ad”sb Our th 19 A Jewish Year Reaching Educational Issue No. 236 Publication Teves, 5769 for the Incarcerated January, 2009 Out THE REBBE Yechi Adoneinu Moreinu V’Rabeinu Melech Hamoshiach L’olam Vo’ed In the Valley of Tears tification, which he can then communicate Who’s Who. Moses is addressing the By Rabbi Yosef Y. Jacobson to the Jewish people. In response, G-d heart-wrenching question of questions, The Torah portion (Shemos) tells the presents a verb rather than a proper noun; one that will certainly be mouthed by the tragic tale of a people suffering for decades an activity rather than a description. Jews he is being sent to. under a cruel and brutal empire. Jewish A Strange Question “What is His name?” the Jewish slaves male newborns are cast into the Nile; To appreciate the response of G-d, we will cry to Moses. For more than 80 years, Jewish men are subjected to slave labor, must first understand Moses' question. we have been suffocating under the yoke beaten and tortured mercilessly. Jewish Moses tells G-d: “Behold, I will come to of brutal tyranny. Thousands upon thou- life has become valueless. the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The sands of our children have been slaugh- “A long time passed, and the Egyptian G-d of your fathers has sent me to you,’ tered so that the king Pharaoh can bathe king died,” states the Bible (Exodus 2:23). and they will say, ‘What is his name?’ - daily in Jewish blood; infants have been “The Jewish people groaned because of What shall I say to them?” robbed from the bosoms of their mothers their subjugation and they cried out.” The Maimonides, in his "Guide for the and cast in the river. Midrashic tradition explains this verse to Perplexed," raises a question. Why was We have been beaten, humiliated, tor- mean that the Egyptian leader became Moses convinced that the Jewish people tured, killed. The Egyptians turned our afflicted with leprosy, comparable to would want to know the name of the G-d lives into a hellish nightmare and reduced death, and his physicians said to him that who sent him on the mission to liberate our dignity to sub-humanness. Suddenly, his only cure was to slaughter Jewish chil- them from slavery? Apparently, by Moses the great and mighty G-d of heaven and dren - 150 in the morning and 150 in the demonstrating knowledge of G-d's name, earth, who creates and governs the entire evening - and bathe in their blood twice a he would somehow vindicate himself as a world, decides to feel our pain?! day. The pain of the Jewish people reached genuine prophet; he would authenticate “What is His name?” the slaves will an unbearable mass. his claim as the divine messenger to thunder. You, Moses, say that G-d has It was at this point that “their outcry redeem the Hebrews from Egypt. “seen the suffering of His people in went up to G-d; G-d heard their moaning.” But why? If they had heard of G-d's Egypt,” and has therefore sent you to In a remote location, in the Sinai wilder- name prior to Moses’ coming, it is easy to redeem us. But where was He until now? ness, G-d persuades Moses to leave his iso- assume that Moses learned the name from What is the name, the character of a G-d, lated and introverted life as a shepherd to the same source as they, and not necessar- who can sit in the heavens and remain enter the lion's den and liberate his broken ily from G-d. If they had never heard the apathetic as babies are torn from their people from bondage. name before, why would the new name mothers’ arms and cast into the Nile, and In a uniquely powerful monologue they learned from Moses persuade them to Pharaoh is bathing in the blood of Jewish between Moses and the Almighty, Moses trust him? children? Where was He for the 86 years says to G-d: “Behold, I will come to the Moreover, Moses prefaces his question we have been languishing under the slave children of Israel and say to them, ‘The by saying, “Behold, I will come to the chil- drivers' whips being beaten to death? Is G-d of your fathers has sent me to you,’ dren of Israel and say to them, ‘The G-d of this the G-d we ought to embrace and fol- and they will say, ‘What is his name?’ - your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they low? Is this the G-d we should trust? Is What shall I say to them?” will say, ‘What is his name?’” Moses will “I Will Be As I Will Be!,” replies G-d to be discussing with them the G-d of their fathers, a G-d they learned about from Moses. “Tell the children of Israel, ‘I Will In loving memory Be sent me to you.’” their fathers. Did their fathers never share G-d's Presence in Exile with them the name of this G-d? How did we mourn our This seems like a senseless reply. Moses their fathers speak about this G-d, or pray c o l l e a g u e s asks G-d for His name, and the response to Him without some sort of name and Rabbi Gavriel Noach is: “I will be as I will be!” What is the description? and his wife meaning behind these curious words? The Question of Questions R i v k a When Moses says, “Behold, I will come The great biblical commentator, Rashi, Holtzberg HY”D based on the Talmudic tradition, fills in to the children of Israel and say to them, the missing words: I will be [with you in ‘The G-d of your fathers has sent me to who gave their lives your present distress, just] as I will be. you,’ and they will say, ‘What is his name?’ in serving others But this, too, leaves us wanting. Moses - What shall I say to them?”, he is not asked G-d for a name, for a means of iden- searching for G-d’s I.D. tag or His title in Light Pushes Away Darkness

On the eve of Rosh Chodesh Kislev, Rabbi Gavriel Noach and before passing away from the world: “Yisroel, do not be afraid Rebbetzin Rivkah Holtzberg, HY”D (May G-d avenge their of any man or of anything, only be afraid of G-d. Love every blood), emissaries of the Lubavitcher Rebbe MHM of (Bombay) Jew with all the innermost of your heart and with the flame of Mumbai, India, were murdered Al Kiddush Hashem during an your soul, without exception, whoever he is and whatever may evil attack by terrorists. They dedicated their lives to servicing be.” the Jewish community of India, illuminating the community The Rebbe’s emissaries of today are privileged to be carriers with Torah and Mitzvoth and assuring that Jewish education, of the Baal Shem Tov’s torch. He carried it through the Judaic needs and Kosher food were available to the remote Carpathian hills and the fertile soil of the Ukraine. Our Rebbe, Jewish community. Their home was an embassy of hospitality MHM, has lifted us up with eagle’s wings to be emissaries in and warmth for the tens of thousands of Israelis backpackers every dark corner of the Planet Earth. As the Baal Shem Tov’s who travel through India, helping assure they maintain and torch was charged by those two dynamos of power, so is ours: advance their connection to their Jewish identity. Their home Fear nothing except G-d and love each Jew with all your heart. was a welcome oasis for Jewish travelers from around the As followers of the Rebbe, we know that we are very close to world seeking Kosher food, a Minyan and other amenities Redemption through the revelation of Moshiach. The Rebbe while traveling to India. Their leaving the comforts of promised that we are the last generation of exile and will be the Brooklyn, surrounded by family and a nurturing Jewish com- first of Redemption. munity, to serve in a remote outpost is the epitome of the self Gavriel & Rivkah Holtzberg gave away their life for good- sacrifice that the Rebbe instilled in his Chassidim. They, along ness and love. The time we now live in, is the final battle with their two year old son Moshe, had literally created an between darkness and light. Our light will shine forever; their island of hope and comfort – an Or L’goym – a light unto the darkness will vanish as though it never was. Each of our read- nations. ers has to partake and ready themselves for the moment We thank the hundreds upon hundreds of letters and emails Moshiach is revealed. Each of our readers should think about from our readers and friends with words of comfort. It is a specific mitzvah that you want to add into your daily routine. impossible to respond to everyone in a timely fashion, We ask each to also send us charity (tzedakah) which could be although we will eventually respond to all letters, here is a gen- in the form of stamps or checks made out to Reaching Out in eral response and we ask you to take the message to heart. memory of Gavriel and Rivkah. Tremendous evil demands a response of overwhelming We are brave soldiers for light. We look at the Holtzbergs good. Darkness can only be dispelled with light. Their sacrifice with such pride and admiration. They merited giving their was not for Mumbai, but for the entire Jewish people. May lives for our people, their souls are enshrined in the highest their memory be a blessing and inspiration to the entire world. places and as soon as Moshiach is revealed, they will again be Rabbi Eliezer, the father of Rabbi Yisroel Baal Shem Tov, reunited with their son Moshe and with all of us. founder of the Chassidic movement, about whom many may It is only light that can push away the darkness. The light of have read in this publication, said to his five year old son the Torah and Mitzvah. this a G-d we ought now be grateful you done evil to this people? Why have blood of a murdered child. You are cry- toward? A G-d who is indifferent to the you sent me? From the time I came to ing? I am weeping with you. You feel groans of mankind? Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he did crushed? I am crushed with you. No mat- What is the “name” of a G-d who evil to this people, but You did not rescue ter how deep your darkness, I am deeper watches good people suffer and does Your people!” still. I do not orchestrate human suffering nothing to prevent it? What type of G-d is What G-d does tell Moses to communi- from some distant planet, removed from this who can let evil flourish under His cate to the Jewish people is: “I Will Be As your existential distress. I am there with gaze? Should one, can one, believe in such I Will Be!” As we recall, the Talmudic you, suffering with you, sobbing with you, a G-d? sages and Rashi explain this to mean, “I praying for redemption together with you. The Response will be with you in your present distress, Man may never comprehend G-d’s Never in history did G-d answer this just as I will be with you in future exiles “mind.” But let him not think, G-d tells question, the greatest of all questions and and persecutions.” The message behind Moses, that G-d, who understands the the one good argument for atheism. The these words is this: purpose of the pain, gives Himself the lux- book of Job, dedicated to the question of I am a mystery, G-d confesses. I am ury of not feeling the intensity of the dark- why the innocent suffer, concludes with a strange, infinitely strange. My script of ness. Every tear we shed becomes His tear. revelation of G-d to Job, telling him, in history is unfathomable to the human He may not wipe them away, but He essence, that there is no way the human mind and heart. My silence seems so cruel makes them His. mind can create the logical constructs in and brutal. Yet you ought to know one And if G-d is present in the flame of suf- which G-d's behavior can fit. The finite thing: I am not a detached G-d, residing in fering, there must be more to the story. and the infinite just don't meet. the heavens and objectively governing the There must be meaning in the absurdness G-d does not give Moses the answer destiny of each human being the way I see of history, and dignity in the valley of either. That is why at the end of the Torah fit. I am present with you in your anguish. tears. portion, Moses confronts G-d, speaking to I am in the groan of a beaten slave, the (This essay is based on an address by the Him harsh words: “My Lord! Why have wail of a bereaved mother, the spilled Lubavitcher Rebbe, Shabbos Shemos 5743, Jan. 8, 1983. When the Rebbe gave this lower. And for him, the very soil upon chasm. I had run out of options. Time was address, he sobbed bitterly and almost which they stepped foot in ancient almost up as I desperately tried to hang uncontrollably. Those of us present during Jerusalem was holy. And what's more, the on. That is how it was when I confided my the Sabbath address will never forget the fact that the Jewish People had returned problems to Rabbi Mendel Rivkin in early Rebbe's excessive weeping while describing to the Land of Israel was a premonition of 2004. the question of the Jews and the response of the Ingathering of the Exiles that is to I am into my 18th year of a 40-year sen- G-d. It was moving beyond words). happen with the Coming of the Moshiach. tence. With good time, I’ll do about 35 Outbalance Evil with the And now, in addition to this, to think years which makes me almost halfway Goodness of Mitzvahs that, after 2000 years, the very Temple done. I was arrested in June of 1990, went Mount itself will be in the hands of Jewish to trial on a marijuana conspiracy and In Judaism there is a concept of doing sovereignty is but an act of G-d! spent the first of my 18 birthdays in Mitzvahs on behalf of those who have The joy of expectation that this reli- prison in April, 1991. passed. On the one hand, it honors the gious soldier expressed knew no bounds. In addition to my loss of freedom the deceased. On the other hand, it makes a And, as the young soldier explained to his authorities seized and forfeited my busi- better world for those left behind. parents, "Before his inspiration, I felt lack- nesses, cars, cash and other assets. Here is a story that illustrates this ing. I felt like I lacked something that he Fortunately, after the government’s cherry thought: The Israeli Six Day War had just had, for I too wanted to feel what he did." picking I retained a small remnant of ended. Soldiers had to maintain their "And then, as we were flushing out the rental business, the major assets seized positions for a few extra days, but then enemy armies from the Old City, my reli- with all the debt remaining. many were subsequently given "leave" to gious comrade took an unexpected hit My wife managed it well at first, and in visit their homes and families. from a sniper. Gone was his excitement, November, 2002, I took the business One such young soldier did just that. and gone was his opportunity to ever real- back. It was at this time that I learned I However, to his parents' surprise, he came ize Jewish sovereignty over ancient had only six occupied units out of 21 and home with a yarmulke on his head. They Jerusalem." they were all in horrible states of disre- wanted to know, "Why"? For after all, "It was then and there that I said, 'His pair. I also learned that several notes they were not a particularly religious fam- death will not be for naught. His faith will receivable had paid off early and the ily, "Why the sudden change?" be my faith. His yarmulke will be my yar- money was spent. My son, James, set out The young soldier was very battle mulke. His beard will be my beard. His to turn the business around. weary. He had spent days running on Judaism will be my Judaism..." Unfortunately, he was not equipped expe- adrenaline and all he wanted to do was go "...and with that I continued fighting rience or personality-wise for the task. to sleep. So he told his parents that he and eventually made it to kiss the Wailing By February, 2004, the situation was would tell them his reasons in the morn- Wall." critical. I was about to lose everything and ing. desperate to hold on because I didn’t want That next morning, his mother awoke 10 Teves: A Fast Day to come out of prison at 75 with nothing early to treat her son to a good home- The tenth of the Hebrew month of or no one to turn to. cooked breakfast feast. However, to her Teves, this year Tuesday, Jan. 6, is a fast Since May of 1996, the Jewish inmates dismay, he refused to eat it, as "it wasn't day. Although not as known as the other of Oakland, including myself, have been kosher". fast days, it is still a serious fast day. Food receiving regular monthly visits alternat- "Since when did you ever care about or drink is not allowed throughout the ing between Rabbi Yossi Nemes and Rabbi eating kosher?" She asked. day. During the proceeding night, eating Mendel Rivkin from Chabad Lubavitch of Seeing the frustration of his parents, the is permitted. In the morning service of the th Louisiana. Rabbi Rivkin was especially son began to tell the story of his participa- 10 of Teves, special Slichoth are recited. personable and had real concern for the tion in the last legs of the battle to retake Sick or weak people should consult an Jewish inmates’ needs, always helping us the Old City of Jerusalem, the Wailing orthodox rabbi. to put on tefillin, helping us with prayers Wall and Mount Moriah - the Mountain On this day, the enemy besieged our in Hebrew, teaching us important Torah upon which was built King Solomon's holy city of Jerusalem. The enemy let no Temple. food or water reach the city for two and a It was a particularly bloody battle, half years. This was the first of other tragedies that led to the destruction of the Published by being waged street by street, alley by alley. REACHING OUT In his unit, the excitement was running Beth Hamikdosh, Holy Temple. We fast and pray, so that G-d will have mercy on LUBAVITCH PRISON DIVISION high. For it was the ultimate Zionist 383 Kingston Ave., Room 190 dream - to live in the Land of Israel us and send us Moshiach, the Righteous Brooklyn, NY 11213 amongst the historical sites of the ancient Redeemer, who will redeem all Jews from 718 771-3866 Nation of Israel. And now it was all about exile. Then the Third and final Beth EDITORIAL STAFF Rabbi Shmuel Spritzer to become fulfilled. Hamikdosh will be built and never again Nachman Yaakov Ziskind, Esq. However, there was one soldier in the will we go into exile, because the world Chaim Cole will recognize G-d and King Moshiach. Zev Cadaner unit who beheld an excitement above and Dr. Chaim Broner beyond the rest. For his excitement was A Miracle from Brooklyn Shmuel Lieblich Levi Reiter, Ph.D. not so much Zionist and historical, but It happened to me and this is my story. REACHING OUT contains words from sacred literature. rather, spiritual. For this was a religious I was at the end of my rope with no way Please do not discard. All contents © R.O. soldier, indeed, a Chabad-Lubavitch fol- up, nothing below me but a dark empty portions and showing true compassion. In However, no matter where they send Rivkin, made the request on my behalf. A my opinion, Rabbi Rivkin represents the us, we can always find fellow Jews and miracle has happened for me and I sin- highest ideals of Chabad Lubavitch and friends in the prison chapel on Shabbat. I cerely, with utmost gratitude, express my the Rebbe’s wonderful outreach. went to Shabbat at the first opportunity thanks to the Rebbe and his wonderful I don’t normally discuss personal prob- and met two or three other Jewish inmates family, Chabad Lubavitch. lems with visiting Rabbis, but I felt com- there. With Love and Respectfully fortable confiding in Rabbi Rivkin. I did- One Friday night a few months later I Milton E. Robins n’t expect anything beyond a sympathetic met a new Jewish inmate, Ed. As I got to FCI La Tuna ear. Rabbi Rivkin listened patiently to my know him, I learned he really was in need. Editor’s note: Any inmate who dilemma with sincere interest. His parents were deceased. He was an requires the Rebbe’s blessings and When I concluded he made a sugges- only child, no aunts, uncles, friends or seeks a miracle, need to write us and tion which never would have occurred to other family members except an ex-wife we will explain how to write to the me. He said, “I’m going to Brooklyn soon and two children in Texas. Ed had only a Rebbe. and I will take a request to the Rebbe for few months to release and was being sent The Legal Corner you.” I felt uncomfortable especially since to an Arizona halfway house where he had by Moshe Tzvi Fogel I have been more non-observant than no ties or support. He was truly fearful of From the Columbus Dispatch reported orthodox, Judaism having been for me his prospects. on July 18, 2008 more of a cultural heritage than a religion. My heart went out to Ed as I could Four Messianic Jewish prisoners in I have read about the many wonderful clearly see his dilemma. He was lost with Ohio allege denial of kosher food. The things the Rebbe did, miracles, predic- no prospects much like I was when Rabbi prison argues that kosher meals aren't a tions, religious guidance and leadership, Rivkin reached out to me. I told Ed I basic tenet of faith for Messianic Jews. But always with profound c h e s e d ( l o v i n g could help him with a residence and a job with a tight budget, the prison system is kindness), but when Rabbi Rivkin made if he could be relocated to Texas. The opting to feed them the cheaper non- his offer I didn’t expect anything. There parole officer came to inspect the resi- kosher meals. Federal law says the gov- was no downside and out of respect for dence and after the interview approved ernment cannot impede the religious Rabbi Rivkin I agreed. the relocation. The fact that all this tran- exercise of a prisoner unless those restric- Just a couple of weeks after the Rabbi’s spired at the last minute and at such short tions support a compelling governmental visit, I was talking to Richard, another notice is unheard of. interest. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld Jewish inmate. During our conversation I learned he had tremendous talent, that law in 2005 when it came under he said he had a friend who was trustwor- ability, experience and especially a great attack by Ohio prison officials. Kosher thy and might need a job. In early March, big tender heart. Ed was honest about privileges for Messianic Jews were 2004, Dana went to work for my compa- what brought him low, brought him from revoked in 2004 after consulting with ny. It was like the parting of the Red Sea an owner of a multimillion dollar business Messianic rabbis, who told the State the for Moses, as if I had escaped the jaws of to prison. Tears welled up in his eyes as special meals weren't essential. A non- death and Hashem had made a path for he told me about his family and how he kosher meal costs about 95 cents; a me through the wilderness. had let his children down. Ed wanted to kosher one, between $5 and $6. A “rabbi” Dana started cleaning up years of do what was right but without help and of a Messianic congregation, acknowl- debris, making repairs and renting units. support he was worried about failure. Ed edges that although keeping kosher is an He was doing a great job and his efforts was more than willing to do whatever important tradition, it is not a law for along with Divine intervention saved my kind of work was required, but knowing Messianic Jews. For now, the Messianic business. I was miles ahead of where I was his experience and capabilities, I told him Jews must eat what's on their plates. when I spoke to Rabbi Rivkin. I couldn’t it could be whatever he wanted to make of In Ketzner v. Williams, 2008 U.S. Dist. help but note the miraculous chain of it. Immediately I saw progress. He was LEXIS 90500, (WD MI, Sept. 30, 2008), a events that rescued my business begin- and is a G-d send. By the end of 2007 I put Michigan federal district court agreed ning with the request to the Rebbe. I was- him in full charge of operations and he with a federal magistrate's conclusion that n’t out of the water, but I had my head up has done a remarkable job. temporarily removing prisoners from the enough to breathe. Had I never come to FCI La Tuna I Kosher Meal Program when they are in However, in 2006, Dana’s production would not have met Ed and done the possession of non-kosher food items does fell off dramatically. I became concerned mitzvah that saved us both. G-d’s plan not violate either the Establishment or the enough to contemplate a replacement but was best for both of us. Free Exercise clause. But in In Gilbert v. my options were limited. What has happened to me and my busi- Steed, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 90507, (D As 2006 came to a close, the Bureau of ness since Rabbi Rivkin went to the Rebbe KA, Nov. 6, 2008), a Kansas federal dis- Prisons decided I qualified to be trans- on my behalf goes well beyond coinci- trict court held that plaintiff had a plausi- ferred to a low security institution. To my dence. Over and over relief, unexpected ble free exercise claim. He alleged that he great dismay, I was informed I had been and unexplained, from sources unfore- was segregated from other inmates while designated to FCI La Tuna. I tried every- seen gives testimony to the Rebbe’s inter- eating his kosher diet. So if you are on the thing to avoid going to La Tuna to no vention. There is no happening by chance kosher diet don't have in your possession avail, and I was, proverbially, dragged here. I still do not feel worthy and can unkosher food or be in jeopardy of being kicking and screaming to the worst prison only assume the Rebbe intervened removed from the kosher diet; but you of the five I have been housed in. because the tzaddik, Rabbi Mendel will remain able to eat your kosher meals with all other inmates. Dear Rabbi Dear Rabbi, Spritzer, Thank you for The Code of Jewish Law …I have often Letters and the Russian Jewish calendar. At least wondered why I will now be able to show my new Jewish D i v i n e use his own money. But the Challah was chaplain what the Code of Jewish law Providence dwelt to me the circumstances not marked kosher and not even marked states, instead of hearing from him all concerning my birth. In some ways know- Challah because it was French bread. We kinds of ‘made up’ Jewish laws. ing what I know now, I feel so cheated by wanted everything to last for both days of Moshe not having been being raised in an obser- Rosh Hashanah. After the first night, he CSATF/State Prison vant atmosphere. On the other hand, said he will take what ever is left home, Corcoran CA without this struggle, I feel now that my but I informed him that we needed the Dear Rabbi Spritzer, past life would have gone nowhere, if not half of Challah, honey and the few apples Things have been quite lately but the the brilliance of Torah that has entered for the next two days. He agreed to leave reason I write is to notify you that Cary P into it. it. has been beaten very badly and I wanted Rabbi, I wasted so many years with The next day he didn’t work but did you to know. It seems that an inmate who unspeakable actions against the most leave a few pieces of Challah, a few pieces was out of the SHU for two days attacked innocents of society. Actions so immoral, of apple and a little honey in a cup. He him while he was asleep with some pad- that the remaining days of my life will took the honey bottle with him! Amazing! locks in a sock. He had some very serious always be accountable for what I have Herman injuries and was taken to the hospital for done. Only through knowing the past, Federal Corr Institution extensive surgery. can I make my life a better tomorrow. Phoenix AZ Our chaplain is angry with me after The last nine years of my incarceration Editor’s note: In almost all BOP facil- your contacting DC and his call from the have been an amazing story which goes ities the chaplains followed the BOP BOP in Washington. He told me “he did- beyond the intent of my letter. All I can Operations Memorandum for the holi- n’t remember” telling me to go and pray in say is that my “discovery” of who I am days and provided for the Jewish com- the washroom and I told him that it was and where I came from, are going to be munity to observe the holidays proper- the same time that I heard him telling 30 with me the rest of my life. ly. Unfortunately there are always the inmates “you cannot love G-d unless you Thank you Rabbi Spritzer and thank the exceptions. Read on: are a Christian”. This reminded him of the entire Reaching Out team for taking me Dear Rabbi Spritzer, incident. His supervisor chaplain told him into your family and accepting me with- Unfortunately, we were not allowed to to apologize to me for making such a out questions. You have opened up for me take our meals to the Sukkah. They gave statement. a new world of Torah, as I will soon take us a grape juice twice a day and a box of I was never very comfortable with the my first steps in nine years in a free world. matzah for the group to eat in it. I believe Religious Services Dept here, although I Rabbi, no more cutting corners for me, it was Chaplain Grimm’s doing. He sent had been very happy at both, FCI Miami ever. I intend to be in touch with you in me in circles and blamed everyone else. At and FCI Marianna (which is almost in the outside too. the end, the Captain told me that the Alabama). I don’t like to dwell on, or Thomas chaplain is “passing the buck.” He said, blame people for their actions, but it is Mayo Corr Institution, FL the chaplain could override security when quite obvious and one can feel the heat Editor’s Note: The letter is very per- it comes to religion. radiating from this chaplain in all he says sonal and Thomas asked that we pub- Lenny or does. lish it after he left. He is now associat- Federal Institution – McKean My time is done and I’ll be leaving soon, ed with a Chabad House in his city. Bradford PA but it is most unfortunate that this place is Dear Rabbi, Dear Rabbi Spritzer, so biased. I wish there was someone in …Two days before Yom Kippur, I I am happy to inform you that the chap- authority that I can speak to and explain reminded Chaplain Gonzalez that we lain provided me with a fresh sweet apple that there is no room or place for extrem- would be having services on Wednesday and a cup of honey for Rosh Hashana and ism in our prisons. They placate Moslems evening and Thursday, and he responded, a very large Challah. He also gave me a because they are bigger in numbers and “I know Herman, it is Yom Kippur.” large Tallis to use. He has really lifted my we Jews are easy targets. We went to the chapel Wednesday spirits as I welcomed the New Year. All Yankel evening at six. Chaplain Hicks had no this while in the SHU. Thank you Rabbi Federal Medical Center idea we were coming but accommodated for taking care of this for me. Lexington KY us with a place to pray. I reminded him Steven Editor’s note: Thank you for bringing that we would be back the next morning. Federal Corr Institution this to our attention. We invite any of Unfortunately on Thursday all day, we Terminal Island CA our readers, do not wait till your had no access to the chapel, not even our Dear Rabbi Spritzer, release to tell us about any mistreat- prayer books! As the only Jew at this location I do get ment of a specific chaplain. Bring it to Before Rosh Hashanah, Chaplain lonely at times. I miss some Jewish com- our attention and we want to assure Gonzalez was crying that the chaplaincy panionship’s and when I pray, I do it by you, higher up are very fair and will had no money to buy Challah, honey and myself. It is during prayer that I feel very never tolerate this kind of conduct. apples (food service). He said he had to close to G-d even when I am all by myself. The beautiful Siddur arrived and even …The prison staff was very friendly and dedication to assisting all of us in prisons before I could open it – tears of gratitude every time they opened the back gates for all across America. The newsletters you streamed down my face. Growing up I the Sukkoth holiday. The chaplains fully publish are timely and spiritually power- had very little Jewish education, and understood all our needs, allowed us to ful “food” for so many who are starved for although I heard the words Ahavat Yisroel eat all the meals in the Sukkah and loving attention and compassion. I never really understood their meaning. responded with assistance if any problems I have searched my mind and memory But when I held the Siddur in my hands, came up. to find a word, an expression, in English, these words became very clear to me. Yaakov Yiddish, or Hebrew that could possibly do Now when I pray in a real Siddur, I Taft Corr Institution – CA justice to define your loving kindness and know that my soul is connected with all Dear Rabbi Spritzer, endless dedication to helping us, but I Jewish souls, I am anything but alone, I was overwhelmed as I opened my don’t think an adequate word exists to every Jewish soul is praying with me. So package, to find such a beautiful Tehillat express how much you do and mean to all Rabbi, thank you so much for donating Hashem Siddur. More important than the of us. This conundrum applies also to all this precious Siddur to me, I thank you heirloom quality of appearance though is of your loving team and staff, who remain with all my heart. You reminded me the the innovative contents with instruction. unseen and unrecognized by all of us… worth of a Jew, and I thank you for that You invoked a Mitzvah, by having it arrive Kol Tov and more. Friday afternoon, in time for my Shabbos. Kent Howard I read it that evening, conducting our own Parnall Corr Facility Patuxent Institution, Jessup MD service. Jackson MI Dear Rabbi Spritzer, As far as the Shema, as a Viet Nam vet- Editor’s note: The one word you were …No sooner did I send my letter to eran, I don’t need a Siddur to remember looking for and it’s the same word in you, that your letter arrived. I was very that. How do you think I came back with- Hebrew, Yiddish and English is REBBE. excited with the package you sent for sev- out a scratch if it were not for my Shema You see, our dedication and love for eral reasons. First, it’s always a blessing to connection. each Jew comes as a direct result of the hear from you, as you have been very sup- Richard Rebbe MHM’s love and dedication for portive in the 15 years that we have corre- Federal Corr Center-Medium each one of you. The thank you is to be sponded. Petersburg VA addressed to the Rebbe. Second, I know that you do not read the Shalom Rabbi Spritzer, Dear Rabbi Spritzer, letter to the Rebbe that we send to you, …For too long I did what I felt good Thank you for the beautiful Annotated but I am compelled to share with you instead of what was right. My desire was S i d d u r you sent. Thank you also for what I wrote, and ask that you read the for this world. I thought being in prison adding my name onto the Reaching Out Rebbe’s responses. I know that you was the end of life. Then I met Chabad mailing list. Being that I am a Baal Tshuva wouldn’t be surprised by the Rebbe’s Lubavitch and the teachings of the the Holidays bring to me special heartfelt response, as your faith in him would Chabad Rebbe’s. I wear my Tzitzit and feelings. When I am released I will join make that obvious. For the same reason, I yarmulke all day. Chabad Rabbi Notik’s Chabad House in was not surprised either – rather, I am I have never felt more at peace with Chicago. I attended also before coming grateful to be able to receive such guid- myself or the world in my whole life. The here. I love being around Chabad ance. love I feel for every Jew I cannot describe Chassidim. They have provided to me real Third, Todah Raba for the Tractate Rosh in words. I love you Rabbi and thank you peace. Hashanah. I was immediately reminded of for all and hope to see you very soon with Michael the fond memories I have attending R the Rebbe King Moshiach. LV Hightower Unit, Dayton TX Leib Lerner’s Mishnah classes at Chabad- Yaakov Dear Rabbi Spritzer, Houston, (while he and I were a part of South Woods State Prison I have been moved to a Colorado State that community). I learned one mishna Bridgeton NJ minimum security prison. Although I am today and will continue to learn another Dear Rabbi Spritzer, the only Jewish inmate, they are very each coming day. I continue to keep up Today I received the book you sent, The accommodating. The kosher meals are with my daily studies, Tanya, Nach, Eternal Heritage. When they called me to properly done, and most importantly they Shulchon Aruch etc. the property room I couldn’t begin to provide me my own private area for Yuri Leib know why, but when they gave me the Shabbat services, with real candles and Stringfellow Unit, Rosharon TX book and I read your enclosed letter, tears grape juice. Dear Rabbi Spritzer, of joy came to my eyes. Jeffrey …Every Jew should have his own pair I see many hours spent in study of this SCC – Cannon City CO of Tefillin. A Tefillin is our cell phone to book, Thank you so much. Dear Rabbi, G-d. In our prayers we can talk with Ken …I just received the dictionary you sent Hashem through our spiritual devices like Zephyrhills Corr Inst - FL me. Thank you so very much. I know how Tefillin. We send our requests and Dear Rabbi Spritzer, to read Hebrew, but I do not know what thoughts and receive answers and spiritu- I just wanted to take a moment to first the words mean. The dictionary will help al energy to improve ourselves. My express my constant gratitude for every- me brush up. requests by G-d were granted because I thing you have done for those of us in Eliyahu am able to talk to Him. Michigan prisons and for your continuing CSATF – Corcoran CA