Purim 2015- 5775
www.ChabadNW.org
Chabad of Northwest CT Celebrates 19 Years By The Numbers Since 1996:
18,502 total number of Hospital Patients Visited & Comforted in Northwest CT 3100 Mezuzahs affixed to homes throughout our neck of the woods $721,000 plus, in Scholarships given to underprivileged children 18,300 pounds of food packages delivered to the elderly and needy CHABAD LUBAVITCH OF NORTHWEST CONNECTICUT CELEBRATED ITS NINETEENTH CHANUKAH BY BRINGING THE LIGHT OF THE HOLIDAY AND THE SPIRIT OF CHABAD TO EVERY SINGLE CORNER OF THE REGION Rabbi Eisenbach and his students brought the warmth of Chanukah to our most cherished citizens at our annual golden Chanukah celebrations at every golden age home in the area. Chanukah menorahs and dreidels were distributed. Latke parties were held, creating the atmosphere of family. As Elaine G., a resident of a convalescent home in Torrington, remarked that she was touched to realize that she had not been forgotten during the holiday season. “I could not imagine what I would do without Chabad.”
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“As a child growing up in
the Chabad community in Montreal, Canada,” commented Rabbi Joseph I. Eisenbach, Northwest Connecticut’s Chabad emissary, “every night of Chanukah, we would go out to the golden age homes, warming those cold Montreal nights with hot latkes, singing and dancing with all the bubbys & zaides. Those were our personal family Chanukah parties, bringing the Chabad family spirit, to all those lovely souls. It has been over twenty five years that I have done these Chanukah celebrations. It is heartwarming for the residents to see how the community truly cares for
them.” Chabad also brought the holiday of Chanukah to the masses by erecting large public menorahs in Waterburyʼs city center and the Wolcott town green, drawing crowds to celebrate their heritage. Chabadʼs annual Chanukah toy drive enabled hundreds of inner city children to join in the holiday atmosphere by receiving their very own brand new toy. Many of these toys were distributed at the public menorah lighting at Waterburyʼs city center. Others were given out at area hospitals and clinics.
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THREE DAYS OF ‘WOW’ AT CHANUKAH GETAWAY RETREAT IN NORTHWEST CT
This past Chanukah, over four hundred Jews from all walks of life gathered for three days of learning and inspiration, worldclass kosher dining and entertainment at Chabad of Northwest CT’s family retreat (Cretreat.org). Guests were treated to a high caliber of
lectures featuring Rabbis Manis Friedman and Yossi Jacobson, musical performances by the 8th Day Band, Sandy Shmuely and Torah Tots. A 24 hour tea room along with private swim and fitness hours, inspirational farbrengens to the wee hours of the morning and the spectacular Coco Keys water
park completed the entertainment at the annual retreat. The huge increase in this year’s retreat attendees (over 150% growth) is attributed to the great effort, focus on detail and personalized reception by the staff of the Chanukah Retreat. “To see almost all of our
Continued on page 10
TELEPHONE TORAH
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF PROGRAMS THAT HELP PARTNERS STUDY TOGETHER VIA PHONE Chabad Lubavitch of Northwest CT is celebrating a deacde of its program called JNet that helps ensure that “every Jew has access to his or her inheritance.” Rabbi Joseph I. Eisenbach says he is pleased to offer this exciting new program in Northwest CT. “JNet really enables us in offering Jewish education to everyone anytime, anywhere.” The free program matches individuals with someone of similar age and background who has an expertise in Torah learning. The JNet study partner will call the student at a mutually agreed upon time each week and spend a half-hour in chavruta (partner) study on any Jewish topic. “This is part of
our global campaign to give everyone an opportunity to learn Torah,” said Rabbi Joseph I. Eisenbach. “At Chabad of Northwest CT we want people already taking part in our many programs and events to be able to take it to the next level.” This offering is one of the many exciting programs, such as hospital & golden age home visitations, adult & children educational programs Hebrew school, Camp Gan Israel ChabadNW.org & many other of the Chabad Lubavitch of Northwest Connecticut’s social and educational programs. With their hand-picked personal Torah trainer, students can have the freedom to learn what they want, when they want
and at any pace they want, according to Joseph I. Eisenbach. JNet students can select from a variety of topics suggested on JNet.org or they can come up with their own study topics, said Rabbi Eisenbach, Topics might be practical such as cooking kosher or talking to your children about spirituality or might be more esoteric ideas such as mysticism or tales of the Baal Shem Tov. For more information on participating in a telephone chavruta call us at: 800.297.6864 or e-mail us at: info@ chabadNW.org. For information on any of Chabad’s other programs you can visit them on the web at: www.chabadNW.org
CHABAD OF NORTHWEST CT & HOME DEPOT TEAMED UP TO BRING MENORAS TO ALL
Welcome to Home Depot, the national inspiration for every DIY project, home renovation and amateur contractors. The shelves are piled high with boards of cedar gopher and maple wood, bags of ice, flower
pots, rakes and every nut or bolt imaginable. Welcome to Home Depot. Today we’re selling nursery starter kits, and 10% off sliding doors. Welcome to Home DepotToday we’re building
Menorahs.
Dozens of children and their parents entered the Home Depots across Northwest Connecticut early Sunday morning before Chanukah to partake in Chabad’s Menorah Workshop hosted Continued on page 23 Jewish News 1