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1 hour ago

Curriculum and AI Featured at This Year’s Kinus Mechanchim

COLlive1 hour ago

Curriculum and AI Featured at This Year’s Kinus Mechanchim

As mechanchim prepare for a new school year, this year’s Kinus HaMechanchim will focus on strengthening curriculum, clarifying standards, and providing practical tools for real classroom success.

Taking place July 28–29 (י״ד–ט״ו מנחם אב) at The Armon Hotel in Stamford, Connecticut, the Annual International Kinus HaMechanchim will feature a dedicated curriculum track, bringing together mechanchim, curriculum developers, and school leaders to address everyday classroom challenges.

How do we build a curriculum that works? How can teachers collaborate and support talmidim at different levels? These questions will be addressed through practical sessions designed for immediate application.

Featured curriculum sessions include “Building Curriculum Together: A Roundtable That’s Part of a Bigger Merkos Vision,” facilitated by Rabbi Yosef Aron, exploring how schools can work together and share effective materials.

Rabbi Levke Kaplan will present “Bridging the Standards Gap: Aligning Rebbeim and Hanhalah Around Standards,” focusing on creating clarity between classroom goals and school expectations.
Rabbi Yehuda Adelist will guide participants through “Building a Curriculum That Works: Creating a Scope & Sequence That Drives Student Success,” focusing on how to establish strong structure and consistency.

In “The Three Parts of a Curriculum: Practical Strategies for Deeper Student Learning,” Rabbi Yoseph Chaiton will explore ways mechanchim can move beyond simply covering material.
Addressing the challenge of meeting diverse student needs, Rabbi Yakkov Sheinberger will present “Writing Curriculum for Every Learner: Differentiating Instruction,” with practical approaches for reaching learners at different levels.

In addition, the Kinus will feature sessions on the growing role of AI in chinuch, focusing on practical ways mechanchim can use these tools effectively.

Rabbi Moishy Goldstein’s session, “Mastering AI Image & Video Generation,” will show how mechanchim can use AI to create engaging and effective classroom visuals.

In “Beyond ChatGPT: Getting AI to Work for You,” Rabbi Shneur Zalman Munitz will explore practical ways to integrate AI into lesson planning and everyday workflow.

Mr. Zalmen Michel will focus on the bigger picture in “Smarter School Systems: Using AI and Process to Streamline Your School,” highlighting how structured systems and AI tools can improve efficiency, reduce administrative burden, and create smoother day-to-day operations.

Additional AI sessions will help mechanchim understand available tools and how they can support preparation, creativity, and differentiation.

The Kinus will also introduce a new AI platform being developed for mechanchim, designed to provide tailored tools and resources for chinuch.

“The goal is not to replace the mechanech,” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, General Chairman of Merkos Chinuch Office. “The goal is to give mechanchim better tools, save them time, and help them focus more deeply on the talmidim in front of them.”

Together, these sessions reflect the focus of this year’s Kinus: returning to the עיקר of Chinuch. At its core, every tool, every curriculum, every new idea, and every practical session is here to help mechanchim in their shlichus of raising talmidim who are פרומע, ערליכע, ווארימע, חסידישע אידן.

The Kinus is more than a schedule of workshops. It is a time for mechanchim to step away from the rush of the year, reconnect with the Rebbe’s shlichus in Chinuch, farbreng with fellow mechanchim, gain new kochos, and return to the classroom with renewed chayus, clarity, and practical tools.

Registration is currently open, and rooms are filling quickly. Mechanchim who are planning to attend are strongly encouraged to register now to secure their spot.
The Kinus HaMechanchim will take place י״ד–ט״ו מנחם אב, July 28–29, at The Armon Hotel in Stamford, Connecticut.
Don’t wait until rooms are sold out.

Registration is now open at:
kinus.chinuchoffice.org

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2 hours ago

Live: Daily Siyum Broadcast for the 9 Days

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Live: Daily Siyum Broadcast for the 9 Days

Chabad.org, in partnership with the National Committee for the Furtherance of Jewish Education (NCFJE), will present a Daily Siyum each day of the Nine Days, from Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av through Tisha B’Av eve on 15 Menachem Av (July 15–29). The siyumim will be delivered by a rotating lineup of rabbis and will be broadcast live on COLlive.com as well as on New York’s WSNR AM 620 and Florida’s WJPR AM 1640.

Today’s siyum will be given by Rabbi Zushie Rimler, on Maseches Sanhedrin.

The program’s history dates back to 1975, when the Rebbe spoke about the importance of holding a siyum every day of the Nine Days. The Rebbe quoted the famous teaching of the Munkatcher Rebbe, the Minchas Elozor: playing on the Talmud’s words, “When the month of Av comes we decrease in joy,” the Munkatcher Rebbe taught that we must decrease the negative aspects of Av by adding to the joy of Torah.

The Rebbe emphasized that this practice is an opportunity to genuinely increase Torah joy during a period of mourning, rather than a technical “loophole” to permit meat-eating. Taking this call to heart, Rabbi JJ Hecht began arranging for a daily siyum to be broadcast on the radio, allowing Jews across the Tri-State Area to participate.

Following Rabbi Hecht’s passing in 1990, the Rebbe instructed that the daily on-air siyum continue until the 15th of Av, the anniversary of Rabbi Hecht’s passing. Since 2008, the program—now hosted by Rabbi Shimon Hecht—also streams live on Chabad.org.

How to Participate

The siyumim are delivered by a rotating lineup of rabbis.

Daily Alerts: Sign up at Chabad.org/SiyumSubscribe to receive notifications and never miss a session.
Radio Broadcasts: Tune in to WSNR AM 620 (New York) or WJPR AM 1640 (Florida).

Broadcast Schedule:

- Monday–Thursday: 7 PM ET | 4 PM PT
- Friday & Sunday: 2:00 PM ET | 11 PM PT
- Motzaei Shabbos: 11:00 PM ET

5786-2026 Siyum Schedule
1 Av – Wednesday, July 15 Tractate Chagigah 7:00 PM ET
2 Av – Thursday, July 16 Tractate Eruvin 7:00 PM ET
3 Av – Friday, July 17 Tractate Sanhedrin 2:00 PM ET
4 Av – Saturday Night, July 18 Tractate Bava Kama 11:00 PM ET
5 Av – Sunday, July 19 Tractate Nazir 2:00 PM ET
6 Av – Monday, July 20 Tractate Eruvin 7:00 PM ET
7 Av – Tuesday, July 21 Tractate Tamid 7:00 PM ET
8 Av – Wednesday, July 22 Tractate Semachot 7:00 PM ET
9 Av – Thursday, July 23 Tractate Moed Katan 7:00 PM ET
10 Av – Friday, July 24 Tractate Makot 2:00 PM ET
11 Av – Saturday Night, July 25 Tractate Keritot 11:00 PM ET
12 Av – Sunday, July 26 Tractate Tamid 2:00 PM ET
13 Av – Monday, July 27 Tractate Sotah 7:00 PM ET
14 Av – Tuesday, July 28 Tractate Tamid 7:00 PM ET
15 Av – Wednesday, July 29 Tractate Rosh Hashanah 7:00 PM ET

4 hours ago

The Ripple Effect of a Life Transformed

COLlive4 hours ago

The Ripple Effect of a Life Transformed

Rebbe Responsa presents a glimpse into Mrs. Susan (Chana) Shuster’s decades-long correspondence with the Rebbe—a remarkable record of guidance, transformation, and the ripple effect of one Jewish home on an entire community.

Mrs. Susan (Chana) Shuster (1939–2026) passed away on 18 Tammuz, 5786. Susan grew up in a distinguished and affluent, yet largely secular, Jewish home, receiving almost no Jewish education. She later trained as a nurse and married Dr. Marvin Shuster, a plastic surgeon like her father. The couple settled in Hollywood, Florida, where they raised their family and became prominent members of the local social scene.

The Shusters’ journey toward Jewish observance began through their son Kenny. While attending the local Hebrew Academy, he was approached by a Chabad student from the Landow Yeshiva, who offered to help him put on tefillin. Kenny soon began spending more and more time at the yeshiva, where he became known by his Jewish name, Yitzchak. He began wearing a kippah and tzitzis and eventually told his parents that he could no longer eat at home because their kitchen was not kosher.

At first, his parents strongly resisted these changes, imagining their son being drawn into a cult. One Friday, after Kenny had once again gone to the yeshiva instead of his regular school, Marvin and Susan had enough; they traveled to the yeshiva, intending to bring him home. They were directed to Rabbi Sholom Ber Lipskar, then a teacher at the Lubavitch day school and later the founder of The Shul of Bal Harbour. Rabbi Lipskar arranged to visit the Shusters the following evening and explain what had drawn their son to Chabad.

Sholom Ber and his wife Chani spent several hours speaking with the Shusters that Saturday night. By the following morning, Susan had made her decision: their home would become kosher. When Rabbi Lipskar informed the Rebbe, the Rebbe responded enthusiastically and suggested that the kashering be marked with a large public event.

Going Kosher In Style
The Shusters embraced the undertaking wholeheartedly. Their kitchen contained fine china and many valuable pieces accumulated over the years, yet anything that could not be kashered was given away. Invitations were sent to their friends and acquaintances, including the mayor of Hollywood. The event drew members of the Shusters’ social circle together with Chabad rabbis and yeshiva students.

The celebration was held on a grand scale. A lavish meal was served beside the pool, while the yeshiva students danced with the guests, filling the Shuster home with the warmth and joy of Jewish life. Photographs of the event were later sent to the Rebbe and are preserved in the Library of Agudas Chassidei Chabad.

In a letter to the Shusters concerning their progress in Torah observance, and particularly their commitment to kashrus, the Rebbe emphasized that their growth extended far beyond their own lives:
…persons of your standing have an impact on the community, for people look up to you and try to emulate you. Thus, your going from strength to strength in matters of Torah and Mitzvoth is greatly multiplied through those who are inspired by your example, not to mention the direct impact on children and through them on their children in an everlasting chain reaction.

While this applied to every area of Torah and mitzvos, the Rebbe explained that it assumed particular significance with regard to kashrus. Addressing Dr. Shuster as a physician, he began with modern science’s recognition of the profound effect of food on physical and mental health before turning to the deeper implications of this truth for a Jew’s physical and spiritual life.

The laws of kashrus were given in the Torah, which reveals the absolute unity of G-d—a truth that the Jewish people have carried throughout history. That unity must also be reflected in the life of each individual Jew: Yiddishkeit cannot be confined to the home or reserved for particular occasions while compromises are made in other areas of life:
The Jew brings unity and harmony into this, the physical, world, eliminating any departmentalization in the daily life, or having occasional practices; or, as some misguided and misconceived individuals might think, that they can practice Judaism at home, but must make concessions and compromises outside their home. All such differentiations are contrary to true unity, pure monotheism. For the concept of pure monotheism is not confined to One G-d, but at the same time it requires unity in the personal life of each and every Jew, who is a member of the One People, of which it is said that it is “One People on earth.” According to the explanation of the Alter Rebbe, founder of Chabad, “One People on earth” means that they bring oneness and unity also in earthly things, and it is only in this way that the individual can achieve complete personal harmony and unity of the body and soul, at all times, whether in the synagogue, at home, or in the office.

Returning to kashrus, the Rebbe explained that this principle assumes particular force in relation to food:

Thus, it is obvious how important Kashrus is for a Jew, since the food and beverages that he consumes become blood and tissue and energy, and food that is not suitable (Kosher) for a Jew can only alienate him from matters of Yiddishkeit, and only the right and Kosher food can nourish him physically, mentally and spiritually. As already mentioned, there is no need to elaborate on this to you, a physician, although your specialty is not directly in the field of nutrition.”

Concluding the letter, the Rebbe writes:
The most desirable blessing that can be expressed in this case is that you should indeed serve as a living and inspiring example for others to emulate, and that through your inspiration many others will go from strength to strength in matters of Torah and Mitzvoth in the daily life.
The kashering of their home marked only the beginning of a transformation that would extend far beyond their own family.

The Driving Force

It was during the Shusters’ first yechidus that the message of the Rebbe’s letter fully resonated with Mrs. Shuster. During the audience, Mrs. Shuster told the Rebbe that, despite the couple’s active social life, she felt an emptiness within. She later recalled: “He looked at me and said, ‘But you are Jewish. You have your religion.’ And I understood that I should become more involved in Judaism—that this was what had been lacking in my life. I had not realized it myself until the Rebbe pointed it out to me.”

After that first audience, the Shusters returned to see the Rebbe repeatedly as they became more deeply involved in Jewish life. During a subsequent audience, the Rebbe told Mrs. Shuster: “Your husband is a plastic surgeon; he makes people beautiful on the outside. It should be your mission to make people beautiful on the inside.”

“I took these words to heart and,” Mrs. Shuster recalled, “from that point on, I began inviting people to our home for Shabbat meals in an effort to help them find spiritual meaning in their lives. I took great pains in preparing these meals and in making the table very beautiful, so that it reflected the inner beauty of Judaism.”

Changing the Landscape

As the Shusters grew in their observance and embraced an increasingly religious way of life, Dr. Shuster began a weekly Shabbos minyan, converting their guest house into the neighborhood’s first Orthodox shul. As the congregation developed, the Shusters brought Rabbi Raphael and Goldie Tennenhaus to South Broward to serve as its shluchim and lead the growing community.

When the minyan outgrew the guesthouse, the Shusters purchased a house in nearby Hallandale to serve as its permanent home. Around the time of the move, in 5741, the Rebbe approved changing the congregation’s name from Beis Hakneses Shomrei-Hadas–Chabad to Congregation Levi Yitzchok–Lubavitch, after the Rebbe’s father.

Soon after establishing the new shul, the Shusters held a hachnasas Sefer Torah celebration, welcoming the Torah with a parade through the streets. In a letter to the Rebbe, they enclosed photographs of the celebration capturing Jews dancing publicly with a Sefer Torah in what was most probably the neighborhood’s first event of its kind. The Rebbe responded:

I was pleased to receive your letter of Feb. 27th, enclosing photographs taken of the recent Torah welcoming parade that you had in Hallandale near your new synagogue, etc.

It was gratifying to read about it and especially to see the photographs, since a picture tells a great deal more than many words.

Even the congregation’s stationery became an opportunity for the Rebbe to emphasize its broader mission and potential influence. After reviewing its newly designed letterhead, the Rebbe wrote:

…this is my first opportunity to acknowledge receipt of your letter and design of the stationery of the newly founded Congregation Levi Yitzchok. The design makes a very good impression. As for suggestions in this connection, I would only like to suggest that you add “U.S.A.” in the address, inasmuch as, in accordance with the slogan of “Uforatzto” on the stationery, the Congregation will, hopefully, establish contact also with Jews coming from other countries.

In additional letters, the Rebbe guided and encouraged the Shusters as they confronted the challenges facing the newly established shul and defined its broader mission.

Impact

The neighborhood’s first Orthodox congregation was met with enthusiasm by many, but some residents responded with apprehension and, in one instance, harassment. In response to the Shusters’ report, the Rebbe wrote:

With reference to the matter of harassment which the new Congregation has experienced, as you mention in your letter, you are, of course, right that it should be reported to the police. However, there is no room for apprehension. Indeed, it is a sign that the influence of the new Congregation has already made an impact, and, as it happened with similar situations in various other places, the original resistance gradually subsides. Needless to say, you and all who are active in promoting this Congregation will surely continue to do so, and even more energetically. This will also answer your question what is to be done. For, having introduced Orthodoxy to your neighborhood is only the first step in the direction of making the whole neighborhood permeated with Torah and mitzvos, to the extent that Hashem will be able to say “I will dwell in their midst.” In other words, the Congregation should become a lighthouse, illuminating the homes of all its members, and through them neighbors and friends, with the light and vitality of the Torah and Mitzvoth. All the more so since Greater Miami Beach attracts Jews from different cities and countries, and thus has an opportunity to extend its influence far and wide.

In a subsequent letter, the Rebbe writes:

This is in reply to your letter of Oct. 12th, in which you write about the zoning problem of your congregation, due to the opposition of neighbors.

First of all, you are surely in consultation with a competent attorney, who is familiar with the rules and regulations governing such matters. In general, however, experience has shown that taking a firm stand eventually brings the desired results.

Needless to say, that the stronger the congregation becomes in terms of membership, the easier will be its way in overcoming difficulties and developing. In this, you and your family and friends can best assess the situation and act accordingly.

At the conclusion of the letter, the Rebbe referred warmly to the members of the Shuster family whom he had seen during Tishrei and blessed them to proceed with confidence in their convictions:

I take this opportunity to express again my satisfaction at having been able to meet you and the members of your family during Yom Tov and Simchas Torah. And, having been enriched and fortified by all the religious experiences of the festivals of Tishrei, culminating with Simches Torah, you and all yours, in the midst of all our Jewish people, can proceed with complete confidence on the way of Torah and Mitzvoth in the year ahead, with joy and gladness of heart.

Light Unto Her Street

The Shusters continued to grow in Yiddishkeit and to broaden their influence beyond their own home and congregation. On 22 Kislev, 5751 (December 9, 1990), they passed before the Rebbe to receive a dollar for charity and his blessing. The Rebbe explained to Mrs. Shuster that the message of the upcoming festival Chanukah is that its light must shine outward as well, and encouraged her to place a menorah by the entrance to her home in a manner that would illuminate the entire street. Mrs. Shuster replied that she needed such light in her neighborhood.

When Mrs. Shuster returned to Florida, she found a large Menorah waiting for her at her home. Lighting it each Chanukah thereafter became a family tradition.

A few months later, Mrs. Shuster addressed the first International Conference of Chabad Shluchos. After the convention, she wrote to the Rebbe about the experience:

Dear Rebbe,

I am writing to inform you that I spoke to approximately five hundred people, at the Jewish Center in Brooklyn last Motzoi Shabbos, at the first International Conference of Shluchos. It was an honor and a thrill for me! Sixteen years ago I would never have thought this could be possible. I understand that this convention was in honor of the Shluchos who are devoting their lives to the spreading of Torah and Chassidus, and therefore the conventions must have had the blessings of both Hashem, and yourself. Therefore I was not surprised that my speech was a success, and that I was so well received.

As you remember when I visited you at Chanukah, you told me to light a large Menorah in order to light-up my street. Not only did I follow your request, of which I have enclosed a photograph, but your request further served as the momentum for the delivering of my speech, because the title was “Lamplighting and Setting Souls Afire.”

I hope that my speech in some small way has served as a small token of my appreciation [in her letter, the Rebbe erased the word “small” and replaced it with “good”] for all of the blessings the Rebbe has bestowed upon myself, my parents, and my family .

When I was finished with my speech that took approximately fifteen minutes I received a standing ovation, and women were crying and lining up to ask me if I would speak for them in their communities.

In reaction to the requests she received, the Rebbe marked the words “I would speak for them in their communities” and wrote (free translation from Hebrew):

You will be successful, and the merit of spreading Judaism will surely assist you.

To explore more of Mrs. Shuster’s correspondence with the Rebbe, as well as thousands of additional English letters of the Rebbe, visit the Rebbe Responsa. The Rebbe Responsa app is available for download on the App Store and Google Play.

Sources: Rebbe Responsa Archives; Dovid Margolin, “The Life and Mission of Sholom Lipskar, the Miami Rabbi Who Never Stopped Working”; “Beautiful on the Inside,” interview with Susan Shuster, Jewish Educational Media; Living Torah, Program 482; Likkut Maanos Kodesh, Miluim 5, pp. 18, 624.

4 hours ago

Rebbe’s Hadranim Now Searchable on Mafteiach

COLlive4 hours ago

Rebbe’s Hadranim Now Searchable on Mafteiach

As we enter the Nine Days—a time when the Rebbe strongly encouraged making Siyumim on Masechtos of Gemara—Mafteiach is proud to unveil a major new update: The Rebbe’s Hadranim, now organized like never before.

Explore nearly 150 Hadranim delivered by the Rebbe throughout the years, presented in a clear, user-friendly experience with cutting-edge design and powerful new features.

Browse the Hadranim:
• By Masechta in Shas
• By the time of year
• With various Hanochos
• With concise summaries
• And with many additional tools and features

Discover, learn, and share the Rebbe’s profound insights into the Siyumim of Shas—all in one beautifully organized place.

Now available on Mafteiach:
https://www.mafteiach.app/hadranim

5 hours ago

L’Chaim: Stambler – Goldberg

COLlive5 hours ago

L’Chaim: Stambler – Goldberg

6 hours ago

Rambam In-Depth: The Halacha That Reveals Rambam’s Genius

COLlive6 hours ago

Rambam In-Depth: The Halacha That Reveals Rambam’s Genius

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 deep dive, we unpack a fascinating halacha in Hilchos Maasei Korbanos that looks simple on the surface but exposes Rambam’s revolutionary mind. Why does wine brought as an independent offering require salt (melach), while wine brought together with a korban does not? The Kessef Mishneh, Lechem Mishneh, Rebbe in Toras Menachem, Mikdash David, and Mahari Kurkus all weigh in — and the answers are mind-blowing.

6 hours ago

Weekly Moment With the Rebbe

COLlive6 hours ago

Weekly Moment With the Rebbe

Traditionally, the months of Av and Adar are polar opposites—one full of fear and sadness, the other full of joy and positivity. But when confronting medical or practical issues, we rely on higher powers. The Avner Institute presents two letters linking Torah observance, effected through kosher education of our youth, to the source of Jewish life; and the Rebbe’s analogy of Torah commandments as tools for mental and physical health.

In loving memory of Hadassah Lebovic A”h

By the Grace of G-d
20 Menachem Av 5718
Brooklyn, NY

Greeting and Blessing:

This is to acknowledge your letter of July 3rd.

I was very gratified to read of the great strides that have been made in your community towards strengthening true Torah Yiddishket. At all times, efforts to strengthen our traditional faith had a priority claim on public-minded individuals; in our times such efforts are simply a vital necessity, especially in communities where there is an inadequacy of Torah institutions.

Moreover, efforts in the field of Kosher education are truly rewarding, because the accomplishments are lasting and cumulative. For every influence during the receptive and formative years of growing children and youths has a decisive effect on adulthood, as in the example of a seed or seedling, where even a slight defect, if not corrected, might irreparably damage the grown tree and its fruit for generations.

I would also like to emphasize, what is indeed self-evident, that inasmuch as the Torah and mitzvoth are the Truth, as the Torah is called “Torah Emeth,” and as our rabbis have also said, “There is no truth but the Torah (Jerushalmi, Rosh Hashanah, ch. 3, Hal. 8), there can be no room here for compromise and half-truths. For compromise and truth are absolutely contradictory.

Moreover, experience has long disproved the fallacy, perhaps well-meant, but quite misguided, that if you tell youths and adolescents the whole truth about the Torah and mitzvoth, they will be frightened away from Yiddishkeit. The contrary is true, for, give a lad or girl the whole truth about Yiddishkeit, they will accept it enthusiastically; dilute it—and you arouse their mistrust and antagonism. Similarly, in the case of adults who, for one reason or another, are as yet not straightened out on the question of the Torah and mitzvoth, they, too, will be impressed only by the feeling of awareness of the whole truth, while they will view with suspicion and derision any effort to dish the truth out to them in “palatable” pills which they could swallow in the estimation of those who would be presumptuous to think for them and judge their capacities.

In education, above all, gaining the child’s confidence is the teacher’s primary objective. The child is quick to detect the teacher’s sincerity, and sooner or later he will also find out whether or not he has been deceived by his teacher, no matter what the motivation was. Should the child lose confidence in the teacher for teaching him only half-truths, he will reject the whole.

On the occasion of Rosh Hashanah, the beginning of the New Year, may it bring true happiness to all our people, whom we all pray “For Thou, O G-d, art Truth, and Thy Word, O our King is Truth and endureth forever,” may every one of us resolve to spread the Truth, through the dissemination of Torath-Emeth, and make it a living truth in everyday life.

In the merit of this the Al-mighty will surely inscribe each and every one of the workers for Torah-true Yiddishkeit, in the midst of all our people, to a truly happy and prosperous New Year, materially and spiritually.

With blessing,

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“Always room for improvement”

By the Grace of G-d
9 Adar 5739
Brooklyn, NY

Greeting and Blessing:

This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 7th of Adar, in which you write about the proposed treatment, surgery, for I will remember her in prayer that whatever the decision, it should be with hatzlacha [success].

Inasmuch as you also ask my “advice” in this matter, I can only say in a general way that I am not in favor of radical treatment if there is any possibility of treating a patient in some other way.

I must also add that it is customary among Jews that when there is a difference of opinion among doctors as to the urgency of an operation, or whether to operate or not, it should be treated as any other sha’ala [question], to consult with a competent practicing Rov, with whom the various aspects and details of the case could be personally discussed, and he can then state his opinion in accordance with the Shulchan Aruch [Code of Jewish Law].

I trust there is no need to emphasize at length that one always needs the blessing of “The Healer of all flesh Who works wondrously,” and the channel to receive it through the everyday life and conduct in accordance with His Will, namely in accordance with the Torah and mitzvoth. When a special Divine blessing is needed, an additional effort in this direction is indicated.

While on the subject of the Torah and mitzvoth, as well as medical science, it is fitting to mention here the analogy between the two. As you know, medical science is basically an empirical science, relying primarily on actual experience and the effectiveness of drugs which has been proven by application and use. The understanding of how the drugs actually do their work is not of primary importance, and can be studied later.

The same is true of the Torah and mitzvoth insofar as the Jewish people is concerned. For our long history has proven beyond a doubt that the existence of the Jewish people is intimately bound up with the Torah and mitzvoth as a way of life, and this has been the only constant factor that has preserved our people at all times and in all places under all kinds of circumstances; whereas other factors that are important for other peoples, such as language, territory, etc., have been changing from time to time and from place to place, so that these cannot be considered determining factors in Jewish life.

I trust that you are using your privileged position of bringing cure and healing to your patients to encourage them to live up more fully to the Will of G-d in the everyday life, since there is always room for improvement in all matters of goodness and holiness, Torah and mitzvoth.

At this time, before Purim, I extend to you and yours prayerful wishes for a joyous and inspiring Purim.

With esteem and blessing,

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To receive to your inbox email: [email protected]

17 hours ago

The ‘Erev Shabbos Cleaners’ Will Now Close on Shabbos

COLlive17 hours ago

The ‘Erev Shabbos Cleaners’ Will Now Close on Shabbos

By COLlive reporter

Happy Dry Cleaners on Kingston Avenue has long been nicknamed “the Erev Shabbos cleaners” by many Crown Heights residents and visitors to the neighborhood.

Now, for the first time, it will no longer be open on Shabbos.

The longtime business at 316 Kingston Avenue, recently changed hands after its previous owner, Youn Bo Chon, retired at the age of 81. The store was purchased about a month ago by his niece, Lee Young Kim, who now owns and manages the business together with her husband, Sam.

The family also previously operated a second dry cleaning location in Queens, which has since closed, allowing them to focus entirely on the Crown Heights store.

One of the first changes under the new ownership will be closing the store on Shabbos, Mrs. Kim told COLlive.com.

“We want to respect the Jewish community and honor the Jewish day of rest,” she said. “From now on, the store will be closed on Saturdays.”

Happy Dry Cleaners had been the only business open on Shabbos along Kingston Avenue’s main shopping stretch. With the change, every store on both sides of that section of Kingston Avenue will now be closed on Shabbos.

The store’s new weekly schedule will be Monday through Thursday from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Friday from 7:00 AM until 6:00 PM, and Sunday from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

“We really appreciate it,” another local shopper said. “It shows respect for the community. Wishing the new owners lots of success.”

Kim said she and her husband are excited to begin this new chapter at Happy Dry Cleaners and look forward to serving the Crown Heights community for years to come.

17 hours ago

Picture of the Day

COLlive17 hours ago

Picture of the Day

He is seen with R’ Yisroel Lubecki, who oversees Mivtzoim activities in the city’s Marais district.

21 hours ago

Taharas Habayis Keeping Chosson Teachers Up to Date

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Taharas Habayis Keeping Chosson Teachers Up to Date

As part of Machon ‘Taharas Habayis’s new Chosson Teacher Training, a special shiur was held at the offices of the Badatz.

The Shiur on ‘Innovations in Women’s Health’ featuring Rabbi Yitzchok Melber, founder and director of Tahareinu.

Attended by the new cohort as well as veteran Madrichei Chassanim and Rabbonim, the lecture focused on the latest medical developments relevant to Hilchos Taharas Hamishpacha, including helping with fertility challenges.

In addition to those attending in person, tens of participants joined online.

Rabbi Melber was introduced by Rabbi Mendel Yusewitz, Director of Machon Taharas Habayis, who emphasized the importance of ongoing training for those entrusted with the vital shlichus of guiding Chassanim and helping young couples establish a true Chassidishe Yiddishe home on the foundations of Torah and Mitvzos.

A big Yasher Koach to Rabbi Menachem Mendel Rotenberg for his help in coordinating the Shiur.

Machon Taharas Habayis continues to strengthen the network of those involved in this vital shlichus, providing them with the knowledge and tools to guide young couples with clarity, sensitivity, and responsibility.

21 hours ago

Live: Daily Siyum Broadcast for the 9 Days

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Live: Daily Siyum Broadcast for the 9 Days

Today’s siyum will be given by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Holtzman, rabbi at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, on Maseches Eruvin.

How to Participate

The siyumim are delivered by a rotating lineup of rabbis.

Daily Alerts: Sign up at Chabad.org/SiyumSubscribe to receive notifications and never miss a session.
Radio Broadcasts: Tune in to WSNR AM 620 (New York) or WJPR AM 1640 (Florida).

Broadcast Schedule:

- Monday–Thursday: 7 PM ET | 4 PM PT
- Friday & Sunday: 2:00 PM ET | 11 PM PT
- Motzaei Shabbos: 11:00 PM ET

https://collive.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/whatsapp-video-2026-07-16-at-1.45.38-pm.mp4

23 hours ago

Wellesley-Weston Chabad Shluggers Are 2026 Champions

COLlive23 hours ago

Wellesley-Weston Chabad Shluggers Are 2026 Champions

After an outstanding season, the Wellesley-Weston Chabad Shluggers captured the 2026 Men’s Shul Softball League championship, defeating the league’s strongest competition. Competing in the league’s highest and most competitive level, the team proved that determination, teamwork, and heart can lead to something special.

Founded by Rabbi Moshe Bleich, who also serves as the team’s pitcher, the Shluggers have become much more than a softball team. While the championship is a remarkable athletic accomplishment, the team’s greatest impact is the community it has built both on and off the field.

As the league’s only Chabad team, the Shluggers proudly represent Wellesley-Weston Chabad every week, in a league of close to 50 Reform and Conservative Shul teams. The softball field has become a place where Jewish men from across the Greater Boston area connect, build friendships, and strengthen their Jewish identity. Whether it’s helping organize a minyan before a game, encouraging someone to put on tefillin, inviting players for Shabbos meals, or simply creating meaningful conversations, the team has become another avenue for sharing the warmth and values of Chabad.

For many players, the friendships formed through softball have led to deeper involvement in Jewish life and a stronger connection to the local community. The team’s welcoming atmosphere has made it easy for newcomers to feel at home, regardless of their background or level of observance.

“This team has always been about more than wins and losses,” said Rabbi Bleich. “Softball brings people together, and when people come together, incredible things can happen.”

Winning the championship is a proud milestone for the Shluggers, but those involved know the real success lies in the relationships they’ve built and the positive impact they’ve had on the Jewish community.

Congratulations to Rabbi Moshe Bleich and the entire Wellesley-Weston Chabad Shluggers on an unforgettable championship season. May they continue to achieve success both on the field and in their mission of bringing Jews together through friendship, community, and mitzvos.

From Reb Levi Yitzchok: The Kabbala of Og’s Iron Bed

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From Reb Levi Yitzchok: The Kabbala of Og’s Iron Bed

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
Devorim

For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon.
3:11

Question’s

A) Why was Oig’s bed made out of Iron – ברזל?

B) Why can’t we build the Beis Hamikdash with Iron?

C) Why is the Kodesh Hakodoshim called
חדר המטות?

לקוטי לוי יצחק , אגרות קודש ע׳ תיז

ילקוט לוי יצחק על הגדה של פסח
– מכתב יא ניסן תצר״ח

Get The Weekly Shiur On Whatsapp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Gespf7sF2KKK0opfrv3SVO

For more shiurim and podcasts visit: irguntorah.org

Hanhalos Gather for Festive Dinner and Main Session at Kinus

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Hanhalos Gather for Festive Dinner and Main Session at Kinus

After a full day of sessions and meetings, the hanhalos and chavrei tzevet of the Lubavitcher Yeshivos came together Monday evening, 28 Tammuz, for a banquet supper at Anshei Lubavitch in Crown Heights.

This is the part of the Kinus where the learning of the day gives way to sitting together, a room full of mechanchim who carry a great deal through the year, finally at one table.

The Kinus is organized by Igud Yeshivos Lubavitch, a division of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, and draws the staff of a network of 62 yeshivos in twelve countries.

Rabbi Mendel Itzinger, director of Igud Yeshivos, opened the evening with words of welcome.

Between the courses, a series of short videos highlighting guidance that various educators, mashpiim, even bochurim, received from the Rebbe, followed by an address from leading hanholas, bringing the idea ideas presented on the video into practical guidance today.

The addresses kept returning to the heart of what the men in the room do. Rabbi Moshe Binyomin Perlstein, Dean of Lubavitch Mesivta of Chicago, spoke on caring for every need of the bochur, the whole bochur and not only his learning.

Rabbi Nochum Kaplan, Director of the Merkos Chinuch Office, spoke on the mesirah u’nesinah the work asks of a mechanech, the giving that has no clock.

Rabbi Nota Gerlitzky brought regards from the yeshivos of Eretz Yisroel and spoke on following the counsel of the mashpia.

Rabbi Shloima Zarchi, Menahel Poel of Central Yeshiva 770, encouraged participants to rededicate themselves and see each boy for his particular needs.

The evening continued with a central session for mashpiim, addressed by Rabbi Nachman Yosef Twersky, Rabbi Nachman Shapira and Rabbi Dov Ber Korf, and moderated by Rabbi Yisroel Noach Lipsker. It brought the mashpiim of the yeshivos together around the heart of what they do, the quiet, personal work of a mashpia with his talmidim, the work that rarely makes a schedule but holds a bochur together.

Well past the official end of the evening, anyone walking past Albany Avenue late Monday night would’ve seen clusters of educators huddled in groups, excitedly continuing the discussions, networking, and addressing the next steps to bringing the days discussions into their classes.

11th Kinus Mechanchos Nearly Sold Out

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11th Kinus Mechanchos Nearly Sold Out

The 11th annual Kinus Mechanchos Chabad is nearly sold out as over 600 Chabad women educators from around have already registered to attend this largest-ever Chabad Chinuch event, in honor of 50 years of Mivtza Chinuch.

Scheduled to take place on 21-22 Av / August 4-5 in Stamford, CT, the Armon Hotel, which has been rented exclusively for the Kinus, has only a few rooms left, and the Menachem Education Foundation encourages educators who would like to attend the full, two-day program to register before it sells out. Once spots are completely filled up, a waitlist will open, and MEF will seek to accommodate everyone as best as possible, setting up Mechanchos in a nearby hotel if needed.

Educators look forward to attending the Kinus year after year for a chance to connect with each other, their Shlichus and their subjects, and this year’s program is bringing an unprecedented schedule to today’s women educators. From five star workshops with guest presenters including: Rav Menachem Mendel Gluckowsky, Rabbi Dr. Dovid and Mrs. Debbie Fox, Sarah Rivka Kohn, Pearl Stroh, Dr. Sara Rosenfeld and Nicki Salfer, to multiple networking groups and a gala Chinuch banquet, this year’s program will cover the most important topics in Chinuch, tying together Chassidishe Hashkafah and tried and true methods.

The extended schedule in honor of 50 years of Mivtzah Chinuch, includes an Ohel program the night before the Kinus on Chof Av / August 3, which will allow for more time for workshops and networking throughout the two day event. This year’s resource fair will allow Mechanchos to shop from tens of brands and curriculum companies to outfit their classrooms and lessons with the highest quality products.

Inspiration centered around themes of Mivtzah Chinuch, such as a 12 teacher panel on the 12 Pesukim, and a farbrengens centered on the Rebbe’s Chinuch teachings will help Mechanchos internalize these important messages as we celebrate 50 years of the Rebbe’s call.

The first-ever Hebrew workshops track has gathered a large number of registrants from all corners of the world, growing the Kinus into the largest program yet. Mechanchos have come to know the Kinus as a place of connection to each other, their subjects and their Shlichus of Chinuch, and the Menachem Education Foundation invites Chabad women educators to register before the program completely sells out.

To find out more and register, visit chinuchconvention.org to register today.

Follow MEF’s Whatsapp Status and Instagram account for live Kinus updates and Chabad Chinuch inspiration.

Group Photo: Tenth Kinus Hanhalos

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Group Photo: Tenth Kinus Hanhalos

103 House Democrats Back Failed Bid to Cut Israel Aid

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103 House Democrats Back Failed Bid to Cut Israel Aid

By COLlive reporter

A proposal to eliminate $3.3 billion in annual U.S. security assistance to Israel exposed a growing divide within the Democratic Party this week, as 103 House Democrats voted in favor of cutting the aid package that has long served as a cornerstone of the U.S.-Israel alliance. The amendment, introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), was defeated by a bipartisan vote of 314-104.

The amendment sought to remove all funding for Israel from the State Department appropriations bill. While it had little chance of becoming law, the vote marked one of the largest displays of Democratic opposition to military aid for Israel in recent years. Democratic leaders themselves were divided, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries opposing the amendment while Minority Whip Katherine Clark voted in favor.

Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-Brooklyn), who represents Crown Heights, supported maintaining aid to Israel. Other New York Democrats who did the same were Hakeem Jeffries, Gregory Meeks, Grace Meng, Dan Goldman, Laura Gillen, Joseph Morelle, George Latimer, Tim Kennedy, Adriano Espaillat, and Jerry Nadler. Freshman Congressman John Mannion (D-N.Y.), however, voted in favor of cutting the aid. Republicans from New York also voted against the proposal.

Although the amendment failed decisively, the vote underscored the growing debate within the Democratic Party over continued U.S. support for Israel, a relationship that for decades has enjoyed broad bipartisan backing in Congress.

Single Mother From the Community Fallen Into Crisis

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Single Mother From the Community Fallen Into Crisis

A single mother from the community has fallen upon a crisis. Her marriage of many years fell apart in difficult circumstances, and she is left caring for 4 children alone. Sadly and unfortunately, her ex-husband is refusing to contribute his share towards the support of the children, and the bills have grown and grown.

Going to camp and vacation is a normal thing for most families but for these beautiful kinderlach they didn’t have those privileges, and now school is starting, tuition and the beginning year expenses are a lot to cope with.

Raising a large family is a challenge for a happily-married couple—for a single mother, it can seem like an impossibility. She is facing a daunting challenge: juggling housework, caring for her little ones, and earning a living, all without the support of the children’s father. Her expenses have simply outpaced the income she can bring in, and she has fallen deeply into debt.

Any parent understands just how expensive the summer months have become. Between camp tuitions, trips, and daily activities, the cost of keeping children safe and occupied is a major financial undertaking for any family. When a crisis hits, these expenses are the very first things that have to be cut.

For this family, camp was simply out of the question. With no school in session and no camp to go to, these kids spent their summer cooped up at home with nowhere to go, while their mother tried to balance working, childcare, and basic survival entirely on her own.

For a household with four children, these summer fees quickly add up to an impossible figure that no single parent can manage alone. Providing the means for children to go to camp during a family crisis isn’t just a luxury; it is a vital necessity that gives them structure, keeps them active, and relieves an enormous physical and emotional burden from a mother who is already doing everything she can just to keep her family afloat.

Click Here To Help This Family
Righteous Helping is a non-for-profit 501(c)(3) federally tax-exempt charitable organization. (Tax ID: 92-3827720)

Campaign is Endorsed By Harav Shlomo Segal, Rabbi Mendel Feller, Zalmen Hertz

Two New Seforim of Rabbi Kalmenson Published

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Two New Seforim of Rabbi Kalmenson Published

Nine months after his sudden passing on Rosh Hashana, two new seforim of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Kalmenson z’l were published and are now available for purchase.

For nearly five decades, Rabbi Kalmenson z”l, with the unwavering support and encouragement of his beloved wife Mrs. Hindy Kalmenson, shaped the minds and hearts of thousands of students as a devoted Shliach of the Rebbe and the esteemed Rosh Yeshiva of Beis Dovid Shlomo in New Haven. Rabbi Kalmenson z’l left an indelible mark on Jews of all backgrounds, through his daily mivtzaim route and his loving interactions with the many Yidden he would encounter when he visited his children on shlichus around the world.

While his physical presence was anchored in the classroom, his profound Torah insights reached far beyond Connecticut through his highly acclaimed series of seforim.

Rabbi Kalmenson’s Kovetz Reshimos Shiurim—a masterful collection of analytical treatises on the Talmud—quickly became a staple in study halls across the world. Celebrated for their exceptional clarity and intellectual depth, these works earned the rare and specific praise of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who highlighted the tremendous Kiddush Chabad they brought to the broader, global Torah community.

After Rosh Hashana, one of the many letters of condolences came from Yehudah Sidorsky of Lakewood. Expressing the sentiment of many, he wrote, “The hakoras hatov that I have to the great niftar is tremendous. I have gained so much from his seforim, each shtikel so geshmak, each one a masterpiece. His humility and middos tovos were truly inspiring.”

In the weeks leading up to his passing, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Kalmenson z’l worked tirelessly on preparing the texts for two new volumes on Sukkah, stressing to the editor his urgent desire to complete them before Rosh Hashanah.

Baruch Hashem, these seforim, which were the last project he worked on, are now on the bookshelves of seforim stores in Israel (coming soon to the US) and are available for purchase online here.

Special thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Tuvia Schottenstein for spearheading the sponsorship of these two volumes, as well as many individuals who generously contributed to the seforim campaign. May Hashem bless each one of you bountifully for this special zchus!

The Rebbe teaches us, “V’Hachai yiten el libo,” which means, “and the living should take to heart.”

There’s a special opportunity to continue the legacy of Rabbi Kalmenson z’l by helping to bring the remaining Seforim to print.

In addition to the 17 seforim of Rabbi Kalmenson z’l which are already in print, manuscripts for an additional 8 seforim exist and are being prepared for publishing with the renowned Machon Yerushalayim printing company.

To take part in the tremendous mitzvah of spreading Torah and Chassidus and perpetuating the life and teachings of the righteous Rabbi Kalmenson z’l, you can click here and be a sponsor for one of the coming seforim.

The cost of preparing and sending each sefer to print is over $15,000.

Dedication Opportunities:
$3,600: Sponsor
$1,800: Partial Sponsor
$360: Dedication of a Siman (chapter/section)

Any amount is deeply appreciated and will help bring this beautiful initiative to fruition. All donations are tax-deductible. We bless you for your participation and eagerly await the coming of Moshiach, when we will be reunited with our loved ones once more.

Fastest-Growing Shlichus Demographic Gathers for Kinus

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Fastest-Growing Shlichus Demographic Gathers for Kinus

This past week, nearly 100 Chabad Young Professionals (CYP) Shluchim from around the globe gathered in Austin, Texas, for the annual CYP International Kinus, a two-day conference filled with learning, collaboration, and renewed inspiration.

Hosted by Rabbi Mendy and Mussy Levertov of Chabad Young Professionals Austin, together with CYP International, the Kinus brought together both veteran and newly appointed CYP Shluchim to strengthen one another and explore new ways to reach the thousands of young Jewish professionals seeking meaningful Jewish connection and community across the globe.

“It is truly incredible to host Shluchim and friends in our Chabad House,” said Rabbi Levertov. “It’s especially meaningful to welcome fellow CYP Shluchim into a center built specifically for young professionals. At the moment, there are only a handful of dedicated CYP centers in the world, and iy”h there will soon be many more. The Kinus always uplifts and re-energizes us as we head into another busy year of working and learning with our communities.”

As the fastest-growing demographic in Shlichus, Chabad Young Professionals has expanded from just 37 communities in 2019 to 321 communities worldwide today.

“Today’s young Jews face enormous challenges, yet they aren’t settling for the status quo, they’re seeking something more and are turning to their shluchim for that guidance,” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Chairman of CYP International and Director of the International Conference of Shluchim. “The Rebbe taught us the importance of focused Kinusim to allow the Shluchim to draw strength from one another and recommit to their mission.”

The Kinus opened with chavrusa learning, followed by a welcome luncheon and an interactive “Open Space” session in which Shluchim collaborated on the opportunities and challenges they face in their communities. Throughout the conference, participants shared practical ideas, successful initiatives, and innovative approaches to strengthening Jewish life for young professionals.

Among the program’s highlights were sessions led by Rabbi Mordechai Farkash, CYP International Rov and Shliach in Bellevue, WA, who guided participants through the practical Halacha and Hashkafah behind the sensitive issues they navigate daily, from birur yahadus to tznius.

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Rebbe’s Shnas HaChinuch campaign and the launch of the Twelve Pesukim, the Kinus featured a special presentation in which twelve Shluchim presented on one of the Twelve Pesukim, sharing how its message shapes their personal approach to Shlichus and continues to guide their daily work with young Jewish professionals.

The conference also included workshops on leadership and organizational growth to help Shluchim better serve their communities while keeping meaningful personal relationships at the center of their work.

One of the highlights of the Kinus was the gala, themed around the power of Torah study. Rabbi Yosef Levertov, Head Shliach of Austin, Texas, began the evening by welcoming the Shluchim and local CYP community members who made the Austin Young Professionals Center possible. Rabbi Shmully Levitin of CYP Hoboken and Jersey City spoke about the impact of Torah study in his community and shared details of a new yeshiva program he launched in memory of Johney Ellis, A”H.

The gala was followed by an all-night farbrengen, complete with spontaneous dancing, where Shluchim shared openly, encouraged one another, and strengthened friendships spanning communities across six continents.

“Hosting this gathering in such a beautiful CYP Center shows every Shliach what’s possible, and what’s needed,” said Rabbi Beryl Frankel, Director of CYP International. “But ultimately, the vision happens through small moments, one-on-one friendships and communities built around Torah study.”

As the Kinus came to a close, Shluchim returned to their communities carrying fresh inspiration, practical tools, and a renewed commitment to building vibrant Jewish communities for thousands of young professionals around the world.

“The true importance of a Kinus is what comes after,” said Rabbi Nissi Lepkivker, Assistant Director of CYP International. “These Kinusim allow us to hear directly from the Shluchim about what’s needed on the ground. We’re excited to implement and launch these ideas throughout the coming year”

Shluchim interested in launching a Chabad Young Professionals community are encouraged to email [email protected] for more information.

L’Chaim: Maximov – Lubin

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L’Chaim: Maximov – Lubin

70 Bochurim Complete Meseches Bava Kamma By Heart

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70 Bochurim Complete Meseches Bava Kamma By Heart

Seventy bochurim in Shiur Daled of Beis Medrash Oholei Torah celebrated an extraordinary accomplishment by completing the entire Meseches Bava Kamma baal peh in less than nine months.

Each year, hundreds of bochurim join Shiur Daled to spend a year learning in the Rebbe’s daled amos. This year, under the leadership of Rabbi Elchonon Lesches, Menahel of Shiur Daled, a comprehensive Mivtza Torah program challenged participants to master the entire masechta while taking rigorous written tests throughout the year.

Because Bava Kamma is one of the longest and most demanding masechtos in Shas, known for its complex sugyos, the goal initially seemed ambitious.

“Many of the chapters in Bava Kamma are challenging and demand a high level of engagement,” said Rabbi Lesches, “There was concern that only a small number of bochurim would commit to such an undertaking. Instead, these bochurim used every spare moment to learn, completing the masechta baal peh in just nine months and elevating the atmosphere of learning throughout the Zal.”

The Mivtza was coordinated by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Wolvovsky, Shiur Daled Maggid Shiur, who established the learning schedule and prepared and graded the biweekly examinations. “Day after day, after regular seder, the bochurim remained fully immersed in the sugyos, constantly reviewing, asking questions, and pushing themselves to keep pace,” he said.

In recognition of their dedication, participants who maintained outstanding test averages received a $236 cash award, corresponding to the 236 amudim of Meseches Bava Kamma, while additional participants who successfully completed the program received prizes in recognition of their achievement.

The Siyum was made by HaTomim Yaakov Finkelstein of Johannesburg, South Africa, who expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Hanhalah for creating a framework that inspired consistent growth and achievement. The celebration served as a powerful testament to the extraordinary diligence, perseverance, and hasmadah of the bochurim, and to the vibrant atmosphere of Torah that defines the Beis Medrash of Oholei Torah.

Rabbi Benjy Korf Visits Ckids Gan Israel in Florida

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Rabbi Benjy Korf Visits Ckids Gan Israel in Florida

Rabbi Benjy Korf, Head Shliach to the state of Florida, made a special visit to Ckids Gan Israel FL, marking 70 years since the Rebbe founded the first Gan Ysroel overnight camp in NY, starting the largest Jewish camp network worldwide.

The camp gathered for a rally where campers said pesukim, davened to Hashem, and gave tzedaka.

One camper shared his story – how camp brought him from public school to Yeshivah and why he keeps coming back year after year.

Rabbi Korf told the campers the story of the Baal Shem Tov and Reb Avraham, the teacher, who was willing to risk his life rather than convert. Today, Rabbi Korf explained, we don’t need to risk our lives to be Yidden – our task is to live as proud Yidden.

The message carried special weight at Ckids Gan Israel FL. Opened six years ago by Rabbi Levi and Mrs. Chaya Plotkin specifically for secular Jewish children, the overnight camp, together with a top team of married staff and bochrim, gives these kids a fully immersive Jewish experience and the most fun summer of their lives.

The rally was followed by the first ever performance of the Ckids Gan Israel FL boys choir, singing “Wake Up Yidden.” Rabbi Korf explained the power of children calling out, “We want Moshiach now.” The campers sang so loud that the lights were shaking, literally.

Rabbi Korf closed by giving each child a dollar to give to tzedaka and treat for themselves.

Camp is on a roll and just getting started.

Take a look at the camp here:
www.instagram.com/ckidsganisraelflorida/

Dangerous Air Quality, Heat Wave in New York on Thursday

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Dangerous Air Quality, Heat Wave in New York on Thursday

Mayor Zohran Mamdani today expanded the City’s response as dangerous heat continues through Thursday and smoke from Canadian wildfires worsens air quality across New York City.

Thursday’s heat index is forecast to reach the low 90s, while air quality is expected to fall into the “Unhealthy” category. New Yorkers are urged to stay in air-conditioned spaces whenever possible, limit time outdoors, stay hydrated and check on neighbors. Older adults, people with heart or lung conditions, pregnant people, children and infants face the greatest risks.

“The combination of dangerous heat and unhealthy air is a serious threat to New Yorkers’ health,” said Mayor Mamdani. “If you can, stay somewhere cool with air conditioning, limit your time outdoors, drink plenty of water and check on your neighbors — especially older New Yorkers and anyone with a health condition. Our administration is opening cooling centers, distributing free masks and expanding outreach across the five boroughs. We’ll get through this the same way we always do: together.”

“Outreach workers, librarians, firefighters and police officers are handing out masks in every borough, and cooling center staff are opening doors to anyone who needs relief. That’s the City’s emergency management system at work,” said NYCEM Commissioner Christina Farrell. “Everyday New Yorkers are part of that system too. Limit your time outdoors, check on your neighbors, especially anyone having trouble breathing or managing a health condition, and text NOTIFYNYC to 692-692 so you know the moment conditions change.”

Mayor Mamdani is extending the City’s Heat Emergency Plan through Thursday. Hundreds of cooling centers will remain open, and outreach teams will continue intensified efforts under Code Red to connect homeless New Yorkers with safe, air-conditioned spaces.

New Yorkers can find cooling centers, including accessible and pet-friendly locations, at finder.nyc.gov/coolingcenters/ or by calling 311. Service animals are always welcome.

Smoke from wildfires in Canada is bringing elevated levels of particulate matter into New York City. Air quality reached levels classified as “Unhealthy” in parts of the city Wednesday and is expected to remain poor Thursday.

Free KN95 masks are available at more than 200 New York Public Library, Queens Public Library and Brooklyn Public Library locations, all NYPD precincts, nine FDNY firehouses, four major transit hubs and through partnerships with the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT), Economic Development Corporation (EDC), Department for the Aging (NYC Aging) and local council members.

New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) has directed principals to significantly limit outdoor activities. Schools are rescheduling outdoor field trips and ensuring ventilation and air conditioning systems are operating effectively.

NYC Parks is canceling many of its outdoor programs, including swim programs for children and infants, and moving camp activities indoors where possible. The agency will continue to monitor air quality and visibility and adjust programming, including beach and pool operations, as conditions warrant.

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), NYCEM and the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH) are coordinating closely to protect outdoor workers. DCAS has also issued guidance to City agencies on remote work.

New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts by texting NOTIFYNYC to 692-692.

More information on staying safe during extreme heat is available at nyc.gov/beattheheat, and guidance on wildfire smoke is available at on.nyc.gov/firesmoke.

For the latest AQI in your area, visit www.AirNow.gov.

The Retreat Where Shluchim Step Back to See Their Moisad From Outside

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The Retreat Where Shluchim Step Back to See Their Moisad From Outside

Ten Shluchim, from eight years on Shlichus to more than fifty, gathered at a retreat for M54’s Shluchim Cohort 5, for three days of Chassidus, organizational health work, and farbrengens that stretched into the early morning.

In a large home on the Long Island Sound, ten Shluchim gathered to do something they rarely have the chance to do: step back from the moisad they carry day and night, and look at it from the outside.

They came as participants in M54’s Shluchim Cohort 5 – Organizational Health. One has been on Shlichus for eight years; another for more than fifty. Some run small two-person operations, others lead large and complex organizations. What brought them together was a shared aim: to learn to see their moisad as a system of its own, to notice where its energy is well spent and where it drains away, and to discover how to make it truly effective.

The work began long before anyone arrived at the retreat. In six weekly ninety-minute Zoom gatherings, the Shluchim learned to hold the picture of their organization in their mind and to recognize the four elements of an organizational system. Each gathering opened with a section of the classic avoda Maamar Lo Tee’heye Misha’kayla, which the Rebbe recited in 5712 (1952). Before the retreat, each Shliach sent a questionnaire to everyone working in his moisad, measuring the health of the organization through the eyes of the people inside it.

The retreat opened not with a lecture but with stories. Each Shliach shared the perspective he first went out on Shlichus with, and how it has ripened into something uniquely his own, the L’datecha the Rebbe spoke about in the Sicha of Parshas Shlach 5749 (1989). One recalled his yechidus with the Rebbe in the early lameds. Another spoke of the instructions he received from Rabbi Chodakov. One grew up non-observant, another is a third-generation Shliach, and another was born after Gimmel Tammuz. It was the first of many moments over the three days that felt less like a session and more like a farbrengen.

From there, the Shluchim were introduced to the Avoda Pnimis framework developed by M54, known as the Soular System, built on three movements: Noticing, Unpacking, and Doing. This framework lies at the root of all the work done together, and it framed everything that followed. Each Shliach then received his moisad’s Organizational Health Diagnostic, a report that tells the story of his moisad as a system in the voices of the people who work in it.

This diagnostic was not handed over casually. Each Shliach first read it alone, then reviewed it with a chavrusa, and only then did the group gather to share what they had learned. As Rabbi Mendel Gurkow of Shaloh House Chabad of Stoughton, MA, later reflected, “Through this retreat we realized that in every Shlichus there is inner success, and in every Shlichus there is inner room to grow.”

The days that followed moved between the practical and the deeply personal. Shluchim used metaphors to describe their Shlichus and traced the themes and patterns running through their shared experiences. They learned about role clarity and decision making to reduce organizational confusion, how to hold people accountable, and how to turn a seeming failure into a learning experience. “To me, this retreat was a refreshing and stimulating summer camp-like experience for Shluchim,” said Rabbi Alex Kaller of Chabad Russian Center in Sunny Isles Beach, FL. “A perfect balance of a three-day-long farbrengen and a methodological, hands-on seminar that taught practical tools for being more organized, systemic, and attentive to the processes in the moisdos we run. And of course, the daily cheese board!”

One question kept surfacing in conversations throughout the retreat, because it touches nearly every Shliach: what does it mean to work with family on Shlichus, whether a spouse or a child? The Rambam’s framing of relationships, learned in one of the Zoom gatherings leading up to the retreat, offered them language to see it: the Instrumental, a relationship built for getting something done together, where hierarchy and power are a necessary part of the work; and the Intimate, the friendship of confidence, where hierarchy and power undermine it. On Shlichus, both live in the same home, and the work is learning to carry them together and navigate between them. Can you fire a child for incompetence in the afternoon and have him over for a BBQ in the evening?

Each Shliach had the chance to bring a real dilemma from his organization before the group. His peers thought about it with him from a systemic perspective, not offering solutions, simply helping him see it more broadly. “Areas of Shlichus that have no place to surface in any other space come forward here in a constructive manner,” one participant observed.

The Shluchim also learned the Art of Listening: how to practice bitul by helping a fellow be truly seen in a conversation and find his own meaning in what he is sharing. The same skill, they discovered, can be turned inward, to uncover what is really going on beneath a situation. And they explored what makes the culture of an organization, and how it can be changed.

Each of the three mornings began with Chassidus: one third of the Maamar Ve’ata Tetzaveh, the foundation of M54. And in between the sessions, the connections deepened on their own: over meals, on walks, and at late-night gatherings around a fire pit, where Shluchim shared about themselves and learned from one another.

“I cannot remember an event of this type, a seminar, a course, or a retreat, that so beautifully blended authentic chassidishe concepts with such professional and sensitive application,” reflected Rabbi Yisrael Deren of Chabad of Connecticut.

Toward the end of the retreat, the Shluchim returned to their Organizational Health Diagnostics, this time to imagine forward: three or four concrete outcomes they would like to see in their moisad a year from now.

The final night was an eight-hour farbrengen that stretched into the early hours of the morning. Shluchim spoke of the joys of being a Shliach, the deep challenges and dilemmas they face, and the stories they carry. At one point, a Shliach gifted another a personal artifact he had from the Rebbe. At another, a Shliach quietly made a large gift to a fellow Shliach facing financial difficulties. By then, the distances the group had arrived with, between eight years on Shlichus and fifty, between a small moisad and a sprawling one, had quietly disappeared.

“This is what the Kinus should be like,” one participant reflected. “Real and relevant work, and deep, authentic connections among Shluchim, regardless of status.”

The work is far from over. In the weekly Zoom gatherings following the retreat, the Shluchim will develop strategies for integration to strengthen their organizational systems and reach the outcomes they envisioned for the coming year. “This is something that needs to be scaled to more Shluchim,” one participant urged, “even making it a requirement before going out on Shlichus.”

Beneath the frameworks and diagnostics lies the real aim: Shluchim more energized and empowered to do the Rebbe’s Shlichus, and to bring nachas to the Meshaleach.

This is the twelfth M54 Shlichus cohort: five Shluchim Cohorts, five Shluchos Cohorts, and two Fellowships for Avoda Pnimis. M54: The Institute for Insourcing – עבודה פנימית was founded in 2021 by Chanie and Peretz Chein, Shluchim to Brandeis University, who, together with Stephen (Shimon) Markowitz of Yerushalayim, have been facilitating the cohorts.

“M54 has enabled my wife and me to reach new heights in our Shlichus, and we see it in the feedback from our students and community,” said Rabbi Binyamin Murray of Chabad of Middlebury, VT. “Unlike other trainings, it shows how to build organizational strength through the Osios of Chassidus.”

M54 iy”h will be launching four new cohorts:

Shluchim Cohort 6 – Organizational Health
Shluchos Cohort 6 – Avoda Pnimis
NEW! Anash Men Cohort 1 – Avoda Pnimis
NEW! Anash Women Cohort 1 – Avoda Pnimis

To receive an update when applications open for each of the cohorts, click here.

Day One of The Tenth Kinus for Yeshiva Staff in Crown Heights

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Day One of The Tenth Kinus for Yeshiva Staff in Crown Heights

On Monday 28 Tammuz, menahalim, mashpiim and magidei shiur from Lubavitcher yeshivos around the world came together at Anshei Lubavitch in Crown Heights for the opening day of the tenth annual Kinus Hanhalos V’Chavrei Tzevet.

The two-day gathering, convened by Igud Yeshivos Lubavitch, a division of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, brought together the staff of a network that today spans 62 yeshivos in twelve countries, supporting roughly 3,200 bochurim.

What began ten years ago as a small gathering of a handful of hanhalos has grown into the one time each year when the people carrying the yeshivos, from the largest zal in Crown Heights to a mesivta with two shiurim across an ocean, sit in the same room. That was the theme the opening session returned to. Before a word was said, the room understood why it had come, to strengthen the yeshivos one network – to learn from one another, and for each to return home with fresh ideas and renewed energy to work with their students.

The program was split into parallel tracks so that each member of the hanhala could spend the day with the sessions closest to his own work: a track for menahalim, a track for mashpiim, and a track for magidei shiur.

The menahalim opened with Rabbi Yosef Lustig on guiding menahalim through their first decade in the role, the years when the questions come fastest. A second session took up the best working methods for running a yeshiva day to day.

In the mashpiim track, Dr. Rosenthal presented on reading a bochur through his handwriting and his face, a practical set of tools for a mashpia trying to understand the talmid in front of him before a word is exchanged.

In the second room, Rabbi Nota Gerlitzky of Karmi Sheli – the branch of Igud Yeshivos in Eretz Yisrael – took up how to guide talmidim b’inyonei kedusha, one of the most delicate parts of a mashpia’s work today, and one the room clearly came to hear.

The magidei shiur track turned to the coming year’s learning. A presentation on Vehogisa 5787 walked the maggidei shiur through the structured Gemara and Halacha curriculum for the new zman and the direction it is taking, followed by sessions on the craft itself, how a maggid shiur builds and delivers a shiur that reaches a room of mixed levels.

Late in the afternoon the tracks came back together for a joint panel on the question every person in the building lives with, how to reach the bochur beyond the four walls of the classroom. Expertly chaired by Rabbi Mendel Sasonkin of Michigan, Rabbi Moshe Feiglin, Rabbi Uri Perlman and Rabbi Zalman Raksin drew on the range of the room, veteran mechanchim and newer staff, in a conversation that will carry into practical support through the year.

Following a talk by Rabbi Yosef Wiesenfeld, framed around the strengths already built into the Lubavitcher yeshiva system and how a hanhala can draw them out, the afternoon closed with parallel tracks: a session on guidance for Mechanchim by Rabbi Nochum Kaplan, director of Chinch Office, and a mastermind workshop, led by Rabbi Moshe Lieblich.

A ‘mastermind’, Rabbi Lieblich explained, is a group of peers who meet regularly, and each member in turn puts a real challenge on the table and the others give him their honest read and their counsel.

After learning how they work The hanhalos broke into mastermind groups and held a live session, each man bringing a challenge from his own yeshiva to his group.

And it does not end with the Kinus. The groups are set to keep meeting through the year – like most sessions at the Kinus, one afternoon’s give and take became something a member of staff will lean on all year round.

Live: Daily Siyum Broadcast for the 9 Days

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Live: Daily Siyum Broadcast for the 9 Days

Today’s siyum will be given by Rabbi Mendel Greisman, Shliach to Northwest Arkansas, on Maseches Chagigah.

How to Participate

The siyumim are delivered by a rotating lineup of rabbis.

Daily Alerts: Sign up at Chabad.org/SiyumSubscribe to receive notifications and never miss a session.
Radio Broadcasts: Tune in to WSNR AM 620 (New York) or WJPR AM 1640 (Florida).

Broadcast Schedule:

- Monday–Thursday: 7 PM ET | 4 PM PT
- Friday & Sunday: 2:00 PM ET | 11 PM PT
- Motzaei Shabbos: 11:00 PM ET

https://collive.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/whatsapp-video-2026-07-15-at-6.01.23-pm.mp4

Nightly Siyum for the Nine Days at 770

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Nightly Siyum for the Nine Days at 770

A special daily Siyum Mesechta will take place at 770 Eastern Parkway throughout the Nine Days, providing participants with the opportunity to conclude a tractate of Gemara each day in accordance with the longstanding custom of increasing in Torah study during this period.

The Siyumim will take place from Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av and continue through the 15th of Menachem Av, following the directive to mark the Nine Days with daily siyumim.

On weekdays, the siyum will be held each evening at 9:45 p.m. sharp, at the center of 770, following Maariv. On Shabbos, a siyum will take place after each tefillah.

The first night’s Siyum was done by Rabbi Eliezer Halon. Tonight will be done by Rabbi Mendel Zalmanov.

For those unable to attend in person, the weekday siyumim will also be available live. Video broadcasts will be streamed on 770Live.com, while an audio line will be accessible by calling 718-682-0770.

The organizers encouraged members of the community to participate in person or remotely and to take part in the increased Torah learning customary during the Nine Days.

New Business? How to Land Your First Clients Even If Nobody Knows You Yet

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New Business? How to Land Your First Clients Even If Nobody Knows You Yet

By Chava Shapiro, CHYE

At CHYE we get some version of this question all the time from people who are just starting out:
“I’m launching my business and I need clients. But I don’t have a portfolio full of past work or a big network to lean on yet. Where do I even start?”

It’s a fair question. When you’re brand new, lead gen can feel like a chicken-and-egg problem: you need clients to build credibility, but it seems like you need credibility to land clients.
The good great news is that you can build both at the same time. It doesn’t have to take months or years. You can start right now, and see traction in a matter of weeks.

Most people assume they need a big social media following, a fancy website, or money to invest in paid marketing before they can land good clients. So they spend a month agonizing over brand colors and a weekend building a 57-page business plan nobody asked for.

It feels productive. It might even look productive. But it’s really just a sophisticated way of avoiding the few things that will actually move the needle for your business.
Most people are surprised to hear that you don’t actually need any of those things to get started. What you do need is just a clear message, a willingness to reach out to people, and the commitment to serve the first few who say yes so well that they can’t help but talk about you.

So, let me break down exactly how I’d go about landing my first clients if I were starting from scratch today.

1. Nail your one-liner
Before you reach out to a single person, write a really good one-liner that concisely communicates who exactly you serve, the problem you solve for them, and the positive outcome clients can expect when they work with you.

Slow way down here. I know the instinct is to rush past it and get to the “real” work, but this line is the real work. It’s the foundation of everything else I’m going to recommend you do.

Every email, every intro, every conversation gets easier once this is nailed down.

A vague “I do marketing” or “I’m a fractional CFO” gets a vague shrug. People nod politely, and then they forget you the moment you walk away. A sharp, specific one-liner does the opposite. It makes it instantly obvious who someone should send your way. It sticks in people’s minds, and when they bump into the right person a week or a month later, your name comes back up. In other words, a good one-liner basically does the referring for you.

The magic is in the specifics. “I help people with their finances” is forgettable. “I help SaaS founders who just raised a Series A finally get clean books and a forecast they can trust” is something a listener can act on.

Here’s the litmus test: If a stranger can hear your line and immediately think of a specific person who needs you, you’ve got it right.

If you want some help crafting yours, I recommend watching this short video from Donald Miller (author of Building a Storybrand), which walks through a one-liner exercise along with some great examples:

Once you’ve got a draft, don’t just leave it in a doc somewhere. Write it down on a piece of paper and keep it in your wallet. Pull it out, read it, and practice it out loud until it rolls off your tongue.

Then test it on real people. Say it to the person next to you in the grocery line: “Hey, I’m working on a one-liner about my business—mind if I try it on you and tell me if it’s clear what I do?” Most people are happy to help. If their eyes light up with “oh, so you do X,” you’re there. If they hesitate or ask a clarifying question, you’ve found the fuzzy part.
Try it on family and friends too, especially the ones who don’t really know what your business does. And keep refining it—a great one-liner usually isn’t the first draft. It’s shaped and honed by every blank stare and every “oh, that’s cool” you collect along the way.

2. Work your network
Once you have your one-liner, it’s time to put it to work. And that starts with the people you already know.

First, make the longest list you can of everyone in your world. Because your network always starts with the people you already have a connection with:
Past clients
Colleagues
Friends
Family
Old connections from previous jobs
People you’re connected to online

Just start a running list and keep adding. You’ll quickly realize you know a lot more people than you thought you did.

Now, take that list and give everyone a score from 1 to 5 in two categories:
How likely they are to be somehow connected to your ideal client
How close you are with them, meaning how much they already like you, how strong the relationship is, and how much they’d genuinely want to see you succeed

One is low, five is high. Add up each person’s two scores.

The highest totals are your best connection opportunities. Anyone scoring 8 or above is a strong connection for your business, and those are the ones to reach out to first. From there, work your way down to the people in the 5-to-7 range, and then the lower scores after that.

Start with the lowest-hanging fruit: that top tier, one email, text, or phone call at a time. You’re strengthening relationships and spreading the word at the same time. Tell them what you’re up to, using the one-liner you just wrote:
“Hey! [Insert introductory pleasantries here.] I recently started a business. I help [these people] solve [this problem] so they can [get this result]. Do you know anyone who fits that description who I could connect with?”

Make it simple, clear, and easy for them to act on. And don’t forget to follow up if they don’t respond the first time. People are busy, life is always life-ing, inboxes are crowded. A friendly nudge a week later is appreciated and expected. As they say, the fortune is in the follow-up.

3. Strengthen your LinkedIn presence
LinkedIn is where a brand-new business owner can punch way above their weight. It lets you build visibility and relationships without needing a long track record to lean on yet, which is exactly what you want when you’re just getting going.

It’s also where people will look you up. When someone hears your name, gets introduced to you, or is deciding whether to take a meeting, one of the first things they do is check your LinkedIn—especially if you don’t have a website yet. For a lot of new business owners, your profile is your homepage right now. That means it’s doing double duty: helping new people discover you, and reassuring the ones who already have your name that you’re the real deal.

(Note: I’m focusing on LinkedIn here because it’s the best fit for most of the service-based businesses I work with. But if another platform is where your ideal clients actually spend their time, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, wherever, then great, that’s where you should be. Most of these tips still apply no matter the platform. Just translate them to fit.)

A few things to focus on:
Optimize your profile
Pay special attention to your headline, especially the first few words of your headline. Those first few words are what people see when you comment on someone’s post, and they’re often what decides whether someone clicks through to learn more about you. Use the same thinking from your one-liner: make it clear who you serve, the problem you solve, and the result you deliver.
From there, write a Profile that speaks to your ideal client’s problem instead of reading like a résumé. Showcase whatever work you have in the “Featured” section, even if it’s one strong sample or a personal project. Ask a former manager or colleague for a recommendation. And use a clean, professional header image and headshot.

Post strategically
When you post, focus on selling the vehicle.

What I mean by that is this. Tips and stories and how-to content is nice, but it doesn’t necessarily make people want to buy from you. The majority of your posts should be about why what you do matters. It should make the case for why they should care.

For example: A marketing consultant should post about why every business needs a real marketing strategy: what happens when you don’t have one, what it costs you, what becomes possible when you do. An accountant should post about why knowing your numbers changes everything, the mistakes people make when they’re flying blind, the peace of mind that comes from clarity.
Make people want the thing you provide. Once they believe they need your vehicle to get them where they want to go, you’re the obvious person to give them a ride. You’ve already demonstrated you understand the problem better than anyone else in their feed.

Comment to extend your reach

Engage with posts from influential people in your target audience’s world, and from potential referral sources. A thoughtful comment gets you seen by everyone following that person and everyone engaging with the post, giving you reach far beyond your own network.

But don’t comment just to comment. Make it insightful, ask a smart question, or add a useful resource. The goal is to show you know your stuff and leave a memorable impression. You’ll often find these conversations continue naturally in the DMs, which is exactly where you want them to go.

Reach out to people who view your profile
If your posts and comments are adding value and your headline is clear, people will start checking you out. It’s worth investing in a LinkedIn plan that shows you who viewed your profile so you can follow up. Something as simple as, “Hey, saw you viewed my profile, thanks! Let me know if I can ever help with anything. Curious what you’re working on these days?” works great.

Keep the focus on them. Be curious, friendly, and helpful, and resist the urge to pitch. Just start a conversation, compliment their work, or ask about their ideal clients so you can refer people their way. If it feels right, suggest a quick call to explore a referral relationship. It’s all about building the connection first.

4. Hustle for your first 3 clients
If you’ve done the work in the last three steps, your first three clients are already within reach. They’ll most likely come from the network you’ve been mining in step 2 and the LinkedIn conversations you’ve been starting in step 3.

Focus on landing those first three, even if that means doing the work for free or for not very much money at the start. I know that can feel counterintuitive, but getting those first three clients matters far more right now than what you charge them.

Those first three clients are your launchpad.

Serve them incredibly well. Go above and beyond. Delight them so thoroughly that they walk away thrilled with your work and a little amazed at what it was like to work with you.
Every one of those clients knows other people they can recommend you to, and there’s nothing more powerful than a genuinely happy client singing your praises.

That’s how you get the referral wheel turning, and you want it turning as soon as you possibly can.

5. Turn them into killer case studies and testimonials
The results you get for those first three clients are proof, and proof is exactly what you’re missing when you’re new. A strong case study lets you walk into any conversation, whether it’s a warm referral, a cold outreach message, or a discovery call, with evidence that you can do what you say you can do.

A good case study tells a simple story: where the client started, what you did, and where they ended up. Capture the before (the problem they came to you with and what it was costing them), the work (what you actually did, kept brief and focused on your thinking, not a task list), and the after (the result, with real numbers wherever you can get them). “Increased their leads by 40% in two months” is far more powerful than “helped with their marketing.”

If you don’t have hard numbers, use the client’s own words. An authentic quote from them about how the work felt and what changed for them can be just as persuasive.

So while you’re delivering great work, keep track of the results, and once you’ve wrapped up, ask each client for a testimonial and permission to share their story. Most happy clients are glad to help.

Now you’ve got three pieces of proof you can reference in DMs, drop into proposals, feature on your website, and pull up whenever a prospect asks, “Have you done this before?”

From there, keep nurturing the relationships you’ve been building, referencing the work you’ve done for these clients.

People do business with people they know, like, and trust. The more you build personal connections, and the more clearly your one-liner tells people exactly what you do, who you do it for, and what problem you solve, the faster your business is going to grow.

A little pep talk before you go

The above tips may be simple. But that doesn’t mean they’re easy. Not even for people who’ve been in business for years. (Ask me how I know!)

Statistically, the vast majority of people who read this article won’t act on it, even when they know, deep down, that these strategies have a real shot at bringing them clients.
Why? Because putting yourself out there when you’re brand new feels vulnerable. The fear of hearing “no” is loud, and it’s easy to let that fear talk you out of the very things that would move you forward.

But if you take only one thing from this article, let it be this: if you take these actions now – putting yourself out there, connecting with people, telling them who you serve, you’ll be in the minority. Most people avoid doing uncomfortable things. And that’s exactly why doing it is what sets you apart. Your willingness to be uncomfortable is your advantage.
Will it be awkward and vulnerable at times? Yes. Will you need to grow a little thicker-skinned and learn to let the brush-offs slide? Without a doubt. Will some people ignore you, even outright reject you? Absolutely. Will it sting a little every time? Probably.

But should you push through and do it anyway?

If you’re serious about getting your business off the ground, the answer should be obvious.

Remember, there’s no failure. Only feedback. So don’t wait until you feel ready. The people who build thriving businesses are the ones who start before they feel ready, and let one small action after another build their clarity and momentum.

Start today. Send the first email. Have the first conversation. Then do it again tomorrow.
Because your future clients are already out there, waiting for someone exactly like you.

At CHYE, we work closely with entrepreneurs at every stage—from startups to established businesses—helping them navigate these exact challenges with clarity, structure, and experienced mentorship.

If you’re building a business today, remember that long-term success is rarely built through shortcuts or appearances. It’s built through patience, discipline, and consistent focus over time.
Those foundations may not always look exciting in the moment—but they are what ultimately create real freedom, stability, and lasting success.

At CHYE, we’re here to support you at every stage—whether you’re starting, growing, or navigating challenges

Book a free mentorship session:
Level8 NYC Mentorship Session

Chava Shapiro is a copywriter, messaging strategist, marketing consultant, and business mentor for CHYE. Through her boutique copywriting and web agency, Show Me the Copy, she helps businesses clarify their message and turn it into a catalyst for measurable revenue and growth. She’s also the founder of Creative CEO Academy, a high-touch business accelerator and mentorship program that takes solo service providers from overwhelmed and “winging it” to consistent $10K–$20K months without the burnout, stress, and overwhelm.

Shluchos Prepare to Lead JLI Women’s Trip to Israel

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Shluchos Prepare to Lead JLI Women’s Trip to Israel

When the Women’s Land & Spirit Israel Journey was first announced, something extraordinary happened.

Shluchos around the world immediately began reserving their places. Conversations with community members became commitments, and women who had dreamed of Israel for years finally found themselves saying, “This is the trip I’ve been waiting for.”

Now just about three months away, the inaugural Women’s Land & Spirit Journey is already more than half full, with spots filling quickly.

For the first time, JLI’s acclaimed Land & Spirit program is offering an Israel experience created exclusively for women, led by Shluchos alongside the women they have inspired, guided, and cherished.

“This journey was created with your women in mind,” says Mrs. Shaindy Jacobson, program director of Women’s Land & Spirit. “It’s far more than a visit to Israel. It’s an opportunity to experience the soul of our people together—to pray together, study together, laugh together, sing together, and return home forever changed.”

Throughout seven unforgettable days, participants will visit the timeless places where Jewish history lives: from the Kosel, Kever Rochel, Me’aras Hamachpelah, and Ir David, to Shiloh, Caesarea, and beyond. They will travel to Sderot and the Nova Festival site to hear firsthand accounts of October 7 and witness the extraordinary resilience of the Jewish people. And they will host female IDF combat troops for a soulful yet lively barbecue dinner complete with live music, dancing, and heartfelt connection that can only happen between sisters deeply rooted at their core.

Alongside these powerful moments will be the signature Land & Spirit experience: luxurious accommodations at Jerusalem’s David Citadel Hotel, gourmet cuisine, inspiring speakers, powerful and uplifting classes, soulful music, spirited dancing, meaningful entertainment, and countless opportunities for connection, reflection, and joy.
Now, for the first time, Shluchos have the opportunity to share this life-changing experience with the women they know best, thereby transforming lives, strengthening Jewish identity, and deepening bonds that will only continue to grow into a lasting love for Torah and Mitzvos.

Every Shlucha can picture her: The woman searching for meaning. The woman carrying quiet questions. The woman who gives endlessly to everyone around her but rarely gives herself this kind of gift.

She may not know it yet, but the invitation that changes her life could come from you.

Because this journey was created for her.

With the inaugural Land & Spirit Women’s Trip now more than halfway full, Shluchos interested in bringing a group are encouraged to register soon before the remaining places are spoken for.
The Land & Spirit Women’s Trip will take place October 19–25, 2026.

For registration or more information, Shluchos are encouraged to contact JLI’s dedicated Shlucha liaison Sara Krasnanski at [email protected].

Full itinerary, pricing, and registration details are available at www.landandspirit.org/women.

Women to Join the Global Shidduch Challah Bake

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Women to Join the Global Shidduch Challah Bake

By Rivkah Groner

Each year, the Global Challah Bake reminds us of a profound truth: no matter where we live, every Jewish woman is part of one family.

Living in Australia, I am separated from many of my family and friends by thousands of kilometres. Yet, each year on Erev Shabbos Nachamu, the Friday closest to the Fifteenth of Av, when I prepare my challah, say the bracha, and perform the mitzvah of hafrashas challah, I don’t feel alone. I know that at that very moment, Jewish women across the world are performing the very same mitzvah. Together, we form an unbreakable chain stretching across continents, generations, and communities.

The Rebbe taught that every mitzvah has the power to bring more light into the world. When countless Jewish women perform the same mitzvah together, united with love for one another and with heartfelt tefillos on behalf of those waiting for their shidduch, that light is multiplied beyond measure. This is the true meaning of Ahavas Yisrael—many individuals, yet one heart.

With the dough in my hand, I begin to daven. One by one, I quietly say the names of my children, my friends’ children, and other precious young men and women waiting to find their shidduch. On this special Erev Shabbos, joining together with so many other women around the world, I feel as though I am whispering every name directly into Hashem’s ear.

It is impossible not to be moved by the knowledge that on this Erev Shabbos, women around the world are doing the same. Together, our tefillos rise as one. The oceans that separate us no longer matter. We are united by faith, by love, and by a mitzvah that has connected Jewish women since Sarah Imeinu first welcomed Shabbos into her home.

As we gather for the Global Challah Bake, may we strengthen our bond with one another and with Hashem. May our collective mitzvah and our united tefillos open channels of bracha for every Jewish home, bring joyful shidduchim to all those waiting, and hasten the day when the ultimate unity of the Jewish people will be revealed with the coming of Moshiach.

May it be now.

⸻

Now It’s Your Turn.

This year, you too can be part of this extraordinary global movement of tefillah, unity, and hope.

How You Can Participate

Challah Bake International forms WhatsApp groups of 100 women. Before the bake, each participant receives a list of the submitted names of the singles from her group.

When separating challah in her own home, every woman reads through the names, keeping each one in mind during this powerful moment of tefillah.

At the same time, each participant strengthens two additional mitzvos by:

• Giving tzedakah.

• Taking on a hachlata either to light Shabbos candles or to encourage at least one other Jewish woman to light.

To complete the circle of these three special mitzvos, participants are encouraged to learn more about mikvah or donate to a mikvah of their choice—a meaningful segulah for those waiting for their shidduch and, ultimately, to build a home founded on Taharas HaMishpachah.

Participants will also have the opportunity to donate to Mikvah Mei Chaya Mushkah.

Hosting a Challah Bake?

Whether you’re baking on your own, hosting friends, leading a community gathering, or are a Shluchah organizing a local event, you can register and represent everyone participating with you.

Highlights

• IY”H, all submitted names will once again be read at the Ohel.

• Participants will receive an uplifting video message from Mrs. Manya Lazaroff (Texas, USA), inspiring us in the spirit of Torah, Tefillah, and Tzedakah.

• Those who register early will also receive daily inspirational Torah thoughts from:

Esther Sternberg – New York, USA
Keren Vardi – Jerusalem, Israel
Goldie Simpson – Johannesburg, South Africa
Simcha Azulay – São Paulo, Brazil
Sheina Caytak – Ottawa, Canada
Menucha Cooper – Melbourne, Australia
Sorah Shemtov – New York, USA
Risha Deutsch – Bucharest, Romania
Rivky Wilansky – Moscow, Russia

Last year’s testimonials and photos poured in from participants around the world expressing gratitude, inspiration, and the feeling of having been part of something truly holy.

This is your opportunity to experience that same feeling and join thousands of Jewish women in one mitzvah, one tefillah, and one heart.

JOIN NOW
Click here to register:
https://challahbakeinternational.com/sign-up

May all our tefillos, mitzvos, and ma’asim tovim be accepted and answered l’tovah b’karov!

ArtScroll Marks 50th Anniversary With Massive Sale, Giving Away Over $50,000 In Prizes

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ArtScroll Marks 50th Anniversary With Massive Sale, Giving Away Over $50,000 In Prizes

In celebration of its 50th anniversary, ArtScroll has launched a five week sale unlike anything in the company’s history, offering readers the lowest prices ever seen on hundreds of titles.

It began July 7th and running through August 9th, ArtScroll will feature 50 different books and sforim on sale each week, all at 50% off. Over the course of the five weeks, that adds up to 250 titles at their lowest prices ever. Each week’s sale is only available for that week, and once the week ends, those prices are gone for good.

Week 2 of the sale is now live, featuring 50 more titles at half price. Shop this week’s sale here.

Alongside the sale, ArtScroll is giving away more than $50,000 in prizes over the five week period, with no purchase necessary to enter. Each week, one winner will receive a $10,000 ArtScroll gift card at list price, along with an additional $10,000 in weekly prizes that include digital libraries, exclusive book sets, and special items and experiences not available for purchase anywhere else.

Entering is simple: submit one entry, and it counts toward all five weekly giveaways. Enter the giveaway here.

Picture of the Day

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Picture of the Day

https://abcharity.org/Save

RABBI SHMUEL CHAIM BLUMING: 𝐔𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐓 – SAVE A 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘 𝐈𝐍 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 THAT IS 𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

COLlive2 days ago

RABBI SHMUEL CHAIM BLUMING: 𝐔𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐓 – SAVE A 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘 𝐈𝐍 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 THAT IS 𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

A FAMILY IN OUR COMMUNITY WITH CHILDREN WHO HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS HAS BEEN STRUGGLING WITH SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL HARDSHIP AND ONGOING CHALLENGES.

DESPITE SINCERE EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES, FACTORS BEYOND THEIR CONTROL HAVE CAUSED THE BURDEN TO BECOME OVERWHELMING. THERE IS NOW A VERY SERIOUS RISK OF THE FAMILY LOSING THEIR HOME AND BEING LEFT ON THE STREETS.

YOUR SUPPORT CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE IN ENSURING THAT THIS FAMILY AND THEIR CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO KEEP A ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS.

ESPECIALLY NOW, DURING THE NINE DAYS, WHEN WE MOURN THE DESTRUCTION OF THE BEIS HAMIKDASH AND BESEECH HASHEM TO SEND THE GEULAH, WE TURN TO ACHEINU BNEI YISROEL AND PLEAD: רחמנים בני רחמנים — PLEASE LEND A HELPING HAND AND HELP THIS FAMILY AS GENEROUSLY AS YOU CAN DURING THIS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TIME.

EVERY CONTRIBUTION MAKES A DIFFERENCE. EVERY DOLLAR IS A LIFELINE.

גדולה צדקה שמקרבת את הגאולה

The campaign is endorsed by Harav Shmuel Chaim Bluming of Crown Heights.

Keren Mamosh Announces This Year’s Mitzvah Tank Grant Recipients

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Keren Mamosh Announces This Year’s Mitzvah Tank Grant Recipients

After receiving scores of applications for the new Mitzvah Tank Initiative, Machne Israel’s Keren Mamosh has announced the winners of the grants.

Three winners will each receive $18,000 to be used for the purchase and outfitting of a Mitzvah Tank.

The winners are:

Rabbi Tal & Chava Shaul – San Antonio, Texas

Rabbi Zusha & Yael Neymark – Ayia Napa, Cyprus

Rabbi Boruch & Tova Chazanow – Manalapan, New Jersey

“We are deeply appreciative to Keren Mamosh for awarding us this grant. We are confident that our mitzvah tank will help create a ripple effect of Ahavas Israel throughout all of San Antonio and surrounding areas, affecting also those who are intimidated about the thought of stepping into a synagogue,” said Rabbi Tal Shaul.

Machne Israel established Keren Mamosh in the days following Gimmel Tammuz 5754 to strengthen Chabad-Lubavitch institutions and carry forward the Rebbe’s mission. For more than three decades, it has supported initiatives that bring that vision to life.

To learn more and to contribute to Keren Mamosh, visit: Magbis.org/keren-mamosh

Air Quality Alert for New York City Due to Wildfire Smoke

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Air Quality Alert for New York City Due to Wildfire Smoke

Most of the Tri-State Area, including New York City, is under an air quality alert Wednesday and Thursday due to smoke from Canadian wildfires.

The alert is also due to ground-level ozone. New Yorkers can expect to see smoke over the five boroughs during the mid-morning hours.

The updated advisory now includes the Long Island, New York City Metro, Lower Hudson Valley, Upper Hudson Valley, and Adirondack regions with a forecast as unhealthy for sensitive groups. The Eastern Lake Ontario, Central New York and Western New York regions are forecast as unhealthy.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is forecast to reach Level Orange (AQI between 101-150) – Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups and may be unhealthy for those sensitive to air pollution (older adults over 65 or children younger than 14, pregnant individuals, outdoor workers, and those with medical conditions such as heart or lung disease or respiratory issues such as asthma). The risk of air quality-related health impacts from outdoor activities remains low for healthy people.

Officials from the city’s emergency management department said the air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Children, older adults and those who are pregnant or have other medical conditions are advised to limit time outside.

“Know the warning signs: coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain, and unusual fatigue. If symptoms are severe — especially difficulty breathing or chest pain — seek immediate medical attention or call 911,” emergency officials stated.

Affected people also should consider wearing a KN95 or N95 mask if they must be outside. Free masks are available at some public libraries and firehouses.

For the latest AQI in your area, visit www.AirNow.gov.

Support the MCM Auction: Click here

A Glimpse Inside Mikvah Mei Chaya Mushka

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A Glimpse Inside Mikvah Mei Chaya Mushka

Some places are difficult to describe.

You can talk about beautiful architecture. You can speak about thoughtful design. You can explain the importance of Taharas Hamishpacha and the role it plays in building strong Jewish homes.

But some things are best experienced.

As we welcome Rosh Chodesh Av, we’re inviting you to take a few minutes to step inside Mikvah Mei Chaya Mushka through this beautifully produced short film.

For more than a decade, Mikvah Mei Chaya Mushka has welcomed thousands of women with warmth, dignity, and care. It has become a place where kallahs begin married life with confidence, where women reconnect with one of Judaism’s most cherished mitzvos, and where Jewish homes are strengthened, one visit at a time.

Whether you’ve been inside before or have never had the opportunity, we hope you’ll take a few moments to experience what makes this mikvah so special.

If the video inspires you, we invite you to become part of its story by supporting this year’s MCM Auction. Every ticket helps ensure that thousands of women continue to experience this beautiful mitzvah with the beauty, warmth, and dignity it deserves.

Special thanks to Bracha Torenheim and the talented team at TOP Media for producing such a beautiful and inspiring film for the Mikvah Mei Chaya Mushka Auction.

L’Chaim: Sitorsky – Osdoba

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L’Chaim: Sitorsky – Osdoba

Living with the Times Marks Seventh Year Bringing Parsha to Life

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Living with the Times Marks Seventh Year Bringing Parsha to Life

As the new school year approaches, teachers are once again preparing lesson plans, setting up classrooms, and organizing materials. One thing they don’t have to worry about is their Dvar Torah curriculum—because Living with the Times is back for its seventh successful year.

Now entering its seventh year, the Living with the Times Dvar Torah curriculum has become a trusted and beloved resource for educators across the country. Designed for grades 4–7, the curriculum presents the weekly Parsha through the lens of Likkutei Sichos (Chelek Aleph–Daled), providing a structured yet flexible framework that teachers can easily adapt to the needs of their classrooms.

Each lesson is thoughtfully designed to engage students while giving teachers the flexibility to teach in the style that works best for them. Every Parsha includes:

•⁠ ⁠A clear Parsha summary
•⁠ ⁠A captivating story
•⁠ ⁠An optional section to learn part of the sicha inside
•⁠ ⁠Hands-on activity ideas
•⁠ ⁠A PowerPoint presentation
•⁠ ⁠Review questions

Teachers consistently praise the curriculum for making meaningful Torah learning both engaging and practical.

As one educator shared:

⁠”This curriculum is a pleasure to teach. My students love the stories and visuals, and most importantly, they leave class with something meaningful to share at the Shabbos table.”

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our generous sponsors, Moshie and Yardena Lipsker, whose ongoing support enables us to make the curriculum available to schools at a significantly reduced cost.

As we begin our seventh year, we look forward to helping even more students connect with the weekly Parsha in a meaningful, engaging, and lasting way.

To learn more or view a sample lesson, please visit livingwiththetimes.com.

Kashrus Shiur: Does Cereal Need to be Pas Yisroel?

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Kashrus Shiur: Does Cereal Need to be Pas Yisroel?

Kollel Anash of Crown Heights had the honor of hosting a shiur by Rabbi Yitzchok Hanoka on Pas and Bishul Akum. Rabbi Hanoka serves as a senior Mashgiach for the OK kashrus. For many years he worked hand in hand under the direction of his father-in-law, Rabbi Don Yoel Levy AH, the longtime kashrus administrator of the OK.

Rabbi Hanoka discussed how Pas and Bishul Akum is dealt with in restaurant and company settings. He addressed whether someone needs to be frum for it to be considered Pas or Bishul Yisroel. As well, whether these dinim apply to steamed or smoked products. Among the topics addressed were different types of lox fish, cereals, potatoes chips and Pringles.
Rabbi Hanoka also addressed the differences between Ashkenazi and Sefardi psak regarding Bishul Yisroel. The Sefardim are more stringent with these dinim.

For the past fourteen years, Kollel Anash has been dedicated to assisting young married men master the laws of Shabbos and Taharas Mishpachah. The halachos are studied in-depth, from the sources in Gemara and Rishonim all the way down to halacha lemaaseh. The Kollel also has a unique three-year track for studying the halachos of Choshen Mishpat.
Kollel Anash is located at Congregation Anash 770 Montgomery Street and is under the leadership of Rabbi Michoel Lerner. The Kollel was founded and is sponsored by Rabbi Dovid Fischer, Rov of Congregation Anash.

Watch Rabbi Hanoka’s shiur here:

Letting Chabad Singles Fall Through the Cracks

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Letting Chabad Singles Fall Through the Cracks

By anonymous

What the team at MetatChabad does is incredible. I am not here to argue that. Our ultimate desire is for the Jewish nation to multiply and grow and it starts by making Jewish matches. If I was growing in my Judaism in a city without a flourishing Jewish community I would be so grateful that Chabad and my Rabbi is there to help me.

While I was reading the recent article on COLlive.com I couldn’t help but relate to most of what was written.
_
“You’re 27. Or 30. Maybe you’re 35.
You’ve decided you want to settle down and get married.
Where do you go?”_

I’m 27, 31, 36, 42 years old.
I’m from CH, FL, LA, Europe.
I’m a BT, I’m Chabad FFB, I’m Chabad Sefardi.
I’m the child of a BT, I’m the child of Chabad FFB parents, I’m the child of Chabad Sefardi parents.
I live with my family, I live alone, I live with roommates.
I work in Chinuch, I work in business, I work in medicine.
Where do I go?

“They don’t have a community introducing them to people. They don’t have a shadchan calling with ideas. They don’t have friends constantly thinking of suggestions. They don’t have a system. And that loneliness is something most people never see.”

I’m here to tell you that, unfortunately, my experience is the same. I haven’t heard from friends or Shadchanim in many many months. And this is the reality for many of my friends as well.

The “loneliness is something most people never see” is the greatest statement of all.
Being single is the loneliness stage of life. There may be many of us navigating this road but we are each doing it alone. We have Emunah and Bitachon that things can change at any minute but it’s been years. We’re tired.

Our minds are constantly spinning the following questions like a merry-go-round:

For how long do I go about my daily routine hoping something will change today?
How long do I wait for a Shadchan or friend to send me a suggestion?
How do I go about my life as a single person in a family oriented community?
How much longer do I need to distract and keep myself busy to avoid spiraling over my unknown future?
How many more weddings and Brisim do I need to attend before my own?
How many more friend outings or house visits do I need to be an Aunty or Uncle at instead of a parent?
When do I move to my own home and take my kids to school?
What happens when my friends will celebrate their son’s bar mitzvah soon but I’m still searching for my spouse?

What you may not realize is that many Chabad singles fit in the exact same category as the singles you describe. The difference? We don’t have a Shliach or a Rabbi looking out for us. We don’t have a fancy app to help us. The pain is immense.

So while it’s great that we are helping the Chabad affiliated singles, we are simultaneously letting Chabad singles fall through the cracks.

I would even venture to say that a broken Shidduch system is worse than no system.
Without a system, I would be subject to less pain and frustration when I don’t receive responses or suggestions from Shadchanim and friends. Without a system, I wouldn’t be rejected for the color of my hair or the ethnicity of my parents on my resume.

Without a system, parents would give their children, who are of marriageable age, more authority to make decisions on their own.

This is what I’m hoping to convey to you.
And this is where you come in. The pain is immense but can be slightly less so with your support. It’s time we step up as a community and as friends.

If you have a single friend, check in with them and see how they’re doing. Even a simple text can make a difference.
Invite them for a meal or Shabbos or even Havdalla so they don’t have to do it themselves.
Send them lunch at work.
Invite them away for Shabbos with you.
Prioritize one-on-one quality time with them without your husband or children present.
And, of course, send Shidduch suggestions!

If you’re a Shadchan or someone with matchmaking experience, consider dedicating yourself to older singles who do not currently have anyone advocating for them.

Married friends who say, “Enjoy being single and free!” “You’re so lucky you don’t have to wake up in the middle of the night to a crying baby!” “You don’t have to worry about finances because you’re only one person!”, do not understand how painful their comments are. They do not understand the pain of being alone. The pain of not having a partner or kids to tend to. The strong desire to wake up in the middle of the night to feed my child.

I’m reminded of famous Chabad singer Yoni Z who was hosted on the Stories of Hope podcast with his wife (a week after his wedding!). He shared something that isn’t being shared enough.

He shared that his singlehood was a difficult time filled with a pain that he and Ashley vowed to never forget. He debunks the myth that singles tend to become less religious after the age of thirty. “I didn’t become less religious,” Yoni cries, “I just didn’t have anyone to do the Mitzvos with.” Going to Shul becomes harder when more and more of your friends are wearing a Talis and holding their child’s hand. Sitting in the Sukka becomes harder when you have to sit alone. Finding six meals for a three day Yom Tov is hard! It’s much easier to just stay home Friday night, eat a sandwich, and go to bed. Lighting one Shabbos candle for so many years is painful when your whole upbringing and education teaches you the beauty of marriage and two candles. “And you almost don’t want to do certain things because you don’t want to do it alone.”

The lack of meaningful support for older Chabad singles is one of the most overlooked issues in our community. It’s heartbreaking-and it’s time we did something about it.
Thank you.
[email protected]

Tesla Cybertruck Turned Into a MitzvahTruck to Travel USA

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Tesla Cybertruck Turned Into a MitzvahTruck to Travel USA

By COLlive Reporter

At first glance, it looks like a vehicle built for the future. With its bold design and unmistakable appearance, the Tesla Cybertruck naturally turns heads wherever it goes. But this one was created for a purpose far greater than transportation.

This week, a unique new initiative was unveiled. A “MitzvahTruck” dedicated in memory of Rabbi Zvi Kogan HY”D, the Chabad shliach in the United Arab Emirates who was murdered in November 2024.

The custom Cybertruck was introduced by Jewish influencer Shloime Zionce in a video shared on social media. Its purpose is to carry forward Rabbi Kogan’s lifelong mission, bringing Yiddishkeit and mitzvos to Jews wherever they may be.

The idea behind the project is simple. Take something that naturally captures people’s attention and use it as a vehicle, both literally and figuratively, for spreading mitzvos.

The MitzvahTruck will travel to different locations and serve as a mobile center for Jewish connection, giving people opportunities to put on tefillin, learn about Judaism, light Shabbos candles, and experience the warmth of Jewish life.

For those who knew Rabbi Kogan, the project carries a particularly powerful message. Rabbi Kogan was known for his boundless energy, warm smile, and unwavering dedication to reaching every Jew, regardless of background or location. Whether assisting a visitor in Dubai or strengthening the local Jewish community, he was constantly looking for another opportunity to create a connection.

His murder sent shockwaves throughout the Jewish world. In response, his family, friends, and countless people inspired by his life have continued to honor his memory by adding more light, more mitzvos, and more acts of kindness.

The MitzvahTruck embodies that response. It is not simply a tribute parked in one location, but a moving reminder of Rabbi Kogan’s message, carrying his mission forward wherever it travels.
The Cybertruck may be what catches people’s eyes, but the real power of the project lies in the moments it will create. A Jew putting on tefillin for the first time, someone lighting Shabbos candles, or a conversation that brings a person one step closer to their heritage.

In that way, Rabbi Kogan’s work continues, one mitzvah at a time.

Click here to donate now.

New Shluchim to Maricopa, AZ

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New Shluchim to Maricopa, AZ

A new chapter for Jewish life in Maricopa, AZ begins this summer as Rabbi Dov Ber and Rivka Fridman, together with their family, establish the city’s first Chabad Center.

Maricopa is one of the fastest growing cities in the state, and there is as of yet, no Jewish infrastructure in the city. There are many Jews who would very much like to connect with their Judaism, and that is the goal of the new Chabad House.

Every dollar helps—regardless of the amount—and every gift will be matched dollar for dollar, doubling your impact.

Thank you in advance for being part of this historic journey and helping build a warm Jewish home for Maricopa.

Chabad Beis Din Asked to Tackle Soaring Sheitel Prices

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Chabad Beis Din Asked to Tackle Soaring Sheitel Prices

By COLlive reporter

After years of complaints about the steady increase in wig prices, a new campaign is taking shape that could bring significant change.

Attorney Nechama Tzivin is advancing an initiative to secure halachic intervention regarding wig pricing, arguing that current prices constitute excessive price gouging that places a heavy burden on many families.

The initiative was sparked by a case in which a wig was reportedly sold for approximately ₪48,000 – about $16,000 USD. According to the organizers, this case illustrates the dramatic rise in wig prices in recent years and underscores the need for intervention by the rabbinical court.

As part of the effort, a formal claim is expected to be filed with Beis Din Rabbonei Chabad in Israel in the coming days. Similar claims are also planned for rabbinical courts serving the Litvish and Chassidic communities, with the goal of developing a broad communal position on the issue.

According to the organizers, the primary request is for the rabbinical courts to examine the matter and consider ways to oversee wig pricing and prevent excessive price inflation, with the aim of easing the financial burden on many families.

As of now, no response has been issued by representatives of the wig industry, nor have they provided an explanation for the high prices of wigs.

Visiting Day at Camp CGI Chayolei

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Visiting Day at Camp CGI Chayolei

9 Days Siyum Broadcast Live for 51st Year

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9 Days Siyum Broadcast Live for 51st Year

How to Participate

The siyumim are delivered by a rotating lineup of rabbis.

Daily Alerts: Sign up at Chabad.org/SiyumSubscribe to receive notifications and never miss a session.
Radio Broadcasts: Tune in to WSNR AM 620 (New York) or WJPR AM 1640 (Florida).

Broadcast Schedule:

- Monday–Thursday: 7 PM ET | 4 PM PT
- Friday & Sunday: 2:00 PM ET | 11 PM PT
- Motzaei Shabbos: 11:00 PM ET

https://pardesdayschool.org/ai

Jewish Educators Invited to Pardes AI Challenge

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Jewish Educators Invited to Pardes AI Challenge

Some of the strongest new ideas in Jewish education may already exist, hidden inside one teacher’s Drive folder, one administrator’s workflow, or one school WhatsApp chat.

Pardes Day School in Miami Beach has launched the Pardes Day School AI for Education Challenge, a new global competition for Jewish educators.

The Challenge is open to Jewish educators everywhere: teachers, moros, rebbeim, administrators, specialists, IT experts, and support staff.

“Some of the best ideas in Jewish education never travel farther than one classroom or one WhatsApp chat,” said Rabbi Dr. Levi Druin, principal of Pardes Day School. “We created this Challenge to find that work, celebrate the educators behind it, and let it inspire the field.”

The competition is intentionally broad. Entrants may submit anything real they made with AI that helps education and works today. For example: a worksheet, a math review game, a kriah practice tool, a prompting method, a teaching video, a parent-communication workflow, a chatbot, a curriculum tool, or administrative automation. No coding is required, and technical sophistication is not a judging category.

“We are not looking for the most complicated build,” Rabbi Dr. Druin said. “We are looking for something that solves a real problem and genuinely works. One excellent worksheet system may have more impact than a polished app nobody uses.”

Entering requires a write-up of up to 200 words explaining the problem and the solution, along with a video of up to two minutes showing the work in action. The entire process takes about ten minutes.

The video does not need to be polished. An entrant’s face never needs to appear, narration is optional, and a silent screen recording counts. Entrants may upload a video directly from a phone or paste a publicly viewable video link. An additional link to the work itself is optional, but entrants are never required to hand over their tool, prompts, code, or files.

The Challenge will award more than $5,500 in prizes. First Place receives $2,400 toward the AI plan or tools of the winner’s choice, along with a seat on next year’s judging panel. Second Place receives $1,200 and Third Place receives $1,000, also toward the AI plans or tools of the winners’ choice. A separate $1,000 cash Educators’ Choice Award will be selected by the entrants themselves, with each entrant ranking their top three finalist videos and nobody permitted to vote for their own entry.

Entries will be reviewed by a five-person panel that was assembled deliberately as a mix rather than a bench of technologists. Because the Challenge judges educational impact rather than technical polish, Pardes wanted school leaders, veteran classroom teachers, and IT experts sitting alongside those who create and build with AI, so that a simple worksheet system gets weighed as seriously as a fully coded app.

The judges are Avrohom Eliezer Friedman, who has run IT at YTCTE in Miami for more than 20 years and runs a large school-IT community chat; Katy Horowitz, Head of School of Pardes Day School and its preschool division, Gan Katan; Lavi Klein, an AI creator who runs OpenAEye and makes music with AI; Hershy Lasry, an experienced AI builder and coder who works with more than 15 of the largest Jewish schools in the United States; and Chaya Light, a veteran educator from Monsey focused on what actually helps teachers day to day.

Responsible use is a firm requirement. Entries may not include student names, faces, records, grades, or private information. Educators are instructed to use dummy data when demonstrating their work.

Entries opened Monday, July 13 and close Wednesday, July 29 at 11:59 PM Eastern. Finalists will be announced Thursday, August 6, and the winners will be revealed Thursday, August 13, before school starts.

Families, businesses, or foundations interested in sponsoring an award can reach the school at [email protected].

Pardes Day School is a Jewish day school in Miami Beach built around close teaching, strong Jewish identity, practical skill-building, and thoughtful innovation.

“Jewish educators are already building the future of education,” Rabbi Dr. Druin said. “Pardes is just building the stage.”

Full details, examples, recording instructions, rules, and the entry form are available at:

pardes_ai_challenge_v16

Rabbi Ulman to Lead Chuppa V’Kiddushin Course

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Rabbi Ulman to Lead Chuppa V’Kiddushin Course

Every Chosson and Kallah who get married, each come with their unique background, story and circumstances. So many important questions can come up at any part of the process and the Rav needs to know what to do.

For those wishing to learn the halachos in a clear, thorough manner, we just opened registration for our brand new course: Hilchos Chuppa V’Kiddushin.

The course will take place over the course of 11 months and is the most comprehensive course on hilchos Chuppa V’Kiddushin to date. The participants will be led on a journey through the evolution of the halachos. They will travel across the pages of the gemara, into the world of the Shulchan Aruch, and finish their adventure in the responsa of modern day Rabbanim, gaining insight into how they dealt with complicated situations and unique challenges.

This year, we are privileged to welcome a new Maggid Shiur for Hilchos Chuppa V’Kiddushin: Rabbi Yehoram Ulman of Sydney, Australia. Rabbi Ulman is widely recognized as one of the leading authorities in this field, with decades of hands-on experience in chuppa v’kiddushin, birurei yahadus, and the complex shaalos that come with them. As a longtime member of the Sydney Beis Din, he has dealt with these questions in real life, and he brings that depth to very shiur.

His shiurim are known for being remarkably clear and structured, taking you step by step until even the most intricate sugya makes sense. And the focus is always practical: not only what the halacha is, but exactly what to do when you are the one standing under the chuppa.

At the conclusion of the program, course participants will receive a certificate that will be recognized by the Israeli Rabbanut, qualifying them to serve as Mesader Kiddushin at any wedding in the world. The certificate will be signed by prominent Rabbianim from America and Israel.

Course Details:
Start date: 11 Elul 5786, August 24, 2026
Course Duration: 11 Months
Course Days: Monday
Class time: 7:30 – 9:00 pm

Have a look: https://www.lemaanyilmedu.com/product/chuppa-and-kiddushin

Tomorrow Is the ATIME – SEFER TORAH Drawing!!!

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Tomorrow Is the ATIME – SEFER TORAH Drawing!!!

See What Our Winners Say!!
Win Your Own Sefer Torah TOMORROW

Click here to learn more

Levaya Held for Motti Rubinson

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Levaya Held for Motti Rubinson

He is survived by his parents, Bentzion and Rivka Rubinson, and siblings, Tzipora, Sara Schapiro, Moshe, Chanie Wolf, Miri Shaffer, Velvel, Yanki and Shneur, and extended family.

Shiva hours:
531 Rutland Rd.

Shachris 10am
Mincha 810
Mariv bizman

Visiting hours:
10am-12pm (men)
2-4pm
7-9:30

‘He is My Krias Yam Suf’: Father and Son’s Journey of Faith and Miracles

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‘He is My Krias Yam Suf’: Father and Son’s Journey of Faith and Miracles

By: Chanie Kozliner

For 738 days, the world stopped for Avi Ohana.
As his son, Yosef Chaim Ohana remained in captivity, Avi lived in a state of agony, unable to eat, sleep or find a moment of peace. Today, that nightmare has turned into a powerful testimony of hashgacha pratis, emunah, and the steadfast connection to the Rebbe that carried them through the darkness.

During the grueling two years his son was held by the enemy, Avi spent his days immersed in prayer.

A month after Yosef Chaim was captured, Avi went to pray by the Rebbe.
He spent 23 days praying and crying and pleading to the Rebbe.
He said to the Rebbe
“Yosef Chaim is not my son. He is your son. I am giving him over to you, in your hands. He is not in the hands of Hamas, he is in the hands of the Rebbe.”
He cried rivers of tears in 770, crying on the Rebbe’s bima for days, begging for Yosef Chaim to return home.

He made a vow that if Yosef Chaim returns home, he would bring him to the Rebbe.

Following his miraculous release, Avi returned with Yosef Chaim as promised.
He planned to thank the Rebbe in every place that he shared his promise.

Yosef Chaim was accompanied by his close friend, Daniel Sharabi, a hero and survivor of the Nova festival. Daniel and his brother fended off terrorists for hours, provided emergency medical care, and saved the lives of dozens of civilians while navigating unimaginable trauma.

The night before his planned visit to the Ohel, Avi had a vivid dream. He saw the Rebbe surrounded by hundreds of Chassidim. On the bima lay an open Torah. After calling up two people for an aliyah, the Rebbe turned directly to Avi and asked, “Where is your son, Yosef Chaim?”Please bring him to get an aliya before he comes to me.”

Avi searched frantically through the sea of people until he finally spotted his son standing right beside the Rebbe. Then he woke up.

Avi arrived at the Ohel on a Thursday, a day when the Torah is read. Incredibly, Yosef Chaim was called up for the third aliyah, the exact sequence of events that had played out in his father’s dream.

At the Ohel Avi said:
“I want you to know that the Rebbe knows exactly each and every person who comes to him. For two years I couldn’t eat or sleep. I couldn’t do a thing. From our perspective, the whole world stopped. I disconnected from the world. My son was with the enemy. Truthfully, looking back I don’t know how I was able to survive. The only thing that helped me survive was davening here and the spiritual powers and strong emunah that we got from here. I felt that the Rebbe was in front of me the entire time. Rabosai, I wasn’t imagining it. It was very real. The truth is I felt the energy and presence of the Rebbe in front of me, step by step, wherever I went during the entire two years.This gave me the strength and now baruch Hashem we had the zechus to come to thank the Rebbe for the many miracles that Hashem performed, for the Rabi Hagadol that we have, and to thank all those who prayed for Yosef Chaim. I look at my son, Yosef Chaim and tell him, you are nes krias yam suf.

When I first came here, I stayed at the Ohel for 23 days and begged and cried day and night for Yosef Chaim to return and now I have the zechus to come and give thanks. This place is Har Sinai, Kodesh Kedoshim.

If the Rebbe would not have turned the heavens upside down Yosef Chaim would not be here with us.”

They thanked the Rebbe, recited an emotional Nishmas and recounted Avi’s Rebbe dollar story.

A few days after his return from New York, he was very down. He remembered the Rebbe dollar that he kept in his wallet. In total, he had received 19 dollars and had given them away to family and friends.

Holding the remaining dollar he asked the Rebbe to give him a sign that Yosef Chaim was still alive. On it was written yud ches Tishrei– the initials of Yosef Chaim. Yosef Chaim chai!
Yosef chaim is alive.

He then ran to get his English calendar to check the corresponding date. The English date that he received the dollar was October 7.

The Rebbe blessed him on that date with bracha and hatzlacha. This gave him the strength and faith to continue to survive the ensuing chaotic days.

During their visit to Crown Heights, father and son were fascinated by the WLCC room. Mendel Aizenbach showed them the list of people from their hometown of Kiryat Malachi, many of whom they recognized, having participated in the broadcasts.

The next stop was a special visit to the Rebbe’s home, which closed a powerful circle. At the beginning of Yosef Chaim’s captivity, Avi had placed tehillim cards with Yosef’s photo on the shtender in the Rebbe’s home. He brought Yosef Chaim to the shtender and showed him that the cards had remained there throughout his captivity until this moment.

They went to the Rebbe’s room in 770 to share heartfelt appreciation reciting Tehillim.

On 12 Tamuz, the day celebrating the Frierdike Rebbe’s liberation from captivity, Yosef Chaim addressed a packed crowd at 770. The room was silent as he recounted how he maintained his faith throughout harrowing captivity.

“I was in the bushes with nine others when they opened fire,” Yosef Chaim recalled. “We held hands and said Shema Yisroel with our eyes closed. I was in the middle of the group and I was the only one to survive. That was the first miracle. I realized that if I wanted to comprehend my shocking reality, that I was alive against all odds, I had to believe in hashgacha pratis.”

“Once I told the creator of the world that it was Divine providence keeping me alive, not coincidence, I began to see open miracles.”

Inspired by their journey, Avi and Yosef Chaim are now dedicated to sharing their story of perseverance and faith with communities worldwide. Their mission is to publicize the miracles they witnessed and to strengthen the emunah and bitachon of others facing their own challenges.

For those interested in hosting Avi and Yosef Chaim to share their message of faith and perseverance, please contact:
Chanie Kozliner
917-601-1135

Nshei to Gather to Learn Laws of the Bais Hamikdash

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Nshei to Gather to Learn Laws of the Bais Hamikdash

שאלו שלום ירושלים Seek out the welfare of Jerusalem

Nshei Ubnos Chabad presents a Hilchos Bais Habchira event in person With Mrs. Malka Touger, renowed educator author and lecturer.

Wednesday evening, Rosh Chodesh Meachem Av, July 15

Jewish Children’s Museum downstairs.

Doors open 8:00pm
Program 8:30 prompt

Suggested donation 15 Dollars

Join Nshei Chabad at this beautiful farbrengen

“Seek out the welfare of Jerusalem” on the auspicious day of Rosh chodesh Menachem Av.

May we celebrate in the Bais Hamikdash Hashlishi with Moshiach now.

Click here to donate now.

The Donation That Led Me to My Husband

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The Donation That Led Me to My Husband

Several years ago, I was chatting with a dear friend and wondering out loud if there was something spiritual I could do to help me find my zivug.

I don’t remember my exact words, but I asked something along the lines of, “If I really want Hashem to make something happen for me, what can I do? Is there something practical I can do that will bring the brachos I’m asking for into reality?”

She shared something I had never heard before about the mitzvah of tzedakah. She told me that the one mitzvah a person can do on condition of receiving something in return is giving tzedakah. She also mentioned the idea of donating more than what you can comfortably afford.

I thought it was a wonderful idea and began thinking about where the most appropriate place would be to make a large donation.

I discussed it with several friends, and they all mentioned the importance of supporting a mikvah. It reminded me of how my mother, ע”ה, had always spoken about the mikvah as such a beautiful mitzvah. Given the bracha I was hoping for, supporting a mikvah seemed like the most fitting place to make the donation.

After speaking with Cherry New and hearing about her hope to install beautiful new mirrors in the women’s preparation rooms, I offered to sponsor them on one condition—that within approximately three months, I would be dating the person I was going to marry.

Moshe Pinson said he would install the mirrors right away, confident that I would be sponsoring them.

But as the three-month deadline approached, I started getting annoyed. I didn’t like waking up every morning expecting something to happen that day and feeling frustrated when it didn’t. Instead of waiting any longer, I decided to begin giving the tzedakah in monthly installments. My intention was that when I became engaged, בעזרת ה׳, I would donate the remaining several thousand dollars.

Roughly two months later, I started dating the person I would marry.

When I told Cherry the day we had started dating, she told me it was the exact day the mirrors had finally been installed. Apparently, there had been several lengthy delays in the installation process.

Needless to say, when my husband and I became engaged, I donated the remaining balance.

Giving tzedakah has always been a mitzvah I enjoyed doing, but it was incredible to experience such clear and revealed brachos in my own life through this mitzvah.
Some stories speak for themselves.

This story is a beautiful reminder that every act of giving carries blessings far beyond what we can see.

As the Mikvah Mei Chaya Mushka Launch Special comes to a close tonight, there’s still time to take part.

Today only: Buy one ticket, get one FREE and double your chances to win while supporting a mitzvah that strengthens Jewish homes every day. Offer expires at 11:59pm!
Support your mikvah. Support your community. Help build another Jewish home.

Story shared by Rochelle Jurkowicz

This is not simply another building project.

A Critical Need. A Historic Opportunity.

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A Critical Need. A Historic Opportunity.

For tens of thousands of residents across Samaria, a medical emergency can still mean a long and stressful drive to the nearest hospital or urgent care facility.

When a child develops a high fever late at night, when an elderly parent experiences a medical crisis, or when immediate treatment is needed on Shabbat or a holiday, every minute matters.

To address this urgent need, Ma’ayan HaBriut is establishing a new Medical Emergency & Urgent Care Center in the heart of Samaria.

The center is planned to provide:

✔ Urgent medical care during evenings, nights, Shabbat, and holidays

✔ Advanced diagnostic services

✔ Treatment rooms and emergency response capabilities

✔ Accessible care for more than 55,000 residents, visitors, security personnel, and their families

It is the creation of essential medical infrastructure that will serve the region for generations and provide peace of mind to thousands of families.

We have the vision, the leadership, and the community support.

Now we need partners who understand that saving lives begins with access to care.

We invite you to take part in this historic initiative and help bring emergency medicine closer to home.

Your partnership today can help save lives tomorrow.

Donate now

https://abcharity.org/campaign.php?id=8038&l_id=gtBq2QA7K21tCbSUewT

Picture of the Day

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Picture of the Day

Parents Experience the Summer Magic at L’man Achai Visiting Day

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Parents Experience the Summer Magic at L’man Achai Visiting Day

This past Sunday, Camp L’man Achai, a chapter of CKids International, welcomed parents and family members for a beautiful Visiting Day, giving them the opportunity to experience firsthand the incredible summer their children have been enjoying.

Families traveled from across the United States to spend the day together at Camp L’man Achai, reconnecting with their sons, exploring the beautiful campgrounds, and experiencing the warm, uplifting atmosphere that has made camp such a meaningful part of their children’s summer.

Throughout the day, parents enjoyed quality time with their campers, toured the grounds, met staff members, and saw the care, dedication, and enthusiasm that go into every aspect of camp life. Smiles, hugs, and heartfelt reunions filled the camp as families shared in another memorable day together.

One especially meaningful highlight of Visiting Day was watching many campers and staff members help fathers who had never before put on tefillin—or who were unfamiliar with the mitzvah—wrap tefillin for the very first time. These inspiring moments beautifully reflected Camp L’man Achai’s mission of strengthening Jewish identity, with the inspiration the campers receive throughout the summer extending naturally to their families.

Last week also marked the successful conclusion of Camp L’man Achai’s first session. As one group of campers completed an unforgettable experience, camp enthusiastically welcomed an additional 40 boys for the second session, bringing fresh excitement and energy to an already incredible summer.

The past two weeks have been packed with nonstop activity. Campers have enjoyed exciting trips, sports, swimming, engaging learning, spirited davening, and a wide variety of special programs. One highlight was a visit to Camp Chayolei, where campers participated in friendly inter-camp sports competitions while also pairing up for one-on-one learning, creating meaningful friendships and strengthening their connection to Yiddiahkeit in a fun and inspiring setting.

One parent, Allan R. of New Jersey, whose son is attending Camp L’man Achai for the very first time, summed up the feelings of many families after Visiting Day. He shared that his son was originally nervous about coming to camp, but that Camp L’man Achai has exceeded every expectation. “He’s had the best experience we could have imagined,” Allan said. “We’re so happy he came.”

Welcoming boys from over 20 states and 10 countries, Camp L’man Achai has spent the past 35 years providing an unforgettable summer experience where campers grow in their Yiddishkeit while enjoying an exciting, action-filled camp program.

With many more trips, special events, and unforgettable experiences still ahead, the excitement at Camp L’man Achai continues to grow, ensuring that this summer will leave a lasting impact on every camper and family.

Wedding: Preger – Zago

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Wedding: Preger – Zago

CKids Overnight Camps Reach Record Enrollment

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CKids Overnight Camps Reach Record Enrollment

For thousands of Jewish children, the school year is filled with meaningful Jewish learning at their local Chabad Hebrew School and Afterschool programs. They celebrate the holidays, learn Torah, discover meaning in Jewish values, and build friendships that strengthen their identity from September through June.

Then summer arrives.

For many families, these months have traditionally meant stepping away from Jewish life and into secular overnight camps, where being Jewish often becomes just one small part of a child’s identity – if not something they feel compelled to conceal from their peers altogether.

Nine months of growth, pride, connection, vibrancy – and then three months of radio silence in the Jewish life department.

But that reality is beginning to change.

In 2019, only 150 children attended CKids affiliated overnight camps. Last year, over 500 children enrolled – and this year, CKids overnight camps are seeing a nearly 40% increase over last year’s record enrollment, pushing the total to nearly 800 children from 17 states and 3 countries around the world.

This year’s dramatic jump in attendance is thanks to expanded scholarship funding made possible by generous philanthropic partners seeking to fuel the transformative power of immersive Jewish experiences, including Yitzchak Abehsera in memory of Miriam bat Fibi, Rabbi Shimon Margolin of California, and Mr. George and Mrs. Pamela Rohr.

Special appreciation is extended to the many shluchim who participated in the funding initiative and to those who encouraged and inspired families to send their children. Their partnership has enabled hundreds of additional Jewish children to experience a summer that will shape their Jewish future.

Rabbi Mendy Cohen – California
Rabbi Yisroel Deren – Connecticut
Rabbi Yisrael Shmotkin – Wisconsin
Rabbi Yossi New – Georgia
Rabbi Meir Shimon Moscowitz – Illinois
Rabbi Tuvia Teldon – Long Island, New York
Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov – Michigan
Rabbi Chaim Bruk – Montana
Rabbi Mendy Herson – New Jersey
Rabbi Doron Aizenman – South Carolina
Rabbi Shimon Lazaroff – Texas

The growth reflects a broader shift taking place across Jewish philanthropy. “Increasingly, major funders recognize that while classroom education is essential, immersive Jewish experiences create unparalleled lasting impact,” explains Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Merkos 302 Director. “Camp is where Judaism is no longer something children study – it becomes something they live, in the most engaging and contagiously fun setting possible.”

For children who attend public school, Jewish overnight camp may be the only extended period all year when every meal is kosher, every friend shares their values, every activity reflects Jewish life, and Shabbos is experienced by an entire community. It is weeks of living Judaism rather than simply learning about it.

“This is such an important opportunity for Jewish children, especially for those growing up in remote places,” shares Rabbi Chaim Bruk, Co-CEO of Chabad Lubavitch of Montana. “CKids Gan Israel overnight camps are really bringing back the Rebbe’s original intention for Camp Gan Israel. Jewish children attending public schools need the immersive 24-7 Judaism you can only get at overnight camp – it was the Rebbe’s vision, and it’s incredible nachas to see these kids thriving from the experience.”

In many ways, overnight camp completes the Jewish calendar year. Chabad Hebrew Schools nurture children throughout the academic year, while Jewish summer camp reinforces and deepens that foundation during the months when those programs pause. Together, they create year-round Jewish engagement that strengthens identity and inspires lifelong connection.

For many campers, the experience is transformative.

Instead of spending the summer as the only Jewish child at camp, they become part of a vibrant Jewish community. Instead of feeling different, they feel they belong more than ever. The highlight of their year, the months every child dreams about all school year long, becomes unmistakably Jewish – a summer filled with friendships, adventure, Torah, mitzvos, and unforgettable memories.

While the scholarship initiative has fueled remarkable growth, the success belongs to the shluchim who have built these camps and work tirelessly to make them thrive:

Rabbi Levi and Chaya Plotkin – CKids Gan Israel Florida
Rabbi Avremi and Shaindy Shapiro – CKids Gan Israel Wisconsin
Rabbi Gershon and Devorah Sandler – CKids Gan Israel Poconos
Rabbi Yitzchok and Chana Steinmetz – L’Man Achai
Rabbi Yitzy and Mrs. Rochel Loewenthal – CKids Gan Israel Denmark
Rabbi Tzemmy and Mrs. Sophie Bassman – CKids Gan Israel Hungary

Each Gan Israel Overnight Camp is independently owned and operated by local shluchim who dedicate themselves to creating exceptional Jewish experiences for their communities. The grant initiative simply helps remove financial barriers, making it possible for many more families to say yes to Jewish overnight camp.

The initiative also showcases the extraordinary strength of the Chabad network. Across hundreds of communities around the globe, shluchim continue expanding access to meaningful Jewish education, ensuring that every family has opportunities to strengthen Jewish identity regardless of background or affiliation.

At a time when Jewish continuity has never been more important, investing in immersive Jewish experiences is investing in the future of the Jewish people.

For Rabbi Zalman Loewenthal, CKids Director, the camp grant’s pilot year has been a resounding success. “Every additional child who spends a summer living Judaism, celebrating Shabbos with friends, singing around a campfire, and discovering pride in being Jewish represents another stronger link in the chain of Jewish continuity,” he says.

And thanks to visionary supporters, dedicated shluchim, and the growing network of CKids Gan Israel overnight camps, that chain is becoming stronger than ever.

Motti Rubinson, OBM

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Motti Rubinson, OBM

Mordechai (Motti) Rubinson passed away on Monday, 28 Tammuz, after battling an extended illness.

Motti was known for his kindness, and generosity. He would go out of his way to help people.

He is survived by his parents, Bentzion and Rivka Rubinson, and siblings, Tzipora, Sara Schapiro, Moshe, Chanie Wolf, Miri Shaffer, Velvel, Yanki and Shneur, and extended family.

The Levaya will take place Tuesday Chof Tes Tammuz, passing by 770 at 2pm, and at Old Montefiore cemetery at 3pm.

Shiva hours:
531 Rutland Rd.

Shachris 10am
Mincha 810
Mariv bizman

Visiting hours:
10am-12pm (men)
2-4pm
7-9:30

Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.

Grand Piano Scam Targets Chabad Centers Across U.S.

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Grand Piano Scam Targets Chabad Centers Across U.S.

By COLlive reporter

A scam targeting Chabad centers across the United States is making the rounds, with shluchim in Massachusetts, Georgia, Arizona, Minnesota, Utah and California all reporting nearly identical emails offering to donate a Yamaha baby grand piano.

The email appears heartfelt. In one version, it was signed by “Mary Ruston” and read: “I’m looking to find a new home for my late husband’s Yamaha baby grand piano. I would love for it to go to a passionate music enthusiast who will truly appreciate and care for it.”

Recipients were invited to respond via the email address [email protected].

The offer can be especially tempting because a used Yamaha baby grand piano can be worth a substantial amount. Depending on the model, age, and condition, comparable instruments typically sell for between $8,000 and $20,000 on the used market.

While the offer initially seemed plausible, shluchim soon discovered they were not alone. COLlive has learned that identical messages, sometimes sent under different names and email addresses, were received by Chabad centers in multiple states.

One shliach who replied out of curiosity said the conversation continued with detailed instructions for arranging the delivery. In a follow-up email, this time signed “Karolina,” the sender directed the recipient to contact a supposed moving company, reference a tracking code, provide a delivery address, and then notify the sender so she could “authorize the piano’s transport.”

The recipient was then sent what appeared to be a professional shipping estimate from the moving company. The document listed the piano’s specifications, including its weight of 574 pounds and dimensions, along with a referral identification number tied to “Mrs. Mary Ruston.” It offered several shipping options, ranging from $510 for an eight-day delivery to $1,220 for next-day delivery, and asked the recipient to choose a payment method so an invoice could be generated.

Only then did the real purpose of the scam become clear. Although the piano was supposedly being donated free of charge, the recipient was expected to pay hundreds of dollars in advance for shipping. Once the payment was sent, the promised piano would never arrive.

The “Yamaha baby grand piano” scam has circulated online for years. Fraudsters typically claim they are giving away a late spouse’s piano to a worthy home, then ask the recipient to cover shipping or moving costs before delivery. Cybersecurity researchers have documented the scheme, and nearly identical versions have been reported by churches, schools, nonprofits, and music organizations around the world.

Shluchim are urged to treat unsolicited donation offers with caution, independently verify the identity of the sender and any shipping company, and never send advance payments for shipping or handling based solely on email correspondence.

https://collive.com/wp-content/uploads/photos/2026/07/farbrengen-gimmel-tammuz-capetown.mp4

Rabbi Eliezrie Visits 7 Cities on Global Tammuz Tour

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Rabbi Eliezrie Visits 7 Cities on Global Tammuz Tour

By COLlive reporter

Shliach and author Rabbi Dovid Eliezrie spent recent weeks on an extensive speaking tour, turning the story of the Frierdiker Rebbe and the Rebbe’s guidance on hiskashrus into a living conversation in communities across the globe.

Centered around Gimmel Tammuz and Yud Beis Tammuz, the tour took Rabbi Eliezrie to Las Vegas, Umhlanga, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Monsey, Mequon, and Chicago. In each city, he combined formal lectures, farbrengens, interviews, and Shabbos gatherings, using these historic dates not only as commemorations but as opportunities for personal reflection and practical commitment.

The journey began in Las Vegas with a pre-Gimmel Tammuz Shabbaton, where Rabbi Eliezrie participated in an onstage interview with Esther Richler. Rather than delivering a traditional lecture, the conversational format allowed him to explore the remarkable life of the Frierdiker Rebbe and the defining milestones of his leadership, making the story feel immediate and personal for participants.

From Nevada, the tour continued to South Africa. In Umhlanga, Cape Town, and Johannesburg, Rabbi Eliezrie was a featured speaker at a series of Gimmel Tammuz events, delivering ten talks and farbrengens and participating in interviews with Shira Gutnick.

Throughout the program, he returned to three central themes: the Frierdiker Rebbe’s defiance of Soviet oppression, the Rebbe’s global vision, and the enduring relevance of Chassidus amid the challenges of contemporary life.

The centerpiece of the South African leg was a major Gimmel Tammuz event in Johannesburg, organized by Rabbi Dovid Masinter, which drew more than 600 men, women, and teens. Through stories and personal memories, Rabbi Eliezrie outlined what he described as the Rebbe’s unique global vision: a world in which every Jew, wherever they live, becomes both a recipient and a source of light, transforming their home and surroundings into a makom shlichus.

He illustrated this vision with two powerful episodes: what unfolded in the Rebbe’s home on Chof Beis Shevat immediately after the Rebbetzin’s passing, and what took place at the Ohel on the day of the Rebbe’s histalkus. He described how that day at the Ohel, which could have been defined solely by grief, instead became a remarkable moment of inspiration and renewed dedication for chassidim, setting the pattern for how hiskashrus would be expressed after Gimmel Tammuz and challenging listeners to see themselves as active partners in carrying the Rebbe’s work forward.

Shabbos in Johannesburg added another dimension to the visit. At the Chassidim shul led by Rabbi Natanael Schochet, Rabbi Eliezrie addressed the kehilla on Friday night and delivered a Shabbos keynote titled “Lessons I Learned from the Rebbe,” sharing four personal encounters with the Rebbe that profoundly shaped his life.

“We appreciated his visit with us,” said Rabbi Shlomo Wainer, shliach in Umhlanga.

A member of the Cape Town community later wrote to Rabbi Oshy Deren that although he had long identified with the Rebbe’s “vision and wisdom,” hearing Rabbi Eliezrie’s personal experiences helped him feel a much deeper personal connection.

During the trip, Rabbi Eliezrie also addressed local high schools, encouraging students to view their own leadership and Jewish identity as the next chapter in the Rebbe’s story.

Yud Beis Tammuz Tour

Following South Africa, the focus shifted to Yud Beis Tammuz. In Monsey, Rabbi Eliezrie joined Igud Anash for a special program where, in conversation with Yitzchak Krisch, he revisited the dramatic story of the Frierdiker Rebbe’s arrest and liberation and demonstrated how Yud Beis and Yud Gimmel Tammuz continue to define Chabad’s mission today.

From there, he traveled to Chabad of Mequon, where he again emphasized practical hiskashrus through learning the Rebbe’s Torah, strengthening local mosdos, and taking responsibility for another Jew’s Yiddishkeit.

The tour concluded in Chicago at an event organized by Shmuel and Sharone Goodman in memory of Shmuel’s mother, Joanie Goodman, adding a personal note of dedication.

There, Rabbi Eliezrie joined Rabbi Yakov Danishefsky in an onstage discussion about the Frierdiker Rebbe’s defiance and the enduring strength of Chassidus in the face of persecution, connecting those themes to the spiritual resilience needed in today’s open yet often indifferent world.

The evening concluded with a farbrengen, giving participants an opportunity to internalize the messages and consider practical steps to deepen their connection to the Rebbe and his shlichus.

Undaunted, the acclaimed biography of the Friedeke Rebbe, is available on Amazon and in bookstores

VIDEO:

L’Chaim: Lavrinoff – Wang

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L’Chaim: Lavrinoff – Wang

Heat Advisory Issued for NYC This Week

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Heat Advisory Issued for NYC This Week

New York City residents are being urged to take precautions after the National Weather Service issued a Heat Advisory ahead of dangerously hot conditions expected to grip the city on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The advisory is in effect from 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, through 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, with heat index values expected to reach as high as 104 degrees.

According to forecasters, the combination of high temperatures and humidity will create conditions that are dangerous to health. Those most at risk include older adults, people with chronic medical conditions, individuals without access to air conditioning, and anyone who works or spends extended periods outdoors.

In response, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani has activated the city’s Heat Emergency Plan, with hundreds of cooling centers opening across New York City on Tuesday and Wednesday. Residents can locate the nearest cooling center through the city’s online finder.

The city is also expanding outreach efforts to vulnerable New Yorkers. Under a Code Red activation, street outreach teams will intensify operations, with 21 COOL vans deployed throughout the city to assist individuals experiencing homelessness and others in need.

While this heat event is expected to be shorter and less intense than the record-breaking heat wave earlier this month, officials warned that temperatures will still feel like the upper 90s on Tuesday before climbing into the low 100s on Wednesday.

“This heat may not reach the levels we experienced earlier this month, but it can still be deadly,” Mayor Mamdani said. “Every New Yorker should make a plan today. If you have air conditioning, turn it on. If you don’t, head to one of the hundreds of cooling centers opening across the city, visit a pool or cool off at a spray shower. And look out for your neighbors, especially seniors.”

New Yorkers are encouraged to drink plenty of water, avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest hours of the day, and spend time in air-conditioned buildings whenever possible. Officials also urged residents to check on elderly neighbors, people with disabilities, and those with chronic health conditions.

NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Christina Farrell emphasized that heat can quickly become life-threatening.

“As we stressed just two weeks ago during our city’s record-breaking temperatures, high heat can be life threatening,” Farrell said. “Temperatures forecasted this week will feel above 100 degrees, so New Yorkers should be vigilant about staying safe and cool. Make sure that you drink lots of water, use air conditioning or get to an air-conditioned space, and check on vulnerable neighbors.”

Officials advise calling 911 immediately if someone experiences symptoms of heat illness, including hot, dry skin, difficulty breathing, a rapid heartbeat, confusion, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting.

Cooling centers are air-conditioned facilities such as libraries, community centers, or senior centers, that are open to the public during heat emergencies. To find your nearest cooling center, call 311 or visit https://maps.nyc.gov/cooling-center/.

Your Vote Could Shape the Future of Chinuch: Meet the Top 10 Pitches

COLlive3 days ago

Your Vote Could Shape the Future of Chinuch: Meet the Top 10 Pitches

Public voting for this year’s Chinuch Pitch is now open.

After reviewing dozens of submissions from educators and innovators around the world, the Chinuch Pitch judges have selected 10 standout ideas—each one aiming to strengthen and improve Chinuch in a meaningful way.

Now it’s your turn.

Members of the public are invited to review the Top 10 and vote for the three pitches they believe have the greatest potential to make a real impact.

Voting closes in just two days, on Wednesday, July 15.

The public vote, together with input from the panel of judges, will determine the three finalists who will advance to the final round of the Chinuch Pitch.

Those finalists will present their ideas live at the upcoming International Kinus HaMechanchim, where the final decision will be made.

One winning pitch will receive up to $18,000 from the Merkos Chinuch Office to help bring the idea to life.

This is an opportunity for mechanchim, parents, and anyone who cares about Chinuch to help shape what comes next.

Among the ideas: tools to save teachers time, new approaches to engage every talmid, platforms to connect students with the right educators, and creative ways to bring Torah learning and Chassidus to life.

One of these ideas could make a lasting difference—and your vote can help decide which one moves forward.

The Top 10 Chinuch Pitches
Pitch #1: Mechanchim Exchange Resource Drive
Yoel Vogel

Pitch #2: Dargo — Creating Torah Thinkers
Zalmy Gurary
Chassidus Teacher, OTM

Pitch #3: The Jewish Classroom

Pitch #4: Jewlingo
Mendy Seldowitz

Pitch #5: SkillBridge
Yechezkel Ravel
Menahel, Tora Or Panama

Pitch #6: Bring Out the Learner — Activating Every Talmid’s Thinking
Meyer Piekarski
Founder, Karov Eilecha

Pitch #7: Connect — A Vetted Network That Connects Any Student or School With the Right Educator, Anywhere
Levi Druin
Principal, Pardes Day School

Pitch #8: Chumash Learning Map
Yosef Bassman
Director and Chumash Teacher, Bader Hillel High School

Pitch #9: Real Life Lessons
Shneur Zalman Phillips
Extracurricular Programming, Oholei Torah

Pitch #10: Know Show — Interactive Torah Learning Experiences
Yosef Shain
Teacher and Therapist, ULY CH

Every vote matters. Review the pitches, choose the three ideas that speak to you most, and help determine which innovators will take the stage at the Kinus.
Voting closes Wednesday, July 15, א’ אב at 10:00pm EST

Make your voice heard and vote now:
kinus.chinuchoffice.org/vote

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Chabad Welcomed World Cup Fans Across Mexico

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Chabad Welcomed World Cup Fans Across Mexico

By COLlive reporter

As the FIFA World Cup 2026 made history as the first tournament ever to be hosted across three countries — Mexico, the United States, and Canada — Chabad centers throughout Mexico expanded their activities to welcome the influx of Jewish visitors.

While matches were played across North America, the tournament officially kicked off in Mexico City, placing Mexico at the center of the global celebration.

Mexico had previously hosted the World Cup in 1970 and 1986, but this year was especially significant as the opening match took place in Mexico City. In response to the arrival of thousands of visitors, Chabad centers throughout the country brought in additional yeshiva students and volunteers to assist travelers and strengthen Jewish outreach during the tournament.

A dedicated website was launched to serve as a central resource for Jewish visitors, providing information about Shabbat meals, kosher food, synagogue services, and assistance throughout their stay.

World Cup matches in Mexico were held in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey — all home to active Chabad centers. Activities in Mexico City were led by Rabbis Yosef and Mendy Meislish, by Rabbi Abraham Srugo in Guadalajara, and by Zalmy Srugo in Monterrey.

Special tefillin stations were established near fan zones and major gathering areas, allowing Jewish fans from around the world to connect with their heritage amid the excitement of the games.

The first Shabbat of the World Cup demonstrated the scope of the effort, with more than 200 guests participating in the communal Shabbat meals at Chabad of Mexico City.

Mexico City, home to a thriving Jewish community, offered a wide range of kosher food options, as well as numerous synagogues, kollelim, and yeshivos. Chabad volunteers helped visitors navigate these resources and make the most of their stay.

The World Cup project in Mexico City was coordinated by Yossi Vaie together with the dedicated team of yeshiva students Binyomin Serusi, Tzemach Cohen, and Liel Contreras Goldstein, who assisted with outreach, tefillin campaigns, and visitor services throughout the tournament.

Throughout the World Cup, Chabad centers across Mexico remained committed to ensuring that every Jewish visitor had access to Jewish life, kosher food, tefillin, and a warm Jewish home away from home.

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Noribar Sushi Lounge Reopens After Extended Closure

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Noribar Sushi Lounge Reopens After Extended Closure

After months of being closed, Noribar Sushi Lounge in Crown Heights, located at 318 Kingston Avenue, has officially reopened its doors.

COLlive reached out to the restaurant for an update, and the management confirmed that they reopened today after an extended closure caused by “technical issues.”

The reopening comes at an especially timely moment, just before the Nine Days, when demand for fish and pareve dining options traditionally increases. The return of the popular sushi spot provides the community with another dining option during this busy season.

New Sports Pavilion Enhances Summer at Yeshivas Kayitz Program

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New Sports Pavilion Enhances Summer at Yeshivas Kayitz Program

Oholei Torah’s overnight camp for Mechina, Mesivta, and Beis Medrash bochurim, Yeshivas Kayitz Program (YKP), has unveiled a brand new sports pavilion, an exciting addition that is already enhancing the summer experience for hundreds of bochurim.

The mission of YKP is to provide bochurim with a truly meaningful summer both b’gashmiyus and b’ruchniyus. Alongside strong learning, inspiring davening, and the guidance of dedicated counselors and mechanchim, YKP recognizes the importance of healthy recreation, physical activity, and opportunities for every bochur to thrive.

One of the greatest challenges facing any overnight camp is keeping bochurim active and engaged during periods of rain or extreme heat. Another is ensuring that every bochur has recreational opportunities that match his interests, recognizing that not everyone is drawn to traditional ball sports. YKP has long offered an exceptional variety of activities, including expansive athletic fields, boating, swimming, biking, a scenic lakefront, laser tag, dune buggies, a fully stocked library, a recreation room featuring pool tables, air hockey, and foosball, as well as an extensive collection of board games. This diverse lineup ensures that every bochur can find activities he enjoys while providing exciting recreational opportunities regardless of the weather.

The new sports pavilion takes that experience to a new level. Designed for use day and night, rain or shine, the open air pavilion provides shade, refreshing natural airflow enhanced by two large fans, and breathtaking views of the campgrounds. The covered structure spans an impressive 220 by 80 feet, while the fully paved area extends an incredible 280 by 100 feet, creating one of the premier recreational facilities of its kind.

The pavilion features two basketball courts, two hockey courts, and three volleyball courts, allowing up to fourteen teams to play simultaneously. Adjacent to the courts is a spacious 50 foot picnic area where bochurim can gather, relax, and enjoy the outdoors.

Surrounding the pavilion is a new running track, providing another valuable outlet for bochurim who may not be interested in organized ball sports. Whether participating in camp activities or enjoying their free time, bochurim are encouraged to stay active by running, walking, or exercising with friends.

Special appreciation goes to Rabbi Yisroel Levertov, Director of YKP, whose ongoing vision and dedication continue to transform the camp year after year, enhancing every aspect of the bochurim’s experience.

“When bochurim feel well cared for and have outstanding facilities in which to learn, play, and grow, it naturally translates into better davening, stronger learning, and happier bochurim,” said Rabbi Mendel Blau, Roish Moissed. “Every improvement we make is another investment in giving each bochur the best possible summer experience, both b’gashmiyus and b’ruchniyus.”

Already in use this season, the new pavilion has quickly become a favorite destination on campus, ensuring that regardless of the weather or personal interests, every bochur has outstanding opportunities to enjoy recreation, build friendships, and return home refreshed and ready for the new Shnas Halimudim.

Letter Calls on Trump to Ease Tuition Burden on Jewish Families

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Letter Calls on Trump to Ease Tuition Burden on Jewish Families

Dear Mr. President,

As America celebrates its 250th birthday, I wish you continued success in your efforts to strengthen our nation. May the Almighty bless you with wisdom, strength, and good health as you continue working for the benefit of all Americans.

At this historic moment, I respectfully ask for your help regarding an issue that deeply affects my family and countless other American families.

Because of our religious beliefs, my family and many Orthodox Jewish families choose to educate our children in Jewish day schools and Yeshivas rather than public schools. Like all Americans, we faithfully contribute through our taxes to support public education. Yet when we exercise our constitutionally protected freedom to choose a religious education for our children, we are required to carry the full financial responsibility ourselves.

In effect, the very freedom that America was founded to protect comes with a significant financial penalty for the families who choose to exercise it.

This is not a request for special treatment, nor is it a request for an advantage over anyone else. It is a request for fairness and equal opportunity. Families who choose religious education should not be treated as though their children are less deserving of educational support. We contribute to the system, we strengthen our communities, and we raise children who become responsible and productive members of society. We are simply asking for the same recognition and financial support given to every other American child.

Educational funding should follow the child, not be determined solely by the type of school a parent chooses. Every child is valuable, and every family should have the freedom to choose the education they believe is best without facing an tremendous financial burden because of that choice.

America was founded upon the promise of religious liberty—the freedom for families to live according to their beliefs and values. Yet families who choose religious education often face a significant financial disadvantage because of that choice, with many ramifications.

For many religious middle-class families, tuition has become more than overwhelming. Parents work tirelessly yet struggle to meet payments, often relying on grandparents, relatives, or community assistance. Schools themselves, dependent on tuition, frequently struggle to pay teachers and maintain stability.

These are hardworking American families and dedicated educators doing everything they can to raise responsible, moral, and productive citizens.

Mr. President, I respectfully ask you to champion true educational freedom by ensuring that every American child receives comparable educational support, whether attending a public school, religious school, Montessori school, or another accredited institution chosen by the parents.

Providing funding comparable to public school spending would empower parents, strengthen families, encourage educational excellence, and honor the diversity of beliefs and values that have always been part of America’s foundation.

Religious schools continue to flourish because of the incredible dedication and sacrifice of parents and communities. This is a blessing and a testament to the strength of religious freedom in America. But families should not have to endure overwhelming financial hardship simply to educate their children according to their deeply held beliefs.

The time has come to make educational choice truly accessible to every American family.

Mr. President, by Divine Providence you have been placed in a position of tremendous influence. I respectfully ask you to help create a future in which equal educational opportunity truly follows the child.

Thank you for your service to our country and for considering this important matter.

May the Almighty continue to bless you, your family, and the United States of America with peace, prosperity, and every possible good.

Respectfully,
Bentzion, a hopeful Orthodox Jewish father

Rabbi Boruch Hertz’s 60th Birthday Sparks Tefillin Commitment

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Rabbi Boruch Hertz’s 60th Birthday Sparks Tefillin Commitment

by Shane Rachman

My friend Jason Kozin asked me to attend Rabbi Baruch Hertz’s birthday celebration, where there would be a big push to get 60 men to wrap tefillin in honor of his 60th birthday. It turned out the celebration was a complete surprise from beginning to end, thoughtfully arranged by his children Gedaliah and Sholom Hertz with the help of their siblings. They enlisted the help of Jason and another friend, Eytan Peer, to keep everything a secret and make the event truly special.

The entire morning was filled with warmth, laughter, inspiration, and a deep sense of appreciation for the many lives Rabbi Hertz has touched over the years.

It was clear everyone felt excited and honored to be part of it. Although the goal was originally to get 60 people to wrap, a big feat in itself, nearly 90 people ended up wrapping as a part of the celebration. The enthusiasm in the air was palpable.

During the breakfast, a special video presentation featured several people sharing personal memories that demonstrated Rabbi Hertz’s deep passion for tefillin and his commitment to encouraging others to wrap as a mitzvah. I was moved by the powerful stories and hearing how this seemingly small, one-time mitzvah had made an immense impact and even changed people’s lives.

A few people then spoke about their connection and varying tefillin experiences with Rabbi Hertz over the years.

One memorable story was shared by Brandon Goldberg, whose family has been close with the Hertz family for many years, beginning with his grandfather Judge Gerald Bender’s close connection with the Rabbi.

He recalled an incident at the wedding of Aaron Stefansky, son of Rabbi Eli Stefansky, where Rabbi Hertz was encouraging people to put on tefillin. One young man refused, so Rabbi Hertz offered him $100 if he would do it. The fellow immediately replied “Make it $200!” Rabbi Hertz agreed, and the young man put on tefillin. The story captured Rabbi Hertz’s determination and his creative way of encouraging others to perform the mitzvah.

There was a moment at the party when the Rabbi stood up and said, “I challenge at least one person to commit to wrapping tefillin every day for a full year.”

I didn’t respond at the time, but later I texted him, “If you are willing to explain the why behind tefillin to me, I will do it for a year.” I have been asked to wrap tefillin by various Jewish people before, but I had never really understood the why.

I met with Rabbi Hertz and he explained it to me. My brief understanding from that moment is that tefillin is a spiritual meditation to align one’s mind and one’s soul, guiding our actions throughout the day so we have a positive impact on the world.

This is based on a principle I was beginning to understand: that a person’s soul is inherently pure and good, even as it is grounded in the physical world. Our minds are impacted by the world around us, but they also give us the ability to think beyond it and connect on a higher level with something greater, our spirituality.

The purpose of Tefillin is to connect our brain to our soul in pure alignment. The wrapping culminates around our finger, which is our pathway to carry this action into the physical world. It is a daily reminder to act with the goodness and purity our souls inherently know, while incorporating the mitzvot that come from a higher power, and to bring that goodness into the world.

In my own tefillin journey, I have found it to be a grounding way to begin the day. It offers a simple reminder of how to be and to do good, giving this core mitzvah a clear and powerful purpose in my life.

Shane Rachman is a Chicago real estate executive and the president and founder of Cross Street.

Did Italy Exist in Moshe’s Time?

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Did Italy Exist in Moshe’s Time?

We’re pleased to share a new episode of “Lemaan Yishmeu,” the weekly halacha podcast with Rabbi Yosef Yeshaya Braun, Mara D’asra, and member of the Crown Heights Beis Din, brought to you by AskTheRav.com in partnership with the Lemaan Yilmedu Halacha Institute.

Each week, Rabbi Braun explores fascinating halachic questions across a wide range of practical topics — real inquiries that have reached his desk, along with his clear and insightful responses.

You can listen to the podcast on all major platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, 24Six Amazon Music and Pocket Casts

The podcast is also available at https://asktherav.com/podcast/#ep16, where you can see extensive marei mekomos for the answers.

In this week’s episode, the topics discussed by Rabbi Braun include:

Did Italy Exist in Moshe’s Time?

Spelling “Tverya” with an alef or hei

In a kesubah or get, should the city name Tverya be spelled with an alef, as found throughout Shas, or with a hei, as in modern Hebrew?
If the city is named after the Roman emperor Tiberius, how could the Gemara say it is called Tverya because of “tovah re’iyasah” (its good vision) or because it sits at the “tabur” (belly) of Eretz Yisrael?
How does this compare to the term “Sanhedrin,” a Greek word, being commonly usedin Chazal instead of the Torah terms shoftim or dayanim?

Calabrian esrogim in Moshe Rabbeinu’s time

Why is there a Chabad tradition to use esrogim specifically from Calabria, Italy?
If the Gemara says Italy came into existence only when Shlomo HaMelech married the daughter of Pharaoh, how could shluchim have brought esrogim from Calabria in the times of Moshe Rabbeinu?
Which sources indicate that Italy existed already at Matan Torah, and how is the contradiction resolved?
What about the bracha of “oseh ma’aseh bereishis” on Italian mountains, or the date for reading the Megillah in a walled Italian city?

Makeup on Shabbos during shiva

May a woman sitting shiva put on makeup for Shabbos if she does so every single Shabbos, given that its absence would be noticeable aveilus b’farhesya (public mourning)?
Is refraining from a routine practice itself considered public mourning, comparable to not wearing shoes or not eating meat when Tisha B’Av falls on Shabbos?
Does it matter that the makeup would need to be applied before Shabbos, while the shiva restrictions are still fully in force?
What about cutting overgrown hair or shaving (a discussion onto itself) during shiva, when their absence would be noticeable on Shabbos?

Cochlear implants in halacha

Is one who hears only through a cochlear implant yotzei hearing shofar, Megillah, Kiddush, and Havdalah?
Why do most poskim consider hearing aids to produce a new artificial sound rather than halachic hearing?
Is a cochlear implant better than a hearing aid because it stimulates the hearing nerve directly, or is it a bigger problem because no actual sound is heard at all?
Why are glasses considered real seeing, while a camera wired directly to the nerve would not be?

Calling someone by his father’s nickname

May a bochur in camp call a friend by a nickname that is identical to his father’s unusual nickname (a shem peli)?
Does the prohibition against calling others by one’s father’s name apply only in the father’s presence, or even away from him?
Is this an actual issur or a matter of kavod?
How rare must the name be for the concern to apply, and does the likelihood that the father is mochel create room for leniency?

Picture of the Day

COLlive4 days ago

Picture of the Day

Bonei Olam Chabad to Hold Annual Men’s Event

COLlive4 days ago

Bonei Olam Chabad to Hold Annual Men’s Event

Once a year, the men of our community gather for something that goes far beyond a fundraiser. It is a night of song and brotherhood, of full hearts and open hands. This year, it carries a message powerful enough to define the entire evening:

Celebrate Your Blessings. Help Others Build Theirs.

On Monday, July 27, The Arches will fill for the 6th Annual Bonei Olam Chabad Men’s Event. The evening will feature a soulful kumzitz with Eli Levin, prime meats fresh off the fire, an open bar, and cigars shared in good company. Yet at the heart of the great food, soulful music, and camaraderie lies a purpose that reaches far deeper: giving families in our own community the chance to build the future they have been praying for.

For many couples, the journey to parenthood is marked by heartbreak, uncertainty, and overwhelming financial strain. Bonei Olam Chabad is there when hope feels out of reach, providing not only critical financial assistance, but unwavering emotional support and advocacy every step of the way. The couples waiting and praying are not strangers. They are your neighbors, your friends, your family.

In the words of one grateful family:
“Today we are celebrating our great-grandson’s pidyon haben. Hashem has blessed us with children, grandchildren, and now great-grandchildren. One of our granddaughters took a little longer to start her family, and Baruch Hashem we are here. May Hashem continue to bless this incredible organization that helps build doros in Klal Yisroel.”

Stories like these are why this night matters. A miracle never ends with one family. It grows into children, grandchildren, and generations still to come.

The impact of the past year tells that story. Bonei Olam Chabad supported 148 couples in our community. While 36 precious babies were welcomed into the world, 119 couples are still waiting, hoping, and fighting for the chance to become parents. Together, we made 299 fertility procedures possible and invested more than $1.3 million directly into the couples who needed it most.

This year’s campaign, Give for Gratitude, is built around one simple message: Celebrate Your Blessings. Help Others Build Theirs. With a goal of raising $1.2 million, every dollar will help more couples take another step toward holding a child of their own. It is a movement built on a simple belief: gratitude should inspire action, our blessings are meant to be shared, and one miracle can spark the next.

This is more than the theme of the night. It is the reason we gather. Whether you give in gratitude for your own blessings or in the hope of creating one for someone else, your presence and support can change what is possible for a family still waiting. Think of every simcha your family has been blessed to celebrate, and imagine helping open that same door for someone else.
The countdown has begun. Just two weeks remain.

Join us for an unforgettable evening of brotherhood, gratitude, and purpose. Help another family celebrate theirs.
Monday, July 27

The Arches
6th Annual Bonei Olam Chabad Men’s Event
To RSVP, visit boneiolam.org/rsvpchabad. For sponsorship opportunities, email [email protected].

Wedding: Goodman – Ochman

COLlive4 days ago

Wedding: Goodman – Ochman

Warm Welcome for Chief Rabbi at Birmingham Shul

COLlive4 days ago

Warm Welcome for Chief Rabbi at Birmingham Shul

Birmingham Hebrew Congregation (Singers Hill) was honoured to welcome Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis to a packed communal lunch on Sunday, 28 June, with members and guests gathering to celebrate the vibrant life of the historic 170 year old congregation, led by Rabbi Yossi and Rachel Jacobs.

The afternoon commenced with a warm welcome from the congregation’s Treasurer, Gerald Bloom, who welcomed the Chief Rabbi and attendees.

Rabbi Jacobs then introduced the Chief Rabbi, reflecting on the significance of the visit for the community.

Traditional toasts were proposed by Laura Bushell, who toasted His Majesty The King, and Nicola Williams, who proposed the toast to the State of Israel.

One of the highlights of the afternoon was a series of heartfelt speeches from four young members of the congregation. Organised by Rebbetzen Jacobs, they spoke movingly about what Singers Hill means to them and shared their personal experiences of growing up within the community. Their contributions were warmly received and reflected the congregation’s commitment to nurturing its next generation.

Following the meal, the Chief Rabbi gave an inspiring and uplifting talk before he spent time visiting every table, speaking personally with members and guests, a gesture that was greatly appreciated by all present. His warmth, interest and encouragement made a lasting impression on the congregation.

Emma Hockley delivered the vote of thanks, expressing the community’s gratitude to the Chief Rabbi for his inspiring words and visit and to everyone who had contributed to the success of the event.

A presentation was made by member Gill Green of her latest novel “and the walks sang” all about Singers Hill.

Following his visit, the Chief Rabbi commented:

“I enjoyed a most wonderful visit to the Birmingham Hebrew Congregation (Singers Hill). Congratulations to Rabbi and Rebbetzen Jacobs, Mr Gerald Bloom and Mr John Leek, on their outstanding leadership of the congregation.”

The visit was widely regarded as a memorable and uplifting occasion, celebrating the strength, warmth and future of Birmingham Hebrew Congregation.

Bloom’s Kosher to Reimburse Teachers for Classroom Treats

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Bloom’s Kosher to Reimburse Teachers for Classroom Treats

By COLlive reporter

Bloom’s Kosher has announced a new international grant program that will reimburse Morahs and Rabbeim for eligible classroom purchases of products from the company’s Bloom’s, Oneg, and Sizgit family of brands.

The initiative is intended to recognize Jewish educators who often spend their own money on classroom rewards, snacks, and celebrations to enrich their students’ learning experience.

“Morahs and Rabbeim dedicate themselves to their students every day, often purchasing classroom rewards and supplies with their own money,” said Sholom Rabin, CEO of Bloom’s Kosher. “We wanted to create a program that recognizes their commitment while strengthening Torah learning, supporting the supermarkets that carry our products, and investing directly in the communities we serve.”

Educators will be able to apply online and, after being verified as active Morahs or Rabbeim in Jewish schools, will receive notification of their grant amount if approved. Recipients may then purchase eligible Bloom’s, Oneg, and Sizgit products from the supermarket of their choice. After submitting receipts and any required documentation, they will be reimbursed in accordance with the program guidelines.

Bloom’s Kosher said the reimbursement model is designed to support both educators and the supermarkets that stock its products by directing grant funding through local retailers.

The program is launching as a pilot initiative, with hundreds of grants expected to be awarded during its first year. Because funding is limited, applicants who are not selected may be placed on a waitlist for future rounds as the program expands.

Looking ahead, the company said it hopes to expand the initiative beyond reimbursements by introducing Torah-learning campaigns, educational challenges, classroom contests, raffles, and other resources for participating schools and teachers.

“Our hope is that this is only the beginning of something that will grow for many years to come,” Rabin said. “If this grant helps even one Morah or Rebbi continue inspiring students, strengthens one classroom, or encourages one more child to love learning, it will already be a success.”

Applications are now open at https://bloomskosher.com/grant

The Disturbing Detail About Mamdani Everyone Missed

COLlive4 days ago

The Disturbing Detail About Mamdani Everyone Missed

Podcast of Rabbi Daniel Schonbuch:

New York is at a crossroads. In this exclusive interview, Nassau County Executive and Republican candidate for Governor Bruce Blakeman explains why he believes New York is facing a crisis—and what he says must be done to restore public safety, combat rising antisemitism, and protect the state’s future.

Why Blakeman is running for Governor of New York
His criticism of Zohran Mamdani and the rise of antisemitism in New York politics
Crime, public safety, and law enforcement
The future of New York City and the state
Support for Israel and the Jewish community
Why he believes New York voters have a critical choice in 2026

VIDEO:

Jews, Cars and Guns

COLlive4 days ago

Jews, Cars and Guns

By Rabbi Shimon Posner – Chabad of Rancho Mirage, California

Both of my Zaides were Temimim in Lubavitch ShebeLubavitch; my two Bubbes were from similar backgrounds. All came to America in the Twenties and lived here for the next sixty or so years. For whatever reason, none of them ever got a driver’s license. Both my parents drove, my wife and I do as well and so do our children. Why my grandparents never did, I do not know.

Nothing quite captured the robust, effervescent American culture like the car. The station wagon illustrated the American dream more quintessentially than Norman Rockwell ever could and the automobile defined American geography and economy: giving rise to singularly American post-war concepts: the suburbs, sprawl, parking lots, highways and shopping malls. Tinkering on your car or washing it became a de rigueur Sunday afternoon pastime.

My father never worked on his car, and if not for the rise of the automatic car wash, his cars and mine would never have gotten cleaned. It’s safe to say that we drive, but we don’t reflect the wider culture’s focus on car ownership; it’s simply the best way to get from Point A to Point B.

This precedent helps me as reality shifts. In the Seventies, security for my father’s shul meant putting the key to the front door under the doormat. It sounds quaint now. Back then, gun ownership was largely the affair of a small, somewhat obscure, ill-defined segment of the population, not for the average suburbanite, both within the Jewish community and beyond. And that too now seems quaint.

There is scarcely a Jewish institution in the country — or in the world for that matter — that doesn’t maintain a secure perimeter. And the same way that car ownership requires not just comparing insurance policies and registering for the annual tags, but also bringing it in for an oil change and knowing what to tell the mechanic beyond “it’s making funny noises”, security means we need to become familiar with, and somewhat proficient in, firearms to become responsible gun owners.

These are not decisions that my grandparents or parents made and there is an inevitable tension between the needs of self-protection and the beckoning of manly sport. It is incumbent upon us to address this because, one way or another, a psychological shift needs to occur before we make enduring changes.

Why did my father never get “into” his cars? Why don’t my children “fall in love” with their wheels? Part of the reason is that they are focused on why the Almighty breathed a soul into their body and they wake up every morning intent on not losing that goal. But left to our own devices, could we as Chasidim easily fall into such indulgence? Absolutely. We need to be on guard against cars becoming the status symbol millions of advertising dollars purport them to be. But that doesn’t mean we should take the bus instead.

Magen Am and COSEM, two organizations promoting self-security for Jews and Jewish communities, recently cohosted a training course for Shluchim. Magen Am’s mission statement advocates protecting Jewish communities so they can focus on raising happy, informed Jews. Remaining true to that mission statement is a tall order. Target practice is fun and fun carries the risk of excess and the proclivity to indulgence. As do cars. As does eating.

Am I joining NRA? One thing is clearer to me now than it was before: both the pro-Second Amendment and the pro-gun-control factions have little training in responsible gun ownership and handling, and that needs to change before politics plays out.

But what about us, the Kol Yakov with a healthy wariness of yidei eisav, how do we make sure we don’t get all into target practice at the expense of losing our sights? How do we remain more focused on how we carry ourselves, rather than simply how we carry? How do we steer clear of political pitfalls and ideological hubris?

Magen Am’s line helps – if you work it. For me, the video of the Rebbe speaking to a man from Israel helps. The Rebbe was so uncharacteristically sharp and heated in this conversation that, before YouTube and WhatsApp videos, I went to a neighbor’s house to watch it on their video screen.

The Rebbe is saying to him, “There are tens of thousands of Jewish children in Israel who are not being taught aleph bais al taharas hakodesh, and who is putting their small finger in cold water about it!?!”

VIDEO: From minute 14:15

I wouldn’t say I have my passions of the palate under control. Seeing me, you might attest to that. Yet I also don’t have two cars on cinderblocks in the driveway for Sunday afternoon tinkering.

I think my grandparents would approve of the shifts taking place as a necessity ad bias goel tzedek. I’m even more sure my parents would. I’d give the world for their advice on navigating these new waters….

Until then, security will join driving as things requiring vigilant, proactive training and attention. The real question is, am I putting my little finger into cold water for chinuch al taharas hakodesh?

Is Money the Root of All Evil?

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Is Money the Root of All Evil?

MyLife: Chassidus Applied Episode 599 with Rabbi Simon Jacobson
Sunday, July 12, 2026 / 27 Tammuz 5786 – 8:00-9:00PM ET

What should our focus be during these days?

What is the correct way to understand and experience the sadness of this time of year?
How does the spiral of time work according to Jewish thought?
How do we explain the Gemara “just as when Av begins one decreases in rejoicing, so too when Adar begins, one increases in rejoicing”?

Rosh Chodesh Av/Nine Days:

What lessons do we learn from this time period?
What is unique about Rosh Chodesh Av?
Why are these days sadder than other days of the year?
What’s the highest level of divine revelation that we can access today?
How do the laws of the nine days, like not bathing or washing clothes, help build the Third Beis HaMikdash?

**Devarim/Chazon:
**How do we reconcile the literal meaning of Chazon (Isaiah’s vision of the Temple’s destruction) and R’Levi Yitzchok Berditchev’s interpretation that every Jew is shown the Temple from afar?
What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week’s Torah parsha?
Why is an entire book of Torah dedicated to reviewing past events that have already happened and been documented?
Why are new mitzvos introduced in this book?
Is there a special connection between the Ramak, whose yahrzeit was on 23 Tammuz, and Chabad Chassidus?

What special strengths does our generation have?

Why don’t we have miraculous tools like in previous generations?

How are today’s scientific advances in AI consistent with the prophesies about the spread of knowledge in the messianic era?

What did the Rebbe say when he visited camp? Follow-up

Is money the root of all evil?

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.

VIDEO:

Questions may be submitted anonymously at chassidusapplied.com/ask

Silver Coin Minted to Honor Rebbe’s 75 Years of Leadership

COLlive4 days ago

Silver Coin Minted to Honor Rebbe’s 75 Years of Leadership

By COLlive reporter

A new commemorative silver coin honoring 75 years of the Rebbe’s leadership has been released in partnership with the Government of Niue and the Niue Mint, a division of the New Zealand Mint.

The limited-edition coin is believed to be the first legal tender coin ever minted featuring the Lubavitcher Rebbe, marking a unique milestone in honoring the Rebbe’s leadership and the global impact of his Shluchim.

The coin was developed by Collect 2 Connect, a new company focused on producing commemorative legal tender coins honoring milestones and notable figures in Jewish history.

“The goal was to create something that would not only mark 75 years of the Rebbe’s nesius, but also capture the Rebbe’s message and mission,” the organizers of the project told COLlive. “The theme of the coin, ‘Spreading the Light,’ reflects the Rebbe’s call to bring the light of Torah and mitzvos to every corner of the world.”

Struck from one troy ounce of .999 fine silver, each coin is produced in high-relief proof quality, combining artistic craftsmanship with halachic guidance. The design was created by acclaimed Italian coin designer Sandra Deiana, an award-winning artist whose work includes designs for major international mints.

The obverse features a finely sculpted portrait of the Rebbe, surrounded by the words “Blessings and Success” in multiple languages, representing the Rebbe’s well-known bracha of “Bracha V’Hatzlacha” – “Blessings and Success” to those who sought his guidance.

The reverse side features 770 Eastern Parkway, with a radiant eight-branched menorah beneath it, its rays illuminating the world and representing the theme of “Spreading the Light.”

“The imagery was chosen carefully,” the organizers explained. “770 represents the source from which the Rebbe’s message was spread throughout the world, while the menorah and its rays represent the ongoing mission of the Rebbe and his shluchim to bring light and kedusha to every place.”

A unique feature of the coin is the inclusion of a dime originally given by the Rebbe, which was melted into the silver used in each coin.

“We wanted to include something that carries a personal connection to the Rebbe’s brachos,” the organizers said. “The coin connects people not only to a historic moment, but also to the Rebbe’s bracha and the personal connection that so many Yidden felt.”

Only 5,786 coins have been minted worldwide. Each coin carries an official denomination of one Niue dollar, making it legal tender under the authority of the Government of Niue.

The 2026 “Spreading the Light” Commemorative Coin serves as a lasting keepsake for chassidim, shluchim, collectors, and all those who wish to commemorate 75 years of the Rebbe’s nesius and the continued spreading of light throughout the world.

The commemorative coin is available through collect2connect.com.

Wedding: Goldstein – Smith

COLlive4 days ago

Wedding: Goldstein – Smith

Halfway Through an Incredible Summer at Pioneers Camp

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Halfway Through an Incredible Summer at Pioneers Camp

As we reach the halfway mark of Summer 5786 at Pioneers Camp, it is amazing to reflect on everything our campers have accomplished in just a few short weeks. Every day has been filled with growth, adventure, friendship, and unforgettable experiences.

Our campers begin each day with Chassidus, setting a meaningful tone that carries through every activity. Alongside their learning, they are gaining practical wilderness and survival skills that build confidence, resilience, and independence.

This summer, campers have mastered a wide range of outdoor skills, including multiple methods of fire-making such as bow drilling and torch making. They have learned essential wilderness safety, shelter building, navigation, fishing, and outdoor cooking, including making fresh pita. These aren’t just fun activities. They are opportunities to develop patience, problem-solving, teamwork, and perseverance.

Adventure has taken us to new heights, literally. Campers have summited mountains, challenged themselves on rock climbing excursions, and enjoyed unforgettable overnight trips in the wilderness. Some campers have even begun scuba diving lessons, expanding their horizons and discovering exciting new skills.

None of this would be possible without our incredible staff, who work tirelessly from early morning until late at night to create an environment that is exciting, safe, and deeply supportive. Their dedication goes far beyond running activities. They mentor, encourage, and inspire each camper to believe in himself and discover strengths he never knew he had.

At Pioneers Camp, our mission is about much more than teaching survival and wilderness skills. Those skills are the vehicle through which we help each camper grow. Real growth happens when a person steps outside his comfort zone, embraces challenges, and realizes he is capable of far more than he imagined. That journey of personal growth is what Pioneers Camp is all about.

With so much already accomplished, we can’t wait to see what the second half of the summer will bring. The adventures continue, the learning never stops, and the memories being made will last a lifetime.

From Atlanta to Parksville: Rabbi Isser New Returns to CGI Parksville

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From Atlanta to Parksville: Rabbi Isser New Returns to CGI Parksville

This past week, Camp Gan Israel Parksville warmly welcomed Rabbi Isser New, shliach in Atlanta, GA, for a memorable visit that brought together decades of camp memories, inspiration, and chinuch. Upon his arrival, Rabbi New was warmly received by Camp Director Rabbi Yossie Futerfas, who welcomed him back to the camp where he spent so many formative summers.

The visit was part of CGI Parksville’s ‘Celebration 70’ initiative, commemorating the camp’s 70th anniversary by inviting former head staff members back to camp for Shabbosim throughout the summer. The goal is to reconnect generations of CGI leadership while giving today’s staff and campers the opportunity to hear firsthand from those who helped shape the camp’s enduring spirit. The initiative is being coordinated by Rabbi Bentzion Pearson, who is directing the camp’s Celebration 70 programming.

For Rabbi New, the visit was more than a return—it was a homecoming.

He spent eleven consecutive summers in Camp Gan Israel Parksville, beginning as a camper in 5756 and returning year after year as a staff member. He later served as Learning Director and Head Counselor during the summers of 5765-5767, helping shape the camp experience for hundreds of campers.

This year’s visit was especially meaningful, as for the first time in CGI Parksville’s history, the largest out-of-town delegation of campers came from Atlanta, reflecting the remarkable growth of the Atlanta Chabad community and its longstanding connection to the camp.

Throughout his visit, Rabbi New addressed campers and staff, sharing insights drawn from his years in camp and his ongoing work in shlichus.

Speaking at the Friday night seudah, Rabbi New described camp as many children’s first genuine yeshivah experience. The learning, structured schedule, davening, and overall atmosphere are unlike anything many children experience during the rest of the year. For nearly eight weeks, campers live in a 24/7 environment permeated with the light and warmth of Torah and Chassidus. They daven three times each day, Krias Shema at bedtime is recited with care and seriousness, learning becomes part of the rhythm of daily life, and Yiddishkeit is experienced not merely as something to study, but as something to live.

“In many ways,” he explained, “camp is the training ground or ‘draft’ for becoming one of the Rebbe’s bochurim.”

On Shabbos afternoon, following the daytime seudah, Rabbi New led a farbrengen with the staff that continued until Mincha. Throughout the farbrengen, he spoke about the tremendous responsibility entrusted to every staff member. Camp, he emphasized, is often a bochur’s first genuine experience of shlichus. Every interaction with a camper has the potential to leave a lifelong impression, making each staff member not merely a supervisor, but a mechanech and role model whose influence can extend far beyond the summer.

He challenged the staff to ensure that every aspect of camp is infused with tochen. Sports teams, games, competitions, trips, and informal moments are never “just activities.” Every aspect of camp should be purposeful—an opportunity to educate, inspire, and strengthen a child’s love for Torah, mitzvos, and the Rebbe.

The message resonated deeply with the staff: camp is not simply a summer program. It is an immersive environment in which children grow spiritually around the clock, and where counselors have the privilege—and responsibility—of helping shape the future of the next generation.

Rabbi New’s visit served as a powerful reminder of the unique role Camp Gan Israel continues to play in fulfilling the Rebbe’s vision: creating an atmosphere where Yiddishkeit is not only taught, but lived.

Indeed, when the Rebbe received the news of the purchase of CGI Parksville’s present grounds, he blessed that the camp should “bear fruit, and the fruits of its fruits, throughout the entire year”—a brocha that continues to be realized through the generations of campers and staff whose lives have been shaped by Camp Gan Israel.

Picture of the Day

COLlive4 days ago

Picture of the Day

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My Marriage Broke, But I Chose a Full Home

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My Marriage Broke, But I Chose a Full Home

When Chabad singer and songwriter Esther Freeman‘s marriage ended, she changed the narrative – from surviving to thriving. From anxiety to gratitude. Singing and dancing her way through the cracks, with her kids. Not a broken home, it’s fuller than ever.

Apple: https://shorturl.at/Y5yQx

Spotify: https://shorturl.at/aGk59

Available on 24Six and Hotline: 03333660106. Contact:+44749346372 or [email protected].

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Semicha Celebrated in Moscow Alongside Yeshiva’s Expansion

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Semicha Celebrated in Moscow Alongside Yeshiva’s Expansion

At the close of the academic year, as the fruits of the immense investment over the long winter and summer months are clearly evident, the “Tomchei Temimim” Yeshiva in Moscow is enveloped in an atmosphere of spiritual satisfaction and elevation. The noise of the bustling city remains outside, and within the Yeshiva study hall, one can feel the joyous sense of concluding a year filled with the toil of Torah and Chassidus. The students, who applied themselves to their studies with daily dedication, are now reaping the rewards of their hard work, giving these days a festive feeling of renewal and a historic leap forward toward the future.

This sense of elevation reached its peak recently with the graduation celebration of the rabbinic ordination (Semicha) studies, held with great splendor for a group of the Shluchim students. Throughout the entire year, the Shluchim dedicated themselves to the Semicha study track, successfully passing a comprehensive series of written and oral exams. The panel of examiners included prominent rabbis and dayanim, among them the Rishon LeZion and Chief Rabbi of Israel, the Gaon Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef, during his visit to Moscow, as well as the Gaon and Chassid Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Raskin, Dayan and Moreh Tzedek of the Lubavitch community in London.

The final exam was administered by the founder of the Yeshiva, the Chief Rabbi of Russia, the Gaon Rabbi Berel Lazar, shlita, who dedicated significant time to test the students despite his busy schedule. The panel of examiners was also joined by the Gaon and Chassid Rabbi Shneur Zalman Yaroslavsky, rabbi of the Chabad community in Elad and member of the Chabad Rabbinical Court, who made a special trip to test the Temimim. Rabbi Yaroslavsky, who brings extensive experience in testing students, expressed his immense admiration for the level of investment and the breadth of the young men’s knowledge, from foundational principles up to practical Halachic rulings.

Special appreciation was expressed to the Yeshiva’s administration, headed by the Shaliach Rabbi Yechezkel Lazar, which invests tremendous resources to enable the young men to study with peace of mind and tranquility, and to Rabbi Dovid Rosenzweig, who heads the Semicha track with profound dedication and effort. The Shluchim students arrived from the “Oholei Torah” Yeshiva in New York, through the initiative and dedicated organization of the Ram and rabbi of the ‘Zil’ neighborhood in southern Moscow, the Shaliach Rabbi Shaul Shimon Deutsch, with the goal of strengthening the local Yeshiva students and providing them with a living example of diligence and perseverance.

Alongside the impressive celebration, the Yeshiva is currently experiencing a fascinating wave of renewal, which takes on double meaning in light of the institution’s solid foundations. This Yeshiva has earned a unique status: it is the only “Tomchei Temimim” Yeshiva in the world whose opening was directly approved by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, rather than through the central administration of Tomchei Temimim, and for the Yeshiva’s opening, the Rebbe granted it a special blessing. It was in the month of Elul, 5748 (1988), approaching the “Year of Building,” when the Rebbe was written to about the initiative to open a Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva in Moscow. To this, his rare and direct holy response was received: “May it be in a good and successful hour in every respect, and since there must be ‘lights within vessels,’ they should clarify well in what manner regarding the details, a specific person – a specific matter – and the like, there needs to be a decision on-site. I will mention it at the Tziyon.” This special blessing has accompanied the Yeshiva ever since, and its power is felt and shines throughout the city of Moscow, and especially upon the hundreds of the Yeshiva’s alumni, who have established Chassidic homes, with many serving as klei kodesh for Russian Jewry around the world.

As a natural response to the community’s expansion, a new framework designed for advanced young men is now opening. While until now the Yeshiva has focused on providing a solution for Baalei Teshuva at the beginning of their journey, the new program, headed by the new Shaliach Rabbi Yisroel Rozen, is designed to give the students comprehensive tools ahead of their integration into major Yeshivas in Israel and around the world, and in preparation for the “Kvutza” year at the Yeshiva in 770 in the USA.

Hovering above all these educational endeavors is the constant guidance of the founder of all the educational institutions, the Chief Rabbi, shlita, and the new framework constitutes another tier in a chain of educational initiatives. These join the “Evening Yeshiva” and the “Sunday Yeshiva” that opened this year, providing an additional study framework for young men thirsting to delve deeper into Torah and the observance of Mitzvot. All these projects come to fruition thanks to the close collaboration of the dedicated Yeshiva staff, together with the Board of Education headed by Rabbi Mendel Goldberg, and the support of the 770 Foundation and its head, the Chassidic philanthropist and Shaliach, Rabbi Yehuda Davidov. The Semicha celebration, together with the opening of the doors to the new programs, concludes a fruitful academic year and plants in the hearts a strong anticipation for an even brighter future for the voice of Torah in Moscow.

Photography: Levi Nazarov

Sen. Lindsey Graham, Staunch Friend of Israel, Dies at 71

COLlive5 days ago

Sen. Lindsey Graham, Staunch Friend of Israel, Dies at 71

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, one of Israel’s strongest allies in Washington and a steadfast supporter of the Jewish people, passed away on Saturday following what his office described as a brief and sudden illness. He was 71.

A Republican senator from South Carolina since 2003, Graham spent more than three decades in Congress, earning a reputation as one of the nation’s leading voices on foreign policy and national security. Throughout his career, he was among Israel’s most outspoken defenders, championing military aid to the Jewish state, confronting Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and forcefully advocating for Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorism.

Graham was also a familiar face to the Jewish community and frequently appeared at pro-Israel events. In November 2023, COLlive reported on his participation in a bipartisan Capitol Hill gathering alongside families of hostages held by Hamas, where members of Congress pledged their continued support for securing the hostages’ release and reaffirmed America’s commitment to Israel in the aftermath of the October 7 massacre.

In 2017, Graham was featured on COLlive after meeting with a delegation of Chabad shluchim and rabbanim on Capitol Hill. The gathering highlighted his longstanding relationship with Jewish leaders and his unwavering support for the State of Israel and the broader Jewish community.

Over the years, Graham made numerous visits to Israel, meeting with prime ministers, military officials, and families affected by terrorism. Following the October 7 attacks, he repeatedly called for decisive action against Hamas and urged the United States to provide Israel with the resources necessary to achieve victory. He also strongly opposed international efforts to prosecute Israeli leaders and consistently argued that Israel’s security was vital to American national interests.

Born on July 9, 1955, in Central, South Carolina, Graham served in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps before entering politics. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994 before winning election to the Senate in 2002, where he served continuously for more than two decades.

Although known for his outspoken style and influential role in Washington, Graham was especially respected in Israel and among Jewish organizations for his consistency. Through changing administrations and shifting political landscapes, his support for the U.S.-Israel alliance remained unwavering.

Tributes poured in from leaders across the United States and around the world. President Donald Trump called Graham “one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known,” while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mourned the loss of “one of Israel’s greatest friends,” praising his lifelong commitment to the Jewish state.

👉 https://venatnu.org/campaign/KIDS/baby-eli?ref=lv12.7at

$7,000 stands between Baby Eli and treatment.

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$7,000 stands between Baby Eli and treatment.

🚨 Only the final $7,000 remains – and it must be raised by the end of this month.

Baby Eli is only 6 months old. 💔

A life-threatening tumor has placed him in intensive care, fighting for every breath instead of growing safely in his mother’s arms.

Baruch Hashem, generous donors have already helped the family raise the vast majority of the funds needed for Eli’s urgent treatment.

🙏 If each of us takes a small part, together we can help close the final gap and give Baby Eli the chance he so desperately needs.

☑️ Verified by: R’ Yisroel Mordechai Deitch

Donate now

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Tenth Kinus Hanhalos to Bring Together Yeshiva Leaders from Around the World

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Tenth Kinus Hanhalos to Bring Together Yeshiva Leaders from Around the World

Dozens of Mashpiim, Magidei Shiur, and Menahalim from Lubavitcher yeshivos worldwide will gather in Crown Heights this Monday and Tuesday, Chof-Ches and Chof-Tes Tammuz (July 13–14), for the Tenth Annual Kinus Hanhalos.

The Kinus is organized by Igud Yeshivos Lubavitch, the central office for Lubavitcher yeshivos operating as a division of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch. The Igud works with all 62 yeshivos across 12 countries serving approximately 3,200 bochurim, providing programs, tools, curriculum, and staff support systems.

This year’s gathering will be held at Anshei Lubavitch in Crown Heights and will feature three parallel tracks tailored to the distinct roles within a yeshiva’s leadership — one for Mashpiim, one for Magidei Shiur, and one for Menahalim — allowing each group to focus on the issues and opportunities most relevant to their work.

Sessions will address both the practical and the hashkafic dimensions of chinuch in today’s yeshiva environment.

The Kinus comes at a time of significant activity for the Igud, which has expanded its slate of programs in recent years. Among its initiatives are Vehogisa, a structured Gemara review and assessment program, the Skiros in-depth Torah article series, Velimadtem, a weekly synopsis for parents on their childs learning, Letapel BaNefesh, therapeutic and psychological guidance for educators, and Maatik U’Maarich, among other offerings.

The annual Kinus has become a hallmark event for the Lubavitch yeshiva world, giving mechanchim – who spend the year devoted to their talmidim in communities around the globe – a rare opportunity to step back and see Lubavitch and its Yeshivos as whole, connect with colleagues, share best practices, and recharge ahead of the coming year.

“The Kinus is not a conference about theory,” Rabbi Mendel Itzinger, the head of Igud Yeshivos says, “It’s where the people doing the actual work of chinuch come together to address real challenges, sharpen each other, and walk away with tools they can use immediately.”

For more information visit igudyeshivos.org/kinus

L’Chaim: Deitsch – Zucker

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L’Chaim: Deitsch – Zucker

Join the Mikvah Mei Chaya Mushka Auction today.

Eishes Chayil: Where Every Prize Tells Her Story

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Eishes Chayil: Where Every Prize Tells Her Story

She never asked for recognition.
Not for the meals prepared before dawn.
Not for the countless details no one else noticed.
Not for the home she built, one act of love at a time.
Yet everything stands because she does.

For generations, the words of Eishes Chayil have painted the portrait of the Jewish woman—not for what she owns, but for what she gives. Her strength. Her wisdom. Her kindness. Her unwavering devotion to her family and to Hashem.

As Mikvah Mei Chaya Mushka enters a new decade, we celebrate the woman behind every Jewish home.

This year’s Mikvah Mei Chaya Mushka Auction is inspired by Eishes Chayil. Each prize was thoughtfully chosen to reflect a different possuk. Every page tells a story. Every gift honors a different expression of the woman whose quiet dedication shapes generations.
Most of all, this auction is an opportunity to strengthen the very foundation she cherishes. Every ticket supports Mikvah Mei Chaya Mushka—a haven of Taharah, beauty, and dignity that thousands of women rely on each year.

Celebrate a new decade with a collection of extraordinary prizes, including:
💰 $10,000 in Cash
✈️ A luxury Sukkos getaway in Cancun
💇‍♀️ A custom designer sheitel
🚗 A 2-year car lease
💎 Exquisite jewelry
…and many more luxurious gifts!

To celebrate the launch of a new decade, every ticket purchased during our Launch Special is automatically doubled. Buy one ticket, get one FREE and double your chances to win!
This is your opportunity to support Mikvah Mei Chaya Mushka while celebrating the woman behind every Jewish home.

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CGI Hillside Campers Enjoy Inspiring Visit to Crown Heights

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CGI Hillside Campers Enjoy Inspiring Visit to Crown Heights

Camp Gan Israel Hillside traveled from New Jersey to Crown Heights for a memorable day filled with inspiration, learning, and Chassidishe pride.

The day began at 770, where the campers were surprised by Rabbi Shimmy Weinbaum, director of Tzivos Hashem, who led a lively hour-long rally. Together, the children recited the Twelve Pesukim, sang spirited niggunim, and heard a powerful message about the daily battle with the Yetzer Hara. Rabbi Weinbaum explained how the Yetzer Hara tries to influence our thoughts and emotions, but every child is a soldier in Tzivos Hashem with the strength and ability to overcome those challenges and make the right choices.

The campers then visited the WLCC room, where Rabbi Mendel Eisenbach gave them a fascinating look at how the Rebbe’s farbrengens and sichos were broadcast around the world long before modern technology made live streaming possible. The children gained a new appreciation for the tremendous efforts made to connect Chassidim everywhere to the Rebbe.

From there, the group toured the Rebbe’s Library, where they viewed rare manuscripts, handwritten notes, seforim, and treasured artifacts from the Rabbeim, offering the campers a unique glimpse into Chabad’s rich history and heritage.

Before departing, each camper took a few quiet moments by the Rebbe’s door to daven and make a personal request.

The inspiring day concluded with a special picnic lunch at Rutland Park, generously sponsored by Holesome Bagels.

One Reason the Rebbe Gave Why Moshiach Isn’t Coming Yet

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One Reason the Rebbe Gave Why Moshiach Isn’t Coming Yet

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:

https://thinkagain.womenseventch.com/

From Crown Heights to Sydney: ‘Think Again’ Reaches Worldwide

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From Crown Heights to Sydney: ‘Think Again’ Reaches Worldwide

More than 60 groups have already joined Think Again, the new four-week N’shei Chabad learning initiative exploring how to live with Moshiach and view everyday life through the lens of Geulah.

Groups are forming across the globe—from Sydney and Melbourne to France, London and Florida, throughout the bungalow colonies, and on blocks and in homes across Crown Heights.

The response has been immediate and deeply enthusiastic.

“We are excited to join your learning initiative!” wrote E.

“This is so beautiful. This is something N’shei Chabad needs. Thank you for this initiative,” shared M.

The course will explore four powerful sichos of the Rebbe in a clear, practical and discussion-based format. Each participant will receive a beautifully designed booklet, while group leaders will be provided with the full curriculum, teaching resources and preparation classes.

Women can join a public group near them, create a private group with friends or bring the course to their own community.

Registration is still open, but participants are encouraged to sign up now so their booklet can arrive in time for the first class.

To join a group or create your own, visit:

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Dnipro Community Donates Torah Scroll to Vinnytsia

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Dnipro Community Donates Torah Scroll to Vinnytsia

A newly completed Torah scroll was celebrated this week in Dnipro, often referred to as the “capital of Jewish Ukraine,” before being donated to the Jewish community of Vinnytsia.

The Torah was dedicated in honor of “Igor ben Zoya,” referring to businessman and philanthropist Igor Kolomoisky, with prayers for his recovery, wellbeing, and long life. The dedication was made by his friends together with the Jewish community of Dnipro.

The ceremony took place at the Menorah Center, the world’s largest Jewish community center, and was emceed by Rabbi Moshe Weber. Addressing the gathering were Dnipro Chief Rabbi and Head Shliach Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki, Vinnytsia Chief Rabbi and Shliach Rabbi Shaul Horowitz, and community leader Yitzchak Friedman, who spoke about the importance of supporting Jewish communities throughout Ukraine and strengthening Jewish unity.

Friends of Kolomoisky, a delegation from Vinnytsia, students of the Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva, and members of the Dnipro Yeshiva staff led by Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Eliyahu Chafer attended the event. The Torah was written by Ukraine’s National Center for Torah Scribes under the direction of Rabbi Reuven Margolin, with many participants honored to inscribe letters in the scroll.

Following the completion ceremony, Rabbi Horowitz was honored with Hagbah, while Yitzchak Friedman dressed the Torah in its specially embroidered mantle and silver crown. The Torah was then carried beneath a chuppah through the Menorah Center and in a festive procession through Dnipro’s historic Jewish quarter to the city’s Golden Rose Synagogue, where the traditional Hakafos were held.

The Torah has now arrived in Vinnytsia, nearly 600 kilometers from Dnipro, where it will serve a thriving Jewish community led by Rabbi Horowitz. Since the outbreak of the war, the community has absorbed hundreds of Jewish refugee families, providing them with extensive humanitarian and spiritual support.

“For many years we had only one Torah scroll, making it difficult to accommodate the needs of our growing community, especially on Shabbos, Yom Tov, Rosh Chodesh, and fast days,” Rabbi Horowitz said. “When Rabbi Kaminezki heard about our situation, he immediately arranged for this extraordinary gift. We are deeply grateful. On Chai Elul we will celebrate the Torah’s official Hachnosas Sefer Torah with a large procession and orchestra. This Torah strengthens not only our synagogue, but also the special bond between the communities of Vinnytsia and Dnipro.”

L’Chaim: Ezagui – Blumenfeld

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L’Chaim: Ezagui – Blumenfeld

Where Will They Go To School Next Year?

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Where Will They Go To School Next Year?

As we recently marked 50 years since the Rebbe launched Mivtzah Chinuch, many wonder what is being done for the countless Jewish children who have yet to receive a proper Torah education. But in communities around the world, the Our Heritage Foundation is making Jewish education possible for hundreds of families. Through partnering with Chabad day schools and providing up to $30,000 in matching grants to enroll up to 10 new students coming from public schools, Our Heritage actively encourages new student enrollment.

Many have seen the impact. From when the program was founded in 2020 by Rabbi Zalman Shneur of the Menachem Education Foundation, over 45 Chabad day schools across the United States, Canada and Europe have been part of the program. Shluchim around the world have shared transformative stories about students who have influenced the lives of their families from their Torah education, and so far, 834 individual children have had the opportunity to discover their Yiddishkeit and grow up as proud Yidden.

Eyden Z., a middle school student at Mazel Day School through Our Heritage, recently shared a taste of the impact when he said: “At a Jewish school I don’t have to find who I am. I don’t have to find my tribe, I am surrounded by them. My Judaism comes first and isn’t a hidden part of me.” Over 800 children feel the same, and the impact transforms families.

But there are countless children who are still waiting for their Torah-true education.

In honor of 50 years of answering the Rebbe’s call for Chinuch, Our Heritage has committed to offer more. The new bonus grant for Chabad day schools will award up to $1,000,000 to help 250 additional students receive a Jewish education. Schools can now sign up for this Bonus Grant, and receive an additional $2,000 for each new enrollment that exceeds their highest Our Heritage student enrollment count over the past three years.

Schools who have not been part of Our Heritage in the past can join too. Any school in an Anash or Shlichus community that brings in a Jewish child from a public school can become part of fulfilling the Rebbe’s call through the Our Heritage Foundation. There are thousands of children who are still waiting to discover their Yiddishkeit, learn Torah and grow up as proud Jews. There is no better time than now to think of a child who is still in need of a proper Torah Chinuch.

“My own Jewish education – from nursery to high school – helped shape who I am, ” shares Mr. Alex Swieca, Chairman of the Our Heritage Foundation. “It gave me identity, strength and purpose and I feel a responsibility to pay it forward.”

Our Heritage extends their thanks to the individuals who are generously powering this new initiative, and invites you to get involved or sign your school up for the grant at ourheritagefoundation.com

Follow Our Heritage on Instagram to find out more about the impact.

Oholei Yosef Yitzchok Lubavitch Celebrates 16 Years at Graduations

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Oholei Yosef Yitzchok Lubavitch Celebrates 16 Years at Graduations

Oholei Yosef Yitzchok Lubavitch (OYYL), a boutique Chabad Cheder in Crown Heights dedicated to chinuch al taharas hakodesh, recently celebrated a meaningful milestone as it held separate graduation ceremonies for its Boys and Girls Divisions, marking the completion of its sixteenth year of educating the next generation of Jewish children.

The celebrations, held during the final week of the school year at OYYL’s campus at 333 Albany Avenue, brought together students, parents, teachers, and staff to reflect on a year of growth, achievement, and dedication to the timeless values that form the foundation of authentic Chabad Chinuch.

More than a graduation ceremony, the events reflected the vision upon which OYYL was founded sixteen years ago: to partner with parents in raising children who are not only knowledgeable, but who grow into true mentchen- young men and women whose lives are guided by Ahavas Hashem, Ahavas HaTorah, and Ahavas Yisroel.

The programs opened with the recitation of the Rebbe’s and Rebbetzin’s kapitlach, followed by the Twelve Pesukim, creating an atmosphere of inspiration and gratitude. Throughout the ceremonies, every student was recognized for his or her accomplishments over the past year. Students received certificates marking the successful completion of their grade, carefully selected seforim and gifts to accompany them into the coming school year, as well as beautifully designed class memory books prepared by their teachers- keepsakes preserving the friendships, learning, and joyful experiences of the year.

In his address, Rabbi Mottel Schneiderman, co-founder and Educational Director of OYYL, reminded parents that the purpose of Torah education reaches far beyond academic achievement.
“Our goal is not simply to teach children information,” he shared. “Our mission is to help shape a generation of Jews whose character reflects the Torah they learn—children who naturally love Hashem, love every fellow Jew, and love Torah. When these values become part of a child’s identity, we are preparing the world for the unfolding Geulah.”

Mrs. Mila Schneiderman, co-founder and Vision Director of the Cheder, reflected on the unique rhythm of OYYL’s educational calendar, intentionally modeled after the traditional Chadorim of previous generations. The school year begins with the arrival of Elul and concludes at the end of Tamuz, allowing students to experience nearly an entire year immersed in Torah learning before a short Bein Hazmanim of only three to four weeks.

“This rhythm allows children to live inside the Jewish calendar,” she explained. “The months themselves become part of their education. Their learning grows together with the Yomim Tovim, the seasons, and the avodah of each time of year. Graduation is therefore not merely the end of another school year- it is a moment to pause, recognize how much each child has grown, thank Hashem for that growth, and begin envisioning the next stage of their journey.”

She also reflected on the privilege of working together with parents, emphasizing that genuine chinuch is a partnership between home and Cheder.

Sophia Azulay, OYYL’s office manager and the mother of children attending the Cheder, spoke from both professional and personal experience. Expressing gratitude to the staff, she shared how meaningful it has been to witness her own sons flourish in an environment where every child is known, appreciated, and encouraged.

As a boutique Cheder, OYYL intentionally maintains small classes of up to 12 students, allowing teachers to know every child personally and tailor instruction to each student’s pace and abilities. Rather than viewing Chinuch as merely the transmission of knowledge, OYYL strives to nurture the whole child- academically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

The celebrations concluded on a joyful note with a beautiful hands-on mezuzah holder mosaic workshop, where students created colorful artistic projects to take home—a fitting reminder that every Jewish home is protected by Hashem and built with Torah, mitzvos, and beauty.

As the final certificates were presented and families gathered for photographs and farewells, the atmosphere was filled with gratitude- for the accomplishments of the students, the dedication of the teachers, and the partnership of the parents who entrust OYYL with the precious task of educating their children.

After sixteen years of serving the Crown Heights community, Oholei Yosef Yitzchok Lubavitch continues to remain steadfast in its founding vision: providing chinuch al taharas hakodesh in an environment where every child is cherished, every family is valued, and every day of learning is another step toward building the generation that will greet the coming of Moshiach.

To learn more about OYYL programs- visit www.OYYL.org.

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Moshiach Office and Mikdash Minute Bring Learning to Thousands

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Moshiach Office and Mikdash Minute Bring Learning to Thousands

As the Three Weeks begin, The Moshiach Office at Merkos 302 is partnering with Mikdash Minute to bring the Rebbe’s call to learn Hilchos Beis Habechirah to thousands in a clear, visual, and accessible way.

50 years ago, the Rebbe asked every Yid to learn Hilchos Beis Habechirah during the Three Weeks. Quoting the Medrash, the Rebbe explained that when Yidden learn about the structure and laws of the Beis Hamikdash, Hashem considers it as if they are involved in its actual construction.

“Our goal is to make that learning clear, accessible, and real,” said Rabbi Mendel Braun, founder of Mikdash Minute. “Through these short videos, and now together with the 3D Beis Hamikdash Experience, people are not only learning about the Beis Hamikdash — they are beginning to see it, understand it, and yearn for it.”

In the past, Mikdash Minute and Meaningful Minute have collaborated to bring the study of Hilchos Beis Habechirah to tens of thousands of people through concise, engaging, one-minute videos. This year, viewers will be introduced to various parts of the Beis Hamikdash. The highly produced videos bring it to life better than pictures and books.

Additionally, viewers can delve deeper by exploring the structure room by room at their own pace using the new interactive self-guided Beis Hamikdash 3D tool.

The Beis Hamikdash 3D Experience, produced by The Moshiach Office at Merkos 302, allows users to click around and walk through the Second and Third Beis Hamikdash as described in Sefer Yechezkel, with source-based explanations and visual guidance throughout the tour.

Mikdash Minute members also receive 10% off the 3D experience.

“When a person learns the details, visualizes them, and begins to understand them, the Beis Hamikdash becomes more real in their life,” said Rabbi Shlomie Naparstek, Director of The Moshiach Office at Merkos 302. “That is exactly what this partnership is here to make possible.”

The video clips were produced by Kol Halashon in Eretz Yisrael.

The 3D experience was developed by Rabbi Mendel Lewis of BeisHamikdosh.com, with research by renowned Beis Hamikdash expert Rabbi Yossel Meijers.

The partnership between The Moshiach Office and Mikdash Minute offers a powerful new way to answer the Rebbe’s call: to learn about the Beis Hamikdash, to long for it, and to take an active part in bringing it closer.

To explore the Beis Hamikdash 3D Experience, visit tutaltz.com/bhmk.