On Jerusalem's Old City Chabad Synagogue

When we lived in the Old City, a 90-second walk away was the Chabad Synagogue in which Rav Moshe Segal lived in the first year after the 1967 war, to reclaim it.

Here is its story in a new book I recently found:

 

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Hareidi Mixed Swimming and A Grave Children's Book

At the Lion's Pool near the Begin Center at Bloomfield Park, Hareidi youngsters taking advantage of a source of water:

and here's a new Chabad book for children on how to behave at the Rebbe's grave, entitled "A Door that Opens for All": -

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Chabad in The TLS

Chabad-Lubavitch

Sir, – In his review of Dana Kaplan’s Contemporary American Judaism (In Brief, October 2), Simon J. Rabinovitch misleadingly implies that the Chabad-Lubavitch movement is well beyond the pale of mainstream Judaism when he labels it as a “messianic, proselytizing . . . sect”.

If by “messianic” Rabinovitch is referring to the hope that Chabad’s deceased leader, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, will return as the Messiah, this has never been part of Lubavitch’s public outreach programme as it has always been a matter of great controversy within the organization. Rabinovitch also should have exercised greater caution in employing the term “proselytizing” in a secular forum like the TLS, as readers might actually think that Chabad seeks the conversion of non-Jews. Reintroducing Jews to traditional forms of religious practice can hardly be qualified this way.

KENNETH LOISELLE
Department of History, Trinity University, One Trinity Place, San Antonio, Texas 78212

From Behind The Mechitza, Sort Of

A clip of the celebration of the Blessing of the New Moon of the month of Ellul at 770 Eastern parkway, aka Chabad Headquarters, filmed from the women's balcony, with an emphasis on the more meshichistic Chabadniks (listen to the words of the song the cameralady is singing):

Football and Faith

I blogged about Alan before.

And now again:

Two Chabad Responses to Mumbai

One physical and worldly

And another of the spiritual

Shimon Peres Gets It Right Again

From his eulogy at Kfar Chabad:

For several days now, the whole world has had to answer the question of a small child, Moishe, who is asking, "Where is my mother?" We all need to be able to answer clearly why little Moishe's mother was murdered. The world will not know calm, and will not be able to be a world of quiet and peace, a world of believers, a world of decent people, until we can give a clear answer to Moishe's question.

I saw Rivky's face, I saw Rabbi Gavriel's face; modest people, glowing faces, who had nothing but nevertheless gave everything out of an uncommon generosity. They did not seek wealth or prestige, only the light of the Torah, which they brought forth to the ends of the earth as emissaries of the Jewish people to bring salvation and hope. They did not want to force anything on their fellow man and they did not ask for anything. This was the greatest mission for a believing person, a Jew.

I was privileged to see the Lubavitcher Rebbe and to meet with him and I know that the Rebbe would not let anybody despair, nor would he let anybody cast doubt; in this way, faith will triumph. But Moishe's question is still awaiting an answer. Throughout the world are scattered hotels, kindergartens, schools, and houses of prayer, and no state is immune to terror. The world is divided into two: places in which people are as cruel as animals, and places in which people know that they were created in the image of God.

We need to tear out terror at the root without hesitation and without equivocation. I don't understand how it is possible to accept a state like Iran, which constitutes a nest and a hotbed for terror and which calls for the destruction of Israel, as a member of the international community and of the United Nations. If the whole world cannot stand up to one man with a strong, meaningful stance, and if the world will not fight with a war of boycotts against all places in which there is money that is financing terror, then the peace and quiet of the world will be in danger. Terror represents an epidemic that we must stop and we must eradicate.

We, the Jewish people, have known sadness and martyrdom. We never lost our humanity and we never supported murder. Terror is not just a problem for the Jewish people or for the State of Israel; it is a problem and a danger for the entire world. From this point must emanate a clear cry to stop the insanity, to stop the terror and to provide a clear answer to Moishe. The answer to Moishe needs to be given by the whole world, because if not, we will not be able to live in a world of peace and security. The world must answer why a wonderful woman like Rivky was killed, why a holy man like Gavriel was killed, and why Moishe is left an orphan.

We will not rest and we will not relax until an answer is found.

In mid-November in the UK, he also was very, well, Zionist and even rightwing.

A Sefer Torah Speaks

This is the Sefer Torah belonging to Chabad of Mombai which was damaged by bullet holes, after the terrorists had fired several rounds into the Aron Hakodesh [Holy Ark]. The bullets tore through the scroll leaving gaping holes.



When the Torah was opened at the airport it became apparent that the bullets tore near the words "וידבר ה' אל משה אחרי מות שני בני אהרן" - "And Hashem spoke to Moshe after the deaths of the two sons of Ahron", in Parshas Achrei ]Leviticus 16:1]. "The that the entire delegation stood frozen, in shock after seeing these words torn by the terrorist's YM"S bullets" said Rabbi Shneur Kupchik, the Chabad Shliach to New Delhi, in a choked voice.

Hillary Clinton and Chabad

From a Chabad web site:-

The Holtzberg family from Crown Heights arrived in Israel at the end of the week, immediately after receiving news of the attack. The flight to Israel was organized within several short hours. Two of the brothers, who held invalid passports received emergency passports thanks to the efforts of Senator Hillary Clinton, who personally supervised the family's travel arraignments.

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton issued this statement in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks on Friday:

“My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and families touched by these acts of terror in Mumbai. We still do not know the full measure of this tragedy, which has taken the lives of Indian citizens, Americans, and others who had traveled to Mumbai from around the world. Two New Yorkers, Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and Rivka Holtzberg of Brooklyn are among those who have died, leaving behind their young son. The young couple had traveled from Brooklyn to manage a small Chabad house, welcoming Jews from India and elsewhere to learn, pray, and serve the community.

There could be no sharper a reminder, nor a more poignant call to action, than the brutal and heinous violence visited upon the Nariman House and the Holtzberg family, living and working in Mumbai on a mission of peace, scholarship, and spiritual guidance.

As those responsible are brought to justice, as we aid and support the victims and their families, as we work to defeat radical extremism and the terror it spawns, let us find strength in knowing that in the face of those who seek to take lives, there are those who seek to give hope and comfort. In the face of those who wish only to destroy, there are individuals like Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and Rivka Holtzberg who travel great distances far from their homes to build a better world.”

No Knees for Jews

Fernanda Santos of the NYTimes reported on what was happening in Brooklyn at Chabad headquarters and published this:-

But perhaps nowhere was it felt more strongly than in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, the nerve center of the Lubavitch community and the neighborhood where Rabbi Holtzberg grew up. At the group’s world headquarters on Eastern Parkway and Kingston Avenue, men filed into the synagogue all day to pray for the Holtzbergs’ safe release. In a separate room, women swayed on their knees as they read the Torah.

Jews do not genuflect or pray while on knees. I was forbidden by my parents and grandparents even to sit on my knees to watch television.

Knees is a Christian custom we do not copy.

Chabad at Mumbai

1103 GMT

Security forces have also surrounded Nariman House, a five-story residential building near the Trident Oberoi hotel that contains an office of the Jewish outreach group, Chabad Lubavitch. Rabbi Gavriel Noach Holtzberg, the group's main representative, is thought to have been taken hostage. Reports say his wife and daughter have been freed. The Reuters news agency says that four gunmen remain in the building. There have been reports of gunfire.

Who Is Is Calling Whom Black?

Adnan Husseini said this week that he was concerned that Israel was not paying attention to the negotiations conducted last February by UNESCO, and was just using the fact that these meetings were held "as an umbrella to get to their target". The whole story, he said, is about Israel´s intention to enlarge the prayer area in the Western Wall Plaza. To so, he said, Israel could destroy 1400 years of history. "We ask UNESCO to take a serious role", Husseini said. "This is an entrance to our Mosques, and it [the ramp as well as the archeological remains] is Awqaf property". He urged UNESCO to take a position, and be firm and clear – and not just allow Israel "to show a picture of having discussed the issue with others, while in the end imposing everything on the ground".

Source

Ain't that loverly? The Waqf has been destroying Jewish artifacts with impunity but now, they act all innocent and the victim.

That's the Arab style since time immemorial.

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Remember this?:

Well, here's the 'offending' poster

Ten Bushes and One George W.

Story is that:-

President George W. Bush signs a presidential proclamation Tuesday, April 15, 2008, in honor of Wednesday's Education and Sharing Day, and highlighting the important work of the Chabad Lubavitch movement

You noticed they were a minyan.

Chabadi 'Baddie'

YARMULKE YAHOOS BEST NOT MESS WITH THIS RABBI

An assistant rabbi whose yarmulke was swiped by Arab men turned the tables on his tormentors, chasing one into a Brooklyn street where the thief was struck by a car and arrested, police said yesterday.

Uria Ohana, 25, a member of the Chabad Lubavitch movement, told The Post he entered a subway station alone at Fourth Avenue and Ninth Street in Park Slope at 6:20 p.m. Tuesday. Ohana said he went through a turnstile and spotted a group of young Arabic men sitting on a bench.

Ohana said he felt a hand grab his brown yarmulke off his head. He then spun around and came face to face with one of the men, Ali Hussein, 18, police said.

"...I decided to chase him to get my yarmulke back," Ohana said.

They ran outside and Hussein darted into the street, where he was hit by a blue Volvo and toppled to the ground, cops said. "He couldn't move. He broke his leg. He was crying," said Ohana.

Police arrested Hussein for alleged aggravated harassment as a hate crime.

(Kippah tip: R)

I Met a "Meshichist"

I left work today just after 5 PM and boarded the #18 bus for town.

Five minutes into the ride, a youngster, maybe 15, with a Chabad hat, begins walking down the bus aisle handing out these Travellers' Prayer cards:




Now, for all you in New York and other places, the custom of walking up and down subway cars, etc., is not unknown - not to speak of singing and dancing. But in Israel? In Jerusalem?

Anyway, as he came to me I said: "There's no such thing as a dead messiah." It took him but 3 seconds to respond: "but the messiah is alive."

Oh, well, the "Meshichistim" are in town.

An insight.

Another.

A "Meshichistim" site.

By Jove!

Chabad is having problems with their synagogue in Litchfield, Conneticutt.

They sought permission to renovate a 135-year-old historical Victorian home. The Star of David they wished to put up passed the Historic District Commission but the panel found a proposed addition to the home and several other architectural changes too much to bear and rejected the application.

And who defends the town's resticitve decision?

A Jew.

A Mr. Goldberg.

A Mr. Zeus Goldberg.

Here, read:-

...But the proposed installation of double doors on the front of the 2,656-square-foot house and a clock tower on its roof was deemed out of touch with the historical character of the building, and the “massive” proposed addition to its rear was said to destroy its residential nature.

...One longtime resident, Zeus Goldberg, 70, who is Jewish, said the commission’s rejection “wasn’t based on anti-Semitism. It’s based on the town trying to maintain its character. That’s why they don’t allow a McDonald’s there.”

Jove is a variation of Zeus, in case you missed it.

Participating in a Debate

I have a comment here at the YU The Commentator on the appointment of Dr. David Berger to head their Jewish History Department.

Tailgating is a Football Fan Term

Just two weeks ago, my two kids in the States sent me pictures of an activity I wasn't aware of: football tailgating. My cousin-in-law Barry was playing host.

Well, in Wisconson, this is the kosher way to do it:-

Have prayers and Packers, too
Orthodox Jews worship at Lambeau tailgate

Green Bay - If you're going to have a kosher tailgate at Lambeau Field, you might as well go all the way.

That means you light up the coals of the kosher grill and bring out the kosher hot dogs, beef, chicken and brats.



And you recite morning prayers in Hebrew, even if a rock band is on a nearby stage blaring "Brown Sugar."

So Sunday, Rabbi Shais Taub of the Chabad Lubavitch of Wisconsin led a group of 10 Orthodox Jews on a pilgrimage from Milwaukee deep into Packerland.

They tailgated across the street from Lambeau, in a grass-covered parking lot, next door to Kroll's West, where butter burgers - definitely not kosher - are a specialty.

And they prayed, with some of the men and their sons donning a prayer shawl called a tallit and phylacteries, two small leather boxes containing verses of Scripture.

They stood out amid the familiar green-and-gold sea. And they showed that people can find or express their faith at a house of worship or a house of sports.

"What's the point?" Taub said. "Number one, Judaism is not relegated to the synagogue or the study hall. When you're a Jew, you're a Jew everywhere. If a group of Jews want to go to a Packer game, we do it like Jews."

"Number two, Jewish pride," he added. "Some Jews should see this and say, 'You know what, there is nothing to hide.' I can be openly and boldly Jewish and do that anywhere on earth and go where I want to go."

The men faced east toward Jerusalem, which also happened to the direction toward Lambeau Field. They prayed, rocking forward and back. Their voices mixed with the more familiar sounds of pre-game rituals at Lambeau.



Nearby, a few fans wore blank expressions on their faces, unsure of what was going on. A couple of people snapped photos. And nobody noticed that among the group was former Packers offensive lineman Alan Veingrad, who is now known as Shlomo Veingrad.

Veingrad still stands 6 feet 5, but he has dropped plenty of weight since his playing days. He now has a bushy, gray beard and beneath a Packers cap, he makes sure to wear a yarmulke.

"I think it's important to be proud of being Jewish," said Veingrad, who played for the Packers in the late 1980s and won a Super Bowl ring with the Dallas Cowboys in the 1990s.

Veingrad, now 44, lives in Florida and works as an account executive for a private lending company. He also gives speeches, detailing his quest for a more fulfilling and rewarding life. He became more observant in 2003.

"It's a beautiful thing that you can express your religion," he said.

And that's what the tailgate was all about - religion, food, friendship and, yes, even football.

After praying, Veingrad and a friend poured whiskey into a couple of small cups, said l'chaim and drank the sweet, smoky liquid.

"We're here being Jews," Sam Stern said. "We're enjoying the Packers and enjoying the day."

What would the Rebbe say?

Jewish Humor

From the Chabad Telethon:



And there's more - especially music.

(Kippha tip; Life-of-Rubin)

Chabad Goes Rap

Chabad goes Rap.

(Kippah tip: Life-of-Rubin)

P.S. I still like the Rabbis' Sons.