News and community hub serving Chabad-Lubavitch communities in Crown Heights and worldwide.
News and community hub serving Chabad-Lubavitch communities in Crown Heights and worldwide.
COLlive25 minutes agoWith the streets of the Shchuna filled with the annual Labor Day events, Cheder Ohr Menachem once again put the focus where it belongs—on keeping our kinderlach pure, and protecting the special kedusha and taharas hanefesh of a Yiddishe child.
Instead of taking the day off, the Cheder arranged a full day of Torah, Mivtzoim and Niflaos HaBorei. The boys left early in the morning, with some returning home only as late as 10:00 PM, after everything was completely cleared.
The day began with Shacharis at the Bukharian Shul in Queens, followed by a yummy breakfast and Shiurim with their Melamdim. The boys then headed to a local park for Mivtzoim, head and sports, before continuing to apple picking and lunch of tuna sandwiches.
The highlight of the day was a hike to the top of the mountain, taking in the dam and waterfall and seeing firsthand the “mah Rabu Maasecha Hashem.” The day concluded with a sumptuous BBQ, prepared by the talmidim of Kita Zayin.
A special Yasher Koach to the Melamdim who joined and gave of themselves throughout the day: Rabbi Dovber Brysky, Rabbi Leibel Gurevitch, Reb Aryei Eidelman and Hatomim Levi Nemirovski. A special thank you as well to Rabbi Mendel Baron, Rabbi Yehoshua Lefkovitch and Rabbi Yochanan Twerski, who joined for part of the day.
Acharon Chaviv, a tremendous Yasher Koach to the Menahalim, Rabbi Mendel Yusewitz and Rabbi Yossi Overlander, for arranging and leading the entire day with such care and mesirus nefesh.
A beautiful day of Torah, Chassidishkeit, Mivtzoim, achdus and Niflaos HaBorei—giving our kinderlach a true Yiddishe and Chassidishe experience, as we prepare to greet Moshiach Tzidkeinu מיד ממש.
COLlive2 hours agoThe first prayer in the Siddur is short and simple, yet it inspires countless people each morning. The Modeh Ani Card has carried that message to thousands more.
“G-d put us in this world for a purpose,” Jessica from Sydney shared. “This beautiful card helps me remember that every morning. It’s my spiritual coffee.” Jessica is one of thousands who have committed to saying Modeh Ani daily.
The bright, energetic card features the prayer in Hebrew, English, and transliteration, making it accessible to anyone who wants to start their morning with gratitude.
Whether found at a restaurant in LA, given out by a women’s circle in Miami, or posted on social media, the Modeh Ani Card brought meaning to thousands. Many recipients shared it with friends and family, making the impact endless.
Each card comes with a brochure that holds it, making it easy to display or give away.
COLlive2 hours agoA new Sefer Torah was started in Crown Heights in loving memory of R’ Yishai Kalachy a”h, marking his sixth yahrzeit.
The writing began on Thursday, 6 Tishrei, at 7:45 p.m. at Anshei Moshe, located at 1334 Lincoln Place.
The event was followed by a Chassidishe farbrengen in honor of Vov Tishrei, the yahrzeit of Rebbetzin Chana, mother of the Rebbe.
The event was organized by the Kalachy, Forta and Biton families.
COLlive4 hours agoHe is survived by his wife Simcha, his sons Yanky and Berel, and his daughter Devorah Leah Goldstein, all of Crown Heights, and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Important Notice: Per doctors’ instructions, the family strictly requests that no mention of this be made to his wife, Mrs. Prager. She has not been informed, and it could pose a severe risk to her health.
Shiva details:
858 Eastern Parkway, 2nd Floor
Hours:
9am – 2pm
5:30pm – 9pm
Shachris 1 – 9:00am
Shachris 2 – 10:00am
Mincha 1 – 6:00
Mincha 2 – 6:15
Maariv 1 – Bizman
Maariv 2 – 7:20
COLlive4 hours agoTomorrow night, Shmili Landau and Sruly Green take the stage together in Brooklyn. The invitation is simple: come for two hours of pure fun and enjoyment with all your friends.
Presented by SING Entertainment, “הגיע הזמן” is a Bein Hazmanim farbrengen with an ehrliche heart and a simchadike spirit. There is room for both: the feeling in the singing and the geshmak of a live show. An evening to enjoy the music and feel part of it.
With Shmili and Sruly sharing the microphones, Stehrling Banquet Hall is the place for the chevra this Thursday. The show is for men and boys, Chaim Perlowitz will be the MC, and Bussin’ Chicken has the food covered.
Coming from Lakewood or Monsey? For bussing information, call (908) 395-6527 for Lakewood or (845) 743-1292 for Monsey.
Thursday, October 8 at Stehrling Banquet Hall, 1242 37th St, Brooklyn, NY. Doors open at 8:00 PM; the show begins at 8:45 PM.
Click here to buy tickets: https://buytickets.at/singentertainment/2436110
Use coupon code: SAZIM for an exclusive discount!
COLlive6 hours agoBenjamin V. Cohen was a New Deal lawyer who helped rescue the Frierdiker Rebbe from Nazi-occupied Warsaw. Last week, his hometown honored him with a new Indiana state historical marker.
The marker stands in the 500 block of South High Street in downtown Muncie. It was dedicated on the anniversary of Cohen’s birth. The Indiana Jewish Historical Society, led by executive director Michael J. Brown, organized the event.
Cohen was one of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s most trusted legal minds. He helped draft key New Deal laws and the Lend-Lease program. He later helped write the Civil Rights Act of 1957.
Rabbi Dovid Grossbaum, Chabad Shliach in Carmel, spoke at the ceremony. He described Cohen as “a shy and gentle man” who “preferred to do his work behind the scenes and let others take the credit.” Rabbi Grossbaum said Cohen worked “at the time of the most open antisemitism to plague this blessed land.”
In 1939, the Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, was trapped in Warsaw under bombardment. American Chassidim “raised money, hired a Washington lawyer, and knocked on every door they could find,” Rabbi Grossbaum said. One of those doors was Cohen’s.
“He was not a Chossid. He was not a follower of the Rebbe. He was not especially observant as a Jew, but he was a Jew and he understood what was at stake,” he said.
Cohen’s quiet diplomacy started a chain that ran from the Secretary of State to Berlin, and then to German military intelligence. It ended with Ernst Bloch, the German officer who found the Rebbe and escorted him to safety. The Rebbe arrived in New York on 9 Adar Sheni 5700 (March 19, 1940).
“Many people had a part in that rescue, but Benjamin Cohen’s was a crucial link,” Rabbi Grossbaum said. He noted that Chabad historian Rabbi David Eliezrie sees Cohen’s role as the most crucial of all.
Rabbi Grossbaum connected the rescue to the Rebbe’s work in America, including the shluchim movement later led by the Rebbe. “I am one of those emissaries,” he said. “We are living out a story that passes directly through the actions of a quiet man from Indiana.”
“Benjamin Cohen could not save the world that was destroyed in Europe,” he concluded. “But he helped save one life, and from that life grew a world he never fully lived to see. May this marker remind every person who walks by that one quiet act of courage can echo for generations.”
COLlive7 hours agoOver 800 Attorneys and Judges participated in the 20th Annual Jewish Law Symposium on Wednesday September 16th at the Birchwood Manor in Whippany, New Jersey.
The Symposium featured a lively panel discussion on the hot topic of “The Ethics of Conflicts of Interest.”
Highlighting the event was Abbe David Lowell, High-Profile Washington D.C. Defense Attorney and founder of Lowell and Associates. Rabbi Shalom Lubin, Founder of the Jewish Law Symposium & Chabad of SE Morris County moderated a panel discussion featuring Hon. Patty Scwartz, Judge, US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit , Senator Jon M. Bramnick Esq., Founding partner of Bramnick, Grabas, Arnold & Mangan, and Rabbi Professor Michael J. Broyde, noted Scholar and Author, and Professor of Law at Emory University School of Law.
“Over the past 20 years, we have been navigating the complex topics of Ethics, Morals and Jewish Values through the lens of both civil law, Talmudic Law, and 2,000 years of Jewish ethics and wisdom. This remans the goal for this program, which was most intriguing, exciting and relevant, said Rabbi Shalom Lubin, founder of the Jewish Law Symposium.
“I find this program to be intellectually stimulating and fascinating; I love attending every year! If you come to the Jewish Law Symposium, you will walk away with a body of knowledge you will never forget!” said Event Chair Cary B. Cheifetz Esq.
The Jewish Law Symposium is a project of The Jewish Ethics Acadamy, Chabad of SE Morris County and Rabbinical College of America. For more information, please visit www.JewishLawSymposium.com or call (973) 377-0707.
COLlive9 hours agoTIME IS RUNNING OUT — STARTING ON SUNDAY!!! A ground-breaking program for genuine personal transformation. No hacks. No shortcuts. Just a clear, guided path to your truest self.
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COLlive10 hours agoAs Tishrei is behind us and we begin the new year, we are taking a moment to look back with tremendous gratitude at the past year at The Shidduch House.
Since last Rosh Hashanah, our incredible team of shadchanim has made a combined 77 shidduchim!
Behind every one of those 77 shidduchim are two people, two families, and countless hours of brainstorming, phone calls, conversations, follow-ups, encouragement, and caring. These numbers represent much more than statistics — they represent 77 possibilities, 77 new beginnings, and 77 potential Jewish homes.
We are so deeply grateful to each and every one of our shadchanim. Thank you for giving your time, your energy, your creativity, and most importantly, your heart. Thank you for continuing to make calls, think outside the box, revisit ideas, and never give up.
Every suggestion matters. Every phone call matters. Every conversation can be the one that changes someone’s life.
We are incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished this year, and we are excited to look ahead.
Our hope for the coming year is to double our success — to reach even more singles, make even more connections, and help create even more Jewish homes.
But before we look toward the next goal, we want to stop and say:
Thank you.
Thank you to every shadchan who put in the time.
Thank you to everyone who brainstormed, called, followed up, and cared.
And thank you to everyone who believed that one more suggestion could be the suggestion.
May we continue to see tremendous siyata d’Shmaya, and may this coming year bring many, many more shidduchim, engagements, and beautiful Jewish homes.
77 this year.
With Hashem’s help, 154 next year!
Wishing everyone a כתיבה וחתימה טובה and a year filled with good news and simchos.
COLlive10 hours agoThe new school year at Lighthouse ELC is officially off to a wonderful start. From the moment the students arrived on day one, the building was filled with genuine excitement, big smiles, and a great energy that set the tone right away.
There was zero hesitation getting into the routine. The children jumped straight into the swing of things, eager to explore their classrooms, catch up with friends, and connect with their teachers. In just the first few days, they are already deeply engaged in creative projects, hands-on play, and new learning activities.
It has been inspiring to see how quickly the kids adjusted and how much enthusiasm they bring through the doors each morning. Between the active classrooms, new discoveries, and constant laughter, it is clear that this is going to be an incredible year of growth and joyful learning for everyone at Lighthouse ELC.
What a fantastic beginning to the school year!
About Lighthouse ELC
At Lighthouse Early Learning Center, we recognize that each child follows a distinct journey. Our team takes great pride in fostering a welcoming, supportive atmosphere where individualized guidance meets every child right where they are.
With our early learners (ages 3 to 5), our approach emphasizes core foundational growth, cultivating vital competencies such as social interaction, imaginative play, and self-expression through caring daily routines.
As children reach school age (ages 5 to 8), we transition toward structured academic progress, offering targeted support in literacy, mathematics, and reading readiness for future success. Across all classes, students benefit from direct care from certified professionals and devoted teachers, acquiring essential tools to flourish in school and beyond.
For more information:
Phone: 718-218-5528 ext 129
Email: [email protected]
Website: lighthouseearlylearning.com
COLlive11 hours agoFighting for His Wife’s Life: From Caring for October 7th Victims to a Personal Battle for Survival.
After months of sacred duty and tireless dedication at Camp Shura, a rescue and identification responder faces the toughest fight of his life: saving his wife. “Relentless medical expenses have pushed us to the absolute brink.”
The morning of October 7th remains deeply etched in the collective memory as a day that changed everything. For one dedicated responder, it was the moment he was directly summoned to Camp Shura—the national center for the identification and care of the fallen.
For days on end, under unimaginable emotional and physical strain, teams worked around the clock as continuous trucks arrived carrying soldiers and civilians killed in the attacks. Working with barely a few hours of sleep over nearly five days, they performed the heartbreaking, holy task of conducting 70 to 80 funerals every single day, ensuring every individual received their final honor.
From National Duty to a Personal Crisis.
His sacred commitment to the nation’s fallen did not stop after those initial weeks, continuing through hundreds of days of service. Yet today, the man who spent months caring for others faces a critical battle at home: saving the life of his wife.
She is currently battling a severe illness that requires complex medical care. The overwhelming financial burden of ongoing treatments has brought the family to the absolute brink, threatening their ability to continue her lifesaving care.
“After hundreds of days of sacred duty caring for our nation’s fallen, I am now fighting the most critical battle of my life: saving my wife,” he shares.
Time to Step Up and Help a man who stood on the front lines for the nation during its darkest hour now urgently needs us to stand by him. This is our moment to step up, lend a hand, and help save her life.
COLlive12 hours agoRabbi Arye Leib Prager, a beloved Mechanech in Oholei Torah who was known for his open home in Crown Heights, passed away on Wednesday, 26 Tishrei, 5787.
He was 91.
Rabbi Arye Leib Prager was a beloved, long-time second-grade teacher in Oholei Torah, renowned for his heartfelt educational songs focusing on Chinuch Al Taharas Hakodesh, Ahavas Yisroel, Derech Eretz, and Kibbud Av V’Eim.
His unique warmth and creative teaching deeply impacted generations of talmidim, leaving lessons that remain with them to this day.
Beyond the classroom, he was instrumental in establishing Chadrei Torah Ohr—the Israeli equivalent of Jewish Released Time.
Around 1985, when he sought the Rebbe’s guidance regarding going on shlichus to Tzfas, the Rebbe instructed him that his mission was right in Crown Heights.
Together with his wife, their Crown Heights home became a world-renowned beacon of Hachnosas Orchim. Welcoming guests from across the globe for warm meals and lodging, their door was always open.
It was a haven where Rebbe stories were shared, lives were inspired, and countless baalei teshuvah were lovingly guided closer to Yiddishkeit.
Arye Leib was also a passionate advocate for Shleimus HaAretz and Inyonei Moshiach.
He was widely recognized for flying his iconic yellow blimp emblazoned with messages of Moshiach and the integrity of Eretz Yisroel above the annual Lag B’Omer and Israel Day Parades.
Important Notice: Per doctors’ instructions, the family strictly requests that no mention of this be made to his wife, Mrs. Prager. She has not been informed, and it could pose a severe risk to her health.
He is survived by his wife Simcha, his sons Yanky and Berel, and his daughter Devorah Leah Goldstein, all of Crown Heights, and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The Levaya will take place today, Wednesday, passing by 770 at 2:00 PM.
Shiva details:
858 Eastern Parkway, 2nd Floor
Hours:
9am – 2pm
5:30pm – 9pm
Shachris 1 – 9:00am
Shachris 2 – 10:00am
Mincha 1 – 6:00
Mincha 2 – 6:15
Maariv 1 – Bizman
Maariv 2 – 7:20
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
COLlive12 hours agoRebbetzin Esther Ita Rubin, a longtime Crown Heights resident and wife of Rabbi Chaim Rubin obm, passed away on Simchas Torah, 5787, shortly before her 93rd birthday.
She was the wife of Rabbi Chaim Rubin, Rav of Beis Dovid Gershon on New York Avenue.
A loving mother and grandmother, she was also a devoted and beloved teacher at Prospect Park Yeshiva for several decades.
She is survived by her sons, daughters, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was the sister of Rabbi Aryeh Leib Prager obm of Crown Heights, who passed away today.
The Rubin family will be sitting Shiva at the family home:
634 Montgomery St, 2nd Floor
Shiva will conclude on Sunday morning.
Minyanim Times:
• Shacharis: 8:45 AM
• Mincha: 6:00 PM
• Maariv: 8:00 PM
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
COLlive12 hours agoIn recent years, Dovid Taub has created a new Parshah project each year, including the Parshah Rabbit Hole, Parshah songs and the Parshah Almanac. This year, immediately after Simchas Torah, Taub launched “Creative Judaism Games.”
The website offers four daily games. “Parshah Doodle” features a whimsical drawing in Taub’s signature style and challenges the player to determine which Pasuk inspired it. “Parshometry” asks the player to rank five words in order of how many times they appear in the Parshah. “Fraudrash” presents four statements and the player has to figure out which one is not an actual Midrashic teaching. In “Portions,” players are given a target concept and must figure out which two emojis combine to represent it, based on ideas from that day’s Aliyah in Chitas.
Taub says, “Just like with the Parshah Almanac, I tried to find different ways of engaging with the Parshah that work for different people. Some of the games are more fun after you’ve already learned Chitas. Some are fun if you’re just working from memory. Some are more straightforward, others are weird. I hope everyone can find at least one that becomes part of their daily routine.”
Play all 4 games for free here.
COLlive22 hours agoSivan Zohar-Alkobi lost her brother, Israeli photojournalist Yaniv Zohar, his wife Yasmin, and their daughters Keshet, 20, and Techelet, 18, in the October 7 massacre at Kibbutz Nahal Oz. Yasmin’s father, Haim Livne, was also murdered.
The couple’s youngest son, Ariel, then 12, was the family’s only survivor, having left home for his regular morning jog shortly before Hamas terrorists entered the kibbutz.
As previously reported by COLlive, one of Yaniv’s final acts before he was murdered was saving his son’s life. When he spotted terrorists approaching his home, he contacted a kibbutz security guard and asked him to rescue Ariel. The guard located the boy and brought him to safety, but was later killed while defending the community.
During Shiva, when ZAKA volunteers asked Ariel whether there was anything he wanted retrieved from his destroyed home, he requested his father’s Tefillin, which had been passed down from his grandfather, a Holocaust survivor.
The Tefillin were recovered and returned to Ariel ahead of his Bar Mitzvah on 24 Kislev 5784. His story of survival and faith touched Jews around the world. Ariel subsequently moved in with his aunt, Ayelet Zohar-Cohen and her husband Tomer, and their children.
Nearly three years after the tragedy, Sivan Zohar-Alkobi is facing another devastating ordeal. Three months ago, her husband Eli, 46, the father of their two young sons, was diagnosed with colon cancer and began intensive treatment.
“I felt as though the blood was draining from my body,” Sivan recalled of receiving the diagnosis. “It was as if the ground was collapsing beneath my feet all over again.”
Before October 7, Sivan and Eli operated a successful event production and corporate gift business, serving major Israeli and international companies. Following the massacre, Sivan was unable to work for months as she struggled with the loss of her family members.
Now, with Eli undergoing cancer treatment, the family’s financial difficulties have intensified.
Sivan has also spoken out about the lack of government assistance for siblings of civilian terror victims, describing them as “the invisible siblings” whose suffering often goes unrecognized.
Her sister, Ayelet Zohar-Cohen, has launched a fundraising campaign seeking 1.5 million shekels to help the family cover living expenses during Eli’s treatment.
Despite the hardships, Sivan says she is determined to maintain a positive environment for her two young sons while hoping for her husband’s recovery and a return to financial stability.
COLlive1 day agoBack for its third year in a row, Tzemach Tzedek Community Centre and partnering organizations hosted its annual communal Simchas Beis Hashoeva Celebration.
Despite a rainy forecast, the event was held under clear skies, with hundreds turning up to participate. The ‘Simchas Beis Sukkot Dance Celebration’ continues to be an annual Sydney Sukkot cornerstone, growing each year, with plans for further expansion for next year.
The event was organised by Rabbi Menachem Spielman of Tzemach Tzedek Community Centre, beginning with a children’s rally led by Tzivos Hashem’s Rabbi Yehuda Straiton, followed by all-ages communal dancing, a BBQ, pareve gourmet gelato from Sydney’s high-end gelato experts DAÄS Gelato, à la carté fries from Soul Gourmet, a dance floor for teenagers, and children’s entertainment.
Over this Sukkos, Lulav and Esrog were shaken at the Tzemach Tzedek Sukkah-Mobile by hundreds of people, thanks to the mivtzoyim efforts of Rabbi Straiton, the Shluchim to Tzemach Tzedek / Yeshivas Levi Yitzchok (YLY), and additional volunteers.
The event was held in partnership with Chabad of Bondi, Beth Yoseph Synagogue, Jewish Family Centre, Dover Heights Synagogue, Chabad Youth NSW, Adass Israel Congregation, Kehillat Moriah, CTeen, Chabad CBD, Cremorne Synagogue, and Coogee Synagogue.
Tzemach Tzedek expresses its thanks to CSG, Hatzolah, NSW Police, Yeshivas Levi Yitzchok Sydney, the Spielman family, the Deitz/Levin family (in memory of Yehuda Aryeh Leib ben Mordechai Halevi), and all of our vendors and volunteers.
COLlive1 day agoThe annual Kinus Torah of in-depth learning, organized each year by 770 Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Shneur Zalman Labkowski, was held Monday, Isru Chag Sukkos, in the main shul of 770 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights with the participation of bochurim and Chassidim.
The learning is done in accordance with the Rebbe’s instruction that there be an increase in the study of Torah and chassidus during or following Jewish holidays. The annual Kinus Torah at 770 is organized each year by Rabbi Shneur Zalman Labkowski, Rosh Yeshiva of 770 Yeshiva, who has done so for many years with the brachos of the Rebbe.
The shiurim, which were said in Hebrew and Yiddish, were given by prominent Rabbonim, Roshei Yeshiva and Mashpiim.
Rabbi Shneur Zalman Labkowski, Rosh Yeshiva of the Central Lubavitch Yeshiva, was the MC and opened the program. He was followed by speakers: Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Ofen, Mashpia in Yerushalayim, Rabbi Shlomo Segal of Crown Heights, Rabbi Shmaryahu Labkowski, Rosh Yeshiva of the Chabad Yeshiva in Toronto, Rabbi Sholom Geisinsky, Rosh Yeshiva of Tomchei Temimim Queens, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Keller of Florida and Rabbi Shlomo Kaplan, a member of the educational staff at the Central Lubavitch Yeshiva at 770.
COLlive1 day agoDespite steady rain, hundreds of men, women and children from numerous Shuls in Crown Heights came out to join and celebrate at the third Annual Achdus Hakafos in Crown Heights, which took place Simchas Torah at the corner of Crown and Albany Avenue.
Children from various Shuls led in the reciting of the 12 Psukim, followed by joyous singing and dancing.
The Achdus Hakafos started three years ago on the first anniversary of the terrible Simchas Torah events of October 7th.
This year’s Hakafos also celebrated the tremendous miracles of the averted plane hijacking of last week that no rain could dispel.
Shuls participating in this Achdus Hakafos were: Beis Levy Yitzchok, Beis Shea, Beis Shneur, Chevra Ahavas Yisroel, Merkaz Sefarad, Ohel Nosson, Shmuels Shul, plus many individuals who came to celebrate.
The Achdus Hakafos was organized by R’ Binyomin Levin of Beis Shneur and Rabbi Lazer Avtzon of the Association of Crown Heights Shuls / Merkaz Sefarad.
A special thank you to Rabbi Yaacov Behrman and to the New York City Police Department for their assistance and support.
COLlive1 day agoBY BRYNA AVIVA (MAYBERG) BLOOM
Hoshana Rabba was the 10th yahrzeit of my father, my teacher, my role model and, most of all, my best friend, Moshe Tzvi ben R. Dovber Hakohain, known to all as Morty Mayberg.
He was born 99 years ago and raised in the out of town community of Providence, Rhode Island, in a home where Yiddishkeit, family and love were at the heart of everything. The values he learned growing up with his grandparents (the Shaulson family) imbued him and his 3 siblings with a unique love of Yiddishkeit. It is so very exceptional that the children and grandchildren of all 4 Mayberg siblings are Bnei Torah.
In the 1950s my father moved to Miami Beach for business reasons. There he met my mother, Judy, marrying soon after, raising 6 children. My father was a pioneer in so many ways, and it was in Miami Beach, at the local shul, that my father’s life profoundly changed when he met Rabbi Abraham Korf (z’l), a young shaliach of the Lubavitcher Rebbe who had only recently arrived in Miami, speaking very little English. My father would drive him and often talk for him when meeting important members of the community.
It was my father who pushed and persuaded Rabbi Korf to open a Chabad school, which today boasts almost 2,000 students. In its early days, when there were only a few families sending their children there, my mother was the bus driver and my father would be writing checks at the last minute to keep the teachers paid and the electricity from being cut off.
From Miami, Chabad spread all throughout Florida and from there throughout the Southeast. But it started in Miami Beach. And my parents were instrumental in its establishment there.
My father was an Ehrliche Yid, well respected by everyone locally and throughout the world. He had a great sense of fashion and always looked so dapper. He was cognizant of his dress and behavior, knowing that he was representing Orthodox Judaism, especially at a time when there were far fewer shomer Shabbos Jews in Miami.
He was also, very much, a Chosid of the Rebbe. And he was privileged to have Yechidus (private meetings) with the Rebbe. When my parents would come to New York each summer, we – all the children – would join them in these private meetings.
My father merited to have a special relationship with the Rebbe, who would often remind him of his status as a Kohain. When he would get lekach (honey cake) from the Rebbe before the High Holidays, the Rebbe would often request that he “also keep him in mind” during Birkas Kohanim. His connection to the Rebbe and pride in being a Kohain were deeply woven into who he was.
For almost ten years my parents had only two daughters, my sister Miriam and me. The Rebbe told them that as a Kohain, my father will need sons to serve with him in the Beis Hamikdash. One year later, my brother Yossi was born, followed soon after by Mendy, Zalman and Shalom. My father longed to serve in the Beis Hamikdash, together with my four brothers.
But what I remember most about my father was the way he made people feel. He was loved and respected by all. Our Shabbos table was often filled with the most interesting people. Some were very successful and sophisticated and others were much less so. He treated them all with such honor and respect. We had people who would stay with us for extended periods of time, including one man who came for a few months every year. He was unkempt and would be ignored by most people. But my father saw the shining spark of each person’s neshama. He would build these people up, including encouraging them to maintain proper hygiene and purchasing nice clothing for them to wear.
As a young girl, I used to imagine these visitors were hidden Tzaddikim. What I came to realize was that it was my father who was the hidden Tzaddik — hiding within plain sight in our home for all to see.
I was so blessed and privileged to be his daughter. I miss him in ways that words can never fully express. And although 10 years have passed, the love between a father and daughter doesn’t have an expiration date.
His kindness, his faith, his humor, and his love continue to live on in me, in my family and in everyone whose life he touched.
COLlive1 day agoThe Crown Heights community is invited to attend a special Shloshim gathering in memory of Dr. Allan Plaut, honoring his life and the impact he made on those he cared for.
The event, titled “An Evening to Honor and Remember,” will take place on Monday, October 19, Cheshvan 8, at 7:30 PM, at Bais Rivkah, 470 Lefferts Avenue in Brooklyn.
Organizers are encouraging community members to attend and express their appreciation for the beloved Crown Heights doctor.
As part of the tribute, organizers are compiling a commemorative book featuring personal memories, stories, and messages of appreciation from those whose lives were touched by Dr. Plaut.
Community members are invited to contribute their favorite memories, anecdotes, or personal messages by emailing [email protected].
The gathering is open to men and women, and all are welcome to attend.
The event hall is being sponsored by Bais Rivkah School.
COLlive1 day agoThis Sukkos, Chabad of Tallahassee & FSU set out with a simple goal based on theRebbe’s Sicha on 13 of Tishrei: to share the joy and mitzvos of Sukkot with anyone and everyone.
Throughout Tallahassee and across Northwest Florida, Rabbi Schneur and Chanie Oirechman, Rabbi Ari and Rivky Oirechman and Rabbi Shalom and Bryna Oirechman together with their younger children and the Chabad of Tallahassee team, worked to make sure that Jews from every walk of life could experience the special joy of Zman Simchaseinu.
The outreach extended far beyond the walls of the Chabad House.
Students at Florida State University celebrated Sukkot together, gathering in the Sukkah, making a bracha on the Lulav and Esrog, enjoying Yom Tov meals and experiencing the warmth and energy of Jewish life on campus.
At the same time, the Oirechman family and Chabad team spread out across the area to reach those who could not necessarily come to Chabad themselves.
They visited elderly members of the community and individuals who were alone in their homes, bringing along the Lulav and Esrog and, most importantly, the message that they are part of a larger Jewish family and had not been forgotten during Yom Tov.
The joy of Sukkot also reached a population that is often almost completely removed from Jewish communal life: Jewish inmates incarcerated in prisons throughout Northwest Florida. Visits and outreach brought them the opportunity to connect with the Yom Tov and to know that even behind prison walls, the Jewish community was thinking about them.
Chabad’s Sukkot activities also reached Florida’s state leaders, continuing its year-round work of bringing Jewish pride and the message of Torah and mitzvos into the heart of the state capital.
From college students to state leaders, from seniors in their homes to inmates in prisons, the same message traveled throughout the region: the joy of Sukkot belongs to every Jew, wherever he or she may be.
For Rabbi and Mrs. Oirechman, accomplishing so much simultaneously has an additional secret—their large family.
“That’s one of the benefits of having so many children,” Rabbi Oirechman said with a smile. “On Sukkot, everyone can go in a different direction and bring the joy of Yom Tov to another Jew.”
Some were reaching students, others were visiting members of the community, while still others helped bring the mitzvos and spirit of Sukkot to Jews who otherwise might have gone through the holiday without the opportunity to celebrate.
The result was a Sukkot that stretched far beyond any single Sukkah.
“The Rebbe taught us that every Jew matters, and that we have to go out and reach them wherever they are,” Rabbi Oirechman said. “Whether someone is a student on campus, an elderly person sitting alone at home, a state leader, or an inmate in prison, we want them to know that they are part of Am Yisrael and that the joy of Sukkot belongs to them too.”
Chabad of Tallahassee & FSU expressed its gratitude to the many friends, supporters and community members whose partnership makes this extensive outreach possible.
Thank you for making it possible for us to bring the joy of Sukkot to anyone and everyone, throughout Tallahassee and across Northwest Florida.
COLlive1 day agoThe 46th International Rambam Celebration, the Siyum HaRambam HaOlami, will take place b’ezras Hashem on Sunday, Beis Shevat, January 10, 2027, at the Bedford Union Armory in Crown Heights. Anash and communities from across the region will gather to celebrate the daily Rambam learning the Rebbe established in 5744.
This year, the siyum falls in the days leading to Yud Shevat, and the closeness is fitting. The Rebbe spoke about the Siyum HaRambam many times over the years, as cycle after cycle drew to a close. One of those occasions was the Shabbos right after Yud Shevat 5746, a few weeks before the second cycle concluded.
That Shabbos, the Rebbe called for good resolutions to add in the path of the Frierdiker Rebbe, whose hilula had just been marked. The Rebbe specifically called for strengthening Torah study, public shiurim, and especially the daily shiurim in the Rambam’s Mishneh Torah.
The Rebbe went on to say that since the siyum was only weeks away, it was time to prepare, as the Gemara (Beitzah 2b) teaches that an important matter needs preparation.
Furthermore, the Rebbe said “A siyum on even one masechta calls for a celebration, even more so a siyum on the Rambam, which the Rambam himself calls a compilation of the entire Oral Torah. Yidden have long held such a siyum publicly, “b’rov am hadras Melech,” for the King’s glory is in a multitude of people.”
The Rebbe further explained “The Rambam’s work has its own link to hadras Melech, too: many of its commentators put “Melech” in the names of their seforim, among them the Mishneh LaMelech, the Shaar HaMelech and the Yad HaMelech. Its siyum must certainly be b’rov am hadras Melech, with the widest publicity and great splendor.”
In light of the above, the organizers are already at work on what they hope will be the largest Siyum HaRambam yet, and they’ve taken the call to prepare to heart: this notice is going out well ahead so everyone can plan to be there. They thanked the Crown Heights community, whose turnout and support have grown the siyum year after year. This year every detail is being planned for the dignity the occasion calls for, while bringing in as many people as possible.
Coming in the days before Yud Shevat, the siyum is a chance to strengthen our hiskashrus to the Rebbe, the baal hatakanah, who spoke of the daily Rambam again and again.
Mark the date. Come with your family, and bring friends and neighbors along. B’rov am is measured in people, and every person who walks in adds to the hadras Melech.
Together, let us make this year’s siyum a gathering of b’rov am hadras Melech and a true expression of achdus Yisroel.
The Mishneh Torah itself ends with royalty: its last chapters, in Hilchos Melachim, set out the laws of Melech HaMoshiach. May the preparation and unity surrounding this siyum bring us to the ultimate hadras Melech, with the coming of Moshiach, speedily in our days.
COLlive1 day agoThe goal is simple: Every child. Every day. Every mitzvah.
DailyMitzva.com is a free website created to help families, schools, teachers, shuls and Shluchim make daily Sefer HaMitzvos part of a child’s routine.
Each day, children can visit the site to learn the day’s mitzvos. Some days include one mitzvah, while others include multiple mitzvos. After learning, children answer questions to reinforce what they learned.
The questions are grade-specific, with simpler questions for younger grades and increasingly challenging questions for older students. This allows children of different ages to participate while being challenged at their own level.
A Weekly Challenge
To encourage consistency, DailyMitzva.com holds a weekly raffle.
Children who answer all of the questions for the entire week qualify for that week’s raffle.
The goal is not just the prize. It’s to help children build a daily habit of learning the mitzvos and coming back each day.
Now It’s Your Turn
Parents: Learn the daily mitzvos with your children.
Schools: Make it part of the school day.
Teachers: Give your students a few minutes each day to learn and answer.
Shuls and Shluchim: Share it with the children and families in your community.
Kids: Learn today’s mitzvos, answer the questions, and come back tomorrow!
Imagine thousands of children across the world learning the daily Sefer HaMitzvos together and giving the Rebbe nachas.
START TODAY
Learn the Daily Mitzvos.
Answer the Questions.
Complete the Week.
Qualify for the Raffle.
It’s FREE. It’s DAILY. It’s FOR EVERY CHILD.
Visit DailyMitzva.com today and get started!
COLlive1 day agoA Shloshim memorial gathering will be held on Thursday evening, October 8, in Crown Heights, marking thirty days since the passing of Rabbi Avrohom L. Lipskier obm.
Family members, students, friends, and admirers are invited to join an evening of tribute and inspiration, honoring Rabbi Lipskier’s life and legacy.
The gathering will take place on Thursday, 27 Tishrei 5787 at Ohel Nosson, located at 580 Crown Street in Crown Heights, and is open to men and women.
Maariv will begin at 7:15 p.m., followed by the memorial program at 7:30 p.m.
The evening will conclude with a Chassidishe farbrengen, providing an opportunity for participants to reflect on Rabbi Lipskier’s legacy and share memories and inspiration.
COLlive1 day agoBy a shliach
I was nineteen.
That midnight, Motzei Shabbos, I sat upright on my bed with a start. I was woken by a loud piercing sound. It was the Shabbos siren. Then another shriek together with the siren. It was my mother.
In a fleeting memory, I can see her head on her arms, leaning on the cabinet in the kitchen, shivering. I was scared. But in the moment, it didn’t cross my mind that…actually…
The next thing was being in a packed car en route to Manhattan. Outside the hospital I couldn’t see past the crowd — I was short and weak. I only saw the black around me, the black of the sky, and felt moisture on my face.
The moisture stayed with me wherever I went; it was in my lungs, in my mouth. Through the Rebbe’s room. Through the Levaya. I couldn’t find myself.
Many times, during the week of shiva, my knees caved in, and I found myself on my bedroom floor. I would open and close my eyes, each time expecting either the world to disappear, or Techiyas Hameisim.
***
The real ache dawned on me on Simchas Torah the year after. Simchas Torah was the climax for me by the Rebbe. There were only a handful of us standing in the Rebbe’s Daled Amos by the Ohel. There was light rain, and we did the six Hakofos as much as we could. We couldn’t.
And before the seventh Hakafa, we called the Rebbe. I closed my eyes. I saw the Rebbe’s face shining by his Shtender. I heard the Rebbe’s voice clear: “Ata haraisa lada’as…” and everyone roared in response. It was hot. I felt the pressure from both sides of my shoulders from everyone around me. The Rebbe then started R’ Levi Yitzchok’s Niggun, and there was nothing else. The Rebbe’s arms spun as his gaze met ours, and something buried inside of us came alive.
I opened my eyes. Nothing. Crickets, rain, tombstones. There was barely light, barely any people. I was alone. I was hollow. I tumbled down onto the sidewalk, sitting with my head down. I cried. My quiet sobs echoed back.
For years, Simchas Torah was a stab in my heart. I smiled but it wasn’t real. How could I be happy on Simchas Torah?
***
When I got married, I moved out on Shlichus. I would go to the Rebbe for many of the Yomei Depagra, but Simchas Torah was not going to happen — it would make me bitter.
Year by year my pain would lessen. But a scar remained. Looking at my son when he came back from yeshiva, I could only pity him. I wished he had known that world. The Farbrengens. Birchas Habonim. And of course, the highlight, Simchas Torah. The golus is thick and muddy, I thought — the bochurim are not alive. How could they be? Am I…?
One Shabbos, when we were discussing years by the Rebbe, my son Mendel corrected me on one of the dates. He told me things the Rebbe did that I hadn’t known. It caught me off guard. I was there myself, and he knows more than me?
I started seeing the way he koched in a farbrengen. How his eyes shined when he spoke about them. I saw something. I looked twice. I saw…vitality. Something I still can’t fully find in myself. His “pekel” is filled with fire. Mine carries an extinguished candle.
***
I wanted to see more of it. The special liveliness that the Rebbe poured into the bochurim. This Simchas Torah I made the arrangements. I was going in with my son — just this once.
By the seventh Hakafa, I stood in the midst of hundreds of bochurim by the Rebbe’s Daled Amos. The sky was clear, and there was light from the tent. The Rebbe was called up.
“Iz men mechabed, k’vod k’dushas, adoneinu moreinu v’rabeinu…” Silence. The bochurim were closing their eyes with an intensity on their faces. They were listening. And then, Niggun Hakofos. The energy around me was pumping.
Where…?
I looked from face to face. They weren’t pretending.
I closed my eyes. But I wasn’t with everyone else. I saw him. I danced. I sang. I was on my own by Simchas Torah 5750. The Rebbe was dancing. I stopped feeling the crush when we started singing. When the Rebbe left, we continued. On and on and on.
I opened my eyes. The singing continued. There was a circle, and I was pulled in. I felt, for the first Simchas Torah in thirty years, a little happy.
In the corner of my eye, I noticed a bochur sitting on the edge of the sidewalk. His hands covered his face as he shook. I approached him.
I put my hand on his shoulder. I recognized the striped jacket. It was my son.
His face was wet, his eyes were red, and he looked directly at me with longing.
You were by the Rebbe, Simchas Torah. You saw the Rebbe with your own eyes. You felt the presence of the Rebbe. You have something I don’t and never will have.
He was right. Yes, I was there. And you weren’t. I wish with all my heart that you had been.
I looked around at the bochurim. The life. The innocence. But you too have something I don’t and never will have.
COLlive1 day agoAfter a year of weekly livestreams, Rabbi Shais Taub has completed the study of all the sichos in the first two volumes of Likkutei Sichos, covering every parsha from Bereishis through V’Zos Habracha, as well as the yomim tovim. The series concluded last week with the sichos on Simchas Torah.
These volumes contain foundational sichos introducing many of the major themes of the Rebbe’s Torah. Throughout the series, Rabbi Taub highlighted recurring themes and big ideas fundamental to the Rebbe’s teachings.
Each class follows the original Yiddish word by word, with Rabbi Taub translating and explaining it in clear English. Every week’s sichos were covered in full. Some livestreams ran for more than three hours, but not a single word was skipped. His clear explanations make the text accessible to experienced learners and those approaching sichos for the first time.
Viewers can open a sefer and learn along, or download a PDF of the sicha courtesy of Kehot Publication Society. For those seeking an authentic learning experience, the classes offer a way to work through the Rebbe’s own words straight from the source.
With the Torah cycle beginning again, the complete archive is now available to follow week by week. Viewers can make the series part of their weekly learning, preparing for the parsha and upcoming yomim tovim while gaining a deeper understanding of the Rebbe’s Torah.
Watch on YouTube or SoulWords.org/LS. Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
COLlive1 day agoThousands of Jews gathered at the Marina Roscha Central Synagogue in Moscow for Hoshana Rabbah, Shemini Atzeres, and Simchas Torah, marking the culmination of Tishrei with large crowds, spirited dancing, and celebrations of Jewish life.
Hoshana Rabbah began at midnight, as congregants gathered to recite Sefer Tehillim in accordance with the traditional custom. The synagogue’s large sukkah remained busy throughout the night, with refreshments served in “Grisha’s Zimmer,” the hospitality room within the sukkah complex.
Participants were treated to apples dipped in honey, hot soup, and warm beverages as they spent the night learning and preparing for Hoshana Rabbah, the day traditionally associated with the final sealing of the heavenly decree.
By morning, the synagogue was filled with worshippers attending numerous Shacharis minyanim held throughout the premises to accommodate the large crowds.
The main Hoshana Rabbah minyan was attended by Chief Rabbi of Russia Rabbi Berel Lazar. The morning also included two moving Bris Milah ceremonies, celebrating the entry of two Jewish males into the covenant of Avraham Avinu.
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Zaklas, Shliach and Rav of Bryansk, traveled to Moscow to serve as mohel for the ceremonies.
Meanwhile, extensive preparations were underway for the thousands expected to participate in the Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah celebrations.
The synagogue’s gabbaim, together with a team of workers, oversaw the construction of a massive bimah along the eastern wall of the main sanctuary, where community leaders and the Sifrei Torah would be positioned during hakafos.
This year, organizers also introduced illuminated signs throughout the synagogue displaying the current hakafah, helping the large crowds follow the proceedings and participate in an orderly manner.
The celebrations reached their peak on Simchas Torah night, when thousands packed the synagogue for spirited hakafos and dancing with the Torah.
The festivities also included expressions of gratitude to Hashem for the reported miraculous events aboard a Flydubai flight carrying Israelis, which had drawn widespread attention.
Rabbi Lazar delivered emotional words of inspiration, reflecting on the events and the importance of recognizing and giving thanks for Hashem’s miracles, particularly during Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah, when the bracha of Shehecheyanu is recited.
At approximately 1:00 a.m., hundreds of participants continued the celebrations outside, filling the streets of Moscow with singing and dancing as they sought to extend the joy of Simchas Torah beyond the synagogue walls.
On Isru Chag, workers began dismantling the large hakafos bimah, bringing the extensive holiday preparations and celebrations to a close.
The gatherings at Marina Roscha once again highlighted the vibrant Jewish life of Moscow’s community, with thousands coming together in an atmosphere of unity, Torah, and Chassidic joy.
COLlive1 day agoBais Rivkah and the Laine Family invite you to join us on Monday, Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan, October 12, for a Shloshim event in memory of our beloved teacher and principal, Mrs. Chaya Laine A”H.
For decades, Mrs. Laine devoted her life to Bais Rivkah High School’s General Studies Department. Through her wisdom and unwavering commitment to excellence, she guided generations of students and led the faculty with dedication and care. Her efforts leave a lasting imprint on the lives of countless students, teachers, and the Bais Rivkah community as a whole.
As we come together for the Shloshim to reflect on Mrs. Laine’s life and legacy, we also hope to preserve the many personal memories that speak to the depth of her impact. As part of this tribute, we are preparing a commemorative book of stories and anecdotes from former students and staff, which will be presented to Mrs. Laine’s family. The book will serve as a lasting collection of the memories and experiences that reflect the many ways in which she touched the lives of those she taught and worked alongside.
We invite you to share a meaningful memory, story, or reflection about Mrs. Laine and the impact she had on your life. Stories can be submitted through this form.
We look forward to coming together to honor Mrs. Laine’s legacy and to share in remembering the wisdom, guidance, and dedication she shared with so many.
COLlive1 day agoThis Sukkos, Baltimore Shliach and Chaplain Rabbi Chesky Tenenbaum, director of the Jewish Uniformed Service Association of Maryland–Chabad (JUSA), brought the joy and traditions of Sukkos directly to Maryland’s military community.
For the first time, JUSA arranged a Sukkah at the 175th Wing at Warfield Air National Guard Base. One Staff Sergeant was especially appreciative, explaining that the Sukkah allowed him to eat his meals in a Sukkah while working on base.
The Sukkah also led to an unexpected Jewish discovery. A Tech Sergeant stopped by the Sukkah and shared that, although she does not identify as Jewish, she said her maternal great-grandmother was Jewish. Rabbi Tenenbaum explained that according to halacha she is considered Jewish.
Rabbi Tenenbaum then explained the significance of Sukkos and the mitzvah of Lulav and Esrog. Intrigued, the Tech Sergeant expressed an interest in participating but explained that she did not speak Hebrew. Rabbi Tenenbaum assisted her in reciting the brocha, and she held the Lulav and Esrog and performed the mitzvah for the first time in her life.
At Aberdeen Proving Ground, the U.S. Army’s oldest active proving ground, JUSA continued its ninth consecutive year of providing a Sukkah in the courtyard of the APG Main Post Chapel.
On the first day of Chol Hamoed, JUSA hosted a Sukkah Party that brought together a strong turnout of soldiers and civilian staff. Participants had the opportunity to recite the blessing over the Sukkah, shake the Lulav and Esrog, and celebrate the joy, unity, and traditions of Sukkos together. During Chol Hamoed, Jewish soldiers and civilian employees were able to use the Sukkah,
JUSA thanks the APG Chapel and the military communities at both installations for helping make these Sukkos celebrations possible.
Throughout Sukkos, the JUSA Chabad House hosted a variety of programs and activities. Among the highlights was a visit from the local Jewish Baltimore Police commander, who joined the JUSA community to do the Mitzvah of Lulav and Esrog.
The JUSA Chabad House located in Baltimore, an affiliate of Chabad of Maryland is the only such Chabad House of its kind dedicated to Maryland Jewish Men and Women in Uniform, including Military and Veterans, Law Enforcement and First Responders. For more information go to, jewishusamd.org.
COLlive1 day agoForty-six years ago, on Sukkos 5741, the Rebbe spoke non-stop about the ideas of Simchas Beis and the importance of simcha. That vision continues to inspire this celebration today.
This year’s Simchas Beis Hashoeva was something to remember! Every night the streets pulsed with music, dancing and unfiltered joy, as Crown Heights became a living celebration of Achdus and the community spirit that makes our neighborhood shine. Each night also featured a Sicha of the Rebbe, inspiring and uplifting everyone who came.
Over 95,000 people joined the dancing in the street over Chol Hamoed, and thousands more joined from around the world on the brand-new SBH.live.
This Year by the Numbers:
100,000 views on SBH.live • 95,000 unique people dancing in the street over Chol Hamoed streaming from 5 live cameras for 5 nights.• 20,000 visitors who received an Ohr Hachasidus booklets • 20,000 bottles of water, free • 18,000 pastries, free • 14,000 light-up toys given to kids • 10,000 kids at the nightly kids program • 6,158 Tickets in all the Raffles • 2,500 teens at the farbrengen Sukkah • Over 2,000 donors • 1,400 letters in the Sefer Torah • 500 women at the first-ever women’s Simchas Beis Hashoeva • 42 guest performers and bands, including Joey Newcomb, Eitan Katz and Yoni Z • 10 Farbrengens in English and Yiddish
A tremendous thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Simchas Beis Hashoeva possible:
Our Partnership
Yossi Cohen and his amazing son, Mendy, for their incredible partnership and dedication.
Community Leadership & Organizations: The Rabbonim, Menahalei Hamosdos of Crown Heights, Vaad Hakohol of Crown Heights, Shomrim — Mendy Hershkop, Hatzalah, Shmira — Yanky Prager and Sruli Yavich, The 71st Precinct, Sergeant Barrata, Detective Connors
Special Thanks: Yossi and Mica Soffer of COLlive, Rabbi Yossi Langsam, Rabbi Yossi Bryski, Shaya Gordon, Yaacov Behrman, Izzy Clapman, Rabbi Shimmy Weinbaum, Rabbi Levi Goldstein, Chanie Greenbaum, Chana Deren, Sara Blau, Mendel Mintz, Moshe Rubashkin
Our Generous Donors: Reb Eliyahu Schlossberg, Pinny and Sary Althaus, Sami Dornbush, Meir Kabakov, Keren Hachomesh, The Minkowitz Family, Moshe Rubashkin, Duchman Family, Keren Hashluchim
Our Corporate Sponsors:
Event Sponsor: Ahava Medical
Gold: COLlive, Voya Jet, Eagle Prep, Brough Cap, Simpo Travel, Biarritz Pizza and Wine Bar.
Silver: Plumbers Haven, Bhired, CH Butcher Grill, Ch Butcher, Bais Shmuel, Tzfasman, IDCC, Mask Parents, Brooklyn Brokerage, Atica, Benzs, Raskin, Everything But The Baby, ODA Medical, Primo, Machon Stam
The Team Who Made It Happen
Headed by our production team, Shmuli Wudowsky and Mendy Hirsch,
Meir Avtzon, Mendel Treitel, Mendel Meretzky, Levi Paris, Levi Mann, Mendel Fogelman
And all the Bochurim who worked tirelessly behind the scenes and gave so much of themselves to make Simchas Beis Hashoeva the incredible success it was.
We are deeply grateful to each and every person who played a part.
Nightly Raffle Winners
Raffle 1 • $1,800 at Tzfasman Jewelers: Moishe Feiglin • Mikvah Meir Pass & a Primo Hat: Solomon Berezin • Chayenu & Derher Subscriptions: Rivkah Goldberg Raffle 2 • $1,200 at Atica Menswear: Hershel Lustig • Everything But The Baby – Doona Carriage: Raizy & Yossi Edelman • Prestige – Leather Tallis Bag Set ($700 value): Leibel Hakohen Raffle 3 • $1,200 at Modway Furniture: Tzeite Shemtov • Mechon Staam Megilah or Rashi Tefillin ($1,600 value): Detty Leverton • $500 at Butcher Grill & $500 at Biarritz Pizza and Wine Bar: Menachem Korf • $1,000 at Tzfasman Jewelers: Chani Kopfstein Raffle 4 • Primo Chosson Package ($1,200 value): Yanki Vorchheimer Elite Sterling ($1,500 value): Yosef Gerlitzky • MacBook Pro: Anonymous • $1,200 at Plumbers Haven: Grand prizes: Shmuel Malkin Dollar from the Rebbe, dedicated in honor of Rabbi Yisroel Shemtov: Devorah Benjamin • x2 round trip tickets to Eretz Yisroel, courtesy of Simpo Travel: Ari Rubinstein • Yom Tov Package from CH Butcher, Eber’s Liquor & Wine and Raskin’s Fish (Bonus $1000 at Modway): Shmuli Shubov
We are still working to reach our goal. Anyone who would like to take part in all of the above can still donate at SBH.live. Every contribution helps cover this year’s production and helps Simchas Beis Hashoeva grow even more next year.
May Hashem give our grandfather many long, happy and healthy years, and may we merit to watch Simchas Beis Hashoeva grow to even greater heights, with the coming of Moshiach now!
With heartfelt thanks and brachos,
**Rabbi Yisroel Shemtov – Director
**and grandchildren, Meir Deren and Arik Deren, organizers
COLlive1 day agoHundreds of residents and visitors gathered in Miami Beach for a community-wide Simchas Beis Hashoeva celebration featuring popular Chasidic singer Benny Friedman.
The outdoor event was held on 40th Street, between Prairie and Royal Palm Avenue, bringing together members of the diverse Miami Beach Jewish community for an evening of Sukkos joy and celebration.
Friedman performed a lively selection of Jewish music as participants joined in spirited dancing in honor of Simchas Beis Hashoeva.
Speaking at the event were Rabbi Leibel Schapiro, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Gedolah of Greater Miami and Rav of Beis Menachem in Miami Beach, and local dignitaries.
The evening also featured music and entertainment for children, providing a festive atmosphere for families throughout the three-hour celebration.
A sukkah was available on the premises, and food was offered for purchase.
The celebration was held with the participation and support of numerous local shuls, Jewish organizations and community institutions, bringing together Jews from across Miami Beach for a shared evening of achdus and Simchas Yom Tov.
COLlive1 day agoWhat if the interruptions, resistance and challenges in a woman’s day are not getting in the way of her purpose, but are the very place where her light is waiting to emerge?
In honor of Parshas Bereishis, Sara Blau sits down with author, life coach and public speaker Dr. Chava Green for a candid conversation about “The Feminine Paradox: Ezer Kenegdo, Opposition that Births a Luminous World” and what the Alter Rebbe’s words mean in a woman’s real life.
Green’s book, the first release from the publishing house she founded, Inner World Press, presents the maamer “Lo Tov Heyos HaAdam Levado” from Torah Ohr on Parshas Bereishis in the original Hebrew, in English translation and, as Green puts it, “translated into life.”
At the heart of the conversation is a new way to see opposition.
“The feminine paradox is that we are the ezer knegdo,” Green says. “We are given the power to take whatever challenges come around us and find some sort of additional light.”
That idea does not remain theoretical for long. Green shares how a personal motto from the maamer carried her through a pain-free birth, how a bag of marshmallows transformed a difficult playgroup morning, and how her baby waking just five minutes before the recording became a living example of the very teaching she had come to discuss.
The conversation explores why this maamer speaks so directly to women, how ezer knegdo can turn resistance into growth, and how a woman’s avodah brings the physical and spiritual together. Green also discusses tznius through the lens of klipa nogah, “a shell that shines,” and challenges viewers to coin a word for the work of translating Chassidus into women’s day-to-day lives.
She also offers a preview of her next book, expected next year, which will explore pregnancy as galus, birth as geulah and mother’s milk through a maamer from Parshas Va’eira.
The result is a warm, practical conversation about finding light not after the challenge has passed, but within the challenge itself.
“What a beautiful way to go into Shabbos Bereishis,” Sara Blau says at the close. “The way we are on Parshas Bereishis, that’s how we go all year.”
Watch the full conversation:
“The Feminine Paradox” is available on Amazon.
COLlive2 days agoNassau County Republican Chairman Joseph Cairo recently visited and prayed at the Ohel of the Rebbe in Queens, New York.
He accompanied by attorney Howard Fensterman, and businessman Chris Hine.
He was greeted there by Rabbi Shalom Paltiel, Director of Chabad of Port Washington, and Rabbi Anchelle Perl, Director of Chabad of Mineola.
Before entering, both rabbis explained the significance of such a visit. The Ohel reminds us that whatever position or influence we may possess, ultimately we stand before G-d with the same question: How can I use what I have been given to bring more goodness into the world?
The group wrote personal notes and spent quiet moments in prayer at the Rebbe’s resting place.
Afterward, Cairo asked about the traditional washing of the hands—pouring water alternately over each hand three times.
Rabbi Perl offered a Chassidic insight: the six pourings can represent the six emotional attributes of the human personality—kindness, discipline, compassion, perseverance, humility and connection. Each is powerful, but each needs proper direction.
Water symbolizes wisdom and intellect. The message, Rabbi Perl explained, is that our emotions cannot simply run wherever they wish. The heart must be refined and directed by a thoughtful mind.
It was an appropriate lesson for the entire visit, particularly for anyone entrusted with leadership.
Leadership requires heart, but the heart needs direction. Influence is a gift, but also a responsibility.
Perhaps that is what one carries away from the Ohel: we arrive with our prayers and requests for blessing, but we leave asking what we can do to become a blessing to others.
COLlive2 days agoThe holidays of Zman Simchaseinu may be behind us, but at Ten Yad, the Pure Joy is only beginning.
The 2026 Ten Yad Auction is officially underway, and with TENATHON 7 just a few weeks away, excitement is building for what promises to be an unforgettable night at the Union-Bedford Armory on Sunday, November 1.
The 2026 Ten Yad Auction is filled with extraordinary opportunities to win, including a personal Sefer Torah, a $20,000 Cartier or Piaget watch, a two-year Tesla or Rivian lease, $18,000 at Molly’s Jewelers, $15,000 in custom furniture, magnificent jewelry, luxury travel, home furnishings, shopping experiences, and dozens of additional prizes.
But the experience does not have to end with the auction.
Special packages bring the Auction and TENATHON 7 together, giving participants both more opportunities to win and the chance to experience the show live at the Armory, subject to availability.
And for those looking to experience TENATHON 7 at its fullest, the VIP All-Access Pass offers full dinner, the opportunity to meet the performers, premium round-table seating, and more.
With limited seating at the Armory, now is the time to choose your auction package and secure your place at TENATHON 7. Explore the Auction + Event packages at TenYad.org.
With every auction ticket you purchase, you enable Ten Yad to provide meaningful assistance to more than 1,300 Kallahs, helping furnish their homes, provide essential household items, beautiful sheitels and gowns, and ease the financial burdens that can overshadow the beginning of married life.
That is Pure Joy.
The pure joy of giving.
The pure joy of winning.
The pure joy of being there when five extraordinary voices fill the Armory.
And above all, the pure joy of helping another Jewish home begin with dignity, confidence, and simchah.
On November 1, it all comes together.
TENATHON 7: An Evening of Pure Joy
AVRAHAM FRIED • MOTTY STEINMETZ • EITAN KATZ • SHMUEL • SRULY GREEN
Sunday, November 1, 2026 | Union-Bedford Armory
Doors Open 6:00 PM | Show Begins 6:30 PM
Secure your Auction Tickets and reserve your Seat for TENATHON 7 at TenYad.org.
COLlive2 days agoA 17-year-old bochur who was in Crown Heights for Simchas Torah was critically injured following a serious incident.
The bochur, identified as Shneur Zalman Neiman, was among those who had come to spend Simchas Torah at 770 Eastern Parkway.
According to the campaign to help for his recovery, his parents shared that Shneur had fallen and suffered a severe head injury.
He was rushed to the hospital, where he is currently sedated and on life support.
His parents, R’ Shloime and Talia, are on the way to New York to care for him.
Friends and members of the community have urged the public to daven for his complete recovery.
His name for Tehillim is Shneur Zalman ben Talia Natasha.
A fundraising campaign has also been launched to assist the Neiman family during this difficult time.
The devastating situation that has suddenly befallen the family involves enormous expenses, including travel costs, accommodations, and urgent needs to ensure that every possible effort is made, through natural means, to bring about a miracle.
Donate at Charidy.com/shneorz
COLlive2 days agoLemaan Yilmedu’s Smicha course was created specifically with bochurim in mind, taking the well established classic Lemaan Yilmedu Smicha curriculum and reconfiguring it to better fit the structure of a bochur who wants to learn Smicha while on Shlichus or in Yeshiva. This year the program is being offered at a special subsidized price of $2,040 instead of $3,420.
Every bochur knows that the Rebbe mentioned time and again that it is important for bochurim to learn and receive Smicha before they get married.
The knowledge they acquire will serve as the basis of the home that they will establish upon the foundation of Torah and Yiras Shamayim and will enable them to feel empowered to serve as the ‘Rav’ of their home.
Lemaan Yilmedu’s Smicha course was created specifically with bochurim in mind, taking the well established classic Lemaam Yilmedu Smicha curriculum and reconfiguring it to better fit into the structure of a bochur who would like to learn Smicha while on Shlichus or in Yeshiva. The program begins right after Tishrei and concludes on Gimmel Tammuz, just before all summer plans begin!
The year-long program will cover all of the topics that are generally covered in any Smicha: basar b’chalav, taaruvos and melicha.
At the beginning of the program, every participant will receive all the learning materials of LemaanYilmedu which includes a Shulchan Aruch with summaries and an English Translation, summary booklets and booklets with diagrams as learning aids.
The program will have a daily shiur at 1:15 p.m., for an hour. The shiurim will be given by Rabbi Yossi Barber who has over ten years of experience in giving shiurim in semicha, particularly to bachurim, both at the Machon Lemaan Yilmedu and in kollelim and yeshivos.
The shiur will be given over Zoom so that every bachur can participate wherever he is, in yeshiva or on shlichus. After the shiur, participants will be given access to a recording of the shiur, both video and audio, so they can review it (and in case it wasn’t possible to see the shiur when given live).
During the school year, there will be several tests and those who pass them will receive a semicha certificate signed by top Chabad rabbanim.
The Semicha program for bachurim is subsidized, leiluy nishmas Harav Zushe Wilhelm a”h, head of Machon Lemaan Yilmedu in the U.S., to enable talmidei ha’yeshiva to learn and receive a semicha certificate. Therefore, it is meant only for yeshiva students. Registration for the program requires confirmation that one is attending yeshiva for the upcoming school year.
This year the program is being offered at a special subsidized price of $2,040 instead of $3,420.
Course Details:
Start date: 30 Tishrei 5787, October 11, 2026
Course Duration: 9 Months
Class time: 1:15 – 2:15 pm
For more information and for registration: https://www.lemaanyilmedu.com/product/semicha-bochurim
COLlive2 days agoRabbi Sadya and Chanale Liberow are joining the Rebbe’s army as Shluchim at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, affiliated with Chabad of the Lehigh Valley.
The Liberows will be serving as campus Shluchim to the Jewish students at Lafayette and the Jewish community of Easton Pennsylvania.
“We hope to create a warm, welcoming Jewish home on and around campus,” Rabbi and Mrs. Liberow said.
“Our goal is to be there for students throughout their college years—to provide opportunities to celebrate Yiddishkeit, connect with their Jewish heritage, build meaningful friendships, and experience the warmth and light of Jewish life. At the same time, we look forward to being part of and contributing to the broader Jewish community in Lafayette and Easton, Pennsylvania as a whole.”
The Liberows are passionate about this mission and the impact it can have on the Jewish students we meet and the wider Jewish community. “We hope that we can count on your support in helping us bring this vision to life and continue spreading Jewish light throughout the region.”
COLlive2 days ago“Mommy, if I beat cancer once, why did it come back?” 💔
Chaim Rubin is only 7 years old.
A year ago, after more than a year of difficult treatments, his parents finally heard the words they had been praying for: Chaim had beaten cancer.
He went back to school, back to his friends, and back to simply being a child.
But at the beginning of Av, everything changed again.
The seizures returned, and then came the devastating news:
Chaim has already started treatment to help control the disease, but to give him the chance he desperately needs, his family must now get him to the United States for advanced treatment.
The hospital requires a significant deposit upfront, and after already using their savings and everything they had available, the family simply cannot do this alone.
Every donation can bring Chaim one step closer to the treatment he needs and another chance to fight.
🙏 Please open your heart for Chaim ben Yael.
COLlive2 days agoBrooklyn Borough Parks Commissioner Marty Maher and Council Member Rita Joseph recently toured Hamilton Metz Park, also known as Lefferts Park in Crown Heights, to assess its condition and discuss a potential redesign and investment in the space.
During the walkthrough, they discussed how the park is used and which improvements would most benefit families, young people, and neighborhood residents.
“As a longtime educator and parent, I understand the critical importance of positive alternative activities. We’re going to work to enhance and upgrade the park,” Joseph told COLlive.
An upcoming community meeting will give residents an opportunity to share their ideas and priorities for the park. Their input will help shape future plans. The date, time, and location will be announced soon, and all community members are encouraged to attend.
Joseph also recently secured a $21 million investment towards upgrading Wingate Park.
COLlive2 days agoOn Thursday night, the night of Hoshana Rabbah 5787, participants gathered at the Rebbe’s shul in Paris for the traditional recitation of Tehillim and words of Torah in the sukkah.
In honor of the special night, apples dipped in honey were served to those in attendance.
COLlive2 days agoBy COLlive reporter
A Lubavitcher entrepreneur who built an American-style kosher hot dog chain in Israel has reportedly sold a 50% stake in the business, valuing the young franchise at an estimated 7 million shekels — roughly $2.3 million.
Moshe Zalman Olive, a Chabad chassid originally from Chicago, sold the stake to Kameri Kimona’ut, the owners of the Sabon Express convenience store network, for an estimated 3.5 million shekels (about $1.14 million), according to a report in ynet. He founded the chain in Jerusalem alongside two fellow Lubavitchers.
Zalman’s currently operates 12 branches, including at Tel Aviv’s Azrieli mall and in Kiryon, Haifa, and Ra’anana, according to ynet. The chain has become popular among the Haredi crowd in Bnei Brak and Jerusalem, and new branches are reportedly planned for Elad, Beit Shemesh, Beitar Illit, and Modi’in Illit.
The Menu
The hot dogs are produced by Jerusalem’s Galat Of factory under mehadrin kashrus, the report said. The signature “boutique” line includes the Chicago Blues, the Tripolitana Merguez, and the New York Krekers.
The menu also features corndogs, beef and chicken skewers, deli-style toasts, schnitzel sandwiches, onion rings, sweet potato fries, and a lineup of house spreads — from garlic mayo and tahina to relish and three mustards. Meal deals include a cholent-and-hot-dog combo and a family deal.
Asaf Kameri of Kameri Kimona’ut told ynet the goal is to expand aggressively in the Haredi sector: “By the end of the year, 20 branches are planned, with a target of about 40 branches across the country.”
He said the company spotted a growth trend in kosher fast food and wants to bring “Zalman’s unique American experience” to new audiences nationwide — American deli sandwiches, corndogs, corned beef sandwiches, schnitzels, and “surprising American snacks.”
The Story Behind It
For Olive, the deal is the latest chapter of a story that began with childhood memories of American hot dogs.
In an Instagram interview posted by @aliyah_to_jerusalem earlier this year, he recounted selling his Chicago business and moving to Jerusalem — and how his wife agreed on three conditions: fewer preservatives and nitrates, all-meat hot dogs, and kedushah.
“So how do we put kedushah connected to Zalman’s?” he said. “One way is — you’re wearing my tzitzis, okay? Another way is the hechsherim that we have — they’re all high-quality hechsherim, which allows us to invite all types of Israelis to our restaurant.”
Asked about his own favorite item, he admitted: “I love the chips. I take a chip, I can’t stop, which is obviously a problem, based on my diet.”
And what does he love about Jerusalem? “It’s the holiest place in the world.”
“Zalman’s was born from a real love of the American hot dog and the memories of taste, smell, and childhood experiences,” Olive told ynet after the deal.
“The partnership with Kameri Kimona’ut lets us take what we’ve built and turn it into a chain that will reach a much bigger audience across all of Israel.”
COLlive2 days agoSan Francisco’s 10th Avenue was filled with Jewish music, dancing, and smiling faces on Tuesday, Chai Tishrei, September 29, as more than 700 people gathered for an unforgettable celebration of Zman Simchaseinu.
Closed to traffic between Geary and Anza, the street became a place for families and friends to celebrate Sukkos together. Participants came from across San Francisco and beyond, including families who traveled from the Sacramento area.
The event was a joint community effort led by Rabbi Nosson and Chaya Potash of Chabad of Cole Valley. The achdus and partnership of every Chabad house in San Francisco, together with other shuls and communities, brought a special energy to this year’s celebration.
“We need to include every Jewish organization in SF!” said participant David, expressing the spirit of unity that ran through the evening.
The street festival featured a full BBQ, bouncy houses, a rock climbing wall, bunnies, balloon sculpting, and a fire juggling show. Everywhere, happy faces reflected the Jewish pride and true simcha of Sukkos.
Live music featured the SingJam band led by Ben Kramarz, The Ferris Wheels band led by Rabbi Yehuda Ferris, and the one and only Yoey Muchnik.
As the evening progressed, the festival culminated in an energetic Simchas Beis Hashoeiva, with joyous dancing right in the streets of San Francisco. The music and enthusiasm brought people together in a celebration whose warmth could be felt throughout the block.
“This is my family’s joy on Sukkot. My kids love it!” said Kieth. “Seeing them literally dancing in the street in San Francisco to Jewish music is my greatest joy of the year.”
Following the dancing, and Fire Juggling Show, children gathered for a rally featuring the 12 Pesukim, organized by Tzivos Hashem base commander Alon Chanukov.
The community partners included Adath Israel; Bais Menachem Yeshiva Day School; Chabad of Cole Valley; Chabad of Noe Valley; Chabad of San Francisco — SOMA Shul and Pacific Heights; Chabad of the Neighborhood; Chabad of the Sunset & Student Center; Chevra Tehilim; Magain David Sephardim Congregation; Richmond Torah Center–Chabad; the Russian-speaking Jewish Community of the SF Bay Area; Schneerson Center; Torat Emet; and Chabad of North S. Mateo County.
Organizers expressed their appreciation to the San Francisco Police Department for securing the event and for its close coordination with the community.
Thanks were extended to all the organizers, donors, community partners, and volunteers whose efforts made the evening possible. From the preparations to the final dance, it was truly a team effort.
With Mayor Daniel Lurie championing the message that “San Francisco is back,” this celebration offered its own joyful statement: Yiddishkeit in San Francisco is on the rise, Baruch Hashem.
COLlive2 days agoA reporter asked Rabbi Moshe Moskovitz whether, after five years of war, the Kharkov Jewish Community had scaled back its celebrations and become smaller.
“On the contrary,” Rabbi Moskovitz replied. “Before the war, we had a small sukkah on the side of the shul. Today, we have a 120-square-meter sukkah that can accommodate hundreds of people. Especially now, more than ever, we need to come together, unite, and celebrate as a community.”
And that is exactly what happened this Sukkos. Hundreds of members of the Kharkov Jewish Community gathered to shake the lulav and etrog and celebrate together.
Kharkov Mayor Igor Terekhov joined the celebration and thanked Rabbi Moskovitz and the Jewish community for their continued efforts to support those in need throughout the war.
The celebration reached a high point when Roman, a Jewish soldier serving on the frontlines, joined a spectacular drum and percussion performance. His music lifted the spirits of the crowd, with children and adults alike enjoying the energetic performance.
One after another, community members shook the lulav and etrog and streamed into the sukkah to continue the celebration together.
For the Kharkov Jewish Community, Sukkos was a celebration of Jewish life, unity, and the strength that comes from being together. Even in difficult times, the community continues to grow, celebrate, and bring Jewish joy to Kharkov.
COLlive2 days agoWomen around the world will begin learning a new sugya devoted to Bitachon, bringing the subject into the rhythms and pressures of daily life.
Dach L’Noshim, the women’s Chassidus academy of Merkos 302’s Kolel L’lomdei Dach, is opening registration for its new Bitachon cycle. The program gives women the opportunity to learn Chassidus seriously and consistently within the responsibilities of family, work and Shlichus.
Dach L’Noshim was created to make this type of learning possible for women with busy schedules. The program includes guided chavrusa learning, classes and farbrengens, together with a group of women around the world learning the same material. The weekly schedule consists of one hour of focused chavrusa learning and two additional 30-minute sessions. The sources are translated, summarized and introduced clearly, allowing women with different learning backgrounds to study the concepts in depth.
Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Executive Director of Merkos 302, says the program grew from the need for a serious framework where women could pursue in-depth Chassidus learning, inspired by the Rebbe’s teachings. “For years, women have been seeking a way to fulfill the Rebbe’s vision for them to learn Chassidus in depth,” he said. “Our goal is to support them with a framework that allows them to delve into and draw inspiration from the Rebbeim’s teachings while carrying the responsibilities of family and communal life.”
For the women participating, having a set framework and chavrusa has helped make Chassidus part of their regular lives. One participant described Dach L’Noshim as “an incredibly enriching experience,” explaining that “the depth of the concepts we learn, and especially the way they are brought into practical Avodah, has given me new perspectives and tools that continue to impact my daily life.” The participant’s name, location and relevant context should be added before publication. She added that the teachers have a gift for making deep ideas in Chassidus meaningful and relevant to everyday life.
Mrs. Shani Paltiel, Dach L’Noshim program coordinator and Shlucha in Manhasset, New York, says the goal is for women to engage personally with what they are learning. “This isn’t simply about sitting back and listening to a class. It’s about building a real connection with what you learn, understanding it deeply and allowing it to shape family and communal life,” she explains. The schedule was specifically created with women’s lives in mind. “We set this up so women can immerse themselves in Chassidus without having to step away from family life. You really can do both.”
Registration for the new Dach L’Noshim Bitachon cycle is now open, with learning beginning after Sukkos. To register, request a chavrusa match or learn more, visit DachLNoshim.com or contact Mrs. Shani Paltiel at (248) 307-6900.
COLlive2 days agoTIME IS RUNNING OUT — STARTING ON SUNDAY!!! A ground-breaking program for genuine personal transformation. No hacks. No shortcuts. Just a clear, guided path to your truest self.
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COLlive2 days agoBy COLlive reporter
Rabbi Yisroel Rubin, longtime Shliach of the Rebbe to Albany, NY and Head Shliach of Chabad of the Capital Region and Northeast NY State, passed away after participating in his Shul at Hakafos on the night of Shmeini Atzeres, 5787.
He was 78.
He was the son of the Chassid Reb Moshe and Yocheved Miriam Rubin of Montreal, Canada.
He arrived on Shlichus in Albany on Sukkos 5734, this marks 52 complete years of Shlichus, nearly to the day.
Rabbi Rubin was known for his innovative creative projects, publications and mitzvah promotions, ranging from “The Torah Times” publication as a bochur, to the Neshek matchbooks he made when first arriving in Albany, many relevant and engaging articles, and a unique approach to education.
He was a founder of Albany’s Maimonides School in 1980 and stood at the helm of the school and a growing regional network of Shluchim and Chabad Houses until his recent illness, remaining involved throughout.
Rabbi Rubin credited his unique approach of Torah learning to a single Rebbe’s farbrengen that focused his lens of Torah study.
He authored a scholarly work on two paragraphs of the Haggadah titled “Marbeh L’Saper” and has another 600+ page Sefer titled “Hirhurei Torah” that will hopefully soon be published. Learning and teaching Torah was always central to his life and Shlichus even in his last years during his illness.
He was continuously inspired throughout the years of his Shlichus by the “Vayeitzei-Vayishlach Letter” the Rebbe sent to this 5th year anniversary of Capital Region Chabad.
He is survived by his wife and Shlichus partner Rochel Rubin, and his children R’ Mendel (University at Albany), R’ Abba (Saratoga Springs NY), R’ Yossi (Clifton Park NY), R’ Shmuly (Union College Schenectady NY), Devorah Leah Mathless (Albany NY), Rivky Cohen (Manchester, England), R’ Efraim (Brooklyn), R’ Simmy (Albany), Mushky (Brooklyn), R’ Motti (Colonie NY), as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his sisters Rochel Zaklos (Detroit), Esther Chanowitz (Montreal), and Sara Yuzevitz (Brooklyn).
He was predeceased by his daughter Esty Cohen (Manchester, England).
The levaya and kevurah will be in Albany NY, his place of pioneering and life-long dedicated Shlichus.
For those with Rabbi Rubin memories the family would appreciate them at: [email protected]
Shiva
Wednesday and Thursday 10:00 am- 1:00 pm, 2:30 pm- 8:30 pm
At Shabbos house, 320 Fuller Road
Friday, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm
Motzei Shabbos 8:30 pm- 10:00 pm
Both at 122 S Main Avenue
Davening times at the designated shiva house
Shachris- 6:15 am, 8:00 am, 9:00 am
Mincha- 6:10 pm
Maariv- 6:55 pm
Friday Mincha – 1:15 pm
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
COLlive3 days agoRabbi 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:
COLlive5 days agoBy COLlive reporter
Rabbi Levi Matusof, Chabad-Lubavitch representative to the European Institutions, met again with Argentina’s President Javier Milei in Paris during Argentina Week, just days after their meeting last week at the Ohel of the Rebbe in New York.
Argentina Week brought together senior Argentine government officials, provincial governors, investors and leading business executives from Argentina, France and around the world.
With the gathering taking place during Sukkos, Rabbi Matusof used the opportunity to bring the mitzvah of Lulav and Esrog to Jewish participants, enabling business leaders and other attendees who had traveled from Argentina and around the world to perform this special mitzvah of Sukkos.
President Milei himself shared the photo of him embracing Rabbi Matusof. The song he picked to play in the background of the post was Reb Levik’s Niggun, which Lubavitchers dance to during Hakafos on Simchas Torah.
Many Argentine participants spoke warmly of their connection with Rabbi Tzvi Grunblatt, Head Shliach of Argentina, and the extensive work of Chabad-Lubavitch in Buenos Aires and throughout the country.
Rabbi Matusof also congratulated his longtime friend, Argentina’s Ambassador to France Ian Sielecki, on the success of Argentina Week and for bringing together such a significant gathering of government and business leaders in Paris.
The gathering provided another opportunity to strengthen Jewish connections and bring the spirit and mitzvos of Sukkos to an international forum attended by leaders from the worlds of government and business.
COLlive5 days agoPhotos: Tzvi Levenhartz/COLlive
Candle lighting in Crown Heights:
Friday night: 6:18 PM
Motzei Shabbos: After 7:15 PM
Yom Tov Ends:
Sunday night: at 7:13 PM
Good Yom Tov from the staff of COLlive.com!
COLlive5 days agoNow in its 46th year, R’ Nachum Markowitz’s Kiddushim and food distributions continue to be a key part of Tishrei in Lubavitch. Thousands of pounds of food, from meat and fish to artisanal salads, fruit, and bread, will be distributed, nourishing thousands over Yom Tov. The project, inspired by the Rebbe, remains a hallmark of dedication and community spirit.
R’ Nachum credits the success of this year’s efforts to key partners, including the principal donor, Rabbi and Rebbetzin Yitzchok Raitport, in memory of their son, Shalom Dovber, who tragically passed away on Simchas Torah morning 5761, after returning from Tahalucha.
Also displayed is a dedication for the enormous Yom Kippur break fast, sponsored by OK Kosher. This continues the tradition set by the much-missed Rabbi Don Yoel Levi OBM, whose generosity, wisdom and service touched countless people.
Key sponsors include the Drizin family, Yerachmiel and Rivkah Leah Jacobson and Simon Jacobson, the Davidof and Nachshinov families, the Gansbourg family, the Levi family, the Steinberg families, the Kabachnik family, SBA Loan Group, the Raskin family of Raskin’s Fruit, the Hadad Family of Ess and Bentch, Gavriel Gopin and family in honor of his late wife Tzivia Gopin and PR Brand Marketing. The support and contributions of the Rebbe’s secretaries, Rabbi Binyomin Klein OBM and Rabbi Leibel Groner OBM, are also honored.
Supporters have expressed experiencing tremendous blessings through their involvement, and you can join them by contributing at www.kidush.org
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COLlive5 days agoSimchas Beis Hashoeiva draws tens of thousands of Jews of all walks of life to Crown Heights each night of Chol Hamoed Sukkos.
The final night of epic dancing was held until 1 am, with musician Yossi Cohen and singer Berel Zucker.
Be a part of the celebration! Donate at SBH.Live
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COLlive5 days agoA message from Hatzalah of Crown Heights:
Yesterday a young man was taken to the hospital with meningitis, which can be a very serious infection for anyone who contracts it.
Meningococcal meningitis is spread via droplets of saliva, and may be infectious to those who have had prolonged close contact with the infected individual.
It is critically important to start treatment promptly, therefore if you are experiencing fever, headache, with or without rash, and feel “unusually sick”, please seek medical attention immediately.
Crown Heights Hatzalah members are aware of the situation, and can direct you to appropriate medical care, as necessary. A good and healthy Yom Tov.
COLlive5 days agoDear Moshe,
I’m writing this from Eretz Yisroel while my son is still in Crown Heights for Tishrei.
As a mother, sending your child so far from home is both exciting and a little scary. You want him to experience everything—770, the davening, the learning, the farbrengens, the dancing—but somewhere in your heart you are always wondering: Is he okay? Is he eating? Does he have what he needs?
A few days ago, the place my son had arranged to stay was suddenly canceled.
At the last minute, he had nowhere to sleep.
My heart sank. I was in Eretz Yisroel, and my son was thousands of miles away. There was nothing I could do.
I kept thinking about him carrying his bags, not knowing where he would go or where he would sleep.
I wished I could be there to hug him and tell him that everything would be okay.
And then I heard: “He went to Moshe Rubashkin.”
A place was found for him immediately.
But he received so much more than a bed.
He received food, warmth, a place to sit, and that special Chassidishe energy that makes a bochur feel at home. He was not made to feel like a burden or like someone who arrived too late.He was welcomed with care, as though someone had been waiting for him.
And I cried. Not because something was wrong—but because suddenly I knew my son was being taken care of. Moshe, you may see another bochur walking through your door.
A mother sees her son.
You may see another guest who needs a place to sleep.A mother sees the child she sent across the world.And knowing that my son has somewhere warm to come back to, food when he’s hungry, and people who care about him—that gives me a peace I cannot explain.
Thank you for giving him not only shelter, but also warmth, dignity, and a true Tishrei experience.
Thank you for taking care of the Rebbe’s guests as if they were your own.May the Rebbe give you and your family endless brachos, in gashmiyus and in ruchniyus, for everything you do.
With heartfelt gratitude,
A grateful mother
—
This is an opportunity for all of us to join together in this mitzvah and bring nachas to the Rebbe.
Join us. Donate. Be part of the mitzvah. Help us continue giving the Rebbe’s guests the royal treatment they deserve.
COLlive5 days agoDollar from the Rebbe – Devorah Benjamin
2 Round-Trip Tickets – Ari Rubinstein
Yom Tov Package – Shmuli Shubov
You can still donate!
COLlive5 days agoAs communities around the world prepare to celebrate Simchas Torah with joy and dancing, a special Hakafos Companion is available for anyone who would like to print and distribute copies in their shul or community.
The booklet, Your Hakafos Companion, is designed to help participants follow the Hakafos and enhance the celebration and joy of Simchas Torah.
Shluchim, gabboim, community organizers and individuals are encouraged to download the booklet, print copies locally, and make them available to those participating in Hakafos.
The booklet is being shared לזכות ולרפואה שלימה של מנחם מענדל בן חיה אהובה — L’zechus and for a complete Refuah Sheleimah for Menachem Mendel ben Chaya Ahuva.
ישועת ה׳ כהרף עין — Yeshuas Hashem k’heref ayin.
May the tremendous simcha of Simchas Torah, the dancing with the Torah, and the achdus of Yidden everywhere bring a refuah sheleimah, yeshuos and abundant brachos for Menachem Mendel ben Chaya Ahuva, b’soch sha’ar cholei Yisroel.
Download the Hakafos Companion:
Your-Hakafot-Companion.pdf
Please print, share and distribute it throughout your community.
COLlive5 days agoThe children of Anshei Lubavitch in Crown Heights celebrated their fourth annual Simchas Beis Hashoeiva on Chol Hamoed Sukkos.
Planned by Tzeirei Anshei Lubavitch led by Yakov Moshe Friedman and Moshe Blau, the evening was built around the kids, with lively music from Yossel Mellul and singing by Chony Zucker.
The children said the 12 pesukim together, and there were raffles, popcorn, prizes, and plenty of snacks and drinks to go around.
Tzeirei Anshei Lubavitch thanks Rabbi Garelik for his vision and his support of the Tzeirei Anshei. The evening was sponsored by members of Anshei Lubavitch.
For the children, it was a night to experience the joy of Simchas Beis Hashoeva.
COLlive5 days agoOn the third day of Chol Hamoed Sukkos, Lubavitch of Remsen Village hosted a lively Simchas Beis Hashoavah outside its shul at 305 Remsen Avenue.
White Fang Marketing served as the event’s corporate sponsor.
With police assistance, the entire block of Remsen Avenue was closed to create a safe space for families and community members to celebrate together. The evening included Torah, tefillah, and tzedakah, led by Rabbi Levi Gajer, along with lively music by Gershon Reich and Shmuli Keller, food, drinks, and a crowd-pleasing fire-juggling show.
The event was arranged by Avi Zuckerman, with assistance from Yossi Kagan, and brought a beautiful spirit of achdus and simchas Yom Tov to the neighborhood. Special thanks to Shomrim for their assistance, and to the Voli Bochurim who helped at the food tables.
Additional sponsors included Kingston Bake Shop and Crown Builders. The free light-up toys enjoyed by the children were generously sponsored by Shloimy and Yanki Hecht.
COLlive5 days agoAs the Tishrei Tent marks its 10th year, organizers are asking the community to once again give your support.
Every gift is a piece of the tent. Every donor is part of the story.
Be part of the 10th year — and help write the next chapter at TishreiTent.com.
COLlive5 days agoFor the second year in a row, at the request of local Mosdos and community leadership, there were no vendors at Simchas Beis Hashoeva. So what did organizers bring instead?
For the second year, there were no vendors at Simchas Beis Hashoeva a decision made together with local Mosdos and community leadership. But the organizers didn’t come empty handed.
Here is what filled the street every night:
– Every night, water and pastries were free and unlimited for everyone.
– Light-up toys were handed out free, so every child could join the simcha glowing with no parent reaching for a wallet.
-Every night featured a special kids program with guests like Rabbi B, with the 12 Pesukim and entertainment, giving our boys and girls their time to have fun and join in the dancing.
-For the first time ever, there was an elegant women’s Simchas Beis Hashoeva at the Lubavitcher Yeshiva Hall, with Sara Blau, Faigy Blumstein, and musical guitarist Chaviva Tarlow.
-Together with Irgun Torah in English and in Yiddish each night featured farbrengens with renowned Mashpiim, including Rabbi Shais Taub, Rabbi Manis Friedman, and many more.
-Teaming up with The Farbrengen Retreat, the organizers recreated the farbrengen Sukkah: a place where every teen in Crown Heights felt welcomed.
-Thousands of visitors come to Crown Heights for Simchas Beis Hashoeva. Together with Ohr Hachasidus, the organizers made sure every one of them left with a small taste of Chassidus.
-In partnership with JEM, inspiring videos of the Rebbe played each night, bringing the Rebbe’s words right onto the street.
-For those who couldn’t be there, a brand new website SBH.live gave easy access to live streams of the kids programs, both farbrengens, and the dancing itself, broadcast live from five cameras Chol Hamoed.
-On top of the nightly lineup on the main stage, Chol Hamoed brought guest appearances by Joey Newcomb, Eitan Katz, and more.
The organizers put tremendous effort into making sure the Crown Heights community and its visitors got the top of the line “vending” they deserve: a chance to celebrate the way the Rebbe wanted, without having to buy expensive concert tickets, with top performers and a super quality production.
Today is the grand prize drawing, and the organizers are calling on the entire Crown Heights community to help by purchasing a raffle ticket or making a donation. Help us cover this massive production and help it grow so next year can offer even more.
Enter the Grand Raffle:
A Dollar from the Rebbe, dedicated in honor of Rabbi Yisroel Shemtov
2 round-trip tickets to Eretz Yisroel, courtesy of Simpo Travel
A Yom Tov package: $500 at CH Butcher, $400 at Eber’s Liquor & Wine, and $350 at Raskin’s Fish (bonus $1,000 at Modway)
Tickets are $36 each, or $54 for all three, at SBH.live/Raffle
May Hashem give Rabbi Yisroel Shemtov, the longtime organizer of Simchas Beis Hashoeiva, many long, happy, and healthy years and may we merit to continue watching Simchas Beis Hashoeva grow to even greater heights, with the coming of Moshiach now!
COLlive5 days agoHe is survived by his wife Sara (nee Groner) and children, Yitzchok Tenenbaum, Valley Village, CA, Zevi Tenenbaum, Irvine, CA, Shaya Tenenbaum, Crown Heights, Eli Tenenbaum, Omaha, NE, Mushki Tenenbaum, Crown Heights and Rochele Elharar, Crown Heights.
Nichum aveilim times for the Tenenbaum family sitting shiva for their father, Rabbi Levi Tenenbaum
At 1513 President st through Friday
Shachris 745, 830, 915
Mincha 200 700
Marriv bizmana
General times 10am – 9pm
COLlive5 days agoCrown Heights residents have arranged for a street closure this upcoming Yom Tov for outdoor Hakafos to be held this Simchas Torah in Crown Heights.
Carroll Street between Albany and Troy Avenues will be closed off for Hakafos for Simchas Torah.
A Kiddush with refreshments will be served to accompany the Hakafos.
Times for Hakafos:
Friday night 10/2 7pm- 9:30pm
Motzei Shabbos 10/3 7pm- 9:30pm
Sunday 10/4 11am-2:30pm
Friday night will be indoors 1455 Carroll St.
COLlive5 days agoThe annual Simchas Beis Hashoeiva celebration which takes place in the streets of Crown Heights is bigger than ever this year.
Longtime organizer Rabbi Yisroel Shemtov, who has been arranging and funding the celebration for over 40 years, has once again ensured a nightly celebration over Chol Hamoed, featuring the biggest stars in Jewish music.
Night four – Wednesday night, featured a children’s program at 6:30 PM. Later, featuring Peretz Chein, Levi Bless Band, Chony Milecki, Berel Faiden, Shimon Brod, Shmuly Hurwitz, Ascher Touitto, Mendy Gabbai and Yossi Cohen.
Simchas Beis Hashoeiva draws tens of thousands of Jews of all walks of life to Crown Heights each night of Chol Hamoed Sukkos.
Be a part of the celebration! Click here to donate now! Charidy.com/sbh
Donate and watch live at SBH.live
VIDEO
COLlive5 days agoBuilding on the success of previous years Achdus Hakafos in Crown Heights—and the positive feedback from so many—we are pleased to announce that the Third Annual Simchas Torah Achdus Hakafos will take place Sunday, 1:00–1:45 PM, at the corner of Albany Avenue and Crown Street..
Shuls participating in this Achdus Hakafos are; Beis Levy Yitzchok, Beis Shea, Beis Shneur, Chevra Ahavas Yisroel, Merkaz Sefarad, Ohel Nosson, Shmuel’s Shul, and others, and is once again being organized by Rabbi Lazer Avtzon of the Association of Crown Heights Shuls / Merkaz Sefarad, and R’ Binyomin Levin of Beis Shneur.
Other Shuls and/or individuals looking to participate are invited and welcome.
In accordance with the directive of the Beis Din of Crown Heights, the Sifrei Torah should not be taken out onto the street. Each shul should first conduct Ata Horeisa and Hakafos inside their respective locations before joining the community celebration.
Location guidelines:
Women: Albany Avenue between Carroll and Crown Streets
Men: Albany Avenue between Crown and Montgomery Streets
Dancing: In the main intersection of Crown and Albany for men and boys
Together, we will create a tremendous Kiddush Hashem and Kiddush Shem Lubavitch, bringing the Rebbe much nachas.
We ask all participating shuls to relay the following guidelines to ensure proper decorum and tznius:
Women should remain on Albany between Carroll and Crown Streets
Men should be on Albany Ave from Crown to Montgomery Streets
Actual dancing will be at the intersection of Crown and Albany (for men and boys only)
The program will begin with the recital of the 12 Pesukim, followed by joyous dancing to the songs:
– הושיעה את עמיך
– עוצו עצה ותופר
– פרזות תשב ירושלים
– אני מאמין
– ניגון של ר’ לוי”ק
שנזכה כבר לפני שמיני עצרת ושמחת תורה להתגלות משיח צדקנו ומלכנו בראשינו
א גוט יום טוב!
A special thank you to Rabbi Yaacov Behrman and to the New York City Police Department for their assistance and support.
COLlive6 days agoCrown Heights activist, Honorary NYPD Commissioner of Community Safety and Chair of the Board of the Commission to Combat Antisemitism Chair and the NYPD Civilian Hate Crimes Review Panel Devorah Halberstam hosted an impressive gathering of leading political, law enforcement, legal, community and media figures at her annual Sukkah celebration during Chol Hamoed Sukkos.
The annual gathering, held in Halberstam’s Sukkah in Crown Heights, brought together officials from the city, state and federal levels, along with law enforcement representatives, Jewish communal leaders, attorneys, members of the media, family and friends.
Among the prominent guests were New York Governor Kathy Hochul, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, New York State Attorney General Letitia James, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, New York City Comptroller Mark Levine, New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and former City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who is running for Lieutenant Governor alongside Hochul.
Deputy Commissioner Alden Foster of the Community Affairs Bureau; Ryan Merola, Chief of Staff to the Police Commissioner; Chief of Housing Charles McEvoy; Assistant Chief Charles Minch of Patrol Borough Brooklyn South; Assistant Chief Mark Vazquez of Patrol Borough Brooklyn North; Inspector Igor Pinkhasov of Patrol Borough Queens North; Inspector Thomas Smith of Patrol Borough Manhattan South; Assistant Chief Andrew Arias of the Detective Bureau’s Citywide Investigations Unit; Inspector Gary Marcus of the Detective Bureau’s Special Victims Unit; Inspector Adeel Rana of the Counterterrorism Division; Inspector Jason Hagestad of the Citywide Counterterrorism Unit; and Inspector Omar Birchwood, Commanding Officer of the 77th Precinct, Captain Bekim Becaj, CO of NYPD hate crimes task force.
Governor Hochul addressed the gathering, speaking about her commitment to combating antisemitism and protecting New York’s Jewish community. Hochul said the issue is deeply personal to her as a mother and grandmother, and that she understands the concern felt by members of the Jewish community knowing that their children, grandchildren and other loved ones can be subjected to harassment and antisemitic incidents in their daily lives. She pledged to continue standing with Jewish New Yorkers and confronting antisemitism.
Also attending were Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Kim Council and City Council Members Crystal Hudson, Lincoln Restler and Rita Joseph, as well as Greg Ehrie, Chief Security Officer of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Deputy Inspector Sony Beauvoir, 67th Precinct Commanding Officer, Deputy Inspector John Dasaro, 71st Precinct Commanding Officer, Captain Duran McLean, 67th Precinct Executive Officer, Captain Ryan Vautrinot, 71st Precinct Executive Officer, Lieutenant Ralph Postiglione, Patrol Borough Brooklyn South, Lieutenant Casey Kolokithias, Patrol Borough Brooklyn South, Sergeant Michael Baratta, 71st Precinct, Sergeant Viktoria Fiandola, 71st Precinct Detective Squad, Detective Marina Genin, Hate Crimes Task Force, Detective Evan Lavin, Patrol Borough Brooklyn South, Detective Kenneth Melendez, Patrol Borough Brooklyn North, Police Officer Yannifer Sandy, 67th Precinct, Detective Jonathan Connors, 71st Precinct, Police Officer Shatoya Braddy, 71st Precinct, Police Officer Meir Green, Patrol Borough Brooklyn South.
Representing federal offices were Patti Lubin, Senior Counsel and Senior Advisor to U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand; Sam Adelsberg and Jamie Bagliebter, Assistant U.S. Attorneys and Co-Chiefs of the Civil Rights Division for the Southern District of New York; and Eli Slavin, liaison to Congresswoman Clarke.
Governor Hochul’s office was represented by Jake Adler, Assistant Secretary for Constituency Affairs and Director of Jewish Affairs, and Eva Wyner, Deputy Director of Jewish Affairs.
Also joining the celebration were Phylisa Wisdom, Director of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism, and Josh Binderman, Deputy Director of the office; Pinnie Hikind, advisor to City Comptroller Mark Levine; Jacob Eisdorfer, senior advisor to Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso; and David Kletzick, senior advisor to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.
The gathering also included prominent figures from the legal and public safety communities, among them Alan Vinegrad, former U.S. Attorney and senior counsel at Covington & Burling; attorney Benjamin Brafman of Brafman & Associates; and Dr. Pia Hargrove, a member of the civilian hate crimes review panel.
Jewish communal leaders in attendance included Mark Treyger, CEO of JCRC-NY; Rabbi Joseph Potasnik of the New York Board of Rabbis; Rabbi Yerachmiel Benjaminson, Executive Director of the Jewish Children’s Museum; Shmuel Rosenstein of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council; Scott Richman, Director of ADL New York/New Jersey; David Pollock, Director of CSI; Yehudit Barsky of ISGAP; NYPD Chaplain Rabbi Kogan; Josh Mehlman, Chairman of FJCC; and Yeruchim Silber of Agudath Israel.
A large contingent of prominent New York media figures also attended, including Joe Marino of the New York Post; Chelsia Marcius of The New York Times; Melissa Russo and Jonathan Dienst of NBC; Carol D’Aurio and Shimon Segal of 1010 WINS; Liz Rozner of CBS News; Myles Miller of Bloomberg News; Or Shaked of Israel Hayom; Toni Williams, producer of the Brooklyn Savvy talk show and Judy Rapfogel, Principal at GrandRap Strategies.
The annual celebration has become a Sukkos tradition bringing together elected officials, law enforcement leaders, members of the media and Jewish communal figures in the heart of Crown Heights, providing an opportunity to strengthen longstanding relationships and build greater cooperation between government agencies and the Jewish community.
Guests mingled throughout the evening in the festive atmosphere of Sukkos, joined by Halberstam’s family and friends.
COLlive6 days agoRabbi Shloime Kaplan will lead a special Simchas Beis Hashoeva farbrengen tonight at 10:00 PM in the Rubashkin family’s main sukkah.
The Farbrengen wull stream live on COLlive.com for the worldwide community to participate.
The farbrengen is part of this year’s expanded Simchas Beis Hashoeva programming in Crown Heights.
לזכות הנגיד החסידי הרב אליהו בן רחל נעמי שלוסברג שליט״א ומשפחתו שיחיו
לעילוי נשמת הרה״ג אברהם יצחק ב״ר נתן ז״ל
COLlive6 days agoAn extraordinary farbrengen with Rabbi Manis Friedman continued for more than eight hours last night at Simchas Beis Hashoeva, beginning at 10:30 PM and lasting until 7:00AM.
Throughout the night, Rabbi Friedman shared powerful stories, insights and words of inspiration, as hundreds of people passed through and joined the farbrengen.
The evening was accompanied by live music from Shlomo Hecht and the Pimenta Band, with abundant refreshments and l’chaim served throughout the night.
The farbrengen was made possible through the generous sponsorship of Eli Schlossberg, who sponsored this year’s Simchas Beis Hashoeva farbrengen initiative.
The program is part of the expanding lineup Simchas Beis Hashoeva is bringing to Crown Heights this year, adding meaningful farbrengens and programming alongside the nightly dancing and celebrations.
לזכות הנגיד החסידי הרב אליהו בן רחל נעמי
שלוסברג שליט״א ומשפחתו שיחיו | לעילוי נשמת הרה״ג אברהם יצחק ב״ר נתן ז״ל
VIDEO
COLlive6 days agoOn This Hoshana Rabbah, Be Her Hoshana 💔
Baby Rivka is only 9 months old and fighting a serious blood disease. After waiting five years for their precious daughter, her parents are now fighting to save her.
💔 $60,000 is still needed to fund Rivka’s upcoming treatment.
On this holy day, let’s all come together and help this family raise the funds they desperately need.
🙏 Please help give Baby Rivka a chance at life.
Every donation and every share can make a difference. ❤️
COLlive6 days ago“Mommy, if I beat cancer once, why did it come back?” 💔
Chaim Rubin is only 7 years old.
A year ago, after more than a year of difficult treatments, his parents finally heard the words they had been praying for: Chaim had beaten cancer.
He went back to school, back to his friends, and back to simply being a child.
But at the beginning of Av, everything changed again.
The seizures returned, and then came the devastating news:
Chaim has already started treatment to help control the disease, but to give him the chance he desperately needs, his family must now get him to the United States for advanced treatment.
The hospital requires a significant deposit upfront, and after already using their savings and everything they had available, the family simply cannot do this alone.
Every donation can bring Chaim one step closer to the treatment he needs and another chance to fight.
🙏 Please open your heart for Chaim ben Yael.
COLlive6 days agoIsrael’s Minister of Environmental Protection, Idit Silman, currently visiting the United States, paid a late-evening visit to the Rebbe and Rebbetzin’s home at 1304 President Street in Crown Heights.
Upon arriving at the President Street home, Silman was greeted by Rabbi Mendel Krinsky, who accompanied her inside. She spent some private time in prayer and reciting Tehillim, after which Rabbi Krinsky gave her a tour of the ground floor of the stately home.
Silman, a mother of three, remarked on the home’s simplicity and understated elegance, and on the sense of wholesomeness that permeates it. She expressed her deep appreciation for the opportunity to visit the Rebbe and Rebbetzin’s home, particularly on such short notice and at so late an hour.
On her social media pages, Silman wrote that she had begun her important visit to the United States with a visit to the Rebbe’s home, sharing photographs and video of the simple kitchen and dining room.
The accompanying photographs are from Silman’s Instagram account.
COLlive6 days agoThe annual Simchas Beis Hashoeiva celebration which takes place in the streets of Crown Heights is bigger than ever this year.
Longtime organizer Rabbi Yisroel Shemtov, who has been arranging and funding the celebration for over 40 years, has once again ensured a nightly celebration over Chol Hamoed, featuring the biggest stars in Jewish music.
Simchas Beis Hashoeiva in Crown Heights Final Night of 5787 will feature a children’s program at 6:30 pm with Shlomo Hecht Band and singer Chony Zucker and Yossi Cohen until 1 AM.
Simchas Beis Hashoeiva draws tens of thousands of Jews of all walks of life to Crown Heights each night of Chol Hamoed Sukkos.
Be a part of the celebration! Click here to donate now! Charidy.com/sbh
Donate and watch live at SBH.live
COLlive6 days agoOn Wednesday night, hundreds of women and girls filled Lubavitch Yeshiva Hall for the first women’s Farbrengen ever held as part of Crown Heights Simchas Beis Hashoeiva. More than 1,000 more joined the livestream from home.
The women arrived to a beautifully designed hall: a gorgeous tablescape with candles, and an abundance of salads, sushi, soup, snacks and drinks. Sponsored by Shaya Gordon and Shmuly Klein of Mr Greens and by Chanie Greenbaum of CG Events. Soups and salads catered by KosherTown. Sushi sponsored by Sushi Spot.
The general reaction among those present was that they could hardly believe how beautiful it all was.
Musician Mendel Deitch provided the music, and Chaviva Tarlow led the niggunim on guitar. Happy niggunim carried through the night, with the whole room singing along. The women were deeply appreciative to have an outlet to sing, dance and experience the joy of Simchas Beis Hashoeiva.
The Farbrengen was led by Sara Blau and Faigy Blumstein. Faigy opened by introducing herself and sharing how she came to Chassidus and to Crown Heights. Sara then turned to the evening’s theme: the true meaning of simcha, and how joy is not only a feeling but something we are commanded to have.
Sara spoke about being happy with Hashem, and about how real joy does not stay in the spiritual world. It permeates and elevates the physical as well, from the Yom Tov table to the rest of daily life. She also spoke about juggling, and the way it represents both the avodah of nurturing the body as well as soul.
Faigy added a talk on Sukkos, on the feeling of leaving the comfort of our own homes and not being in control, and finding simcha there.
At 11:00 PM the program moved to dancing with live music.
The event was made possible thanks to Rabbi Yossi Langsam, and the Simchas Beis Hashoeiva committee thanks him for his tremendous effort in making it happen.
The committee also thanks Mrs. Mica Soffer for her help in making the event such a success.
The Women’s Farbrengen was made possible with the support of Keren Hachomesh Charitable Foundation, as part of Simchas Beis Hashoeiva’s effort to expand the celebration beyond the nightly dancing and programming.
The committee asks the community to join in, buy tickets in the nightly grand raffle at sbh.live/raffle and help continue bringing Simchas Beis Hashoeiva to new heights!
VIDEO: Full replay
COLlive6 days agoSimchas Beis Hashoeiva has announced last night’s winners as it launches its Grand Finale Raffle — all 3 entries for just $54.
Last night’s winners:
Primo Chosson Package – $1,200: Yanki Vorchheimer
Elite Sterling – $1,500: Yosef Gerlitzky
MacBook Pro: Anonymous
$1,200 at Plumbers Haven: Shmuel Malkin
Tonight’s Grand Prizes:
A Dollar from the Rebbe
Dedicated in honor of Rabbi Yisroel Shemtov
2 Roundtrip Tickets to Eretz Yisroel
Sponsored by Simpo Travel
Yom Tov Package
$500 from Grill House
$400 from Eber’s
$350 from Raskin’s
Get into all 3 Grand Raffles for just $54.
Every ticket supports Crown Heights Simchas Beis Hashoeiva and helps make the nightly programming, Farbrengens, children’s entertainment and dancing possible.
Join now: SBH.live/Raffle
COLlive6 days agoUpon receiving approval from security authorities, El Al is launching a special rescue flight operation to bring back Israelis currently in Dubai.
Tickets for these flights are being sold at a flat rate of $249 for the “Lite” fare.
The first flight (LY974) will depart from Tel Aviv in the morning and return from Dubai to Tel Aviv at 11:00; an additional flight (LY972) will depart from Dubai at 13:00.
Flights are available for booking via the El Al website and through travel agents.
Operational changes may occur as required by security or other authorities.
Please note that the flights departing from Tel Aviv will carry no passengers.
In accordance with state authority directives, each passenger is permitted to travel with carry-on luggage only (trolley-style).
Information regarding the rescue flights will be continuously updated on the El Al website.
El Al will continue to do its utmost to bolster its flight schedule and assist as many Israelis as possible in returning home safely. In accordance with security directives, passengers on the rescue flights from Dubai to Tel Aviv will not be permitted to check luggage for the aircraft’s hold or bring carry-on trolley bags into the cabin at this time.
Passengers may only bring a personal item on board.
COLlive6 days agoThe remarkable scenes show the enormous scale of Eshel-Hachnosas Orchim’s Tishrei operation. In a special video, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Hendel thanks the donors who make it possible — as Eshel calls on more partners to help cover the tremendous cost of feeding the Rebbe’s guests.
The sight is difficult to capture in a single photograph.
Row after row of tables fill the massive Sukkahs of Eshel-Hachnosas Orchim, as thousands of guests who came from around the world to spend Tishrei with the Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, sit down for their Yom Tov meals.
For the guests, it is a warm meal and a place to sit.
Behind the scenes, however, every plate is part of an enormous operation.
Throughout Tishrei, Eshel-Hachnosas Orchim operates large dining facilities just minutes from 770, serving thousands of meals to the Rebbe’s guests. A massive Sukkah serves the thousands of bochurim, while separate facilities provide for girls, couples and families.
The scale can be seen in the accompanying photographs: thousands of guests, long rows of tables, and a Hachnosas Orchim operation working day after day to ensure that those who came to spend Tishrei with the Rebbe have their physical needs taken care of.
WATCH: “Thank You to All Our Supporters”
But behind every table, every tray and every meal stands another essential part of the operation:
The donors who make it possible.
In a special video published together with the photos, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Hendel, chairman of Eshel-Hachnosas Orchim, pauses amid the tremendous Tishrei activity to express his heartfelt appreciation to the Crown Heights community and to the supporters who enable Eshel to care for the Rebbe’s guests.
His message of thanks comes as the tremendous expenses of Tishrei continue to mount.
The Rebbe repeatedly expressed his appreciation for those involved in Hachnosas Orchim for the Tishrei guests, referring to the guests as “my guests.” The Rebbe spoke of the great Nachas Ruach generated by those who arrange their food, drink and accommodations, enabling them to spend their time with Menuchas Hanefesh and Menuchas Haguf.
This is not only a massive operation to admire.
It is a Mitzvah in which every person can take part.
You Don’t Have to Feed Thousands. Feed One.
The numbers may be enormous, but becoming a partner is simple:
$36 provides meals for one of the Rebbe’s guests for a full day.
$72 provides two full days.
$180 provides five days of meals — and includes entry into the raffle for a dollar from the Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach.
Every contribution becomes something tangible: another breakfast, another dinner, another seat at a Yom Tov table, another guest who can focus on why he or she came to 770 in the first place.
The photographs show what Eshel is doing.
The video says thank you to those who have already made it possible.
Now there is an opportunity for you to become part of it.
Before the final days of Yom Tov, help Eshel-Hachnosas Orchim continue providing for the thousands of the Rebbe’s guests.
One guest. One full day. Just $36.
COLlive6 days agoThe annual Simchas Beis Hashoeiva celebration which takes place in the streets of Crown Heights is bigger than ever this year.
Longtime organizer Rabbi Yisroel Shemtov, who has been arranging and funding the celebration for over 40 years, has once again ensured a nightly celebration over Chol Hamoed, featuring the biggest stars in Jewish music.
Thousands of children gathered on night three for a program with children’s entertainer Rabbi B, Pesukim with Rabbi Shimmy Weinbaum, and dancing with live music.
Simchas Beis Hashoeiva draws tens of thousands of Jews of all walks of life to Crown Heights each night of Chol Hamoed Sukkos.
Be a part of the celebration! Click here to donate now! Charidy.com/sbh
Donate and watch live at SBH.live
COLlive6 days agoRabbi Levi Tenenbaum, a long-time mechanech and the Ba’al Tokeah in 770 for many years, passed away on Wednesday, 19 Tishrei, 5787.
He was 71.
Levi was born in Brooklyn, NY to Rabbi Yosef Menachem Mendel Tenenbaum, menahel of Tomchei Timmim, and Zisel Devorah (née Freed).
After completing his Yeshivah studies, through the Lubavitcher Yeshivah system, he obtained Semicha from Central Chabad Yeshiva in 770. Levi went on to be a dedicated Rebbi and mashpia in United Lubavitcher Yeshiva – Crown Street and Mesivta Chovevei Torah.
He was zoche to succeed his father as Ba’al Tokeah for the Rebbe’s minyan in 770 for many years.
He leaves behind a wife, sons, daughters and grandchildren. Among them, Shluchim of the Rebbe.
He is survived by his wife Sara (nee Groner) and children, Yitzchok Tenenbaum, Valley Village, CA, Zevi Tenenbaum, Irvine, CA, Shaya Tenenbaum, Crown Heights, Eli Tenenbaum, Omaha, NE, Mushki Tenenbaum, Crown Heights and Rochele Elharar, Crown Heights.
The Levaya will take place today, Thursday, passing by 770 at 2:30 PM, burial at 3:30 PM.
Shiva at 1513 President st through Friday
Shachris 745, 830, 915
Mincha 200 700
Marriv bizmana
General times 10am – 9pm
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
COLlive6 days agoThis year, Simchat Torah 5787 will mark 100 years since the Previous Rebbe requested that people say Tehillim as it is divided according to the days of the month.
At the beginning of 5687, the year during which the Previous Rebbe would eventually be arrested and would survive through great miracles, he felt a tremendous spiritual pressure. He sensed that it would be a difficult year and was deeply burdened by this concern.
The Previous Rebbe would later tell the Chossid Reb Eli Chaim Althaus that “until he established the Takana of saying Tehillim, he had it very hard,” implying that once he established the Takana of saying Tehillim, things became easier for him. Reb Eli Chaim did not remember when this had occurred, so he asked the Previous Rebbe when it happened. The Previous Rebbe answered: Simchat Torah.
As this Simchat Torah marks 100 years since the Previous Rebbe established this Takana, it is an especially appropriate time to renew our commitment to saying Tehillim and Chitas. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the spiritual significance of doing something the Rebbe asked us to do, and in particular, on the unique power of saying Tehillim. What the recitation of Tehillim does for us, the incredible power it has on high. It is so powerful that it benefits even the Rebbe כביכול.
There are several different forms of saying Tehillim that have become part of our daily and yearly Avodah. These include saying Tehillim according to the days of the month, saying the entire Tehillim on Shabbos Mevorchim, following the Baal Shem Tov’s custom of adding three Kapitlach each day during Elul and 36 Kapitlach on Yom Kippur, saying the Kapitel corresponding to one’s age throughout the personal year, and saying קאפיטל כ׳ on days when Tachanun is not said, a Takana added by the Rebbe.
There is actually one more Takana that very few people know about or practice. It is a custom established by the Previous Rebbe that each person should study one possuk from his own personal Kapitel each Rosh Chodesh. If the Kapitel has fewer than 12 pesukim, the pesukim should be reviewed more than once over the course of the year. If it has more than 12 pesukim, more than one possuk should be studied each Rosh Chodesh.
Each of these practices expresses something deeper than simply reciting words. Tehillim has a unique ability to awaken within a person a sense of sincerity and simplicity, Temimus. Even a great scholar, when saying Tehillim, can discover within himself that simple and sincere place from which he turns to Hashem without sophistication or calculation.
That simplicity reaches into the deepest part of who we are. In turn, it touches כביכול the deepest and highest levels of Godliness, what is sometimes described as the Temimus Shel Maalah, the “simplicity Above.”
The 100th anniversary of this Takana gives us an opportunity not only to strengthen our commitment to חת״ת, to learning Rambam, and especially to saying Tehillim, but also to rediscover our own personal “Temimus nerve,” the part of us that can say Tehillim simply, sincerely, and wholeheartedly.
This class introduces these ideas and serves as a catalyst for all of us to grow in each of these areas.
COLlive6 days agoOn Simchas Torah 5713, at a farbrengen in 770, the Rebbe spoke about the Frierdiker Rebbe’s practice of publishing sichos and letters in Yiddish, allowing women and girls to learn them and draw strength in their avodas Hashem.
The Rebbe then called for something new: an organization of Chabad women and girls. N’shei U’Bnos Chabad.
The Rebbe’s words were clear: belonging to the organization would strengthen every woman. Each would draw on the strength of the whole, bringing added chayus into her own learning, her chinuch, and her avodas Hashem.
The Rebbe wanted this to begin right away. By Shabbos Bereishis, just days later, the organization was to be established.
The learning of women. Their strength. What they could accomplish together. The Rebbe gave these a place and a name: N’shei Chabad.
As N’shei Chabad enters its 75th year, we return to that Simchas Torah. To the Rebbe’s words, and to the women he was speaking about.
To us.
The next chapter is coming.
7 Cheshvan 5787.
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COLlive6 days agoEveryone can be part of this beautiful mitzvah. At Rubashkin’s house, we are working day and night to welcome the Rebbe’s guests and give them the treatment they deserve — and you can take part by donating to help make it happen.
Something truly special is taking place in Crown Heights this Tishrei.
Fresh food is constantly coming out of the kitchen — delicious meals, fresh pizza, snacks, treats and all kinds of goodies prepared especially for the Rebbe’s guests. The goal is that every guest who walks through the door should feel welcomed, cared for and truly at home.
But this is about much more than food.
It is about showing the world the incredible achdus of the Jewish people. Jews from all over come together in Crown Heights, and everyone is welcomed with warmth, simcha and open arms.
Because these aren’t just any guests.
They are the Rebbe’s guests — and the Rebbe’s guests are royalty.
Every meal served, every pizza prepared, every treat put out and every smile shared is another way of showing how much we care.
This is an opportunity for all of us to join together in this mitzvah and bring nachas to the Rebbe.
Join us. Donate. Be part of the mitzvah. Help us continue giving the Rebbe’s guests the royal treatment they deserve.
https://www.charidy.com/rubashkin
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