By COLlive staff

A unique art project will be showing the global reach of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement through a powerful display of unity — and COLlive is helping make it happen.

A Jewish artist is creating a large-scale installation using yarmulkas collected from Chabad centers across the globe. Each yarmulka proudly bears the logo and identity of its local Chabad institution, representing the unique community it serves while contributing to a larger picture of Jewish unity.

To help bring the vision to life, COLlive is co-sponsoring the Yarmulka Challenge, a two-week campaign encouraging people to bring in their Chabad-labeled yarmulkas.

While each yarmulka carries its own logo, story, and local identity, together they will form a powerful symbol of achdus, illustrating how Chabad’s global presence is built from thousands of individual centers united by a shared mission.

All participants who bring 2 Chabad house yarmulkas to Sweet Expressions in Crown Heights will receive a $15 Gift Card for Sweet Expressions.

Shluchim, Lubavitchers, and all Jews are invited to take part and ensure that their community is represented in what organizers hope will become a one-of-a-kind tribute to the Rebbe’s global network of shlichus and the unity of the Jewish people.

A man was arrested Friday afternoon after assaulting an unsuspecting victim in Crown Heights.

The incident occurred at approximately 4:30PM near Kingston Ave and Empire Boulevard when the suspect elbowed an unsuspecting victim in the chest, causing injury. Crown Heights Shmira located him and NYPD officers detained him near Eastern Parkway, but he was released at first.

Shmira then obtained footage of the assault and tracked him to Throop Ave and Fulton Street, where officers took him into custody.

Please be aware of your surroundings. In case of an emergency, call 911 and Shmira 24/7 at 718-221-0303.

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Shmira is looking for responsible and qualified individuals who are ready to join and give back to the community. If you believe you are ready to join, please fill out the sign-up form at http://www.chshmira.org/join-us/

As schools across the country wrap up the academic year and camps prepare to open for the summer, a newly published response from the Rebbe offers a glimpse into the message he wanted emphasized at Camp Gan Israel in Detroit.

The response, appearing in print for the first time, is being published courtesy of the Igros Kodesh editorial team of Vaad Hanachos B’lashon Hakodesh, and will appear in the farbrengen booklet for Shabbos Parshas Chukas, following Gimmel Tammuz 5786.

Michigan was among the first states to receive shluchim during the Rebbe’s nesius. In 1958, Rabbi Sholom Ber and Mrs. Batsheva Shemtov arrived in Detroit as the Rebbe’s shluchim while still in the days of sheva brachos following their wedding.

One of the first institutions established in the state was Camp Gan Israel, founded in 1961. Since then, hundreds of boys and girls have attended camp there each summer. Located in “Lubavitch City,” the camp has played a central role in the chinuch of generations of Anash families and shluchim.

As preparations were underway for the summer of 5732 (1972), head counselors Feigel Stock (later Turnheim) and Rochel Mochkin (later Kaplan) wrote to the Rebbe requesting guidance.

“We are traveling to Camp Gan Israel in Detroit on Sunday, 20 Tammuz, Parshas Matos-Masei,” they wrote. “We would like to request a central theme that should be emphasized throughout the summer months.”

The Rebbe’s handwritten response, published here for the first time, read:

“כמופת הייתי לרבים…”

“Especially regarding tznius (which applies beginning from the age of three years and one day).”

As was his practice during that year, the Rebbe quoted a verse from Kapitel 71, which he was reciting at the time, and emphasized the word “larabim”—”to many.”

He then added that particular emphasis should be placed on the subject of tznius for Jewish girls, noting that according to halachah, its requirements begin from the age of three years and one day.

The Rebbe addressed this point on numerous occasions, both in writing and in his public talks. See also Likkutei Sichos, Vol. 18, p. 448, and Terumah 5741 (Shichos Kodesh 5741, vol. 2, p. 419).
To view the maaneh, click here
To download the complete booklet, click here

Photos: Tzvi Levenhartz/COLlive

This week is Parshas Shelach

Candle Lighting in Crown Heights: 8:09 PM
Shabbos ends: 9:18 PM

This week’s Shalom Zachors:
Ari and Faigy Rimler – 1266 Carroll St.
Noam Moshe and Mrs. Armani – 770 Main Shul
Shlomie and Mrs. Hecht – 825 Eastern Parkway [Between Kingston and Albany Aves]
Mendy and Mrs. Sapo – 456 Crown St 10:30 [Between Kingston and Brooklyn Aves]
Moshe Chayim Yaakov and Mrs. Wircberg – 9029 Kings Highway (Corner of East 91st St.)

Good Shabbos from the staff of COLlive.com!

Community members and bochurim gathered Thursday night at 770 Eastern Parkway to celebrate the arrival of a new Mitzvah Tank that is making its way to Eretz Yisroel.

The vehicle, Mitzvah Tank No. 22 of Chabad Mobile Centers in Eretz Yisroel, stopped outside 770 before beginning its mission on the roads of Israel. The occasion drew hundreds who came to participate in a spontaneous farbrengen and say L’chaim inside the newly outfitted tank.

Hosting the gathering was Rabbi David Nachshon, chairman of Chabad Mobile Centers and Tzivos Hashem in Eretz Yisroel, who celebrated the milestone together with those in attendance.

The new tank is the latest addition to the growing fleet of Mitzvah Tanks operating throughout Eretz Yisroel, bringing Yiddishkeit, Chassidus, and the Rebbe’s mivtzoim to cities, towns, and communities across the country.

Participants expressed hopes that the new tank will help further expand the Rebbe’s shlichus and hasten the fulfillment of the mission of preparing the world to greet Moshiach.

The gathering concluded with spirited singing and L’chaim as the new Mitzvah Tank prepared to continue its journey to Eretz Yisroel, where it will soon join the fleet already active throughout the country.

https://collive.com/wp-content/uploads/photos/2026/06/whatsapp-video-2026-06-12-at-8.35.14-am.mp4

Rabbi Heschel Greenberg has launched a new series of classes on the Rambam’s Mishneh Torah in response to the Rebbe’s call to learn at least one halacha in depth.

The Rebbe initiated a major effort to unite all Jews with the study of the entire encyclopedic work, Mishneh Torah, by learning three chapters a day and completing the entire work in less than a year. Alternatively, one can learn one chapter and complete the entire Mishneh Torah in close to three years. The Rebbe also gave a third option to study Maimonides’ companion work, Sefer Hamitzvos that parallel the Mishneh Torah.

In addition, the Rebbe requested that we learn one halacha in depth.

We recently began the 46nd cycle of Mishneh Torah which inspired Rabbi Greenberg to record brief classes on selected passages of the Mishneh Torah.

Rabbi Heschel Greenberg is a shliach of the Rebbe in Buffalo NY and the Director of the Jewish Discovery Center, and, for over 50 years, has taught thousands of classes on all aspects of Jewish knowledge.

Rabbi Greenberg has also authored dozens of works on diverse subjects including several volumes of commentary on the Mishneh Torah.

Many of Rabbi Greenberg’s classes can be accessed on his website rabbigreenberg.com.

In this powerful deep dive, we uncover one of the most elegant and profound explanations in all of Rambam’s writings. Why does the Rambam forbid a Kohen from seizing Terumah or Maaser — even with words? Why must it be taken with dignity? And how does this single characterization — that the Kohen is eating from Hashem’s table — solve one of the strongest questions Tosafot ever asked on Rashi regarding the prohibition of Tevel (untithed produce)? This is not just dry halachah. This is Rambam at his philosophical best: revealing the inner spiritual mechanics behind the mitzvah and answering a question that has bothered learners for centuries.

Musical sensations Yoni Z and Chananya Rotenberg have released an official music video for “Through It All”, released on the War on Gravity album.

Chananya Rotenberg Presents: “Through It All” – Featuring Yoni Z
From the album War on Gravity — now available everywhere
Music Credits:
Words By Chananya Rotenberg
Composed By Chananya Rotenberg, Nochum Levitan & Moshe Tischler
Background Vocals by Yoni Z
Music Arranged and Produced by Nochum Levitan

Video Credits:
AI Video Production by Shai Barak
Storyboard and script by Chananya Rotenberg and Yoni Z

This past Sunday, the Vaad Talmidei Hatmimim, in partnership with Mesivta of Coral Springs and Mesivta Lubavitch of Miami, organized a special Yom Hachana program in preparation for Gimmel Tammuz. Hosted at Chabad of Weston, the event brought together Bochurim from both Yeshivos for an evening of learning, inspiration, and achdus.

The program opened with a seder sichos, as Bochurim from both Yeshivos learned the Sicha of Yud-Beis Tammuz 5711 together. It was a beautiful sight to see Bochurim from different Yeshivos sitting side by side, learning, discussing, and preparing together for Gimmel Tammuz.

A highlight of the program was a lively crossfire featuring Rabbi Yossi Denburg, Shliach to Coral Springs and Dean of Lubavitch Hebrew Academy; Rabbi Chay Amar, Shliach to Golden Beach and well-known lecturer; and Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, Yeshiva Gedolah of Miami. The discussion was moderated by Rabbi Menachem Rappaport, Maggid Shiur and Rosh Yeshiva of Mesivta Lubavitch Miami.

Drawing from questions submitted by the Bochurim themselves, the panel addressed a wide range of topics relevant to today’s Bochur. Much of the discussion focused on Hiskashrus in our generation, practical avodah, and meaningful preparation for Gimmel Tammuz. The Bochurim were fully engaged throughout, listening attentively and taking part in the discussion.

Following the program, participants gathered for a grand banquet, which opened with Tehillim and a specially prepared video presentation. Rabbi Yisroel Spalter, Shliach to Weston and host of the event, delivered keynote remarks, encouraging the Bochurim to take the inspiration of the evening and translate it into meaningful action.

The energy in the room soon gave way to spirited and spontaneous dancing, as Bochurim from both Yeshivos joined together in a powerful display of achdus and simcha.

The evening concluded with a farbrengen led by Rabbi Yosef Raichik, Shliach of the Rebbe to Boynton Beach. Lasting late into the night, the farbrengen left a strong impression on the participants, who listened to heartfelt words of inspiration and guidance as they prepared for Gimmel Tammuz.

A special teshurah, published in honor of the event, was distributed to all participants.

Bochurim left uplifted and energized, carrying with them the inspiration of an evening that combined Torah, farbrengen, achdus, and meaningful preparation for the auspicious days ahead.
Special thank you to Rabbi Motti Schurdur, Rabbi Yosef Eizekovitch and Rabbi Moshe Denburg, Rabbi Yisroel Spalter, Meir Avtzon, and Zander Labkowski for making this beautiful event possible.

By COLlive reporter

A new proposal circulating in Israel’s Chabad communities is drawing attention after a group of shadchanim called for introducing compensation for dates that do not lead to engagement.

Outlined in a letter dated Sivan 5786, the proposal comes amid broader discussions surrounding changes in the shidduch landscape and efforts to create what organizers describe as a more balanced and sustainable system.

Under the proposal, traditional shadchanus payments would remain unchanged when a match results in engagement. However, for meetings that do not lead to a shidduch, each family/single would pay up to 100 shekels per date.

The letter says the recommendation follows consultations with multiple shadchanim and points to concerns over increasingly lengthy dating processes and the growing amount of time invested in arranging and managing meetings.

Supporters of the model argue that shadchanim often devote considerable effort to coordinating dates, guiding families, and maintaining communication throughout the process, even when no engagement follows.

At the same time, the proposal is expected to generate debate among families and community members over whether introducing a pay-per-date structure could add financial pressure to an already demanding shidduch process.

The initiative concludes with a call for continued partnership and responsibility in helping build Jewish homes across Israel.

Whether the proposal gains broader adoption remains to be seen, but it has already sparked discussion about whether compensation models in the shidduch world should evolve alongside changing dating patterns.

After a successful launch last year, the Merkos Chinuch Office is announcing the return of the Global Chinuch Pitch, giving mechanchim, principals, and school administrators the opportunity to share practical, impactful ideas that can strengthen Chinuch in schools and classrooms around the world.

Last year’s Chinuch Pitch drew ideas from mechanchim on the front lines of Chinuch, giving them a platform to present their vision, offer solutions to real challenges, and help shape the future of Chassidishe Chinuch.

This year, the Chinuch Pitch is back, building on last year’s momentum and giving even more mechanchim the chance to take part.

“The people in Chinuch every day understand the needs of the next generation best,” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, General Chairman of Merkos’s Chinuch Office. “The Chinuch Pitch gives mechanchim a platform for the ideas they’re already developing to meet real challenges in the classroom, and helps bring those tried and tested solutions to children around the world.”

The Chinuch Pitch invites mechanchim to submit practical ideas that address real needs in Chinuch, whether in curriculum, classroom management, student engagement, school systems, or another area that can benefit mechanchim, students, and schools.

The winning idea will receive up to $18,000 in funding support from the Chinuch Office, helping turn a strong idea into real classroom impact.

Submissions are open to the public and close on ו׳ תמוז / June 21, 2026. After submissions close, a panel of judges will review all pitches and vote by כ׳ תמוז / July 5, selecting the top ten ideas by majority vote.

Public voting will take place on כ״ב–כ״ג תמוז / July 7–8, giving the wider community a say in which ideas advance to the finalist stage. Three finalists will then present their pitches live at the closing session of the Kinus HaMechanchim, taking place י״ד–ט״ו אב / July 28–29, where the final vote and winner will be decided.

All participants will be asked to agree to the official terms and conditions when submitting, and finalists should be available to present live at the Kinus.

Mechanchim, principals, and administrators with an idea that can strengthen Chinuch are encouraged to submit their pitch at kinus.chinuchoffice.org/pitch.

Gimmel Tammuz – Thursday, June 18 from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm, women will gather at Chabad of the Five Towns to connect through stories and niggunim, which will nourish both body and soul.

Our keynote speaker, Rivky Slonim, will weave together the threads of learning and life, helping us explore what it means to carry the Rebbe’s vision into our homes, communities, and daily lives.

The Rebbe often spoke about the extraordinary role of Jewish women. He saw women not as supporting players in Jewish life, but as leaders, builders, educators, and spiritual anchors. He believed that women possess a unique ability to influence their homes, families, communities, and ultimately the world itself.

For many, Gimmel Tammuz is a day of reflection.

It is a day when we think about what it means to remain connected to the Rebbe’s teachings and mission. While the calendar marks a date, the Rebbe’s influence cannot be measured by dates alone. His words continue to guide, challenge, and inspire countless people around the world.

Attending a women’s gathering on Gimmel Tammuz is an opportunity to pause amid the demands of daily life and reconnect with what truly matters. It is a chance to hear new perspectives, strengthen old friendships, form new ones, and leave with renewed clarity and purpose.

Most importantly, it is a reminder that the Rebbe’s mission continues through each of us. The Rebbe’s vision was never meant to remain on a bookshelf. It was meant to be lived.

We look forward to welcoming you at this unique event.
The Program Committee.

To register: chabadfivetowns.com/gtevent
For information: Joannie Tansky 514-550-4996

There are Yidden who leave this world surrounded by family, memories, and a matzeivah that quietly tells their story.

And then there are those who are left behind… with no visitors, no voice, and sometimes—no matzeivah at all.

For nearly 25 years, one such Yid rested in silence.

A Story That Wouldn’t Let Go

It began with a simple conversation with Rabbi Aaron Margolin of the Chabad House of Virginia.

I had reached out regarding my Tehillim service—reciting the entire Sefer Tehillim at a kever or at the Ohel, l’iluy nishmas, for those seeking yeshuos for themselves and their loved ones.

During that conversation, the topic shifted.

I shared with him the other side of my work—the quiet, difficult world of Chesed Shel Emes, where forgotten kevarim are restored and where I try to bring dignity back to those who have no one left to speak for them.

I told him I had recently raised funds for a matzeivah for a niftar who had passed only two years earlier, and that I was already working on another restoration project. Over time, I have been zocheh to restore more than 300 kevarim, each one carrying its own silent story.

Then Rabbi Margolin said something that stopped me.

He told me that nearly 25 years ago, he had conducted a levayah for a Yid—but to this day, there was still no matzeivah.

No marker. No name on stone. Just silence.

Something about that didn’t let me move on.

### A Name That Was Almost Lost

At first, it seemed nearly impossible.

There was no clear record of the Jewish name. I contacted Chabad contacts, Chevra Kadisha organizations, and Shomrei Hadas. Week after week, one answer led to another dead end.

My Rav and Mashpia reminded me how important it is for a matzeivah to carry the proper Jewish name. That became my focus: not just to place a stone, but to restore identity.

Slowly, through persistence and Hashem’s help, the name finally surfaced.

After almost 25 years, a name was restored to a kever that had none:

ירמיהו יעקב בן יוסף

Today, He Has a Matzeivah

On Chof Sivan, the matzeivah was finally installed.

A Yid who had lain forgotten for decades now has a place that speaks his name.

A stone. A marker. A quiet dignity returned.

Why This Matters

In the world of Chesed Shel Emes, there is no audience. No recognition. No expectation of return.

Only the mitzvah itself.

Every kever restored is a statement:

This Yid is not forgotten.

Every matzeivah placed is a whisper:

You mattered.

A Personal Zechus

Whenever I go to the Ohel or to kivrei tzaddikim, I bring pictures of the kevarim I have been zocheh to restore. I daven there on behalf of those who ask for yeshuos, using each act of Chesed Shel Emes as a zechus.

I would like to thank Shimon Goldman from the Chevra Kadisha for installing this matzeivah. His work brings dignity to those who can no longer ask for it themselves.

Help Continue This Chesed Shel Emes

So far, I have been involved in restoring over 350 kevarim, with a goal of reaching 400 matzeivos by Gimmel Tammuz, iy”H.

But this work cannot continue alone.

Each kever restored requires care, time, and resources. Each matzeivah is another Yid being brought back into remembrance.

Current Projects

Matzeivah installation: $1,500

Restoration project (47 kevarim on Yud-Gimmel Iyar): $4,500

Every contribution directly helps bring dignity to a niftar who has no one else.

### Tehillim Service – L’iluy Nishmas & Yeshuos

I also offer to recite the entire Sefer Tehillim at a kever in the same bais hachaim as the Ohel for $150, for a yahrtzeit, refuah sheleimah, shidduch, parnassah, or other personal needs.

I would go to any kever worldwide.

To Participate in This Mitzvah

Zechusim are not measured in size—but in sincerity.

Every donation helps restore a name, a kever, and a dignity that should never be lost.

PLEASE DONATE

Levi Piekarski

For donation purposes only

Zelle: [email protected]

Cash App: 516-474-5846

If that does not work, please use:

Cash App: [email protected]

PayPal & Venmo: 516.474.5846

For credit card donations, please call me: 516-474-5846

After six weeks of immersing themselves in the intensive Moshiach Chidon curriculum, Mesivta Bochurim from around the world were put to the test, successfully concluding this major phase of the Chidon initiative.

Last week, thousands of Bochurim worldwide sat for the Grand Final. Following weeks of absolute dedication to learning the Moshiach Chidon material, a record-breaking number of Mesivta Bochurim took the comprehensive exam, demonstrating incredible mastery and reaching new heights in their learning.

The excitement is far from over as all eyes now turn to the highly anticipated Grand Moshiach Chidon Banquet, scheduled for Thursday night, Gimmel Tammuz. The Banquet not only celebrates the remarkable achievements of this year’s participants but also marks the expansion of an ongoing revolution.

As the Rebbe has taught us repeatedly, learning and mastering Inyonei Geulah U’Moshiach is the direct path to opening our eyes to the Geulah. This knowledge empowers the Bochurim to actively influence their surroundings and communities, inspiring everyone to view the world through “Geulah lenses” and truly live a Moshiach lifestyle.

To ensure that Anash, Shluchim, and families worldwide can share in this momentous occasion, the entire event will be live-streamed directly here on our website. Tune in to watch, celebrate the Bochurim’s success, and get inspired to elevate your own learning of the Rebbe’s Torah to a whole new level!

This year’s Moshiach Chidon brought together Bochurim from a remarkably diverse range of Lubavitch Mesivtas. Though hailing from different corners of the globe, these Bochurim stood completely united by a singular, powerful goal: to deepen their understanding of Inyonei Geulah u’Moshiach, and through that, bring the Geulah to reality.

With this year’s historic turnout setting a new bar for the Chidon, we are confident in the Bochurim’s continued commitment and drive. We eagerly look forward to seeing them accomplish the ultimate goal of this entire initiative: Learn Moshiach, Live Moshiach, and BRING MOSHIACH!

Religious instruction of our youth has always been a priority. But “Jewish literacy” involves far more than rote or academic knowledge. The Avner Institute presents the Rebbe’s gentle encouragement to a couple involved in education and outreach, stressing pride in our heritage, high moral conduct, and communal responsibility – all of which must start small, implanted within the child who will listen, obey, and reap timeless lessons from our Sages.

In loving memory of Hadassah Lebovic A”h

“Planting of a seed”

B”H
18 Shevat 5712
Brooklyn, NY

Mr. and Mrs. Philip Newman
21 Supple Road
Roxbury, MA

Greetings and Blessing:

I was pleased to hear of you through Rabbi Simpson. I was especially gratified to hear of the care and devotion you are giving to the upbringing and yeshiva education of your children, irrespective of difficulties.

The proper upbringing of Jewish children has always been the greatest concern of Jewish parents. Nowadays, after the terrible upheavals in the world and the perplexities besetting the youth, with harmful influences from outside, it is a vital necessity to give the children the proper Jewish education, and no sacrifices can be too great.

Special care must be taken with regard to young children. For education is like the planting of a seed. The slightest defect in the seed, the like of which in the grown tree would be of little consequence, assumes major proportions in the care of the seed, to the extent of crippling the tree that is to grow from it.

May the Al-mighty give you lots of nachas [joy], Yiddishe nachas, from your children, and amply reward you for the sacrifices you make to give them a Torah-true education.

With blessing,

[signature]

“From darkness to light and triumph”

By the Grace of G-d
19 Adar 5721
Brooklyn, NY

Mr. & Mrs. —
21 Supple Rd.
Roxbury, MA

Greeting and Blessing:

It was very gratifying to me to hear about your good activities in your work for chinuch al taharas ha-kodesh [education on holy purity]. I hope and pray that you will continue to carry on your good work with an ever-growing measure of success, and in good health and contentment. Your accomplishments in the past will surely stimulate you to increased efforts in the future and serve as an inspiring example to others.

Needless to say, the mitzvah of ahavas Yisroel [loving your fellow Jew], especially as it is expounded in Chassidus, is one of the most basic foundations of our Jewish way of life. It is known that the Ba’al Shem Tov said that G-d’s love for each and every Jew is infinitely greater than the love of parents for their one and only child born to them in their old age, and it is the privilege and duty of every Jew to do everything possible to bring G-d’s children closer to their Father in Heaven, and never give anyone up as lost.

Having just celebrated the happy Festival of Purim, I trust that it has brought a new measure of inspiration and joy to you and to your work, including also the great cause of the religious Released Time Program, and may the ranks of those who help grow, and the forces of opposition diminish until there is a complete reversal from darkness to light and triumph, in the words of the Megillah: “And for the Jews there was light, joy, gladness and glory.”
Hoping to hear good news from you always,

With blessing,

[signature]

“Survival of our heritage”

By the Grace of G-d
5 Iyar 5721
Brooklyn, NY

The Newman Family
21 Supple Road
Roxbury, MA

Greeting and Blessing:

I was pleased to receive your letter of Rosh Chodesh Iyar, in which you write your experience of a “chance” meeting with a Jewish girl, and the far-reaching results that it has led to in bringing her closer to her Jewish heritage. It is gratifying to note that you did not fail to see in this the intervention of the Divine Providence which extends to each and every one individually.

You will also be encouraged to see how every Jewish person, no matter how far estranged from the Jewish sources, is yet sensitive and responsive to the proper influence. I hope this will encourage you in your good work to exercise your utmost influence in this direction.

As we are now in the days of Sefirah, it is well to bear in mind that these days also emphasize the above lesson in regard to the great Sage, Rabbi Akiba and his disciples. For you surely know the story of Rabbi Akiba, who had 24,000 students, all of whom, unfortunately, died during the period of Sefirah, and, as our Sages relate, “The world was desolate.”

However, subsequently, Rabbi Akiba had five students, and these five individuals laid the foundation for the whole future of the Mishna and Talmud, and thus ensured the survival of our people. This story which our Sages recorded for a purpose, namely, that we should learn something from it in our own daily life, emphasizes the importance of every individual in the survival of our heritage, for no one can tell whether the particular individual Jewish child, boy or girl, may be one of such five students as Rabbi Akiba said.

Your experience should also serve as a complete rebuttal of those who oppose or are indifferent to such work as the Release Hour, minimizing the effect that one hour a week can have on a child, and at the same time making all sorts of false calculations to discourage making contact with Jewish children; for the sole effect of such an attitude is simply to deprive Jewish children from the only opportunity they may have to make contact with Jewish life.

May G-d bless you in your good work and influence, and may you go from strength to strength. Hoping to hear good news from you always,

With blessing,

[signature]

To receive email to your inbox Email: [email protected]

Ariella Benhiyoun, beloved sister, aunt, educator, and founder of Beis Medrash L’Nashim U’Lebanot in Crown Heights, passed away suddenly on Thursday, 27 Sivan, 5786.

She was 81.

Ariella was born in Morocco and came from a very distinguished family. She was a descendant of the Chida and Rabbi Yosef Albo. 

Ariella devoted her life to Torah, Chassidus, education, and helping others. Through her vision and dedication in founding Beis Medrash L’Nashim, she inspired countless women and left a lasting impact on her community and all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Her outstanding acts of chesed touched countless lives and created a legacy that will continue for generations.

She is survived by her siblings: Dr. Esther Reich of Crown Heights, New York; Dr. Miriam Parks of Huntington Beach, California; Rabbi Meir Chai Benhiyoun of Chicago, Illinois; and Dr. Yosef Benhiyoun of Paris, France, along with many nieces, nephews, relatives, students, and friends who cherished her deeply.

Levaya Details:

The levaya will take place on Friday, passing by 770 Eastern Parkway at 12:00 PM, and will continue to Montefiore Cemetery for a 1:00 PM burial.

Shiva Details:
1301 President Street
(Between Brooklyn Avenue and New York Avenue)

Times TBD.

Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.

VIDEO: Clappy Checks Out New Haven.

By Mimi Minsky

For years, the New Haven community has quietly drawn families looking for a different pace of life; one rooted in strong schools, meaningful Jewish life, attainable homeownership, genuine community and institutions, and the kind of belonging that can’t be manufactured. Today, more families aren’t simply discovering New Haven. They’re choosing it.

Nestled between New York and Boston, and within reach of both Crown Heights and Monsey, New Haven has steadily grown from a well-kept secret into a place more and more families are choosing to call home. In other words, it isn’t about convenience anymore. It’s now becoming a destination in its own right.

Across the community, signs of growth are everywhere. The changes taking place across New Haven are impossible to miss. Most recently, a new women’s mikvah, designed to accommodate the needs of a rapidly growing community, will feature six preparation rooms and expanded luxury accommodations. (The groundbreaking took place last month). Nearby, construction is underway for a spacious new men’s mikvah.

Meanwhile, a few blocks away, a fully-stocked kosher supermarket is preparing to open its doors, bringing with it: fresh takeout, sushi, deli counters, pastries, coffee, and many of the conveniences the growing community has dreamed about.

For longtime residents, these projects represent more than infrastructure. They are evidence of a community investing in its future. Yet speak to the people who live here, and they’ll tell you that the real story isn’t about buildings. It’s about community.

“We’ve crossed an important threshold,” says one resident. “People aren’t just asking if New Haven has what they need anymore. They’re seeing a community that’s building for the future, together, and they want to be part of that.”

Perhaps the clearest reflection of New Haven’s growth may be found in its classrooms. Across the community’s two educational institutions (both “SCHA” and the local Cheder), enrollment is rising, and leaders are planning not only for today’s families, but for the generations that will follow.

At Southern Connecticut Hebrew Academy (“SCHA”), the community’s momentum is reflected in its classrooms. Under the leadership of Rabbi Sheya Hecht, the school recently acquired a new building, a reflection of the community’s expanding footprint and vision for the future. Preschool and elementary enrollment has steadily increased as young families arrive from all over the tristate area, many drawn to New Haven through Yale’s renowned medical, nursing, residency, and graduate programs. Under the thoughtful direction of Mrs. Raizy Kaplan, the preschool has continued to blossom, growing into a thriving institution, recently opening a second location (East Rock, New Haven) to meet increasing demand.

For many parents, the appeal extends beyond physical space. Known for its warm, family-like atmosphere and commitment to nurturing each child as an individual, the Cheder has become an important anchor for many young families putting down roots in New Haven. Founded by Mrs. Basya Deitsch, the Cheder focuses on individualized attention and meeting each child where they are. And for newcomers, the school serves as more than an educational institution: it becomes a first introduction to the warmth and connectedness that define life in New Haven.

Meanwhile, at Yeshivas Beis Dovid Shlomo, expansion has become a necessity rather than a luxury. After outgrowing its longtime campus, the yeshiva recently acquired a significantly larger property, creating opportunities for continued development and growth. “In larger communities, it’s easy to feel like one of hundreds,” says a local mother. “Here, every child is known. Every family matters.”

Over the past several years, community members have increasingly invested in projects designed to support the needs of a diverse community. Among them is Rabbi Eli Raskin, founder of Jewish Israeli Center (shul and community center), whose vision has helped bring several significant initiatives to life, including a new state-of-the-art men’s mikvah, as well as a keilim mikvah that will further enhance the neighborhood.

In many ways, New Haven’s story is not being written by any one institution or person. It is being shaped by families, business owners, educators, rabbanim, and community leaders.
“When people invest in a community, they’re making a statement,” says one resident. “They’re saying: we’re here to stay.”

Yet, ask residents what keeps them in New Haven, and the conversation quickly shifts away from real estate and local amenities and driving time tables. Instead, they talk about friendships. They talk about Shabbos. They talk about community.

Many of the families who move to New Haven arrive without parents or siblings nearby. Over time, neighbors become extended family. “A lot of us moved here not knowing anyone,” one woman explains. “Now our friends are family. We host each other for meals, celebrate simchas together, help each other through challenges, and raise our children alongside one another.”

On Shabbos afternoons, children walk from house to house. Families gather in backyards. There are dozens of events every month for men and women, from meaningful N’shei programs to creative Rosh Chodesh evenings, heartfelt shiurim, BBQs, and more. Young couples who arrived years ago now watch their children grow up together. It’s the kind of environment many people remember from previous generations and increasingly struggle to find elsewhere. “I came for the Kollel,” one young woman shares, “but now I want to stay.”

Asked about business and employment opportunities, Mendel Deitsch, owner of www.loohaven.com, says, “Connecticut is a lot more spread out and laid back than New York, there is a lot less competition, and you don’t have five plumbers on one block. There are also many employers within the community, and they are always hiring.”

For many years, New Haven was often viewed as an alternative to larger Jewish communities. Today, residents say that mindset has changed. Within driving distance of Crown Heights, Monsey, and New York City, New Haven offers access to larger shopping areas, real estate opportunities, even opportunity to maintain jobs within distance.

“Once a week, The Marketplace delivers from Crown Heights, as well as Rubashkin’s, Cruster’s, and other delivery services. We now have three neighborhood restaurants, a local health market, Edge of the Woods, with kosher takeout, and even our Shop Rite and Stop & Shop are equipped with kosher items,” shares one community member.

Housing remains affordable for many young families, with a range of options that would be difficult to find in other communities. The presence of Yale University, healthcare
institutions, local businesses, and entrepreneurial ventures have also attracted professionals from a variety of backgrounds.

But, that doesn’t explain the growth. “People aren’t moving here because they can’t live somewhere else,” says one community member. “They’re moving here because they want to live here.”

Community leaders like Rabbi Schneur Kessler, leader of the New Haven Kollel, emphasize that growth was never pursued for its own sake. The goal was always to build a warm, welcoming Jewish community where families could thrive.

The new mikvah projects, expanding schools, growing shuls, youth programming, charitable initiatives, and a new kosher supermarket are all expressions of that larger vision. What makes New Haven unique is the way those institutions work together to support a community built on connection.

As one resident put it, “At the end of the day, people stay because of people here.”

The new mikvah will open. The supermarket will welcome its first customers and both schools will fill new classrooms with students. The shuls will continue to grow and there will be events buzzing on the community chats. But perhaps the most remarkable thing about New Haven isn’t what is being built. It’s what already exists. A community that will continue to invest in each other.

—-

Reach out to Dovid Leib Morosow for for more info.
[email protected]
(347) 512-0042

By Rabbi Mendel Prescott

In the previous articles, much was brought up on ribbis in the corporate world. To give a real sense of how ribbis issues permeate so much of everyday financial life in America, we present here a few real-life cases that serve as prototypes for a much broader range of situations. We’ll examine what goes into determining the “kashrus” of a financial institution.

Let’s focus on Goldman Sachs, one of America’s largest investment firms, which operates like a typical bank alongside its other investment services. The founders of Goldman Sachs in the mid-1800s were Jewish, as the names plainly suggest — but over a century, companies change hands, and founding identity usually carries no weight. What matters is who is running the firm today. But let’s examine the current leadership.

The firm’s present leadership is notably Jewish — David Solomon as CEO, John Waldron as President, and Kathryn Ruemmler as General Counsel — all sitting at the very top of the decision-making structure. But leadership is not ownership. A malveh is the owner of the funds, not the one who administers the loan. One may bank at a non-Jewish bank even if the managers happen to be Jewish. Let’s take a look at the holdings.

Of the Jewish board members, Solomon holds the largest number of shares, at over 150,000, quite a sizable holding. While this may sound substantial, realize that Goldman has approximately 307 million shares outstanding. His stake amounts to roughly 0.05% of the company — negligible by any measure.

We previously cited Rav Moshe Feinstein and the Minchas Yitzchok who rule that Jewish stockholders pose no ribbis problem, since a minority shareholder exercises no real control over company decisions. A 0.05% stake carries no extra voting weight, no board access, and no operational influence whatsoever. (It is the institutional investors like Vanguard and BlackRock who hold 6–7% who sometimes manage move outcomes at annual meetings.) But Solomon isn’t a passive shareholder — he’s the CEO. Does his executive authority elevate his shareholdings to the level of halachic baalus?

Authority vs. Ownership

In a public company like Goldman Sachs, executive authority derives from one’s board appointment, not from share ownership. Solomon’s power to set lending policy, direct strategy, and oversee the firm’s interest-bearing operations is entirely due to the board’s hiring him as CEO. Even if he were to sell every share he owns, his would theoretically remain with identical authority. It would seem, then, that the two factors can be separated: his shareholdings are negligible, and his executive authority is independent of ownership and therefore poses no ribbis concern.

However, in practice, these two elements — share ownership and executive power — are difficult to be entirely isolated from one another. Large public companies typically maintain stock ownership guidelines, requiring executives to hold a significant number of shares (e.g. five to six times their salary) so that his decisions are aligned with the company’s interests. Goldman Sachs has such a policy. Hence, the shares are not incidental; they are a component of the executive’s role. So, David Solomon’s equity stake and his authority are not as easily separated as one might have thought.

Rav Avraham Moshe Levanoni in his Mishnas Ribbis (p. 61) addresses this question. His position is that the two aspects need not be viewed as connected — a CEO’s power stems from his election to that position, not from his ownership stake. He writes that he presented this reasoning to Rav Yisrael Belsky, who agreed, and added that he had heard the same sevara from Rav Moshe Feinstein. In addition, Rav Levanoni cites a teshuva from Rav Elyashiv (in the appendix to the sefer) who rules leniently on this point.

However, he writes that Rav Belsky added an important distinction: board members are to be treated differently from ordinary shareholders. Even a percentage of ownership that would pose no problem for a regular shareholder may be problematic when held by a board member, given the relationship between ownership and authority. The precise threshold, however, is not spelled out there; possibly 0.05% would pose a problem.

Subsidiary Companies

A related question arises with subsidiary companies. A subsidiary company is an independent company that is bought out completely by a larger company, but retains its own identity. Take GreenSky Lending as a real example — a construction loan firm that was acquired by Goldman Sachs in 2022 and structured as a wholly owned subsidiary of Goldman Sachs Bank. As such, borrowing from GreenSky would be halachically identical as to bowworoing form Goldman Sachs.

Subsidiary companies are not as straightforward as they may seem. Sometimes the parent company literally purchases the smaller company outright. But sometimes a parent company functions essentially as a syndicator or aggregator — it doesn’t truly “own” the subsidiary in the conventional sense. Rather, it raises money from outside investors, manages the operation, and collects a fee or carried interest, while the actual capital belongs to those outside investors.

For ribbis purposes, this distinction is significant. If Goldman Sachs is acting as a syndicator, then the real malveh isn’t Goldman Sachs at all — it’s the institutional funds behind the curtain who are the true lenders, and those are almost invariably non-Jewish entities. Determining which model applies requires researching the specific structure of the arrangement. (As of this writing, Goldman Sachs has sold GreenSky entirely to another institution, eliminating the issue for future transactions.)

Rov and Breirah

Even where Jewish ownership exists, two additional heteirim were raised by earlier poskim when the bank question first surfaced in the mid-1800s.

The first is the principle of rov. Rav Yitzchok Aharon Ettinger, in his teshuva regarding the beer production company in Nadvornah in which Jews held stock (discussed in an earlier article), added – beyond his primary hetter – that the Jewish shares could be disregarded since they constituted a minority.

Rav Yisrael Salanter (cited by Rav Moshe Sternbuch in Teshuvos Vehanhagos 4:194 and 2:421) similarly ruled that where Jewish shareholdings are a minority, we may apply bittul b’rov. However, he notes that this only works where the Jewish portion is not publicly known or identifiable. Otherwise, bittul b’rov cannot be applied. So, this hetter will not straightforwardly apply in the Goldman Sachs case, where Jewish identity in its leadership is very much publicly known.

The second principle raised is breirah. The concept of breirah allows us to clarify the designation of something that is otherwise unspecified. The classic example brought in the Gemara (Bava Kamma 51b) is the case of two partners in a property, where one forbids the other through a neder from deriving benefit from him. The question is whether the forbidden partner may still use the jointly owned property. If we apply breirah, we say that whatever portion he uses is viewed as his own for the time being — even though partnership ownership is by definition unspecified.

The same logic is applied here: any loan taken by a Jew from such a bank can be considered as coming specifically from the non-Jewish portion of the ownership. The Sho’eil U’Meishiv (Kamma 3:31), among others, raised this as a viable hetter. However, it sparked considerable debate among the poskim as to whether breirah can legitimately be applied in this context.

The Rebbe, in a letter addressing ribbis, cites this sevara but limits it to cases where the ribbis in question is d’rabbanan as the halacha follows the shittah of ein breirah for issurei d’oraysa. (See earlier article more on the Rebbe’s letter.)

Fintech: A Jewish Face on a Non-Jewish Bank

In the last decade, a new model of financial services has reshaped how people borrow and bank: the fintech company. Unlike a traditional bank, a fintech doesn’t hold a banking charter or lend its own money. Instead, it builds a digital platform, acquires customers, and partners with a licensed bank in the background to hold the deposits and issue the loans.

BlueVine is a classic example. Founded in 2013 by Eyal Lifshitz and Nir Klar, both of whom are Jewish, the company provides business banking to thousands of small businesses across the US and is currently privately owned. Can one bank with BlueVine without a hetter iska? The answer would seem to be yes — because BlueVine is not a bank itself. It is the face, the app, the brand, and the customer relationship, while the actual banking services are provided by Coastal Community Bank, and lines of credit are issued by Celtic Bank, a Utah-chartered industrial bank. The money being lent is theirs, not BlueVine’s. BlueVine is but one example of many such companies in the fintech world.

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When hundreds from around the world logged on to the first-ever Chassidus and AI Conference last year, it answered one question and opened a dozen more. This Sunday, June 14, 2026 / 29 Sivan, 5786, the second annual conference returns. It’s free and fully virtual, with its complete speaker lineup now announced.

The premise is hundreds of years old and as new as this week’s technology: how do we bring the deepest teachings of Chassidus to every Jew, in every place, in a way that speaks to each person individually? This year’s presenters take that question into territory most people haven’t yet imagined, and several of them will be showing real, working tools rather than talking in the abstract.

The conference is built around the questions Anash is already asking, out loud and in private: Where is this technology actually heading, and what does it mean for the way pnimiyus haTorah is learned and taught? Can a machine really help me integrate what I learn, or only help me look things up? When AI tells me what I want to hear, how is that quietly shaping the way I think? And how do you take a maamar and make it speak to a child, to a newcomer, or to someone struggling with anxiety at 2 a.m.?

The conference will be opened by words of inspiration from Rabbi Levi Wineberg, who is an acclaimed teacher of chassidus in Johannesburg, South Africa, whose father was the pioneer to bring chassidus to the radio, and who himself pioneered live simultaneous translations of the rebbe’s farbrengens, translated Lessons in Tanya, and was instrumental in founding Sichos in English.

Rabbi Asher Crispe, a technology futurist working with a French AI company on AGI, will open the horizon: the future of Chassidus and AI, where the technology is heading, and what it means for how Chassidus will be learned, taught, and internalized in the years ahead.

A cluster of presenters is quietly building the technology that everything else depends on.

Rabbi Yossi Yaffe, a shliach in Connecticut, will show how parsing and ingesting Chassidus can unlock a vast, interconnected network of knowledge, making it possible to trace how a single idea develops across generations and gain real insight into the intellectual history and development of Chassidus.

Rabbi Eliezer Shemtov will explore some of the most valuable and resonant applications of all: the mental-health dimension of Chassidus, and how to use AI to harness the lessons of Tanya and maamarim to speak directly to issues people wrestle with, including anxiety and depression.

Shimon Rosenberg, a Crown Heights businessman, will speak on how he uses AI to integrate his own Chassidus learning and how he has been applying Chassidus-based solutions to real-world problems in tech, letting the learning shape the engineering rather than the reverse.

Drawing on his research at Rutgers University, Dr. Joel Finkelstein will lead a discussion on the dangers of sycophancy, what happens when AI becomes an echo chamber that tells you what you want to hear, and how that can subtly distort your thinking.

Meyer Schmukler will discuss his passion for using AI to generate music to convey deep chassidic concepts and the revolutionary apps he is creating to bring chassidus to the world.

Rayi Stern who oversees AI at Merkos 302 will share what he learned building a retrieval system for Chassidus that, in addition to returning accurate answers, adds a flavor of insight and unique perspective.

Berel Marosow will speak about the dozens of apps he built to put Chassidus within arm’s reach.

Mendy Elishevitz will demonstrate how he uses AI to map the full scope of Chassidus, or the Rebbe’s Torah, on a given topic, parsha, or Yom Tov, so a learner can see the whole landscape of an idea at a glance.

Moishy Goldstein will give a practical, expert-level look at multimedia creation: how to achieve studio-level visual consistency in hafatzah, and how to bring concepts, values, and ideas to life on screen.

Rabbis Levi Raskin and Chanoch Chaskind of Maor will share how they use AI to translate the Rebbe’s Torah for children and for non-Chabad audiences, including how the technology helps uncover the Rebbe’s own unique way of speaking to children.

The conference takes place this Sunday, June 14, 2026 / 29 Sivan, 5786, beginning at 1pm EDT, online. Participation is free, though spaces are limited, with preference given to those actively involved in advancing the field. All registrants will receive access to the full recordings after the event.

The conference is co-hosted by Rabbi Zalman Abraham of JLI and Rabbi Mendy Shishler of “AI for Shlichus” (associated with Merkos 302).

Registration is open at ChassidusAI.com.

Insights from Toras Reb Levi Yitzchok, a weekly class based on the teachings of Harav Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, chief rabbi of the city of Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, during the bloody Bolshevik revolution and the subsequent Communist oppression and father of the Rebbe.

The shiur is presented by Rabbi Dovid Dubov, Director of Chabad of Mercer County in Princeton, New Jersey, and author of Yalkut Levi Yitzchok, an anthology of commentaries collected from the works of Harav Levi Yitzchak, of blessed memory.

Organized by Irguntorah.org and aired on community news service COLlive.com.

From The Rebbe’s Father זצ״ל
Shelach

he must offer up with this bull a grain-offering consisting of three tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with half a hin of oil
15:9

The Talmud

״וְהַשְּׁתִיָּה כַדָּת (אֵין אוֹנֵס)״, מַאי ״כַּדָּת״? אָמַר רַבִּי חָנָן מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי מֵאִיר: כְּדָת שֶׁל תּוֹרָה, מָה דָּת שֶׁל תּוֹרָה אֲכִילָה מְרוּבָּה מִשְּׁתִיָּה — אַף סְעוּדָּתוֹ שֶׁל אוֹתוֹ רָשָׁע אֲכִילָה מְרוּבָּה מִשְּׁתִיָּה.
The verse states: “And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel” (Esther 1:8). The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of “according to the law”? Rabbi Ḥanan said in the name of Rabbi Meir: The drinking was according to the law of the Torah. Just as, according to the law of the Torah, with regard to offerings, the food sacrificed on the altar is greater in quantity than the drink, for the wine libation is quantitatively much smaller than the sacrificial offerings it accompanies, so too, at the feast of that wicked man, the food was greater in quantity than the drink.
.12a

Questions

A) Why is rule
Foods are greater/more then Liquid?

תורת לוי יצחק , ע רנב
ילקוט לוי יצחק פורים ע׳ ח

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This week, the Living Legacy Conference was held in Washington, D.C., bringing together hundreds of Chabad Shluchim, supporters, public officials, and distinguished guests from across the United States and dozens of countries around the world.

Organized by the American Friends of Lubavitch–Chabad, the conference was dedicated to the legacy and vision of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, and to examining the impact of his teachings on Jewish and public life in America and beyond.

The event highlighted the work of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, which today maintains an active presence in all 50 U.S. states and in more than 110 countries worldwide. It also served as a platform for meaningful engagement between community leaders, Chabad emissaries, and prominent figures from the political, business, academic, and nonprofit sectors.

Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Executive Vice President of American Friends of Lubavitch-Chabad, said, “We hold conferences like this every few years to reflect on the Rebbe’s leadership, his legacy, and the impact of his teachings on American life.”

The three-day conference opened with an elaborate breakfast on Capitol Hill with the participation of dozens of members of Congress and senators from both parties. Lawmakers from across the political spectrum—including Democrats and Republicans from both the House of Representatives and the Senate—addressed the gathering.

Participants then continued to the Library of Congress, where the Hebraic Section showcased rare and valuable Jewish manuscripts, such as the Washington Haggadah and Chabad related publications from its collections.

Special presentations prepared by the Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) explored the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States, the role of the Jewish community in American history, and the Rebbe’s connection to these historic developments. Dr. Naftali Loewenthal, Assistant Professor at the University of London and the Head of the UK Chabad Research Unit delivered a paper on Ten Points of Leadership in the Rebbe’s Teachings.

The conference then moved to the U.S. Department of State’s ornate Benjamin Franklin Room, on of the capital’s most magnificent venues, where senior diplomats participated in the Global Jewish Roundtable. Among the speakers was Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Yechiel Leiter.

“It is not easy to inspire a room full of rabbis, but he succeeded, and everyone was talking about his remarks afterward,” Shemtov said.

Letters were then inscribed into the Washington Torah to remember the occasion. A panel followed featuring the Ambassador of the European Union to the United States and the Australian Ambassador to the United States, focusing on the challenges facing Jewish communities in their respective regions. Another panel brought together Chabad representatives from the Gulf States, Latin America, Asia, and Europe, who shared firsthand perspectives on the issues and concerns confronting Jewish communities around the world.

In the evening, participants attended a gala banquet at the Organization of American States that included a tribute to members of the United States military and Jewish servicemen and women. A number of Generals, Admirals, and senior civilian and military representatives from the U.S. defense establishment were in attendance, as were the parents of the last US Citizen returned from Gaza, Edan Alexander, Adi and Yael Alexander, who delivered moving remarks about their visit to the Ohel of The Rebbe, centered on faith, hope, and prayer.

The keynote address was delivered by Hon. Justice Marcus Solomon of the Supreme Court of Western Australia, who also serves as a rabbi. His presentation focused on the Rebbe’s approach to combating antisemitism and addressing some of the most pressing social and moral challenges of our time. The evening concluded with a special concert featuring melodies taught and shared by the Rebbe, alongside original symphonic Chabad niggunim performed by a 25 piece orchestra, especially commissioned for this occasion. Music arranged and conducted by Avremi G, performed by the ‘A Team’.

On the conference’s final day, a large delegation visited the White House, where participants met with senior presidential advisers and engaged in discussions on a range of Jewish issues. A smaller group later met with Vice President of the United States JD Vance for what participants described as a “substantive and meaningful” exchange of views.

Asked why such a conference is especially important at this moment, Rabbi Shemtov said that the Jewish people are facing unprecedented challenges and that studying the Rebbe’s teachings provides practical guidance for addressing them effectively.

“I believe one of our core missions is to bring people together—people with different levels of religious observance and different political perspectives,” he said. “The Rebbe’s message was that we can remain firmly committed to our values and identity while also listening to others, understanding them, and working toward unity and mutual respect.”

According to Rabbi Shemtov, at a time when Jewish communities around the world are confronting growing challenges, strengthening a shared sense of purpose and responsibility is more important than ever.

“Throughout history, Jews have been expelled from 109 countries,” he concluded. “Today, Chabad operates in 112 countries around the world. We are here to stay. We are here to continue our work and to bring more light wherever we go until our mission is done.”

Construction continues to move full steam ahead on Phase 2 of the major expansion project at Lubavitcher Yeshiva, as the growing Crown Heights moised continues building “hecher un hecher.”

The Phase 2 expansion includes the addition of two new floors and approximately 20,000 square feet of new space to the existing building. Once completed, the expansion will provide much-needed classrooms, resource rooms, offices, and recreational areas to support the Yeshiva’s continued growth for years to come.

https://online.flippingbook.com/view/684878675/

Parents and community members continue to express excitement as visible progress becomes more noticeable week by week.

With construction moving steadily forward, Lubavitcher Yeshiva says additional updates will continue to be shared with the community as another major chapter in the growth of Tomchei Temimim becomes reality.

Lubavitcher Yeshiva thanks its Rebbeim and Morahs for helping make this expansion happen!

https://collive.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/whatsapp-video-2026-06-05-at-5.45.34-pm.mp4

The Juneberry Gallery’s newest fine art exhibition, The Jewish American Experience in the Medina shel Chesed, drew an appreciative audience of art aficionados this past Sunday, June 7th. The exhibit, featuring an array of marvelously talented artists, launched the first in a series of special events and programs planned for the summer in conjunction with the gallery.

On Sunday, June 14, 2026, Erev Rosh Chodesh Tammuz, the Juneberry Gallery will host Crown Heights Women for the Safety and Integrity of Israel’s 12th Annual Shleimus HaAretz Conference for Israel.

Open to the public, the conference begins at 2pm. The Juneberry Gallery is located in Crown Heights, 1714 President Street, Brooklyn, New York 11213.

Held annually in the lead up to the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s Yom Hillula (day of passing) on Gimmel Tammuz, the conference honors the Rebbe’s legacy of leadership under the banner for Shleimus HaAretz – preserving Israel’s territorial integrity in order to protect Jewish lives – Pikuach Nefesh and also gives special recognition to those resolute individuals and groups from across the Jewish community whose steadfast efforts bring the Rebbe’s message to fruition.

This year’s shining star is the Legal Forum for Israel headed by CEO Yotam Eyal. Yotam is both a Constitutional Expert and the legal commentator for Channel 14 in Israel.

The Legal Forum was founded in 2004 in response to the utterly ill-conceived, flagrant legislation that gave sanction the Expulsion from Gush Katif, r”l. Ever since, The Legal Forum’s team of over 400 volunteer attorneys work to safeguard and protect the national interests of the Jewish people in the State of Israel by bringing constructive change through legal means to the country’s legislative and judicial branches.

Among its many achievements has been the bill to Offset the Palestinian Authority’s Pay to Slay salaries given to terrorists who murder or maim Jews. Passed in 2018, the equivalent in revenue used to pay terrorists’ “salaries” – collected from the tariffs and taxes the State of Israel collects on the PA’s behalf – is, by law, kept in Escrow.

Needless to say, the next step must be to ensure that these funds are never returned to these vile anti-Semites and are instead used exclusively to support victims of terror and their entire families recover and rebuild their lives.

The program includes a gallery tour of The Jewish American Experience in the Medina shel Chesed. Light refreshments will be served.

Yotam will begin speaking at 2:30pm sharp. RSVP required. To Learn More and RSVP: www.juneberrygallery.com/shleimushaaretzconference

By COLlive reporter

A new initiative aims to address a long-standing challenge facing Jewish communities across New York, New Jersey, and the broader United States: the proper disposal of sheimos and genizah materials.

Sheimos, also known as genizah, refers to worn-out or damaged Jewish religious materials that contain Hashem’s name or sacred Torah content and therefore cannot be discarded in a regular manner. These items can include siddurim, chumashim, prayer sheets, Torah study materials, mezuzah parchments, and other printed or handwritten texts containing divrei Torah. According to Jewish law, such materials require respectful disposal, traditionally through burial. As a result, Jewish communities have long maintained systems for collecting and properly handling sheimos before it is transferred for burial.

Unlike in Israel, where dedicated genizah containers are commonly available in many neighborhoods, there has been no widespread, organized solution in the United States. As a result, many people store accumulated sheimos until Erev Pesach, while others struggle to find appropriate disposal options throughout the year.

A new system is designed to provide a practical solution for both individuals and shuls.

Specially designated collection containers will allow users to deposit a bag of sheimos for a fee of $6 per bag – approximately the size of a grocery bag. Organizers say the pricing was intentionally set to remain affordable and accessible for the public.

One such container has been installed in Crown Heights, conveniently located on the corner of President and Kingston Avenue, in the yard near the former Gombo’s Bakery, thanks to the generosity of Itzik Benabou, the owner of the property.

The initiative also seeks to ease the burden on shuls, where gabbaiim often find themselves handling large quantities of genizah brought by community members who have no other place to dispose of it. Organizers say the new system will help reduce pressure on shuls while providing a convenient year-round option for the public.

The first 30 collection sites have already been installed. Over the coming month, the system will be evaluated to identify and correct any issues. If successful, organizers plan to expand by adding approximately 300 additional collection units over the next year to year-and-a-half.

According to the project’s organizers, the goal is not profit but rather covering operational expenses, including collection, transportation, maintenance, and burial costs.

A major focus of the initiative has been oversight and transparency. To address concerns about how genizah is ultimately handled, the project operates under the supervision of two major kashrus organizations, the OU and the CRC.

Organizers say both organizations provide certification and supervision for the collection containers as well as the burial process itself, ensuring that materials are handled properly from collection through final burial.

Another unique feature of the program is its burial method. Rather than burying genizah underground, organizers have secured dedicated above-ground burial space in New Jersey. They say this approach was chosen in part due to potential future environmental regulations that could restrict underground burial. The designated burial areas are supervised and monitored under the same certification standards.

Organizers expressed hope that the project will provide a long-term solution for communities that have struggled for decades with proper genizah disposal, offering individuals and institutions an accessible, supervised, and reliable option throughout the year.

How to use the machine:

https://collive.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/whatsapp-video-2026-06-11-at-3.18.58-pm.mp4

https://collive.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/whatsapp-video-2026-06-11-at-2.45.49-pm.mp4

In Episode 65 of Lamplighters: Stories From Chabad Emissaries On The Jewish Frontier, reporter/producer Gary Waleik presents the story of Rabbi Peretz and Rebbetzin Chanie Chein, Chabad emissaries to Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. The Cheins’ shlichus includes campus outreach, of course. But it also includes a dynamic new program, an approach to inner work modeled on a famous Maamer of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

Lamplighters: Stories From Chabad Emissaries On The Jewish Frontier is producing a series of moving, beautifully produced, sound-rich and often surprising stories of Chabad shluchim and the people they inspire in every corner of the world.

Listen and subscribe at http://www.lubavitch.com/podcast and on all major podcast platforms.

To pitch a story for our podcast about Chabad emissaries or for dedication/sponsorship opportunities, email us at [email protected].

Gimmel Tammuz is a day dedicated to connection.

For many, however, that connection can feel surprisingly elusive.

The day is filled with emotion, reflection, travel, farbrengens, hachlatos, and countless worthwhile activities. By the end of the day, one may have participated in many rituals and even meaningful experiences, yet still feel an unfulfilled desire for something deeper and more personal.

It is this need that stands at the heart of ‘The Gift of the Rebbe’s Torah’ program. Created by Karnei Ohr, the program was carefully designed to create a space where participants can slow down, learn deeply, and experience the hiskashrus that comes through Torah itself.

Five respected rabbonim and mashpi’im will each present a single foundational insight, perspective, or chiddush that captures something distinctive about the Rebbe’s Torah and its relevance to our lives today.

The Gift of the Rebbe’s Torah will take place on Wednesday evening, the eve of Gimmel Tammuz. Each speaker will deliver a concise 15-minute presentation highlighting a foundational idea, perspective, or chiddush.

The speakers are Rabbi Fishel Oster, maggid shiur at Oholei Torah; Rabbi Shmuly Avtzon, director of Sichos in English; Rabbi Ephraim Mintz, executive director of JLI; Rabbi Shlomie Sternberg, menahel of Chovivei Torah; and Rabbi Levke Kaplan, rabbi of The Shull in Crown Heights.

Anash and shluchim are invited to join the evening of learning and connection, gaining a renewed appreciation for the depth of the Rebbe’s Torah and the guidance it offers in everyday life.

Wednesday, June 17
8:00 PM
Lubavitcher Yeshiva – 570 Crown Street

Light refreshments will be served.

Maariv will follow the program.

The event is organized by Karnei Ohr, whose mission is to make Torah accessible, relatable and relevant. Through transformative learning experiences, one-on-one study, and community programs, Karnei Ohr, headed by Rabbi Shloime Wolvovsky, has made a significant impact on Torah learning in Crown Heights and beyond.

To learn more about Karnei Ohr, visit karneiohr.org.

To partner with Karnei Ohr in this event and future initiatives, visit donorbox.org/supporters-circle.

Click here to view full size

As Chassidim around the world prepare to mark Gimmel Tammuz, Rabbi Chaim Fogelman has released a moving song, “The Ohel,” a powerful expression of the profound bond that continues to unite Jews with the Rebbe.

Written, composed, and performed by Rabbi Fogelman, the song captures the emotions experienced by countless visitors who journey to the Ohel seeking inspiration, guidance, blessing, and connection. Through its stirring melody and heartfelt lyrics, “The Ohel” reflects the timeless message that the Rebbe’s influence remains alive and accessible to every Jew.

Released specifically in honor of Gimmel Tammuz 5786, the song serves as both a personal reflection and a communal anthem for those who draw strength from the Rebbe’s teachings and vision. The music evokes the atmosphere of standing at the Ohel, the holy resting place of the Rebbe, where individuals from all walks of life come to pray, reflect, and renew their commitment to Torah, mitzvos, and acts of goodness and kindness.

“Gimmel Tammuz is a time when Chassidim strive to strengthen their connection to the Rebbe and recommit themselves to carrying his mission forward,” said Rabbi Fogelman. “My hope is that this song helps listeners feel that connection and inspires them to bring the Rebbe’s teachings into their daily lives.”

Listen to “The Ohel” on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and 24six.
Youtube

As the worldwide Chabad-Lubavitch community reflects on the Rebbe’s enduring impact, this new release offers a meaningful soundtrack for the season, reminding listeners that the Rebbe’s guidance, inspiration, and love for every Jew continue to resonate today.

Listen to “The Ohel” on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and 24six.

This article is brought to you by the editorial team of JLI’s Living Jewish series, which has recently released The Complete Guide to Keeping Kosher, as previously reported on COLlive. 

My lunch at the office is whatever my wife packed from last night’s leftovers. My coworkers, on the other hand, are creatures of habit—they eat the same yogurt granola and cheese toasts every day. Some days I can happily pull up a chair. Other days I’m the outlier with a meaty leftover, and I take my plate to an empty corner and let Rabbi Dinerman’s podcast keep me company. Today, though, I left my earbuds at home. And of course, today I’ve got a container of chicken and quinoa salad. So now what? Do I really have to sit alone in silence?

The good news is that there are options. But first, let’s understand the issue.

What’s the problem with eating my meaty lunch at the dairy office table?

Chazal instituted a rabbinic prohibition against two people eating milchig and fleishig at the same table. The concern is that someone might absentmindedly reach over and take a bite of the other person’s food and end up inadvertently consuming meat with dairy.

Interestingly, this concern is unique to meat and dairy. An observant Jew may sit at the same table as a non-Jew eating nonkosher food because we’re naturally on guard against nonkosher items. With meat and dairy, though, each one is permitted on its own, and since you’re used to sharing with friends, it’s easier to slip up.

So besides sitting with my non-Jewish coworkers, what are my options?

Several. If any one of the following applies, you’re permitted to eat together:

• The two of you are seated far enough apart that you can’t reach each other’s plates.
• You’re each eating on your own place mat.
• You wouldn’t feel comfortable helping yourself to the other person’s food anyway (which can apply with coworkers you don’t know well).
• You place a heker—a reminder object—on the table between you.

What counts as a heker****?

The heker has to be either something unusual for the table or something moved from its normal position, and it has to be of noticeable height. It could be a coworker’s fidget toy parked between you, a stapler grabbed from a nearby desk, or even a tissue box turned on its side. The point is that it catches your eye and reminds you that someone across from you is eating the opposite type.

What if I ate fleishigs earlier and now I just want to grab a pareve snack at their table?

If you’re within the six-hour waiting period after eating meat, you can still sit at the same table as someone eating dairy, as long as you yourself are only eating pareve food. The prohibition is about two people actively eating opposing types—not about who ate what earlier in the day.

What if I missed lunch so I’m eating alone, but there’s leftover Rosh Chodesh cheesecake on the table?

Even when you’re by yourself, you shouldn’t eat meat at a table with dairy items on it. Clear off the dairy before you start. If for some reason you can’t move it, you can still eat the meat as long as the dairy items are far enough away to be out of reach.

So next time you walk into the lunchroom with leftover schnitzel and everyone else has pizza, you don’t have to retreat to the corner. Slide your briefcase (or whatever’s around) to the middle of the table, sit down, and join the conversation.

The first volume of Living Jewish: The Complete Guide to Keeping Kosher is available now at Hamafitz and Judaica World. 

If you have a question you’d like to submit, email us at [email protected].

Note: The Halachic rulings in this article were reviewed by Bais Hora’ah Chabad.

By Chaim Ber Kaminker

This Monday marks the sixth yahrtzeit of our beloved son, Shua Kaminker a”h.

Not a day goes by without thinking of him.

Shua was only eight years old when he passed after a courageous fight with cancer. But when we remember him, we don’t first think of the illness. We think of his smile, his determination, his love of learning, and the joy he brought to everyone around him.
He loved school.
He loved his teachers.
He loved his friends.
He loved being part of a community that cared about him and believed in him.
Like every child, Shua thrived when surrounded by people who saw his potential and invested in his future. The warmth, encouragement, and sense of belonging he experienced through Jewish education left a deep impression on our family.

After his passing, we asked ourselves a hard question:

What about children who lack that support?

What about families struggling to keep their children in Jewish schools?
What about parents desperately searching for guidance, resources, or simply someone to listen and help?
From these questions, Keren Yeshua was born.
Over the past years, Keren Yeshua has quietly become a lifeline for families facing educational, emotional, and financial challenges. To date, we have helped more than 40 families and impacted over 70 students across Chabad communities and beyond.

But Keren Yeshua is not about numbers.
It is about children.
It is about a teen struggling to find the right yeshiva.
It is about a child needing advocacy and support.
It is about a worried mother who doesn’t know where to turn.
It is about a family desperately trying to keep their child connected to Jewish education despite overwhelming financial pressures.

Every child matters.

What many don’t see is what happens behind the scenes.

A single case can involve countless hours of conversations, meetings, research, advocacy, and follow-up. We work closely with parents, schools, rabbanim, therapists, educational consultants, and community leaders to understand each child’s unique needs and help chart a path forward.
The investment for each student goes well beyond financial aid.

Every child has a unique story.
Every child has unique strengths.
Every child faces different challenges.
Helping them requires patience, experience, creativity, and genuine care.

Over the years, every family we have helped has taught us something new. Every student has deepened our understanding of the challenges facing Jewish children today. Every case has strengthened our relationships with schools, professional educators, mental health providers, and community organizations.

These relationships become resources.
These resources become opportunities.

And these opportunities help the next child who reaches out for help.

In this way, every student we assist not only benefits personally but also helps us build the knowledge, partnerships, and support systems needed to help many others in the future.
Today, many families are still waiting.

Parents continue to seek guidance, advocacy, emotional support, educational resources, and financial help. Some are trying to find the right school. Others are struggling to keep their children enrolled. Many just need someone who understands their situation and can guide them.

The need is real.
And it is growing.
As we approach Shua’s sixth yahrtzeit, we remember that though his life was too short, his impact continues to grow in ways we never imagined.
Every child remaining in school.
Every family finding hope.
Every student discovering potential.
Every educational opportunity that is preserved.
These are the living chapters of Shua’s legacy.

The best tribute we can give to Shua’s memory isn’t just words. It’s helping another child learn, grow, and succeed.
In honor of Shua and his yahrtziet, we invite you to join that mission.

Your support allows Keren Yeshua to stand beside families during their toughest times. It helps us provide guidance, advocacy, resources, and financial aid to children who might otherwise be left behind.

Together, we can help another child stay in school.
Together, we can help another family find hope.

Together, we can ensure more children receive the opportunities, encouragement, and Jewish education they deserve.
Because every child matters.
And every child is a world.

To support Keren Yeshua and continue Shua’s legacy, please consider donating today.

To partner with Keren Yeshua, please visit. If you know a family or student who could use assistance, please have them contact [email protected]

On the occasion of his birthday, Rabbi Yossi Michelashvili was presented with a special gift and cake from Oholei Torah in recognition of his dedication and generosity to the Yeshiva.

Rabbi Michelashvili dedicated the beautiful Michelashvili Beis Medrash in memory of his grandfather, Reb Yitzchak Michelashvili ע”ה, creating a beautiful environment dedicated to Limud Hatorah and Avodas Hashem where tens of bochurim have spent the year learning, growing, and thriving in. The accompanying video highlights a year of unforgettable moments and accomplishments within its walls.

To celebrate the culmination of a year of learning in the Beis Medrash in conjunction with the birthday, a farbrengen will take place tonight in the new Beis Medrash with Rabbi Ephraim Mintz. All are welcome to join!

Walk into an office in New York, a Chabad House in Montana, a school in Miami, or a community center in France, and you may find the same thing quietly transforming the atmosphere: a continuous stream of the Rebbe’s teachings, stories, encounters, and inspiration.

What began as an idea inspired by the continuous video stream viewed by visitors at the Ohel has grown into a worldwide initiative. Today, more than 100 locations across 15 countries use JEMStream to bring the Rebbe into the daily life of their communities.

Learn more about JEMStream →

Displayed on a lobby screen, waiting room TV, office monitor, or communal display, JEMStream continuously presents carefully curated moments with the Rebbe—teachings, personal encounters, stories, and timeless messages that engage visitors throughout the day.

**
A Sponsored Opportunity for 50 Additional Organizations**

Thanks to the generosity of Nussi and Gittie Sternberg, 50 new organizations can now receive JEMStream at 50% off for their first six months.

The sponsorship was created to help more Chabad Houses, schools, offices, and community institutions bring the Rebbe’s teachings and inspiration into their daily environments.

The impact has been felt in businesses, Chabad Houses, schools, and community institutions alike.

Learn more about JEMStream →

“Whenever people come into the office, they are pleasantly surprised,” said Yechiel “Mike” Jaffe of Jaffe Capital in New York. “They sit for a few minutes to watch, and it changes the atmosphere completely. It’s one of the greatest things I’ve put in my office.”

In Marietta, Georgia, Rabbi Ephraim Silverman described how visitors often stop to watch while waiting for meetings, davening, or Hebrew school pickup.

“It creates a tremendous atmosphere for myself, the staff, and everyone here,” he said.

“We’ve had the stream set up now for a bit and it’s been amazing,” said Rabbi Menachem Korf of Lubavitch Educational Center in Miami. “Students and teachers have been commenting how much it has added to their day. I’ve even had one of our non-Jewish security guards asking me questions about something the Rebbe said.”

Drawing from JEM’s archive of thousands of video clips, JEMStream is continuously refreshed throughout the year with timely and relevant content connected to the weekly Parshah, Yomim Tovim, significant dates, and current events. Different stream formats, multilingual subtitles, and simple setup make it suitable for a wide range of environments.

As communities prepare for Gimmel Tammuz and seek meaningful ways to strengthen connection to the Rebbe, this initiative offers a simple yet powerful opportunity to bring the Rebbe’s presence into everyday spaces.

View the Sponsored Opportunity →
Setup takes only minutes. Organizations receive a secure streaming link that can be opened on virtually any TV, computer, or display.

More than 100 locations around the world are already participating.

See Locations Around the World →Reserve Your Sponsored Spot →

From its beginnings in New York seventy years ago to Gan Yisroel camps around the world today, the Rebbe’s vision continues to flourish.

CGI Parksville marks the milestone with Seventy Years Strong, featuring alumni Avraham Fried, Benny Friedman, Bentzi Marcus, Boruch Sholom Blesofsky, and Eli Marcus.

This summer, Camp Gan Yisroel is marking a major milestone — seventy years since the Rebbe established what has become one of the most iconic Jewish summer camps in the world. To mark the occasion in a fitting way, CGI Parksville has released an original song titled Seventy Years Strong, set to the well-known tune of B’cho Hashem Chosisi, which was composed for the Rebbe’s 70th birthday in 1972.

The song tells the story of Gan Yisroel, tracing the camp’s journey from its very first summer in Ellenville, NY, through its years in Swan Lake, and finally to the current grounds in Parksville, where camp has been home for over fifty years. The lyrics capture both the fun and spirit of camp life — the sports, the trips, the friendships — and the deeper mission that the Rebbe had in mind: Torah above all.
For many alumni, those memories remain vivid decades later. Among them is renowned singer Avraham Fried, who recalls looking forward to Camp Gan Yisroel all year long. One of his favorite memories was performing in an acrobatic show on Visiting Day under the direction of a talented staff member, Yontil Lison. The highlight was a diving routine in which each boy leaped over a row of campers. By the time his turn came, more than a dozen boys were lined up, and after one mishap during practice, he successfully made the longest jump of them all.

Avremel also remembers singing during Color War a song composed by Rabbi Mendel Lipsker, today the head Shliach to South Africa. “Whether my team won or lost, I no longer remember,” Avremel recalls. “What I do remember is the joy and excitement that made Camp Gan Yisroel — the Rebbe’s camp — such a special place.”

Seventy years is no small thing. A camp that the Rebbe personally visited, named, and called his own “reshus,” Gan Yisroel has grown into something truly extraordinary. Thousands of campers have passed through these grounds over the decades, and the fruits of those summers are felt throughout the world to this day. As the Rebbe explained, a Gan is a place where beautiful fruit grows. That is Gan Yisroel — the garden where Jewish children grow, and have grown — for seventy years, and many more to come.

The song was written and developed by Shmuly Wudowsky, Leibel Kahan, Avrohom Goldberg, and Rabbi Mendel Denburg. A special thank you goes to Yoel Weiss for going above and beyond to produce the track. Thank you to CGI alumni — Avraham Fried, Benny Friedman, Bentzi Marcus, Boruch Sholom Blesofsky, and Eli Marcus who joined together to help Gan Yisroel celebrate this special moment in its history.

None of this would have happened without the vision and investment of camp directors Rabbi Avrohom Shemtov and Rabbi Yossie Futerfas, who made the project a reality from start to finish.

Now available on all major streaming platforms!
song.link/70yearsstrong

The lyrics of the song are presented below:
Seventy Years Strong — Shivim Shana Theme Song (T.T.T.O. B’cho Hashem Chosisi)

In Ellenville the seeds were sown / The Rebbe’s camp created / Then Swan Lake became its home / The grounds of Gan Yisroel
In Parksville now the garden grows / Its mission clearly stated / With all the sports and trips we know / It’s Torah above all
Chorus (x2): Kiryas Gan Yisroel / Where each child does belong / The Rebbe’s garden blossoming / For seventy years strong!
Kiryas Gan Yisroel / Let the celebration start / Shivim Shana / Ashreinu we’re a part
Like the branches of a tree / Camp expanded globally / A dirah for Hashem’s the goal / Each camper playing an important role
I gaze up at our flag so tall / Reminding me to heed its call / I’ll make sure to show what grew here / Its perois tovois all throughout the year

As Yidden around the world count the days of Sefiras HaOmer in anticipation of Kabolas HaTorah, many are taking the opportunity to strengthen the foundations upon which a true Torah home is built.

In that spirit, Machon Taharas Habayis is launching a new five-week “Hilchos Taharas Hamishpacha Review for Men” series, designed to provide clarity, review, and practical understanding in these vital halachos — together with the deeper hashkafic and chinuch perspectives that shape a Chassidishe home.

The weekly Wednesday evening program will feature respected Rabbonim, Mashpi’im, and educators addressing key topics relevant to married life, Sholom Bayis, and the responsibility of building a בית נאמן בישראל with kedusha and Taharah in a lasting and פנימיות’dike way.

The course schedule is as follows:

Week #3 — “Tahara Process & Vestos”
Wednesday, 18 Sivan
Rabbi Asher Noam Webb — Midtown Manhattan Kollel

Week #4 — “Yiddishe Chinuch”
Wednesday, 25 Sivan
Rabbi Mendel Yusewitz — Machon Taharas Habayis, Cheder Ohr Menachem

Week #5 — “Sholom Bayis & Hashkafa”
Wednesday, 9 Tammuz
Rabbi Yitzchak M. Einstein — Mashpia in Yeshivas Beis Dovid Shlomo

The program will take place Wednesday evenings at 8:00 PM at Itchkes Shtiebel, 612 Maple Street.

Organizers express tremndious Hakoras Hatov to all who help organize, publicize and support this vital cause. Please join, and consider supporting! Moshiach Now!

Zelle: [email protected] [please add in notes: for Taharas Habayis Review]

Live:

25 Sivan, 5786
June 10, 2026

Dear Friend,

Many can recall the days following Chof Beis Shevat, when the Rebbe and Rebbetzin’s personal home became the center of Lubavitch.

For an entire year, the Rebbe made the Rebbetzin’s home the center of his daily activities. From this sacred space, the Rebbe led the tefillos, distributed dollars for tzedakah, and shared words of Torah with people around the world—a profound expression of honor and gratitude to the Rebbetzin.

In the years since Gimmel Tammuz, the Rebbe and Rebbetzin’s home has continued to serve as a place of prayer and connection. Individuals and groups visit to daven, and minyanim are held there on special occasions throughout the year.

Now we have the opportunity to participate in something deeply personal and meaningful to the Rebbe and Rebbetzin.

Keren Hachomesh has commissioned the writing of a Sefer Torah that will be permanently housed and used exclusively in the Rebbe and Rebbetzin’s home. This Torah will become a lasting part of the sacred space that continues to inspire and connect countless visitors from around the world.

The proceeds from this special Sefer Torah campaign will benefit Keren Hachomesh, the fund established by the Rebbe in the Rebbetzin’s memory to support Jewish life for women and girls.

A Siyum Sefer Torah is scheduled for the 29th of Sivan, just days before Gimmel Tammuz.

You can purchase a letter, dedicate a parshah, or sponsor an entire sefer in this meaningful project. In addition to the zechus of participating in a Sefer Torah dedicated to the Rebbe and Rebbetzin’s home, your contribution will help support vital programs for Jewish women and girls, including hachnasas kallah, mikvah initiatives, scholarships, and other important communal needs.

We encourage everyone to participate and help make this unique project a success.

With esteem,

Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky

By COLlive reporter

U.S. Vice President JD Vance welcomed a delegation from the Chabad-Lubavitch movement at the co closing of the Living Legacy International Conference in Washington, DC, on Wednesday.

Vance hosted in his office in the White House 6 shluchim and supporters of American Friends of Lubavitch-Chabad, led by Rabbi Levi Shemtov, the senior Shliach in the capital.

Participating were Rabbi Zalman Levertov, Head Shliach of Arizona; Rabbi Yehuda Shemtov, Head Shliach of Bucks County, Pennsylvania; and Rabbi Avi Weinstein, COO, Chabad on Campus International.

Joining them were Eliyahu Kholodenko, CEO of Questrade, Canada’s leading online trading platform, and Mendel Rogatsky, CEO of Resolution, an advisory and management firm.

According to a participant, the meeting lasted almost an hour and was described as “important, substantive, and meaningful.”

The meeting was the final event of the conference held in preparation for Gimmel Tammuz, the yartzeit of the Rebbe. It focuses on his teachings and legacy, as well as the national and global efforts of Chabad-Lubavitch.

What if success doesn’t look the same for every child?

Let’s call him Yosef.

For years, Yosef heard the same thing.

“Sit down.”

“Focus.”

“Pay attention.”

“Stop touching things.”

His teachers weren’t wrong.

The problem was that Yosef wasn’t built to spend all day sitting still. His hands were always moving. Building. Taking things apart. Putting them back together.

If something in the classroom broke, Yosef already had a screwdriver in his pocket.

(We’re still not sure where he got it.)

The point is: Yosef wasn’t lazy. He wasn’t unmotivated. And he definitely wasn’t incapable.

He simply learned differently.

And that’s where Darchai Menachem comes in. Because at Darchai, we don’t educate with broad strokes. We focus on the yachid – the individual child.

We don’t ask, “How do we get this student to fit the system?”

We ask:

“How do we help this student succeed?”

Sometimes the answer is extra support. Sometimes it’s a different learning style. Sometimes it’s helping a child discover strengths he never knew he had.

And sometimes… it’s handing him a set of tools!

This year, Darchai launched pilot Trades & Skills programs, including woodworking, culinary arts, and other hands-on learning experiences. Students weren’t just learning skills. They were discovering what they were capable of.

The response was immediate. Students who doubted themselves started walking taller. They began seeing themselves differently, and it changed the way they approached learning.

That’s why next year Darchai is expanding its Trades & Skills Division, with new tracks in electrical work, plumbing, safrus, and low voltage systems.

Every child deserves the opportunity to discover his strengths, and that’s what this program is really about.

Not woodworking. Not plumbing. Not culinary arts.

Potential.

For 25 years, Darchai has helped students grow into confident, capable Chassidim and young men. Today, we’re expanding that vision, creating new opportunities for students to build confidence, develop practical skills, and discover what they’re capable of achieving.

And maybe, as you read this, you’re thinking of a “Yosef.”

A son. A nephew. A neighbor who thrives when learning becomes about his individual strengths.

If so, we’d love to meet him.

Enrollment for next year is now open, and space in our Trades & Skills Division is limited.

Visit our website, schedule a tour, or reach out to learn more. 

DarchaiMenachem.com

It may turn out that the boy with the screwdriver was never a problem to solve…

He was potential waiting to be discovered.

_______________

If you don’t know a “Yosef” personally, you can still help students like him!

Support Datchai’s campaign and help another child discover what he’s capable of becoming.

His Track. His Way.

Help keep every track moving

By Rabbi Shmuel Kravitsky

David Gold was a special Jew who I had pleasure of getting to know for the past year.

He was a doctor for many years before he had some medical issues of his own and was no longer able to work as a doctor.

He lived in Ashfield, which is in western Massachusetts.

And unfortunately, suddenly passed away last Shabbos.

His non-Jewish partner, knew enough to have the chaplain call me from the hospital.
However that was only yesterday and he’s still there. unfortunately she very little to no money to help with his funeral costs.

She herself is very elderly and would not agree to have him buried somewhere that she would not be close enough to come and see him.

BH. I have undertaken to raise the cost of the funeral and I’m asking for your help in this great mitzvah to help a yid have dignified Jewish burial.

We have 24 hours to raise close to $8000 for this.

Chabadnorthampton.com/donate
PayPal [email protected]
Zelle to 3474635075
Cashapp $Rabbishmuelkravitsky

Venmo @shmuel-kravitsky
I thank you in advance and will keep you posted once it’s all raised.

After the incredible success of last 5 years, Crown Heights Chaverim will once again be giving out “Look Before You Lock” cards to remind people not to leave their kids in the car.

Throughout the United States, there’s an average of 39 deaths a year from children left in cars.

This summer as a community service, Crown Heights Chaverim will once again be providing unique cards that easily hang from your rearview mirror to serve as a constant reminder not to leave kids in the car.

The cards, to be hung around your rear-view mirror, will be available at the following Crown Heights locations.

CHJCC 555 Lefferts Ave
Empire Kosher- 529 Empire
E&I Shoe’s – 399 Kingston
Kahan’s 317 Kingston
Klein’s Grocery – 504 Empire
Kingston Bake Shop
Hummus Bar -325 Kingston
Albany Bakery 339 Albany

Remsen Village
Makolet
999 Clarkson Ave

Chaverim is posting the following tips that can be helpful to prevent these tragedies.

1. Always “LOOK BEFORE YOU LOCK.” Get in the habit of checking the backseat every time you get out of the car.

2. The Waze app has a feature which reminds you to check for children after arriving at a destination. Enabling this feature only takes a minute and may save your child’s life.

3. Be extra alert if there are any changes to your routine. That’s when the risk of unintentionally leaving your child in your car increases.

4. Leave an item you’ll need at your next destination in the backseat, such as your cell phone, purse, or laptop.

5. Discuss the topic of hot-car deaths with every person who drives your child anywhere. This should include partners, grandparents, babysitters, friends and even bus drivers.

Crown heights Chaverim can be reached 24/6 at 718-222-1800

By Sruly Meyer

Three years ago, I got a DM from someone asking if I wanted to be on a PBS home cooking show.

I thought it was spam, but I decided to call the number anyway.

It was real.

I did two rounds of interviews, only to find out the show was filming over Rosh Hashana. I had to decline.

After that, I honestly thought maybe because of Yom Tov and Shabbos, and maybe also because of kosher, this dream was never going to happen.

Then, seven months ago, I got another DM. This time from someone asking if I wanted to be on a brand new Food Network show.

I didn’t think it was spam, but I was nervous it would be a waste to even respond after what happened with the PBS show.

I’m so glad I didn’t ignore that DM.

I know I’ve been posting a lot about this. Maybe you read an article I was interviewed for, or heard me speak about it, but you really can’t imagine what it felt like.

Words don’t fully describe the feeling I had then, the feeling I have now, and the feeling I think I will always carry close to my heart.

I was at a very low point in terms of how a lot of things were going. I felt like the world had become bitter and tragic. The news alone can make anyone feel that way, but for me it was deeper.

I felt like I had lost faith in people. I was losing hope that good things still happen.

During the three months of interviews, and waiting to hear if I was advancing in the casting pool, I didn’t let myself believe for even one second that this would actually happen.

I remember it clear as a bell. Even an hour before I got the email, I had already been told an email was coming, and I still thought it would be a nice, “We really loved you, but…” kind of email.

Truthfully, even after I got the email saying I was officially cast on the show, I was in shock.

I was getting emails about wardrobe, flights, special requests, and all the details. Even as I stood in my closet trying to choose clothes, it still hadn’t hit me.

Forty-eight hours later, I was on a plane to California.

I still didn’t believe it.

I met the first cooks on the ride from the airport to the hotel. They were just regular people. Excited to be on this journey.

And I was sitting there, very aware of my yarmulka, my beard, the tzitzis strings at the side of my pants.

Wondering. What are these people going to think about me?

When we got to the hotel, I went to my room to put my stuff down. I was going to go back downstairs and start introducing myself to the other cooks who were already there, and then I saw my baseball cap on the bed.

I was about to grab it.

Maybe I should ease them into it, I thought.

I remember that moment now just as clearly as I did that day. And I decided I was not going to do that.

I came here to be who I am.

There were dozens of other cooks representing their families, their hometowns, their cultures, and even their religions.

I came as the kosher cook.

I was going to introduce myself as me. And that yarmulka on my head is part of me. Keeping kosher is part of me. My Judaism is part of me.

Yes, I made jokes. I laughed. I got to know so many cooks. We talked for hours. We got to know each other deeply.

They got to know me.

Not someone hiding a part of himself because he was nervous.

They got to know me.

And you know what? They were amazing. They embraced me. They accepted me. They treated me the same as everyone else.

People asked me if it was hard to keep that secret of being on the show. It wasn’t hard at all.

You know why? Because that was just a TV show.

The details of the show aren’t what  I walked away with. It was the people there and the experience.

The cooks. The time we spent together. The bonds we made. That is what gave me back that faith.

The ability to make a Kiddush Hashem on a scale of millions.

The strength to not try to fit in, but to stand out. To be me.

My personality and my Judaism, not separate from each other, but together.

When I see clips of myself on this show and I see my yarmulka, the pride that fills me is hard to explain.

When I see the other cooks, it reminds me of the time we spent together, and how those bonds continue to grow even now.

That I didn’t have to hide myself to connect with people, and that they accepted the full me, is a feeling that is hard to describe.

Maybe that feeling is my faith in people being renewed.

Maybe I can’t describe it because it had been gone for so long.

Is the world actually better since this experience?

Maybe not.

But the lesson I took away is that even when things feel hard, in the world or in your own head, good things can still happen.

And maybe when we focus on that, it helps us do things that actually make the world better.

One person at a time. Being our authentic and kind selves. Being proud of our Yiddishkeit!

For many dreaming of entering the world of Safrus, it has been just that: a far-fetched dream, with almost no way to materialize.

Finally, with Lemaan Yilmedu’s Safrus course, you will be able to gain your certification in Safrus and the knowledge and skills required to serve as a Sofer Stam in just a year’s time.

The instructor will guide you the entire way, ensuring you understand the material and are developing proper technique.

Lemaan Yilmedu will provide all the required supplies, including klaf, quills and ink.

The course will include studying each letter from the primary sources of Keses Hasofer and the Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch, the shape and form of the letter, the writing technique and dimensions. Student will also learn how to craft a quill, erase letters and work with klaf.

Rabbi Chaim Pape guides you the whole way, one step at a time, until the letters are truly yours.

Successful students will finish the course with certification from Rabbi Refael Dovid Banon, Dayan of the Chabad community in Montreal and an acclaimed authority on Safrus. You will be well-prepared to take the Vaad Mishmeres Stam exams as well.

Serious applications prepared to dedicate the time necessary to mastering the skills and keeping in close contact with the instructor may be based anywhere in the world.

Course Details:

Start date: 19 Elul 5786, September 1, 2026
Course Duration: 12 Months, 45 classes

Course Days: Tuesday
Class time: 7:30 – 9:00 pm

For more details and registration, click here

As Chassidim around the world prepare to celebrate Chof Ches Sivan, this year marking 85 years since the Rebbe and Rebbetzin’s safe arrival on the shores of the United States, Vaad Or Vechom Hahiskashrus invites all Chassidim to participate in a Farbrengen on Zoom, in preparation for Gimmel Tammuz.

The Farbrengen will take place on Thursday, 26 Sivan, at 9:00 PM ET, addressed by:

Rabbi Yossi Groner – Charlotte, NC

Rabbi Moshe Gourarie – Toms River, NJ

Rabbi Yosef Katzman – Brooklyn, NY

Rabbi Shlomo Kaplan – Brooklyn, NY

Rabbi Leibel Schapiro – Miami, FL

Rabbi Asi Spiegel – Tzfas, Israel

Zoom Link: OrVechom.com/Zoom

The Rebbe refers to Chof Ches Sivan as “a day established by many for farbrengens and hachlatos to renew our efforts in the mission of spreading Yiddishkeit and the wellsprings of Chassidus outward.” (Shabbos Shelach, 28 Sivan 5749)

In connection with this special milestone, Vaad Or Vechom Hahiskashrus has also released a new video series to help you and your family explore the significance of this day and how it was marked in the Rebbe’s presence. Watch the series here:

For the full Chof Ches Sivan resource site, including learning material, English and Hebrew articles, a detailed overview of the Rebbe and Rebbetzin’s journey to America, and much more, visit OrVechom.com/28Sivan.

The Gimmel Tammuz resource site, filled with helpful resources to help you and your family prepare for this important day, can be accessed at OrVechom.com/Hachana.

Photos: Shraga Charytan

Talmidim from Cheder Lubavitch Morristown and bochurim from the Yeshiva who participated in the “Mishmar” learning program throughout the year enjoyed a special trip and BBQ this past week as a grand finale to a successful year of learning.

Over the course of the yeshiva year, talmidim and bochurim gathered each week after school hours to learn together as part of the Mishmar program. Through their dedication and consistency, the participants accumulated many hours of Torah learning and earned the opportunity to take part in the end-of-year celebration.

The group began the afternoon with a trip to Activate Games in Woodbridge, New Jersey, where they enjoyed a unique team-based experience filled with physical and mental challenges. The boys worked together to complete missions, test their skills, and enjoy an exciting and energetic atmosphere.

Following the trip, the participants traveled to the home of Reb Yitzchok Koval in Randolph, New Jersey, for swimming and an exclusive Mishmar BBQ.

The program concluded with awards recognizing the dedication and achievements of the participants throughout the year.

A special thank you to Rabbi Aharon Wilschanski, Principal of Cheder Lubavitch Morristown for facilitating the Mishmar program throughout the year, as well as to the Cheder Vaad and all the sponsors for making Mishmar possible. Special thanks as well to the bochurim giving up their own breaks to teach the kids, and specifically Refoel Dovid Scheiman And Mendel Amzalak for arranging it.

By a bochur

There are few missions more sacred than chinuch.

Every year, countless mechanchim, mashpiim, maggidei shiurim, and talmidei hashluchim dedicate their lives to helping shape the next generation of Chassidim. They invest endless hours, sacrifice precious family time, and pour their hearts into the success of their talmidim. For that, they deserve our deepest gratitude and respect.

This article is not about them.

It is about a question that our yeshiva system must be willing to confront: What happens when a yeshiva decides that a bochur is no longer the right fit?

For obvious reasons, I prefer to remain anonymous. My story is personal, but I know that I am not alone. Over the years, I have spoken with many bochurim, parents, rabbanim, and askanim who have witnessed similar experiences.

Like many young boys, I entered mesivta at thirteen years old. I left behind a comfortable environment, close friends, and familiar routines because I believed in something bigger than myself. I wanted to grow as a chossid.

The transition was not easy. Being away from home, adapting to a demanding schedule, and finding my place in a new environment all came with challenges. But slowly, I found my footing.

I learned seriously during seder and beyond. I developed meaningful relationships with talmidei hashluchim, mashpiim, and maggidei shiurim. I embraced chitas, Rambam, mikvah before Chassidus, mivtzoim, and sharing Torah with family and friends before Shabbos.

For the first time in my young life, I felt that I was becoming the person I was meant to be.

At the same time, I often felt that parts of the administration viewed me differently. I was the type of bochur who asked questions—not out of defiance, but because I genuinely wanted to understand.

I remember one particular incident vividly.

After arriving a few minutes late to Chassidus, I was called over by the mashgiach and instructed to learn a letter of the Rebbe about the importance of shmiras hasedarim. The message itself was powerful, and I accepted it.

But afterward, I asked a sincere question.

I said, “In all my years here, I have only heard criticism from you. I have never once heard acknowledgment of the growth I’ve worked so hard to achieve. Wouldn’t bochurim respond better if they felt that the mashgiach’s role was not only to discipline them, but also to guide and encourage them?”

His answer?

“If you don’t like it here, pack your bags and go home.”

I did not leave. I accepted that perhaps this was simply a different educational philosophy than my own, and I continued trying to grow.

As my final year of mesivta approached, I met with the menahel to discuss my aspirations and my hopes for the coming year. Instead of discussing ways to help me succeed, I was informed that the decision had already been made that I would not be returning.

Perhaps the administration truly believed that another yeshiva would be a better fit. Every institution has the right—and sometimes the obligation—to make difficult decisions.

But this experience left me with a question that I believe our community must ask: When a yeshiva accepts a bochur, does it not also accept a responsibility for his future?

Additionally, the responsibility to take grave levels of sensitivity to protect the bochur’s exposure to feeling waves of uncertainty and C”V resentment!

Not every talmid belongs in every institution. Sometimes a transfer is necessary. Sometimes personalities clash. Sometimes another environment can help a bochur flourish.

But if a yeshiva concludes that a talmid should move on, should the process end there? Or should the hanhalah actively help him find the right place, advocate on his behalf, and ensure that he does not simply fall through the cracks?

A bochur is not an application file. He is not a statistic. He is not a problem to be solved. He is a precious neshama.

Baruch Hashem, I eventually found direction and continued growing. But I often think about those who are less fortunate—the bochur who hears that he no longer belongs, yet has nowhere else to turn.

The Rebbe spoke endlessly about the infinite value and potential of every Yid. Surely that message applies most of all to our own children.

This is not a call to weaken standards or eliminate accountability. It is a call for greater achrayus.

If we accept a bochur into our yeshiva, we should accept responsibility not only for his learning but for his future. And if the day comes that another path is better for him, we should walk that path with him until he finds his place.

No bochur should ever feel that he has simply been left behind.

May we merit a chinuch system that reflects the limitless ahavas Yisroel and faith in every neshama that the Rebbe taught us, and may we soon merit the coming of Moshiach now.

As Gimmel Tammuz approaches, hundreds of Bochurim from Yeshivos around the world are taking part in the eighth annual Mivtza Hanachos of Vaad Talmidei Hatmimim, dedicating time each week to watch the Rebbe’s Farbrengens, write Hanachos, and prepare themselves in a meaningful way for Gimmel Tammuz.

What began years ago as a small initiative has grown into one of the most successful and anticipated programs of the season. This year alone, participants have already accumulated more than 202,566 minutes of Farbrengens watched – and counting.
The concept is straightforward, but the impact is significant. Bochurim watch selected Farbrengens of the Rebbe and write Hanachos in their own words, training themselves to listen carefully, absorb the Rebbe’s message, and think deeply about what they heard.

For many Bochurim, it becomes much more than a Mivtza.

“The fact that I can watch a Farbrengen of the Rebbe for an extended amount of time is thanks to me doing Hanachos when I was in Mesivta”, shared a past participant.

The Mesivta program remains the heart of the Mivtza. With two participation tracks and a carefully structured format that gradually increases the length of the Farbrengen segments from week to week, Bochurim are challenged to stretch their attention span, sharpen their listening skills, and become increasingly comfortable engaging with longer Farbrengens of the Rebbe. By the end of the program, many participants find themselves able to listen attentively to Farbrengens that would have seemed daunting just weeks earlier.

Building on the success of the Mesivta program, the Vaad introduced a new Zal track this year, allowing older Bochurim to participate in a format tailored specifically for them. Featuring longer Farbrengens and more advanced Hanachos, the expansion has generated tremendous excitement and has brought the Mivtza to an entirely new group of participants.

Throughout the years, Mashpiim and mechanchim have repeatedly noted how the Mivtza helps Bochurim develop the ability to engage with the Rebbe’s Torah in a deeper and more meaningful way. What begins as a challenge to write a Hanacha often becomes a new appreciation for the Rebbe’s Farbrengens themselves.

This year’s Mivtza also introduced several new features, including weekly Hanacha voting and the publication of outstanding submissions in a Hanachos magazine, both of which have generated tremendous excitement among participants.

In addition, a new online photo gallery gives parents, supporters, and fellow Bochurim a glimpse into the learning and effort taking place in Yeshivos throughout the weeks of preparation.

Rabbi Tzvi Altein, Director of Vaad Talmidei Hatmimim, says the growth of the Mivtza reflects something much deeper than participation numbers.

“When a Bochur spends time listening carefully to a Farbrengen of the Rebbe, writing a Hanacha, and thinking about what he heard, he’s developing a personal relationship with the Rebbe’s Torah. The numbers are exciting, but what inspires us most is seeing Bochurim genuinely connecting to the Rebbe’s words and carrying those lessons with them long after the Mivtza ends.”

As the remaining weeks of the Mivtza continue, hundreds of Bochurim will spend thousands more minutes with the Rebbe’s Farbrengens, preparing for Gimmel Tammuz in a way that is both meaningful and personal.
For many participants, that may be the greatest accomplishment of all.

Communicated

Ace Hardware on 600 Utica Avenue has always been a Crown Heights staple. Old-timers might remember the small hardware store set on a huge concrete lot, jam-packed with practical items to fix your house. In 2024, it was taken over by Heimishe Yidden and is now fully modernized, refreshed, and a pleasure to walk into. The Utica Avenue location, which once felt slightly outside the community, is now easily accessible and walkable for nearby East Flatbush families.

Ace has been serving customers for decades in both wholesale and retail, and its Heimishe owners are excited to serve the Crown Heights community. This year, when the venue for a large Lag B’omer party fell through, the organizers decided to have the main singer perform outside on a flatbed truck instead of on an indoor stage. They quickly reached out to Ace Hardware, and within minutes, their staff drove a truck over. The singer used it as a stage, and the event was a smashing success. Everyone had a great time, and the team at Ace was thrilled to be able to help out.

Before Sukkos, Ace offers free lumber cuts to make building easier and less stressful. And with the many snowstorms we’ve had this year, the store has been fully stocked with salt, shovels, heaters, and salt spreaders before each storm, making sure the community has what it needs in advance.

Ace caters to homeowners and contractors. The store carries a full line of kitchen cabinets and has a professional on-site offering design help. They are fully stocked with flooring options such as ceramic, vinyl, and click-in planks that are both durable and easy to install. Bathroom vanities and tiles are displayed in a wide range of styles. You’ll also find trusted brands such as Benjamin Moore paint, Moen kitchen and bathroom fixtures, and Stihl power equipment.

“We keep up with trends,” says Abe. “Out with the old, in with the new.” The original store, with its narrow aisles, dim lighting, and inaccessible shelves, felt like it belonged to another era. The updated 2020s layout is a breath of fresh air with its bright lights, wide and comfortable aisles, and range of updated inventory. The expanded space and 20-car parking lot mean a quick in-and-out visit, without circling for parking blocks away.

Ace is a reliable resource for contractors and building managers. They carry building-maintenance supplies and full-apartment renovation materials. Janitorial supplies, plumbing parts, and faucets are kept on hand at all times. With same-day Brooklyn delivery and a flatbed truck available, jobs keep moving without delays.

For added convenience, Ace Hardware is also open on Sundays, making it easier for busy families and contractors to get what they need throughout the week.

“We’re proud of what we’ve done with the store,” says Mendy. “We get constant compliments on the space, and we genuinely love working with the community and being part of it.”

A businessman loses a major account he had been counting on for months. A young woman waits anxiously for answers from doctors after a series of tests. A couple continues davening and hoping while navigating the challenges of shidduchim. Different stories. Different circumstances. Yet beneath them all lies the same question: How does a person remain calm, hopeful, and connected to Hashem when life feels uncertain?

For generations, Yidden have turned to the timeless concept of Bitachon. Countless shiurim have been given, seforim have been written, and stories have been shared about the transformative power of trusting in Hashem. Yet for many people, the challenge has never been understanding what Bitachon is. The challenge is figuring out how to live it.

How does Bitachon look on a Tuesday afternoon when a deal falls through? What does it mean when a child is struggling, finances are tight, or the future feels unclear? How does someone move from learning about Bitachon to actually experiencing it in everyday life? That question is at the heart of a growing initiative called A Bissel Bitachon.

The name itself reflects the philosophy behind the movement. Most people are not looking to achieve perfect Bitachon overnight. They are looking for practical ways to bring a little more trust, a little more perspective, and a little more calm into their lives today than they had yesterday. A bissel Bitachon. Not perfection. Progress. Where something is everything…

What has resonated with so many participants is the initiative’s focus on real-life experiences. Throughout the week, members of the growing community share stories of Hashgachah Pratis, personal challenges, moments of growth, and examples of Bitachon in action. These stories come from ordinary people facing ordinary struggles: a businessman navigating uncertainty in parnassah, a mother facing a difficult health situation, a family waiting for a long-awaited yeshuah, or a young adult searching for direction.

In many cases, the story is still unfolding. The challenge has not yet been resolved. The answers have not yet arrived. And perhaps that is precisely what makes the stories so powerful. They serve as a reminder that Bitachon is not something reserved for after the happy ending. It is something that can accompany a person while the story is still being written.

As the community has grown, so has the desire to create practical ways for people to strengthen their Bitachon beyond reading an inspiring story or listening to a shiur. What began as the sharing of stories has evolved into a broader movement focused on helping people integrate Bitachon into their daily lives.

One of the initiative’s flagship projects is the Bitachon Unplugged podcast. Featuring authentic conversations with people navigating real-life challenges, the podcast explores what Bitachon looks like in the middle of uncertainty rather than only after resolution arrives. The discussions cover topics ranging from parnassah and health to shidduchim, fertility, parenting, and relationships. Rather than presenting idealized versions of faith, the podcast focuses on honest experiences and the lessons people have learned while strengthening their trust in Hashem.

The initiative is also preparing to launch the Rely & Relax Journal, a guided workbook designed to help people translate inspiration into action. Through reflection exercises, practical prompts, and guided activities, participants are encouraged to identify their worries, recognize Hashem’s involvement in their lives, and develop habits that strengthen their sense of trust and calm. The goal is to provide a practical framework for applying the principles of Bitachon long after the inspiration of a story or shiur has faded.

Another initiative gaining momentum is the Bitachon Buddy program, which pairs individuals with a learning partner or chavrusa focused on strengthening Bitachon together. Participants connect regularly to learn, share insights, discuss challenges, and encourage one another in their growth. For many people, having someone to learn with and reflect with helps transform Bitachon from an occasional source of inspiration into an ongoing part of life.

Alongside these initiatives, A Bissel Bitachon continues to expand its network of WhatsApp communities, educational resources, live events, and practical tools, all built around a single mission: helping Yidden make Bitachon a lived reality rather than simply a concept.

The timing may be particularly meaningful. Many people today feel overwhelmed by uncertainty. The pace of life is relentless, and concerns about family, health, finances, relationships, and the future weigh heavily on countless shoulders. In that environment, Bitachon is not merely an inspiring idea. It is a source of strength, perspective, and emotional resilience.

Bitachon does not remove life’s challenges. It does not guarantee immediate answers or instant solutions. What it can do is change how those challenges are experienced. It reminds people that they are not carrying the world on their shoulders alone and that there is meaning, purpose, and Divine guidance even when the path forward is unclear.

That message appears to be resonating with a growing number of people who are looking for something practical, accessible, and deeply rooted in Torah. Not grand promises. Not instant transformation. Just a little more trust than yesterday.

A Bissel Bitachon.

And sometimes, that is exactly where meaningful change begins.

**Learn More
**
To listen to the Bitachon Unplugged podcast, explore resources, join the Bitachon Buddy program, or learn more about the upcoming Rely & Relax Journal, visit:

www.abisselbitachon.com

Stump The Rabbi | Rabbi Mendy Wolf

To ask a question and for more answers visit:
http://stumptherabbi.org/

The first is the popular course Nurturing Relationships. Originally published for JLI’s Flagship program in 5785, its six lessons take the student through Torah’s perspective and guidance on the key to creating and sustaining interpersonal relationships.

And then there is My G-d. One of JLI’s most acclaimed courses to date, it addresses the twenty-five most common questions about G-d. Nothing is off-limits as it delves into G-d’s nature, G-d’s goal for creation, human experiences of G-d, the role of religion, and the function of miracles and prayer.

Rabbi Shmuel Serebryanski, Shliach to New Windsor, New York, knows the challenges of small-town Shlichus: “Being in a small town, Shiurei Torah has been a tremendous challenge in interest and participation, which led me to originally think that JLI was not for us.”

Many Shluchim, like Rabbi Serebryanski, face similar challenges, making the scale and price point of a full year’s worth of JLI Flagship curriculum inaccessible to them and their communities.

In response, JLI created Ufaratzta. “At JLI, we strive to take the Rebbe’s vision of Mivtza Torah to every single Jew, no matter the size or location of his community,” said Rabbi Avremi Rapoport, who leads the program. “By lowering the barrier to entry, Ufaratzta goes a long way in fulfilling that vision.”

Rabbi Serebryanski participated in Ufaratzta this year, and he has seen its results: “The Ufaratzta option not only opened a new world for our community; it was the bridge that sparked greater interest in Torah learning, increasing both the number of students and the depth of their involvement—something we have never seen before in our Shlichus.”

If you think Ufaratzta suits your Chabad house and would like to learn more, reach out to Rabbi Rapoport at [email protected].

💔 Save Baby Milcha 💔

Milcha is only 2 months old… a tiny, innocent baby who hasn’t even begun her life — and already she is fighting for it.

She is suffering from a severe liver disease that is threatening her life.

Doctors have determined: her only chance to survive is urgent, advanced treatment abroad.

Her parents are heartbroken and helpless, doing everything they can to save their daughter – but the costs are overwhelming, far beyond what they can manage alone.

Her mother, Feiga Tehila, is pleading for help…

❤️ Together, we can save Milcha

Donate now

L-R Rabbis Benji Pearson, Levi Teldon, Rabbi Shea Shmotkin, Ovadia Goldman, Yisroel Deren, Schneur Deren, Mendel Berghoff, Mendel Zaklikovsky

The National Committee for the Furtherance of Jewish Education (NCFJE) paused its busy schedule today during the lunch hour to celebrate the 80th birthday of Rabbi Sholem Ber Hecht, CEO of NCFJE.

Family members, friends, directors of NCFJE’s many projects and programs, colleagues, and longtime associates gathered to mark this special milestone and pay tribute to Rabbi Hecht’s decades of dedicated leadership and service to the Jewish community.

Those in attendance offered heartfelt words of appreciation and conveyed their warmest wishes for a happy and healthy 80th birthday.

They wished Rabbi Hecht continued success in his vital work on behalf of Jewish education, together with a complete and speedy refuah shleimah, and many more years of good health, happiness, and accomplishment.

By COLlive Staff

For Jewish teenagers growing up in Ukraine under the constant strain of the war with Russia, quiet has become a rare experience.

Last weekend, hundreds of Jewish boys and girls from communities across Ukraine traveled to the peaceful Carpathian Mountains for a special Bar and Bas Mitzvah retreat organized by Chabad Shluchim through the EnerJew youth organization.

The gathering gave the teenagers something many had not experienced in months: a chance to step away from missile alerts, uncertainty, and the stress of daily life in cities under regular attack.

Participants arrived from major communities including Kyiv, Dnipro, Kremenchuk, and other areas affected by the ongoing conflict.

Among them was a teenage girl from Kyiv whose home was directly damaged during one of the recent missile strikes on the capital. For her and many of the other participants, spending time in the quiet mountain region, far from explosions and sirens, offered a first opportunity to process recent experiences in a calm and supportive environment.

The retreat centered around celebrating the milestone of becoming Bar and Bas Mitzvah in an atmosphere of joy, inspiration, and Jewish pride.

One of the highlights took place shortly after arrival, with separate Bar and Bas Mitzvah celebrations for the boys and girls. Each participant received a meaningful personal gift marking the occasion: the boys were presented with elegant sets of tefillin, while the girls received silver Shabbos candlesticks.

The year-long preparation and personal guidance for the participants was led by Chabad Shluchim working throughout Ukraine, including Rabbi Moshe Weber, Rabbi Shlomo Salmon of Kremenchuk, and Rabbi Simcha Levnehertz of Kyiv, together with a broader team of dedicated counselors and staff who led educational and social programming throughout the weekend.

“The days away were calm and restorative for the teenagers,” said Rabbi Weber, who has accompanied the Bar Mitzvah project over the years. “We learned together, celebrated together, farbrenged together, and danced together. Every moment was used meaningfully. The physical arrangements were done generously and every project was made accessible in the best possible way for the boys and girls.”

He described the grand mitzvah meal as one of the most memorable moments of the weekend, with participants also receiving video greetings and blessings from Shluchim across Ukraine.

Rabbi Weber added that some teenagers were unable to attend due to security concerns.

“We made sure they could participate remotely through Zoom,” he said. “They were physically far away, but very close in heart.”

Throughout Shabbos, participants disconnected completely from the realities waiting back home.

“From the beginning of Shabbos until it ended, there was an atmosphere of elevation,” Rabbi Weber reflected. “Niggunim, dancing, happiness. You could see it on their faces. The girls had inspiring programming led by devoted counselors. Every Bar and Bas Mitzvah child left with a spiritual gift that will stay with them for life, G-d willing.”

Following Davening their first Tefillos at 770, the students of Ohr Menachem crossed over Eastern Parkway and headed to the Eshel Hall for their Siddur Party event.

The ceremony was emceed by Rabbi Zalman Goldstein, a member of the Cheder’s Hanhala, who highlighted the significance of a child beginning a lifetime of heartfelt tefillah with his own siddur.

The star of the occasion was undisputedly their melamed Rabbi Menachem Nemirovski, whose dedication, warmth, and tireless efforts brought the young talmidim to this special milestone. Together with his assistant, Reb Levi Shpitzer, he guided the boys through their first year of learning and prepared them to receive their own siddurim with excitement and appreciation.

In a particularly emotional moment, Rabbi Nemirovski personally presented each talmid with his siddur. Each boy then stood up and proudly sang a song thanking hashem and appreciating the zechus to connect to him via the siddur. All the proud parents looked on and responded with enthusiastic applause.

Rabbi Shalom Lifshitz, Shliach of the Rebbe to Long Island, together with Rabbi Yossi Soble, Hanahala of the YTTL Queens Mesivta and the YTTL Poconos Zal, then presented Rabbi Nemirovski and Reb Levi Shpitzer with a heartfelt gift in recognition of their devotion to the chinuch of the young talmidim.

Adding a personal and meaningful touch to the occasion, Rabbi Mendel Yusewitz, the Menahel of the Cheder, displayed a cherished photograph of himself receiving a siddur from the Rebbe, BH so special to see the koch of these kinder, their Chassidishe chinuch and hiskashrus.

The event left a lasting impression on the talmidim and their families, who witnessed firsthand the joy and pride of children beginning their journey of avodah and tefillah.

Special thanks were extended to Rabbi Yossi Overlander for his efforts in coordinating the event, together with Mrs. Chaya Yitzchakov and Mrs. Rochel Frishman, whose work helped ensure the program’s success.

After months of recording, filming, and production, the Tomchei Tmimim Ocean Parkway (TTOP) Boys Choir is excited to release the official promo for its upcoming musical video, “Oh Moshiach.”

The project, led by Rabbi Yitzchok Achter and Lev Axelrod, brings to life a special song originally sung by the Rebbe originally sang during Kos Shel Bracha on Motzaei Simchas Torah 5742.

The video features Yisroel Williger, the original child soloist of the song, and will also include a surprise guest appearance by a well-known singer.

Filmed and recorded over several months, and featuring the talented voices of the TTOP Boys Choir, the video brings to life the hope and yearning for the coming of Moshiach.

The full music video is expected to be released around Gimmel Tammuz.

Jewish students in NSW will benefit from a $12 million package from the Waratah Education Foundation, with Chabad shliach Rabbi Mendel Kastel and the Foundation’s board helping to drive significant support for Jewish education, continuity and community engagement.

Announced in the wake of the horrific terror attack in Bondi Beach on Chanukah, and in memory of the kedoshim whose lives were so tragically taken, the funding package will strengthen Jewish education across the state through scholarships, school support and educational initiatives. The Foundation’s commitment includes support for a range of Jewish educational and youth programs, including CTeen, Chidon, Chabad Youth and scholarships that will help ensure Jewish children and families can access quality Jewish education for generations to come.

The funding was announced at a breakfast with Chief Rabbi of the Commonwealth Sir Ephraim Mirvis at Kesser Torah College (KTC) on Tuesday.

The funding package comprises four main components: an education fund to help Jewish children overcome financial barriers to attending Jewish schools; a 13-year, $5 million scholarship fund for KTC, which was disproportionately affected by the Bondi terror attack; continued funding for existing Jewish community partners; and an allocation for various new educational initiatives, including a Jewish Experience Centre and online cultural resources for non-Jewish schools.

The education fund and KTC grant are in honour of the 15 Bondi victims.

“We have been fortunate to support KTC for a number of years, and we benefit from that engagement, and hope that KTC does as well. And we’ve also had a long standing commitment to a range of local Jewish organisations,” Waratah Education Foundation chairman Alistair McKeough said. “So it’s a great pleasure to be able to make this commitment today.”

Kesser Torah College principal Rabbi Yaacov Chaiton said the scholarship fund was “a deeply meaningful gesture for our wider community.”

“It sends a powerful message that Jewish education is the key to continuity, resilience and rebuilding,” Chaiton said.

“At a time when our community is still healing, investing in the education of the next generation is one of the most important ways we can honour those we lost and help our children move forward with strength and hope.”

Rabbi Mirvis said he was deeply moved.

“There’s nothing more important than Jewish education to secure our Jewish future, and to be present when an announcement was made of $12 million being allocated for various Jewish educational needs, that’s inspirational,” he said.

“I think the world of the Sydney Jewish community and everything the community is achieving here under the most challenging circumstances.”

Rabbinical Council of NSW president Rabbi Shua Solomon said KTC had been “one of the quiet backbones of Torah education in Sydney.”

“When you support the educators, when you support the rabbanim, when you support their families, you are investing in the spiritual future of the whole city,” he said.

Etablished in 2020, Waratah Education Foundation has distributed $12.5 million across 295 grants, benefiting 112 organisations and over 350,000 young people. Jewish House CEO Rabbi Mendel Kastel serves on its board.

By a Crown Heights resident

I want to discuss something that is deeply concerning and needs to be addressed honestly within our community regarding lawsuits and insurance claims.

Many people are being led to believe that when a lawsuit is filed against a neighbor, shul, school, or local business, “nothing happens to the defendant” because insurance will handle everything.

That is simply not accurate.

Recently, an advertisement from a local lawyer stated a line that really stood out:
“Insurance-based claims — 99.9% of cases pursued through insurance, the person or school being sued pays nothing.”

With respect, this is a misleading and incomplete portrayal of how insurance actually works.

While it may be true that a defendant is not personally writing a check at the moment of settlement or judgment, it is not true that “nothing happens” or that there is no cost.

In reality, every claim has consequences:

-Defense costs are incurred immediately
-Insurance reserves are set, affecting future pricing
-Claims are recorded on loss history
-At renewal, premiums often increase significantly
-In some cases, its non-renewed altogether and coverage becomes harder to obtain.

What may look like a “free” claim in the short term can result in tens of thousands of dollars in increased insurance costs over the following years for the defendant — whether it is a shul, school, landlord, or small business.

And ultimately, when claims increase across a community, everyone pays more through higher premiums and reduced availability of coverage.

We are already seeing this firsthand. Insurance costs are rising sharply, coverage is tightening, and carriers are becoming more selective about the risks they are willing to insure in New York.

These trends are directly influenced by overall claims activity and frequency.

So the idea that insurance claims are “cost-free” is not only inaccurate — it can also unintentionally encourage decisions that carry real financial consequences for others.

First Step is to Ask a Rov

This is why it is so important that before any lawsuit is filed against another member or moised of the community, the matter should first be brought to a Rov or Beis Din.

Our halachic system exists precisely to evaluate claims fairly, responsibly, and with sensitivity to all parties involved.

If there is real liability, a Rov will say so — and insurance can properly respond. But the first step must always be thoughtful and responsible.

We must remember: when someone files a claim against a neighbor, shul, school, or local store, they are not dealing with an abstract system. They are impacting real people — often costing them tens of thousands of dollars over time, even when they did nothing intentionally wrong.

There is no such thing as a free insurance payout. And there is no situation where “nobody pays.”

We owe it to each other to be more careful, more honest, and to begin with a Rov.

Young Lubavitch musician Zalmy Chanowitz has released his debut album, Melodies of the Soul, featuring ten beautiful slow niggunim.

This album marks a new chapter in Zalmy Chanowitz’s musical journey. After releasing many upbeat niggunim as singles, Melodies of the Soul focuses on slower, deeper, and more meaningful melodies that speak to the soul.

Released as part of the Pen of the Soul project, all ten tracks were arranged and produced by Zalmy Chanowitz. The vision behind the album was to showcase the beauty, depth, and emotion of these timeless niggunim through a variety of musical styles, making them accessible and inspiring to people of all backgrounds and levels of observance.

Inspired by the Rebbe’s teaching, “If you know Alef, teach Alef,” Zalmy uses his musical talents to share the warmth, inspiration, and beauty of Yiddishkeit with a wider audience. Through Pen of the Soul, he strives to present these niggunim in a way that resonates with listeners from all walks of life while remaining true to their timeless message.

SPOTIFY:

APPLE MUSIC:

24/6

https://24six.app/preview/music/collection/19544/melodies-of-the-soul

YOUTUBE

https://collive.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/whatsapp-video-2026-06-07-at-2.03.18-pm.mp4

By COLlive staff
Videos by Shlomo Chaim Rivkin – Rivkin Media

Nearly 500 community members, supporters, and friends packed Boston’s John F. Kennedy Presidential Library as Chabad Chestnut Hill in Massachusetts celebrated 25 years of growth, community, and Jewish life.

Hosted by Shluchim Rabbi Mendy and Grunie Uminer, it was an evening marked by inspiration, gratitude, and extraordinary momentum for the future.

The atmosphere was electric. Families, longtime supporters, young professionals, community leaders, and friends gathered to celebrate a quarter century of impact and to look ahead to an exciting new chapter for Jewish life in Greater Boston.

Throughout the evening, guests reflected on friendships formed around Shabbat tables, children discovering pride in their Jewish identity, meaningful life-cycle moments, and a community that has become a home for so many.

The gala, themed Bringing It Home, honored Robert Kraft with the M’Dor L’Dor Award, Tracey and David Frankel with the Visionary Award, and Inessa and Victor Rifkin with the Community Builder Award.

A highlight of the evening was an address by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who spoke about the global impact of Chabad and the enduring vision of the Rebbe.

“Wherever a Jew finds themselves, at whatever stage of life, Chabad is there,” Kraft said. “This global vision comes from the Rebbe’s unwavering belief that no Jew should ever be alone and that every Jew matters.” Looking around the packed ballroom, Kraft added, “The Rebbe believed that no Jew should ever feel alone. Tonight, in this room, you are proving that vision true.”

Kraft also spoke warmly about Rabbi and Mrs. Uminer and the community that has emerged over the past twenty-five years, describing a place built on warmth, dignity, joy, and Jewish continuity.

Throughout the night, speakers reflected on the remarkable growth of Jewish life in Chestnut Hill and the thousands of individuals and families touched through Camp Gan Israel, holiday celebrations, women’s programming, educational initiatives, Shabbat experiences, youth activities, and community events.

Rabbi Uminer reflected on the community’s unique journey, recalling years of gathering in schools, tents, parks, restaurants, and temporary spaces throughout the area. Yet despite the lack of a permanent facility, the community continued to grow because people found something deeper than a building.

“People did not come for beautiful buildings,” he said. “They came because they found a place they could call home.”

Mrs. Uminer spoke about the privilege of watching Jewish life flourish across generations.

“There are young families choosing to build their lives here,” she noted. “Children who grew up in this community are now returning to raise families of their own.”

Visionary Award recipients Tracey and David Frankel reflected on the role Chabad has played in creating meaningful human connection in an increasingly distracted world. Contrasting the pace of modern life with the warmth of Shabbat, David described arriving at a Chabad Shabbat table as finding “dry land” and spoke of the community as a source of what he called “Authentic Intelligence” rooted in friendship, family, conversation, and genuine connection.

Community Builder Award recipients Inessa and Victor Rifkin spoke about investing in the future of Jewish life and the responsibility of ensuring Jewish continuity for generations to come. One of the evening’s most memorable lines came from Victor, who observed: “People say you’re Jewish if your mother is Jewish. I say that’s not enough. You’ll know you’re Jewish if your grandchildren are Jewish.” Reflecting on their support for the new center, the Rifkins described seeing a vibrant community, a clear vision, and a growing future already in place. What remained was creating the permanent home that would allow that vision to flourish for generations.

The evening also highlighted the extraordinary momentum behind Chabad Chestnut Hill’s new $25 million Center for Jewish Life. During the gala, nearly $3 million in additional commitments were secured, bringing the campaign to approximately $19 million.

The new center is already under construction. Foundations are in place, work is progressing steadily, and the project is moving toward completion in time for the High Holidays of 5788. The building will provide a permanent home for the programs, learning opportunities, celebrations, youth initiatives, women’s events, Camp Gan Israel activities, Shabbat experiences, and community life that have flourished over the past twenty-five years.

One of the evening’s most memorable announcements was the gift of a rare Torah scroll from Morocco dating back to the 1700s, donated by Laurie and Stanley Rosenzweig. The Torah, written by descendants of Jews expelled from Spain and preserved through centuries of exile, will eventually find its home in the new center.

Renowned Jewish singer Shulem Lemmer brought the evening’s formal program to a close, but the celebration was far from over. Guests packed the dance floor as the ballroom filled with song, dancing, and joy. The energy remained high until nearly 11 p.m., with friends embracing, families celebrating, and supporters reflecting on the remarkable growth of Jewish life in Chestnut Hill.

More than a gala, the evening felt like a celebration of community, gratitude, and shared purpose. Twenty-five years after its founding, Chabad Chestnut Hill’s anniversary celebration was not simply a reflection on the past. It was a powerful expression of a vibrant community, a bold vision, and a future already taking shape.

With nearly 500 people gathered in one room, the message of the evening was unmistakable: the strongest chapters of Chabad Chestnut Hill’s story are still ahead.

Rabbi Chanina Sperlin has been appointed honorary chaplain for the NYPD by Commissioner Jessica Tisch.

Rabbi Sperlin is widely known for decades of leadership and service to the Crown Heights community. A longtime community leader with strong ties across government, he has built close relationships with elected officials, the NYPD, and city and state agencies to strengthen public safety and improve quality of life for residents. He is an advocate for families, community organizations, and Mosdos Ha’Torah.

Rabbi Sperlin also serves as a chaplain for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department and the New York City Office of Emergency Management.

“Every day, the brave men and women of the NYPD put on the badge and put their lives on the line to keep New York City safe. Their courage, sacrifice, and care for others reflect the values of Courtesy, Professionalism, and Respect that guide this department. The NYPD’s commitment to protecting every neighborhood, every day, is unmatched,” said Rabbi Chanina Sperlin

By COLlive reporter

Chabad Argentina will gather many on Monday night for a tribute marking the Rebbe’s enduring impact, with a public event at the National Auditorium of Palacio Libertad in Buenos Aires and a live broadcast for viewers around the world.

Titled “Tribute to the Rebbe: An Evening of Light and Legacy in Action,” the program marks 55 years of Jewish education and outreach by Chabad Argentina and will feature government leaders, community representatives, and personal testimony.

Among the featured speakers will be Yosef Chaim Ohana, who was held hostage in Gaza and released after 738 days in captivity, appearing together with his father, Avi Ohana.

The evening will also include the participation of Argentine President Javier Milei and Rabbi Tzvi Grunblatt, director of Chabad Argentina.

The live broadcast will begin at 8:00 PM Argentina time (7:00 PM New York time), with viewing options available in English and Spanish.

As part of the evening, attendees will also have the opportunity to enter a raffle for a Rebbe Dollar for a blessing.

Organizers said they look forward to welcoming participants for what they describe as a night dedicated to carrying forward the Rebbe’s vision through continued action, education, and inspiration.

VIDEO:

More than 100 mesivta students in Crown Heights have taken part this year in a vocational training initiative designed to help students remain engaged in yeshiva and develop practical skills alongside their regular studies.

The Crown Heights Mesivta Vocational Track, launched by the Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI) in partnership with local mesivtas, began operating after Tishrei following several years of planning, consultation, and fundraising.

The program currently provides structured carpentry training to students from Mesivta Oholei Torah, Mesivta Chovevei Torah, and Mesivta Bnei Aliya, with each school participating at separate times. Organizers say approximately 130 students are enrolled.

According to JCCGCI, the program was developed to offer an additional educational pathway for boys who may benefit from more hands-on learning opportunities while remaining within the yeshiva framework.

Plans are underway to expand training into additional trades, including plumbing, low-voltage electrical work, welding, and other vocational disciplines.

Educators involved in the initiative say they have observed increased engagement among participating students. Some reported improvements in attendance, classroom focus, and overall confidence.

One student said that workshop sessions gave him a sense of achievement during periods when academic work felt more difficult. Another described becoming more confident and increasingly involved in helping classmates.

JCCGCI says demand for the program has grown since its launch, with requests for additional sessions and expanded participation across schools.

The initiative is supported by a two-year, $225,000 grant from an anonymous donor to pilot and administer the program across the three mesivtas. According to organizers, continued expansion depends on raising matching funds.

Families and community members interested in learning more about the program are encouraged to contact participating mesivta leadership directly.

JCCGCI, which operates workforce and youth programs across New York City, including in Crown Heights, says the vocational track builds on its broader efforts to support educational and employment opportunities within the community.

JCCGCI says the program’s continued expansion depends on meeting the grant’s matching-fund requirements. Community members interested in supporting the initiative or helping expand access for additional students can contribute at https://www.jccgci.org/support-the-crown-heights-vocational-training-program

By COLlive reporter

Critics are saying that a book claiming to present the authentic astrology of Chazal for the first time is largely adapted from non-Jewish sources commonly associated with modern astrology.

The book in question is “Kosher Astrology: A Jewish Guide to Celestial Wisdom,” written by Yitzchok Aharon Pinkesz, who presents himself as “a Torah-observant astrologer.” It was published by Mosaica Press.

Israel Marelus, a Lubavitcher chossid who spent years studying astronomy as it relates to Kiddush Hachodesh according to the Rambam, now says the book includes forms of astrology that are entirely inconsistent with Torah values, including material he alleges draws from Christian sources.

In a new lecture, Marelus examines what he describes as the methods used by modern astrologers to persuade audiences. The presentation also addresses the halachic prohibition in Shulchan Aruch regarding consulting astrologers.

He also shared a video from Rabbi David Cohen, Rabbi of Congregation Gvul Yaavetz in Flatbush, who wrote a letter of support for the book, presented as a haskama (approbation). Rabbi Cohen has since requested that it be made publicly known that, according to him, his statements were misrepresented and that he strongly opposes both the book and the manner in which his name was used.

Additionally, Marelus argues that this approach to astrology contradicts the principle of Bitachon, trust in Hashem, as taught in Chassidus.

VIDEO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRaAF5LzuVQ

The Houston Jewish community gathered on Sunday, June 7, for the rededication and ribbon-cutting ceremony of Mikveh Taharas Yisroel, marking a significant milestone for Jewish life in Houston.

The Houston Mikveh at Chabad Lubavitch Center, the Texas Regional Headquarters, first opened in 1979 and has gone through several major stages of growth and renovation over the years, including in 1990, 2007, and now in 2026. Each stage represented a major investment of vision, resources, and dedication to ensuring that the mikveh could continue serving the community with care, privacy, beauty, and sensitivity.

The recent renovation included beautifully updated interiors, upgraded preparation rooms, enhanced technology, and the long-awaited addition of private mikveh parking. For many years, community members had expressed the need for greater privacy and convenience when using the mikveh, and the new parking area was welcomed as an important step forward.

The outdoor program opened with remarks from Rabbi Chaim Lazaroff, who spoke about the history of the mikveh and the enormous effort involved in maintaining and upgrading such a vital community institution. Rabbi Lazaroff expressed deep gratitude to Mikvah USA and to the many generous donors whose support made the project possible.

The program also highlighted the ongoing partnership among Houston’s Jewish communities in supporting the mikveh. Special appreciation was expressed to Rebbetzin Chiena Lazaroff and Rebbetzin Fraydee Wender for their tireless leadership in coordinating the nightly volunteers and addressing the many needs and challenges that arise in the ongoing operation of the mikveh.

Rabbi Yehoshua Wender of Young Israel of Houston recited Tehillim, Chapter 20, followed by remarks from Devorah Grinshtein.

Before the ribbon cutting, Rabbi Lazaroff noted that while the renovation was a major accomplishment, one final critical project remains: a full-building generator. He explained that the mikveh has continued operating through power outages and other emergency conditions. At times, women used the mikveh without regular heating, filtering, or normal lighting, with tremendous personal sacrifice by all involved. “A mikveh never closes,” he said, emphasizing the importance of completing the generator project to allow the mikveh to continue operating properly during emergencies.

Following the ribbon cutting, guests were invited to take a self-guided tour of the renovated mikveh and to view the upgraded rooms and technology. The celebration then continued indoors with a dessert reception honoring the 22 volunteer mikveh attendants.

During the indoor program, Rabbi Shimon Lazaroff, the Chabad Texas Regional Director, read a letter of the Rebbe to the opening of a Montreal Mikvah in 1981 about the significance of mikveh. Rebbetzin Chiena Lazaroff offered opening remarks, and Rabbi Chaim Eichenstein of Mechon Sharei Tohar and Mikvah USA delivered a dvar Torah. Miriam Fishman shared a personal reflection about the importance of mikveh to her family and expressed gratitude for the renovation and all those who made it possible.

A special gift was presented to the Grinshtein and Fishman families in appreciation of their meaningful support and participation. Awards were also presented to the 22 volunteer mikveh attendants, recognizing their quiet, consistent, and devoted service to the women of the community.

The reception focused on the volunteer mikveh attendants, described as the unsung heroes and backbone of the entire operation. Night after night, these 22 women give of their time, energy, and hearts to make sure the mikveh is available to the women of the community with privacy, comfort, warmth, and care. Their work is done quietly and consistently, often under challenging circumstances, yet their impact is felt throughout the community.

The rededication of Mikveh Taharas Yisroel celebrated not only a renovated facility, but the donors, volunteers, rabbinic leadership, and community members who continue to sustain this sacred mitzvah for the Houston Jewish community.

To help complete the project with the full-building generator, and to learn more about the women’s, men’s, and keilim mikvehs, visit mtyhouston.org/donate.

The community is invited to a joyous Hachnasas Sefer Torah on Sunday, June 21, 2026, 6 Tammuz 5786, celebrating the completion of a Sefer Torah dedicated in memory of Yisroel Shlomo Frank obm.

Dedicated by the Frank family, the Sefer Torah stands as a living tribute to Yisroel’s memory, bringing additional Torah, Mitzvos, and Yiddishkeit into the world for generations to come.

Twenty-seven years after Yisroel’s petirah, this special Sefer Torah serves as a meaningful tribute to his life and the values he embodied. Family and friends remember Yisroel’s gentle smile, sweet personality, and the happiness he brought to those around him.

“We wanted to honor Yisroel in a way that would continue bringing light into the world,” said his father, Avraham Frank. “A Sefer Torah is eternal. Every time it is read from and every mitzvah inspired by it will help carry his legacy forward for generations to come.”

Following the Hachnasas Sefer Torah celebration, the Torah will be welcomed by the Oholei Torah Children’s Minyan, where it will help inspire a new generation of children with a love of Torah and mitzvos.

The celebration will begin with Kesivas HaOsiyos, giving participants the opportunity to take part in the completion of the Torah’s final letters. A festive procession through the streets of Crown Heights will follow, accompanied by lively music and dancing, culminating with Hakafos and refreshments.

This special celebration will bring together family, friends, and community members to honor Yisroel’s memory and share in the joy of welcoming a new Sefer Torah.

May this Sefer Torah serve as a source of blessing and inspiration for generations to come, and may we merit to celebrate together with the coming of Moshiach and the complete Geulah speedily in our days.

Today, the Shluchim Office launches a fundraiser to support the growing needs of Shluchim worldwide. Centered around the theme, “It’s All of ShlichUS,” the campaign calls on you to join in ensuring that every Shliach has access to the tools, resources, and assistance needed to carry out their vital work.

In 1987, the Rebbe’s directive was crystal clear: Establish a “Central Hub” for Shluchim, where their needs would be met with care and attention.

Where does a Shliach go for customized marketing materials for his upcoming event? What if he can’t afford the expenses of his daughter’s Chasuna? How does he find a prepared Torah class for his Shiur in an hour?

Every day, Shluchim build communities, teach Torah, guide families, welcome guests, support children and respond to needs, no matter what they might be.

The Shluchim Office is the address they turn to for support, resources and services.

The Shluchim Office has just launched their campaign to raise $600,000 and are asking you to partner in the mission of strengthening the support behind Shlichus.

Your gift creates programs, resources, hospitality, guidance, and practical support Shluchim rely on to continue their work.

 

Please join ShlichUS in changing the world!

Give today at TogetherForShluchim.com. Partner in raising $600,000 in 36 hours and make a lasting impact in the world of Shlichus.

The group of graduating bochurim are:
Mendy Blasenstein
Dovy Rodal
Mendel Kudan
Mendel Bryski
Mely Kahn
Uriel Dubosky

The Lubavitcher Yeshiva Simcha Hall, located at Crown and Albany in Crown Heights, was filled with hundreds of boys this past Wednesday evening, 18 Sivan, eagerly awaiting the opportunity to receive the long-awaited Sefarim vouchers they earned through their participation in Yeshivas Erev throughout the year.

Rabbi Z. Sorkin, the dynamic coordinator of Yeshivas Erev, opened the grand finale with words of praise for the many boys who devoted their evenings to furthering their Limud Hatorah. Some spent their time reviewing Gemara, others participated in the Mishnayos Gavriel – Mishnayos Mordechai Project, while still others worked diligently on their homework or learned Mishnayos and Tanya baal peh.

When Rabbi Mendel Yusewitz, the menahel of Ohr Menachem, addressed the boys, they were captivated by his inspiring description of the tremendous value and impact of their Torah learning.

Rabbi Sorkin then expressed his heartfelt appreciation to all of the mashgichim and older bochurim whose dedication and commitment helped make this year such an outstanding success. Each staff member received a beautiful gift as a token of gratitude.

The evening also marked the culmination of the Shabbos K’halacha Project, generously sponsored by Yossi Frimerman לעילוי נשמת his parents.

Top Winners of the Shabbos K’halacha Competition

The following boys achieved the highest averages in the Shabbos K’halacha project and were each awarded a certificate and a beautiful set of seforim:

Mendel Abraham
Hersh Meilach Abramowitz
Mendel Abramson
Yehuda Adler
Mendel Blau
Bentzy Engel
Dov Flint
Aryeh Greenfeld
Levik Heller
Levi Okunov
Menachem Silberstrom
Chaim Weiser
Boruch Zalmanov
Berel Zalmanov
Yitzchak Zirkind
The evening concluded with the presentation of Sefarim Vouchers to every boy who attended Yeshivas Erev. The value of each voucher was determined by the talmid’s attendance and accomplishments throughout the year.

Yeshivas Erev will continue, אי״ה, throughout the summer at the Agudah Shul on Crown Street from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Yeshivas Erev Yehudah Kalman is a project of Igud Menahalei Yeshivos, headed by Rabbi L. Newman, Rabbi H. Lustig, and Rabbi Y. Simpson.

A special thank you to all of our supporters who share in the great mitzvah of Talmud Torah for our children.

To become a supporter:

Donate online: yeshivaserev.org/donate
Zelle: [email protected]

May we continue to see much nachas from all of our talmidim and be zoche to see how the Rebbe leads us to the גאולה האמיתית והשלימה בקרוב ממש !

From A Sicha of the Rebbe about 23 Sivan:

Today, the 23rd of Sivan, was described by the Rebbe as an auspicious day in which every person can request all the blessings they need in life.

The Rebbe said this in a Sicha on 23 Sivan 5743 that it says in Megillas Esther that on Chof Gimmel Sivan, “the scribes of the king wrote everything Mordechai commanded.”

The Rebbe then said the king refers to Hashem himself, and we are encouraged to use this opportunity to the fullest by having it written in Heaven that all of our needs should be fulfilled.

“Every Yid is a Baal Habayis of the entire world on this day and can decree whatever he wants and everything is done according to his will,” the Rebbe said.

Such an incredible opportunity to decree verbally for one another and for ourselves that all those who need Brachos should receive them B’korov Mamosh. We can be the authors of our own destiny when we tap into the special energy of today!

On this day, let us all write and we will be answered.

With all the brachos that we need B’Gashmiyus V’Ruchniyus Gam Yochad B’Tov Hanireh V’Hanigleh B’Simcha V’tuv Leivov to fulfill our Shlichus, the entire reason we’ve been put here on this earth to bring the Hisgalus of Moshiach now.

To write a ‘pan’ to the Rebbe’s Ohel, click here

The Rebbe’s Sicha of 23 Sivan 5743:
“ויקראו סופרי המלך בעת ההיא בחודש השלישי הוא חודש סיון בשלושה ועשרים
בו… ויכתוב ככל אשר ציווה מרדכי אל היהודים… והעיר שושן צהלה ושמחה,
ליהודים הייתה אורה ושמחה וששון ויקר… נפל פחד היהודים עליהם”
כתוב במגילת אסתר שכל זה קרה בתאריך כ”ג סיון!
הרבי מליובאוויטש גילה לנו סודות ממה שקורה בשמים ביום זה.

By Efraim Mendelson

I’ll get straight to the point. Our neighborhood has become more dangerous. We are facing a public safety emergency. And no, this isn’t about crime, although that’s worrisome too.

Not long ago, being on the sidewalk didn’t require constant alertness for fast-moving vehicles whizzing by. But times have changed. Today, people of all ages are zooming down sidewalks and streets on electric scooters and bikes, many with little to no experience operating them.

Everyone understands why driving a car has a minimum age requirement and only comes after training, testing, and licensing. This ensures competent drivers, safe roads, and adherence to traffic laws. But when it comes to e-scooters, it’s the wild west. Though sidewalk use is prohibited under New York law, and there are official speed limits, the regulations are weakly enforced. This creates a menace to pedestrians and turns our walkways into danger zones.

Aside from frequently crashing into pedestrians on sidewalks, e-scooters pose other hazards as well. Bumps, potholes, and broken asphalt can all cause loss of control and falls. Even when using designated bike lanes (which are mostly one-way), riders sometimes travel against traffic. This can lead to collisions with pedestrians crossing the street who aren’t expecting bikes or scooters from the wrong direction. Others leave designated areas and weave through traffic, endangering both themselves and motorists. Sadly, many adults ride recklessly as well and also get into accidents, but the risk is greater among children, who are even less prepared to operate these vehicles safely.

Yes, the pressure is real. Your child may beg for that scooter, insisting that all of his or her friends have one. But would you give your toddler a knife or allow them to cross the street alone, even after repeated cries and pleas? This is no different. A parent’s first obligation is safety, which often requires tough love. Also, bear in mind that if a child on an e-scooter injures themselves or someone else (or worse, G-d forbid), the parent who purchased it or permitted its use bears the ultimate moral responsibility.

If your child already has one, you need to ask yourself some tough questions about their safety and your role in it. If you’re an adult who rides on sidewalks or disregards designated lanes and traffic rules, you need to take a hard look in the mirror. Pikuach nefesh comes before the entire Torah. Repeatedly jeopardizing one’s life and the lives of others, or allowing a child to do so, can lead to devastating consequences, and calls into question one’s frumkeit and Chasidishkeit.

Don’t wait for a tragedy to start taking responsibility. Act now, before an accident leads to a lifetime of regret!

—

UPDATE: Response by Rabbi Yehoshua Lustig

This week, my son Ari was knocked over by someone riding an electric scooter on a Crown Heights sidewalk. An hour and a half later, he is still bruised, hurting, and unable to move comfortably. Whatever your opinion about electric scooters, can we at least agree on one thing: they do not belong on sidewalks. Sidewalks are for pedestrians, children, strollers, and families, not motorized vehicles. Enough is enough.

https://collive.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/whatsapp-video-2026-06-07-at-11.02.59-pm.mp4

VIDEO

By COLlive reporter

Registration has closed for the highly anticipated Living Legacy International Conference and the Global Jewish Roundtable, taking place this week, from June 8-10 (23-25 Sivan 5786) in Washington, DC. The conference is now wait list only.

Hundreds of Shluchim, supporters, dignitaries and special guests from across the US and dozens of countries internationally will be in attendance at the event, presented by American Friends of Lubavitch – Chabad.

The Conference offers a unique tribute to the timeless leadership and vision of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of sacred memory, highlighting the work of Chabad-Lubavitch – with an active presence in all 50 states and over 110 countries – and presents unique opportunities for high-level interaction between prominent communal leaders and leading figures in the political, business, academic and organizational sectors.

A vaad of Shluchim representing diverse geography and demographics has been formed and looks forward to implementing an unprecedented program. In light of recent and ongoing events, this initiative has now taken on new importance.

Registration is now filled, attendance is wait list only.

If you’d like to contact the organizers, please email [email protected]

Living Legacy Conference 2022 – 5782

Chof Ches Sivan – 85 Years: What Is the Historic, Spiritual and Cosmic Significance of the Rebbe Coming to America? Shelach – “Send Them if You Wish”: Why Did G-d Leave the Decision to Moshe, and What Does It Teach Us About Life’s Choices? How Should We React to the Mayor of NYC Not Marching in the Israeli Day Parade? What Should Be Our Attitude to Other Types of Jewish Communities?

MyLife: Chassidus Applied Episode 594 with Rabbi Simon Jacobson
Sunday, June 7, 2026 / 22 Sivan 5786 – 8:00-9:00PM ET

Podcast         YouTube         Chassidusapplied.com

The topics in this week’s 594th episode of the highly acclaimed MyLife: Chassidus Applied series, with Rabbi Simon Jacobson, will include:

Chof Ches Sivan – 85 years: What lessons does this day teach us?

• What is the historic, spiritual and cosmic significance of the Rebbe coming to America?

Shelach

• What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha?
• “Send them if you wish”: Why did G-d leave the decision to Moshe, and what does it teach us about life’s choices?
• Why were all the Jews punished for the sin of the scouts?
• Who was Tzelofchad and what was he trying to accomplish by purposely gathering sticks on Shabbos?

What do we “live with” when the parsha we read in Israel is different than the one we read outside of Israel?

23 Sivan: What is the significance of this day?

May we walk on the Temple Mount?

How should we react to the Mayor of NYC not marching in the Israeli Day Parade?

What should be our attitude to other types of Jewish communities?

• Modern Orthodoxy?
• How do we determine which different opinions are acceptable in Torah?

MyLife: Chassidus Applied is a weekly video webcast candidly answering questions from the public about all life matters and challenges, covering the entire spectrum of human experience.

This hour-long dose of insights, broadcast live every Sunday night 8-9PM ET, is meant to provide people with inspired guidance and direction, empowering them to deal with any issue they may face.

In what has become a staple in so many people’s lives_, MyLife: Chassidus Applied_ has provoked a significant reaction from the community, with thousands of people viewing each live broadcast and hundreds of questions pouring in week after week. At the root of every question and personal challenge tackled by the series is the overarching question: Does Judaism have the answers to my personal dilemmas?

MyLife demonstrates how Chassidus provides us with a comprehensive blueprint of the human psyche as a microcosm of the cosmos, and offers us all the guidance we need to live the healthiest possible life and build nurturing homes and families, bringing up the healthiest possible children, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. MyLife is brought to you by the Meaningful Life Center as a public service, free of charge.

Questions may be submitted anonymously at chassidusapplied.com/ask.

Live Video YouTube link:

Also at: chassidusapplied.com/mlc-tv

Podcast: https://anchor.fm/mylife-chassidus-applied

If you’ve walked through Crown Heights this week, you’ve probably seen the signs.

Subway maps. Service alerts. Platform signs.

And one message appearing again and again:

“His Track. His Way.”

At first glance, it seems like a clever campaign theme. But for Darchai Menachem, it’s much more than that.

Think about a subway map.

There isn’t just one line. There are many.

Some run express. Some run local. Some intersect. And some take longer than others.

We tend to think of our children’s growth as one thing.

How is he doing in class?

How are his grades?

How is his learning?

Those things matter. But they’re only one track.

There’s also the confidence track.

The responsibility track.

The friendship track.

The leadership track.

The life skills track.

The Chassidishkeit track.

The “I finally believe in myself” track.

And sometimes, those tracks matter even more.

For 25 years, Darchai has understood something simple:

A child is more than a report card.

More than a test score.

More than a challenge he’s facing.

Growth isn’t one-dimensional – and neither is a child.

That’s why Darchai invests so deeply in every student. With multiple educators in every classroom, individualized support built into the school day, and hands-on opportunities to discover strengths, Darchai is an environment where students are known, valued, and encouraged to succeed.

If you’ve ever spoken to a Darchai parent, you’ll hear the same kinds of stories:

“My son finally feels confident.”

“He comes home happy.”

“He found something he’s good at.”

“He has rebbeim who truly believe in him.”

Today, Darchai Menachem is raising $250,000 to continue providing the support, opportunities, and guidance that help students grow – on every track.

So the next time you see a Darchai sign around town, you’ll know:

It’s not really about the subway.

It’s about helping every student keep moving forward.

Because when Darchai invests in a child, our entire community benefits.

His Track. His Way.

Now that’s a ride worth supporting.

Darchaitracks.com

For a lot of frum women, the dream is the same: do meaningful work, bring in real income, and still be home for the kids. The reality often looks different — endless hours at the laptop, answering client emails at all hours, and a business that takes over every corner of life.

Chava Shapiro knows that gap well. A copywriter, business mentor, and the founder of Show Me the Copy — a boutique copywriting and web agency — she built her multiple six-figure business while raising five boys, currently ranging from eight months to thirteen years old. “I traded a 9-to-5 for a 24-7,” she says of her early freelancing years. “On paper, things looked great. Behind the scenes, I was missing bedtimes and Sundays and running myself ragged.”

The turning point, she explains, wasn’t working harder. It was redesigning her business around her life instead of squeezing her life into the margins of her business. Over the past three years she has mentored more than 70 creatives, consultants, and service providers through her program, Creative CEO Academy, now heading into its fourth cohort.

A free three-part training
This month, Shapiro released a limited-time free three-part video series called the Presence and Profit Method, walking through the framework she used to grow her own income while working fewer hours.

The series is built for service providers who sell their expertise — consultants, coaches, copywriters, designers, marketers, strategists — who want to grow their income without their business swallowing their family time. While it was designed for moms by a mom, Shapiro notes the frameworks work for anyone protecting a full life outside of work.

Across the three videos, she covers:

The four stages of a service business — and why most get stuck at one level
Her “Lean CEO” model for growing income without growing hours
Positioning yourself so the right clients recognize you right away
Pricing your services around the value you bring
Seeing where your time really goes — and taking it back
A one-page profit roadmap, so you can see exactly what it takes to hit your goals

Participants also get a printable workbook and an interactive profit-roadmap tool. Shapiro is running a giveaway alongside the series: anyone who completes the roadmap and emails it to her with their biggest takeaway is entered to win a $100 Amazon gift card.

The bigger picture
Shapiro is quick to point out that the lean, family-friendly business isn’t some unicorn. Citing recent U.S. data, she notes that millions of one-person businesses are run by women — and a large share of those by mothers — many earning well into six figures with no employees or a lean team.

“Making money is nice,” she says, “but it’s meaningless if your business requires you to become a shell of yourself. Motherhood was the catalyst that forced me to build a business that actually works — and a business that works for a mom of five is a business that works, period.”

The free series is available now, with no purchase required to walk away with the workbook, the tools, and the full framework.

And for women ready to build their lean, profitable business with Shapiro in their corner, Creative CEO Academy — her 12-week accelerator — opens its annual enrollment June 9th.

For service providers wondering whether they really have to choose between building something of their own and being present for their families, Shapiro’s answer is a firm no — and she’s giving away the roadmap to prove it.

Save your spot for the free Presence and Profit Method training at chavashapiro.com/free-training

Acclaimed Israeli singer, actor, and storyteller Shuli Rand makes his long-awaited New York debut in Manhattan for an unforgettable night of music and storytelling. He is joined by musical sensation Shulem Lemmer and MC comedian Elon Gold. Together, they will present an uplifting and inspiring evening that you will never forget.

For decades, Shuli Rand has occupied a unique place in Israeli culture, bridging the worlds of cinema, theater, spirituality, and music. Born and raised in Bnei Brak, Israel, Rand grew up in a traditional religious environment before pursuing acting and eventually studying at the prestigious Nissan Nativ Acting Studio. His journey through secular Israeli theater and later return to a deeply observant religious life has shaped both his artistic voice and his deeply emotional songwriting.

Rand first rose to prominence through his celebrated acting career, earning widespread acclaim for his powerful stage performances and film roles. He is perhaps best known internationally for the award-winning film “Ushpizin,” which he wrote and starred in. The film became a cultural phenomenon, offering audiences an authentic and moving portrayal of faith, struggle, and redemption within Jerusalem’s religious community. Rand’s performances have long been praised for their emotional honesty and depth, qualities that also define his music.

Over the past two decades, Rand has become one of Israel’s most beloved musical artists. His songs blend folk, rock, traditional Jewish melodies, and deeply personal lyrics that speak about faith, longing, joy, and human vulnerability. Among his most beloved hits are “Bein Kodesh L’chol” and “Hamelech Basadeh,” songs that have resonated deeply with audiences across Israel and the Jewish world. His most recent single, “Lev Lavan,” has quickly climbed the charts, further cementing his status as one of the most influential voices in contemporary Jewish music.

Joining him on stage in New York will be his acclaimed band from Israel, bringing the full sound and spirit of his live performances to American audiences for the very first time.

Adding to the evening’s excitement is special guest artist Shulem Lemmer, whose remarkable rise in the international music world has helped redefine contemporary Jewish music. Lemmer made history as the first Orthodox Jewish artist to sign a recording deal with a major label when he partnered with Sony Music. His debut album introduced his rich tenor voice and crossover appeal to a global audience, earning praise from both Jewish and mainstream music listeners alike.

Known for his stirring vocal performances and elegant interpretations of both classical and contemporary songs, Lemmer has appeared on prestigious stages around the world. His collaboration with Sony marked a groundbreaking moment for religious Jewish artists in the broader entertainment industry, opening new doors for faith-based performers in mainstream music.

Together, Shuli Rand and Shulem Lemmer promise an unforgettable evening of music and storytelling in one of New York City’s most iconic concert venues. The performance represents not only Rand’s first-ever New York appearance, but also a rare opportunity for audiences to experience two extraordinary Jewish musical voices sharing one stage.

A group of wounded IDF soldiers, currently in New York for a week of respite, will join the event as well.

Tickets are available at ShuliNYC.com or through The Town Hall website.

COLlive is pleased to offer all of its readers a special discount code. Use code “NOFEE” for $5 off all tickets.

3 Additional special Offers!

1. Thanks to a generous donation, the first 50 בנות שירות or families of משפחות שלוחים – are eligible to receive FREE tickets. By sending an email to [email protected]

2. Employees of El Al, The Jewish Agency, and Israeli Consulate can receive 15 percent off using discount code ISRAEL15

3. Hatzalah Members and First Responders are eligible for 15 Percent Off using discount code HATZALAH15

Tickets are available at ShuliNYC.com or through The Town Hall website.

A milestone moment in the lives of the young impressionable Pre1alef Talmidim was celebrated on Wednesday, Chai Nissan.

The Kita Pre1Alef kinderlach of Cheder Ohr Menachem gathered in Gan Eden Hatachton near the Rebbe’s room in 770 to receive their very first siddurim and daven their inaugural tefillah from them in the Rebbe’s Heilige Room.

This very moving moment was made possible thanks to Rabbi Chaim Boruch Halbershtam and led by the Menahel Rabbi Mendel Yusewitz and the Melamed Rabbi Menachem Nemirovski.

First Brachos, Shma and the sweet voices of the pure kinderlach davening reverberated throughout the room were chassidim awaited entering yechidus!

The Talmidim has the zechus of saying a special tefilla for their families, Kiss the Mezuza and ‘Onhalten in Dem Rebbin’s Kliyamke’ (entrance to the Rebbe’s room).

Afterwards they came downstairs in the main shul in the mizrach for the traditional מחול היחידות – Yechidus Dance.

Sirens sounded across northern Israel following the detection of an Iranian missile being launched on Thursday evening.

All projectiles were intercepted, the IDF stated. Additional waves are expected in the coming hours.

Israelis should prepare for missiles and rocket fire from Iran in the coming hours after strikes on Beirut, the IDF announced on Thursday.

Israel is likely to respond, but if the small number of missiles fired by the Islamic Republic is its only move, are only at the North, and there are no casualties, this could impact the Israeli response.

But a significant Israeli response is expected.

Schools were canceled across Israel preemptively due to the threat.

https://collive.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/whatsapp-video-2026-06-07-at-3.06.39-pm.mp4

A group of Askonim and Shluchim led by director Rabbi Gedalya Shemtov are leading the annual fundraiser for the Shluchim Office which will take place this Monday, 23 Sivan.

The campaign page TogetherForShluchim.com is open for all to pre-donate now.

The Shluchim Office Campaign Committee released an open letter to the Chabad community worldwide, asking you to join them in this most important effort.

Over 150 Friends and supporters have already joined and committed to donate $770, $1,800 or more to the moisad’s annual fundraiser, and the committee is turning to all Friends, Shluchim and Anash around the world: Please join with a gift of $770 donation and support this central hub established by the Rebbe to serve the needs of Shluchim.

—

Dear Friends, Shluchim and Anash,

As we approach the yom hahilula Gimmel Tammuz, we, the Rebbe’s Chassidim and Shluchim come together to strengthen and redouble our commitment to the Rebbe’s Shlichus by bringing the Rebbe’s message to every corner of the world with the goal of l’hovi liymois hamoshiach.

At this time of year the Shluchim Office holds its annual campaign, which brings in the critical funds needed to ensure that the Shluchim Office can continue fulfilling the mandate that the Rebbe gave, in a growing, ever-increasing measure: to assist, support and serve as a central hub for Shluchim and their families.

Ever since its inception 39 years ago, the Shluchim Office has been devoted to the mission of constantly creating innovative projects which respond to the current and changing needs of Shluchim.

This year, two new initiatives were launched, available free of charge to Shluchim.

• The “Shluchim Placement” program was revamped, one of the first projects of the Shluchim Office that was due for an upgrade. A new, modern, and simplified platform was published and within the first few days, hundreds of Shluchim posted jobs, and hundreds of yungeleit, as well as bochurim and girls, signed up to help expand the Rebbe’s Shlichus.

• In time for the annual campaign, “Shluchim Savings”, a brand-new initiative will be launching, that will provide Shluchim with exclusive discounts and vendor pricing not available to the general public.

These new projects are in addition to the other ongoing initiatives, to name a few:

• “Jewish Insights” lesson-plans to teach the Rebbe’s Torah in 6 languages and used by more than 2,200 Shluchim weekly.

• Providing a lifeline of Chinuch for Shluchim’s children across the globe, the Nigri Shluchim Online School delivers top-quality Chassidishe education.

• Jewish children from small towns around the world with no Jewish school nearby attend the Nigri Jewish Online School, a virtual day school and Hebrew school, to study every day.

• The Shluchim Gemach has issued over $500,000 in interest-free loans for Simchas and new cars in response.

• Chabad Early Childhood, serving hundreds of preschool directors on Shlichus with curricula, support and retreats.

• Bringing care packages and programming to hundreds of daughters of Shluchim studying in high school, far from home.

• Each Yom Tov, customizable Canva flyers are provided to promote Shluchim’s events, with 35,265 designs downloaded this year.

• The in-person Kinus Tzeirei Hashluchim (in both boys and girls sessions) hosted over 2,400 Shluchim kids, and an additional 1,600 Shluchim children joined on Zoom.

• Tzeirei Hashluchim Machane Rivka and Machane Berel Winter Camp in Florida hosted over 300 kids between boys and girls sessions, bringing a tremendous boost and Chizuk to the Rebbe’s Kinder, and the list goes on and on.

We will, B’ezras Hashem, be launching the Together for Shluchim campaign tomorrow, 23 Sivan (June 8) with a goal to raise $600,000.

You can click here to donate NOW and join Together for Shluchim!

We, the Shluchim Office Campaign Committee, turn to you, our fellow Shluchim and Chassidim: Please take this opportunity to fulfill the Rebbe’s known instruction for yom hahilula Yud Shvat: to give Tzedoko to a Moisad of the Rebbe.

Contribute to the Shluchim Office, a Moisad that was established by the Rebbe himself during the Kinus Hashluchim Farbrengen of 5747, to benefit all Shluchim.

We are happy to share that over 200 Friends, Shluchim and Anash have already committed to give $770, $1,800 and $3,600 and more on the day of the campaign. The success of this campaign is dependent on our extended family of Anash and Shluchim.

On the day of the campaign, we will be picking up the phone and calling our friends to ask that they participate as well. We invite each of you to join us in supporting the upcoming fundraising campaign at TogetherForShluchim.com with a commitment of $770, $1,800 or as much as you can give.

In the merit of supporting The Shluchim Office may we all be Zoiche to see the fulfillment of the unusual blessings that the Rebbe gave when he spoke about its establishment:

“…Following the above will, first and foremost, ensure success in the fulfillment of the Shlichus beyond all expectations, and in addition, will result in one’s personal success — children, health and sustenance, all in great abundance; healthy children and grandchildren; attaining good Shidduchim for one’s children; and blessings in every possible manner.”

May we all be Zoiche to be reunited with the Rebbe with the complete Geula with the coming of the Moshiach now!

The Shluchim Office

Rabbi Gedalya Shemtov

Rabbi Mendy Shemtov

Shluchim Office Campaign Committee

Rabbi Yosef Greenberg – Anchorage, AK

Rabbi Yossi Shemtov – Tucson, AZ

Rabbi Mendel Duchman – Los Angeles, CA

Rabbi Yossi Deren – Greenwich, CT

Rabbi Yosef Gopin – Hartford, CT

Rabbi Zalman Lipskar – Bal Harbour, FL

Rabbi Shmuly Rothman – Boynton Beach, FL

Rabbi Berl Goldman – Gainesville, FL

Rabbi Benjy Korf – Miami Beach, FL

Rabbi Yisroel Spalter – Weston, FL

Rabbi Dovid Tiechtel – Champaign, IL

Rabbi Yosef Posner – Skokie, IL

Rabbi Yitzchok Wolf – Skokie, IL

Rabbi Schneor Greenberg – Commerce, MI

Rabbi Shmaya Shmotkin – Oak Park, MI

Rabbi Levi Shemtov – West Bloomfield, MI

Rabbi Yossi Groner – Charlotte, NC

Rabbi Mendy Herson – Morristown, NJ

Rabbi Berel Levertov – Santa Fe, NM

Rabbi Chaim Shaul Bruk – Brooklyn, NY

Rabbi Sholom Duchman – Brooklyn, NY

Rabbi Yossi Michelashvili – Brooklyn, NY

Rabbi Moshe Pinson – Brooklyn, NY

Rabbi Berri Spitezki – Brooklyn, NY

Rabbi Levi Shemtov – Riverdale, NY

Rabbi Zushe Greenberg – Solon, OH

Rabbi Yossi Shemtov – Toledo, OH

Rabbi Ovadia Goldman – Oklahoma City, OK

Rabbi Yehuda Shemtov – Newtown, PA

Rabbi Chaim Goldstein – Philadelphia, PA

Rabbi Yitzchok Tiechtel – Nashville, TN

Rabbi Shimon Lazaroff – Houston, TX

Rabbi Chaim Lazaroff – Houston, TX

Rabbi Moishe Traxler – Houston, TX

Rabbi Asher Federman – S. Thomas, VI

Rabbi Sholom B. Levitin – Seattle, WA

Rabbi Shmuly Levitin – Seattle, WA

Rabbi Shmuel Greenberg – Vancouver, WA

Rabbi Dovid Goldberg – S. Paulo, Brazil

Rabbi Yosef Schildkraut – S. Paulo, Brazil

Rabbi Shmuel Gniwisch – Montreal, Canada

Rabbi Yossi Kessler – Montreal, Canada

Rabbi Mayer Parshan – Toronto, Canada

Rabbi Dovi Henig – Chengdu, China

Rabbi Mordechai Avtzon – Hong Kong, China

Rabbi Shlomo Bentolila – Kinshasa, Congo

Rabbi Hershel Spalter – Escazu, Costa Rica

Rabbi Levi Azimov – Paris, France

Rabbi Chmouel Lubecki – Rouen, France

Rabbi Mordechai Abergel – Singapore

Rabbi Dovid Masinter – Johannesburg, South Africa

Rabbi Avraham Greenberg – Phuket, Thailand

Rabbi Pinchus Vishedsky – Kiev, Ukraine

Keren Hachomesh invites you to join in the completion of the historic Torah commissioned for the Rebbe and Rebbetzin’s home at 1304 President Street.

In 1988, following the passing of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, space in the Rebbe’s home was converted into a synagogue, where the Rebbe led prayer services three times a day for a year. Today, thousands visit each year to pray at this sacred place.

The Torah scroll was commissioned in honor of the Rebbetzin, and will be permanently housed in the Rebbe’s home. The project benefits Keren Hachomesh, the charitable foundation established by the Rebbe in memory of the Rebbetzin shortly after her passing.

The Siyum—dedication ceremony—will take place on Sunday, 29 Sivan (June 14). The final letters of the Torah will be written beginning at 12:00 PM in the courtyard of Chabad Lubavitch Headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway.

Following the completion of the Torah, a festive procession will depart at 1:00 PM. Participants will accompany the Sefer Torah from 770, proceeding west on Eastern Parkway, south on Brooklyn Avenue, and then west on President Street to the Rebbe and Rebbetzin’s house.

At 1:45 PM, dancing with the Torah will take place at the Rebbe and Rebbetzin’s house, marking the culmination of this special project and the dedication of the Torah to its permanent home.

Throughout the Siyum, refreshments will be available in a tent placed outside the Rebbe and Rebbetzin’s house for the occasion, allowing participants and guests to celebrate together in a warm and festive atmosphere.

Dedications in this unique and historic Torah are available — everything from purchasing one letter to dedicating a section of the Torah scroll. To purchase a letter in the Torah or to make a dedication, visit Torah1304.com.

Mr. Keith (Kalman) Smith, a beloved father and grandfather who was devoted to the Jewish community in Pretoria, South Africa, passed away suddenly on Shabbos, 21 Sivan, 5786.

He was 82.

Keith (Kalman) was a true chossid, a successful business person, and a lover of anything Jewish. He was a devoted family man, who raised a generation of children and grandchildren engaged in Torah study and the observance of mitzvos, and was a committed community member and “father” to 100’s of smicha bochrim that came through the doors of the Pretoria Hebrew Congregation (PHC).

He is survived by his wife Dorothy (Devorah) Smith – Pretoria, South Africa, and children Brad Smith – Natanya, Israel; Yitzchok Smith – Coral Springs, FL; and Candice (Orah) Binyaminson – Crown Heights, New York.

The family will be sitting shiva in Pretoria, South Africa.

Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.

A man was killed and five others were wounded Sunday morning in a multi-scene shooting attack across the Sharon region in Central Israel.

The two terrorists, including an Israeli Arab from Tayibe, were eliminated by security forces following the attack.

The shooting spree began at a gas station in Kochav Yair, where two men were wounded, one seriously and one moderately. A third victim, suffering moderate injuries, was later found at the entrance to Tzur Yitzchak. Shortly afterward, two additional victims were located on Route 5533 near Tzur Natan. One was in critical condition and later succumbed to his wounds, while the second was hospitalized in serious condition.

The terrorists also opened fire toward the security gate of the community of Sal’it. No injuries were reported in that incident. The community’s security coordinator returned fire, but the attackers managed to flee.

Large police and military forces were deployed to the area, including Shin Bet personnel and the agency’s “Tequila” unit. Security forces later killed both terrorists. An improvised Carlo-style firearm was recovered at the scene where the first terrorist was neutralized, and authorities believe the vehicle used in the attack was stolen.

Following the attack, the Shin Bet and police launched operations in Tayibe, while the IDF imposed a closure on several nearby villages. Residents of Tzur Yitzchak were instructed to remain indoors amid concerns of a possible terrorist infiltration.

Magen David Adom paramedic Lior Zilberberg said emergency crews responded to multiple scenes and treated victims suffering from gunshot wounds before transporting them to area hospitals.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a security assessment and is closely monitoring developments following the deadly attack.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said that if a terrorist involved in the attack were captured alive, he would seek the implementation of Israel’s law allowing for the death penalty for terrorists.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich described the attack as a “bloody wake-up call,” warning of what he called a growing terror threat and the widespread presence of illegal weapons.

There’s something about an Areinfirnish that never gets old.

Last week, Cheder Chabad Florida gathered to welcome a new group of boys into the world of Torah learning. Wrapped in their father’s Tallis, each child recited Kametz Aleph, licked honey from an Aleph Beis chart, and read from the Shaar Blat of Tanya.

Rabbi Avrohom Hertz, grandfather of one of the children, joined as a special guest and taught the boys their first Possuk of Chumash.

The room was quiet in the best way — the kind of quiet where you can hear little voices sounding out letters for the very first time. Parents watched, some with tears, as their sons took their first steps into a world that will stay with them forever.

The evening ended with dancing — fathers and sons, hand in hand — and the kind of nachas that’s hard to put into words.

Mazal Tov to all the families!

Rabbi Sholom Ber Schapiro, Director of the Nissan Mindel Publications (NMP), presents “Historic Treasures.”

Each program shares ‘treasures’ from the archives of Rabbi Schapiro’s father-in-law, Rabbi Dr. Nissan Mindel OBM, a prolific writer who served as a personal secretary of the 6th and 7th Chabad Rebbes.

The program uncovers fascinating stories, rare artifacts and precious documents from the Chabad-Lubavitch movement.

VIDEO:

More than 500 community members, dignitaries, supporters, and friends gathered at Copper Creek Golf Club, Toronto’s premier kosher venue, on Tuesday evening to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Chabad Lubavitch of Markham.

The gala evening, themed “On the Shoulders of Giants: Honouring the Past, Celebrating the Future,” brought together four generations of community members to reflect on forty years of impact while looking ahead to the future. As well, Chabad Markham, which has become over the last forty years one of the most trendsetting Chabad institutions in the world, presented an outstanding program to celebrate this important milestone in keeping with its original out-of-the-box style.

The program was hosted by well-known influencer Allison Solomon and opened with a stirring musical performance by the Chabad Markham Choir under the direction of Gary Rewald, setting the tone for an inspiring evening.

A multimedia presentation highlighted four decades of community growth, educational initiatives, social services, holiday programming, and outreach that have touched thousands of lives since Rabbi Avrohom and Rebbetzin Goldie Plotkin arrived in Markham in 1985.

One of the evening’s most moving moments was the presentation of the “Ripple Effect” video, focusing on four families in the community whose lives were profoundly influenced by seemingly simple encounters with Chabad’s rabbis and rebbetzins over the years.

The presentation culminated with the story of the Lange Fredlender family, whose grandson, inspired by his Jewish identity and connection to Chabad, returned to Israel following the events of October 7 to help defend his people.

In a deeply emotional tribute, members of the Lange Fredlender family were invited to the stage while Cantor David Guber led a moving prayer and song in support of the Israel Defense Forces. The audience was then surprised with a special video message from the front lines in Gaza from Shmulie Lange Fredlender, creating one of the most powerful moments of the evening.

A particularly meaningful segment of the evening was dedicated to honouring the founding and longstanding members whose dedication, sacrifice, and commitment helped build Chabad Markham over the past four decades. Led by Rabbi Meir Gitlin, the presentation paid tribute to dozens of individuals and families who devoted their time, energy, and resources to the growth of the synagogue and community centre.

As Rabbi Gitlin read each name, photographs appeared on the large screens throughout the ballroom, allowing the audience to reflect on the countless contributions made by these community builders.

Mayor Frank Scarpitti delivered heartfelt remarks reflecting on his forty-year friendship with Rabbi Plotkin and his longstanding relationship with Chabad Markham. He spoke passionately about the contributions Chabad has made to the fabric of Markham and reaffirmed his unwavering support for the Jewish community during these challenging times.

The evening also recognized the generosity of the gala’s lead sponsors, whose support helped make the celebration possible. Original works of Jewish art by renowned Chassidic artist Yehuda Lang were presented to Dr. Steven and Linda Kazman, Max and Leora Baer, The Herr family, Robyn and Dr. Saul Quint, Pam and Ian Jacobson, and David and Joanne Herr, Wilfred and Marcelle Krasin, and Steeles Memorial Chapel in appreciation of their sponsorship and commitment to the continued growth of Jewish life in Markham.

The presentations were made by Rabbi Avrohom Plotkin together with Paul Klein, who has faithfully served as President of the Congregation for the past nineteen years.

One of the evening’s most memorable moments came during a surprise presentation honouring Rabbi Avrohom and Goldie Plotkin and Rabbi Meir and Esther Gitlin. Throughout the cocktail reception, hundreds of attendees participated in a unique community art project led by artist Yehuda Lang, each contributing a brushstroke to a massive contemporary portrait of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

The completed artwork was unveiled during the gala and presented as a gift from the community in recognition of decades of leadership, dedication, and service. The portrait will be permanently displayed in the synagogue lobby.

World-renowned comedian Elon Gold brought the audience to tears of laughter with his unique and insightful observations on Jewish life. For close to an hour, he had guests rolling in the aisles before concluding with a powerful message about Chabad’s response to rising antisemitism.

“Chabad doesn’t fight darkness. It spreads light.”

The statement drew a standing ovation and perfectly captured the spirit of the evening.

The future of the community was highlighted through a presentation by Young Chabad Markham, led by Rabbi Sholom Ber and Ita Plotkin, who recently joined the Chabad Markham team. Their presentation served both as an official welcome and as an introduction to their vision for engaging the next generation of Jewish life in York Region through innovative programs and initiatives for young families and young professionals.

As the evening drew to a close, Rebbetzin Goldie Plotkin delivered a dynamic message reflecting on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. She noted that the Rebbe was never satisfied with past accomplishments, no matter how significant. Every achievement was viewed not as a destination but as a foundation upon which to build even greater accomplishments.

While expressing gratitude for all that had been achieved over the past forty years, she challenged the community to look ahead and rededicate itself to growth.

“The greatest way to honour the past forty years is to ensure that the next forty years are even greater.”

Her words resonated deeply throughout the room and provided a fitting conclusion to an evening dedicated not only to celebrating the past, but also to embracing the future.

The celebration then concluded in fitting fashion with a spirited hora that saw hundreds of guests join together in song and dance, transforming the ballroom into a scene of joy, unity, and Jewish pride.

The success of the gala was made possible through the tireless efforts of event coordinators Sanchia Rabin and Jeanette Berger, together with dozens of volunteers, sponsors, and community leaders whose dedication helped create a truly memorable evening.

As guests departed, the message was clear: Chabad Markham’s first forty years have left an indelible mark on the community—but its most exciting chapters may still lie ahead.

As summer approaches on Sweden’s breathtaking west coast, the long days and golden evenings set the stage for another unforgettable camp season, b’ezras Hashem.

Following an incredible year BH in which more than 190 campers attended the summer and winter programs, the camp prepares to welcome both new and returning campers for an inspiring and memorable experience.

A Legacy of Chassidishe Chinuch and Connection

Founded in 5769/2009, Gan Yisroel Sweden has welcomed well over a thousand campers BH from dozens of cities throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, the US and beyond. For many children growing up on Shlichus in communities without local Jewish schools or strong peer networks, camp serves as a vital source of inspiration, friendship, and connection.

Campers return home with renewed chayus in their Shlichus, a deeper hiskashrus to the Rebbe and lifelong friendships with fellow young shluchim and shluchos.

“Camp is such an important part of a Chassidishe chinuch. When you see what children gain—the chayus, the friendships, and the positive memories—you realize that camp is not a luxury; it is a necessity,” says Rabbi Alexander Namdar who directs the camps together with his wife Leah Namdar.

For Shluchim, by Shluchim

Over the years, Gan Yisroel Sweden has become known for its warm atmosphere, dedicated staff, and unique blend of Chassidishe and Shlichus values and exciting programming. The friendships formed at camp continue long after the summer ends, creating a strong network of young Shluchim around the world.

This summer, be’ezras Hashem, Chabad Sweden will host its 52nd and 53rd camp sessions.

The action-packed summer program combines meaningful spiritual growth with exciting activities, outdoor adventures, and memorable excursions.

Memorable farbrengens, engaging shiurim, uplifting davening, and an atmosphere filled with genuine Ahavas Yisroel.

A special visit to the historic pier of Gothenburg from which the Frierdiker Rebbe and his entourage departed on his final journey from Europe on 27 Adar 5700 (1940.) This location is the very last place in Europe graced by the presence of a Lubavitcher Rebbe during the time of his nesius.

Excursions

Trips include the nearby world-famous Liseberg Amusement Park, canoeing, hiking, water park trips, scenic boat excursions through the stunning Gothenburg Archipelago and the beautiful islands of Sweden and more.

Camp directors Rabbi Alexander and Leah Namdar express their deep gratitude to the many individuals who help make camp possible.

To our dedicated staff:
“We owe tremendous gratitude to every staff member who has joined us since the camps began. Your devotion, warmth, and dedication are the hallmark of our camp. If you are reading this, accept this as a personal thank you!.”

To the parents:
“Thank you for entrusting us with your most precious treasures. Our goal is to care for and uplift every camper in the way the Rebbe would want. If there is one message we hope every camper brings home, it is how much the Rebbe loves them.”

Gan Yisroel Sweden is a project of Chabad Sweden, directed by Rabbi Alexander and Leah Namdar, in partnership with Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky ע”ה and Rabbis Mendy and Mendel Kotlarsky of Merkos Suite 302 and MyShliach.

Flights with staff chaperones will be departing from NY the day before both camps.

Girls Program Details
Ages: 7–15

Dates:
Tuesday, 15 Tammuz (June 30) – Monday 6 Menachem Av (July 20)

Girls Head Staff
Head counselors:
Rivka Namdar – Gothenburg, Sweden
Tzirel Goldberg – S Paulo, Brazil
Ruchnius Director – Mushka Feldman, Greenwich, Connecticut

General Manager:
Musya Cooper, Melbourne, Australia

Boys Program Details

Ages: 7–15
Dates:
Tuesday, 14 Menachem Av (July 28) – Monday, 4 Elul (August 17)

Head Counselors
Levi Namdar – Gothenburg, Sweden
Levi Schechter – Chicago, Illinois, USA

Secure Your Spot Today!

Don’t let your child miss out on the summer of a lifetime.

For registration and additional information, visit:
www.TzeireiHashluchim.com

Or contact:
Rabbi Alexander Namdar – +46707711770
Leah Namdar – +46707408709

Eight Bar Mitzvah boys stood side by side at the Kosel, celebrating their acceptance of mitzvos at the site from which holiness never leaves.

Passersby might have assumed they were classmates celebrating their special day together, but the presence of Yad L’Achim activists at the scene helping the boys to adjust their Tefillin hinted at a much more dramatic story.

These boys were rescued from Arab villages in recent months by Yad L’Achim, together with their mothers and brothers. Since then, they have been accompanied by social workers and mentoring teams assigned by Yad L’Achim to help them make the transition from the hostile environment they grew up in to the Jewish world.

Earlier, they received a beautiful package that included mehudar Tefillin and a Tallis. The moving event at the Kosel last week was a joint effort by Yad L’Achim and Chabad Netanya.

It was hard to believe that just a few months ago, the boys spoke Arabic and woke up every morning to the voice of the muezzin, unaware that they were Jews. And now they were standing at the stones of the Kosel, adorned in Tefillin, crying out “Shema Yisrael!”

The emotional highlight of the event was the Torah reading. With so many people at the Kosel it was possible to organize several Torah readings so that all eight boys could receive an aliyah. There were no fathers on hand to recite the brachah of Baruch She’patrani. In their place were their mothers, watching from the Ezras Nashim and weeping tears of joy at a sight they never thought they’d see.

One poignant moment came when a boy asked that a Mishebeirach be recited for his two older brothers, who have not yet been rescued.

Standing beside the boys was Rabbi Eliezer Menachem Broida, who donated the eight pairs of tefillin.

After davening, the boys and their mothers joined Yad L’Achim officials Rabbi Yoav Robinson and Rabbi Chaim Kahn on a special tour of the Kosel tunnels. A festive meal marking the boys’ Bar Mitzvah will be held shortly, Yad L’Achim announced.

“Until now,” said one of the mothers, “I thought the most moving moment of my life was when the rescue vehicle left the village and sped onto Highway 6. Now, after the Bar Mitzvah at the Kosel, I think that this was even more moving. Here, for the first time, I felt that we were truly starting our lives anew.”

Rabbi Shmuel Lipshitz, one of the leaders of Yad L’Achim, commented following the ceremony: “Years of separation from every spark of Judaism, of suffering and pain, were left behind at the sight of the pure faces of these Bar Mitzvah boys.”

Referring to the moving Mishebeirach, he said: “Let us not forget all those many other Jewish children who still wake up every morning in hostile villages, unaware that they are lost sons of the Jewish people. We will continue to do everything to save them and return them to their Father in Heaven, to their people and to their homeland.”

For more information visit www.yadlachim.org or email [email protected]. Yad L’Achim: 4018 18th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11218. Tel: 1-866-923-5224 (1-866-YAD-LACH).

By Dovid Zaklikowski for Hasidic Archives

As businessman Dovid Deitsch saw his company grow, then flourish, his giving to charitable causes expanded. However, in his unique way, Dovid had little patience for the fanfare that often surrounds philanthropy. Chitchat, flattery, and intricate explanations about where the money was going were all distasteful to him.

This attitude was the product of his upbringing. Dovid had watched his parents feed hundreds of starving people without ever expecting thanks or praise. Whatever extra money the Deitsches made went to others, as if it was obvious to them that G-d had given it for that purpose.

His roots not only taught him how to give, but also where to give. Dovid and his wife Sara Deitsch may have lived far from the center of Lubavitch, but their charitable causes were still very much their own. Because they avoided recognition, it is difficult to map the full extent of their charitable work. Several causes that were dear to them are known, however, and to those they gave generously in the blunt, no-nonsense style typical of the family.

The United Lubavitcher Yeshivoth, based in Brooklyn, was one such institution. To Dovid, it was a continuation of the clandestine Lubavitch yeshivah he had attended in the Soviet Union, and while he had not completed his education there, he fondly recalled his days as a student. As a successful businessman in New Haven, he donated to the yeshivah in Brooklyn regularly and encouraged his business associates to do likewise.

Rabbi Shemaryahu Gurary, known as the Rashag, headed the institutions and was a welcome visitor at the Deitsch home and office. On one particularly memorable visit, Dovid, as usual, cut straight to the point: “How much?” he asked. The Rashag stated an amount.

Across from the Rashag was a large china closet, and he looked up to see Sara, who was standing behind him, reflected in the glass doors. She was holding up two fingers at her husband, indicating that Dovid should double the amount.

The Rashag laughed. In all his years of fundraising, he said, he had never seen anything like that – a donor insisting on doubling their donation.

An excerpt from the forthcoming book Yards of Kindness: The Life of Dovid and Sara Deitsch, available at HasidicArchives.com.

Photos: Tzvi Levenhartz/COLlive

This week is Parshas B’haalosecha

Candle Lighting in Crown Heights: 8:06 PM
Shabbos ends: 9:14 PM

This week’s Shalom Zachors:
Dubi and Chava Raitport (nee Sebag) – 1449 Carroll St. (bet Albany and Troy Ave)
Levi and Bina Vorovitch (nee Greenberg) – 467 Brooklyn Ave (bet Empire and Lefferts Ave)
Adam and Chana Austin (nee Malachowsky) – 450 Sterling St. – side entrance (bet Brooklyn and New York Ave)
Aharon and Mrs. Loschak – 35 Hampton Pl (bet Sterling and S. Johns)

Good Shabbos from the staff of COLlive.com!

After a series of singles in a variety of styles, Chasidic singer Simche Friedman presents the first song from his second album (to be released soon) – “Oineg Shabbos” – a gentle and joyful waltz, with a Jewish feel of yesteryear.

The song was composed by Chaim Altman. The arrangement and musical production were handled by David Toib.

A new music video, filmed in Jerusalem, accompanies the song. It follows the preparations for Shabbos: the bustling Shuk, the routine of weekday work, preparing the house for Shabbos – until things calm down and everyone gathers around the table to celebrate Shabbos with song and joy.

The video, which was filmed and edited by Hershy Segal, gives viewers the special feeling we all know: “Here comes Shabbos”!

“I just love this song,” says Simche, “Because I really love Shabbos, the day the outside world stops and you can learn, sing, talk (face to face!) to your family – without noise, phones, and distractions. What a gift! Aaahhh, Oineg Shabbos!”

By COLlive reporter

A kosher restaurant in South Florida has made history by becoming the first kosher establishment ever to receive a Michelin Star, a milestone celebrated by owner and chef Raz Shabtai with the laying of tefillin in gratitude for the achievement. He was assisted by Miami Beach Shliach Rabbi Zev Katz.

Shabtai, the founder and chef of Mutra, located in North Miami Beach, described receiving the prestigious award as one of the highest honors in the culinary world.

“It’s like winning an Oscar,” he said. “It’s like winning an Emmy. It’s like getting a Grammy.”

The recognition marks a major breakthrough for kosher dining, placing Mutra among some of the world’s most acclaimed restaurants.

Shabtai credits his culinary journey to his grandmother in Jerusalem, for whom the restaurant is named. He recalled learning far more than cooking from her.

“She taught me how to cook, she taught me how to be a person, how to be a human,” he said.

According to Shabtai, food has always been about more than nourishment. He remembers feeling a deep sense of warmth and love through his grandmother’s cooking, an experience he now seeks to recreate for his guests.

“When I used to eat the food, I felt something that says more than ‘I love you,’” he said. “I felt something hugging me in a way that nobody physically could give.”

Bringing that philosophy to South Florida, Shabtai built a menu centered on his interpretation of Middle Eastern cuisine while welcoming diners from all backgrounds.

“I feel extremely honored and blessed that G-d gave me the ability to do something that can combine cultures together,” he said. “It doesn’t matter your political views or your religion. Food is holy.”

Shabtai also credited his success to the restaurant’s dedicated team and said he feels the influence of his grandmother guiding him from Above.

Following the historic Michelin recognition, Mutra is already preparing its next chapter. The restaurant, which rotates its menu every three months, is set to unveil a new menu this week as it continues building on its groundbreaking achievement.