The World of Lubavitch A publication of Chabad-Lubavitch, Toronto SEPTEMBER 2018 Vol. 44 No. 2 (150) TISHREI 5779

Not For Perks And Benefits Chabad moved to Iceland earleir this year, marking the 100th country/territory exposed to Chabad’s reach. Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, Chairman of Chabad-Lubavitch Educational/Social Services, describes the motivation be- hind establishing centers all over the world. And you shall be gathered one by one, children of Is- rael (Isaiah 27:12) With the opening of Chabad in the 100th country/ter- ritory and now in ever smaller communities, the idea of a future in which no individual among our people is lost, resonates anew. It is astounding to anyone paying attention that, in 2018, new Chabad Houses open at a steady rate. That this is the case now, after all of the major cities and towns around the world are already well served by Chabad rep- resentatives, so that new appointees must travel farther afield, sometimes to places very remote, is more astound- ing yet. Add to this that the men and women who vie for the privilege of lifetime appointments as the Rebbe’s shluchim have never met him (most were born around the time of his passing almost twenty-four years ago)—and the as- tonishment grows. And if that isn’t enough, there are no compensation packages with benefits and perks awaiting the Rebbe’s emissaries. Still, they strive to join the ranks of those who live to realize the promise of the prophet. The challenges are often formidable. Many of the com- munities that Chabad’s young men and women—usually newlyweds starting their own families—relocate to, have tiny populations, and even tinier Jewish numbers. Posting an event on their Facebook page won’t fill the house. They must seek out the Jewish souls in their towns, one by one. And they must raise the funds to finance the educational, social, and spiritual programs and services that they want to make available, even if only to a handful of people. But local resources are scant, so they work harder and more innovatively. We’ve been asked before how the cost-benefit ratio justifies investing where there are so few Jews. To that, we say we learn from the midrash that tells us that if but one of the 600,000 Jews would have been missing at Sinai, there would have been no Revelation. Likewise, the Rebbe taught us, that our redemption will come through our ef- forts to reach every Jew; for him, the Talmudic statement that every soul represents a world, was more than a noble idea. That he took it quite literally, and taught his represen- tatives the same, is obvious. The men and women committed to sustaining Jewish life wherever it exists, even in places like Sioux Falls, SD, or Grand Baie, Mauritius, know they will never draw a New Torah to Honour Stalwarts crowd. Rather, they have learned to look at the individual The most unifying event with eyes that see each soul as a world unto itself, and in Jewish life is the dedication have come to cherish the value of one in ways that most of us living in larger communities may not appreciate. The of a new Torah scroll. It brings same is true of donors who are putting their support be- together young and old alike. hind the emissaries serving in these small outposts. In some mystical fashion it In his lifetime, the Rebbe counted the people who links us to the very first pre- support the work of the shluchim as partners indispens- sentation of the Torah, which able to his project, an egalitarian arrangement, if you will, was held in the wilderness of that offers emissaries and donors equal opportunity and Sinai. The vast open expanse equal responsibility to make their unique investments. draws our attention to the fact Each knows that without the other, Jewish continuity and that all Jews have equal access the Jewish community would not be as richly and widely and an identical claim to the served as it is by the Rebbe’s vision. For there is no Jewish Torah. Hence, the traditional demographic and there is no Jewish cause that doesn’t de- procession is held with much rive profound benefit from the dedication of Chabad emis- saries and their partners. And soon too, as these effective pomp and ceremony and is partnerships continue to grow, there will be no individual recognized as a city wide cel- Jew who will not be reached, no Jew who will be left be- Continued on page 3 hind. Page 2 • World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2018

By Yanki Tauber I shall press each of my buttons and flip each of my switches as I Rosh Hashana please. As for the indicator lights, I, not you, shall decide for myself what they indicate; indeed, if I G-d on the An Anthology Of The so choose, I shall ignore them Campaign Trail altogether. Yours truly, a very stupid customer.” A US president has four High Holidays He did not, of course, sign years between elections, a off that way, but he might as well congressman needs to renew his had. Needless to say, I didn’t mandate every two years, while bother replying. dictators stay in office for as long The sages of the Talmud as they can keep their generals didn’t see much difference happy (or terrified). But G-d is between my stupid customer and up for reelection every year. your standard sinner. As they saw Every Rosh Hashanah, it, when a person acts contrary we crown G-d king. According to his Creator’s instructions on to the Kabbalists, without this how life is to be lived, he may annual coronation (effected be doing something bad, evil, by our resolve to submit to the made by your typical office- think it’s a wholly Christian Anyway, one day the selfish, destructive, enjoyable, divine sovereignty, our recitation seeker. concept, while others ascribe it consumer department of one defiant, cowardly -- as the case of the “verses of kingship” The king is in the field; if you to the ancient Hebrews. To the of the companies I wrote for may be. But above all, he is doing included in the special prayers of need something from Him, now’s sages of the Talmud, sin is, above forwarded me a letter which, something profoundly stupid. the day, and our sounding of the the time to ask. all, an act of stupidity. since it was the first response shofar), G-d’s “kingship” would “A person does not sin,” I had ever gotten from a reader Sukkot not be renewed, and the whole of Yom Kipur they wrote, “unless a spirit of of my work, I read with interest. creation - which derives from the folly has entered into him.” “Sir,” the letter began. “I have The Big Sukkah divine desire to be king - would Before I got this job I used in hand a booklet you wrote cease to exist. Do Jews to write manuals for various which came in the box with Jewish life is a calendar (We don’t usually think of Believe in Sin? household items -- those 30- my new video camera. I must of objects: the shofar sounded kings requiring election to their page booklets that come in the say that I am outraged by your on Rosh Hashanah, the sukkah constructed for Sukkot, the office, but that’s because the Say the word “sin” and box together with electric drills, presumptuousness and audacity. word “king” is a rather imprecise microwaves, and the like. It This is my camera, for which I oil or candles lit on Chanukah translation of the Hebrew word you’ll evoke different things in evenings, the matzah eaten on the minds of different people. was pretty boring work, but it paid my own hard-earned money. melech. A melech, by definition, paid well and it was the kind of It has lots of buttons, switches Passover, and so on and on. is a sovereign whose kingship To the fire-and-brimstone writing you could do with two and indicator lights -- and these Objects need to be a certain derives from a people’s freely types, the word smells of shame kids on your lap. The best part are all my buttons, switches and size. A 3-inch chair is not a chair chosen desire to submit to his and scorched flesh. To the was that you didn’t have to put indicator lights. How dare you rule. A king who reigns by force hedonist it sounds like fun. Some your name on it. instruct on what to do with them! Continued on page 14 or exploitation is not a melech but merely a moshel or “ruler”.) How does G-d prepare for His annual reelection? Does He just sit up there in His “palace” trusting in our good sense to proclaim Him king once again? Does He go after the vote, mingling with the masses, pressing the flesh, kissing babies? Here’s how Chassidic master Rebbe Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812), describes the month of Elul - the month that precedes the divine coronation on Rosh Hashanah: It is like a king who, before he enters the city, the people of The Mysterious Logic of Mashiach the city go out to greet him in the field. There, everyone who By Heschel Greenberg kind is constantly evolving and good or evil. Is not history re- so desires is permitted to meet What is the common thread that we will eventually graduate plete with leaders who have ir- wand that will instantaneously him; he receives them all with a that runs through materialistic, into a state that will transcend the revocably changed its course? To transform our universe, eliminate cheerful countenance and shows secular ideologies and religious egocentric nature of Homosapi- believe that once again a great all vestiges of evil and create a a smiling face to them all. And and mystical beliefs? It is the be- ens. When this occurs, a state of leader will ignite within us the utopian paradise. This image not when he goes to the city, they lief in a Messianic Age. Indeed, utopia will follow. Whatever the divine spark that will inspire and only strains credulity, it also ap- follow him there. Later, however, the more on the “fringe” one is in merits for evolutionary theory challenge all of us to change the pears to insult our very humanity. after he enters his royal palace, the secular in the geological and biological world is not unsettling at all. After all, we are not robots or au- none can enter into his presence world - such as the dogmatic arenas, there is certainly no sci- What some find radical and tomatons. We do not change by a except by appointment, and allegiance to Communism - the entific basis to support evolution disconcerting about Jewish mes- mere flick of a switch. If we did, only special people and select closer one actually is to an obses- as it relates to moral attitudes. If sianism, however, is the sudden- we would not be who we truly are. individuals. So, too, by analogy, sion with messianism. Ironically, anything, events such as the ness with which the world will And whatever good came would the month of Elul is when we the Jewish mystical approach to Holocaust, which occurred change. The image conjured up not relate to us. Indeed, accord- meet G-d in the field... the coming of Mashiach, not- in the twentieth century, militate by many believers is one of a ing to Jewish theology, goodness While this description bears withstanding its characterization against such an evolutionary phi- mythical, supernatural leader that is not associated with human some resemblance to a politician as an article of faith, can be ap- losophy. Yet, despite the absence waving the proverbial magic Continued on page 15 running for office in a modern proached and viewed from a log- of scientific and logical support, democracy, there are, of course, ical vantage point as well. there are millions of people who The World of Lubavitch Chabad Lubavitch of Ontario some significant differences. What is the basis for secu- have accepted secular messianic A Publication of HaRav Dovid Schochet Rabbi Yossi Hecht Such as the fact that a campaign lar messianism? Inherent in the beliefs without reservation. Chabad-Lubavitch Spiritual Leader Chabad of Aurora promise by G-d is far more likely 770 Chabad Gate Rabbi Z. Aaron Grossbaum Rabbi Chanoch Rosenfeld mindset of some secular philoso- Some schools of psychol- Executive Vice-President to be fulfilled than one that is phies is the notion that human- ogy will also argue in favor of a Thornhill, Ontario Chabad of Hamilton L4J 3V9 Rabbi Vidal Bekerman Rabbi Mendel Kaplan messianic belief from its frame (905) 731-7000 Chabad at York Chabad @ Flamingo ON OUR COVER of reference. While psychology www.chabad.ca Rabbi Mendel Bernstein Rabbi Yisroel Landa The Etrog cannot discuss whether a utopia Chabad of Richmond Hill Israeli Community Services Editor: Rabbi Tzali Borenstein Rabbi Sholom Lezel By Chassidic painter is possible, it does recognize that Rabbi Moshe Spalter Chabad of Durham Chabad of the Beaches when we believe that things will Associate Editor: Rabbi Mendel Chaikin Rabbi Mendel Nakkar Michoel Muchnik Chabad of Downtown get better, it gives us the ability to Rabbi Z.A. Grossbaum Chabad of Barrie Rabbi Nechemia Deitsch Rabbi Avrohom E. Plotkin The Esrog, (citron fruit) cope with life’s difficulties. We Advertising: Chabad of Midtown Chabad of Markham which to Torah instructs us have to have a belief in a “here- Rabbi Moshe Spalter Rabbi Yechezkel Deren Rabbi Mordechai Silberberg Chabad of Maple Chabad of London to “take” on the first day of after” of some kind, in order to Typesetting: make the “here and now” mean- Rabbi Yoseph S. Gansburg Rabbi Yisroel Simon the Holiday of Sukkot must Tamar Shuchat Education Chabad of Kingston ingful and worth living. be, according to the Torah, a Circulation: 5500 Rabbi Levy Gansburg Rabbi Yitzchok Slavin Chabad Bayview York Mills Chabad of Mississauga beautiful fruit. Throughout What is it then about the Jew- Subscriptions: $10 yearly ish version of messianism that Rabbi Menachem Gansburg Rabbi Moshe S. Spalter Jewish history, Jews have $5 per copy some find difficult to swallow? Chabad on the Avenue Administrator & Media made an extra effort to seek FALL 2018 Rabbi Moshe Goldman Rabbi Moshe E. Steiner out the most beautiful, clean- Could it be Judaism’s affirmation Chabad of Waterloo Chabad of Uptown that a human Messiah will usher We cannot take Rabbi Yitzchak Grossbaum Rabbi Rafi Steiner est Esrog they could find/af- Camp Gan Israel Chabad of Guelph ford. in this New Age that has irked responsibility for the some? This would hardly seem to Kashruth of the items Rabbi Mendel Grossbaum Rabbi Yoseph Y. Zaltzman In this painting the artist advertised in this Chabad of Newmarket Russian Community Services be a problem in light of the fact publication. captures the excitement felt Rabbi Shmuel Grossbaum Rabbi Zalman Zaltzman when preforming this Mitz- that throughout history, single Chabad of the East Side Chabad of Niagara vah on the beautiful Esrog. individuals inaugurated most, if not all, major movements for World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2018 • Page 3

New Torah to Friendship Circle Brings Buddy Honour Stalwarts Baseball to Toronto Continued from page 1 Mount Sinai he was shown The baseball diamond the Torah, “written with black at the Irving Chapley Park ebration, bringing together fire over white fire,” with all was buzzing with excitement as some of the children of Jews from all walks of life. its unique demarcations. From Indeed, our Sages note Friendship Circle put on their that fiery Torah, G-d verbally personalized baseball jerseys that there are 600,000 letters dictated the words to Moshe and took up their positions on in a Torah corresponding to which he transcribed. This the field. The others swung the the stem souls of the entire very first sacred scroll was bats for the pre-game practice. Jewish nation. And accord- awarded to the Levites. An ad- The game was about to begin, but not before some ingly each and every Jew has ditional twelve scrolls gifted a distinct letter in the Torah formalities with greetings to each of the twelve tribes. from Peter Kent, MP and Gila that links him/her to G-d and Soon after, additional To- Martow, MPP on behalf of our to holiness. rahs were transcribed, in pre- government. With everyone The Torah scroll which cise detail. In fact, even the standing at attention Noah will be dedicated Sunday, No- spacing between paragraphs Wilansky walked up to the mic and led the assembly with the vember 13, 2018, is a tribute and chapters were painstak- to our generous support base national anthem. ingly duplicated, for indeed Divided into 2 teams in recognition of their solidar- each and every feature was the youngsters stepped up ity, loyalty, and largesse. Their prescribed by G-d. to the plate, hit the ball and unstinting generosity provides During the course of his- headed towards first base the needed resources which tory, in spite of dispersion, notwithstanding their various challenges. The children were enable Chabad Lubavitch to hardship and human error ev- reach out to the entire com- assisted by their buddies. ery effort was made to main- The excitement in the air was munity with programs and tain these exacting standards. palpable. A Friendship Circle participant at bat projects that enhance Jewish Thus, Maimonides in his clas- “The youngsters practiced life. Circle in Illinois, Dean readily Chicago’s Wrigley Field and in sic code of law, describes how for a number of weeks prior to and wholeheartedly reached out the Kraft stadium in Jerusalem. For almost 40 years he laboured assiduously to the game and eagerly showed to the organization in Toronto. Indeed, the administration of Chabad Lubavitch marked write and replicate a Torah their skills to the crowd, which “We embraced this offer Roger’s Stadium had offered the culmination of the annual included parents, volunteers with great enthusiasm,” us to host the game where the scroll with exacting precision and supporters,” said Esther campaign with a gala dinner. to the scroll of “Ben Asher” of said Goldy Grossbaum Blue Jays play but regrettably Grossbaum, coordinator of the Friendship Circle co- a suitable date could not be This year it was decided to Tiberias, which was highly re- Friendship Circle. change the format, and mark coordinator. “In addition to secured. garded and widely accepted as The concept of the All Star benefitting the children, the Buddy Baseball has the occasion with the dedica- a result of its accuracy. Game was initiated in December Buddy Baseball program modified the game to include tion of a new Torah scroll. In The Torah which begins by Chicago businessman Dean offered an opportunity for the children with a diverse range keeping with tradition, dis- Klassman, a philanthropist organization to raise some of special needs, such as with the word Braishis and and founder of Klassman tinctive passages and verses ends with the word Yisroel necessary dollars from event cerebral palsy, autism spectrum Financial Services, who sponsorships”, remarked disorders and down syndrome, are being symbolically dedi- constitutes the “Written To- introduced “Buddy Baseball” cated by Chabad patrons and Yitzchok Grossbaum the including children who are rah”, while the details, allu- in his city and approached director. both verbal and non-verbal. support base. This would in- sions, depth and extension the international Friendship Conceived in 2002, Buddy Players are aged 5-18, who clude ‘Birkat Kohanin, ‘Az form the all inclusive “Oral Circle with an offer to help Baseball is a program that learn to enjoy baseball while Yashir,’ and passages of bless- Torah.” The Torah scroll from launch the program throughout enables children with special developing athletic skills of North America. Upon the ings for health, children, and beginning to end, forms one needs to play the fantastic game batting, catching and running recommendation of Rabbi Zelik of baseball like in the “big (or driving their wheelchair). prosperity. entity, thus should even one The gala inauguration Moskowitz of the Friendship leagues.” In fact it was held in Buddies simply assist the letter fade or become defec- player, rather than playing the celebration will also offer tive, the entire Torah scroll game for them. Chabad Lubavitch the oppor- is unfit for use, until it is re- Since the inception of the tunity to honour Sidney and paired. So too, all Jews col- Buddy Baseball concept, the Naomi Spiegel for their yeo- lectively form one cohesive league has expanded to other cities throughout the U.S. and man efforts on behalf of Camp entity and every Jew regard- Gan Israel. Indeed, the welfare was introduced in Israel two less of their level of affiliation years ago with great success. of children has always been a is of utmost importance and The outdoor park setting priority of Naomi and Sidney constitutes an integral part of was an ideal opportunity to also Spiegel’s generosity. Ever Klal Yisroel. acknowledge the Friendship since meeting Rabbi Zalman While all 613 Mitzvot, Circle volunteers. Meeting up with a child with special Grossbaum, they have taken find their origin in the Torah. a leadership position in many needs on a weekly basis, the The very last recorded Mitz- dedicated brigade of teens children initiatives hosted by vah is the divine imperative demonstrate their commitment Chabad Lubavitch. Their pas- to write a Torah scroll, “Write and sensitivity beyond the call sionate love for children and for yourselves this song and of duty. Each year in addition concern for traditional values teach it unto your children” to a gift of recognition bearing the Friendship Circle logo the is amply demonstrated by (Deuteronomy 31:19). Fun- L to R: Goldy & Itchy Grossbaum, Dean Klassman, Peter Kent. MP, their wholehearted involve- teenagers receives citations damentally, each person is Gila Martow, MPP, Sidney Spiegel, Rabbi Zalman A. Grossbaum from all levels of government. ment and unstinting support obligated to write his own to enhance the summer expe- Torah scroll and thus heighten rience of hundreds of children awareness to its significance from around the world. The and importance. Yet, due to Spiegel’s ambitious drive for the myriad halachic specifi- excellence is mirrored in their cations one may delegate this devotion and commitment to responsibility to an expert the causes they support. scribe who will write it on Steeles The Torah Scroll is the his behalf. Hence, throughout Dignity most precious article in Jew- the ages people blessed with ish life. It is the focal point inspiration and sensitivity Memorial of the weekly Shabbat Syna- elected to commission a pious gogue service. In times of scribe to write a Torah on their Comfort need, prayers are offered in its behalf. It is usually entrusted presence. It is perfectly intact to a Shul or Yeshiva where it Chapel just as we received it some is read regularly. 3300 years ago. In fact any It is our prayerful wish Compassion deviation or even the small- that this project in fulfillment est imperfection would deem of the last Mitzvah of the To- 350 Steeles Avenue West it unfit. It is the sacred Torah rah will bring about the con- Thornhill Ont. L4J 1A1 - (905) 881-6003 scroll. clusion of the Galut so we Established 1927 In accordance with tradi- may witness, the arrival of tion, when Moshe ascended Moshiach, without delay. C.P. Saucier, Managing Funeral Director Page 4 • World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2018

Chabad’s New Prison Chaplaincy

A tattooed male figure in According to Jewish law the US, is part of the advisory an orange jumpsuit is escorted the Passover Seder cannot start team for JSC. He is often in through the double steel doors. until it after dark which lead to contact with Csillag either giv- Suddenly he is struck with an the inmates confusion. ing advice or strategizing how intense light. He hurriedly at- On Purim JSC sent out 10 to solve new problems. tempts to shield his eyes from volunteers to institutions across “JSC is doing a phenome- the blinding rays. However the province. They performed nal job in my opinion. In a very he struggles in vain to lift his 14 Megillah readings and at short time they have gone from hands towards his face. He is least 28 Jewish inmates fulfilled zero to a full-fledged organiza- handcuffed. The light that he the mitzvahs of Purim includ- is shielding himself from is the ing trading Shalach Monos gift tion helping so many isolated sun. packages and giving charity. Jews. It’s my pleasure to offer Kevin, as the guards refer For Chanukah the programs my support,” Lipskar enthused. to him, is lucky. He is partaking included actual menorah light- When Csillag was asked if in history. This is the first time ing for all eight nights. JSC sent he has any reservations about that a Sukkah has ever been menorahs to every institution in the job he answers straight to erected in Toronto South De- Ontario this year. the point. “It’s the Rebbe’s tention Centre. In fact it could Real dedication is seen work and I’m proud to be part be the first time that a sukkah by the onsite staff as well. On of it.” has been put up in any Toronto one of the nights of Chanukah Jewish Services of Canada prison, ever. the on duty chaplain, Meredith is fundraising for their high Kevin begins to shake and Lewis, traveled for over an holidays programs. They are then tears begin to form in his hour to pick up kosher donuts looking to raise $20,000. Please eyes. from the Kosher bakery so that help by donating to their go “I got nervous.. I thought the Jewish inmates would have fund me campaign. he was on something,” says food to celebrate with. Rabbi Michoel Csillag. “It’s a partnership with the https://www.gofundme. The guards proceeded to facility staff. We work together com/start-of-the-jewish-year- uncuff him and he is now free to Ronnen Lederman right Daniel Maizels centre and site chaplain Melva Lewis left to make things happen. I’ve fundraiser walk into the small pop-up suk- ready to serve the inmates a Purim Seuda arranged JSC through the institution noticed that the facility staff All donations are tax de- kah that Rabbi Csillag erected enjoy organizing the programs ductible. only a few minutes earlier. He had written to a certain prison week he puts on Tefilin on too and learn a lot. It’s a win- To contact Jewish Services sits down slowly with tears in chaplain. It was 3 pages long 12 individuals at the Toronto win situation for everyone in- of Canada to donate or if you his wide eyes while staring up and its main point was that even South Detention Centre. He can volved.” says Ronen. know a Jewish inmate that with a look of awe on his face. though a Jew can be physically sometimes walk several kilo- JSC has begun helping fam- needs help: That’s when he drops his imprisoned, they can never tru- meters indoors as he navigates ilies of the incarcerated. Send- Jewish Services of Canada bombshell confession. ly be spiritually imprisoned... the halls of the enormous facili- ing and sponsoring children to 770 Chabad Gate “Rabbi, It’s the first time This is especially true when ty getting to and from each unit. summer camp and helping fam- I have actually seen the sky in ilies who are often struggling Thornhill ON L4J3V9 people on the outside help them “You have to be there at 905-763-1000 over two years...” observe Torah and Mitzvos... least four hours minimum to be without a bread winner. There are approximately Rabbi Aaron Lipskar of jewishservicesca@gmail. I showed my friend, and now able to reach every Jew. There com 200 Jewish inmates in On- partner in this endeavor, Ronen is no other way. Sometimes the Aleph Institute, Chabad’s tario’s prisons. Rabbi Michoel Lederman the letter and know- there are Jews who are in the prison chaplaincy program in http://www.jewsinjail.com Csillag is on a mission to reach ing that Rosh Hashanna was SEG (solitary confinement). All them all. coming up we both quickly you can do is talk through the “Most Jews don’t know that mobilized to try and get a sho- metal door. Cheering people up we are out there and that there far to our incarcerated friend. is so important since depres- “Chalk for Kindness” are Jewish religious services It wasn’t easy, but after days sion is the number one ailment available if they request it. It’s of pushing and speaking with in prison. We try to arrange part of their Human Rights to higher ups they relented and at challah buns and grape juice Planned for receive it.” explains Csillag. the 11th hour they allowed the for Kiddush on Shabbos,” says Jewish Services of Canada shofar in. He was probably the Gansburg (JSC) was formed about two only Jew in Ontario that blew On the opposite end of the Danforth years ago. the shofar that year inside pris- spectrum you have Rabbi Avra- Csillag elaborates on it’s on walls. But he wouldn’t be ham Zaltzman who travels to On Sunday, founding. the last.” Lindsay every week to see only September 16th at “I was concerned about a Since that day, a full- one lonely Jew. 12:00PM Chabad of friend who got in serious trou- fledged organization has been “When he sees me his eyes Danforth – Beaches, ble with the law and was incar- born. In a short time JSC has light up. It’s like my visits keep in conjunction with cerated. I was struggling with clocked over 1000 hours of him going under his harsh real- the Danforth BIA, the question of how deeply to chaplaincy visits to Jews across ity....he really can’t wait to be will be bringing chil- get involved with his problem. the province. reunited with his family. In the dren together at the In my search for inspiration I Every week an army of meantime we are his family,” Parkette on Danforth opened a book of Igros (The Chabad Shluchim and volun- explains Zaltzman. & Logan to spread Igros is a compilation of thou- teers drive to far off places to Harsh conditions they are. kindness & tolerance sands of letters that the Rebbe visit inmates who are most Every Ontario Provincial in- through street art. had written to individuals grateful for something that stitution has the equivalent se- Consistent with throughout the years, full of ad- most Jews take for granted; to curity level of a supermax US Chabad’s philosophy; vice on every conceivable sub- simply see another Jewish face. prison. Regardless of the seri- to counter darkness ject) I was shocked to find that Rabbi Yosef Gansburg has ousness of the crime everyone with light, this event, the page I opened to contained been an active volunteer since is housed together. There are conceived by Chabad a specific letter that the Rebbe the beginning. On any given few distinctions made. To make emissaries to Dan- matters worse 72% of the in- forth-Beaches, Rabbi mates have not been convicted Sholom and Rebbet- and are just awaiting a trial. For Passover, hand made zen Devorah Lezell, Shmurah matzah was sent out is a response to the to the inmates. Last year 40 recent tragic killing boxes were sent. This year that rampage in Greek- number hit 200. town. This year JSC conducted Designed for chil- a communal Seder inside the dren and their fami- prison. Two volunteers spent lies, ‘Let’s Chalk for the first days of Passover away Kindness’ combines Rabbi Sholom Lezell surveys the from their families and then creative visual arts Alexander the Great Parkette walked an hour and then up with greater impact, and down 24 flights of stairs in engaging kids in a dis- are the greatest force for change order to celebrate the Passover cussion of the things we can do in the world. To this end, it is Seder with the inmates. Thanks together as a community to build essential to provide them with to them ten Jews in TSDC had a better world. opportunities to discover and a full Seder this year on both Complete with photo-sta- develop their impact while they nights. tion and supplies, participants are still young. The event will be Ariel Lutin, one of the will design and decorate a large, an exciting way for these young Pesach volunteers explains neighborhood mural, crafting minds—and hearts—to come to- what an inmate told him dur- exploding chalk-bombs to infuse gether and learn what they can ing the Seder. “What took you their work with Pollock-style do right now to bring light into so long? I was praying all day graphics. In addition to the mu- other people’s lives. that you would come and when ral, the children will also create To get involved in the proj- suppertime came and you were a “Wall of Kindness” with prac- ect or to learn more please con- Sukkah program left is Scott Large TSDC superintendent in charge of pro- not here, I almost panicked. tical ideas to pay it forward and tact Rabbi Sholom Lezell at 416- grams site chaplain meredith lewis Rabbi Michoel Csillag and a participating I thought I would not have cultivate goodness and kindness. 809-1365 – Rabbi@Chabaddb. correctional officer Pesach this year.” It has been said that children com World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2018 • Page 5 Two Semesters of Reflections of My Visit to Hebrew Reading Camp Gan Israel By Rabbi Z. Aaron Grossbaum Camp Gan Israel, in pictur- Courses Completed esque Haliburton, is a village in its own right. For the two months of summer a comprehensive in- frastructure has to be in place with provisions made for every possibility including the unex- pected. This all assumes greater proportion when the needs in- clude kosher food and the regu- lations related to Shabbat ob- servance. Try buying a bottle of kosher wine in nearby Haliburton or Minden! Last summer on a Friday af- ternoon, the weatherman called for heavy rain and there was little we could do but “wait and see.” Sure enough after the girls ance that is operated by electric- camp. gathered in the assembly hall to ity. As on any typical day in welcome the Shabbat, torrential What a relief it was, to drive camp, while the staff may have Two groups of students following spring. into Camp Gan Israel and see all worked late into the night, the recently completed Hebrew The second course, in the rain began to fall accompanied by booming thunder and periodic the facilities humming under the campers, having retired and gone reading crash courses at Chabad spring of 2018, was titled “Chag power provided by the newly in- Lubavitch. The courses, part Same’ach.” In this course flashes of lightning. Soon after to bed at a reasonable hour, wake the power went down, resulting stalled propane generators. In the up at a not-so-reasonable hour. As of Chabad’s Jewish Learning participants learned important kitchen they were cooking and Institute (JLI), were arranged exceptions in the rules of Hebrew in total darkness, and the entire I roamed the grounds at 6:30am food supply in the walk-in cool- baking for Shabbat and in the as- there were some 50 youngsters and presented by Rabbi Shalom reading and language, as well sembly hall the youngsters were B. Bakshi an experience educator many more tools & techniques er, and freezer in “count down” shooting hoops, as others were mode. I’ll spare the reader the enjoying the fun filled “night ac- & Hebrew reading specialist. to become an independent, fluent tivity.” engaged in fierce tetherball bat- The first course titled “Shana Hebrew reader. three hours of anguish and the tles at three specially erected hastily arranged backup plan put Indeed, just like any mu- Tova” was delivered last summer The dozen people who nicipality, most of the organized posts. The tetherball court seems – as a preparation to the High joined the two semesters and into effect. On the positive side to be a favoured spot in camp, as I’m sure the unplanned experi- activity goes on during conven- Holidays. mastered the required learning tional hours, yet the infrastruc- long as the maintenance people This course is designed for materiel including reviewing and ence provided exciting memories for the campers. ture operates 24/7, so too, in the have the patience to keep on re- beginners in Hebrew reading, it completing homework – received tying the forever snapping cords. is divided into two semesters: a certificate in recognitions for The experience In the first, participants learn their accomplishments. must have a made an As much as I enjoyed seeing to recognize and identify the One student summed it up indelible impression their excitement, it was the sound Hebrew letters while discovering this way: on me because when of children davening that caught the meaning behind the holy Rabbi Bakshi is a very I related the drama my attention. Following the letters with Chassidic insights. engaging and insightful to camp benefactor sound led me down to the lake The course uses Power Point instructor. He is truly passionate Mr. Sidney Spiegel, from where I could see a fleet presentations designed by JLI’s about both the subject matter without a moment’s of canoes and kayaks, anchored – Read It In Hebrew (RIIH) as well as the learning outcome hesitation he gra- on the other side of the lake. The program. of each individual student. His ciously instructed me children of a few bunks were In the second semester the in-depth knowledge of Torah to install automatic enjoying a predawn outing. This course covers the Hebrew vowels concepts as well as his mastery of generators to facili- included davening under the sky and includes mastering tools both biblical and conversational tate the “Village” of Gan Israel. with the rising sun, eat what you and tips to be able to become a Hebrew enables him to provide can “scramble” breakfast, and (I proficient Hebrew reader. his students with an outstanding Having that Participants noted that the learning experience and results.‎ sense of security is guess) some fishing. course inspired them to join the Rabbi Bakshi, currently certainly reassuring Still, the ultimate experience prayers in synagogue during the teaching at Cheder Chabad but it assumed much in Camp Gan Israel is on Shab- greater proportion bat. The passionate davening holidays and to be able to follow elementary school, also gives village of Gan Israel. Upon my the services more than they had evening classes and private last week. As I drove into Hali- spirited singing are unmatched in burton on Thursday evening, the arrival “after hours” with a truck- ever been able to experience. lessons in Hebrew reading. He load of provisions and supplies any Shul. The food and Shabbat The obvious dedication and also teaches Bar Mitzvah lessons entire region was in the “dark” delicacies are “over the top. Yes, (read: shut down) due to a fire at which included, pizza dough and excitement of the participants and gives lessons in various gluten free bread, the kitchen somehow the campers manage prompted Rabbi Bakshi to the Power Plant. From the village to come home with their Shab- other topics in Judaism. He can of Minden up to Huntsville you staff was busy preparing sushi; a continue to the next level and be reached directly by his email: treat for the staff as a show of ap- bat white shirts beyond hope, but teach returning students a more couldn’t pump gas, you could not [email protected] or by buy groceries, or use any appli- preciation so they can party and they do bring home memories advanced course during the phone at 647-982-3419 celebrate another great week at that will last them a lifetime! Pratt Student’s Thesis Leads to Newfoundland Mikvah Commission By Ariel Dominique Hendelman discovering their histories. “It’s around the circumference of the parts the feeling of a cave. There the sense that you’re in this mo- mikvah space until the exit on the is a large, circular skylight above. The spaces that house mik- ment suspended in time. That’s other side. Once you go from the On the ceiling, Udkoff added vahs have a plethora of different what I wanted to bring into my changing room, you’re escorted mirrors to bring in the light of the aesthetics, ranging from the bare mikvah design.” into this hallway that again has moon. These mirrors reflect the bones functionality of a Europe- Since the mikvah is a sacred rammed earth on one side. There light to a series of acrylic tubes an shtetl to an opulent spa at the place, Udkoff felt compelled are small cuts in the earth that that transfer it into the space of Four Seasons. But after spending to define the word sacred. She are not readily noticeable, but the mikvah through fiber optics. a summer in Israel in which she polled friends through social behind them is a light source. As If that sounds complicated, it is! visited many ancient and historic media to ask their definition of you continue around the hallway, The mikvah project represents mikvahs in Safed and around Is- sacred, and received responses you start to notice that these lines countless hours of both research rael, recent art-school graduate such as, “hidden” and “separate.” of light form Hebrew letters. The and design for Udkoff. She hopes Rachel Udkoff decided to design These elements would serve as experience of uncertainty leads the Gowanus mikvah will be- a reimagined mikvah space for come a reality someday, but for Rachel Udkoff at Lubavitch World the building blocks of Udkoff’s to the recognition of Hebrew let- her senior thesis project at the now, it remains conceptual. Headquarters on graduation day. design. ters as you continue around the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y. Meanwhile, Udkoff is de- To begin designing the mik- hallway as more light filters in. Not only did the project impress told me there are seven mikvahs vah, Udkoff first chose the space: signing her first “real” mikvah, and educate her professors, it led Udkoff describes the process which will be built for Rabbi that 16th century sage, Rabbi Is- an abandoned building in Gowa- as a metaphor for enlightenment to her first professional commis- sac Luria (the Ari Zal), went to, nus, Brooklyn, which sits on the Chanan and Tuba Chernitsky in sion designing a new mikvah in and a reminder that the world and he even mapped them out for Gowanus canal, among the most their recently established Chabad Newfoundland was created with Hebrew let- me. I visited one in a cave, and polluted waterways in America. House in Newfoundland . Unlike Udkoff has been interested in ters. From the hallway, there is a designing spas for some time, but it was incredible. I took elements The contrast between impure and her design for her honor’s thesis, of it for the mikvah I designed. pure waters, and all the neces- preparation room, the first trans- this mikvah will be small, simple after working with an interior de- formation area. “Submerging in signer in Brooklyn who suggest- To visit this ancient mikvah and sary steps to get from one to the and in the backyard of the emis- bring that intangibility into a other felt important to Udkoff. the mikvah itself is not the only saries’ home. Udkoff is excited ed she look into making mikvahs purification process that you go her niche, Udkoff was intrigued. concept for a new mikvah was The building is also a graffiti about the opportunity and hopes She returned to Safed last sum- really meaningful.” landmark and is currently being through; the preparation room to design more mikvahs in the mer to work at the Ascent Learn- When Udkoff returned to turned into an art space. is the first step whereby you pu- future. ing Institute and began research- Pratt in the fall, her teacher asked Udkoff’s conceptual propo- rify yourself in order to be able “Creating spiritual sanctuar- ing the area’s ancient mikvahs. the class: What are you obsessed sition was to turn part of that art to accept the purification of G ies for women could really el- She met with local mikvah expert with? Udkoff’s answer: aban- space into the mikvah.The en- d. That’s something else that I evate their mikvah experience. Rabbi David Rothschild. “He doned buildings. While she was trance to the mikvah is made of wanted to bring in: first you pu- We can encourage women to go told me about the many in Safed, in Safed learning about mikvahs, rammed earth, about three feet rify yourself before G d purifies to the mikvah by beautifying the including one that’s been cov- she also developed a habit of ex- thick. you.” space and bringing spirituality ered by an abandoned mall. He ploring abandoned buildings and A long hallway continues The mikvah space itself, im- into it. That’s really my goal.” Page 6 • World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2018 Forty Fantastic Years of Fun! A Homage to Lubavitch Day Camp and memorable experience. My the most amazing journey with Lubavitch Day turn of events oc- Camp has been long and ex- curred. Mrs. Stein- tremely unique. When I was far metz took note of younger, during the summers of the fact that I had 2007, 2008 and 2009, I vividly some experience remember attending Lubavitch in photography Day Camp and having the best and videography. time a kid my age possibly She proposed that could. I still remember my first I be brought on day ever attending the camp. I as Lubavitch Day accidentally had been follow- Camp’s first ever ing the wrong bunk around for full time photog- the first few hours of the day, rapher and vid- as I got confused with another eographer! I was Yosef. Once I realized I was overjoyed at this in the wrong place, I started to proposal, accept- panic, not knowing where to go ing it immediately, By Yosef Zeldman or what to do (As a kid I may and starting that This year Lubavitch Day have been a bit of a catastroph- July with a job I Camp (LDC), celebrating its izer)! But sure enough, almost could not be hap- 40th season, had its biggest year on cue, a head counselor calmly pier to prform. yet, serving 800 kids from over and warmly walked up to me, My experience in 450 diverse families under the asking what was wrong. He 2016 was so amaz- care and commitment of 185 immediately pointed me in the ing that it’s kind of and videographer for the sum- not to mention overtly humor- staff members. This is a far cry right direction, and made sure hard to put it to words. I instant- mers of 2017 and 2018 as well. ous and pleasant! This kindness from the camp’s humble begin- I knew where to go, ensuring ly became friends with individ- In addition to just having fun at from the staff goes up to the nings back in 1978, when they me that I was going to have the uals I still hold very dearly to Lubavitch Day Camp, with a highest level, as Shua and Esty first opened serving just 30 kids best summer of my life. With this day. In terms of my actual more mature mindset, I was able are the kindest, most welcome and 9 staff members. Evidently, this being my first experience, skills as a media oriented indi- to truly appreciate all of the ef- employers I could ever ask for. LDC’s popularity increases rap- a head counselor devoting all vidual, Lubavitch Day Camp fort Lubavitch Day Camp goes My experience with them has idly each year as more and more of his attention to making sure offered me a platform to learn through to reward its camp- been truly wonderful. I will kids and parents become aware I was feeling comfortable in the new things about the craft each ers with a fantastic summer, a never forget my years working of the quality LDC consistently camp, I knew right away that day, and expand upon my skills herculean task that I feel only here, and I don’t think they will delivers, culminating in the big- Lubavitch Day Camp was a in unique ways that I would this camp can truly accomplish. ever be topped. gest summer yet this year! If you very special place. I had amaz- never be able to achieve at any From my own perspective, So, as the second session of were to say that LDC “Upped ing summers back at Lubavitch other place. One of my fondest as opposed to other summer 2018 rolls on, I celebrate and Day Camp that I still remember and most delightful experiences camps where some kids might appreciate every moment that as photogra- reluctantly be attending, every I will be spending here in my pher, relating camper in Lubavitch Day Camp final summer at Lubavitch Day very closely truly loves being there. The up- Camp. Representing the camp to my jour- lifting Jewish environment the that I love so dearly, as best as I ney through camp is able to facilitate is most can, through pictures and video the years in definitely one of the biggest has been an honor and a privi- Lubavitch contributing factors. Lubavitch lege to do for the past 3 years. Day Camp, Day Camp succeeds in instill- I use this article to reflect on was being ing every child with a true, deep my journey in the 8 years I’ve able to pro- been here, share my own genu- love of Judaism, establishing ine non-hyperbolic view of the duce the Ba- a connection that will remain baganewz. camp, and convey to any and all with many of the campers for people reading just how incred- For those the rest of their lives. I know; who aren’t ible Lubavitch Day Camp really I’ve seen it. I mean, what other is. Although, if you’re a parent aware, the camp offers a program where Babaganewz of a child attending this camp, is a weekly counselors will come to your I’m sure you already know ex- comedy-ori- house and throw a personalized actly what I’m talking about. I ented news kosher barbeque and party for look forward, with G-d’s help, segment that your child after hours, as they sending my children to Camp the counselors do every evening for another Lubavitch, and I can’t wait to put together camper! The camp handpicks watch it’s exponential growth to show the their senior staff from across as it continues another 40 years. campers, North America every year, and “I’m making a promise, fondly, with memories that I showcasing all of the events that somehow they never fail to pick Your lessons I will not for- the Ante” in 2018… that would sake! simply fail to capture the 40 still cherish to this day. Later in transpired that week in camp. the best of the best. The senior my life, I returned to Lubavitch I fondly remember watching staff at Lubavitch Day Camp, in A much better person year celebration activities. Of me they will make. LDC went above and be- Day Camp for the summers of the Babaganewz as a CIT, im- any given year, are some of the 2014 and 2015 as a CIT. My ex- mensely looking forward to its nicest, most mindful people I Goodbye Camp Lubavitch.” yond to make sure that 2018 ~ Yosef Zeldman would be the best year yet, more perience as a CIT was nothing release week after week. Then, have ever met in my entire life, field trips, more activities, more short of incredible, and I still when I be- BBQs and late-night events. Di- look back on these summers came a staff rector Ester Steinmetz, assisted as the genuinely best summers member, I by Shua Goldstein, spared no of my life. Great friends, over actually got expense making sure that LDC the top trips, fun and attentive to film and would be a fulfilling and deeply counselors, I felt like a camper edit the Ba- gratifying experience for all! again, but in a more mature and baganewz. Whether it be the 181 extra thoughtful environment. I even This was an large pizza pies ordered every took away some important life absolutely Friday, the complete renovation lessons from my summer of marvelous of the full size (and heated!) 2015, as my counselor Levi experience, swimming pool, the wide array Katzman taught me some really and the up- of staff members suited for ev- key lessons about maturity and grade from ery child’s needs, or the increas- conscientiousness, lessons that watching to ingly diverse sports activities. helped me immensely through producing the This is an extremely piv- my first year of high school Babaganewz otal and emotional year for me and served as a critical build- was excep- personally with Lubavitch Day ing block for who I am today. tionally satis- Camp, as after 8 wonderful I couldn’t be a camper forever, fying. years I have spent at this camp, I however, and when 2016 rolled I hold will sadly be leaving the camp at around, I knew the only place I my job as the end of this summer. Know- would want to spend my sum- photographer ing that this is, sadly, my final mer at would be Lubavitch Day and videog- year with this extremely special Camp. So, naturally, I applied to rapher to this camp, I have been given the op- be a junior counselor. day, a job I portunity to reflect on all of the When I went to my inter- love with all amazing times that have been view with Mrs. Steinmetz in my heart, re- facilitated for me by Lubavitch June of 2016, I fully expected to maining as Day Camp, a camp that made come out of the office with a job the Camp’s every summer into an uplifting as a junior counselor… but then, photographer World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2018 • Page 7

The Woman In the Photo

By Baila Olidort

What happened on that flight? We were on a connecting flight via Brussels, returning from chaperoning a Birthright Israel trip. About an hour into the flight we heard wailing. It was the cry of a nonverbal child. This went on for fifteen minutes. Video of Deaf Rabbi It was getting very tense in the cabin. Flight attendants were rushing back and forth and the and Student Saying Sh- plane’s phones kept ringing. What were you thinking? I was sure that if this ema in Sign Language continued we’d have to make an emergency landing. We had seven hours of flying time ahead She’s the woman in the photo sitting on the floor in front of the emergency Goes Viral of us. All I could think of was exit of the plane on a transatlantic flight, with an 8-year-old African-Muslim boy By Mordechai Lightstone Deaf Jews each week, to teach the poor child. I couldn’t take it. in her arms. The photo went viral, and Rochel Groner, director of Chabad’s The I got out of my seat to find the Friendship Circle and ZABS Place in Charlotte, North Carolina, went back to a Torah class, tell Jewish sto- kid. He was standing two rows doing what she does best. A video of Rabbi Isser Lu- ries, help men don tefillin and behind me by the window. Tears becki, a 27-year-old Chabad distribute Shabbat candles to were streaming down his face. that? developing people don’t realize rabbi from France, helping a women. I put out my hand. He gave me I knew there had to be a just how fortunate they are to Deaf Jewish man put on tefil- Recently, Rabbi Yaacov El- his hand and he was quiet. We better way. So I started to look have the luxury of working lin and say the Shema in sign baz of Beth Loubavitch Paris walked up the aisle together. I around to see what employment and getting paid for it. The Fair sat down on the floor in front of opportunities there are for Labor Standards Act of 1938 the emergency exit. I put him on people with special needs. allows people with special my lap and hugged him. I rocked We saw baggers, janitors, and needs to work and get paid him and we drew pictures on air people watering plants. Which is pennies on the dollar because sickness bags. all fine, but if that’s not what you their productivity is compared I was really hyper-focused. want to do when you grow up, to that of a typically-developing People were finally relaxing and why do it? worker. That makes it legal to going to sleep, and I wanted to What kind of employment pay individuals with special keep him calm. do you make available at needs as low as $0.34 an hour We played with my phone. ZABS Place? for the same work someone else One of the Birthright teens gave It depends on what they is paid $7.25. me a fidget spinner to use. He want to do. Some of our young There are other rules which played with that. He laughed. adults feel anxious in social dictate how much money I’m pretty sure he had autism. situations, so we have positions someone receiving SSI and At some point he jumped into that allow them to do what they health care benefits can make my arms, I held him. I gave him are comfortable doing. It’s not before losing them and having language, recently went viral. 17 contacted Lubecki about a cookies. And after two hours, their needs that are special, it’s to pay a penalty. So for some Viewed tens of thousands of Deaf Jew in his community. he got up and went back to his their talents. We have someone it just isn’t worth it to get paid. times across various social The two met at ACSFJ, mom. That was it. who cannot tell you her name, But they want to do something networks, the video shows Lu- and since then, the man has but she makes bath bombs and What made you act? meaningful, so we have becki helping the man with the returned weekly to take part in I was there, so there must loofah soaps. She actually grows mitzvah. Torah class. During the meet- the loofah plant, cuts it up and opportunities for them too. have been a reason for that. I also Why a thrift shop? Lubecki works with Jew- ing, Lubecki helped the man wondered what must it be like puts them into bars of soap that she makes with essential oils, The thrift aspect mimics ish students as part of Chabad’s put on tefillin and shared it with for the mom. When things like our mission and philosophy. Beth Loubavitch Étudiants in Lankar. The video was shared this happen we tend to think that and we sell them. Another makes We believe that everyone and it’s her responsibility. But she semi-precious jewelry, and Paris’s 5th arrondissement, an to WhatsApp and Facebook, must have been so exhausted. another paints his interpretation everything has a purpose. When area known for its universities and rapidly took off across the It doesn’t help to stand and of Van Gogh. placed in the right environment and colleges, including the Sor- web. stare in disdain waiting for the It’s so easy to discount and nurtured, both shine. We bonne. “I don’t know the reason mother to “fix it.” Sometimes someone with special needs are committed to seeing the Deaf from birth, Lubecki why we are so special—that she can’t fix it. When you are in but these young adults are so value of every person and every has long focused his energy only Hashem knows,” Lubecki a situation that’s uncomfortable talented. We’ve developed donation. We polish and sew on reaching out to Jews in the told Chabad.org. “It’s impor- for everyone, the only thing to a microbusiness incubator and tweak our displays until Deaf community. In 2010, he tant that people see the video, do is try to help. program where we help young the beauty in everything is traveled as part of the Merkos see how Deaf Jews can pray I know the photo went viral, adults who have a passion but illuminated. We upcycle things Summer Visitation program to with sign language and connect and I suppose it must have been haven’t figured out how to use that others have discarded. We Rochester, N.Y., home to one to Hashem in this unique way.” a strange scene—me holding it. We have five young adults in take torn jeans and make them of America’s largest Deaf com- https://www.chabad.org/ a boy dressed in traditional that program now. into crossbody purses. Stained munities. news/article_cdo/aid/4056678/ African garb, but it wasn’t a Are all the people working men’s shirts get their sleeves cut off and are made into wine bags. In Paris, he visits the As- jewish/Video-of-Deaf-Rabbi- big deal. We need to remember at ZABS Place paid? sociation Culturelle des Sourds and-Student-Saying-Shema- that, as cliché as it sounds, it We have twelve paid This is how we encourage our employees at the moment. The customers and community to see Juifs de France (or ACSJF), in-Sign-Language-Goes-Viral. really does takes a village—we France’s central association for htm don’t live on an island. There’s a others cannot get paid because beyond the here-and-now and reason why people with special there’s a so much bureaucracy recognize potential inherent in needs live amongst us in our and red tape. Typically- everyone, and everything. community. You’ve done something extraordinary in your own community, raising the profile and awareness of people with special needs through ZABS Place. How did you, a Chabad representative, come to open this unique thrift shop? I’m not a business woman, but several years ago, when a number of young adults with special needs graduated high school, their parents were at a loss. They had no structure for them, so they asked us if we’d open a group home for them. We didn’t like the idea. In these homes, everything is generally done as a group. That’s an unfair and unrealistic expectation. Why should someone have to do something because everyone else is doing Page 8 • World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2018 Colleges Across U.S. Offer Alternative Graduations for Jewish Students

By Tzipora Reitman our needs.” and gowns, and received their di- When Rebecca Roffe walked At Hofstra University in plomas from the provost, and the proudly across the commence- Hempstead, N.Y., where Rabbi college president addressed the ment stage to receive her diploma Shmuly Lieberman is co-director graduates and guests. from Binghamton University in of the Chabad Jewish Student While it’s nice to have a Invocation at U.S. Upstate New York, she was filled Center, students and their parents crowd at events, each person with gratitude—not only for hav- asked the administration to re- constitutes an entire world, ac- ing reached this milestone, but schedule both the undergraduate cording to the famous Talmudic Embassy Opening in also for being able to celebrate it and law school graduation cer- dictum: “He who saves one life on a day that is suitable for her emonies, which coincided with has saved a whole world” (San- and her family. Shavuot. Both Hillel and Chabad hedrin 4:5). Jerusalem Delivered by Roffe was one of 48 students echoed the students’ concerns. Indeed, the University of participating in Binghamton Uni- Rather than reschedule the cer- Rochester held an alternative versity’s first-ever alternative emonies, the university agreed graduation on Wednesday, May Chabad Rabbi From graduation ceremony for Jewish to offer an alternative gradua- 16, for just one student, Jacob students on Friday morning, May tion ceremony on Tuesday, May Niebloom, who earned a B.S. 18. 22. Approximately 30 students in computer studies and a B.A. Long Island Roffe, of Skokie, Ill., earned participated. “Some of the par- in business. Months ago, when By Dovid Mar- a bachelor’s degree in chemistry ticipants even included students he realized that Sunday’s com- golin and is headed for Hofstra Law who didn’t necessarily observe mencement coincided with —Fifty-one School. Ordinarily, she would Shavuot but wished to show soli- Shavuot, Niebloom himself ap- years after the sol- have graduated with her fellow darity with their fellow Jewish proached the university admin- diers of the Israel De- science students on Sunday, May students,” reported Lieberman. istration to ask for an alternate fense Forces entered 20. This year, Shavuot occured Rockland Community Col- ceremony. the gates of the Old on Sunday and Monday, making lege, part of the State University “They were very supportive, City of Jerusalem, it complicated for observant Jew- of New York, in Suffern, N.Y., and even though I had hoped reunifying the holy ish students and their families to also responded to concerns raised other students would participate, city after almost two the university was very willing to decades of Jordanian do it just for me,” he said. During occupation, the Unit- Rabbi Zalman Wolowik, co-director of Chabad of the Five his sophomore year, Niebloom, ed States of America Towns in Cedarhurst, N.Y., and a longtime friend and of Livingston, N.J., on a quest to officially moved its Torah-study partner of U.S. Ambassador to Israel David fill in missing gaps in his Jewish Friedman, delivers the invocation at the historic opening of embassy to Israel’s the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. education, became close to Rabbi capital city. The Asher Yaras, co-director of the move, a perennial have had the beautiful name of Rohr Chabad House at Univer- presidential campaign promise this beautiful city on their lips, sity of Rochester. supported by U.S. leaders on both Yerushalayim. Jews have lived “I’m very proud of Jacob sides of the aisle for decades, was here, and when they didn’t, they for standing up for what is right, announced by President Donald directed their prayers here. That even if it is not necessarily the J. Trump in December 2017. The is truth.” most convenient. Students often opening took place on May 14 in Thanking President Trump have a dream of what their grad- the presence of U.S. Ambassador and the United States for “stand- uation will look like, but Jacob to Israel David M. Friedman, Is- ing for this truth,” he prayed that knows what’s important,” said raeli Prime Minister Benjamin other countries follow America’s Yaras, who attended the alterna- Netanyahu, and American and example in “affirming the Jewish Jacob Niebloom receives his two bachelor’s degrees from Dean Wendi Heinzelman, tive graduation along with Rabbi Israeli dignitaries. people’s eternal bond with this Dean of the Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at University of Nechemia Vogel, co-director of The gathering was addressed holy city.” Rochester at an alternative graduation ceremony arranged just for him. the Kessler Family Chabad Cen- by Rabbi Zalman Wolowik, di- Peace, Wolowik pointed out, ter, and Rabbi Ari Kilimnick of rector of Chabad-Lubavitch of is a quintessentially Jewish idea nearby Congregation Beth Sho- the Five Towns in Cedarhurst, and aspiration, symbolized in the participate. To avoid traveling on about commencement falling on lom, as well as Niebloom’s par- N.Y., and a longtime Torah-study very makeup of Jerusalem. “The Shabbat and the holiday, which is Shavuot. The college typically ents and grandmother. partner of Ambassador Fried- beauty of Jerusalem,” Wolowik prohibited by Jewish law, fami- holds one ceremony, scheduled In Binghamton, Amanda man. said, quoting the Rebbe, Rabbi lies would have needed to come this year for Sunday, May 20, the Nussbaum of Teaneck, N.J., who Emphasizing Jerusalem’s Menachem M. Schneerson, of up on Friday and remain in Bing- first day of Shavuot. Rabbi Dov place as the eternal capital of the righteous memory, “ ... is that its hamton until Tuesday. and Shevy Oliver, co-directors of received a B.A. in economics and hopes to work in data analyt- Jewish people, Wolowik noted walls are unifying walls. Within Last summer, Rabbi Aaron Hillel of Rockland, which is af- that “truth is not determined by the confines of Jerusalem, every Slonim, executive director and filiated with Chabad on Campus, ics, expressed her gratitude for Chabad. “I feel totally taken care popular opinion—it is eternal man, woman and child became senior rabbi at the Rohr Chabad approached the administration. not ephemeral, unchanging not part of something greater than Center for Jewish Student Life “We are gratified that RCC’s se- of by Chabad,” she said. “They worked out everything about relative. Truth stands the test themselves.” at Binghamton, learned that all nior administration was receptive of time. While empires, ideolo- But peace is the twin of truth, eight of the university’s 2018 to our proposal to accommodate graduation before we even knew about it.” gies and philosophies rise and and the rabbi concluded by pray- graduation ceremonies were observant Jewish students by of- fall, the Jewish people’s attach- ing that “from today’s exalting of scheduled for the weekend of fering an alternative graduation “They always go above and ment to this holy city has never beyond to help us,” she contin- truth, there flow to Jerusalem, her Shavuot. ceremony,” said Shevy Oliver. waned or faltered—it is truth. neighbors and to the entire world, “As I fielded calls from The alternative graduation cer- ued, “and they’re even making a King David imagined a Temple fancy dinner for us and our fami- a true and perfect peace. ... In the anxious parents, I felt strongly emony was held on Thursday here, and his son Solomon built words of the Psalmist who sang that I had to help make this joy- evening, May 24; eight students lies the night before. Chabad be- it here; the Prophets pleaded, ca- his longing for peace not far from ous event less stressful for these and their guests attended. ing here is a huge part of the rea- joled and thundered here. From right here, ‘Pray for the peace of families,” Slonim told Chabad. The ceremony at RCC, simi- son I chose Binghamton. And just cradle to grave, for thousands of Jerusalem, may those who love org. Having heard from fellow years, Jews of every extraction you be at peace ... ’ ” Chabad rabbis that other colleges had arranged alternate gradua- tions, Slonim approached Bing- hamton’s president, Dr. Harvey Stenger, to propose that Bing- hamton do the same. “I was over- joyed and deeply grateful when he responded positively and put the pieces in place to make this happen.” Cheryl and Irv Stein of Buf- falo, N.Y., arrived in Binghamton on Thursday night, May 17, and The recital of Kaddish is the bond which join their daughter Mariah at a unites the generations from the immemorial dinner sponsored by Chabad. On unto eternity. It is the way we show our time- Friday, after Mariah received her less devotion to our parents and loved ones. In B.A. in Human Development, the event you cannot personally observe this the family returned to Buffalo hallowed expression of love for the duration in time to observe Shabbat and of eleven months, alternate arrangements can Shavuot. Mariah Stein, left, and Sammi Plotsker prepare for their alternative gradua- be made through the Chabad Lubavitch Orga- “Upon seeing the original tion ceremony at Binghamton University nization. You may also consider placing bronze date for graduation, I was dis- name plates of your departed ones on our Me- appointed and surprised,” said morial Board which will insure The Observance Cheryl Stein. “I am so impressed lar to alternative graduations at like I felt cared for by Chabad as of Yahrtzeit in perpetuity. at how the college has been so other colleges, mirrored the col- soon as I arrived here, I’m leav- accommodating, thanks to Rabbi lege’s standard commencement ing college with the same feeling For further information call 905.731.7000 Slonim making them aware of ceremony. Graduates wore caps about Chabad.” World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2018 • Page 9

When Politics and Religion Don’t Mix: Chabad at Oberlin College Talking about Judaism, Is- rael, and anti-Semitism on one of America’s most liberal cam- puses By Sarah Ogince Last October, fliers calling for an end to “Jewish privilege” Raised in the Congo, appeared all over the Oberlin College campus. It was only the latest such incident at the school, which has become so in- She Will Now Start Up ured to them that its administra- tion announced in November it would no longer notify students Chabad in Ivory Coast about offensive fliers, as it had done in the past. The fliers rep- By Dovid Margolin ria. A center opened in Uganda resent one voice in a larger dia- Debbie Bensaid has lived at the end of 2017, and one in logue going on at the college, in the Central African city of Tanzania earlier this year. which has drawn attention as a Devorah Elkan studies Torah with young women on campus. In this safe space, Kinshasa, Congo, for most of Ironically, with a three- hotbed of anti-Israel activism, politics don’t have credence. her life. She was three months and-a-half-hour flight connect- and where roughly one third of old in 1991 when her parents ing Abidjan and Kinshasa (al- the students are Jewish. ly not one the Elkans can avoid. says. She teaches a course called moved to what was then called beit only three times a week), Oberlin made national “We engage daily with students “More than Matzo Balls,” which Zaire to establish Chabad- Debbie Bensaid’s new home headlines in the spring of 2016, who are anti-Israel,” says Rabbi uses the traditional foods of dif- Lubavitch of Central Africa, won’t be all that far from her when Joy Karega, an assistant Shlomo. “We’re here to serve ferent Jewish ethnic groups as a growing up blocks away from old one. Beyond the benefit of professor of composition and the Jewish people regardless of lens to explore the holidays and rhetoric, wrote on Facebook that any political affiliation.” kosher laws. ISIS was a creation of the CIA Senior Ari Rosenblum, 21, The Elkans do their best to and the Mossad. She also posted began attending Shabbat dinners make it clear to students that a meme with a picture of the at the Chabad House during his they can safely disagree on banker Jacob Rothschild next freshman year. The psychology politics, even as regards Israel, to the words, “We own your and politics major grew up Re- and still participate in Jewish news, the media, your oil and form and participated in Jewish life. “We emphasize that being your government.” The school’s youth groups throughout high Jewish doesn’t mean you can- president initially defended school, but never considered not disagree with Israeli govern- Karega’s academic freedom, but himself a Zionist. He thinks that ment policies,” says Devorah, in November, the board stepped some of the discourse around who grew up in Israel. “But your in and fired her. A week later, the Israel on campus is “very mis- Jewish identity can be linked to home of a Jewish professor was guided.” the heritage and history of the vandalized, and a note left un- “It’s almost become a left- land.” der the mezuzah with the words ist version of the Elders of Zion Devorah knows a lot about “Gas Jew Die” spelled out in conspiracy. They don’t realize that history, having worked as letters cut from newspapers. that they’re perpetuating tropes a tour guide in Israel before she Promoting Jewish obser- that have contributed to the op- married. She acknowledges that vance in that kind of environ- pression of Jewish people.” “Israel is a huge part of the core ment might seem a daunting Debbie and Rabbi Yerah Bensaid are moving to Ivory Coast to open Chabad- Karega was an important and essence of who I am,” and Lubavitch’s newest outpost in Africa. She grew up in the Congo. task, but Rabbi Shlomo and advisor to the Black Lives Mat- that “being on a campus like Devorah Elkan are not intimi- ter group on campus, and many Oberlin’s leads to some inner tu- dated. Chabad representatives students were upset when she mult.” Even if they don’t see eye to the Ohio college town since the majestic Congo River and was fired. “There was a time on to eye on all the issues, students amidst the occasional civil war. knowing what life is actually 2010, they would get to know campus when either you were can sense the strength of her like in Africa, Bensaid says she Oberlin’s long history of pro- Different, you might say, from with the Jews or you were with family’s convictions, and they the life of a typical Chassidic will draw on the lessons she gressive politics on the job. The the black students,” says Rosen- respect them, she says. “We’re learned in Congo, where she learning curve was steep. Rabbi girl anywhere else in the world. blum, “which was completely respectful and non-judgmental, Yet for her, Africa is home. watched her parents, Rabbi Shlomo recalls one of his first unnecessary, especially because but we know what we stand for, forays onto campus: “It was the “Africa is all I know,” Shlomo and Miriam Bentolila, we all had the same opinions.” and the students appreciate that build a vibrant and loving Jew- first day of Sukkot and I was He says Rabbi Shlomo ad- honesty much more than the says Bensaid. “The people are out, like a good Chabad campus friendly; the Jewish commu- ish community. dressed the issue in a way that masks and fluff that people put “The example I look at is rabbi, with my lulav and etrog. made sense. “I remember around on to appease them.” nity is close and safe. I love it I turned a corner and bumped the time of [the protests in] Fer- On their own turf, the couple here.” my mother. She created a beau- into a mass of students protest- guson, he said some really good keeps things as non-political as She remembers what is tiful Hebrew school, where ing, with police cordons and stuff about how it’s our respon- possible. “We have a rule at our sometimes called the Second children learned to read and everything.” It turned out that sibility as Jews to fight oppres- Shabbos table,” Devorah says, Congo War, in 1998, when as write Hebrew, and celebrate Republican political operative sion. Not only is it commanded somewhat facetiously. “We can a 7-year-old she and her fam- Shabbat and all the Jewish hol- Karl Rove was speaking. When of us, but because of our history, talk about anything except poli- ily took the last plane out of the idays in a warm atmosphere,” the speech was over, Rabbi we need to stand in solidarity tics and religion.” The warm country that August. “I don’t she says. “I hope that my chil- Shlomo says, a group of stu- with oppressed groups.” family atmosphere seems to be dren and all the children of the dents attempted a citizen’s ar- remember being scared, but Whenever they can, the a relief for everyone. Freshman you could feel the tension in Jewish community in Ivory rest of Rove for “crimes against couple encourages students to Caleb Knapp attends Shabbat humanity.” the country. The streets were Coast gain that same sense of view their heritage as a source dinners at the Chabad House empty.” Jewish pride and enthusiasm.” After that first culture of spiritual and cultural riches, most weeks. “We usually talk shock, the Elkans adapted Her family returned to Rabbi Bensaid, who first rather than a morally fraught about something that happened visited and met with Jewish quickly to their new environ- burden to be defended or re- on campus, or how we’re feel- Congo, but experienced other ment. In addition to Shabbat nounced. “We want them to see ing,” he says. “Rabbi Shlomo periods of instability after- community members in Ivory dinners and Torah classes, they that there’s all this wealth in the just wants us to feel good about wards. Nevertheless, as a Jew, Coast several months ago, says developed programs like “How text and the practice, which is ourselves and about Oberlin. she never felt afraid. “Congo- the former French colony (also Do You Jew?” an arts collec- way more than what modern so- He’d be willing to talk to you lese people are very friendly known as Côte d’Ivoire) is a tive that encourages students ciety has defined it as,” Devorah about anything.” and nice,” says Bensaid. “They growing place, drawing busi- and faculty to express their Jew- love Jews and have always re- nesspeople and investors from ish identity through the spoken spected us. We feel comfort- around the world. The Jewish word, photography, and music able as Jews in this country.” community numbers between (Oberlin is famous for its con- Now, with her Paris-born servatory). The rabbi also hosts 200 and 300 people—a mix- husband Rabbi Yerah Ben- ture of Israelis, Americans and a radio program on the college said, the young mother of two station called “Nasal Gazing,” a Europeans, especially French Jewish take on the stereotype of is preparing to open Chabad- Jews, who are involved in a Obies as navel-gazers. In each Lubavitch’s newest outpost on host of businesses, from infra- episode, he talks in depth with the continent: Later this year, structure development to oil one Jewish student about their the Bensaids will move to Abi- and gas to commodities. experience at the college and djan and establish Chabad of “We are looking for a suit- what their concerns are. Not Ivory Coast. Their center in able place to open Abidjan’s surprisingly, the conversation West Africa will be the seventh first synagogue, which will also often turns to Israel and anti- permanent center under the serve as the base of Chabad ac- Semitism. umbrella of Chabad of Central tivities,” he says. “Ultimately, It’s not always a comfort- Africa, joining the neighboring our top priority will be to build able discussion, but it’s certain- Shlomo and Devorah Elkan with parents and students at a graduation party. countries of Ghana and Nige- a mikvah.” Page 10 • World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2018

They Came for the World Cup and Stayed for Shabbos By Dovid Margolin Until two weeks ago, Alberto Galante had never been to Rus- sia. The 2018 FIFA World Cup- drew him to Moscow, St. Peters- burg, and Rostov-on-Don, where he cheered on Mexico’s national Anti-Semitic Vandalism soccer team as they advanced through the competition. While Galante—who traveled with his At Oxford U. son and friends—was thrilled to see Mexico stun the world in its upset win over defending World Cup champion Germany, that Chabad Draws was not the only happy surprise of his 12-day trip: He also got to see living, breathing Jewish life Condemnation in Russia, which not only left By Menachem Posner him impressed, but inspired. There was a palpable sense “It was a very spiritual ex- of relief when a suspicious- perience, even though it wasn’t looking powder that accompa- supposed to be,” says Galante, nied two hateful notes left at 49, who lives in Miami but is Chabad of Oxford was identified originally from Mexico. “I ex- as harmless talcum powder. pected to see Chabad, but I didn’t Chabad of Oxford is a hub expect what we experienced; it of Jewish life at the University was uplifting.” of Oxford in England, providing There were at least 10,000 students with kosher food, Shab- Israelis among the 1 million soc- Rabbi Chaim Danzinger shows visitors around the restored Rostov synagogue. bat celebrations, prayer services, cer fans who descended upon a city-center student center, as Russia for the World Cup, but well as a mikvah, nursery and that number does not reflect the most. “Where else do you meet lar laypeople, on their vacation, more. It is particularly well- A note left by anti-Semitic vandals. thousands of Jewish visitors who a Jew who made the decision to come to synagogue, put on a tallit known for its acclaimed lecture came from all around the world, have a brit milah at age 63?” he and pray.” series, which attracts world- especially from Latin America. marvels. In Rostov, Galante met Two thousand miles separate police took the matter seriously, “We had people from New many more Mexican Jewish fans, Kaliningrad, Russia’s European class academics and personali- cordoning off the street and cau- Zealand, Canada, Argentina,” some of whom he knew and oth- outpost, and Ekaterinburg, its ties who present on a wide range tiously investigating until they says Rabbi Mordechai Weisberg, ers he didn’t. gateway to Siberia. In both cities, of Jewish topics (www.oxford- determined that the powder, director of Chabad-Lubavitch “It’s definitely brought a Chabad emissaries have opened jewishlectures.com). which had been left in the front of Moscow, located in the Mos- lot of excitement,” says Ros- their doors to welcome Jewish “The powder that was left of the property, turned out to be cow Jewish Community Center tov’s chief rabbi Chaim Danz- fans. today was not part of a trend,” harmless. (MJCC) in the Marina Roscha inger, who also directs Chabad Since 1998, Rabbi David Rabbi Eli Brackman, who co- “This incident,” says the neighborhood of the capital. of Rostov. Prior to the games, and Avital Shvedik have been a directs Chabad of Oxford with rabbi, “will no doubt inspire Ox- “People have been flocking here Danzinger recorded a short video key part of reestablishing Jewish his wife, Freida, since 2001, ford Chabad to only increase in for kosher food, to pray, or just welcoming Jewish visitors to the life in Kalningrad, which was the told Chabad.org. “While the providing for the needs of the to spend time. They just type historic city that he and his fami- East Prussian city of Königsberg notes tell us that the perpetrators Jewish community at Oxford.” until the end of World War II. were clearly acting out of anti- The city has a long and lustrous Jewish history, but was utterly destroyed during the war. The choral synagogue was ravaged on Kristallnacht, and the Jewish community deported in 1942. Recently, the Jewish community received the land upon which the choral synagogue once stood, and a full reconstruction of the historic structure is underway. A new 23-ton dome was lowered onto the structure earlier this year, which is timed to be com- pleted this November—80 years Enjoying a kosher meal and a Torah thought with Rabbi Shlomo Deutch in Samara. since the events of Kristallnacht. “We have been seeing a con- stant stream of visitors coming ‘Chabad Moscow’ into their ly have called home for a decade. in for kosher food and to put on GPS, and they are led straight The video caught fire on social tefillin,” says Shvedik, who notes here.” media and WhatsApp, turning that Kaliningrad, a Russian is- They are also directed by him into a minor celebrity among land of sorts, almost never gets apps released for iPhone and An- tourists. “People have been rec- foreign visitors. droid devices, and a website with ognizing and coming up to me At the other end of the World Chabad of Oxford is a hub of Jewish life at the all relevant Jewish tourist infor- in the streets, pulling out their Cup map, in Ekaterinburg, Rabbi mation, set up to orient visitors. phones to show how they know University of Oxford in England Weisberg met with FIFA about me.” Zelig Ashkenazi, the chief rabbi president Gianni Infantino in the Rostov’s restored synagogue of Russia’s fourth-largest city, has experienced a similar phe- runup to the games, sharing with is just across the Don River from Semitism, all indicators, includ- him the Jewish community’s Rostov Arena, where the games nomenon. “Hundreds of Jews from ing video footage, indicate that it World Cup plans throughout Rus- were played, making it a con- was an isolated incident.” sia. MJCC, the seven-story heart- venient stop for Jewish visitors. France, Uruguay, Peru, Mexico, Japan and other countries came The incident drew wide- beat of Jewish life in Moscow, Galante stayed in a hotel quite spread condemnation from the has a dedicated, multi-lingual a distance from the synagogue, to Ekaterinburg to participate in the World Cup,” he says. “Most university and the community. information center for visitors, and so on Friday night—while Oxford West and Abingdon MP and is home to multiple kosher some 100 guests gathered for a of them come to the community center to participate in prayers Layla Moran, a Member of Par- restaurants, including Shtetl. A large meal and farbrengen at the liament representing Oxford, pleasant outdoor restaurant seat- synagogue—made kiddush in his and Shabbat meals and take ad- vantage of the kosher cafeteria.” said: “It is shocking and deeply ing area with screens showing room on wine provided to him distressing to hear reports of games throughout the country by the rabbi. The next day, he Ekaterinburg’s impressive was set up on the property of the walked an hour-and-a-half, join- Rohr Chabad community center an attack on the Oxford Jewish Jewish center, where fans were ing others for a Shabbat meal at is located in the center of the city Centre. I wholly condemn this able to sip a kosher cappuccino the rabbi’s home. and includes a synagogue, men’s attack; we cannot tolerate anti- while keeping up with the match- “This has been an amazing and women’s mikvahs, and a Semitism of any kind in Ox- es. Each Shabbat saw hundreds experience for our community soup kitchen. ford.” join for big Shabbat meals, and as well,” explains Danzinger. Galante, who returned home The powder was initially more than 1,000 joined for the “Here, who is usually the one to Miami, sums up the general discovered over the holiday of Shabbat before the finals. who knows how to read Hebrew feeling he, his group, and the Shavuot, together with the hate- But it was Galante’s visit and pray? It is a rabbi. So it’s other Jews he spoke with felt re- ful notes, which had been left on to Rostov, where Mexico beat beautiful for our community to garding Jewish life in Russia: “It the vehicle gate. South Korea, that struck him see a large group of Jews, regu- is extraordinary.” The rabbi reports that local World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2018 • Page 11

By Rabbi Aron Moss

we have to look within and start years, the time is ripe. We are health. Your doctor doesn’t have ing process - seven intense days, riding on inspiration that we living in an age of surprises. So to be Jewish. Your spirituality thirty days of lesser intensity, and Inspiration on create ourselves. The spiritual don’t be surprised if Moshiach does. an entire year of subdued remem- path has to become ours, comes and renovates the land- brance - is not only a way for you Training Wheels something we work for and earn. scape. Those who were previous- to gradually adjust to the new re- We will fall again, but every ly classified as enemies will be- ality, it is a mirror image of the fall brings a chance to take things come allies. They will willingly Where is My Father’s steps your father’s soul takes to- I am feeling a major lull to a new level. Keep on pedaling, and joyously watch the rebuild- Soul Now? wards reaching final rest. in my spiritual motivation. inspired or not, and you will ing of the Temple on its ancient So don’t feel guilty as you I started getting into Jewish advance further and further in site. slowly make your way back things around a year ago, your soul’s journey. into life. It is a sign that your fa- but now I just don’t have the Feeling uninspired? Your There is something that ther’s soul is finding peace. You passion for it anymore. Rosh training wheels are off. You don’t Jewish Position on has been eating at me since my will never leave him behind, Hashana is coming - last year need them anymore. Get up and father’s funeral. Immediately and he will never leave you. I was all inspired, this year I ride. Spiritual Healing after the burial, everyone came don’t feel any drive whatsoever to wish me and my family con- to attend services. Is there dolences, then after a few min- something I can do to revive Can We Have the What’s the Jewish posi- utes, we all left the cemetery. Trust Your First my enthusiasm? tion on spiritual healing? I For me this was the hardest Temple Mount have come across an eastern moment of the whole day. I felt Impressions? Answer: treatment that looks amazing. as if we were leaving my father Do you remember how you Please? It requires me to connect to behind all by himself. Was his learnt to ride a bike? Your first particular angelic forces and soul lonely? Is it as hard for the I met a lovely girl on a blind bike was fitted with training I know that we pray for recite incantations in order dead to part from the living as date last week. We went to the wheels on each side, to keep you Moshiach to come and re- to activate the healing. As a it is for the living to part from art gallery and had a wonder- from tipping over. The training build the Temple in Jerusalem. Jew is there any issue in utilis- the dead? Or has he moved on? ful conversation. She has ev- wheels allowed you to get the But isn’t there a slight techni- ing these healing practices? What does Judaism say about erything I am looking for. But feel of riding the bike and build cal problem with that? Cur- the soul right after burial? she is not for me. There is noth- confidence. You felt so good, rently there is a building which Answer: ing wrong with her, but I am a speeding along and never falling. stands on the Temple Mount Spirituality and healing are Answer: very good judge of character Then, just as you started to that belongs to another reli- deeply intertwined. Modern med- There is a striking parallel and my intuition can quickly get comfortable, your parents gion. I somehow can’t imag- icine recognises the power of the between a soul’s journey to its assess people. I know when it is removed the training wheels and ine that they would be willing mind to help heal the body, and place of rest in heaven, and the right and this time it just isn’t. told you to get on the bike and to give up the real estate and the impact of a patient’s spiritual grieving process experienced I would meet her a second time ride. So you got on, rode for half a knock down their house of state on the healing process. Any by the mourners down here on just to be polite, but wouldn’t second and then lost balance and worship to make way for ours... attempt to improve our physical earth. Both the departed soul and that be leading her on? fell flat. “How can I ride without So what’s the plan with this? health should be coupled with an the loved ones left behind have to training wheels?” you thought. upgrade in our spiritual health. walk a slow and measured pro- Answer: But your parents insisted that you Answer: On many levels, the body and gression towards a new reality. There is a popular theory try again. So you did, and again The rebuilding of the Temple soul are in parallel. For seven days after a fu- that we can know all we need to you fell. is not just about renovating and A medical treatment will neral, the family stay home in know about a person in the first Your frustration built up, to landscaping. It’s a complete ren- only be effective if it is compat- mourning, what is called sitting few seconds of meeting them. It the point that you were ready to ovation of the world’s spiritual ible with the patient. Factors such Shiva (Hebrew for the number is a great theory. There is only give in. You may have wondered landscape. as blood type, genetic make-up seven). The kabbalists describe one problem with it. It is rubbish. why your parents took the The Messianic era, which and family history will determine the departed soul during this time A person is more than meets training wheels off in the first we have been waiting for ever whether a particular treatment as being in a state of flux between the eye. We are multi-layered. place. But had they not, you since the Temple was destroyed is appropriate for a particular the world of the living and the We have thoughts and feelings, would never learn to ride your 2000 years ago, will usher in an person. A practitioner would be world of the dead. For that week, memories and dreams, quirks bike all on your own. It’s harder unprecedented reign of peace. derelict in their duty if they did the soul commutes back and and foibles. Everyone has a sto- to ride without training wheels, All nations will unite under one not first investigate the patient’s forth from the grave to the house ry and everyone has a soul. You but only then is it really you G-d with a singular moral pur- background before deciding how of mourning and back again. It can’t see all this at first glance. riding the bike, using your own pose. There will be no more war, to treat them. fluctuates, sometimes being in How many times have you skill rather than depending on no famine, and no slow internet. The same applies to spiritual the home with the family, other been impressed by someone’s outside help. You may fall a few While religious and national remedies. Your soul’s family his- times returning to the gravesite. first impression, only to be dis- times, but as long as you get back identities will remain, the hatred tory must be taken into account This explains the roller coast- appointed after a few conver- up and keep pedaling, eventually between them will be gone. before embarking on any spiri- er of emotions often experienced sations? And the opposite too, you get your balance and the bike No blood need be shed to tual path. If your soul make up is by grieving relatives. At one mo- how many people have you met rides smoothly along the road. achieve this. The force of ideas, Jewish, it needs Jewish spiritual- ment they feel as if nothing has and not particularly appreciated, When someone gets in touch not the force of weapons, will ity to be healthy. happened, as if their loved one only to be pleasantly surprised with their Jewishness for the bring about the redemption. This Healing practices can be bor- is about to walk into the room. after getting to know them bet- first time, there is a thrill and an means some ideologies will need rowed from any culture. Stretch- At the next moment the pain of ter? Even looks are deceiving. A excitement unlike anything else in to be adjusted and certain beliefs es and exercises, breathing and loss hits, and they feel the void person who you find unattractive the world. This initial inspiration rejected. But this can be done relaxation techniques, herbal left by the death of their beloved. at first can grow on you as their is a little helping hand from G-d; through introspection from with- remedies and natural medicines, The pendulum of emotion is a re- full picture unravels. spiritual training wheels that help in rather than attacks from with- if they have been tried and tested flection of the to and fro of the I am sure you would agree us start our journey. But once out. When truth shines, falsehood and pose no danger, may be help- soul of the departed. The feeling that no one can know what you we get the hang of it, once we falls away. ful, no matter where in the world that he may walk into the room are all about by meeting you have advanced along the spiritual Sounds impossible? Look they come from. These practices is real, for his soul is there in the once. The same goes for others. path and are ready to go deeper, at history. Cultures do change. don’t need to come from a Jewish home. But then the soul leaves, Don’t always trust your instincts. the training wheels are removed Even religions can reform. With- source in order to heal a Jewish and the sharp feeling of separa- They can easily lead you astray. and we have to ride on our own. in living memory Germany was body. tion returns in its place. Maybe I am wrong. Perhaps The inspiration disappears, the a murderous terrorist state, and But once a remedy crosses On each day a part of the you do have an amazing sixth motivation fades, and we are left Japan was a mortal enemy of the over into the realm of the soul, soul is left behind at the grave, sense and can read people on the dangling. west. Those two nations are noth- requiring us to connect with and less of the soul returns to the spot. But is it foolproof? What if Here’s the real test. When ing like that today. Okay, it took spiritual energies, pray to higher home, until a week has passed, you are right 99% of the time? the excitement wears off, many losing a World War to get there. beings, focus on names of an- and the soul stops its commute. It What if you get it wrong only drop out of the spiritual life. But go back a bit further in his- gels or channel invisible powers, then begins its journey upwards once? Imagine what you could They think that the fun is over, tory. Christianity once condoned then we must beware. We have to higher realms. But a part of miss out on... this spiritual stuff isn’t for me, the slaughter of non-believers, only one G-d who does not work the soul always remains at the I commend you for tak- and they move on. If we do that, and that changed without a war. through intermediaries, and we gravesite. ing the plunge and agreeing to then we miss out the chance to Had you lived in pre-war Ger- have the Torah as our spiritual After your father’s funeral, as meet her the first time. It is not go to the next level, to connect many or medieval Christendom health manual. If it doesn’t jive the family was leaving the cem- always easy to put yourself out to our souls through our own you would have never believed with Torah, then it clashes with etery, you were not leaving your there. But I think you should efforts. Precisely the moment that such change is possible. But our family history. father’s soul behind. His soul ac- give it a second chance, and when the inspiration fizzles out is it happened. A healthy organism is one companied you home. Just as you this time switch off the intu- when the real soul work begins. The Jewish people have al- connected to its roots. Study could not let him go all at once, ition and see what you find. You Rather than being propped up ways known that the impossible Torah and plug in to your soul’s he could not leave you so sud- may discover that you are actu- by divinely created inspiration, just takes a bit longer. After 2000 source. You need it for your denly either. The Jewish mourn- ally meeting her for the first time. Page 12 • World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2018

By Rabbi Levi Welton felt religion must take us away I’m a millennial with a short from physicality, Chabad phi- attention span so I thought it’d losophy focuses on finding a be fun to briefly interview three holistic model which basically Chabad “thought-leaders” sees the human being at the vor- who preach a global message tex of the cosmos with the pow- that is relevant to the experi- er to reveal the Unity within enced & novice alike. As a ca- the physicality. In other words, veat, let me be clear that when in the beginning God created I asked these Rabbis if they’d the Heavens and the Earth and be willing to be interviewed as then created humans to become a “thought leader of Chabad”, that bridge between them. It is they each responded with “The teachings like this one that pro- only thought-leader in Chabad pel Chabad “shluchim” to sac- is the Rebbe.” (For those who rifice their own physicality for are close to their Chabad Rab- someone else’s spirituality for bi, you know exactly what I’m we have been cultivated with talking about). the mindset that we can do the impossible; to bring Heaven THE RELATIONSHIP “Thought-Leaders of Chabad” down to Earth.” GURU By: Rabbi Levi Welton Rabbi Manis Friedman is RLW: “This may be ran- the co-founder and dean of the ment between the two of you our spirituality where we of- rah classes in the world today dom but, when I hear you Bais Chana Institute of Jewish but about creating that sacred ten hear how G-d needs noth- and is the author of “A Tale of talk, a part of me wonders if Studies and a world-renowned space. Secondly, being intimate ing and religion is just for our Two Souls”—a 150 audio series you write poetry?” public speaker and marriage is not a thing you do but a state spiritual needs. But the truth is on the teachings of the Chas- RYY: “No, I’m not a poet. counselor. His teachings have you’re in with a person you’re that G-d needs us and the proof sidic classic, the Tanya.- “ Al- I love studying the world been cited by many authors with. As it states in the Mishna is found in the very first verse though many people consider whether its botany, cosmology, including Barbara Holstein’s “Any love that is dependent of the Torah. “In the beginning, Chabad to be an “outreach or- biology, whatever. When I see on something—when the thing G-d created the Heavens and the ganization”, I was intrigued by a bee pollinating a flower and ceases, the love also ceases. But Earth” (Genesis 1:1). It is G-d the tremendous success Rabbi then doing her “bee dance”, I a love that is not dependent on who created the world, not us, Jacobson has seen doing “in- find it marvellously inspiring. anything never ceases.” (Pirkei and whenever someone creates reach” with the Orthodox & The Baal Shem Tov taught that Avot 5:16) Without intimacy, a narrative, the logical question Strictly-Orthodox Jewish com- there are spiritual lessons to be you’re alone in the world no to ask is “what do you need?” munities. learned from everything you matter how many likes or fol- I find it fascinating that all see. Sometimes when I’m coun- lowers you have. A third mes- the commencement speeches RLW: “On YouTube and seling parents struggling with a sage is not to worship love. over the past decade included other social media channels, defiant teenager, I’ll show them Love by itself is not the rela- messages like “go out and be I’ve seen how popular you are an apricot pit and I’ll tell them tionship; it’s the flavor of the your best, succeed beyond your amongst Jewish communities how that pit is so hard that one’s relationship. If you’re two norm, chase all your dreams, of vastly different religious teeth can crack when trying to separate people on two separate etc.” but this year almost every- affiliations ranging from the bite it but if you gently place the paths, love is not the answer. In- one speaking, from professors, unaffiliated to the “black hat” pit into the warm soil, not only Rabbi Manis Friedman timacy is. comedians to even a general strictly-Orthodox. What is will it open up but a magnificent in the army, is preaching “go your secret? tree will spring from inside it.” RLW: “How does this ex- out there and fix the world, go RYY: “Well, first of all, “Enchanted Self: A Positive press the unique spiritual fla- make the world better”. It’s like permit me to correct you by RLW: “If you had a mes- Therapy” and Syliva Fishman’s vor of Chabad?” they’re all Chabad! I find it a suggesting that “popularity” is sage for the youth of today, “A Breath of Life: Feminism RMF: “One of the fun- very positive development from not the goal and neither is fit- what would it be?” in the American Jewish Com- damentals of being a Chabad the selfishness that has festered ting people in their specific and RYY: “There are two munity”. Additionally, from Chassid is to work daily on since the 80’s. proverbial boxes of affiliation. features required for today’s 1984-1990, he served as the your humility through medita- The Talmudic sage, Rabbi Rather, we are all members of social activist, thinker, profes- simultaneous translator for tion and losing your ego in the Elazar Hakapar, said “against the same tribe and same global sional or whatever is their cho- the live televised talks by the “other”. Cultivating intimacy in your will you were created”. I “mishpocha” (“family”). One sen vocation; Absolute Integrity Rebbe and went on to publish your terrestrial relationships is think this teaches us that life is commonality which I’ve seen and Relevance. Absolute integ- “Why Doesn’t Anyone Blush exactly like cultivating intima- not a competition between what in my travels is how easy it is rity is a must because people Anymore?” in 1990 and, most cy in your celestial relationship. we need and what our Creator to be cynical when you see the are exhausted from hearing recently, “The Joy of Intimacy” Many of the ideas in The Joy of needs. Rather, we must stop amount of corruption, abuse, half-truths and camouflaged with co-author and award-win- Intimacy are derivations from putting G-d on the back-burner and dishonesty in one’s own messages interwoven into the ning filmmaker Ricardo Adler. the Kabbalistic ingredients for and start seeing what our gifts, community. No matter what deluge of information we con- one’s spiritual relationship with talents and souls can do to make their background is, I get how sume daily. Today, if you don’t RLW: “Both your books our Maker. For example, if your this world a better, more loving people want to shy away from live what you’re teaching and are about relationships. Is spirituality is based on your de- and more G-dly place.” the highly polarized and politi- are not honest about your short- there a difference between sire to gain entry into Heaven, cized society, in which we find comings, the youth will reject them?” then it’s like marrying someone “THE INREACH ourselves, just enjoy life to the you. Without communicating RMF: “Well, a lot of my for money. Marrying someone RABBI” best of their ability. But regard- on that level, we will lose their experience comes from the for love would be when you Rabbi YY Jacobson is one ing this the Baal Shem Tov souls. They may pledge alle- years of teaching hundreds of serve your Maker not for what of the most mesmerising & (Founder of Chassidic thought) giance with their bodies, maybe women in Bais Chana about re- you need but for what you’re sought after speakers in the would teach that cynicism is a even write a check once in a lationships and family - so I’ll needed for. The third Rebbe of Jewish world today, lecturing to form of fear and you’re either while, but all types of hypoc- often joke that it took me 46 Chabad, the Tzemach Tzedek, audiences on six continents and part of the problem or part of risy are loathed. Relevance is years to write these books. My once shared: The love expressed in forty-five states, and serving the solution. The universe is the second requirement because first book is about “Tzniut” or in Psalm 73:25 means that one as teacher and mentor to thou- a constant flux of “ratzo” and the global marketplace is being the abstract concepts of mod- should desire nothing other than sands across the globe. Rabbi “shuv” (“give and take”). Plants dominated by the best storytell- esty that could be summed up in God….as was expressed by my Jacobson was the first rabbi take sunlight, air and water and ers and trendsetters. One must the idea that if you help your- master and teacher Alter Rebbe ever to be invited by the Penta- convert it in order to give en- become a “Rabbi” of your busi- self to the benefits of being mar- (first Chabad Rebbe) when he ergy and oxygen to the planet. ness and if the story you’re sell- ried when you’re single, you’re was in a state of intense medi- So too, within every communi- ing speaks to a certain standard likely to help yourself to the tation and exclaimed “I want ty, there’s a “ratzo” and “shuv” or beautiful dogma but doesn’t benefits of being single when nothing at all! I don’t want Your that is unique to their situation address the real dilemmas and you’re married. But happily Gan Eden (Heaven), I don’t and I try to empower citizens of curiosities of peoples souls, married couples kept coming to want Your Olam Haba (Mes- G-ds’ world to “take” the prob- you’ll lose them. They may me with a deluge of complaints sianic World to Come), I want lem, transcend cynicism, and respect you from afar but they about the essentials they were nothing but You alone.” Now become ambassadors of love & won’t become your real “stu- missing in their marriages and imagine the power of that type light.” dents” unless you can illustrate that motivated me to write “The of love in the intimate relation- how the wisdom you preach has Joy of Intimacy”. With divorce ships of this generation. RLW: Is your vision of an a message uniquely tailored to rates on the rise, it’s scary how “Ambassador of Love” a deri- them. imperative it is to redefine in- RLW: “Do you think vation of the Chabad man- timacy, truly understand it and that’s the most important date? RLW: “How do you know get past pop-psychology so that message for our generation?” RYY: “Well, it’s impor- what message they need to couples stop feeling alone and RMF: “No, I actually think tant to remember that Chabad is hear?” experience what it means when the most important message for a branch of Chassidic teaching RYY: “Just listen. If you “a man and woman... become our generation is that G-d needs in general which contains many can quiet the mind long enough one” (Genesis 2:24) you more than you need Him. Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak priceless gems of wisdom that to truly listen to someone else, I’m afraid that in our “selfie”- Jacobson can enrich the imagination on a they’ll tell you all you need to RLW: “What are 3 quick generation, we’re drowning in daily basis. Yesterday, I shared know. Their silence will speak! messages about intimacy from our selfishness and entitlement. gon to deliver the religious key- an insight of the Alter Rebbe Even the pauses between their your book?” People are sick and tired of note to the US military Chief of who interprets Job 19:26 “and sentences will speak volumes. RMF: “That intimacy is promotion of self-interest and Chaplains and to the National from my flesh I see Elokim” That’s why the verse states sacred. It’s not soup. Soup is the constant messaging barrage Security Agency. Rabbi Jacob- to mean that we must “see our “Hear O’ Israel, the Lord our something you enjoy but it’s of what we deserve, what we son founded and serves as dean flesh” until we can perceive the God, the Lord is One” (Deuter- not sacred. Being intimate with should have, and what’s good of TheYeshiva.net, teaching, via divine inherent in it. Unlike sto- onomy 6:4) for it is more often someone is not about the enjoy- for us. This has even crept into the web, one of the largest To- ics who disregard the body and Continued on page 14 World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2018 • Page 13 Shiurim & ClaSSeS at 770 Chabad Gate

 men  women  men/women Weekly Classes - summer sChedule

sunday

8:00 am ChassidiC ThoughT Rabbi gansbuRg 10:00 am PaRshaT hashavua Rabbi sChoCheT 10:15 am LikkuTei siChos Rabbi gansbuRg 11:15 am TaLmud (Chagigah) Rabbi sPaLTeR 7:00 Pm ChassidiC disCouRses Rabbi gansbuRg 8:30 Pm shuLChan aRuCh Rabbi Chaikin

monday

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

tuesday

6:20 am Chassidus Rabbi a. WagneR 11:30 am ToRah sTudies - PaRsha Rabbi gansbuRg 8:00 Pm TaLmud (bava meTzia) Rabbi sPaLTeR 8:30 Pm duTies of The heaRT Rabbi JaCks 9:00 Pm haLaCha (advanCed) Rabbi eLisha sChoCheT

wednesday

12:00 Pm The JeWish LeaRning insTiTuTe Rabbi gansbuRg 7:30-9:00 Pm The JeWish LeaRning insTiTuTe Rabbi gansbuRg 8:30 Pm TaLmud (PesoChim) advanCed Rabbi WiLheLm

thursday

6:20 am Chassidus Rabbi a. WagneR 12:00 Pm Tanya (hebReW) Rabbi gansbuRg 8:00 Pm in dePTh PaRsha sTudy Rabbi z.a. gRossbaum 8:15-9:15 Pm TaLmud (PsaChim) Rabbi sPaLTeR 8:30 Pm LekuTei siChos Rabbi b. Landa

shabbos

9:00 am Chassidus Rabbi gansbuRg 9:00 am Chassidus (inTeRmediaTe) Rabbi WiLheLm 1 hR befoRe minCha Chassidus Rabbi gansbuRg daily classes

sun -Thu 9:00 Pm Rambam aLTeRnaTing mon -fRi 5:00 am ChassidiC ThoughT Rabbi yaRmush mon -fRi 6:30 am TaLmud Rabbi sChoCheT mon -fRi 7:10 am ChassidiC ThoughT Rabbi gansbuRg

mon - fRi 10am-12Pm koLLeL TifeRes zekeinim Levi yiTzChok TaLmud, mishnah, haLaCha & Chumash - Rabbi Chaikin Page 14 • World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2018

every program or activity I had project I wanted to create to syn- tion now!” managed to do, and everything thesize multiple interests of mine else that was going on in my life. into a Kabbalistic Sci-fi/fantasy RLW: “For millennials - or I wrote as a shliach, even though series that was basically born really anyone- that wants to I was not out there on a particular from a belief that digital tech- revolutionize the world, what shlichus. Eventually, I published nology is a perfect metaphor for pearl of wisdom would you Bringing Heaven Down To Earth. explaining abstract ideas in a fun share with them?” Most of it had gone out as emails way. It’s all online at Chabad. RTF: “Millennials are liv- to my subscription list but I was org.” ing through a world that is torn, excited by the amount of change almost polarized, by opposing it had impacted in people’s lives RLW: “What do you read, voices—between those who re- so I made it into a book. Even- besides for Torah, that gives ject the past in their drive toward tually, I was able to move over you inspiration?” an unexplored future, and those RTF: “I read everything Continued from page 12 triguing was the one line he has from software design to working who reject the present to return written in the “About Me” sec- full time for Chabad.org.” that I can learn from because us to a dark past. Everywhere tion of his Facebook page: “I I’m fascinated by everything you look, you will find this same through listening that we in G-d’s world. My shelves are RLW: “Do you miss soft- divide, in multifarious forms, as grasp (someone’s) truth. The ware design?” double-stacked with history, sci- Rebbe Maharash (4th Chabad ence, psychology, math—it’s all though through a prism, within RTF: “Well, I’ve always almost every major discourse Rebbe) once said “when a Jew been and always will be a tech- over the place. The truth is, ev- comes to me for yechidus (“pri- ery book is a struggle. Each book today. It threatens the very foun- freak. I bought one of Apple’s dations of modern civilization, vate meeting”) I have to dress first PCs. I was even an Apple forces me to rethink everything myself in “his clothing” in order I know. You have to read criti- stretching its fibers from two developer for a while, designed ends at once; with only a narrow to understand him.” To be able award-winning educational soft- cally—not accept every opinion to reach into someone’s soul and as a fact. Look in the footnotes. thread left in between. Chabad ware, taught game design and provides a much needed third fan the flame of their spiritual wrote feature articles for Game Consider what the author’s bi- approach. Chabad is a voice for excitement, what’s needed is less Developer Magazine. When ases are. And then come to your preaching and more “Chassidic email and online forums started own understanding. Then I take change and progress in the most listening”. optimistic sense, but of the kind Rabbi Tzvi Freeman popping up—pre-Internet—I that inspiration and focus on what the world needs. These that is rooted deeply and firmly “THE TECH-FREAK” was there answering questions on Jewish topics, and sending days, it’s mostly “What are peo- in the narratives of the past, those Rabbi Tzvi Freeman is a se- narratives upon which the mod- nior editor at Chabad.org. He is out a regular emailing. When the ple googling for?” And “What do don’t believe in philosophies. Internet opened up, that changed people need to know?” Some- ern world was built from the also the author of two volumes I believe in ideas that change start. Chabad says, “We have a of Bringing Heaven Down to everything, but there was a small times I’ll get carried away with people.” group of us who had already something that I just want to do heritage of wisdom from the past. Earth -- collections of medita- But it is all there only so that we tions based on the teachings of planted the seeds. The Kabbala but it’s the elegance and beauty RLW: “How did you get Toons are a set of 100 short ani- of matching an end-product with can build an amazing future—to the Lubavitcher Rebbe -- as well make the world the way it was as numerous articles and essays into your non-traditional Rab- mated cartoons starring Rabbi In- a need that drives me.” binic work? finity. I figured the deepest ideas meant to be. on Jewish mysticism, philosophy That’s your task. and practice. Additionally, he RTF: “From the time I left have to be brought down to the RLW: “What is your favor- writes Chabad.org’s widely ac- Yeshiva, I wanted to be on shli- simplest platform and this would ite online YouTube clip?” Take this wisdom, and put it claimed Daily Dose of Wisdom, chus. But I ended up in hi-tech. be it. When I look at what’s going RTF: “The one where the to good use. mailed daily to tens of thousands I started writing to the Rebbe— viral in 2018, one-minute videos Rebbe yells, “Ker a velt heint!” Be the force that brings of subscribers. What I found in- this was in the late 80s—about are the rage. Heaven Exposed is a Roughly translated as “Revolu- Heaven down to Earth.” An Anthology Of The High Holidays Continued from page 2 breadth. You can build a sukkah their marriages. That’s why a her nose or mention the ring her the morning on the day before (you can’t sit on it), nor is a 30- the size of a city, or the size of a particular conversation between cousin Sarah got for her birthday. Yom Kippur. The minhagim foot chair. That’s why Halachah continent -- it’ll still be a kosher three males struck in my mind I just know what she wants me to are not mandated by biblical or (the code of law that defines sukkah. -- we were discussing the joys of do for her, and I do it.” rabbinical law, but by force of the Jewish way of life) is full of This law flies in the face wedded life. The month of Tishrei is custom: these are things that we specifications -- the minimum of everything we’ve said about “I love my wife,” said Berl. replete with mitzvot--full of Jews have initiated ourselves as quantity of matzah to be eaten on objects and dwellings. But the “That’s why I do everything she opportunities for carrying out ways to enhance our service of Passover, the maximum height Talmud derives it from a verse asks me to do. She says, ‘Berl, G-d’s will. For more than three our Creator. of the Chanukah menorah. For in the Torah, and the Lubavitcher please take out the garbage,’ weeks, our days are filled with Most amazingly, the climax a thing to be the thing it is, it Rebbe explains its centrality and right away, I take out the praying, repenting, fasting, of the month of Tishrei--the point cannot be too small, and it cannot to the theme of the festival of garbage.” feasting, dancing, building a at which our celebration of our be too big. Sukkot which the sukkah serves. We all agreed that Berl sukkah, acquiring a set of Four bond with G-d attains the very The sukkah is defined as The verse (Leviticus 23:42) loves his wife. Kinds or a bundle of hoshaanot, pinnacle of joy--is during the a “temporary dwelling” which, reads as follows: “In sukkot Not to be outdone, I said: and dozens of other mitzvot, hakafot of Simchat Torah, when for the duration of the seven- (huts) you shall dwell for seven “I also do everything my wife customs and observances. we take the Torah scrolls in day festival of Sukkot, becomes days; all citizens of Israel shall The observances of Tishrei our arms and dance with them dwell in sukkot.” Explains the asks me to do. In fact, she doesn’t the home of the Jew. The sukkah even have to spell out what she fall under three general categories. around the reading table in the therefore has a minimum height Talmud: the Torah wishes to wants. It’s enough that she says, There are biblical precepts that synagogue--a practice that is -- under ten tefachim (about 40 imply that “it is fitting that the are explicitly commanded in neither a biblical nor a rabbinical inches) it’s not a “dwelling” but a entire people of Israel dwell in a ‘Whew! That garbage bag is sure smelling up the kitchen!’ for me the Torah, such as sounding precept, but merely a custom. crawl space. It cannot be too high single sukkah.” the shofar on Rosh HaShanah, For it is with our observance either -- if its ceiling is more than Each of the festivals to understand that she wants me to take out the garbage. Which I fasting on Yom Kippur or eating of the minhagim that we express 20 amot (about 30 feet) above its is an “appointment in time” the depth of our love for G-d. The imparting its particular spiritual do, of course.” in the sukkah on Sukkot. There floor, the sukkah is too massive are also a number of rabbinical biblical commandments might to be considered a temporary quality to the Jewish life cycle: We all agreed that I love my freedom on Passover, wisdom on mitzvot--observances instituted be compared to the explicitly dwelling. Torah law also specifies wife even more than Berl loves by the prophets and the sages expressed desires between two the sukkah’s minimum length Shavuot, and so on. The quality his. imparted by Sukkot is unity. Our by the authority vested in them people bound in marriage. The and width, its minimum number But in the end it turned out by the Torah. For example, the rabbinical mitzvot, on which of walls, the maximum of space interdependence and oneness as that Shmerl’s marriage was the a people is expressed by the four five prayer services held on Yom G-d did not directly instruct allowed for gaps in the walls, most loving of all. Shmerl’s wife Kippur and the taking of the Four us but which nevertheless under the walls and above the kinds taken on Sukkot, and by doesn’t have to ask her husband Kinds on all but the first day of constitute expressions of the walls. And on it goes -- certain the sukkah’s embrace of every to do things for her. She doesn’t Jew -- every type of Jew, and Sukkot are rabbinical institutions. divine will, resemble the implied portions of the Talmudic tractate even have to drop hints. “I wake of Sukkah and the corresponding every individual Jew -- within its Finally, the month of requests between spouses. But walls. up in the morning” Shmerl Tishrei has many minhagim or the minhagim represent those chapters of the Code of Jewish explained, “and I just know that Law read more like a builder’s Thus it is indeed most customs such as eating an apple areas in which we intuitively manual than a religious text. “fitting that the entire people of she wants me to take out the dipped in honey on the first night sense how we might cause G-d All these specifications Israel dwell in a single sukkah.” garbage. Or buy her a diamond of Rosh HaShanah or conducting pleasure. And in these lie our have one exception: there is no The big sukkah -- the sukkah ring. She doesn’t have to crinkle the kaparot in the wee hours of greatest joy. limit to a sukkah’s length and large enough to house all Jews together -- cannot be a violation R Sunday, September 9 Tuesday, September 18 of the definition of “sukkah”, Y since it is actually its most fitting O Candlelighting 7:20 p.m. Mincha 3:15 & 4:15 p.m. expression. Mincha 7:25 p.m. O Candlelighting 7:04 p.m. We, of course, construct S Maariv 8:10 p.m. Kol Nidre 7:15 p.m. sukkot of significantly smaller H M size. Finite beings that we are, Monday, September 10 we are limited in time, resources and capability. But whatever size Shacharis 9:00 a.m. sukkah we build, we must ensure H Shofar approx. 11:30 a.m. K Wednesday, September 19 that it should be a “big sukkah” A Mincha 5:45 p.m. I Shachris 9:00 a.m. in essence -- a welcome home S Tashlich 6:15 p.m. Yizkor 12:00 p.m. to each and every one of our Maariv 8:10 p.m. P Mincha 5:15 p.m. brethren. H Light Candles after 8:19 p.m. P Neilah 6:45 p.m. Simchat Torah A Maariv 8:02 p.m. HIGH Tuesday, September 11 Love, Marriage N U Have a Sweet New and Hakafot HOLIDAY Shachris 9:00 a.m. R Yom Tov & Shabbos A Shofar approx 11:30 a.m. Services Year! Men usually don’t sit Mincha 7:00 p.m. Shacharis 10:00 a.m. over coffee talking about SERVICES H

SIMCHAT TORAH HAKAFOT All are welcome to come & join the Celebration SHMINI ATZERET Sunday, September 30 Monday, October 1 Candlelighting 6:42 p.m. Shacharis 10:00 a.m. Mincha 6:50 p.m. Yizkor approx. 11:30 a.m. Maariv 7 :30 p.m. Mincha 6:50 p.m. Hakafot (followed by) 7:50 p.m. Candlelighting after 7:40 p.m. Kiddush SIMCHAT TORAH Monday, October 1 Tuesday, October 2 Maariv 7:35 p.m. Shacharis 10:00 a.m. Kiddush 8:00 p.m. Hakafot 11:30 a.m. Hakafot 8:30 p.m. Torah Reading 12:15 p.m. Grand Kiddush 1:00 p.m. World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2018 • Page 15

The Mysterious Logic of Mashiach on the real enigma instead. How Continued from page 2 is it that the thousands of years of goodness that the world has The Best Way to Build endeavor is not good in the most experienced have not made the precise sense of the word. What world look drastically differ- good is there in a messianic be- ent? If there is something irra- lief system that speaks of instant, tional about Mashiach, it is not supernatural change? how can we imagine his com- Peace in the Home From the perspective of When you and your partner and not something to focus on. would take her as a gift of kind- ing so suddenly, but the reverse. Kabbalah and Chassidic thought, Why hasn’t it happened already? strive to be givers and not tak- A silk tie had no value for him. ness, as a way to push her love messianism is, in fact, the very ers, doing so generates positive In his mind, the fact that his trigger. He had no interest in go- opposite of sudden transfor- Why has the world that has been feelings. Giving attracts. Con- wife bought him a tie means she ing to the Wood Working Mu- mation. It is a process that has bombarded with so much posi- versely, selfishness repels. doesn’t know him, and so he was seum. He was responding to an taken as many years as humans tive energy not yet exhibited the After two individuals have now upset with her! earlier complaint when she said have inhabited this planet to ef- changes associated with the mes- lived together for a long time, he ‘never takes her anywhere.’ fect radical changes in the world. sianic utopia? Jewish messian- physical attraction is gradually Each thought they were giving Humankind’s collective efforts ism is thus the final resolution to overshadowed by emotional ap- to each other, in the end, each over the course of centuries and the enigma of good not carrying peal. got nothing except frustration, millennia have paved the way its weight. It is no wonder that When you and your partner irritation, and unnecessary loss for a New Age. These changes Maimonides, the great rational- appear in each other’s minds as of time. occur through the observance of ist, considered the belief in the “emotionally attractive,” you You can make your marriage good deeds that are referred to in coming of the Messiah to be one will enjoy being with each other great. Learn your partner’s love the Jewish lexicon as a mitzvah, of the principles of Judaism. De- and you will automatically judge triggers; ask questions, observe, G-d’s Divine prescription for a spite Maimonides’ attempts at each other favorably. learn from experience. Pushing good life. Whenever we perform reconciling Jewish beliefs with Successful “giving” pushes love triggers is what makes you an act of kindness, for example, rational thought, he did not feel your partner’s love triggers. He emotionally attractive and de- it leaves an indelible imprint on compelled to reconcile Mashiach or she feels and perceives that sired by your partner. the world. In their aggregate, with logic. Belief in a messianic you love and care for them. If you and your partner have these acts have the capacity to ut- outcome is the corollary of all When you partner perceives been in conflict and there is ten- terly transform the world. the other theological foundations that you love and care for them, He bought her an exercise sion between the two of you, If there is a sense of mystery, of Judaism. Once one believes they will naturally be attracted bike. He knows being over- pushing each other’s love trig- it is not nearly as much about in G-d and His system of cause- to you in all ways. weight is unhealthy and that it gers is an excellent way to leave the Messianic Era as it should be and-effect (that good actions Giving seems simple, but it bothers her. She was insulted the past behind and restart your about the nature of a solitary act leave a positive imprint on the isn’t always. Successful giving thinking he was upset with her once happy marriage. of kindness. When we reflect on person and the world), it is logi- is measured not by the giver, but weight. She wondered that per- How do you achieve a mar- the power of a divinely ordained cally imperative that the world by the receiver. haps he no longer finds her at- riage reboot? Become a “giver.” mode of behavior, it will become will change. A startled husband says to tractive. Instead of pushing a Being givers consistently clear that there is more energy If the Messianic Age takes us his wife, “I thought you wanted “love trigger,” he pushed the will create a momentum that contained in this act than in any by surprise, it will certainly not a toaster.” She replies, “Yes, but “rejection trigger!” will culminate in positive think- other phenomenon, natural or be because of some waving of a not for my birthday.” She always makes it a point ing about each other which is at man-made. This can be dem- magic wand. Rather, it is because People have “love triggers.” to ask him detailed questions the core of a happy marriage. onstrated from several vantage we are so accustomed to a world If you want to succeed in giv- about his day at work. She ap- To quicken the positive re- points. that does not follow the rules of ing, make sure you push a love preciates when he asks her. He sults of your decision to be giv- First, the word mitzvah logic and our inability to sense trigger. Pushing a “love trigger” gets angry when she asks him. ers, try this simple exercise: (which we usually translate as the transformations that have makes your partner feel loved He wants to forget about his At a time when you and your commandment or good deed) been occurring since the begin- and cared for. work experience when he comes partner won’t be disturbed, take ning of time. The recent collapse For example, one person a pen and write at the top of a actually contains another nuance home and feels when she asks - connection. By performing a of the Soviet Union can serve as may feel loved if they are taken about his day, she is insensitive sheet of paper, “I feel loved and an illustration. Outwardly, it ap- to a pleasant place, another re- to his feelings. cared for when you:” Now list mitzvah we create a connection between G-d who is infinite and peared as if there was a virtual ceiving a gift, another person Sometimes failing to push a the things your partner can do to instant transformation. In truth, when you give them a helping- love trigger is because of poor make you feel loved and cared ourselves who are finite. There for. Your partner should do the can be no greater revolution than the seeds for the demise of the hand, and another providing communication. Soviet system had been sown them with a delicious meal. He looked at a tourist bro- same. After you have completed bridging that which is unbridge- These are all acts of “giving” chure and asked, “Do you want your list, the two of you should able. Judaism believes that every years and decades earlier. While and each one when matched to to go to the Wood Working Mu- exchange them. With your part- time one does a mitzvah, one even experts were taken by sur- the desires of the recipient push- seum. She said, “Fine.” After ner’s list in your hands, use it as transforms an intrinsically finite prise, we can now all look back es a love trigger. investing travel time to and from a reference guide and do for your experience into an infinitely di- and analyze the dynamics of the In my Marriage Improve- the Wood Working Museum and partner at least one item each vine experience. collapse that have been in motion ment Clinic, I have seen count- a couple of hours in the mu- day as a gift. The more love trig- Second, the Talmud states since the very birth of commu- less well-meaning individuals seum itself, to his surprise (and gers you push; the quicker and and Maimonides affirms that a nism. Similarly, despite the way confuse what they want with horror) she told him she really more complete your relationship solitary mitzvah is endowed with the onset of the Messianic Age what they assume their partner didn’t want to go to the Wood will be rehabilitated. the power to alter the balance of will take us by surprise, we will wants. However, we are all in- Working Museum. When he had When you continue to push the entire universe. If we were all be able to look back at the dividuals and what you want, asked her if ‘she wanted to go your partner’s love triggers over to unleash all the fury of all our myriad actions that were chip- likely is not what your partner to the Wood Working Museum,’ many months and years, you nuclear arsenals, we could not ping away, from underneath, at wants. she thought that meant he want- will have a loving, passionate, effect a change as profound and the very roots of evil. ed to go. When he asked her if and long-lasting relationship. as cosmic as the performance of Judaism’s view of the Mes- She bought him a beautiful she wanted to go to the Wood Torah teaches that G-d is one solitary act of kindness. In sianic Age, then, is that it is not tie because she loves clothes. He Working Museum, what he re- present in a person’s life when this light, we can hardly imagine some fairy tale or a psychologi- doesn’t like clothing. For him, ally wanted to know was if she there are peace and harmony in the cataclysmic results of all the cal crutch. It is the most rational putting on clothes is a chore wanted to go, and if she did, he a person’s home. In other words, times people have performed acts consequence of centuries and blessings come when a family is of kindness since the beginning millennia of human efforts that at peace. Being a “giver” is one of time, particularly those who will finally bear their fruit. of the best ways to achieve this have lived since G-d revealed spiritual goal. Himself at Sinai with the giving Your marriage is your great- of the Ten Commandments. To est investment. Protect it by be sure, people have also acted making sure the love remains cruelly and unleashed untold alive throughout its duration — evil. But, as the masters of Kab- be a giver! balah have affirmed, evil, by its very nature, does not enjoy the === same longevity as the forces of goodness. With the passage of Rabbi Kass, M.A., R.S.W., time, the evil of yesterday has R.M.F.T., a is a registered So- already been dissipated, whereas cial Worker, registered Marriage the positive energies endure for- and Family Therapist, certified ever. Hypnotherapist and award-win- From this perspective, the ning educator. He has a clinical question we should be asking practice working with individu- ourselves is, How is it, in light of als, couples, and families in To- all the unleashing of positive en- ronto, Canada. Office, phone, ergy, that the world still appears and Skype appointments can be to be the same? For one who can- arranged. For more information not comprehend the possibility or to arrange an appointment he of the world changing instantly Have a Sweet New can be reached at, (905) 771- and who would deem the even- 905-731-7000 ext. 231 1087 or visit his web at, www. tuality of this occurring to be ut- Year! AbeKass.com. terly irrational, let him/her reflect Page 16 • World of Lubavitch • SEPTEMBER 2018 Chabad. He has a warm smile tion every special inflection that the impact that Levi has had on and welcomes everyone!” re- I sing! We sang so many songs the Las Vegas Jewish communi- ports his father. together—Hebrew and English. ty. “Because of him, people are Wayne Krygier, a member Levi was conducting the orches- becoming more religious, closer of the Las Vegas Chabad com- tra and was totally in charge. I to the synagogue and Hashem.” munity since relocating from am lucky to have met Levi years She notes that she knows other Canada in 1989, concurs. “Levi ago. I’m lucky he invited me to shluchimfamilies with chil- is the heart and soul of the syna- his special celebration. I’m very dren with disabilities, and that gogue. The shul is his life—he happy he has such good taste in Chabad offers resources and feels so at home here!” Krygier music!” support. jokes that Levi’s greeting every- The community’s embrace Inclusion Initiative a Wel- one in a loud voice as they enter of Levi and inclusion of people come Partner serves as an incentive to arrive with disabilities extends beyond Rabbi Harlig has found a on time. one special Shabbat. The Harligs natural partner in his mission Dr. George Harouni, a local and the community dream of towards greater inclusion the Vegas Show Headlined dentist and regular Chabad of making Chabad of Green Valley/ Ruderman Chabad Inclusion Henderson attendee, observes, Henderson the “central address” Initiative (RCII), directed by Dr. “People are now accustomed to in Las Vegas for including peo- Sarah Kranz-Ciment. RCII is by Boy With Disabilities seeing someone like Levi. He ple with disabilities. “Going dedicated to building on the phi- By Howard Blas “My husband took it a lot has been part of the community forward, we hope to continue losophy and mission of Chabad- Sometimes what happens in harder than I did,” said Chaya. since birth; no one thinks of him showing the importance of in- Lubavitch by providing Chabad Vegas shouldn’t just stay in Ve- “I think women have more bita- as being different.” clusion, which Chabad has been communities around the globe gas. Levi Harlig’s extraordinary chon [faith]. We set out to make When Levi’s bar mitzvah ap- doing for many years—uncondi- the education and resources bar mitzvah is one of them. Levi the best Levi he can be!” proached, his grandfather, Rabbi tional love for all humans,” says they need to advance inclusion Levi gave a flawless reading In response to her husband’s Kalman Shor, who also serves as Harlig. of people with disabilities. RCII of Parshat Naso, the longest To- concerns about where Levi a rabbi for the Chabad of Hen- Harouni is excited about engages Chabad’s network of re- rah portion of the year, and de- would go to school, whether he derson community, taught him Chabad’s potential to become sources to create a culture of in- livered a Chassidic discourse in would have a bar mitzvah and Torah cantillation and sat with even more welcoming to people clusion so that all Jews feel wel- Yiddish and Hebrew last Shab- other issues related to Levi’s fu- him for regular practice ses- with disabilities. “Inclusion will comed, supported and valued bat morning at Chabad of Green ture, Chaya reassured him. “He sions. He notes that Levi’s musi- be a great addition to our shul. throughout their entire lifecycle. Valley/Henderson in Las Ve- will have a bar mitzvah, he will cal talents made his job “much, We could be a real center to offer RCII is producing a song, much easier—once he learns people with disabilities a sense a music video and an inclusive it, he remembers it.” The con- of belonging and an opportunity mural that shows that everyone gregation was clearly moved at to be a part of the community.” belongs. It has also developed the bar mitzvah. “They thought Berkow, who assists Har- an an online bar and bat mitz- it was beautiful and emotional. lig in running Chabad, proudly vah guide, titled “Practical Ideas And they were impressed that he notes, “I want our Chabad to be for Inclusive Bar and Bat Mitz- made no mistakes.” the shul of inclusion, the place vahs.” Jeff Berkow, a retired South that caters to people with special Kranz-Ciment is proud of African-born businessman and needs and where inclusion is the work of the Harligs, their longtime active volunteer in the centerpiece.” He also hopes community and of Levi’s bar Chabad of Henderson reports: Chabad of Green Valley/Hen- mitzvah, which she notes was “Levi was flawless! He sang the derson will serve as a satellite “an opportunity to publicly show trope [cantillation] like a chaz- to the already successful Friend- and make a statement about his zan with 30 years of experience. ship Circle 15 miles to the north. many talents.” She continues, People were amazed!” Chaya Harlig notes that “Every Jewish soul is meaning- High Praise From a Noted Chabad recently purchased land, ful, and is obligated to be Jew- Singer and future plans include Levi’s ish in the best way he or she can. Levi’s bar mitzvah celebra- Place, where people can come The Rebbe said, ‘Your birthday tion continued with an Avraham for homework help, tutoring, is the day Hashem decided the Father and grandfather listen to the bar mitzvah boy. (Photo: Norina Kaye) Fried concert, attended by 300 programming and friendship. worldTues can’tday, Septemb exist withouter 18 you. people, a natural choice given R “WeSunda willy, Septemberhave a 9community Y Inclusion is a chance to bring Fried’s musical talents and OcenterCandlelightin serving g many7:20 families. p.m. thisMincha to the3:1 forefront5 & 4:15 p.mand. show personal qualities. Harlig ex- We will be inclusive and work OthatCandlelightin what eachg person7:04 p.m can. do is gas. The following evening, the get married, and he will use his Mincha 7:25 p.m. plains, “He is a beautiful singer, S togetherMaariv with all children8:10 p.m on. all valuable.’Kol Nidr eAll of us7:15 have p.m .a place 13-year-old sang and drummed talents. He is really special!” a caring person, and he always levels.” She continues to hear of Min Judaism.” for three hours with entertainer Harlig quickly realized that showed love for Levi. I figuredH Avraham Fried at a communi- his wife was right. Levi has ex- people would see them sing to- Monday, September 10 ty-wide celebration at the Four traordinary talents, including gether, love it and get inspired. Shacharis 9:00 a.m. Seasons Hotel on the Las Vegas perfect pitch and what his par- They were on a high.” H Shofar approx. 11:30 a.m. K Wednesday, September 19 Strip. ents refer to as “audiographic Fried reflects on the special That would be an exciting memory.” Levi is able to re- A Mincha 5:45 p.m. I Shachris 9:00 a.m. Shabbat and evening noting, “I Tashlich 6:15 p.m. Yizkor 12:00 p.m. experience for any bar mitzvah member essentially anything he knew this bar mitzvah would S boy. But for members of the hears, including songs, speech- be very special and memorable Maariv 8:10 p.m. P Mincha 5:15 p.m. community who have known es, conversations he has heard in but, boy, this was out of the H Light Candles after 8:19 p.m. P Neilah 6:45 p.m. Levi since birth, the accomplish- synagogue or around the Shab- park! Levi loves music. He sings A Maariv 8:02 p.m. ment was nearly miraculous. bat table. beautifully, andHIGH has a great ear Tuesday, September 11 U When Levi was 15 months Rabbi Harlig began includ- and rhythm. He knows all my N old, his mother, Chaya Harlig, ing Levi in the life of the syna- songs exactlyHOLI as DAYthey appear on Shachris 9:00 a.m. R Yom Tov & Shabbos co-director with her husband, gogue from an early age. “Each the CD. Every musical line and A Shofar approx 11:30 a.m. Services Rabbi Mendy Harlig, of Chabad Yom Kippur, I would give my harmony,SE everyRVICE placeS where H Mincha 7:00 p.m. Shacharis 10:00 a.m. of Green Valley/Henderson, re- talk and then find a song in Eng- the song modulates, and the alized that something was not lish connected to the sermon for intros and endings, not to men- quite right about their son. “He Levi to sing. There was not a dry Singing with Avraham Fried. (Photo: Norina Kaye) wasn’t making eye contact or eye in the shul!” Levi regularly following directions. We got leads the congregation in prayer, him into all kinds of therapies and he greets congregants by right away—occupational ther- name, upon arrival—often in apy, speech therapy and more.” a loud voice from up on the Three months later, the Harligs bimah! learned that Levi had autism. Levi’s important role in the SIMCHAT TORAH He has difficulties with personal synagogue has allowed mem- space and reading social cues, bers of the community to be- and he often focuses on topics of come comfortable with a person HAKAFOT interest to him but not necessar- with disabilities. “Levi is bring- ily to other people. ing people into the Henderson All are welcome to come & join the Celebration SHMINI ATZERET Sunday, September 30 Monday, October 1 Candlelighting 6:42 p.m. Shacharis 10:00 a.m. Mincha 6:50 p.m. Yizkor approx. 11:30 a.m. Maariv 7 :30 p.m. Mincha 6:50 p.m. Hakafot (followed by) 7:50 p.m. Candlelighting after 7:40 p.m. Kiddush SIMCHAT TORAH Monday, October 1 Tuesday, October 2 Maariv 7:35 p.m. Shacharis 10:00 a.m. Kiddush 8:00 p.m. Hakafot 11:30 a.m. Hakafot 8:30 p.m. Torah Reading 12:15 p.m. Levi Harlig sang and drummed for three hours with entertainer Avraham Fried at a community-wide celebration at the Four Seasons Hotel on the Las Grand Kiddush 1:00 p.m. Vegas Strip. (Photo: Norina Kaye)