice-President Chabad @ Flamingo L4J 3V9 Rabbi Vidal Bekerman Rabbi Yisroel Landa ON OUR COVER ball, and whatever power I (905) 731-7000 Chabad at York Israeli Community Services www.chabad.ca Rabbi Mendel Bernstein Rabbi Sholom Lezel have put into the shot is there Chabad of Richmond Hill Chabad of the Beaches Editor: Rabbi Tzali Borenstein Joy Of Jerusalem already. Will the ball travel Rabbi Moshe Spalter Chabad of Durham Rabbi Mendel Nakkar Chabad of Barrie Associate Editor: Rabbi Mendel Chaikin Rabbi Avrohom E. Plotkin further if I follow through? I Chabad on Downtown By Hebron Artist Baruch Rabbi Z.A. Grossbaum Chabad of Markham can understand why backswing Rabbi Nechemia Deitsch Rabbi Mordechai Silberberg Advertising: Chabad of Midtown Nachshon Chabad of London Rabbi Moshe Spalter is important - the more I pull the Rabbi Yechezkel Deren Rabbi Yisroel Simon Chabad of Maple Typesetting: Chabad of Kingston During the three Jewish fes- club back, the more momentum Rabbi Yoseph S. Gansburg Tamar Shuchat Education Rabbi Yitzchok Slavin the swing has. But once the Chabad of Mississauga tivals, Pesach, Shavuot, and Circulation: 8500 Rabbi Levy Gansburg Chabad Bayview York Mills Rabbi Moshe S. Spalter ball is hit, who cares what I do Subscriptions: $18 yearly Administrator & Media Sukkot, from all over Rabbi Menachem Gansburg with the club? Whether I keep $5 per copy Chabad on the Avenue Rabbi Moshe E. Steiner Israel made a pilgrimage to Chabad of Uptown SPRING 2015 Rabbi Moshe Goldman the holy city of Jerusalem to swinging or stop, throw the Chabad of Waterloo Rabbi Rafi Steiner Chabad of Guelph We cannot take Rabbi Yitzchak Grossbaum spend the holidays in the vi- club away or eat it should make Camp Gan Israel Rabbi Yoseph Y. Zaltzman responsibility for the Russian Community Services cinity of the Holy Temple. no difference to the ball that has Kashruth of the items Rabbi Yossi Hecht advertised in this Chabad of Aurora Rabbi Zalman Zaltzman They brought with them gifts already been hit. Why follow publication. Chabad of Niagara of produce and livestock to be through? We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada offered in the Temple. My coach gave me the through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2015 • Page 3

Camp Gan Israel Annual Dinner Honours Continues to Grow Steven Latner The sign of life is growth, experience which caters to Continued from page 1 the connection matured and see the future.” The slogan and this axiom is certainly body and soul. Regrettably, of- intensified. Today, the third drew attention to the fact that in evident by the continuous ex- ten, and for many, the summer While this has caused him to lose a record deal, unexpected generation, their children are order to safeguard continuity, pansion of Camp Gan Israel, months are a “time out” slot also lending a helping hand to traditional values must be Toronto. In tandem with the to excuse ourselves from reli- doors began to open. During an extended dry spell with no ensure the success of Chabad maintained and embraced. increased enrollment, year after gious responsibilities. But, the Lubavitch. Indeed, after some four decade year, additional bunks are being o.b.m. taught us differ- “gig’s” scheduled, his song This was clearly portrayed by of public service, Chabad built and numerous amenities ently, “The summer, he noted, are being added. With an ob- can be compared to the athlete jective to strengthen the body that is about to attempt a “broad and nurture the soul, the added jump,” and in order to maxi- features will enhance both, the mise success he takes a few recreational pleasure and the steps back. So too, while we spiritual experience. may introduce some relaxation At present an additional and recreation in our daily rou- double bunk house is under tine, the summer is not a vaca- construction to be completed tion from or Mitz- as soon as the ice thaws and the vah observance. snow melts. So too, a large tract Currently, we are prepar- of land was cleared and leveled ing for our fourth season. Our for a full size baseball field. grounds and amenities are still Motion activated playground a “work in progress,” yet as a equipment will also be added. result of the generosity of a To enhance Torah studies few dear friends this ambitious we will be erecting gazebos. project is maturing beyond our These sheltered structures with expectations. In fact the en- a bench along the inside perim- rollment for the month of July eter will create a conducive en- when we host the girl’s, is at vironment for Torah study. So our capacity, and the boys ses- too, the inviting enclaves will sion for August is filling up (From left to right) Murray Belzberg, Lynda & Steve Latner, Rabbi Zalman & Esther Grossbaum) become a destination for group nicely. Indeed, this undertaking Lubavitch is recognized as a discussions, program planning, “Too Close” was featured in Jack and Lilly, two of Steven’s has been very well received catalyst that connects Jews with and a place for friends to just several Microsoft Internet children who gracefully weaved and holds much promise. It will Judaism. From the flagship chill. Explorer 9 advertisements, and a verbal tapestry which so bring much satisfaction to the centre in Thornhill, the Chabad No doubt, the primary ob- enjoyed incredible popularity eloquently detailed the strong jective of Camp Gan Israel is entire community as we extend Lubavitch Organization with over 54 million hits bond and impact of Chabad to offer a meaningful summer the horizon of Jewish life, both reaches out to the entire Jewish on YouTube. Soon after, he and Rabbi Grossbaum on their literally and figuratively. community with programs that became a sensation and soon family. continue to educate and promote after had concerts scheduled all The merger between Chabad and the honouree was further traditional values. With an over the world. unrestricted mandate that caters A video presentation underscored albeit in a most humorous fashion, via a parodic to young and old alike, new familiarized the august initiatives are constantly added. assembly with the endeavours video presentation of the classic Broadway tune, “If I was a Rich Most significant of late is the and scope of Chabad Lubavitch embrace of technology and our thoughout the GTA and Man.” A magnificent silver Torah informative web presence on beyond. In his remarks Rabbi line. The cyber site: chabad. Zalman Grossbaum paid tribute crown was presented to Steven Latner by Murray Belzberg ca is a virtual reservoir of all to Mr. Albert Latner who things Jewish. In addition embraced Chabad Lubavitch who extolled the virtues of the honouree, but not before to numerous essays, holiday some 40 years ago. He noted, guidance, lifecycle info, the “While still in our infancy injecting some humorous anecdotes as well. site connects the entire Jewish the Latner family graciously world. Whether you are looking put all their resources at our In acknowledgement, Steven expressed his admiration for kosher food in Beijing, disposal, including their office to purchase a for a staff, their trades, suppliers, for Chabad for promoting Jewish pride and reaching out friend in South Dakota, map a and consultants.” Indeed, their trail of comfort (and assistance) expertise as land developers indiscriminately to Jews all around the world. “Me and my for your son as he backpacks and builders facilitated through Asia, the site brings it construction of the Chabad family have been blessed and enriched by our deep and long all to the screen of your smart Lubavitch headquarters at 770 phone, or computer screen. time connection to Chabad,” he Chabad Gate in Thornhill. In acknowledgement, all concluded. Left to right: Goldie Grossbaum, camp co-director; Esti Gross- Soon after, the next generation, major contributors received This year the battle cry for the baum, Rabbi Yitzchok Grossbaum camp co-director; son Mendel Steven and Michael continued a magnificent silver Kiddush annual campaign was “We keep , Sidney Spiegel, Rabbi Z. Aron Grossbaum, Mark Steinfeld at the the partnership. During the cup in recognition of their our eyes on the past, so you can Donors Wall in Camp Gan Israel in Haliburton course of some three decades leadership role in the campaign. Pesach is on the Air on 680 News It’s hard to get noticed (car) radio remains the excep- Shmurah Matzah at least for the the week of Chanukah, Chabad today. Yes, with a fashion trend tion and grabs our attention. Seder. Lubavitch engaged 680 News that embraces “Wear what you Hence, Chabad Lubavitch The text has been care- to broadcast a Chanukah mes- want,” you can see people with has once again turned to the air- fully prepared and is presented sage. The project was very winter coats alongside others waves. During the week before by noted broadcaster Mr. Earl in short sleeves, some in boots Pesach, 680 News will feature Mann. The message begins well received and addition to others in flip-flops. And then a public service Pesach mes- with traditional holiday mu- promoting Menorah lighting, it others are talking on their cell sage. The content will promote sic that piques your interest brought much joy to commut- or texting while they walk. the most fundamental aspects and gets you to “listen up.” ers as they suddenly head Jew- Indeed, today, we are all in- of Pesach and the Seder. This “As long as people still do the ish music while fighting traffic undated by a smorgasbord of project will enable Chabad driving, they’ll be listening fatigue. social media outlets. While this Lubavitch to reach thousands to the radio,” said Rabbi Zal- The project has been has created much electronic in- of Jews in the GTA and beyond man Grossbaum, of Chabad teraction, often the message is and encourage them to “sell Earl Mann reads Lubavitch. made possible and is sponsored a passing blur and vague. Yet their Chometz,” and obtain the radio ad Earlier this year, during by Steeles Memorial Chapel. Page 4 • World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2015 Friendship Circle Around the Year

Friends@Home, hanging out together and appreciating each other’s company Tu B’Shvat plants F.C. volunteers enjoy distributing gifts they collected at their Toy Drive

Friends forever high “Sing”

Chanukah carnival

A favourite activity, music with Ariella Purim in the GTA

Dancing and Revelrie Purim in the 60’s with Drumming Circle at Purim in the jungle at the JRCC Chabad of Markham Chabad of the Beaches

Lunch time Megillah reading at Toronto City Hall Baking the Matzah at the Chabad Model Matza bakery World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2015 • Page 5

Annual Photo Captures Thousands of Faces

By Dovid Zaklikowski - conference and a paltry 60 rab- Brooklyn, NY bis participated. The Group Selfie For some photographers, “It was a simple feat, ev- This year, a few tech-savvy decided to add a modern twist to the photo. With the help of thousands of rabbis stand- eryone jumped up on one of local photographer Chaim Perl, and using Twitter and WhatsApp to coordinate, they gathered before ing around the red ‘no stand- the bleachers inside Lubavitch ing’ sign outside Lubavitch World Headquarters, the pho- the main shot to take a massive group selfie. tographer said, ‘squeeze in’ and World Headquarters represent Rabbi Levi Slonim of the Rohr Chabad Center for Jewish Student Life at Binghamton University in a dream; for others, a night- gegeingen, that was it,” says mare. Getting every face into Rabbi Lipa Brennan, one of the New York was part of the group triggering the selfie. “We are really one big family,” Slonim said of the frame is quite the challenge convention organizers. his colleagues. “Who better to be with, for what might be a world-record-setting group selfie?” for the official photographers. Today, pulling several If years of experience have thousand people together for taught them, it’s also made the a photo session is a logistical challenge greater: with each exploit. The multi-tasking, hi- the photo. The second is to get There is nothing, he says, that “Now that’s a lot of rabbis! In- passing year, the number of energy rabbis are not a docile thousands of people to look into needs to be added. A picture is credible images as 3,000 rabbis shluchim grows. group and getting them com- the camera at the same time.” indeed worth a thousand words. from all over the world come ply for a sitting (or standing) is together on Eastern Parkway.” Setting up and getting the Some of the shluchim find Year after year, mainstream rabbis—representing some 87 quite a maneuver. One is busy As the photo session comes the photo session inspires re- media outlets cover the group countries—together for the catching up on his daily study to an end, the shluchim erupt in flection: “I comprehend that picture at the convention. In song. Some do a dance. Then annual “group” photo outside routine, another is comparing I am just one small nail in a 2012, The Daily Mail wrote, the crowd disperses. Lubavitch World Headquarters, notes with a colleague and an- much greater picture. Every in Brook- other is on an urgent call with a year when there are so many lyn in itself a scene worthy of community member thousands more Chabad emissaries in the a photo essay, brings many of miles away. Multiply that photo—and by today I cannot photographers back year after hundreds of times over. even see everyone in the pho- year. The 2014 conference be- If that isn’t enough, the to—I become emotional,” Rab- gan Wednesday, Nov 19 - Nov photographer must then man- bi Levi Mondshine, Chabad 24 afternoon and continues age to get each of the thou- representative to Smolensk, through Monday morning. sands of faces in focus, in one Russia, says. “This is the time Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov, frame. “If someone would ask of the convention that strength- Chabad representative to Mun- us to shoot 2,000 people, we’d ens me most.” ster, Indiana, feels that the probably think it’s a prank,” As the bleachers set up photos session is one of the photographer Noam Galai said. outside are almost full, Rabbi highlights of the five-day con- But it’s exactly what the official , the Vice ference. “Sure, the entire week- photographer Chaim Perl and Chairman of the educational end is spent in the company fourteen others set out to do. arm of the Chabad-Lubavitch of thousands of my colleagues Perl has figured a way movement, takes the time to from across the globe, but there around some of the difficul- review the day’s schedule with is something extremely special ties. “There are two great chal- the shluchim. about everyone posing togeth- lenges, one is the rabbis are in “Each individual here rep- er.” the shade and the sun is facing resents a unique Jewish com- The group photo was a part the lens. I therefore study the munity in a country, a city or of the first conference in 1983. sun and its positions to know town. The entire world is rep- 905-731-7000 ext. 231 Back then it was only a national exactly the best time to take resented here, in one place.” Page 6 • World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2015

The Part of Me that is Forever Chabad

By Paul Shaviv Many other Jewish groups and As reserved, polite English On Sunday I was a guest streams look totally desiccated boys and girls we didn’t quite at the closing dinner of the an- by comparison. know what to do. A “Rabbi nual Chabad ‘Kinus Shluchim What interested me too Lew” introduced someone who 5775 - 2014’. This took place were some of the items that he said would speak -- Rabbi in a huge hangar-like space in got huge applause -- the IDF, Berel Baumgarten, the ‘Reb- the Brooklyn dockyards that Israel, battling Antisemitism. be’s ” [what on earth had been transformed in to a hi- Support for Israel and Israelis did that mean?] to South Amer- 100 French tech event hall for the occasion. was unequivocal (what other ica, who was passing through (There is a good eight-minute Orthodox group would invite London. But fifty years later Hearing Impaired video by Hillel Engel on You- Yuli Edelstein as their main I remember what he said, be- Tube.) More than five thousand speaker?) They also had no cause it blew me away com- people sat down for dinner. hesitation in showing men and pletely. “The Rebbe told me to ‘hear’ the Megilla There were two main women equally in all of the vid- go to South America and spread eos, displays and photos. Yiddishkeit. So I packed a suit- The future, my friends, case with tins of tuna and boxes might belong to them...... of matzah, and I took a plane to Argentina. I got off at the other I was invited to the Kinus end and looked around, won- by my (young) friend, Rabbi dering what to do next.....” Didy Waks, who with his wife I cannot describe the im- and two very young children pact of those words on me. The is just opening Chabad on the idea that someone would ‘get campus of Hamilton College on a plane’ to an unknown des- in upstate New York. He will tination with the single inten- speakers - one was Yuli Edel- do well. At the Kinus, I had tion of spreading Yiddishkeit stein, the Speaker of the Knes- the enormous pleasure of meet- was like a revelation. Not only set, who spoke brilliantly about ing my old friend and teacher was it mind-blowing; it was in- his time in the Soviet jail, and Rabbi Shmuel Lew, from Lon- spirational. There were people his early contacts with Chabad don, England – now a senior, in the world who really cared in Soviet Russia. The other beloved and respected figure in about the survival of Judaism was a UK Chabadnik from Chabad worldwide. It is, I re- and Torah! The crowd ‘listens’ Wimbledon (home of the ten- alized, exactly fifty years since I didn’t become a Chabad- It’s not the first time that Thanks to Rabbi Shmuel nis tournament), Rabbi Dubov, we first met. This story illus- nik, but I have spent my entire the Jewish hearing impaired Azimov of Beth Loubavitch, who spoke for too long but it trates the power of Chabad. professional career in Jewish people enjoy a Purim Party 100 hearing impaired people was hugely entertaining, and at In 1964, as a 14-15 year education, eventually heading in Paris. But it’s the first time enjoyed a very special read- times very moving. old, I was running a Jewish the two largest and most impor- that they could hear the Me- ing of the Megilla at Beth It was hugely impressive. youth group (‘Jewish Youth tant mainstream Jewish schools gillah. How is it possible? Chaya Mushka girls school. Study Groups’) in a large, in North America – Tanenbaum There are just under 3,000 With sign-language of course! While Rabbi Leizer Lu- Chabad families serving as gloomy synagogue in Golders CHAT in Toronto, and Ramaz ‘shuchim’ in eighty countries all Green. The Jewish community in New York. A part of that over the world -- from Tashkent in the UK in those years was choice, a part of that career and to Tasmania, in many African deadly – demoralized, semi- a part of that inspiration, be- countries, in China, S Korea, Victorian, stultified and with- longs to Berel Baumgarten. and everywhere you can think out any spark or direction. We Paul Shaviv was born and of, including 49 US states. No were all expected to quietly as- educated in London, and has other Jewish presence comes similate. I had read in the local lived in Israel, Australia, Can- close to this. Jewish newspaper something ada and the USA. For fourteen The theme of the Kinus was about a new organization called years he was the Director of ‘The Rebbe is with you on your ‘Lubavitch’ that had opened up Education at TanenbaumCHAT, journey’. For the record, none in London. the Community HIgh School in of the speakers implied that the I called them, explained Toronto; since 2012, and until Rebbe was still physically alive, who we were, and asked them the end of this school year, he and references to the Mashiach to come and speak. We fixed a is the Head of School at Ramaz were all carefully phrased in the date. (Years later, Shmuel Lew in New York. He has written a future tense. But the spiritual - maybe Faivish Vogel - told me practical guide to the manage- presence of the Rebbe was elec- that it was the very first ‘cold ment of Jewish High Schools: trically and tangibly alive for call’ invitation that Lubavitch Rabbi Leizer reads the Megilla and Rabbi Isser translates all of these shluchim. It is the ever received from an Anglo- belief that they have a spiritual Jewish organization.) partner as their immanent sup- Come the appointed Sun- becki read the Megillah, port that gives them the ability day evening, at 8:00 PM I went his brother Rabbi Isser Lu- to live and work in total physi- outside to the synagogue en- becki translated the entire cal and spiritual isolation. That, trance to wait for the ‘Guest Megillah into sign language. speaker’. We didn’t really I have to assume, is the secret Afterwards, they enjoyed a of a Rebbe and his Chasidim. know what to expect. What did sumptuous meal prepared by Think what you will of a “Lubavitcher” even look like? Chabad, the Rebbe, or Chassi- After a few minutes, a small Isser and his wife. They could dim in general, but it is unde- white van came slowly round now sit down to eat and talk niable that Menachem Mendel the corner. It stopped. It looked – in sign language. They ex- Schneerson personally inspired as though it might seat three or changed addresses and the chil- (inspires) the existence and pro- four people at most. The doors dren received presents for their motion of Jewish life for thou- opened and six, maybe eight costumes. Of course, all men sands, or hundreds of thousands bearded, hatted figures piled and young boys put on , of Jews who would otherwise out. To this day I do not know some of them for the first time be totally lost. On campuses, how they all crammed into that ever. They also received and in communities, as individuals small van. We greeted them - Chabad is there for them, with and they came into the room exchanged Mishloach Manot unbounded love, “one Jew at a where we met, singing and and gave Matanot Laevionim. time, one mitzvah at a time”. clapping. A very special Purim indeed! World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2015 • Page 7

Chabad on Campus Marks a Major Milestone: 220 Centers Worldwide Rabbi Berel & Esther Leah Chabad on Campus just to grow and learn; they have so Grunblatt couldn’t wait to get rolled out an impressive new much energy. You can see them to work. number: It has officially sur- change while they’re there. The young couple moved passed its 200th center—gone They feel empowered, and we similar backgrounds and inter- wish to be exposed the positive to Cambridge this year to start well beyond that, in fact—for want them to also be empow- ests, and be themselves.” side of Judaism, often absent the International Jewish Stu- a grand total of 220 centers ered by their Jewish heritage.” A Focus on Dinners and in Israeli media today, saying dent Center to serve the stu- worldwide. Centralized Resources for Dialogue she knows she has a beautiful dents from foreign countries, In the last year alone, 33 Emissaries and Students In addition to Chabad on tradition, but has not yet had a who flock to the 30 universities Chabad-Lubavitch couples Advising and connect- Campus centers popping up all chance to see it.” in the Cambridge/Boston area. have settled themselves on col- ing with young Jews at such over North America, Israel is “Many of the foreign students, lege campuses in the United a crucial time in their educa- With a student body of seeing a boon in Chabad servic- coming from different cultures States, Canada, South America tional, social and spiritual lives more than 4,000, Landa says es at its secondary-educational and speaking different lan- and Israel. Twenty-seven new has been an important part of that he and his wife, who are the guages, feel more comfortable Chabad centers have opened Chabad’s outreach efforts and institutions. parents of a young son and a new socializing with other student up, with another six couples the reason for establishing Rabbi Dovid Kurtz, di- baby daughter, are in the midst of similar backgrounds”, ex- having joined existing centers. Chabad on Campus Interna- rector of the Israeli branch of of a busy year. In addition to plains Rabbi Grunblatt who Chabad on Campus emis- tional. Chabad on Campus Interna- giving JLI-accredited courses, is originally from Argentina. saries, are now poised to teach, It’s part of the continued tional, assures that more are they are planning programs and “So Rabbi Hirshy Zarchi, the entertain and advise even more growth that began in the early on the way. “In the past, Rabbi reaching out to students who founder and director of Chabad students and faculty, extending 1950s. The Rebbe began send- Gil Blizovski, who also serves remain on campus for Shabbat. of Harvard established our new their reach farther than ever be- ing rabbinical students to cam- as campus rabbi at Ben-Gurion While Shabbat dinners have center”. fore. puses to serve as a resource University of the Negev, was long been a staple of Chabad for students. Since the 1960s, among a handful of Chabad centers on college campuses Chabad campus centers have on Campus rabbis in Israel,” in North America, they remain opened their doors to Jewish he explains. “However, in somewhat of a novelty in Israel, students, regardless of their the past few years, many new where many students commute backgrounds or observance shluchim have joined Chabad to classes and eat at home with levels. on Campus in Israel. their families on Friday night. Those involved on the “In the last year alone, Still, says Landa, there are ground know how important 21 new couples were added, always those who stay on and this task remains. joining the six who were here near campus, and there are “It is vital that Jewish stu- previously. In total, we now the international students who dents—at this transformative serve 23 campuses.” live in dorms, especially in time in their lives—have the At the Netanya Academic Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Haifa, opportunity to be an integral College, Rabbi Shneur Landa, so “a big focus for our centers part of a vibrant Jewish com- who co-directs the Chabad on in Israel is Shabbat meals on munity,” says Rabbi Yossy Campus there with his wife, campus every Friday night.” Gordon, executive vice presi- Musya, says that “most of the Rabbi Avi Weinstein, dent of Chabad on Campus students know Chabad from director of administration International. “That can mean their post-army travels in at Chabad on Campus attending holiday or Shabbat Rabbi Berel and Esther Leah Grunblatt host some students for Thailand, South America or International, looks forward services, studying Torah in- India. So when they see us, they to the continuing expansion a Chanukah celebration dividually or taking a larger are really excited to reconnect of Chabad’s campus activities class, having a kosher meal, and relive those experiences.” worldwide. “Having new That permanent “When today’s college or just getting time to unwind Now starting their second centers around the world—and presence will now include student moves into the work- and socialize with other Jew- year as emissaries—they set Shabbat meals, classes, one-on- place and ultimately creates ish students. Young adults can offering programs and classes one Torah study, social events a home, his or her success— get connected in a safe and nur- up shop last fall—he notes that to thousands of additional and holiday celebrations— and ours—will depend on the turing environment during the hundreds of students filled out young men and women—is whatever young adults need to values they take with them,” years they spend at university. questionnaires on what they a tremendous step towards add to their Judaism and their says philanthropist George “Chabad is very real for would like to see Chabad do accomplishing our goal of being college experiences. Rohr, chairman of the Chabad them,” he emphasizes. “It’s a on campus, with some very a resource to Jewish students, “We want to be their home on Campus International ad- place where they can grow in heartening results. “There was wherever they are pursuing away from home,” says Esther visory board. “The positive, their Judaism, meet others with one girl who expressed her their secondary education.” Leah Grunblatt, 25 originally lifelong impact of the cam- from Toronto. “A student on pus shluchim and shluchos— campus can be very lonely; it’s as teachers, mentors and role N.Y.Times Offers a complicated time. They are models, along with the ‘homes trying to formulate their future away from home’ that they cre- Sunday Alternative for Sports Fans: and who they will be. We want ate for a Jewish student—is in- to reach out to them, to be there calculable.” for support in any way we can.” As for the Grunblatts, who A Trip to the Rebbe’s As one of seven children, arrived in Cambridge with their By Mordechai Lightstone be’s resting place in Cambria reporter Sarah Maslin Nir, and it’s something she knows 16-month-old baby Mendel and Heights, Queens, writes metro engage in some prayer to G-d. well—listening to, talking with just welcomed their new baby The Sunday sports section and offering support to others. daughter Chaya Mushka , their might not be where a reader It’s also second nature for her decision to work with students would expect to see a conversa- husband, who’s also one of 7. was not as much about num- tion about the Ohel, the resting For both of them it has bers, about quantity, as it was place of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, been a life’s ambition to join about quality—about trying to Rabbi Menachem M. Schneer- their many siblings, parents, get to meet, know and advise son, of righteous memory. uncles and aunts, who serve as young Jewish men and women, Yet in an article suggesting Shluchim in dozens of Chabad wherever they are on university ways fans of the New York centers in all parts of the world. grounds. “This is a family tradition,” “The Rebbe said that every Jets and Giants football teams says Grunblatt. “It’s amazing person is a candle, and you only could escape their disappoint- that I get to join the club.” add—add to the light—until ment in their local teams’ That club has certainly got- that light becomes a flame in performance, The New York ten a lot bigger. itself,” explains Rabbi Grublatt. Times suggests something For sports fans looking to improve their teams’ performance, the ‘220 Campus Centers His wife adds that college refreshingly different: “Make New York Times suggests: “Make a pilgrimage” to the Rebbe’s rest- Worldwide and Growing’ students “want the opportunity a pilgrimage” to the Reb- ing place in Cambria Heights, Queens. Page 8 • World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2015

Promise Made by Little Hungarian Girl During WW11 Fulfilled

By Dovid Zaklikowski - wrote him a letter reminding synagogue. The Obuda Syna- Budapest, Hungary him about the properties. By gogue, converted into a televi- then, Magda had been diag- sion studio after WWII, was When Robert Rubinstein, nosed with lung cancer and was returned to the Jewish commu- nity in 2010 and still much in need of repair. The Toronto businessman was skeptical. He hadn’t been to Hungary in years, and could Teffilin at Opening of not understand why Budapest’s synagogue would warrant reno- Hyper Cacher in Paris vations. But when he finally vis- ited last April, he found a thriv- The Jewish supermarket in zeneuve said after visiting the ing Jewish community. “To see Paris attacked by an Islamic ter- scene of the drama, includ- now that the Jewish community rorist linked to the shootings at ing the cold storage room is assertive and proud is aston- the Charlie Hebdo magazine in where several hostages, in- ishing,” he said Rubinstein would have January re-opened last Sunday. cluding one with a baby, man- “We were stunned by the aged to hide from Coulibaly. Robert Runinstein (center), his wife Renee (right) and Kathy Takacs near the loved to see the money go dedication to Magda Zelenka; to the Jewish community in attack, but there was never A new team of staff is work- Mezőkövesd, but it was de- any question that we would ing at the kosher supermar- a Toronto businessman, had to preoccupied with the homes, stroyed. “It once upon a time re-open,” said one of the ket, while employees who fulfill the dying wish of a Hun- speaking of little else. Rubin- had a nice Jewish community, managers of the Hyper Cach- survived the bloody attack garian Christian woman, he stein visited her in her Toronto but tragically that does not ex- er store, Laurent Mimoun. are free to decide “their new reached out to the Chabad rabbi home, promising her to sell the ist anymore,” he says, his voice Four Jewish men were mur- posting in one of the group’s in Budapest. He was holding houses. But he wondered at the cracking with emotion. “If you dered at the supermarket by stores,” the management said. the proceeds of the sale of two insistence of this dying Chris- want to do something for the gunman Amedy Coulibaly on “With this reopening, we properties intended for Hunga- tian woman to see her money Jewish community, it is only in January 9, two days after broth- once again reaffirm that life will ry’s Jews. go to a Jewish cause. Budapest.” ers Cherif and Said Kouachi always be stronger than barbar- In 2010, Magda Zelen- Magda recalled the gov- During an April 2014 visit massacred 12 people in an attack ity,” the management of Hy- ka, originally from Hungary, ernment restrictions on the lo- to the Obuda Synagogue, Ru- on the Charlie Hebdo offices. per Cacher said in a statement. came to Rubinstein’s office. cal Jews during the Holocaust binstein met a young Jewish French Interior Minister Ber- Chabad Lubavitch Rabbis at- She had inherited her parents’ years. Her father ignored the mother studying Judaism and nard Cazeneuve attended the tended the opening, where they home and her aunt’s home in laws and continued his contact sending her child to the Chabad reopening of the shop, which offered people to put on Tefil- Mezőkövesd, a town in north- with Jews, causing her own preschool. The woman told him has been repaired after suffer- lin at the entrance to the store. ern Hungary, and wanted to see family no small measure of of the recent Jewish revival ing heavy damage during the Shliach Rabbi Mendel Gold- the profits benefit the Jews of trouble. At some point, Magda’s among the young generation. assault by special forces to kill berg (Pictured), of Chabad of her country. mother became furious with her Rubinstein was moved, and Magda knew Rubinstein father, berating him for destroy- expressed gratitude to Chabad through his parents. Bill Ru- ing their family while befriend- of Budapest. “It is very touch- binstein had owned apartment ing the Jews. ing to see this happening once buildings in her childhood town, Magda stood up to her again in Hungary,” he told and Magda and her husband mother. Her father, she told her lubavitch.com. were the superintendents in one mother boldly, is right. There is With anti-Semitism on the of them. The elder Rubinstein nothing wrong with the Jews. rise in Hungary, as in other Eu- was, she said, always kind to “They are people just like ropean countries, Rabbi Koves her, and treated her father with kindness and respect. Rubinstein knew the dark history of the Hungarians who collaborated with the Germans to exterminate Hungarian Jew- ry. His father was among the able-bodied men who had been shipped off to forced-labor camps by the Hungarians in Coulibaly and free the staff and Playa del Carmen, Mexico, 1944. shoppers he had taken hostage. in Paris for a family wedding, “I do not think of Hungary “You can see the layout... attended the opening to show as my country,” he told her, you see the difficulties there support, and help with the Tef- recalling his visit there in 1972 were in the intervention,” Ca- filin Campaign. when “there was almost nothing The Obuda Synagogue. going on Jewishly, and commu- nism looked like it would last us.” And the little girl made a hopes that as the local com- forever, hostile to any religion.” pledge, promising that when munity learns about Magda, a Christian child from Hungary When he visited she grows up and inherits the who stood up for the Jews in Mezőkövesd—where he and family home, she will “give it her town, “they will learn from Magda both had roots, he met to the Jews.” her actions, and be inspired that only one Jew, a watchmaker. A Worthy Cause even a small child can stand A Heroic Child In late 2013 the properties up for the truth and for what is Three months after her were sold and the money was right.” visit, a manila envelope landed transferred to a trust fund. Magda passed away this Rubinstein then reached on Rubinstein’s desk. In it were past August, but a plaque in the out to Rabbi Shlomo Köves, two official title certificates Budapest synagogue memorial- from the Mezőkövesd land of- the Chabad-Lubavitch Execu- izes her: “In loving memory of fice. The envelope remained on tive Rabbi of EMIH Unified Marton Lazar, a rare voice of his desk, and soon got buried Hungarian Jewish Congrega- righteousness in a world turned under a growing pile of more tion. Koves suggested that the evil. Dedicated by his daughter, urgent matters. funds go to the renovations Magdolna Lazar Zelenka of To- Three years later Magda of Budapest’s oldest standing ronto, Canada.” World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2015 • Page 9

Murdered by Soviets in 1938, Jewish Activist’s Gravesite Found

After years of digging they cannot divulge any infor- in St. Petersburg, then called through the files of the KGB— mation about his whereabouts,” Leningrad, and resumed his ac- the communist state security Morosov said. “We did not tivities, organizing clandestine agency formerly known as know that he was executed until adult education classes in Jew- the NKVD—a mass grave many years later.” ish studies at night. The NKVD with over a dozen Chabad- Morosov’s father Rabbi El- put out a warrant for his arrest brushed off. He persisted ne- Lubavitch followers murdered and thus his life on the run be- gotiating an obstacle course of at the hands of the Soviets in gan. To evade them, he changed bureaucratic red tape, until, in 1938, was located and marked his name to Duber Posner and the spring of 2014, cemetery with tombstone. disguised his appearance. But in clerks pulled out old maps and 1938, at age 61, he was among Abramov found the exact loca- at least a dozen leaders of the tion they were buried. Chabad underground who were Recently, permission was arrested, their fate unknown for granted to erect a marker on years. the site, a development late in In 2008, with the family coming for the nonagenarian still in the dark, one of Mo- rabbi who has difficulty getting rosov’s great-grandchildren around inside his home. visited the city. He turned for “I myself can’t travel to the help to Rabbi Ifrah Abramov, cemetery. But at least now my an educator in the local Chabad family can go and pay their re- Rabbi Elchanon Dov (Chonya) school. Abramov began search- spects. There is finally a matze- ing the NKVD archives. vah, [tombstone] and for this I chanon Dov (Chonya) served The new tombstone at the loca- Since then he uncovered tion of the mass grave. am grateful.” as the aide of the fifth and sixth thousands of pages of testimo- The marker includes the Chabad Rebbes, respectively, ny given by the victims during all those rounded up on that names of the other activists Rabbi Mendel Marosov Rabbi Shalom Dovber and their interrogation. “He came spring night in 1938 were sum- who were killed and buried Rabbi Joseph I. . to my home and presented me marily executed. They were there that night: Rabbis Pin- Today, Rabbi Mendel Ma- Chonya was an activist for buried in the Levasovskoj gov- chus Althaus, Shmuel Nemo- rosov, 98, takes a break from Judaism, work ing fearlessly with the documents,” says the studying a scholarly Jewish under the noses of the Soviets 98-year-old son. “I made one ernment cemetery. Now the tin, Yitzchok Raskin, Meir book to recall those days when until he was arrested in 1927 request: if he finds my father’s date of their deaths was finally Friedman, Yehshayahu Gold, his father and brother were tak- together with Rabbi Joseph I. gravesite, he should erect a known. Dovber Koznitzov, Feivish Es- en away. “For many years we Schneersohn. He remained in tombstone.” When Abramov came to terin, Shaul Katzenelenbogen, did not know what happened to prison for three years. Abramov continued his the cemetery to find out where Yaakov Golobchik and Elcho- father. The NKVD told us that Upon his release he settled search. In 2012 he learned that the group was buried, he was non Epstein. International Arrivals: 8 Torah Scrolls Dedicated to Victims of Terror in Israel From murdered teens to fallen newborn son after them. will carry on, sharing holiness getting a Torah on loan and “To us, the Torah is very spe- soldiers, responding to death Also in Brooklyn, the and unity amongst the Jewish discovered the Torah Gemach cial and meaningful,” says Rab- with the ‘Tree of Lif e’ Beis Yisroel Torah Gemach— people.” online, he says “at first, I bi Berry Nash. “It makes us feel a project of Chabad- A small Torah went to Chabad couldn’t believe it. It was too like we aren’t missing out on By Carin M. Smilk Lubavitch World Headquarters of the Big Island in Kailua Kona, good to be true.” the special brachos [blessings] Eyal Yifrach, Naftali Frenkel in New York—immediately got Hawaii. Two larger Torahs have “We are a young Chabad that we can elicit from on high. and Gilad Shaar will not be for- to work getting three Torahs been sent to Chabad of Olney House,” he explains, “and “We try to arrange a min- gotten. In so many ways, the named in honor of the teens in Maryland and to Chabad- we weren’t in the position to yan once monthly,” he notes. worldwide Jewish community and deployed on loan to differ- Lubavitch of Solano County purchase a Torah. Plus, we “We don’t get one every time, has made it a point over the ent Chabad Houses. in Vacaville, California. The were in the midst of a campaign but it’s coming along. We’ll get last year and a half to remem- “In Jewish tradition, dedicating black-velvet covers edged in to buy a building,” which, in there soon.” ber the names and the lives of a Sefer Torah in memory of gold fringe include the names fact, they did. The donor of the above four these three Israeli teenagers the deceased is a most fitting of all three boys (and their Plans are underway for the Torahs, who would like to re- kidnapped and murdered by tribute,” said Rabbi Mendy fathers’ first names), as they writing of Chabad of Solano’s main anonymous, is from New terrorists last June. Kotlarsky, executive director of would have been called to the own permanent Sefer Torah. York’s Upper West Side. The tributes have run the gam- Merkos Suite 302. “The Torah Torah: Eyal ben Uri, Naftali Another Torah—in honor of the According to Bentzion ut—from the Jewish National is called ‘a Tree of Life,’ and ben Avraham and Gilad ben 66 Israel Defense Forces sol- Chanowitz, who runs the Torah Ofir. diers who lost their lives in Is- Gemach, four more Torahs Rabbi Zaklos, director of rael’s summer war with Hamas are getting ready to be sent Chabad Solano County says in Gaza—was commissioned to Chabad centers that need his Torah arrived shortly and sent to Chabad Lubavitch them. These are in honor of before Rosh Hashanah, and that of Missoula, Mont., co-directed “it was very, very meaningful” the rabbis murdered in mid- by Rabbi Berry and Shayna when he presented it to the November by Palestinian Nash. They serve students at community. He says he saw terrorists in a synagogue in the tears in some people’s eyes the University of Montana and Jerusalem neighborhood of Har when they heard that it honored the local Jewish community. Nof: Rabbi Moshe Twersky, 59; the three Israeli teens. The rabbi’s father, Leibish Rabbi Kalman Levine, 55; Rabbi A congregant also told him: “I Nash, traveled from New York Avraham Shmuel Goldberg, 68; feel like this is the children’s to Montana with the Torah in and Rabbi Aryeh Kupinsky, 43. lives coming alive through this tow, literally, in a backpack. It “The lives lost in Israel These Torahs were commissioned in honor of the three Israeli teenage boys abduct- came in time for the brit mi- ed and killed by Palestinians last June. Holding them, from left, are Yankel Yan- Torah and in this community.” in the second half of 2014 kelowitz; Bentzion Chanowitz, who runs the Torah Gemach, a project of Chabad The —about a lah wzof the Nashes’ baby son, were beyond tragic,” says Lubavitch World Headquarters; Yerachmiel Paskin; and sofer (Torah scribe) Rab- half-hour from Sacramento in Mendel, on Aug. 21 (they also Chanowitz, “but their names bi Daniel Dovid Dahan. northern California—serves a have a 2-year-old daughter, have been connected to Torahs few hundred Jews, according to Riva), which was the first min- now being used and read by Fund dedicating a forest of through gathering communities the rabbi, who had been using yan they had since establishing Jews in different parts of the trees and creating gardens in and reading these Torahs a borrowed Torah for services. the Chabad center in May. world on a regular basis. We memory of the boys to a family dedicated in their names, the When a regular attendee The war ended five days later, thank the donors and honor the in Brooklyn, N.Y., naming their lives of Eyal, Gilad and Naftali researched the possibilities of with a cease-fire on Aug. 26. families.” Page 10• World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2015

Ukranian City Becomes a Haven for Jews Fleeing War

Like all conflicts, the one in is thriving, with an estimated pro-Russian separatists. He was eastern Ukraine has driven 50,000 members. out fighting when Friedman people from their homes. As of Chabad runs a network of visited, but his family posed mid-February, over a million schools, synagogues and a host for the camera. A local Jewish Ukrainians were refugees with- of social services in the city. newspaper, Shabbat Shalom, ritories, Mikhail is even more local doctors in treating war in- in their own country, accord- That’s thanks in part to the pa- profiled him, writing: “The ex- worried about his father and his juries, and buys medicines and ing to the Internal Displace- tronage of the region’s Jewish otic appearance of this slender, fiancée’s family, who are stuck supplies for the wounded. ment Monitoring Centre, which governor, Ihor Kolomoisky, one richly-bearded man leaves no- body unmoved. In a kippa, he in Donetsk. Yet another of the commu- just looks like a Jew; in a felt Among the more enterpris- nity’s colorful characters is hat, like a Lubavitch Chasid; ing members of the Dniprop- Leonid Krasnopolsky, a tailor in camouflage and a helmet, etrovsk Jewish community are from Donetsk. Imprisoned by like—forgive us—a Talib; and Sasha Chumak and Alik Kras- pro-Russian rebels on charges in a khaki cap, like Fidel Cas- niy, who run an electrical main- of spying for Ukraine, he man- tro.” tenance and heating systems aged to get out after only five Some of the refugees have shop. Sasha was a Ukrainian days. Now he runs a company found shelter with local fami- paratrooper and took part in a selling Ukrainian-themed t- lies or had the money to rent peacekeeping mission during shirts and other clothes across the country. He says he spends a third of his earnings on pro- tective gear for soldiers. Two of the oldest refugees are Fira and Lyova, a couple who celebrated their 60th wed- The Menorah, the Jewish community center of Dnipropetrovsk, ding anniversary on Feb. 5. said by some to be the biggest in the world. Fleeing the fighting last year brought on haunting memories tracks such figures worldwide. of Ukraine’s richest oligarchs, of a previous evacuation—in Among them, two groups face who was profiled by Israeli 1941, when they fled Lviv in a particularly complicated life. newspaper Ha’aretz under the western Ukraine in the face of One is Crimean Tatars, a headline “Is this man the most the advancing Nazi army. Last Muslim community with a powerful Jew in the world?” summer they escaped first from long history of being repressed Kolomoisky co-funded the Lugansk, another rebel-held by Russia. Thousands of them building of the Chabad Jewish city, to Donetsk, and when the have fled Crimea since Russia community center, said to be Shterna Sara-Cherkassky, whose husband Asher fights against fighting followed them, came annexed it last year. The other either Europe’s or the world’s pro-Russian separatists as a volunteer in the Dnipro Battalion, to Dnipropetrovsk. Their son is Jews, who have endured their biggest. It’s built in the shape with her children. and his family have remained own long history of anti-Sem- of—and named for—the me- behind. itism in the region, which the norah, the seven-branched can- their own homes. Marianna, a the Yugoslav wars in the early Fira and Lyova remember conflict with Russia has stirred delabra. Inside the $70 million high-school student, left Do- 1990s. Combining his knowl- World War II and are at a loss up again. building, completed in 2012, netsk in September and is stay- edge of war and trade he modi- about the current conflict—how Photographer Misha Fried- are offices, restaurants, a hotel ing with a friend’s family in fied a potbellied stove to make can brothers kill brothers, de- man travelled to Ukraine to and youth hostel, luxury apart- Dnipropetrovsk. She hopes to it more efficient for soldiers. stroy such beautiful cities, for visit members of both commu- ments, an Israeli consulate, a return home soon. Her mother With Alik, he produces such no reason whatsoever? World nities. In this story, he looks at cultural center, and a museum. and grandfather are still in Do- stoves and sells them to the War II made sense, they say; the Jews who have fled to Dni- At its feet is the historic “Gold- netsk, though her mother tries Ukrainian army. They named this one doesn’t. propetrovsk, roughly 150 miles en Rose” synagogue. to visit often. the stoves nitsakhon, the He- However, moving to Dnipro- (240 km) from the rebel-held Despite the fears about an anti- Others, such as Mikhail, a brew word for “victory.” petrovsk has brought them at city of Donetsk. Semitic resurgence, Friedman 24-year-old translator, and his Volunteers from the Jewish least one moment of bitter- The city’s Jewish commu- found a resilient community family, have been put up in the community are regular visitors sweet joy. After nearly 60 years nity has a history as tormented where the refugees from fur- community center’s retirement at the local hospitals, which re- of secular marriage—the only as those anywhere in Europe. ther east are finding ways to fit home. Because Ukrainian au- ceive many wounded Ukrainian kind allowed during the Soviet Most fled the Nazis in 1941; in. Some have devised rather thorities have recently intro- soldiers from the front lines. Union—they finally had their all those who didn’t were ex- enterprising responses to their duced a permit system to go in The community has brought Jewish wedding ceremony just terminated. Of those who re- situation. and out of the rebel-held ter- surgeons from Israel to train a few weeks ago. turned after the Soviets took Asher Cherkassky, who left over, thousands more died af- Crimea with his family and ter being drafted into the Red came to Dnipropetrovsk after Steeles Dignity Memorial Chapel Comfort

Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki hosts other religious leaders at a Compassion Holocaust Remembrance day event in Dnipropetrovsk.(Misha Friedman) 350 Steeles Avenue West Army. And most of those who Russia invaded, prides himself Thornhill Ont. L4J 1A1 - (905) 881-6003 remained emigrated to Israel on being—so he says—the only Established 1927 after the Soviet Union fell. Orthodox Jew in the Ukrainian C.P. Saucier, Managing Funeral Director Yet today the community volunteer battalions fighting the World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2015 • Page 11

By Rabbi Aron Moss

time and a land that are totally and women never compete with foreign to him. He walks the each other in sports? You never Don’t Let Rice Get streets in a daze, completely see a man playing against a Between Us lost and out of place. woman in tennis, or women’s Every time his team loses, he yet we still have found no But take him to a Seder, soccer teams facing men’s, or a loses his faith more and more. trace of G-d. If he is supposed and he would feel completely mixed gender 100 metre sprint. I want to try and give him a to be everywhere, why is he way of looking at it differently I am Ashkenazi (Jew at home. His host family may If we are all equal, why can’t nowhere to be seen? My logic and rather than blaming G-d of Eastern European de- look different in colour and we compete together?” says, if you are nowhere, you for another losing game, scent), and my wife is Sefardi dress to his own, they may The answer I received don’t exist... blaming the players, and (an Oriental Jew). She grew eat Ashkenazi foods that are was unsatisfying. “Men are on perhaps just watching less up eating rice on Pesach, unfamiliar to his Sefardi palate, average stronger physically Answer: sport??? which my family custom but the Seder itself would be than women. It would not be Being everywhere doesn’t would never allow. Every exactly the same as his family fair for them to compete against make you easy to find. On the Answer: Pesach we have the same dis- Seder back home. He would each other in sports which contrary, logic says if you are How about telling him this. cussion: how can it be that hear the children ask the same require bodily strength, because everywhere, it’s as if you’re It is not a rational reaction to one group of Jews can eat rice four questions that his own men would always win. But nowhere. A bit like our fridge. lose faith because your team on Pesach and another group children ask him. He would in every other way, men and As our family grew we is losing. Rather than switch can’t? Aren’t we all the same eat the same Matzah and bitter women are equal. needed more fridge space, so beliefs, it would make more religion? Isn’t this an exam- herbs, drink the same four cups This did not sit well with we bought an old fridge online. sense to switch teams. ple of how the Torah can be of wine, read the same prayers me. If men are superior to It was a bargain. We soon found After all, surely fans on interpreted in so many ways, and biblical quotes. Even the women in physical strength, but out why. When we plugged both sides of any game are and there is no one true Juda- songs, while sung to different equal in all else, then men and it in it started humming quite praying for their team to win. ism? tunes, would have the same women are not equal. Men have loudly. At first we thought we Hebrew lyrics. an edge. Unless there is some Only one of those prayers can couldn’t live with this constant, be answered affirmatively. If Answer: Most importantly, he would other area of human endeavour monotonous buzz coming from yours is losing, it doesn’t mean Actually, when you hear the exact same story, the in which women are superior, the kitchen. But in a day or G-d isn’t there, just maybe He compare the way Ashkenazi story every Jewish family has we are not equal. two we didn’t even notice it is on the other side. So if G-d and Sefardi Jews celebrate told every year for over three This bothered me for years. anymore. is with them, shouldn’t you be Pesach, you will be astounded thousand years, the story of our Until I learnt Judaism’s attitude You can only hear a noise too? not by the differences, but common ancestors who were to women. if that noise sometimes goes This argument will of by the similarities. The slaves in Egypt until G-d set Women are more soulful silent. But if it’s always there, course have absolutely no discrepancies are so minor and them free. than men. While men may excel it’s like it’s not there at all. Ask effect on him. I can’t imagine external that they just prove the This is nothing short of in physical prowess, women our kids what that buzzing noise a real sports fan exchanging rule - we are one people with amazing. Two thousand years are far ahead when it comes to is coming from the fridge, and loyalties just because his team one Torah. of exile has not weakened our spiritual strength. Women are they wouldn’t even know what keeps losing. Well, that’s what Jews are forbidden by inner connection. Dispersal more sensitive to matters of the you are talking about. When having faith means. No matter the Torah to eat or even own across the globe has not soul, more receptive to ideas of you live with a noisy fridge, what happens, we only have leavened products on Pesach. loosened our bonds of shared faith, more drawn to the divine buzzing is silence. one G-d, and we stick with This means any product made history and united destiny. than men. The feminine soul has It’s the same with G-d. We Him. In fact, the very word for from the five grains (wheat, With all the fragmentation an openness to the abstract and live in a reality where the buzz faith in Hebrew is Emunah, barley, spelt, rye, oats), other and factionalism that we all a grasp of the intangible that a of G-d is everywhere. There which actually means loyalty. than Matzah, cannot be eaten complain about, we are still one male soul can only yearn for. is no place devoid of Him, no Just like a fan never switches or be in your possession for people. This is felt at Pesach This is why G-d told Abraham, moment when He is absent. sides no matter what, a believer the eight days of Passover. The more than ever. the first Jewish man, “Whatever So of course we can’t detect is loyal to G-d come what may. Jews of Eastern Europe took on Rather than focusing on the Sarah your wife tells you, listen Him. You can only detect the In a way, it is wonderful an extra stringency, and forbade superficial disparities between to her voice.” She was the presence of something if you that the biggest tragedy in his rice and several other foods on communities, look at our greater prophet, her soul more can detect its absence. The very life is his team losing. May Pesach. Although rice is not one internal connection. We are all intuitive than his. definition of finding something it always be that way. But he of the five grains, it was often telling the same story. G-d took When I first heard this idea, is knowing where it is, but for needs to maintain perspective grown together with wheat, us out of Egypt to make us one it suddenly all made sense. that you have to know where and disentangle his faith from and the two could become nation, united by the Torah, There is indeed a balance it isn’t. As the Baal Shem Tov his fanhood. Sport is recreation, intermingled. Also, rice can our common history and our between men and women. Men taught, G-d is all and all is G-d. diversion, relaxation, be ground into flour and then common goal. Some eat rice, have stronger bodies, women There is nowhere that he isn’t. entertainment. If it is bringing confused with wheat flour. For some don’t, and it matters not. have stronger souls. So we never see Him, because such angst and frustration, it is these reasons rice was not eaten We are one family, the children Of course there are we are always looking right at not serving its purpose. Sport is on Pesach by European Jews. of Israel. exceptions. Some women could Him. about playing, not praying. The Jews of the Orient beat any guy in an arm wrestle. This leads to an interesting I don’t know if you will however did not take on this And some men are more conclusion. It’s not that you succeed in convincing him to custom. Perhaps the conditions Is Judaism Patronis- spiritually attuned than the can’t see G-d. You actually watch less sport. But maybe of growing and storing those women around them. But for can’t miss Him. It just depends ing to Women? he can become less invested in products in their lands did not the most part, men have bigger how you are looking. Put down it. His emotional and spiritual warrant this extra precaution. muscles, women have deeper your telescope and look at your energies should be saved for This means that the Seder I have often heard it said feelings. life. You’ll see He’s been right his real team, the team that menu of a Jewish family from that Judaism believes that The Torah gives men more there all along. truly needs him - his family, his Morocco or Yemen will vastly women are more spiritual physical mitzvos, to tame the community, his people and his differ from the fare served at a than men. This is supposed body and give the soul extra G-d. table of German or Hungarian to explain why men have power. Women don’t need this Are Rabbis Too Eth- Jews. The former will eat rice, more religious obligations help. Because although men peas, beans and corn, the latter than women - men need these can jump higher in the air, nocentric? will not. things to become closer to women can reach higher into The Atheist But that’s just the menu. If G-d, women are there already. the heavens. Telescope you look at every other aspect But do we really believe that? of the Seder, they are almost Is it not just a patronising Dave Asks: identical from one community way to avoid the question of The problem with rabbis A Sports Fan’s Crisis How can a rational to another. To illustrate this, the different gender roles in like you is your narrow view thinking person believe in imagine the following mind Judaism? of Faith of the world. You always G-d, when there is absolutely experiment: talk about the Jewish future, no evidence for his existence? Take a 9th century Persian Answer: Jewish continuity, Jews Today we have x-ray, Jew, and transport him through I remember as a child I wanted to ask you for marrying Jews, having radar, satellites, infrared time and space to 19th century being told that men and women your opinion on the topic of Jewish children. What about photography, ultrasound Poland. After traversing the are equal. I had a big problem sport and G-d. My husband is the rest of humanity? Why imaging, gamma-ray globe and jumping a thousand with this. I asked, “If men and quickly losing his faith in G-d do we have to always divide telescopes and CCTV, and years forward, he arrives in a woman are equal, why do men due to his team not winning. between people? Can’t we Page 12• World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2015

Four Ways to use Your Head Continued from page 1 instructions-- any cure the doctor pre- scribes will be of limited effectiveness...” ______The tefillin are a pair of leather boxes, one worn on the arm op- posite the heart, and the second worn on the head above the hair- speak of humans rather than have more to give. line aligned with the space between the eyes. Inside the boxes Jews? This is not to put down are parchment scrolls inscribed with four Torah sections (Exo- any other nation and their Death Penalty To- dus 13:1-10; Exodus 13:11-16;Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Deuterono- Rebbe answers: achievements. Just as the day? You have a good point. attempt to save the hairy-nosed my 11:13-21) containing the fundamentals of the Jewish faith. Maybe I should broaden my wombat is not insulting to any The arm and the head are the two basic instruments of life: ac- perspective and be concerned other animal, so too the desire I would love to embrace tion and knowledge. The tefillin represent the “binding” and about more global issues to continue the Jewish legacy Judaism again, but there is dedication of these instruments of life to serve G-d. and not so pre-occupied with of four thousand years in no something I can’t get over. Numerous laws govern the making of the tefillin and the manner Jewish particularism. So if you way belittles the gifts of other I was observant as a child, in which they are worn. The Chassidic masters teach that each don’t mind, I would like to hear people. keeping Shabbos and kosher Torah law has both a body and a soul -- a practical instruction your point of view on one such My work is to try to keep and all the laws. But then and an inner significance. So the laws oftefillin can be under- issue: The hairy-nosed wombat. Jewish souls Jewish, because I once, when I was a teenager, a stood on two levels: as a set of instructions on how to make and I have been approached by believe Judaism is an idea that neighbour offered me a meat wear tefillin; and as a thesis on the nature of mind and deed, their an organisation that is dedicated is yet to have its time, and you sandwich. It wasn’t kosher, to saving endangered species. can’t have Judaism without and I knew it. But I was relationship to each other and the manner in which they serve They are campaigning to save Jews. So I will continue to try hungry. In a weak moment, I our mission in life. the hairy-nosed wombat of to preserve Jews, whether or ate the sandwich. And then.... One of the laws of tefillin concerns the order in which they are northern Queensland, which is not they are hairy-nosed. nothing happened. I was not put on and removed: first we bind the tefillin on the arm, then we on the verge of extinction. They struck down by lightning, I place the tefillin on the head. In removing the tefillin, the order say if we don’t do something didn’t get sick or collapse, is reversed: first the head-tefillin are removed, and then the arm- soon the wombats will be gone the sky didn’t fall. I realised forever. Why Stones on a tefillin. This law is derived from the verse, “and they shall be as that these laws actually tefillin between your eyes.”1 Emphasizing the plural form of the Do you think this is a good Grave? mean nothing. So I stopped word vehayu--”and they shall be”--the Talmud understands the cause? I could write about keeping Shabbos, and from it in my weekly article but there it was a matter of time verse to imply, “at any time that there is tefillin between your am not sure if it is worthy of I am going to visit my before I lost any guilt and eyes, there shall be both.”2 promotion. This is not a Jewish grandmother’s grave, and dropped religion entirely. In other words, there may be times and situations in which issue. Should it really bother was planning to buy a bunch That was twenty years ago. you’re wearing only the arm-tefillin--i.e., before you put on the me if there are no more hairy- of her favourite flowers. But Doesn’t my experience prove head-tefillin or after you removed it --but never a time or situa- nosed wombats? I have noticed that Jewish that the Torah isn’t true? tion in which the head-tefillin are being worn without the arm- Dave replies: graves don’t have bouquets, Now you’re talking. I tefillin. only stones laid on them. Is Answer: What does this tell us about the “head” and the “arm”? Many would love to see a rabbi there anything wrong with On the contrary, your promote conservation and eco- placing flowers on a grave? experience proves just how true things, but let us note four basic truths about the interplay be- awareness. And by the way, it the Torah is. The consequence tween mind and action: is a Jewish issue! If the hairy- Answer: for breaking the Torah’s rules 1) We need both. We cannot say, “I trust G-d. I’ll follow His nosed wombat is lost, we all The custom to place a stone is not the sky falling or being commands. I don’t need to understand.” Nor can we say, “The lose. Every species is an integral on a grave is an ancient one. By struck down by lightning. important thing is to understand what G-d is telling us with all part of the whole ecosystem. I doing so we are symbolically The consequence of sin is would much rather you wrote these commandments about Himself, about life in general. Ac- adding to the gravestone, indifference. When you do bad about something like that than tually doing them--well, if it does something for you, fine, but building up the monument that and feel nothing, that is the the usual myopic Jewish stuff... that’s not what it’s about.” Our relationship with G-d should en- honours the departed. Placing greatest punishment there can Rebbe responds: compass our entire being--mind as well as deed, action as well flowers on a grave is not the be. I have no doubt that the as thought. That’s why there are two tefillin--one for the arm and Jewish custom. What happened to you is hairy-nosed wombat makes an Flowers wither and die. exactly what the Talmud says: one for the head. important contribution to the “One sin leads to another.” 2) Doing comes first. The basis and foundation of our lives are world - otherwise G-d would Stones remain unchanged. While flowers are a beautiful When you do something the mitzvot--the divine commandments. Saying, “I won’t do it not have created it. But I wrong, a layer of ice forms gift to the living, they mean until I fully understand” is like refusing to take the medicine the happen to think that the Jewish over your soul. You become nothing to the dead. In death, people are at least as worthy of less spiritually sensitive, less doctor has prescribed until you understand exactly how antibi- preservation as the hairy-nosed the body which is ephemeral in touch with G-d, you become otics are made and how they neutralize bacteria, or refusing to wombat. and temporary is gone, but the cold and apathetic. The feeling breathe until you’ve studied how the lungs function and why While the contribution eternal soul remains. The body, of indifference just makes the your body requires oxygen... That’s why the arm-tefillin are put like a flower, blossoms and then wombats make to the world next transgression easier, which on first, before the head-tefillin. may not be obvious, the Jewish fades away, but the soul, like a leads to a cycle of spiritual solid stone, lives on forever. 3) Commitment and deed transcend understanding. Even after contribution is. From Moses degeneration and disconnect. we’ve studied and understood, to the full extent that we are able, to Maimonides to Marx, from In the world of truth, the This is the deeper meaning there will still be times and situations when we don’t fully un- Philo to Freud to Forbes, place we all go after life on of the biblical death penalty for Jews as individuals and as a earth, what counts is the lasting sins. The death is an internal derstand and need to simply obey and trust the wisdom of our community have given much to impact we had on the world. It one, your soul loses its life Creator. We need to be able to say to ourselves, “This is what I the world, and I don’t think we is our spiritual achievements, force, your spirit is cut off, your understand, and it has made my doing that much more mean- have run out of ideas. I think we not material gains, that remain heart goes stone cold. When ingful. But there’s more to life than what I can understand. If I beyond the grave. The money you eat non-kosher or break stop here, I’m cutting myself out from the infinite truth that lies Shabbos, something changes we make, the holidays we go beyond the humanly knowable truth.” This is implied by the law inside you. The fact you feel on, the food we eat and the that the head-tefillin are removed first, indicating that will be games we play, these are all nothing is the proof of how times when the arm-tefillin remain on their own after the head- flowers that mean nothing when deep it is. Your soul is numb. we die. But the good deeds we But your soul can always tefillin have been applied. do, the love we show to others, be revived. For the Talmud 4) There cannot by knowledge without action. This is expressed the light we bring to the world, teaches, just as one sin leads to by the axiom, “At any time that there is tefillin between your another, so one mitzvah leads these are eternal stones of eyes, there shall be both.” While it may be the case that we are to another. If one sandwich can enwrapped in the arm-tefillin without the head-tefillin (either enduring worth. freeze your spirit, one good If you want to honour deed can bring your soul back because we haven’t yet attained full understanding, or because your grandmother, take the to life, by melting the ice of we’ve advanced beyond it) the reverse is never the case. In money you would have spent indifference and allowing you other words, there’s no such thing as “theoretical knowledge.” on flowers for her and give it to feel again. The first step is Thought that is uncoupled from action understands nothing at to charity in her memory. And hard, but the next one is easier. all. take a modest stone that cost You have proven the Knowledge adds depth to our doing. Doing is what makes our you nothing, and place it on her numbing power of breaking grave, to tell her that though she the Torah’s rules. Now prove knowledge know. is gone, the impact she had on the reviving power of keeping you is everlasting. them, and do just one mitzvah. World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2015 • Page 13 Shiurim & ClaSSeS at 770 Chabad Gate

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7:45 am Rabbi YaRmush 8:00 am ChassidiC ThoughT Rabbi gansbuRg 10:00 am paRshaT hashavua Rabbi sChoCheT 10:00 am 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

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9:00 am Chassidus Rabbi gansbuRg 1 hR befoRe minCha piRkei avoT Rabbi gansbuRg 1 hR befoRe minCha piRkei avoT Rabbi sChoCheT 1 hR befoRe minCha halaCha Rabbi spalTeR daily classes sun-Thu 9:00 pm Rambam alTeRnaTing mon-fRi 5:30 am ChassidiC ThoughT Rabbi YaRmush mon-fRi 7:00 am ChassidiC ThoughT Rabbi gansbuRg Page 14• World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2015

and a little menorah inside.” He rael. I went to Israel and fell in It was a beautiful summer From Kuwaiti Arab to nudged me with his shoulder and love with the land and the people day in Nes Harim, at the out- said, “All it takes is for another I had been told were “animals” skirts of Jerusalem, overlook- Jew to bump into him to light it and “killers.” I found a genuine ing the Judean hills. Our guests Israeli Jew up.” family of Jews from all around included close friends from Is- Continued from page 16 “Good Shabbos.” When I got home, I waited the world. Jews of all colors and rael, Canada, the United States, My father’s parents died before I I asked him, “What are you until after sunset to turn my nationalities, Jews who were Finland, Sweden and the United was born.” reading?” computer on, like I was advised, creative, innovative, accepting Arab Emirates. My Yeshivah Dr. Block said gently, “If He replied, “I like to learn and I started searching until I and loving . . . just like the first rabbis, classmates and business that’s the case, then by Muslim on Shabbos.” found “The Book of Esther.” I Jew I encountered at UWO. associates also attended. Rabbi law you’re Muslim, and by Jew- “Aren’t you done studying devoured the story until the end, After three years of learn- Israel Weisel officiated. ing Jewish law and philosophy, ish law you’re a Jew. A Jew can by now?” I asked, thinking to sighing with relief that Gd had My bride Linda and I came convert 10 times and he’ll still saved the Jews from the plot of I was invited for an interview myself that he must be retired at from different sides of the be a Jew, and by Jewish law reli- those who wanted their destruc- with the Beit Din of Rav Nissim this age. planet, both geographically and gion is transferred by the mother, tion. I felt a sense of ownership Karelitz. I was tested thoroughly He answered, “Even if I culturally. Linda grew up the which makes your mother Jew- would live another lifetime, I of my newfound Jewish identity, on various topics of law, and I daughter of a Lutheran priest in ish, and makes you a Jew. “ wouldn’t be done learning.” and decided I wanted to experi- passed flawlessly. I was official- Finland, and I a secular Muslim I was completely dumb- That sentence didn’t register un- ence Shabbat some more. I spoke ly accepted as a member of the in Kuwait, but after our individ- founded. Memories flooded into til much later in life. with my employer, and I started Jewish people. My dream finally my mind—my grandmother, the ual journeys to Judaism, this was The congregation was a mix observing Shabbat regularly. came true—I could marry and “evil Jews,” mosque sermons, of all ages, and everyone was A few months later, I moved have Jewish children, as Jewish more than we could both have Israeli TV . . . responding to the rabbi enthusi- to Toronto for further university as everyone else. dreamed of. I ran home and told my astically. I was handed a prayer- studies. I started going to shul On August 6, 2014—the day Today, I live in Jerusalem roommate, who said, “So that book, and someone was calling there too, and I studied at the right after Tisha b’Av—I made with my wife, where we plan to makes you a ‘Mus-Jew.’” I was out the page numbers. Soon I Lubavitch Yeshivah every Tues- my way to a Second Temple-pe- raise a family and build a Jewish not amused. found myself reading a song that day to learn more about my new- riod mikvah by the home for generations to come, I went up to my room, I’d be reading every Shabbat found background. The more in preparation for my wedding continuing where my grand- called my mom, and told her from then on: I learned, the more I wanted to ceremony. mother left off. what happened. She told me to “Ve-shamru v’nei Yisrael et learn. I also taught myself He- stay away from Dr. Block. But I ha-Shabbat….“And the Children brew, and became more obser- called my grandmother, and we vant of Shabbat laws. Life start- The Bridge Spanning spoke for quite some time, and of Israel observed the Sabbath, to make the Sabbath for their ed to have more meaning for me, she told me about her family and and I felt comfortable telling my younger brother who died in the generations an eternal covenant. Between Me and the Children friends and family I was a Jew. the Infinite Abyss early days of the establishment Initially, my family was tol- of Israel. I finally mustered the of Israel it is a sign forever, that in six days did G-d make the erant of my Jewish involvement, Continued from page 2 being to rise and attach himself courage to ask her, “Tata, are viewing it as a passing phase. you Jewish?” I never heard my heaven and the earth, and on the to G-dliness. seventh day He rested and was Then my mother started to be- Temptation is sweet at the Of course, this quality grandmother as distressed in all come more religious as a Mus- my life. She cried and told me refreshed.” beginning, but bitter at the end. can be attained only if the lim. I learned that she had started more stories about her family I didn’t understand Hebrew, But human nature is such that person observes the Torah and to cover her hair after my aunt and how Jews and Arabs used to but between my Arabic and the an individual may disregard the mitzvoth, not because of the died in a car accident. As she be- be friends. English translation, I could un- bitter consequences because of reward that goes with it for the came more observant, she start- I decided not to pursue the derstand the words. “Between the initial gratification. body, or for the soul, or for both, ed attacking me with the same idea that I was a Jew, as I was Me and the Children of Israel it We see, for example, that but purely because they are the words and phrases Muslims use finishing university and this is a sign forever.” It was true. By children, and very often adults will and command of the Holy against Jews. My mother’s ex- wasn’t a topic worth upsetting then, my tears were streaming also, may be warned that One, blessed be He. It is also treme religious level clashed my family over. I did speak on down. overindulgence in certain foods for this reason that the text of I met a few people over Kid- with my father’s anti-religious will be harmful to them and the brachah [blessing] which a the phone once with Dr. Block beliefs, and they eventually di- and met with his son-in-law, dush, including an African Fala- make them sick later on, so that Jew makes before fulfilling a sha gentleman and an Egyptian vorced. for a period of time they might mitzvah does not mention the Chabad Rabbi Lazer Gurkow, I didn’t fare well with my fa- who was a rabbi of a congrega- couple who, when they learned not be able to eat anything at utility of the mitzvah, but rather of my birthplace, asked me in ther, either. Once, while we were all; yet, they may nevertheless the fact that “He has sanctified tion close by. He recommended discussing how terrorism and books to read and mentioned his Arabic, “Do you speak Arabic?” reject all restraints to gratify us with his commandments and I felt like saying, “Shush, the crime was becoming out of con- their immediate appetite or commands us.” synagogue. trol in the Middle East, I asked, One evening, while roller- Jews are here!” passion. In a like manner, G-d Finally, I would like to say After the Kiddush, Dr. Block “Why is the life of an Israeli has given us the “yoke” of that the fact that you have had blading on the street, I suddenly soldier fighting for his people invited me to his home for lunch. Torah and mitzvoth, telling us some doubts and uncertainties fell to the ground, although the worth less than that of a terrorist I wasn’t used to accepting too that whether one understands should not discourage you at street was smooth and there was civilian aiming to kill and maim much from people, so I politely them or not, or whatever the all. Indeed, the Torah desires no visible cause for the fall. I others because he was told to do declined, but he said, “We’re temptation may be, one must a person to utilize all his immediately felt that it was a so by a fanatic?” My dad him- “push” from up above. My right having several guests, and one carry out G-d’s commandments capacities, including his mind more won’t be a bother. My wife self had taught me that fanatics wrist was sprained and ban- unquestioningly. and intelligence, in the service makes delicious chicken.” brainwash children into becom- daged, and I couldn’t go to work Limitless Blessings of G-d, as long as the approach I gave him a big smile and ing suicide bombers, but when for some time. There is a further point, and is right, namely, the acceptance told him it would be my plea- the topic involved Jews, the of the Torah and mitzvoth That Saturday morning, I narrative suddenly changed. He this is the most essential aspect sure. first. It is quite natural and remembered that Jews went to called me a Zionist and threat- of the concept of the yoke of At Dr. Block’s home, there even desirable that one should synagogue on Saturdays. I con- ened to remove me from his will. the Torah and mitzvoth. It is were around 10 people at that understand everything that is templated going to Dr. Block’s One day, a rabbi told me that although, as mentioned table, a mix of students and pro- within one’s mental grasp. In synagogue to check it out, but that since I didn’t have physi- before, the Torah and mitzvoth fessionals. The conversation was your case this is of additional I was hesitant, thinking, “I look cal proof of my Jewish claims, have been given for the benefit lively, and people were encour- significance, because you have so Middle Eastern; I’ll probably and my family had been outside of man, both in this life and in aged to ask challenging ques- an opportunity to influence and scare people off.” I decided to go of Jewish life for a few genera- eternal life, there is an infinitely tions. Later, we read parts of a benefit other young people who anyway. I looked up the address tions, I’d have to convert. I had a greater quality with which G-d story about a queen named Es- have the same bent of mind as and called a cab, not knowing it difficult time wrapping my head has endowed the Torah and ther and how she strived to save you. would be the last time I would around the idea of conversion. mitzvoth. This is the quality her people from an evil man who Much more can be said ride in a cab on Shabbat. My family didn’t want to speak of uniting man with G-d, the wanted to destroy the Jews. It re- in connection with such a When I arrived at the shul, with me, I had shed the skin I’d created with the Creator, who minded me of the systematic an- profound subject, but I trust I thought, I’ll just go in, how worn for the past 26 years of my would otherwise have nothing ti-Jewish indoctrination I grew that the above lines, though bad could it be? If worst comes life to become a completely dif- in common. For, by giving man up with. We didn’t finish the limited in quantity, have to worst, I won’t come back ferent person—and now I had to a set of mitzvoth to carry out story of Esther, and I wondered sufficient content to illuminate again. I opened the door, and convert? I reminded myself that in his daily life, G-d has made the true aspects of the matter. there stood an Indian gentleman, whether the Jews were saved in deep inside, the main reason I it possible for man thereby to Besides, should you wish to who handed me a kipah and the end. wanted to be Jewish was to mar- attach himself to his Creator, discuss these matters further, greeted me with “Shabbat Sha- Dr. Block was a great host. ry a Jewish girl and continue the and transcend the limitations you surely have friends among lom.” Cool, I thought. I looked He walked me to the door and family line. of a limited being, living in a anash [community members] around for Dr. Block, and found thanked me for coming over. I I decided to take the plunge limited world. The Torah and who will be glad to enlighten him standing all the way in the told him it felt like I’d done this and went to the Beit Din in To- mitzvoth constitute the bridge you. back, with a book in his hands. before—it was weird. He said, ronto. We started the process, spanning the infinite abyss With blessing, He greeted me with the same re- “It’s not hard to believe. Every and later I was advised to spend separating the Creator from the [Signature] assuring, warm smile and said, Jew is born with a little Torah some time at a Yeshivah in Is- created, enabling the human World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2015 • Page 15

is a member of the Ontario College standards. For more information of Social Workers, the Ontario or to arrange an appointment he and American Associations for can be reached at 905.771.1087 or Marriage and Family Therapy, and email [email protected]. For more the National Board for Certified information visit his web at www. Clinical Hypnotherapists. These AbeKass.com and subscribe to a free memberships are a guarantee of Abe’s self-help and relationship-help email professional training and high ethical newsletter The Science of Is Golf the Path to Utopia Marriage Continued from page 2 a better world to those who will come after me, edging ever By Family Therapist Abe of continually engaging are similar, this becomes a set of But if the world is heading closer to the times of Moshiach. Kass, M.A., R.S.W., R.M.F.T. in positive and pleasant shared values that contribute to toward a purpose for which it We are not just propelled by Marital researchers can communication, while trying to a healthy and cohesive family. was created, if human history our past, we are beckoned by our predict with an 80-85% accuracy minimize negative interactions. YOUR TAKE-AWAY is a long journey with a clear future. Believing in a messianic which couples will have serious The challenge is to produce Even though formal and wonderful destination, then future, a world of peace and relationship problems based the greatest number of positive training in these personal and my today matters. My efforts spiritual clarity, inspires me to on self-reporting information verbal interactions with the relationship dynamics are not today can bring the world a about themselves and their fewest negative interactions. readily available, you and make today a step further in the partner. These experts identify CONFLICT RESOLUTION little closer to its purpose. My journey. Waiting for Moshiach five personal and relationship The goal in marriage lifetime builds on the lifetimes makes the world better now. It dynamics that measure the is to live together in peace that came before me, and gives may even improve my score. likelihood of relationship and harmony. However, for success or failure. They are: many couples, marriage will 1. Realistic expectations at times include occasional 2. Communication disagreements or conflicts. 3. Conflict resolution When this happens it is essential 4. Personality to keep the conflict small and 5. Religious orientation contained. Couples that fight or drift Successful conflict apart score low on these scales. resolution requires three Happily married couples score primary criteria. 1) Stay high. respectful: No name calling, REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS expressions of strong anger, The recital of Kaddish is the bond which When “expectations” are bullying, or attempts to your partner can work toward unites the generations from the immemorial unrealistic (either too high unto eternity. It is the way we show our time- humiliate. 2) Stick to one achieving a high score. The less devotion to our parents and loved ones. In or too low)—frustration and topic: Stay focused exclusively more you achieve, the closer the event you cannot personally observe this disappointment is imminent. on the issue at hand. Resist and more comfortable you hallowed expression of love for the duration When expectations are balanced dragging into the conversation will feel with each other and of eleven months, alternate arrangements can and realistic, it is relatively easy other areas of disagreement the greater the likelihood be made through the Chabad Lubavitch Orga- to feel content. or disappointment. 3) Keep your relationship will last the nization. You may also consider placing bronze It is essential to marital it small: The disagreement distance. name plates of your departed ones on our Me- contentment that expectations should only last a few minutes Take a few moments morial Board which will insure The Observance of Yahrtzeit in perpetuity. are aligned with one’s partner’s and then be quickly set aside and review these five scales. aptitude. “He may never be the and efforts should be made to Together with your partner, For further information call 905.731.7000 best communicator, but it is restore positive feelings and generate a list of suggestions ok.” constructive interactions. that when implemented will “She may never be well PERSONALITY give you the loving relationship organized and tidy, but I can It is important that you are you seek. Unlike what many live with it.” comfortable with your partner’s believe, relationship harmony Adjusting one’s personality. He or she doesn’t is not “chemistry,”—rather its “expectations” to the reality have to be exactly as you—in hard work leading to concrete of one’s partner contributes fact if this were so, it would relationship skills . . . so roll up directly to relationship probably work against you. your sleeves and get started! harmony. Remember, during courtship In Perke Avos (Jewish As well, all successful there was attraction. You chose ethical classic) the question couples and families to marry each other! Even after is asked: “Which is the right must adapt to changing many years of marriage, that path a person should choose?” circumstances. Be they attraction it is still there—at Answer: “That which is changes that are predictable— least in potential. honorable and brings honor like the birth of children or True—years of from others . . .” Thus, the advancing age—or changes misunderstanding and conflict “honorable path” is a path that that are unanticipated—such can create deep resentment. is good for both individuals. as unemployment or serious This accumulated negative A high score in these five illness. All these “challenges” emotion can actually change scales are all honorable meeting require an adjustment of one’s your perception of your partner, places where partners can create expectations. leaving you unable to accurately relationship happiness. COMMUNICATION see who he or she really is. For Research shows that Satisfying conversations this reason, as much as possible, couples that score high in between a husband and wife conflict should be avoided, or at these five areas, although builds closeness and trust. least you should try to look past not necessarily perfect in Research has shown that it when it does occur and seek every way, share happy and there needs to be at least 5 out the parts of your partner’s meaningful lives. positive interactions to each personality that you like. === negative one for there to be RELIGIOUS ORIENTATION Rabbi Avrohom (Abe) Kass, feelings of closeness. Even one Dissimilar spiritual and M.A., R.S.W., R.M.F.T., a is a registered Social Worker, registered criticism, or angry outburst, cultural differences can stress Marriage and Family Therapist, can undo the value of many relationships. Religious certified Hypnotherapist and positive interactions. (The orientation includes a set of award winning educator. He has mind remembers negative rules that guides the couple in a clinical practice working with individuals, couples, and families interactions longer than setting goals, making decisions, in Toronto, Canada. Rabbi Kass is positive ones!) Understanding and raising children. When the publisher of Wisdom Scientific this highlights the importance religious orientation and culture self-help educational programs. He Page 16• World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2015

prayers, because on the news, I He looked up with a smile He introduced himself to me had seen Jews praying by “Ha’it and answered “No, but I like to as Dr. Yitzchok Block, a pro- al Mabka”—the Wailing Wall in dress this way.” fessor of philosophy from Har- Arabic. I wondered to myself, Are vard who taught at UWO. He Anti-Semitism was com- Jewish people supposed to be was also the Chabad Shaliach monplace in Kuwait. I remem- funny? I introduced myself and at UWO He invited me to sit ber a show that the Palestinian told him that I wanted to do down, and cut me a piece of his boy scouts would put on, which something to advance peace in apple. He asked me, “Which side ended with the burning of the Is- the Middle East. I added that I of the family is that grandmother raeli flag. One year, I took part didn’t believe in religion and from?” in one of the shows. In a twisted didn’t completely hate Jews be- I replied, “My mother’s side. From Kuwaiti Arab way, the organizers wanted to cause my grandmother was Jew- show their success in creating a ish. Continued on page 14 generation of defenders of the to Israeli Jew “cause,” which helped them raise millions in donations from 1940... By Mark Halawa of every Muslim who loved his sympathizers. Rabbi Joseph Isaac Schneerson, o.b.m., came to It seems like it was only yes- religion. My father was a strong America, to bring the light of Torah and warmth of terday that I was a young teen- I’ll never forget how the supporter of the PLO himself. Mitzvas to a spiritual wasteland. ager wearing a dish-dasha (white Imam described Joseph’s broth- Since the 1960s, a portion of robe) in Kuwait, and now I wear ers as “evil Jewish brothers of his monthly salary was deduct- Then $54.00 was considered a kipah and live in Jerusalem. the prophet of Islam, who threw ed and sent to the organization a worthy donation. Jerusalem is where my him down the well and then sold founded by Yasser Arafat (also His son-in-law Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson grandparents on my mother’s him into slavery.” The imam an engineer working in Kuwait became the seventh leader of Chabad and side met. My Jewish grand- then said, “You see how Jews at the time), which promised to 1950.. encouraged his disciples to serve as Torah mother met my Palestinian Mus- treat their own brothers!” That finance armed groups to liberate ambassadors throughout the world. During lim grandfather when they were story angered me. Then, accord- Palestine one day. Arafat raised ..1994 those 44 years, more than 1500 Lubavitch both in their late teens. She later ing to custom, the imam finished money from wealthy Palestin- Centres were established throughout the converted to Islam, got married his sermon with a stream of sup- ians working in Kuwait, as well world, serviced by some five thousand to my grandfather, and lived in plications calling for the destruc- as from Kuwaitis and the Ku- Shluchim (Emissaries) who have dedicated Shechem for many years. Fol- tion of the Jewish people, while waiti government. Later, he’d their lives to help enhance the quality lowing the 1970 Black Septem- the crowd responded to each turn against the same govern- of Jewish life. ber uprising, my grandfather— supplication with a thunderous ment that helped him become a Then too $54.00 was considered who was a high-ranking officer “Amen!” Even then, as a ten- political force, by aligning with in Jordan’s Arab Legion—was year-old, this was quite chilling. Saddam Hussein against Ku- a worthy donation. cashiered when King Hussein After an eventful prayer ses- wait. My father said that with Today, the Shluchim, Chassidim and purged his army of Palestinians. sion, we’d walk back together the hundreds of millions of dol- supporters of Chabad Lubavitch are The family relocated to Kuwait, to my grandparents’ home to lars Arafat raised, he could’ve 2015... indebted to the Rebbe for his uncon- where oil profits were fueling have lunch with everyone. The created five-star services and ditional love towards every Jew, his huge business and construction smells of my grandmother’s de- infrastructure in the West Bank, monumental endeavours on behalf projects. In Kuwait, my mother licious food took my mind off but he decided to appropriate the Indeed of Klal Yisroel and for having had met my father and got married. of the horrible stories I heard at money instead. the opportunity to share in the My father was born in Bei- mosque. But as we ate, I’d think In the summer of 1990, when 3 Times fulfillment of his vision. We san (Beit She’an in Hebrew), to myself, How could my sweet I was 12 years old, our lives pledge to rededicate ourselves Israel, and owned a successful grandmother have belonged to changed completely. We were Chai Can to his teachings and continue construction company in Kuwait an evil Jewish cult built on kill- on vacation when Iraqi dictator his sacred work with renewed that built some of Kuwait’s pop- ing of innocent people? Is that Saddam Hussein invaded and Make a enthusiasm and vitality. May ular landmarks (which I proudly why she left? And was she a de- annexed Kuwait. My father’s we soon witness the rewards of these efforts with the im- show off to my friends over scendant of pigs and monkeys? business—along with much of Difference! minent arrival of Mashiach. Google Earth today). My father Or perhaps the imam was exag- the country—was ravaged. Our Please make your cheque attended university in Egypt and gerating? After all, my father savings became worthless pieces payable to: Today too $54.00 was a staunch follower of the told me that religious people of paper. We could not return to CHABAD LUBAVITCH is considered a Nasser school of thought, Pan were crazy: “Never trust people Kuwait, so we immigrated to and send to: Arabism—the unification of the with beards! Canada. My father managed to 770 Chabad Gate worthy donation. Arab World. I was brought up to “When my parents went sneak back into Kuwait for a few Thornhill, Ont. L4J 3V9 believe that Israel was the only on vacation, they usually left days to retrieve important busi- You may wish to call 905-731-7000 obstacle to Arab unity, a satel- and contribute via your Visa card Baked lite presence planted by Western Hand lb. colonial powers to keep the Arab Should you wish to sell er your Chometz for the world divided. Therefore, Israel Round, 00 p duration of Pesach, $23. had to be destroyed. please complete the form Matzoh at Shmurah Our family was as secular below & mail it at once to: ble Lubavitch CHABAD LUBAVITCH vaila as a family can be in Arabia. A Chabad 770 Chabad Gate, at My father was more of a deist Thornhill, Ontario L4J 3V9 than an atheist—he believed in so that it reaches us no later Community Centre a creator, but strongly rejected than Wednesday, April 1, 2015. all religions, especially Islam. My mother wasn’t into religion Certificate Authorizing the Sale of Chometz either at the time, as her priori- ties were our home and social Delegation of Power of Attorney events. At home we were loosely This is to certify that I, the undersigned, fully empower and permit any of traditional; we partially ob- the Rabbi’s under the administration of Chabad Lubavitch of Ontario, to act in my place and stead and on my behalf to sell all Chometz possessed by served Ramadan (not the fasting me (knowingly or unknowingly) as defined by the Torah and Rabbinic Law, part) and celebrated the two Eid including chometz, doubt of chometz and all forms of chometz mixture. In holidays by hosting feasts and addition, chometz that tends to harden and adhere to the inside surface of pans, pots or any usable cooking utensil are to be considered as above. I visiting friends, family and busi- ness documents that would later hereby delegate authorization to lease all places wherein the chometz may ness partners. us with our grandparents. As be useful in recovering compen- be found by me, especially in the premises located at: The only religious influence kids will do, I snooped around sation from a United Nations around was my grandfather. Out in my grandparents’ room, and ______and elsewhere. fund. The said Rabbi has the full right to sell and lease by transaction, as he of love for him, I accompanied once found my grandmother’s But life in the new world deems fit and proper and for such time which he believes necessary in him to mosque several times. birth certificate, along with old didn’t suit my family well, and accordance with all detailed terms and detailed forms as explained in the I never really learned how to pictures. The last name on the general authorization contract which the said Rabbi will use to detail the they returned to the Middle East, sale of Chometz. pray; I’d stand, kneel and bow birth certificate was Mizrahi. It while I stayed in Canada to at- This General authorization is made a part of this agreement. Also do I in sync with everyone else, then struck me as an odd name that I tend university. hereby give the said Rabbi full power and authority to appoint a substitute sit on the ground and listen to had never heard of. The header During my final year at the in his stead with full power to sell and to lease as provided herein. The the sermon. The “sermon” of- on the document was in Arabic, above given power is in conformity with all Torah, Rabbinical regulations University of Western Ontario, and laws and also in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario ten consisted of the imam’s Hebrew and English. I didn’t while I was studying at the Wel- and the Confederation of Canada. nonstop screaming and shout- know what Hebrew looked like, don Library, I went down to use And to this I hereby affix my signature on this ______day ing about the evils of the Jews. but I recognized the letters I the pay phone and found a man of______in the year 2015. The imam would tell many sto- had seen in the small book my sitting at a small table cutting up ries of the horrible things Jews grandmother would sometimes a green apple. From his dress, he Name______Signature ______did to Prophet Mohammad, and read from when she sat alone in looked Jewish, so I went up to explain how Allah doomed them the guest room, tears trickling him and asked him straightfor- Address______to the level of animals, and that down her face. I suspected my wardly, “Hi, are you a Jew?” BEST WISHES FOR A KOSHER & ENJOYABLE PESACH fighting the Jews was the duty grandmother was reciting Jewish