der newsletter bietet eine zusammenfassung der parascha (woechentlicher thorabschnitt).

in dieser woche sieht das so aus:

Die Parascha beginnt mit einem Lob G“ttes für Pinchas, welcher durch seine mutige Tat den g“ttlichen Zorn vom Volk abgewandt hat. Als Lohn dafür wird die Familie von Pinchas ein Teil der kohanitischen Familie und G“tt schliesst mit ihm einen Bund des Friedens.

Dann wird Mosche aufgefordert, das Volk Midjan, welches diese schreckliche Seuche auf Israel brachte (vergleiche Ende Paraschat Balak) zu bekämpfen und zu bestrafen.

(...)

neben der zusammenfassung der parascha gibt es auch jede woche eine auslegung.

Führungsqualitäten

Der neue Wochenabschnitt enthält eine Passage, die ein einzigartiges Licht auf Mosches Führungsqualitäten wirft. G–tt sagt ihm, dass es für ihn Zeit ist, diese Welt zu verlassen. Mosche bittet daraufhin nicht für sich oder seine Kinder, sondern er bittet: „H-rr, ernenne einen Mann, der diese Versammlung anführt.“ Im Augenblick der Wahrheit denkt er nicht an sich; seine Aufmerksamkeit gilt allein seinem Volk.

(...)

ausserdem gibt es im newsletter jede menge interessanter beitraege zu juedischen fragen und zum rebben.

wer den newsletter abonnieren will kann einfach auf die seite von chabad gehen und seine e mail adresse eintragen. das ist alles.

Exhuming Bob X:

Lubavticher Bob

by

R.E. Prindle

There's something happening here

But you don't know what it is,

Do you, Mr. Jones.

-Bob Dylan

     In 1979 Bob publicly embraced Jesus as his personal savior.  This was widely seen as a conversion to Christianity because Bob went to the Vineyard Fellowship of Tarzana for indoctrination into the Christian mysteries.  He could hardly have learned Christianity from Jewish circles although the Jewish group of Jews For Jesus was already active.  Pharasaic Jews have always despised Jews For Jesus so that may not have been a viable option for Bob.

     While non-Jews may be scandalized by the concept of Jews embracing Jesus there is no reason for them to be astounded.  After all Jesus was a Jew, preaching to Jews in the Jewish tradition.  The early Christian movement was entirely Jewish.  They were Jews of the Jews who had accepted Jesus as the Jewish Messiah.  Christianity became a universal religion only after Paul reconstructed it shedding the practices most repellent to gentiles while the Hellennic  or Greek religion and philosophy was grafted onto the religion which gave it substance and intellectual vigor displacing Semitic stultification.

     There should be little wonder then that Jewish Christianity should resurface  two thousand years later with Bob as its Messiah.

     Bob was uniquely trained for the role.  He grew up in a Christian community dominated by the Hillbilly music on the radio with a large and active Jewish congregation.  His father thought of himself as a Jewish scholar while heading the local chapter of B'nai B'rith and ADL.  His father was covertly ultra-orthodox.

     In 1990 Bob wrote a letter to the editor of a publication called Sister2Sister. (Bob's Unshakeable Monotheism, Part IV, Scott Marshall http://www.jewsweek.com/ ) in which he said:

...until the entire world believes and obeys the same God, there can be no truth or justice or peace for anyone.

     What that means in the age old Jewish notion that as God's chosen people they are destined to bring their vision of God to all the peoples of the Earth at which time they will become a nation of priests, the rulers and overseers of all others.  The Supreme People placed between God and humanity as demi-gods.

     The notion did not necessarily occur to Bob in 1990 but was placed in his mind at a much earlier date.  It would always have been present in the synagogue.  Anyone who has ever attended Jewish services will be be struck by the insistence that Jews are to rule the world and all the peoples.  It is the duty of every Jew to further that work.

     Whether Bob had the Messianic impulse before his Bar Mitzvah is the question.  It may have been there in embryo.  In 1954 as Bob was about to turn thirteen his father, Abraham, who obviously believed the proper religious education was lacking in Hibbing sent for a Lubavitcher Rebbe from Brooklyn to come to Hibbing specifically to indoctrinate Bob in the more recondite lore of the ultra-orthodox.  The intensity of the instruction would be virtual hypnosis.  It was at this point, I believe, that the Messianic impulse was fixed in Bob's mind.

     The indoctrination had devastating results for the young boy's character and personality.  He went off the rails becoming wild and dissolute.  In searching for a means to spread the message he had received he hit on music and from there it led into folk music.  Folk music had a special appeal because it was a pure expression of the dominant culture.  If one subverted folk music one subverted the culture.

     Thus after being  initiated into folk at Dinkytown near the University of Minnesota Bob left for the Big Apple, New York City.  The Folk scene of Greenwhich Village in New York was a virtual Jewish enclave or colony.  A great many Jews were already doing what Bob set out to do.  Disoriented by his conflicts between his Jewish and Christian education Bob nevertheless set about changing Folk music, discarding the content for Jewish themes while retaining the outer forms.  The Jewish world organization realizing they had something in Bob gave him maximum publicity actually turning him into a messianic figure through television and magazines.

     The stresses of intense fame to his personality and character were terrific almost destroying him.  Bob retreated at the height of his fame in 1966 after having established himself with three terrifically influential record albums.  His mind was now focused and somewhat cleared.  Placing a large Bible in the middle of his living room for easy reference Bob and his band worked and experimented with the Folk and old timey oeuvre of the White Christian hill people.  Once again retaining the forms while stripping the material of the content, he infused Jewish Biblical content which was familiar to the Christian culture into the material.  The immediate result was John Wesley Harding which is a Jewish religious album in tradtional White Christian dress. 

     The result is quite remarkable and on that basis is an astounding work of Jewish genius.  Unaware of what was being done to them White Americans could offer no defense except rejection.  There were quite a few of us who walked away from Bob at that point.  I can't say that I understood what Bob had done but I felt the insult to my sensibilities.

     Thus, in retrospect, Bob's so-called Christian period became inevitable as his strategy slowly unfolded in his mind.  There is no conflict with Bob's intense Jewishness in his combined religious entities, or reclaiming the Jewish Jesus for Judaism.  Nothing could be more natural.

     The preemption of the goi culture for Judaism is the astonishing achievement of little Bobby Zimmerman.  Long after the fact there are still few who get it.

A Review

Slum Goddess From The Lower East Side

Some Thoughts On The Autobiography Of Suze Rotolo:

A Freewheelin' Time

by

R.E. Prindle

1.

Sandoz The Great

     In 1938 Albert Hoffman, a Swiss chemist working for Sandoz isolated LSD-25.  In 1938 young Tim Leary was 18 years old.  It was in 1943 that Albert Hoffman discovered the effects of LSD.  Seventeen years after that LSD burt onto the world through the agency of the now, Dr., Timothy Leary, a psychologist with Harvard University.

     LSD was adopted by the Bohemian society and all its offshoots as the appearance of the new chemical Messiah:  Better living through chemistry as the slogan was.  Its use quickly spread through the folk music community of Greenwich Village in New York City.

     In 1923 a fellow by the name of Tuli Kupferberg was born and his partner Ed Sanders came along in 1939 a year after I did.  Kupferberg and Sanders were poets who became influenced by the folk scene forming a band sometime in 1964 originally called the Village Fugs, later the Village was dropped and they became simply the Fugs.  In 1965 they released their first LP on Folkways.  Now, cut one, side one was little number entitled Slum Goddess From The Lower East Side.  Sort of OK as a song, funny, as were a lot of Fugs songs.  Like Dylan they searched for social significance rather than write trite love songs.  Unlike Dylan you could easily understand the meaning of the lyrics.  Slum Goddess was one and then there was a song that many of us thought significant in the social sense back in those days entitled:  Boob A Lot.  'Do you like boobs a lot?  Gotta like boobs a lot.'  As I said deep and intense meaning.  This was followed by a song eulogizing jock straps.  'Do you wear your jock strap?  Gotta wear your jock strap.'  So the Fugs were with it.

     At some point after 1965 the Village Voice decided to run a feature depicting some East Village lovely as the Slum Goddess From The Lower East Side.  Suze Rotolo had the dubious honor of being selected as the very first Slum Goddess.

     To what did she owe this honor?  Well, she was famous on the Lower East Side for being featured on the album cover of Bob Dylan's second LP, The Free Wheelin' Bob Dylan.  She was at that time, 1962, I believe, Bob's girl friend or, at least, one of them, perhaps the principle one but one can't be sure as Bob had others as 'part time' girl friends.

     Thus one has to go back to the summer of 1961 to discover how Suze Rotolo began her odyssey to become the very first Slum Goddess.  Suze tells her story in her autobiography issued in May of 2008 called A Freewheelin' Time.  It is a bitter sweet story not lacking in charm.  Bob was born in 1941 while Suze was born three years later.  All the disparate elements in our story born at separate times were slowly moving to a central focal point in New York City from 1961 to 1965 or so.

     Suze and Bob were of that age when freewheelin' seemed possible while the psychological social moment was about to congeal and then vanish before it could be realized as psychological moments do.  Some catch the golden ring as it come around, some don't.  Bob did, Suze didn't.

     Suze was born in Queens, over there on Long Island, as a red diaper baby.  In other words in the romanticized Communist parlance her parents were Communists when she was born.  She was brought up in the faith.

     Bob described her as a libertine dream or some such epithet.  I'm not sure Suze saw herself in the same way.  I think she expected a little more of Bob than to be his sex toy.  As a Communist she should have had a more freewheelin' attitude.

     Suze seems to have been brought up completely within the Red religion much as a Christian might be a Catholic, Methodist, Lutheran or as Jew in whatever stripe of Judaism it might be.

     She edged into race agitation at a young age.  She met Bob when she was seventeen while she had been working for CORE  (Congress Of Racial Equality) for  a couple years before that.  She would have been fifteen or sixteen.  Whether she had sexual experiences with the Africans she doesn't tell us.  In her search for a raison d' etre for her life she found herself in Greenwich Village in the Summer of '61 where she met the twenty year old Bob Dylan just in from the Iron Range of Minnesota.  They were mutually attracted, quickly forming a sexual relationship.

     Bob as everyone knows was and is Jewish.  He came not only from a Jewish background but from an orthodox background.  Hibbing, Minnesota, his hometown, had a Jewish population of about three hundred families with their own Jewish establishment and synagogue.

     According to Beattie Zimmerman, Bob's mother, Bob was a good boy who attended services regularly while investigating the nature of the various Christian churches.  As a mother Beattie's version of things must be interpreted through the eyes of mother love.

     Father Abe was not only a practising Jew but the President of the Hibbing chapter of B'nai B'rith and its terrorist arm the Anti-Defamation League.  In addition Beattie, Bob's mother, was the President of the Women's auxiliary, Hadassah.  So Bob isn't just Jewish but comes from a very committed Jewish background.

     As the President of the Hibbing chapter, Father Abe would have attended statewide gatherings in Minneapolis, regional meetings wherever they were held and possibly if not probably national meetins in NYC and elsewhere.  Now, within the international Jewish organizations heavy hitters attend various levels of meetings where they meet and learn something of the various local and regional people.  Thus, it may be assumed that Abe Zimmerman as a name at least was known on the national Jewish level.  Kind of the Jewish Who's Who, you know.  Bob says that he had contacts to help him when he got to New York.  Those contacts would have come through Father Abe while being part of B'nai B'rith and ADL.  Bob wasn't entirely alone out there.

     Bob's Jewish name is Sabtai after the last acknowledged Jewish Messiah, Sabbatai Zevi.  There have been many that filled a Messianic role since Zevi not least of which was Sigmund Freud and possibly Albert Einstein.  Bob may have been encouraged to take the role for himself.

     At any rate when Bob approached thirteen and Bar Mitzvah time Abe brought in a special Rabbi from Brooklyn to instruct Bob.  Now this is really signficant.  He was probably a Lubavitcher or ultra-orthodox Jew.  When Bob publicly expressed his Judaism after his Christian stint he chose to do so as a Lubavitcher.  Very likely that was no coincidence.  Having received his crash course in orthodoz Judaism Father Abe next sent his son to a Zionist summer camp for 'several ' weeks for each of four successive summers ending at the age of seventeen.  This would have the effect of introducing him to young Jews not only of the region but from around the world while at the same time estranging him from his fellow Hibbingites giving him his strange cast of character.

     Camp Herzl was named after the originator of Zionism, Theodore Herzl.  the camp with a spacious hundred and twenty acres is located on a lake near Webster, Wisconsin.  Herzl is not your basic summer church camp but a national and international gathring place where young Jews from around the US and the world can meet and get known to each other somewhat.

     The camp is conducted exclusively for Jews along Jewish lines eliminating as many goyish influences as is possible.  At least when he was seventeen Bob was playing the Wild One showing up in a mini biker cavalcade.  One may assume that many national and international Jewish figures made appearances over the four years to both instruct, encourage and look over the upcoming generation.

     The post-war years were very traumatic for the Jewish people.  The death camps of the Nazis dominated their minds.  They were psychologically devastated and unbalanced looking for Nazis under their beds before they went to sleep at night.  One may safely assume that Bob and his fellow campers had to watch extermination movies over and over lest they forget.

     The State of Israel was founded in 1948 while the first of Israel's successful wars occurred in 1956.  The '56 war was a seminal event bolstering the spirits of the Jews turning them aggressive as they now believed they could fight.  After '56 they began to come out of themselves.

     For whatever reasons as Bob entered high school his personality began to disintegrate.  Perhaps he had to cease being Bobby Zimmerman to become what his people expected of him which was a probable religious leader who then became Bob Dylan.  As always Bob would combine two cultures, Jewish and Goyish.

     After an extremely rocky year in Minneapolis where Bob shed the remnants of his goody goody image of Hibbing he became the dirty unkempt Bob Dylan of his rush to fame of the Folk years.

     Thus as Bob and Suze met in the Summer of '61 they were both searching for something to be.

Part 2.

Why Do Fools Fall In Love?

     The question now that Suze and Bob have gotten together is to sort out the various accounts of what happened.  Bob says everyone has gotten it wrong.  However his own account in Chronicles I is no more factual than the accounts of his biographers and commentators.  Suze doesn't provide us with much more clarity.  While Bob tells it like he wanted it to have been Suze on the the one hand protects her memory of what she wants to keep as a beautiful memory while glossing over her own actions at the time to keep it so.

     Bob goes through the romantic notion of constructing their bed with saw, hammer and nails.  This is a charming story and I'm embarrassed to say I took him at his word.  You simply can't.  Chronicles came out four years ago so Suze has had plenty of time to read it and mull over Bob's ruminations.  Thus she must be aware of Bob's story of the bed.  She says it was an old bed the landlord left from another tenant.  Another beautiful tale of Bob's down the tubes.

     Suze rather unflatteringly depicts Bob as a rouster and fairly heavy drinker.  She was offended that Bob, who was posing as Bob Dylan not yet having officially changed his name didn't level with her and confide that Dylan was a pseudonum that looked better on a marquee while his real name was Zimmerman and that he came from Minnesota rather than being an orphan from New Mexico.  Coming home one night, as Suze tells it, Bob, stumblingly drunk, dropped his ID and she discovered the truth as she picked it up.  Even then she had to drag the truth out of Bob.

     These problems mounted up.  There was immediate hostility between Bob, Suze's mother and her sister Carla.  The mother seems to have instinctively seen through Bob, while I'm sure Carla soon learned that Bob was doing her sister wrong.

      As we know from Chronicles Bob had other 'part-time' girl friends, pick ups and whatever.  As the folk crowd was a fairly tight knit group even if Suze didn't want to hear the obvious Carla who was employed by the Folklorist, Alan Lomax, could hardly have been unaware that Bob had a laissez faire attitude toward romancing the girls.

     Indeed, Bob's understanding of Suze was that she was his Libertine belle.  As a libertine therefore he could hardly have believed fidelity was a necessary condition.  I don't know if Suze considered herself a Libertine but as a Communist both fidelity and jealousy were forbidden by the dogma so speaking consistently with the belief system neither mother, Suze nor Carla had grounds for complaint.   Nevertheless both mother and Carla wished to separate Bob and Suze.

     Bob records his side of the conflict in his song Ballad in Plain D.  In his usual high flown language Bob says in his song:

"The tragic figure!" her sister did shout,

"Leave her alone, goddamn you, get out."

All is gone, all is gone, admit it, take flight.

I gagged twice, doubled, tears blinding my sight.

My mind it was mangled, I ran into the night

Leaving all of love's ashes behind me.

     Within a few months he was married to Sara who he kept waiting in the wings.  Subsequently he tried to keep Sara and his growing family in Woodstock and the Slum Goddess Of The Lower East Side out on the side.  Suze, apparently not quite as Libertine as Bob supposed, declined the honor.

     Just as Bob blithely romanticizes his early NY years in some sappy Happy Talk that belies his songs and what nearly everyone has written about him so Suze adopts a near virginal girlish pose.  Her story of how she left for Italy and her true blue yearning for the perfect love of Bob who sent those charming letters purloined from old country songs is also belied by the various biographers.  To hear Suze talk she never looked at a boy in Italy and certainly never dated one let alone kissed or petted.  Yet by her religious Communist ideology that would have been no sin, even would have been a virtue.  In fact she did have an Italian boyfirend who was apparently dropped down the memory hole at autobiography time.

     When she did return the road of romance was much more rocky than she lets on.  Carla who stayed home where she could watch Bob was privy to his doings which were much more libertine than anything he accused Suze of.  He had to have slept with Liam Clancy's live in somewhere in there.  He's accused of being a womanizer and you can't be a womanizer without a lot of women.  So whatever Carla knew it was somewhat more than an earful and I'm sure that between Carla and her mother Suze heard it all.

     Suze out of respect for this young love which, after all, must still occupy a sacred spot in her life never expresses but the mildest resentment of Bob but letting her sister speak for her she says that 'she (Carla) felt I was better off without the lyin' cheatin' manipulative bastard.'  Right on all counts I'm sure except for the last although as Bob claimed to have no parents Carla could justly so surmise.

     At any rate if Suze couldn't make up her mind her mother and Carla could.

     Ballad In Plain D again:

Beneath a bare light bulb the plaster did pound

Her sister and I in a screaming battleground,

And she in between, the victim of sound,

Soon shattered the child 'neath her shadows.

-----

The wind knocks my window, the room it is is wet.

The words to say I'm sorry, I haven't found yet.

I think of her often and hope whoever she's met

Will be fully aware of how precious she is.

     And then Bob married Sara and ruined her life.

     While Suze and Bob talked marriage there is no reason to take that seriously; he talked marriage with Echo too.  I don't think Bob had any notion of marrying aouside his faith.  The mother is the culture carrier; Bob is firmly within the Jewish culture so there could have been no chance that he would have taken other than a Jewish wife.  Even then he may have married only to fulfill the commandment to be fruitful and multiply.  Once he had fulfilled that duty he broke the marriage apart.

3.

The Slum Goddess

     Suze was now a young woman of twenty or twenty-one alone adrift in New York City.  While she and Bob were having their tempestuous romance the times they were a changin'.

     Tim Leary, up in harvard, had embraced psychedelics.  Once in love with LSD he wanted to share his love with everyone.  He became the High Priest of his psychedelic religion.  I can recommend both his autobiography and his volume of reminiscences: High Priest.  The latter is a spectacularly well written book if tending toward tediousness.

     Leary's experiments attracted the dark angel of the Hippie years, Allen Ginsberg.  Ginsberg also attached himself to Dylan tying the Beat and Hippie decades together.  Vile man.

     Bob had introduced Suze to Marijuana and what else I don't know, perhaps LSD.  He himself was into the pharmacopeia also undoubtedly dabbling in heroin although if he did he is still an addict or was successful in kicking the habit after his retreat from fame in '66.  That whole thing about the motorcycle accident may have been just rehab.  He sure needed it.

     As Bob notes the effect of LSD on the Greenwich Village folk scene was to turn people inward destroying any sense of community.  Suze then was attempting to navigate this terra nova.  Along with turning people inward, LSD, the drug scene, turned the scene sexually rasty in ways even the Communists couldn't have imagined.  The Pill coming along at this time certainy was as influential as LSD in changing sexual mores.

     Suze, if aware of this, makes no mention of it in her auto.  The Fugs released Slum Goddess in 1965 although they may possibly have been playing it around the Village for a year or two earlier.  The Slum Goddess is not a savory woman.

     That Suze was selected as the first Slum Goddess strikes my sensibilities as a negative compliment.  Her presentation of it implies a souring experience.  Shortly after her selection she chose to withdraw from Village life.  She gives as the reason that her earlier relations with Bob caused upleasant curiosity and that was certainly true.

     The scene turned absolutely rotten after 1968 when between drugs, profound negativity and the progressing degradation of the Hippie movement anyone with any sense of dignity was driven out.

     Suze must have been one of us for she left the scene behind.  There are few today who choose to remember it.  As for me, life is life, there it was and there was I.  I was who I was; je ne regret rien.  I hope Suze doesn't either.  Bob?  He just stays on the bus and doesn't get off.  Reality can be such a drag.

Jewish Press, June 2008

On the evening of June 2^nd, approximately forty women from many different segments of the Omaha community came together at Chabad of Nebraska to enjoy a cooking demonstration by Susie Fishbein. Susie Fishbein is the author of the wildly successful Kosher by Design cookbook series. She has appeared on The Today Show with Katie Couric, Allie & Jack, Sheila Bridges Designer Living, on several network news show cooking segments, as well as an appearance on Martha Stewart Radio. She has taught at the prestigious Degustibus cooking school in New York, and was featured at Disneyworld at the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival.

The evening started with a wine and cheese reception, and an opportunity to meet with Susie Fishbein. The public was then invited into the Chabad kitchen and dining hall, where Shani Katzman gave a short introduction. “Never expect to come to Chabad without learning something new,” she said, “and since it’s almost Shavuot, we can talk about the importance of dairy foods during this holiday. It’s also essential to remember that kosher calories don’t count”. She then went on to explain how, after receiving the Torah, the Jewish people are like newborn children, who need to be nurtured on milk. “In addition,” she continued, “The numerical value of the Hebrew word for milk, chalav, is forty, which reminds us of the forty days and forty nights Moses spent on Mount Sinai receiving the Torah.”

            During the demonstration, Fishbein proved that she is both a knowledgeable chef, and a very entertaining speaker. She started off by saying that “Shani Katzman could not be lovelier to work with,” and had many compliments for Kelly Kirk, who put the evening together. “I love to see how Jewish people live in other parts of the country,” she said, “ and giving these cooking demonstrations allows me to meet with many different communities.” Fishbein took questions form the audience as she demonstrated how to cook an attractive, Kosher, three-course meal. “Only a Jewish girl would think of filling a martini glass with hummus,” Fishbein admitted, as she showed the audience how to make her Middle Eastern Martinis, the recipe for which can be found in her “Short on Time” cookbook. She then went on to make a salmon entrée, as well as a crème brulee dessert, which was perfect for Shavuot. Visitors were given samples of all the food, which had been prepared ahead of time in the Chabad kitchen by a team of volunteers. “Without volunteer help, we never could have pulled this off,” Kelly Tichauer- Kirk said, “and I want to thank Shani, Estie and Shevi Katzman, as well as Cheryl Lerner, Devra Bram, Kim Novak, Sherry and Chelsea Taxman, Joanne Andresen, and Marty Tichauer for all the hard work they put in.”

            Fishbein doesn’t limit herself to writing for adults, but is adamant that children need to become familiar with all the kitchen has to offer. She even wrote “Kosher by Design for Kids”, which contains recipes that go far beyond the peanut butter sandwich, but are nonetheless easy to make for children of all ages. “The most heartbreaking comments I get during my presentations are those from newlywed people who come up to me and admit they don’t even know how to boil water,” she said. “Kids belong in the kitchen, and we as parents shouldn’t be afraid to let them help out. Children as young as three can pop the shells off of chickpeas, and besides, letting them cook something is the best way to make them eat and try something new.” When asked what the worst thing was she had ever tried in her test kitchen, she answered: “One time, I attempted to create a strawberry pretzel crust dessert. After about seven tries, my family begged me to stop. I never did figure that one out.” Fishbein spiced up her presentation by sharing anecdotes of what life is like for a celebrity cook: “When my cookbook Kosher by Design for Children came out, my children did some of the promotional work. It happened to be the Christmas season, so here were all the Fishbein children, being featured on a set decorated for Christmas brunch,” she laughed.

            Volunteer and attendant Kim Novak enjoyed herself immensely: “I always have such a great time at Chabad events, but this one was particularly nice. I was happy to be a part of it, and amazed at all the practical advice Susie Fishbein gave us. I will certainly use her tips in my own kitchen. I also enjoyed Shani Katzman’s introduction; she is always able to offer useful insights, as well as Jewish connections.”

            In addition to the volunteers, many different sponsors made the evening possible. Bag ‘n Save, Absolutely Fresh Seafood Company, Ideal Pure Water, Hy-Vee, United Rental, Nebraska Warehouse, Mike Sullivan, and Wal-Mart donated food as well as services.

343. Without Distinction

(To a rabbi who wrote about "secular Jews" the Rebbe responded:)

You categorize them as religious Jews and secular Jews. How dare you make such a distinction? There is no such thing as a secular Jew!

All Jews are holy.

Bringing Heaven Down to Earth

Chabad Knows Kids

By Annette van de Kamp-Wright

Recently, another successful summer camp was brought to a close at the Chabad House.  According to Estie Katzman, who has served as one of the camp counselors for years, this was the most enjoyable Camp Gan Israel yet: “What we really liked this year was the fact that camp ran through the 4rth of July. We were able to incorporate a really nice Barbeque right in the middle of camp, and include parents and grandparents in the camp experience.” Parent involvement is key when it comes to giving children a meaningful time over the summer.  “Camp Gan Israel offers much more than merely a place to drop your children off,” according to Estie, “we encourage parents to be aware of the wonderful things their children learn during camp. The Kids bring what they learn home, and hopefully incorporate many Mitzvot into their daily life. It is a spiritually enriching time for the whole family.” The Gan Israel Camp was awarded a grant from the Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Supporting Foundation.

The campers enjoyed many different things, such as swimming, a visit to the Durham Western Heritage museum, and crafts. They went to Fun Plex, they went bowling, and had a fashion show. They learned Israeli dancing and many, many songs. They learned about Tzedakah and many other Mitzvot, such as saying Brachot and helping each other. Most importantly, they learned what it means to be a proud Jewish “superhero”.  “We want children and families to leave here with a sense of how joyful Judaism really is,” Shani Katzman says, “and we want them to come back, often.”

Coming back should not be hard, considering what Chabad has planned for this Fall.  September 5^th will mark the beginning of “Thank G-d it’s Wednesday”, a new program for parents with young children who are not yet in school.  One of the organizers is Tippi Denenberg, who has three young children of her own. “I think it is important to have a place and time for parents to get together,” she says. “We are trying to create an environment where we not only pay attention to the spiritual needs of our children, but also to those of the parents. Raising children is a challenge. Getting together with others, and exchanging experiences can create good discussions, and provide a sense of support.”             

In addition to the TGIW program, there will be more Mishpacha (Family) Mornings this Fall. Mishpacha Mornings are held most Sundays from 10:15 until 11:45 and are aimed at families with children age 6 and younger. “A real breakfast awaits you upon arrival, everyone noshes and chats, the kids and adults have quick separate meetings to discuss the daily topics at their level, and lastly everyone regroups to tie it all together or to finish an art project. It’s amazing how many meaningful, thoughtful, and useful Jewish ideas come out of just one morning at Chabad. Regardless of your level of observance, you are guaranteed to learn something for you and your children in a relaxed and fun atmosphere”, Denenberg says.  All Mishpacha University programs will officially kick off on September 12^th with an apple picking event. An afternoon outing to an apple orchard will be organized for all who are interested. Mishpacha Mornings will be receiving funding from the Esther K. Newman/Carolyn Kully Newman Foundation.

Another event planned for fall is the repeat of last year’s “Challah-thon”.  On September 10, anyone interested in baking, eating, or purchasing Challah is welcome to come to the Chabad House around 7 p.m. and join in the fun.  “This is more than just a baking class”, Shani Katzman says. “It will give people a chance to connect within a traditional context. We will have several recipes to share, and for anyone too busy to bake for Rosh Hashanah, fresh, home-baked Challahs are available for purchase.”   

Naturally, Chabad will have adult education available several times a week as well.  To find out dates and times for any of the abovementioned activities, and to register you family for the Fall semester, please call Chabad at 330 1800, or check out the program at www.ochabad.com.   

20 Years of Celebrating Tradition in a Modern World

By Annette van de Kamp-Wright

It was 1986, and Rabbi Mendel Katzman and his wife Shani had been married for a year and a half, when they and their newborn baby first arrived on the scene in Omaha, Nebraska.  “It was very exciting,” Shani says, “We knew absolutely nobody, and had never even seen the city of Omaha.”  Both Katzmans were prepared and hoping to be sent somewhere in order to operate their very own Chabad House. Rabbi Katzman explains that to be sent out by Chabad is not the same as coming to a pulpit:  “You have a specific mission, and you are asked to make a lifetime commitment to empower all Jews to become what they are meant to be.”  Both Katzmans acknowledge there was no specific reason to come to Omaha beforehand to see what they were getting themselves into; they would have said yes to any destination. Rabbi Katzman had traveled extensively for Chabad, and they had done some traveling as a couple before being sent to Omaha and asked to open up their own Chabad House.

Shani Katzman remembers the first days well: “Although we found a wonderful and warm community when we came, many people thought we were too old fashioned for these modern times, and saw us as having not much relevance. Little by little, we were able to convince people that traditional Judaism always has relevance; we focus on maintaining traditions while bringing new vitality and enthusiasm. We attempt to revive many elements that people may remember from their grandparents, certain practices and customs that have fallen by the wayside either because of assimilation, or for other reasons.”

According to Shani, the Bima at Chabad serves as a visual reminder that ‘new is not always better’: “The Bima was originally housed at the Kapulier Shul, but when we received it, it was covered in three layers of paint. It was painstakingly restored to its former glory; nowadays we often receive comments about how beautiful it is.”

The Chabad House is not a Synagogue, but an outreach organization. It requires no membership, and collects no dues. “Visitors of all different backgrounds can feel welcome here because they aren’t expected to live up to a certain standard,” Rabbi Katzman says. “We accept all Jews without asking them to fit a certain mold; we want to be a bridge that connects the finite with the infinite, the past with the present, and the deeply committed with the peripherally involved.”

Kelly Kirk is a regular presence at the Chabad house; she and her children take classes and attend special events whenever they can: “We always feel welcome at Chabad, and have grown tremendously as a family.”  Current programming includes Mishpacha Morning, which takes place on Sunday; while parents focus on that week’s Parsha or various holiday-related lessons, the children follow their own program, often accompanied by lots of screaming that can be heard throughout the entire building. “Mishpacha Mornings are great,” says Kelly Kirk, “It always starts off with a fantastic breakfast, and gives parents the opportunity to learn alongside their children, as well as connect with other parents from many different backgrounds.”

Another well-attended function is “Bedtime Storytime”, which is organized on a monthly basis by Shevi and Estie Katzman.  Children of all ages are invited to come to Chabad, dressed in their pajamas; ready for snack-and story time. They are encouraged to bring blankets and stuffed animals; after they do a craft, it’s time to spread out on the floor and listen to the storyteller.  Chabad also offers religious school, summer- and winter camps, adult education, and special holiday events, such as the March 21 Purim party that is currently being planned.

Excitement is building about Chabad’s Gala, which is scheduled for April 13, 2008: “We want to raise awareness of who we are,” Rabbi Katzman says, “and let people know how much we can contribute to their lives. Also, a large part of Judaism is feasting, partying, and gathering your friends together. We want to say thank you to our honored guests, Joe and Maxine Kirshenbaum, and Mike and Gail Yanney, not via a Hallmark card, but in person.”

“Rabbi Katzman did not come into this community with a ‘heavy hand’, Joe Kirshenbaum explains, “and he quickly endeared himself to many members in the community. He is very good at motivating people to go that extra mile, without stepping on anybody’s toes. Rabbi Katzman has the time and freedom to go anywhere.  And he does, quietly, making a difference one on one.  He and Shani add a dimension to our community that’s critical.  More people need to know them.”

Joe and Maxine Kirshenbaum have known the Katzman family since they first came to Omaha, and have been supportive of Chabad since the beginning, something Rabbi Katzman is grateful for: “It is very heartwarming to know people that are always ready to give advice, and support us in any way they can.” 

Rabbi Katzman has been equally impressed with Mike and Gail Yanney’s presence in the Omaha community:” Mike and Gail Yanney are all about rolling up their sleeves, and not farming things out to others. Both couples are so unassuming; in spite of their respective accomplishments, they have stayed the same. Being that humble is not a natural reaction to success. They represent many values Chabad stands for, such as concern for the individual and lack of complacency.”

After being part of the community for twenty years, Chabad will be saying ‘thank you’ in a big way; the Mitzvah and Music Gala promises to be big, innovative, and, most of all, extremely fun.            

The Gala will take place on Sunday April 13, from 5:30 until 8:30, at KANEKO, the exciting new creativity center on 11^th and Jones.  For ticket information, please call the Chabad House at 330-1800.

Kirshenbaum, Yanney, Chabad, and Music!

(Previously published in The Jewish Press, March 2008) 

 ‘Mitzvahs and Music’ is the theme of the upcoming Chabad gala that is planned for April 13, 2008.  Chabad of Nebraska will be honoring Maxine and Joe Kirshenbaum, and Gail and Mike Yanney at an exciting event, to be held at KANEKO, a brand new creativity center located in downtown Omaha.  In addition, Chabad willbe celebrating twenty years of involvement in the Omaha and Nebraska Communities.  Event Chair Tippi Denenberg has her hands full masterminding everything; she and an army of volunteers are making sure that things will run smoothly. Denenberg explains, “It’s important to put societal emphasis where it belongs, and that is on the reinforcement of all that is good. Chabad is a wonderful organization. Its energy is spent doing good deeds and spreading Mitzvot; not only in Omaha, but the world over. The same can be said about the Yanneys and the Kirshenbaums. These are not people that sit around complaining about how bad the world is; they are ‘up and at it’, doing something to improve the world, help out others, and make a real, lasting difference.”

            Denenberg is excited about the location, as well as the entertainment that is currently being planned for the event.  KANEKO is an elegant new venue that occupies three-quarters of a block in Omaha’s Old Market area, and celebrates creativity in the arts, sciences, and philosophy. “KANEKO is going to rival the Aspen Institute. It is built to be a creative center, not a banquet hall. We are so lucky to have this exotic locale; to have cocktails among Jun Kaneko’s ceramic sculptures, or ‘Dango’, which will provide us with a great ambiance for the event. Also, we are bringing in world-class musical entertainment from Russia and Italy.”

            Denenberg is relying on the expertise of Hal France, a sought-after conductor who has conducted productions across North America and Europe to ensure that the evening will have excellent entertainment.  Not only does France have the final word on the entertainment, he has shown his dedication to the project by bringing a piano to Kaneko, to test the acoustics. He is just one of many extremely talented people making the Chabad Gala a reality.  Denenberg says: “It will be a fun but tightly run event. Our Program Director, Debbie Denenberg, is a former Broadway producer. We are planning to offer cocktails, dinner, and of course, our program, while keeping in mind that April 13^th is a Sunday;  Guests of honor at this time number the many friends of the Yanneys and the Kirshenbaums.  The entire community is invited to attend.  Ticket information can be found at Ochabad.com.”

            Denenberg continues, “This is a ‘never before’ event. It is a synergistic combination of honorees, location and entertainment. The location isn’t even done being built yet! Also, there isn’t a person in town that hasn’t somehow been positively affected by these honorees. This gala will bring together all factions of Omahans in the spirit of Tikkun Olam—repairing the world.  It makes me realize there is hope for the world- and it begins in Omaha.”

Chabad Celebrates Lag B’Omer

By Annette van de Kamp-Wright

There aren’t many things that will stop Rabbi Mendel Katzman and his wife Shani from opening their doors to the community. Therefore, the massive rain that pounded Omaha during the weekend of Lag B’Omer did not stand in the way of a joyous celebration, complete with a cookout.  While the Katzmans entertained -and educated- their guests, Bob and Kim Goldberg were kind enough to man the barbecues during the spare dry moments.  Joanne Andresen was responsible for the vast array of delicious foods.

            “This is a day of Jewish Unity”, Shani Katzman said, “and it is traditionally celebrated outside. It commemorates the relief of the tragedy that surrounded Rabbi Akiva’s students. Rabbi Akiva lived during Talmudic times. It also emphasizes the beauty of each individual. Lag B’Omer marks the day that the holy Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai passed away, and it was his request that his Jahrzeit be celebrated, not mourned. This should be a day of joy, a day to emphasize a meaningful relationship with G-d.”

            As Jews from different walks of life came together to enjoy the food and games, it was obvious that the spirit of Lag B’omer matches Chabad’s philosophy very well. “We attempt to spread a sense of community, since we are all one family”, Shani said, “and we love opening the Chabad House for anyone who wants to come, not in the least the children.” 

            Children will have a chance to experience one of the most important dates on the Jewish calendar on May 23, when Chabad hosts its annual Shavuot celebration, marking the giving of the Torah. Although Shavuot is not as widely known or celebrated, it is at the epicenter of Jewish tradition and identity. There will be a traditional dairy meal and ice cream social.  The day will start at 11:30 am with the reading of the Ten Commandments. This is a ceremony that is especially meaningful to children, since they are the keepers of the Torah. As always, everyone in the community is welcome.  Special lactose-free meals will be available.

Eighteen Questions with Kelly Tichauer-Kirk

An Evening with Susie Fishbein

By Annette van de Kamp-Wright

Note: This article was previously published in the Jewish Press on May 9, 2008

Kelly Kirk was born and raised in Omaha, and has been involved with Chabad for approximately three years. During that time, she has taken numerous adult education classes, chaired many events, assisted with holidays, organized cooking and craft clubs, spearheaded the recent pickle-making event, assisted with the recent Gala and helped run the Chabad Gift Shop. Currently, she is working to bring renowned cookbook author Susie Fishbein to Omaha for a cooking demonstration.

JP: When will Mrs. Fishbein be at Chabad?

KK: She’ll be here on June 2, and the evening starts at 7 pm, at the Chabad House on 1866 South 120^th.

JP: How long have you been working on this?

KK: Susie Fishbein’s visit was booked over a year in advance.

JP: Why is this a fabulous, not-to-be-missed event?

KK: This evening’s event is an exclusive and limited engagement. That said, the 50 lucky attendees will have the opportunity to come together with other women from the Omaha Jewish community to celebrate and be united in Yiddishkeit. What better way than through spiritually fit, and delicious food? Especially if it is created by a famous Jewish female chef.

JP: What should people expect?

KK: This event is more than an excellent opportunity to enjoy friends, fun and great food.  It is a chance to experience how possible it is to eat and cook gourmet kosher food in your own home. In addition, attendees will be able to see Susie work her magic and ask questions. Susie is a driving force in the kosher food world and it will be an honor to have her in Omaha

JP: I’m busy; how long will this take?

KK: We will be wrapping up around 9:30 PM.

JP: What is on the menu?

KK: Susie will be demonstrating a three-course meal, using recipes from her cookbook. She will discuss ingredients and technique, while offering helpful hints along the way. Every attendee will be able to personally sample all the items Susie prepares.

JP: Will she sign any books?

KK: Yes, and her Kosher by Design cookbooks will be available for purchase in our gift shop.

JP: Where can people find information about Susie Fishbein, if they want to ‘read up’ beforehand?

KK: I suggest they check out www.kosherbydesign.com.

JP: Why should people learn about kosher cooking?

KK: It think there are many misconceptions about kosher cooking, having to do with difficulty, taste, and quality.  We’re hoping to change that, and show people that this is something that you can do at home, even in Omaha.

JP: Do you sell any good cookbooks in the Chabad Judaica Boutique?

KK: Yes, and visitors are welcome to stop by and browse any time. We sell Susie’s Kosher by Design series, but also a variety of other popular cookbooks, such as Spice and Spirit, The Secret of Challah, and Kosher Delicious. In addition to that, the gift shop is full of Judaica of all kinds, for all events, and in all price ranges. The Chabad Judaica Boutique is your one stop shop for all things Jewish.

JP: Who are helping you set this up?

KK: The committee consists of Shani, Estie, and Shevi Katzman, Kim Novak, Cheryl Lerner, Marty Tichauer, and Tippi Denenberg.

JP: What will tickets to the event cost?

KK: Tickets will be $50 per person. However, we have scholarships available; so don’t let the price of the tickets deter you from learning about kosher cooking!

JP: Can people bring their kids?

KK: No; this is an adults-only event.

JP: Is this ‘women only’?

KK: Yes. Sorry, guys.

JP: How soon should people reserve their tickets?

KK: As soon as possible! We have limited space, so call us soon!

JP: Have you always been interested in cooking?

KK: As a matter of fact, when I moved out on my own at the age of twenty-one, I didn’t even know how to make a grilled cheese sandwich. I had to call my mother and ask; luckily, I’ve learned quite a bit since then.

JP: What are you hoping people will take home from this evening?

KK: Hopefully, during Susie’s demonstration, members of the community will be able to see for themselves that kosher cooking is not only possible, but also a great way to enhance Jewish life. Ultimately, we have to keep in mind that keeping kosher is a Mitzvah, and strengthens our connection to G-d.

JP: Are you going to take a break after this?

KK: I wish! Actually, I’m already busy with the next project, but I can’t share the details yet.

For those interested in attending the Susie Fishbein event, tickets can be ordered by calling the Chabad House at 330-1800.

Chabad 20^th Dazzles

By Annette van de Kamp-Wright

On Sunday April 13^th, more than 350 people attended Chabad’s 20^th anniversary gala honoring Maxine and Joe Kirshenbaum, and Gail and Mike Yanney. The event was held at the new KANEKO creativity center at 1111 Jones. The gala, which was set to begin at 5:30 PM with cocktails among Jun Kaneko’s huge ceramic sculptures, was already brimming with people by 5:25. By six, a full house was noshing on Hap Abraham’s kosher hors d’oeuvres and enjoying the brand new facility.

A shofar signaled the move to the fabulous new Bow Truss room, where a sea of candles glowed amidst the table decorations. At the head of the event sat a colorfully lit stage, ready with two giant simcha challahs prepared by Susan Witkowski.  A concert grand piano was on loan from a very generous Joslyn. Hal France serenaded the guests as they entered. The perimeter of the room held four flat screen televisions, playing a slide show displaying pictures of two decades of Chabad’s involvement in Nebraska.

Honoree Maxine Kirshenbaum praised the committee for their dedication: “The evening was as professional as you can get. The venue was new and wonderful, it had a gala quality, and it was truly fun. The table, the centerpieces, and the flowers were beautiful. And the musicians were spectacular as promised. On a scale of one to ten, I give this one a twelve.”

Honoree Joe Kirshenbaum continued: “It was a fabulous evening, and it was done so professionally. I think Chabad has been very special to this community. I feel they respect me and I respect them. They don't approach people demanding drastic change. They just inspire you to become one step better than you were before. They contribute many mitzvahs to this community, and I've always admired them.”

The evening’s theme, Mitzvah’s and Music, set the stage for the program. Bruce Simon recognized the honorees, and Master of Ceremonies Debbie Denenberg wove stories about Chabad throughout the program. “Tonight we’ve assembled people from very diverse places and backgrounds. An underlying theme for our evening is that there’s hope for the world, and it begins in Omaha. We must all stand together as one family of humankind.”

At one point, Denenberg feigned the beginning of a long speech only to be cut off by the grand entrance of William Shakespeare, in full period dress, played by area actor Michal Simpson. “I’m here for my festival! Where is it?” he demanded, referring to Mike and Gail Yanney’s role as  Co-Chairs of the Nebraska Shakespeare Festival.

With that trick, the program cut straight to the music. Stanislov Ioudenitch from Uzbekistan played pieces by Franz Liszt for fifteen minutes, demonstrating the technique and artistry that won him the prestigious 2001 Van Cliburn Piano Competition.

Next, Marcelo Guzzo from Uruguay serenaded the audience.  His striking stage presence backed a rich baritone voice. He began with an Italian aria, and two Broadway pleasers, To Dream the Impossible Dream, and Some Enchanted Evening. He concluded with Granada.  Marcelo Guzzo debuted at Carnegie Hall earlier this year. Both artists received standing ovations.

Tippi Denenberg, Program Chairperson, commented today: “We are so grateful for every one who supported or attended the gala. The energy that night was electric. I was thrilled to see how universally accepted the event was, and I was very excited that so many people value and support Omaha’s Chabad House.  The program was better than world-class because it was grounded by the spirituality of Chabad and their mission to tilt the world toward goodness. My email in-box is overflowing with raves. My hats of to the people that started it all--Chabad, the Kirshenbaums, the Yanneys--and to the people who made it actually happen: our extraordinary gala committee”.

Rabbi Mendel and Shani Katzman warmly thanked the community for a 20 year adventure. They moved here not knowing what to expect, but firm in their commitment to be “shlichim” or emissaries of the Rebbe’s teachings.

“I am so grateful to the remarkable honorees, Shani Katzman said.  “They are outstanding leaders in our community.  Their warm friendship and staunch support of Chabad is heartwarming and sincerely appreciated and valued.  What a fitting tribute to these stellar individuals who serve as role models in our midst!”

Shani Katzman continued by saying: “The Rebbe always encouraged us to take stock, celebrate, and then move forward with greater strength, determination, and focus.  We hope this event will serve as the impetus for the expansion and growth of Chabad in the numerous ways it serves our community.  We hope more people will take advantage of our services and the myriad educational opportunities we provide.  We pray that we will continue to inspire and teach, that people will take to heart the message of the 'one Mitzvah that makes a world of difference'.”

The Torah is populated by many strong women. From Sarah to Tamar, from Rivkah to Bathsheba, they marry, have children, take care of their families and wander the desert. They cook meals, and welcome guests; they run, dance, pray, defend their husbands and children, they are under attack, they fight, and they conquer.  Reading the Megillah this Purim, we are once again reminded that no nation can survive without some very determined women in its midst, standing shoulder to shoulder with the men.  Esther is determined indeed; she single-handedly organizes a feast, and convinces Ahasvuerus that her people are not as bad as Haman makes them out to be. The underlying message is that Esther is in charge, she knows the choices she has to make and is willing to put herself at the forefront, rather than stand idly by.

            In his book The Jewish Holidays, Michael Strassberg writes: “Haman’s description of us as ‘a certain people scattered about and dispersed among the other peoples’ has had a deep resonance for each generation of Jews. The tale of a group of Jews living in the Diaspora at the mercy of the whims of their rulers has been often repeated. All too frequently, we have faced Hamans and the conclusion of the story has not been happy. Purim affirms the bright moments of victory and denies the long, bleak centuries of persecution.”  The story is an old one, but it’s as true today as it was then. “Don’t go to the feast,” Mordechai warned the Jews, as he saw the threat of assimilation into a culture that would ultimately attempt to swallow the Jews whole. They didn’t listen, and it took a woman like Esther to turn things around.

            Shani Katzman at Chabad knows all about strong Jewish women in general, and Esther in particular:  “We can learn from her that assimilation may seem benign, and nothing to worry about, but as Jewish women we need to be strong in our identity, and not let society infringe on our desire to be Jews. This is a challenge we all face, because Haman and Ahasuerus don’t exist only in the Megillah, but in modern society as well.” The story of Purim is so relevant today that the laws of Megillah actually forbid the reading of the story of Esther ‘backwards’, meaning, according to the Baal Shem Tov, that we need to read it as a current event rather than something that is just a piece of history and nothing more.

            When asked what she thought Queen Esther would say to Jewish women today, Shani Katzman said: “She would encourage us to immerse ourselves more Jewishly, through study, prayer, and by doing mitzvahs. We must fortify ourselves as Jews, as women, as families; she put herself on the line and would tell us to do the same.

The role of the Jewish woman is sometimes questioned, many still equate ‘traditional’ with ‘old fashioned’. But a Jewish man is obligated to love his wife as much as himself, and honor her more, and there is good reason for that. Women in Judaism take a leadership role all the time; they are not wallflowers, they are at the forefront. Unfortunately, we think of importance in terms of visibility.  A Jewish woman does not have to project her strength outward to make an enormous impact, her strength always comes from within.”

            Chabad heavily relies on the strength of women in organizing next month’s Fundraising Gala, titled Mitzvah’s and Music. Tippi Denenberg, who is chairing the entire event, continues to earn Shani Katzman’s admiration: “I am greatly impressed by Tippi’s spunk, love of life, and her fierce devotion to her family. She has the ability to extract the important things from life; she celebrates them and ignores the rest. We at Chabad are immensely grateful that she has shouldered the lion’s share of the work for this event; and she has done it with finesse and joy, professionalism, and unlimited energy.”

            The two couples that are being honored at the Gala are Maxine and Joe Kirshenbaum, and Gail and Mike Yanney. Both Maxine and Gail would do Queen Esther proud; neither is the type to sit back and watch things unfold from the sideline. “Gail Yanney represents a beautiful balance between intelligence and compassion,” Shani Katzman says, “and it is an unusual balance. Gail Yanney has accomplished much in life professionally- but she never ceases to be concerned for the little things, for the ordinary, for the every day, making life better for others.  She is unassuming and down to earth. Our admiration and affinity is indicative of how the world can be unified, once we can focus on the bigger picture. Maxine Kirshenbaum is small in stature, but a giant when it comes to bringing about change.  She is passionate about Judaism and a great example for other women. I met Maxine soon after coming to Omaha, and throughout the years she has continued to amaze me.”

            Maybe if Queen Esther could visit today, she would be proud of what women have been able to accomplish, maybe she would tell us it is not quite enough; who knows? The Jewish woman today has as many faces as she had back then; it is for us to read the writing on the wall, and figure out where we could be headed.

For information about the Gala, or to order tickets, visit ochabad.com, or call the Chabad House at 330-1800. The Gala will take place at KANEKO, Sunday April 13^th, from 5:30-8:30.

L’uomo risponde: “Nel quotidiano ebraico si legge solo di problemi. L’assimilazione, l’antisemitismo, ecc. A me piacciono le notizie positive che trovo in questo giornale: l’ebreo è ricco, controlla tutto il mondo...”

Nella Parashà di questa settimana la Torà narra la storia di Balak, re moabita, che assunse Bil’àm, un grande profeta pagano, per maledire il popolo ebraico in modo che questo non lo sconfigga nella lotta per la terra d’Israele.

Bil’àm, nonostante fosse un grande nemico del popolo d’Israele, essendo un profeta non poteva che trasmettere ciò che gli veniva detto. Invece di maledire il popolo, li benedì con delle benedizioni splendide, forse le più belle della Torà.

Certo, è bello ricevere un complimento da un amico, ma una benedizione da un nemico è maggiormente apprezzata. È un’indicazione che il complimento è autentico e dimostra un rispetto da parte del nemico.

Nella tradizione ebraica, il nostro popolo viene paragonato ad un agnello, una pecora, ecc. Ecco come ci vede Balaam (Bemidbar 24, 9):

“Egli si china, si accovaccia, come un leone, come una leonessa. Chi lo farà rizzare? Chi ti benedice sarà benedetto, colore che ti maledicono saranno maledetti...”

Che cosa è il signifcato di questo paragone al leone?

Nel Talmud troviamo le leggi — molto dettagliate — riguardo i danni inflitti da animali domestici. Queste norme non sono applicabili al leone, che secondo il Talmud può essere domato ma mai addomesticato. Il leone rimane sempre essenzialmente libero e quindi imprevedibile.

Secondo la mistica, è proprio a questo che alludeva Bil’àm nella sua lode al popolo ebraico:

Per molto tempo siamo esiliati in un mondo che ha cercato di “domarci” e farci seguire i suoi modi. A volte può anche sembrare che siamo stati “domati”, così come il leone del circo sembra, apparentemente, domato.

Ma in verità anche il leone accovacciato rimane libero dentro. Libero di vivere secondo la sua vera identità anche dopo secoli di sottomissione.

Dentro di sé l’ebreo ha un’anima libera da tutti i limiti che il mondo può imporre, e con la forza della volontà e un po’ di impegno ognuno può liberarsi dalle catene spirituali.

Basato sulle opere del Rebbe di Lubavitch זי“ע
Adattato da Rav Shalom Hazan

This past Sunday was “Gimmel Tammuz”. (the 3rd of the Hebrew Month of Tammuz). Gimmel Tammuz is the day in which the 7th Lubavitch Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, left this world 14 years ago.

The Chabad custom for Gimmel Tammuz is to spend the day in Farbrengen remembering the Rebbe. To take a step back, A Farbrengen is a Hasidic gathering, and is a term pretty much only used by Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidim. (Other Hasidim refer to gathering such as this as a Tish.)  A Farbrengen usually consists of explanations of Torah learnings, with an emphasis on Hasidic philosophy, relating of Hasidic stories, and lively Hasidic melodies. Of course  refreshments are served. It is regarded as a time of great holiness. Farbrengens are public events open to non-Hasidim as well.

Another Chabad custom for Gimmel Tammuz is to visit the resting place (the Ohel) of the Rebbe. The Ohel is located in Cambridge Heights New York (Queens), a stones throw from JFK Airport. Thousands of Hasidim and Non-Hasidim come from all over the world to pay their respects through out the day.

So Friday morning, July 4th, after Davening, I learned that a Trip was planned  to go up to the Ohel immediately after Shabbos. This trip would have us getting to the cemetery at about 1:00am with a return trip leaving approximately at 3:00am. I tried to get in on this trip, but living 50 minutes away from shul, I didn’t know if I could make the 10:30pm departure time. Well, I gave it my best, but got into Lower Merion by 10:40. (Sigh.. When I move out there this won’t be a problem).  I waited until 11:00pm before heading home.  Yes, I could have driven up myself, but a solo ride back in the car at 4am didn’t sound like a smart thing to do.

So, as any twitter head would do in a situation like this, I posted a note (Tweet) to Twitter informing my twitter friends that I missed the boat by a mere 10 minutes. My friend GoldieKatsu from Colorado responded… “Too Bad, How about a SecondLife Farbrengen instead?” . Excellent Suggestion!!  After getting home close to midnight and a few more notes back and forth with Goldie, I logged on to SecondLife and sent out an announcement for a Secondlife Farbrengen Sunday Evening at 7pm.

The next morning, I arrived at shul at 8:30am. My friends had just gotten back from the Ohel an hour or two before Shacharit (Morning Prayers). Everyone was asking what happened to me. I told them I missed them by 10 minutes, as I got to the Shul at 10:40pm. Well, it turns out on Shabbos the plans changed slightly and instead of a 10:30pm Departure, the new departure time was 11:30pm!!  Ahhh.. I should not of assumed that they left without me and called someone! Oh well I guess me not going was Hashgacha pratis (Divine Providence)

Getting home after Davening and a Torah Class given by my Rabbi who probably had all but an hours sleep, I sent out another note to the “Yeshiva Modim” group in secondlife reminding everyone of the Farbrengen that evening. Well, with less the 20 hours notice, the turn-out was respectable. We had about 9-10 people join us for a group discussion on how the Rebbe & Chabad has effected each of our lives. We went around “the table”, with each person speaking as to how they became connected with Chabad, and how the Rebbe’s work inspired/moved them.  It was a nice discussion that went close to  2 and a half hours!

During the evening, a Gentleman from “the outback” in Australia told us how there are only 55 Jews in a 500km radius around him.  Chabad Bucharim (Rabbinic Students) from Crown Heights NY come several times a year to help with Holidays and attending to their Jewish needs. He was very grateful of their efforts to say the least. He then did something that brought tears to my eyes… He thanked ME! He thanked me for holding the Farbrengen and the various study sessions I hold each week, as Secondlife is the ONLY opportunity he has to sit around a converse (and learn) with fellow Jews.  I was blown away that I was able to help someone like that.

I guess the next time that I start getting down on myself for the work I do in secondlife in leading study sessions, I need to think about the Gimmel Tammuz Farbrengen. Yes, Studying in a virtual world may be silly, but it is fulfilling the Rebbe’s vision in helping Jews everywhere and anywhere experience yiddishkite.

On a side note, the Thursday prior I got the a note (tweet) on Twitter from someone that I follow. She is someone I met at Microsoft’s Mix07 conference and is a leader in my industry. I respect her work and admire her professionally. That’s why her note to me really made me simile when she wrote… “I love following [on twitter] you. You help me remember that Judaism is a significant aspect of who I am.”.

I guess, we don’t have to be a Chabad Rabbi Schluchim (emissary)  to help our fellow Jews. Helping a Jew move further in their observance and understanding  is a responsibility we all share. As the Rebbe used to say, if you know Aleph, then you need to teach someone who doesn’t.  That, I think that’s the important lessons to be learned on Gimmel Tammuz and what Gimmel Tammuz is all about.

As the first Lubvatich Rebbe, (the Alter Rebbe - R. Schneur Zalman of Liadi),  quotes from the Zohar in his work The Tanya, a tzaddik is even more accessible in this world after his passing than while he was still alive. Moreover, after his passing his chassidim continue to receive from him both spiritual benefactions which enhance their Torah study and divine service, and protection in material matters... With that being said the Rebbe’s work continues 14 years after his passing.  Baruch Hashem!

La Fuga del Rav

...Mi ricordo di una persona che fu derubata di tutti i suoi beni. Si voltò verso l’ufficiale della GPU (servizi segreti) e chiese: “cos’altro volete da me? Non mi è rimasto nulla!”

“Vogliamo succhiare il sangue dalle tue vene,” gli rispose l’ufficiale.

Questi traditori non agivano per la disperazione della fame. Al contrario, durante gli anni della fame loro mangiavano più del necessario.

Ufficiali di alto livello non si vergognavano di pubblicare annunci nei giornali nei quali si raccomandava che chiunque avesse dei parenti all’estero mandasse loro una richiesta di inviare dollari, che poi avrebbe dovuto a sua volta consegnare al governo. Ci sono stati anche dei casi nei quali il governo forzò della gente a scrivere ai propri parenti per i dollari, tenendo gli sfortunati in prigione fino all’arrivo dei soldi.

Mi ricordo che una sera vennero a casa di un ebreo per portarlo in prigione. Trovarono un ospite a casa, un suo fratello arrivato dall’America. L’ospite li pregò di andare via per poterlo lasciare in compagnia del fratello, almeno finché fosse tornato in America. Gli ufficiali si dissero d’accordo e se ne andarono. Quando il fratello fu partito per tornare in America, gli uomini tornarono e tennero l’ebreo sotto arresto finché arrivò il suo riscatto in dollari.

Durante quell’inverno morirono milioni di persone. Mio fratello ed io continuammo a lavorare, fabbricando mattoni. Certo, anche noi eravamo affamati e gonfi dalla fame. Probabilmente la Yevsektsiya ci lasciò stare pensando che comunque saremmo morti dalla fame.

Era un tempo terrificante. Non solo imprigonavano e torturavano i kulak e i ricchi ma anche chiunque non aderisse alla loro ideologia. I giornali facevano dei richiami appassionati conro “i nemici del popolo,” i “contro-rivoluzionari” che, secondo loro, stavano progettando una rivolta alleandosi con forze dall’estero. Chiunque deviava un po’ dalla linea del partito era accusato di emettere propaganda contro di loro.

Gli shochatìm avevano paura di shachtare, i mohalìm avevano paura di fare la milà, i minyanìm per la preghiera furono proibiti e i chazanìm avevano paura di pregare. C’erano persone che organizzarono dei minyanim nelle proprie abitazioni e dovettero pagare con la vita. I rabbini quindi erano rimasti senza lavoro. Nella posizione pericolosa di “parassita”, diventarono candidati per la prigione e la Siberia. Molti si sottomisero ai comunisti. Quelli che non lo vollero fare furono forzati a fuggire, un passo estremamente difficile e pericoloso da prendere in quegli anni di agitazione, fame e sofferenza. Quelli che rimasero furono presi dalla paura.

Il direttore della nostra fabbrica di mattoni provò compassione per noi per la nostra sincerità. Essendo in posizione d’importanza nel consiglio comunale poteva essere a conoscenza di informazioni riservate, che confidò un giorno a me e a mio fratello. L’indomani (era dopo Pesach del 1933) avrebbero arrestato il prete del villaggio, e il direttore supponeva che non avrebbero fatto differenze per il Rav, nostro padre. Se nostro padre non fosse fuggito quella notte, sarebbe stato troppo tardi l’indomani mattina. Mio padre sapeva che se fosse stato tra gli arrestati, non avrebbe avuto la possibilità di salvarsi la vita: a parte il suo essere rabbino, aveva anche aiutato illegalmente centinaia di ragazzi di Yeshivà e le loro famiglie a fuggire oltre il confine. Aveva anche insegnato a vari alunni, di nascosto, durante gli anni ’20. Se questi “crimini” fossero stati scoperti, sarebbe sicuramente stato giustiziato. Quella notte camminò diciassette chilometri fino alla stazione più vicina e salì sul primo treno che arrivò.

Questo fu l’inizio del suo lungo esilio di vagabondaggio. Si vestì da persona comune, senza il lungo caftano nero normalmente indossato dai rabbini, per evitare di attrarre l’attenzione della gente. Passò la maggior parte del tempo nelle grandi città come Leningrado, Mosca e Kiev. Una delle sue prime tappe fu Zhitomir, dove visitò una Yeshivà clandestina di Chabad. I Chassidìm di Chabad avevano ancora delle Yeshivòt in varie città, ognuna con circa quindici o venti ragazzi. Il loro insegnante a Zhitomir, Eliezer Pinski, stava insegnando Talmùd e chassidismo ai ragazzi affrontando un grosso rischio e molto sacrificio. Fece una buona impressione su mio padre, che gli propose di conoscere mia sorella Feiga. Feiga aveva diciotto anni allora. Come mio fratello ed io, anche lei stava coraggiosamente osservando la Torà e le mitzvòt, soffrendo di privazione e di disprezzo. Siccome Eliezer non poteva venire al nostro villaggio, che era vicino alla frontiera, Feiga andò a Zhitomir. I due si incontrarono e si accordarono per il matrimonio.

Rav Eliezer Pinsky

Fu un momento dolce-amaro per la nostra famiglia. Il fidanzamento di mia sorella ci portò tanta gioia, anche per la fortuna di aver trovato un marito coraggioso che era dedito alla Torà nonostante la situazione orribile che prevaleva in Russia all’epoca. D’altra parte, la nostra paura, la fame e l’incertezza riguardo il futuro pesava sui nostri cuori come delle rocce pesanti.

Feiga Chazan Pinsky

Il matrimonio fu festeggiato all’inizio dell’estate, verso il tempo della festa di Shavu’ot, e la giovane coppia si trasferì a Mosca. Siccome Mosca era una grande metropoli, sarebbe stato più facile evitare l’attenzione delle autorità.

Al nord, dove si trovava mio padre, il cibo non scarseggiava come al sud, dove abitavamo. Mio padre aspettava in fila per ore per poter ricevere una porzione di pane che ci mandava poi tramite la posta una volta a settimana oppure una volta al mese. La paura delle autorità era talmente intensa che questi pacchetti non furono rubati nella posta. Quando ci arrivavano, il pane era ormai ammuffito, tuttavia lo mangiavamo con gusto: qualunque cosa era meglio di niente.

Mio fratello ed io continuammo a lavorare nella fabbrica. Venivamo pagati una volta ogni due mesi, ma lo stipendio non bastava neanche per due settimane. Tuttavia valeva la pena, in quanto la temuta Yevsektsiya ci lasciava stare.

Delle volte questi ufficiali ci dissero francamente: “noi vi lasciamo stare per adesso, anche se non vi conformate alla nostra ideologia, perché sappiamo che non fate qualcosa di illegale. Ma non respirate troppo: un giorno vi prenderemo”.

Una volta, un gentile anziano, sostenuto da un bastone, passò davanti alla nostra fabbrica. Un collega di lavoro, un membro del Komsomol, si voltò verso di me e disse “vedi quell’uomo? È uscito dalla prigione due giorni fa. Sai quanto era ricco prima di essere preso? Hanno deciso di lasciarlo andare ora perché non è più una minaccia. Guardalo. Forse vivrà per un’altro paio di giorni. È questo che fanno a persone come te. Quando sarà il tuo turno, riceverai lo stesso trattamento.”

Rimasi in silenzio ma il mio cuore si indebolì. Pregai: “D-o aiutami! Salvami dalle loro mani!”

Durante quegli anni, l’informare sugli altri diventò talmente comune che girava una barzelletta cinica al riguardo: una persona si guardò nello specchio e disse al proprio riflesso: “dimmi, chi è l’informatore, io o tu?”.

La gente informava il governo per provare la loro fedeltà al comunismo e anche per distruggere i loro nemici personali. Si cercavano i crimini per poter informare. Non sembrava avere alcun effetto sulla coscienza di queste persone che altri venissero torturati o uccisi a causa delle loro parole. Questa situazione continuò fino alla seconda guerra mondiale. Era un’esistenza infernale.

Si ringrazia il sig. Rudi Yisrael Lichtner per l’aiuto fornito nella stesura dei testi.

Capitoli precedenti: Il Lago Rosso, La Rivoluzione, Il Comunismo, La Yevsektsiya, Le Fabbriche, La Guerra Contro Le Yeshivòt, Discussione Talmudica con le Autorità, Stalin Uccide i Chassidìm, La Fabbrica di Mattoni, La Lotta Per lo Shabbàt, La Strage dei Kolkhoz

L’autobiografia di Rav Aharon Chazan di Benè Beràk. Rav Chazan ha vissuto nell’Unione Sovietica dalla Rivoluzione fino al 1966, non lasciando per un giorno la sua osservanza forte dell’ebraismo, nonostante le minacce e l’oppressione dei comunisti. Il Rav ormai ha visto anche il crollo di quel regime brutale e ha testimoniato il risorgimento dell’ebraismo nell’ex-URSS. Oggi, alcuni dei suoi nipoti sono all’avanguardia della rinascita dell’ebraismo negli stessi luoghi dove una volta ha dovuto lottare per rimanere fedele alla tradizione.

© 2008 Shalom Hazan. Non è permesso riprodurre in alcun modo senza permesso per iscritto.

By Jane Ulman

Up the service road to the Getty Villa, at the base of Gene Gladden's property and next to the Mormon Church's brick-walled parking lot, sits the 3,000-square-foot former storage building that Rabbi Zushe Cunin hopes will become the new site of Palisades Jewish Early Childhood Center.

Photo by Jane Ulman

Rabbi Zushe Cunin, head of Chabad of Pacific Palisades for 16 years, is accustomed to "overcoming and embracing all challenges," he said. But the uproar surrounding his plans to relocate Chabad's Palisades Jewish Early Childhood Center to a vacant building off Los Liones Drive -- in a canyon below an affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood and off a service road leading to the Getty Villa -- has surprised him.

In support of the school's nature-based curriculum, Cunin, 38, believed he had found an ideal new location when he came upon an empty 3,000-square-foot former storage facility at the base of a hillside property. He tracked down the owner, longtime Pacific Palisades resident Gene Gladden, who agreed to lease the property to Chabad.

Cunin (photo) was making preparations to turn the site into a preschool, planning to open in September, when an attorney from the J. Paul Getty Trust sent a letter denying Chabad's right to access the property via the Getty Villa's service road.

Around the same time, members of the neighboring Castellammare Mesa Home Owners Association, which has 141 member families, began a flurry of e-mails and telephone exchanges questioning Chabad's right to access the property alternatively through Gladden's backyard off Bellino Drive and also raising concerns about other safety and noise issues.

Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl has become involved, as has the Palisades Mormon Church, to which Cunin turned with a request for access through the church's parking lot.

This might seem just an ordinary land-use dispute with, on one side, a preschool hoping to operate in a residential area -- which can be allowed with a conditional-use permit -- and on the other objections from neighbors who don't want increased noise and congestion. But there is a history of high-profile, contentious disputes in this neighborhood: The Getty weathered its own heated and drawn-out legal battle with local Pacific Palisades homeowner associations, which began in 1997 when it announced plans for an extensive renovation and expansion of the Getty Villa. The clash centered on plans for a outdoor amphitheater. The much-delayed opening of the Getty Villa didn't happen until January 2006, following years of negotiation with neighborhood associations.

Enter Chabad, an organization whose name is a Hebrew acronym meaning wisdom, understanding and knowledge, and which, as part of Chabad-Lubavitch is one of the largest sects of Orthodox Judaism worldwide. Known for its evangelical outreach and zeal, Chabad has its own history of controversy in many circles.

Rabbi Cunin had been successfully operating Palisades Jewish Early Childhood Center in various locations in Temescal Gateway Park without conflict since the preschool was founded in 2000. The school enrolls approximately 50 children, ages 2 to 5, who, Cunin said, come primarily from Pacific Palisades and other Westside locations and from all levels of religious observance.

Last year the Santa Monica Conservancy, which oversees the park, voted to end the lease of the Chabad preschool as well as that of the private Little Dolphins preschool, ruling that public park area should no longer be walled off for private endeavors.

On Jan. 29, 2008, Cunin signed a three-year lease with a 20-year option on the building owned by Gladden, which sits near the service entrance to the Getty Villa, next door to the Mormon Church and across the road from Topanga State Park. Cunin began making some of the necessary renovations to the property.

View Larger Map

Everything went smoothly until April 2, when Getty Trust attorney Lori Fox informed Cunin that Chabad does not have the right to approach the building via a private Getty service road -- which Chabad disputes. As a result, Cunin said, Chabad officials, teachers and workmen began accessing the property through Gladden's driveway off Bellino Drive and down a steep stairway in Gladden's backyard.

Neighbors became aware of the activity, as well as of the building, which was newly painted inside and staged with small tables and chairs. An outdoor area now sported playground equipment to enable prospective parents and state inspectors to better visualize the future preschool. Cunin believes that many residents assumed, erroneously, the preschool was already open for business.

Homeowners began an exchange of e-mails, and one homeowner, whose child had attended the school, contacted Cunin to clarify the school's status. He assured her that he didn't plan to use Gladden's home as access for the school. She shared this information with the other neighbors.

Chabad's attorney Benjamin Reznik, a partner at Jeffer, Mangels, Butler and Marmaro, argues that the preschool location is "brilliant."

"It's a building that's safe and appropriate. It's got a nice, flat garden around for the kids to play outdoors, and it's got nice access: The parents can drive right up," Reznik said.

The Getty, however, sees the site differently. Getty attorney Fox sent a memorandum to area homeowner associations on May 9 summarizing the Getty's communications with Chabad and objections to the location.

"We have serious concerns about the proposed use of both the warehouse and access via our service road," Fox stated in the memo, emphasizing safety concerns for the children.

The dispute over use of the service road is not surprising, given its complicated history.

Access along the service road to the Getty guard booth, which sits just above the driveway to the Gladden building, uses an easement granted by the Mormon Church, which bought its three-acre property in 1970 from a private developer, according to David Lacy, who founded Senior Realty Advisors of Covina, and who has assisted Chabad in property acquisitions for more than a decade. It was originally a dirt road, which the Getty paved and later widened, as required for its renovation.

But Gladden was granted the necessary permits in 1981, he said, to construct a building on the lower part of his property for recreation and storage. He also received permission from the Getty to access the building via the service road. Gladden subsequently rented the building to the Getty for 25 years for storage purposes, a lease which ended approximately six months ago, according to Gladden.

Because Gladden has been allowed access to his building for the last 26 years and because the Getty has never revoked that right, Lacy believes that Gladden as well as Chabad, as his representatives, "has a legal right to a prescriptive easement" on that property.

The Getty is disputing that right, and Fox's May 9 memo states, "The road is Getty property subject to, among other things, our conditional-use permit."

Another conflict involves whether or not Gladden's building -- the site of the new preschool -- sits on Getty-owned property. When Gladden constructed the building, according to Lacy, the Getty informed him that the boundary was "the fence." And an architectural drawing from that period shows Gladden's building 10 feet from "the fence."

However, a survey that the Getty conducted in 1999 as part of its expansion marks the boundary 13 feet inside what Gladden assumed was the property line, putting the building -- three feet along the building's entire length, on the side paralleling the service road -- on Getty property.

Still, whatever the case, the issue is resolvable, according to Reznik. "That building is a moveable, mobile building. What's the big deal?" he said.

Ideally, Cunin said, he would like to access the building through the parking lot of the Mormon Church, which is next door and which would entail merely creating a small gate in the already existing fence. Cunin's request, however, was turned down by church officials in Salt Lake City in an e-mail sent May 27, according to Keith Atkinson, West Coast spokesperson for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"It is not our practice to encumber our property to enable our neighbors to obtain conditional-use permits. It puts our property at a certain liability. It doesn't serve our members well and doesn't serve the neighbors well," Atkinson said.

And while stating that the Mormon Church prized its relationship with the Jewish community, Atkinson cited "a multiplicity of sensitivities" in the neighborhood.

Cunin is appealing to "higher levels" within the church. He is also hopeful that Chabad can create a partnership with the Getty.

At the same time, Cunin has given assurances that students will not enter through Gladden's property on Bellino Drive. "That never was our intention," he said. Still, Chabad staff, parents and workers have used it, and will continue to use it, until the Los Liones Drive entrance is secured, according to Cunin.

Kim Clary, president of the Castellammare Mesa Home Owners Association, said that neighbors are "greatly relieved" that access will not be through Bellino Drive. Still, the homeowners are concerned about increased noise, which Clary describes as "like a megaphone coming up" for neighbors who live on the ridge above Gladden's building.

The residents say they are also worried about increased traffic, especially at the already dangerously congested intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Los Liones Drive, where the Westside Waldorf School, which relocated to the south side of Sunset Boulevard in fall 2006, agreed to erect a traffic light.

"We don't really want a school in this neighborhood at all. We're worried about the safety of the kids," Clary said.

Area City Councilman Rosendahl has met with Cunin. He has also met with community members, assuring them that he sent a group of building inspectors to the location and that thus far Cunin has not required permits for any work that has been done. He also said that Cunin has assured him that he intends -- and has always intended -- to go through proper licensing and permitting processes.

"This is basically a school looking for a home," Rosendahl said, making clear that he is not taking a position. He said he sees his role as that of an "honest broker," ensuring that all parties feel empowered and heard as Chabad proceeds along what Rosendahl calls "the public, open and transparent process" of seeking a conditional-use permit.

Meanwhile, Palisades Jewish Early Childhood Center will hold its final day at the Temescal Gateway Park location on June 19. The six-week summer session, beginning July 1, is slated to take place, as it has every summer, at Palisades Elementary School.

Chabad remains open for enrollment. If necessary, Cunin said, he will find a temporary site to begin the fall session on Sept. 4, but he is hoping to have the permit process completed in time to use the new facility.

Gladden, the non-Jewish property owner, told Cunin that when the Getty's lease ended, he had been looking to use his building for a spiritual purpose.

"I told God, whoever needs it will come knocking," Gladden told Cunin the day that Cunin actually came knocking on his door, trying to find the building's owner.

"Every problem we have is an opportunity for growth," Gladden said in an interview. "I know that right will prevail, that everything will work out for everybody's good."
Cunin and students at the current preschool at Temescal G

Editorial Comment:

Zoning laws do not apply to the Lubavitch. They are entitled and if they do not get their way they litigate and forever. They cause these problems all over the US. I think they take a course in their schools on how to screw the neighborhood and not follow the zoning laws. Wait till they cry anti-semitism...that comes next.

Introduction
1. The Aluminum Can
2. Higher Bookshelves
3. Strange-Looking Doorbells
4. Lighting Up
5. Soul Food
6. Black Leather
7. The Dip
8. Boost Up the Kids
9. Mind Expansion
10. Connectivity

Text by Tzvi Freeman. Copyright Chabad.org

- The disciples of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi

In America, most major supermarkets these days urge you to register for a card that tracks your purchases, helping the store learn your shopping preferences so they can market various items directly to you. If your grocery cart is full of potato chips, for example, don’t be surprised to receive a coupon for snacks when you finish paying at the register.

In Israel, the supermarkets have this system only halfway figured out. Membership cards and credit cards offering discounts on purchases at this store or that are commonplace… but the direct marketing aspect is still a bit, well, indirect. For more than a year at one particular supermarket chain, for example, every shopper received a coupon upon checkout for a discount on a Pizza Hut order.

The coupon I received today, however, was the kind of thing you only see in Israel. It read:

To anyone who is interested:

A Chabad house has been opened above this store.

Mezuzot and tefillin checked for a minimal price

Bar mitzvah preparations

Help with any issue in Judaism

Open Sunday thru Thursday 1 p.m.-6 p.m.

Friday 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

...I couldn't help but smile.

Clicca qui per sfogliarlo (PDF)

a Jewish holiday called Lag Baomer.</