Spring 2014

Shavuot 2014 - 5774

www.ChabadNW.org

CHABAD OF NORTHWEST CT CELEBRATES 18 YEARS.

BY THE NUMBERS SINCE 1996:

Serving Northwest CT since 1998

This Special Edition Presents:

Reflecting on 20 Years Commemorating the 20th yartzeit of

18,383 total number of Hospital Patients Visited & Comforted in Northwest CT 2306 Mezuzahs affixed to homes throughout our neck of the woods

15,096 Joined our annual Jewish Music & Art Festival

$700,000 plus, in Scholarships given to underprivileged children

18,000 pounds of food packages delivered to the elderly & needy

DAIRY DELIGHTS BUFFET Hey, kids! Have we got a party planned that you donʼt want to miss!

Shavuot is the second of three major festivals (Passover being the first and Sukkot the third) and comes exactly fifty days after Passover. The Torah was given by G‑d to the Jewish people on Mount Sinai over 3,300 years ago. Every year on this day we renew our acceptance of G‑dʼs gift.

When G‑d gave the Torah to the Jewish people, the Jewish children were the guarantors! G‑d knew that He could count on the Jewish boys and girls to make sure the Jewish people would love the Torah, learn it, and do its holy Mitzvahs.

Reflect the life and vision of The Rebbe OB”M and perpetuate his legacy.

“AWAKEN” STAY UP ALL NIGHT TO TALK ABOUT OUR VALUES When was the last time you stayed up all night to have a deeply mean‑ ingful conversation about your ul‑ timate values; read or discuss a book that has had a life‑changing effect on you; or listened to a friend who really needs to talk it all out?

Join us on Thursday June 3, 2014 for an all night study and discus‑ sion session on Shavuot.

One of the more fascinating cus‑ toms of the holiday is “tikkun leyl Shavuot” ‑ a Shavuot nightwatch, anticipating the remembrance of the divine gift of the Torah which occurred on Shavuot. This reminds us that the Israelites were en‑ camped at the foot of Mt. Sinai for three days and nights awaiting the giving of the Torah. The Torah was given at daybreak.

RAID ON ENTEBBE COMES TO NORTHWEST CT

888.310.6864 | news@chabadNW.org

PAID

Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson of riteuous memory.

Continued on page 17

Torrington, CT Permit #335

POB 127, Litchfield, CT 06759-0127

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

Continued on page 17

The Lubavitcher Rebbe.

On Thursday May 22, 2014 Chabad of Northwest CT hosted Sassy Reuven, a veteran of the Is‑ rael Defense Special Operation Forces, at the Washington Club, in Washington Depot, CT. He mes‑ merized the crowd with his in‑ triguing tale of his personal experience, step‑by‑step from the moment he was called to duty, in‑ cluding the preparation for the mission, landing in Uganda & com‑ pleting the Entebbe mission be‑ hind enemy lines.

His story is Israel's story: of courage, endurance, defiance and a willingness to sacrifice it all for

the right to live in your homeland in freedom.

During the terror‑filled years of 1973‑1976 Sassy served in the IDF's elite "Red Beret" paratrooper unit. He participated in several covert operations in Israel's mighty struggle against Arab ter‑ rorism.

In July of 1976, Sassy participated in the famed Entebbe counter‑ter‑ rorist hostage‑rescue mission code named "Operation Thunderbolt", flying thousands of miles over enemy territory to rescue Jewish hostages being held by terrorists in Uganda.

Continued with pictures on page 12 Jewish News 1

Jewish News

Litchfield, Connecticut Estate For Sale

For Inquiries: 917-686-4154 2 Jewish News

Jewish News

JEWISH NEWS SPECIAL EDITION CELEBRATES THE MOST INFLUENTIAL RABBI IN MODERN HISTORY MARKING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF LUBAVITCHER REBBEʼS PASSING Northwest CT is gearing up to join thousands of communities world‑ wide in marking the 20th anniver‑ sary of the passing of the Rebbe, RabbiMenachem Mendel Schneer‑ son, of righteous memory, on July 1st of this year.

Described as the most influential rabbi in modern history, the Rebbeʼs pioneering efforts to reach out lovingly to every Jew and con‑ nect them with their Jewish her‑ itage have touched millions of lives and forever transformed the land‑ scape of Jewish life. His teachings about the inherent goodness of all mankind, and the infinite potential of every individual and each good deed, galvanized countless far and wide, and are increasingly studied.

In addition to his unparalleled role in the Jewish community as both a preeminent scholar and leader, the Rebbe was the only rabbi ever to re‑ ceive the Congressional Gold Medal, and to have an American na‑ tional day, Education and Sharing Day, proclaimed in his honor.

In keeping with the Rebbeʼs lifetime goals and teachings, hundreds of

thousands are redoubling their ef‑ forts at personal prayer, study and acts of loving kindness in prepara‑ tion for the special date, as well as increasing their personal and com‑ munal efforts to encourage others to do the same. In Northwest CT many locals have undertaken an array of personal and communal activities in the Rebbeʼs honor. Ad‑ ditionally, many tens of thousands will visit his resting place in Queens, N.Y. during the anniver‑ sary, bearing the personal prayers of millions.

Throughout the following pages you will see a black flag (peretz put in the black flag) reflecting on the teachings and wisdom of the Rebbe.

Throughout his lifetime the Rebbe was remarkably accessible, and counseled countless individuals from a wide array of backgrounds, including statesmen and artists as diverse as Ronald Reagan, Robert F. Kennedy, Yitzchak Rabin, Men‑ achem Begin, Elie Wiesel, and Bob Dylan, as well as countless “name‑ less” individuals who were each showered with his individual atten‑ tion and love.

This publication is another project of Chabad Lubavitch and is printed six times annually.

New information about the Rebbeʼs early life and about his subsequent global impact has been steadily emerging, via an oral history proj‑ ect and much dogged historical pursuit and sleuthing.

Two scholars of great renown are releasing biographical works on the Rebbe. Rabbis Adin Even Israel Steinsaltz (hailed by Time magazine as a "once‑in‑a‑millennium scholar") has just released his “My Rebbe” (Maggid/Koren Press), and Joseph Telushkinʼs “Rebbe: The Life and Teachings of Menachem M. Schneerson, the Most Influential Rabbi in Modern History” (Harper) is set to hit bookshelves on June 10.

A local delegation headed by Rabbi Joseph and Mina Eisenbach will be traveling to the Rebbeʼs resting place in Queens, N.Y. on July 1st.

Those wishing join in the pilgrim‑ age to the Rebbes resting place please e‑mail officei@chabad NW.org or by calling: 860.567.

3609.

Reflecting on 20 Years

We invite you to learn more about the Rebbe by visiting: chabadNW.org/REBBE

Charity begins at home

Volume XV Issue IV

WHATʼS INSIDE Raid on Entebbe Pictures

pg 1 & 12

Dairy Delights Buffet

pg 1 & 17

“Awaken” Stay Up All Night To Talk About Our Values

pg 1 & 17

Reflecting on 20 Years

pg 3

Letter From the Rabbi

pg 4

Our Mailbox

pg 4

The Rebbe: A Brief Biography

pg 5

Chabad Hebrew Schools

pg 6

Have YOUR Day in OUR Calendar

pg 7

Gan Izzy awaits YOUR Child

pg 7

Shavuot Holiday Guide

pg 8 & 9

Wise Charitable Giving ‑ Rebbeʼs Wisdom pages

pg 10 & 11

On Giving Charity Before Kindling Shabbat Candles

pg 18 & 19

Jewish Funeral Page

pg 20 & 21

The Ohel

pg 22 & 23

It Happened Once

"A charity box in a home or office redefines the entire space. It becomes a center of kindness and caring."

- The Lubavitcher Rebbe

For your FREE charity box, please e-mail: info@chabadnw.org or call 800.297.6864

pg 24 Jewish News 3

Jewish News

L ETTER FROM THE RABBI R J E ABBI OSEPH ISENBACH

Presented to you by

Dear Friends, "Sorry, but you called us too late."

Sylvia put down the phone and sighed. She was trying to secure a happy summer for her son, Terry.

Sylvia works at a local daycare. Her husband, Robert, works the night shift as a security guard. Together they struggle to make ends meet.

Public school was letting out in a little over a month, and they could not afford day camp, never mind the sleep‑away camp where Terry's best friend had gone.

Camp Gan Israel and its Scholar‑ ship Fund.

"Gan Israel will come through for you," said Linda. "They always do."

Linda was right. Sylvia contacted Camp Gan Israel. We promised her that we would find a way to help her. We would seek a sponsor.

My friend, Camp Gan Israel has al‑ ways opened its doors to parents like Sylvia and Robert. All children deserve a positive summer experi‑ ence ‑ we turn no one away because they can't afford camp.

This had been her fourth call.

But we can't do this without YOU!

Youth programs and other local camps had all turned her down. The alternative was bleak ‑ long, hot summer days filled with boredom and despair. No friends, no sports, no refreshing swims, and bad com‑ pany, anger, sweat and frustration.

Your gift of $225 will provide a needy child like Terry with one week in a wholesome camp envi‑ ronment.

In desperation, Sylvia turned to a friend, Linda G., who told her about the Abraham & Chava Greenstein

Please give generously to ensure that children like Terry are where they belong this summer ‑ right in the middle of a fun, enriching camp experience.

Won't you help put a smile on a

child's face this summer? Please make your tax‑deductible contribu‑ tion of $225, or any other amount, no amount is too small or too big, to Camp Gan Israel Scholarship Fund TODAY. Please help a child today and log on to www.chabadNW.org/L4Kids

Sincerely yours, Rabbi Joseph Eisenbach P.S. $225 goes a long way! Please help make a difference in a needy child's life this summer.

OUR MAILBOX Hi Mina, Thank you for the lesson and the cheesecake. I always learn some‑ thing new and have fun when we get together!

I was glad I was able to make it after all. Hopefully I will be able to join you next month as well.

Have a great week, AD, New Milford, CT

t Dear Rabbi Eisenbach, My daughter ……. enjoyed very much the Shmura Matzo you sent to her at the University of Con‑ necticut. You made her Pesach meaningful!!

vitation to your Community Seder. I so appreciated it. Unfor‑ tunately, … and I are going to be away for a long weekend starting this afternoon. I was very flat‑ tered however that you thought of me and extended the invita‑ tion.

I got your message at a time that was especially stressful and your words truly had an amazingly calming effect on me.

In life I try to remember to al‑ ways place my trust and my total self in Godʼs hands. I really be‑ lieve that despite my wants, and needs, what and where we go in life really is largely out of my hands.

t

Fortunately, my faith runs deep and is very important to me. It has been the source of great com‑ fort during the last several months which have been chal‑ lenging with regard to my busi‑ ness. Your call was just what I needed at the right time.

Dear Rabbi: It was so nice to get your mes‑ sage yesterday as well as your in‑

With regard to my business, I think you know that this is a tur‑ bulent time for the industry.

I wish you and your family the

Sincerely, MD, Northwest CT

4 Jewish News

very best in life. Have a wonder‑ ful Passover and Seder and hope‑ fully we will meet and get together sometime soon.

Take care for now and thank you again.

Sincerely, EL, Torrington, CT

t Dearest Rabbi and Mina, I deeply regret not being able to join you this Shabbot or on Sun‑ day unless another miracle hap‑ pens!

May Hashem continue to give you the inspiration and strength to expand your Chabad to its most outreaching possibilities and that will be when each and every Jew within your immediate reach will have his/her pintel yid awakened!

All my love to you and the kinder and to my friends at Chabad!

Sincerely, SK, Southbury & NY

t Love the way you get everyone interested to read you email. fan tastic.

May Hashem only give you strength to go from more strength to more.

All the best.

Have a successful kosher Pesach.

TK

t To Have Your Letter Printed, please e‑mail: News@chabadNW.org or: Jewish News, POB 127, Litchfield, CT 06759‑0127

Jewish News

THE REBBE: A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY The Lubavitcher Rebbe,Rabbi Men‑ achem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory (1902‑1994), the seventh leader in the Chabad‑ Lubavitch dynasty, is considered to have been the most phenomenal Jewish personality of modern times. To hundreds of thousands of followers and millions of sympa‑ thizers and admirers around the world, he was ‑‑ and still is, despite his passing ‑‑ "the Rebbe," undoubt‑ edly, the one individual more than any other singularly responsible for stirring the conscience and spir‑ itual awakening of world Jewry.

The Rebbe was born in 1902, on the 11th day of Nissan, in Nikolaev, Russia, to the renowned kabbalist, talmudic scholar and leader Rabbi Levi Yitzchak and Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson.

Rebbetzin Chana(1880‑1964) was known for her erudition, kindness and ex‑ traordinary accessibility. Her courage and ingenuity became leg‑ end when during her husband's exile by the Soviets to a remote vil‑ lage in Asian Russia she labored to make inks from herbs she gathered in the fields ‑‑ so that Rabbi Levi Yitzchak could continue writing his commentary on kabbalah and other Torah‑subjects. The Rebbe was named after his great‑grandfather, the third Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Lubavitch, with whom he later shared many characteristics.

TO SAVE A LIFE: There is a story told about the Rebbe's early life that seems to be almost symbolic of everything that was to follow. When he was nine years old, the young Menachem Mendel courageously dove into the Black Sea and saved the life of a lit‑ tle boy who had rowed out to sea and lost control of his small craft.

That sense of "other lives in dan‑ ger" seems to have dominated his consciousness; of Jews drowning in assimilation, ignorance or alien‑ ation‑‑and no one hearing their cries for help: Jews on campus, in isolated communities, under re‑ pressive regimes. From early child‑ hood he displayed a prodigious mental acuity. By the time he reached his Bar Mitzvah, the Rebbe was considered an illuy, a Torah prodigy. He spent his teen years im‑ mersed in the study of Torah.

MARRIAGE IN WARSAW: In 1929 Rabbi Menachem Mendel married the sixth Rebbe's daughter, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, in War‑ saw. (The Rebbetzin, born in 1901, was chosen by her father, the sixth Rebbe, to accompany him in his forced exile to Kostroma in 1927.

For sixty years she was the Rebbe's life partner; she passed away on 22 Sh'vat in 1988.) He later studied in the University of Berlin and then at the Sorbonne in Paris. It may have been in these years that his formi‑

LEARN MORE ON

CHABADNW.ORG/REBBE

Reflecting on 20 Years

PASSING:

dable knowledge of mathematics and the sciences began to blossom.

ARRIVAL IN THE U.S.A.: On Monday, Sivan 28, 5701 (June 23, 1941) the Rebbe and the Reb‑ betzin arrived in the United States, having been miraculously rescued, by the grace of Almighty G d, from the European holocaust. The Rebbe's arrival marked the launch‑ ing of sweeping new efforts in bol‑ stering and disseminating Torah and Judaism in general, and Chas‑ sidic teachings in particular, through the establishment of three central Lubavitch organizations under the Rebbe's leadership: Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch ("Central Organization For Jewish Educa‑ tion"), Kehot Publication Society, and Machne Israel, a social services agency. Shortly after his arrival, per his father‑in‑law's urging, the Rebbe began publishing his nota‑ tions to various Chassidic and kab‑ balistic treatises, as well as a wide range of response on Torah sub‑ jects. With publication of these works his genius was soon recog‑ nized by scholars throughout the world.

LEADERSHIP: After the passing of his father‑in‑ law, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneer‑ sohn, in 1950, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson reluctantly ascended to the leadership of the Lubavitch movement, whose headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, New York. Soon Lubavitch institu‑ tions and activities took on new di‑ mensions.

The outreaching philosophy of Chabad‑Lubavitch was translated into ever greater ac‑ tion, as Lubavitch centers and Chabad Houses were opened in dozens of cities and university cam‑ puses around the world.

On Monday after‑ noon (March 2, 1992), while pray‑ ing at the gravesite of his father‑in‑law and predecessor, the Rebbe suffered a stroke that para‑ lyzed his right side and, most devastatingly, robbed him of the ability to speak.

Two years and three months later, the Rebbe passed away in the early morning hours of the 3rd of the He‑ brew month of Tammuz, in the year 5754 from creation (June, 12 1994), orphaning a generation.

UNIQUENESS: With the Rebbe's teachings pro‑ pelling them and his example serv‑ ing as a beacon to emulate, Lubavitch has rapidly grown to be a worldwide presence, and all its various activities are stamped with his vision. Small wonder then, that many ask, "What is it about his leadership that was ‑‑ and, in so many ways, still is ‑‑ so unique?

Why do leading personalities of the day maintain such profound re‑ spect and admiration for him?"

PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE: Many leaders recognize the need of the moment and respond with courage and directions. This is their forte ‑‑ and an admirable one. Oth‑ ers, though their strength may not lie in "instant response" to current problems, are blessed with the abil‑ ity of perceptive foresight ‑‑ know‑ ing what tomorrow will bring and how to best prepare. Still other leaders excel in yet a third distinct area, possessing a keen sense of history and tradition; their advice and leadership is molded by a great sensitivity to the past.

But one who possessed all three qualities was truly unique, standing alone in leadership. Such was the Lubavitcher Rebbe ‑‑ the inspira‑ tion and driving force behind the success of Lubavitch today. Radiat‑ ing a keen sense of urgency, he de‑ manded much from his followers, and even more from himself. The Rebbe led, above else, by example.

INITIATION, NOT REACTION: He was a rare blend of prophetic vi‑ sionary and pragmatic leader, syn‑ thesizing deep insight into the present needs of the Jewish people with a breadth of vision for its fu‑ ture. In a sense, he charted the course of Jewish history ‑‑ initiat‑ ing, in addition to reacting to, cur‑ rent events. The Rebbe was guided by inspired insight and foresight in combination with encyclopedic scholarship, and all his pronounce‑ ments and undertakings were, first and foremost, rooted in our Holy Torah. Time and again, what was clear to him at the outset became obvious to other leaders with hind‑ sight, decades later.

EVERYONE'S UNIQUE ROLE: From the moment the Rebbe ar‑ rived in America in 1941, his bril‑ liance at addressing himself to the following ideal became apparent: He would not acknowledge division or separation. Every Jew ‑‑ indeed every human being ‑‑ has a unique role to play in the greater scheme of things and is an integral part of the tapestry of G d's creation.

For nearly five of the most critical decades in recent history, the Rebbe's goal to reach out to every corner of the world with love and concern has unfolded dramatically.

No sector of the community has been excluded ‑‑ young and old; men and women; leader and lay‑ man; scholar and laborer; student and teacher; children, and even in‑ fants.

He had an uncanny ability to meet everyone at their own level ‑‑ he ad‑ vised Heads of State on matters of national and international impor‑ tance, explored with professionals the complexities in their own fields of expertise, and spoke to small children with warm words and a fa‑ therly smile.

"ACTUALIZE YOUR POTENTIAL!" With extraordinary insight, he per‑ ceived the wealth of potential in each person. His inspiration, now accessible through his writings and videos, boosts the individual's self‑ perception, ignites his awareness of that hidden wealth and motivates a desire to fulfill his potential. In the same way, many a community has been transformed by the Rebbe's message, and been given ‑‑ directly or indirectly ‑‑ a new sense of pur‑ pose and confidence. In each case the same strong, if subtle, message is imparted: "You are Divinely gifted with enormous strength and energy ‑‑ actualize it!"

Jewish News 5

Jewish News

CHABAD

HAPPENINGS

IN

NORTHWEST

CT

CHABAD HEBREW SCHOOL IS NOW IN TWO LOCATIONS! Chabad Hebrew School features the Aleph Champ Hebrew reading pro‑ gram which is patterned after the martial arts motivational philoso‑ phy of moving up from level to level. This enables students on dif‑ ferent reading levels to work simul‑ taneously in the same classroom.

Aleph Champ has proven to be ex‑ tremely successful and is now used in Hebrew schools nationwide.

Aside from the Hebrew reading as‑ pect, the curriculum will include Jewish history as well as Practical Judaism which includes Mitzvahs and Jewish philosophy. At Chabad Hebrew School, the richness and beauty of our Jewish traditions come to life.

We believe that a childʼs Jewish learning must be creative, memo‑ rable and fun. Because at Chabad, children donʼt just love to learn about Judaism, they learn to love Judaism too. Instead of merely im‑ parting typical textbook lessons, our expert instructors share their own love and passion for Jewish life and teach by example too.

From lively interactive classroom discussions to exciting hands on learning programs, our unique

6 Jewish News

learning experience will engage, ex‑ cite, involve, and inspire young minds and hearts. Every student at Chabad Hebrew School is special and is encouraged to contribute and participate in each lesson, ac‑ tivity and discussion.

Our goal extends beyond giving stu‑ dents the basic skills and knowl‑ edge they need in preparation for their Bar or Bat Mitzvahs. We cre‑ ate a solid foundation of love for Jewish living and learning that will serve your children for the rest of their lives.

Chabad Hebrew School is only one day a week and no membership is required.

The First Taste Program is geared towards children ages 4 ‑ 6. The He‑ brew School is designed for stu‑ dents ages 7‑ 13.

We look forward to greeting your child at Hebrew School and making Judaism come alive for them ‑ mak‑ ing it a real, tangible part of their lives.

For more information, please visit www.chabadnw.org/hs. If you have any questions, you may reach the office by calling 800.297.6864.

Jewish News

CHABAD

HAPPENINGS

IN

NORTHWEST

CT

HAVE YOUR DAY IN OUR CALENDAR! A great way to show your loved ones that you are thinking of them on their special day and dedicate a date to them in our 5775 calendar! $36 for birthday greeting/anniver‑ sary/yahrtzeit.

calendar in honor of the Jewish New Year.

Visit www.chabadNW.org/cal to get YOUR name in our calendar today!

We look forward to printing a beau‑ tiful calendar for the entire commu‑ nity to enjoy all year round. With your help we will once again be able to provide this important serv‑ ice to the community.

Please visit chabadNW.org/CAL contact our office at 800.297.6864

by June 25, so that your listing can be included in next yearʼs calendar.

Here at the Chabad Lubavitch of Northwest Connecticut, we have begun working on our annual Jew‑ ish Art Calendar. This beautiful cal‑ endar, replete with thematic artwork and extensive information about upcoming Jewish holidays and occasions, has earned its place as Northwest CTʼs premier Jewish calendar.

Households throughout the area enjoy the large boxes, which have ample room for recording family appointments. Many turn to the Jewish Art Calendar for Shabbat and holiday candle lighting times, which are calculated for our area, and as their first source for infor‑ mation about Jewish holidays. Even recipes for traditional holiday foods are included!

Visit us at chabadNW.org/cal

This year we are offering our friends the opportunity to place listings in honor of birthdays, an‑ niversaries, yahrtzeits and other special occasions in the calendar for the modest donation of $36.00 per listing. There is nothing nicer than seeing oneʼs birthday or an‑

niversary, or the yahrtzeit of a loved one in the calendar, on the dates when they occur. There are other greeting or advertising op‑ tions as well.

The entire Jewish community re‑ ceives a complimentary copy of the

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF A GREAT CAMP EXPERIENCE! Have you heard about the latest summer adventure for kids in Northwest Connecticut? Only the Abraham and Chava Greenstein Camp Gan Israel could have had the ambition and creativity to create a camp that in its tenth year already has a schedule jam packed with ex‑ citing activities.

Director, Mina Eisenbach attributes the campʼs phenomenal success to a 3 pronged strategy, “creating an exciting environment, in which les‑

sons come alive and kids have a great time.” Camp Gan Israel offers transportation from most towns in the area.

98,000 children attending camps in North America, Europe, Australia, South America, and even Hong Kong.

In 1956, Chabad launched Gan Is‑ rael, an international network of summer camps, where children of all ages and walks of life learn to love their heritage while enjoying the best camp experience.

Gan Israel camps enjoy a well‑earned reputation as a trend‑ setter with innovative ideas, cre‑ ative programs, and new activities being introduced continuously.

Over 60% of the children that at‑ tend Gan Israel summer camps are from unaffiliated Jewish homes. To this end, introductory classes and

Camp Gan Israel is the largest and fastest growing network of Jewish camps in the world, with close to

exciting programs present Judaism in a relaxed, user‑friendly manner.

All campers enjoy a wide range of exciting activities and field trips in a warm and spirited atmosphere.

Gan Israel offers a comprehensive program, designed to strengthen the body and soul. Gan Israel pro‑ vides your child with a rich and wholesome summer vacation of fun and excitement along with friend‑ ship and a meaningful educational experience.

The real secret to our success lies in our outstanding staff. Our coun‑ selors, each of whom has prior camp experience, are chosen from across the globe for their warmth and ability to understand and care for each child. As a positive role model for your child, theyʼll culti‑ vate a friendship that lasts forever.

Their love for the children is sur‑ passed only by the childrenʼs love for them.

“Summer is a critical time in a childʼs life, a successful summer camp experience is more than a break from studies to let loose, every activity is a major learning experience,” says Mina Eisenbach.

“Our program is designed to let our camperʼs minds run wild, enjoying nature, crafts, sports and water ac‑ tivities, while building character and responsibility in a relaxed, fun atmosphere.”

For more information visit www.cgiNW.org or call 800.979.CAMP.

Jewish News 7

Jewish News

Shavuot JUNE 3 - JUNE 5, 2014

What is Shavuot?

Shavuot: June 3 ‑ 5, 2014 Shavuot is the second of the three major festivals (Passover being the first and Sukkot the third) and comes exactly fifty days after Passover. The Torah was given by G‑d to the Jewish people on Mount Sinai over 3,300 years ago. Every year on this day we renew our ac‑ ceptance of G‑dʼs gift.

The word Shavuot means “weeks”: It marks the completion of the seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot (the ʻOmerʼ period) during which the Jewish people prepared themselves for the giving of the Torah. During this time they cleansed themselves of the scars of slavery and became a holy nation ready to enter into an eternal covenant with G‑d with the giving of the Torah. Shavuot also means “oaths”, with the giving of the Torah, the Jewish people and G‑d exchanged oaths, forming an everlasting covenant, not to forsake one an‑ other.

we connect ourselves and our envi‑ ronment to G‑d. G‑dʼs purpose in creating the world is that we sanc‑ tify all of creation, imbuing it with holiness and spirituality.

The role of children Our Sages said that before G‑d gave the Torah to the Jewish people, He demanded guarantors. The Jews made a number of suggestions, all rejected by G‑d, until they declared, “Our children will be our guaran‑ tors that the Jewish people will cherish and observe the Torah”; G‑ d immediately accepted them and agreed to give the Torah. When the Torah is read in the synagogue on Shavuot, G‑d is actually giving the Torah anew. Therefore every Jewish man, woman and es‑ pecially children should make every effort to be present in a synagogue on Wednesday June 4th, as the Ten Commandments are read from the Torah.

The Giving of the Torah

What is the Torah?

The Torah is composed of two parts: the Written Law and the Oral Law. The written Torah contains the Five Books of Moses, the Prophets and the Writings. Together with the Written Torah, Moses was also given the Oral Law which explains and clarifies the Written law. It was transmitted orally from generation to generation and eventually tran‑ scribed in the Talmud and Midrash.

The word ʻTorahʼ means instruction or guide. The word ʻmitzvahʼ means both commandment and connec‑ tion. There are 613 command‑ ments.

The positive commandments (ʻdoʼ), numbering 248, are equivalent to the number of organs in the human body. The 365 negative command‑ ments (ʻdonʼt doʼ) are equivalent to the number of blood vessels in the human body. Through the study of Torah and fulfillment of mitzvahs 8 Jewish News

The giving of the Torah was a far‑ reaching spiritual event ‑ one that touched the essence of the Jewish soul then and for all time. Our Sages have compared it to a wed‑ ding between G‑d and the Jewish people. One of the many names of Shavuot is the Day of the Great Oath, (the word shavuah also means oath). On this day G‑d swore eternal devotion to us, and we in turn pledged everlasting loyalty to Him. On this day we received a gift (matan) from Above which we could not have achieved with our own limited faculties. We received the ability to reach and touch the Di‑ vine; not only to be cultivated human beings, but Divine human beings who are capable of rising above and beyond the limitations of nature.

Why wasnʼt the Torah given in Is‑ rael?

The Torah was given freely, in an ownerless public place. If it had

been given in the land of Israel, the nations of the world would say that they have no portion in it. Anyone who wishes to properly accept it is welcome to do so. Why was Mount Sinai chosen to be the site for the giving of the Torah? The conven‑ tional answer is that the choice of Mount Sinai was to teach us humil‑ ity, since Mount Sinai was the most humble of all mountains. If so, why was it not given in a low lying val‑ ley? Surely that would have been a stronger lesson in humility? Hence, we learn that a Jew must be able to distinguish between being proud and being arrogant. Arrogance is distasteful. Being proud of oneʼs roots is a virtue. The Torah there‑ fore, was given on a humble moun‑ tain.

themselves the custom of remain‑ ing awake all night.

The Ten Commandments

Additional Names of Shavuot

The holiday of Shavuot is the day on which we celebrate the great revelation of the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, 3326 years ago. You stood at the foot of the mountain. Your grandparents and great‑grandparents before them.

The souls of all Jews, from all times came together to hear the Ten Com‑ mandments from G‑d himself. This year, on Wednesday, June 4, go to your local synagogue to hear the Ten Commandments and reaffirm the covenant with G‑d and His Torah. Since we all stood at Mount Sinai, we must all reaffirm our com‑ mitment. Babies, young children, the elderly, all that are able should attend.

Shavuot is also called Atzeret mean‑ ing, The Completion, because to‑ gether with Passover it forms the

The Book of Ruth

completion of a unit. We gained our freedom on Passover in order to re‑ ceive the Torah on Shavuot. An‑ other name for Shavuot is Yom Habikurim or the Day of the First Fruits. In an expression of thanks to G‑d , beginning on Shavuot, each farmer in the Land of Israel brought an offering to the Temple of the first wheat, barley, grapes, figs pomegranates, olives and dates that grew in his field. Finally, Shavuot is also called Chag HaKatzir, the Festival of the Har‑ vest, because wheat, the last of the grains to be ready to be cut, was harvested at this time of the year.

In many synagogues the book of Ruth is read on the second day of Shavuot. There are several reasons for this custom: A) Shavuot is the birthday and yahrtzeit (day of pass‑ ing) of King David, and the book of Ruth records his ancestry. Ruth and her husband Boaz were King Davidʼs great‑grandparents. B) The scenes of harvesting, described in the book of Ruth are appropriate to the Festival of Harvest. C) Ruth was a sincere convert who embraced Ju‑ daism with all her heart. On Shavuot all Jews were converts hav‑ ing accepted the Torah and all of its precepts.

Learning on Shavuot night

Adorning the home with greenery and flowers

On the first night of Shavuot (this year Tuesday, June 3, 2014), Jews throughout the world observe the centuries‑old custom of conducting an all‑night vigil dedicated to Torah learning. One explanation for this tradition is that the Jewish people did not rise early on the day G‑d gave the Torah, and that it was nec‑ essary for G‑d Himself to awaken them. To compensate for their be‑ havior, Jews have accepted upon

It is customary on Shavuot to adorn the home and synagogue with fruits, flowers and greens. The rea‑ son is that in the time of the Tem‑ ple, the first fruits of harvest were given on Shavuot. As well, our Sages related that although Mount Sinai was situated in a desert, when the Torah was given the mountain bloomed and sprouted flowers.

NOTE: All arrangements should be

Jewish News done early on Tuesday, before the onset of the Holiday, to respect the sanctity of Shavuot.

Eating Dairy Foods It is customary to eat dairy foods on Shavuot. There are a number of rea‑ sons for this custom: With the giving of the Torah the Jews now became obligated to observe the laws of Kashruth. As the Torah was given on Shabbat no cattle could be slaughtered nor could utensils be koshered, and thus on that day they ate dairy. Another reason is that the Torah is likened to milk. The He‑ brew word for milk is chalav. When the numerical value of each of the letters in the word chalav are added together ‑ 8; 30; 2 ‑ the total is forty.

Forty is the number of days Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Torah.

Preparations On the first of Sivan, the first day of the third month after the exodus from Egypt, the children of Israel reached the desert of Sinai and camped near the mountain. During the few weeks of traveling in the desert under Divine protection, with daily miracles, such as the manna and the quail, the miracu‑ lous sweetening of the water, the defeat of Amalek, and the crossing of the Red Sea, the Jewish people had become more and more con‑ scious of G‑d. Their faith grew more intense daily, until they attained a standard of holiness, solidarity and unity, never achieved before or after by any other nation.

whatsoever toucheth the Mount shall surely die.”

them, for if G‑d Himself would con‑ tinue to give them the entire Torah,

The Revelation on Sinai

they would surely die. Moses told them not to be afraid, for G‑d had revealed Himself to them so that they would fear Him and not sin.

The dawn of the third day broke amid thunder and lightning that filled the air. Heavy clouds hung over the mountain, and the steadily growing sounds of the Shofar made the people shake and tremble with fear. Moses led the children of Is‑ rael out of the camp and placed them at the foot of Mount Sinai, which was all covered by smoke and was quaking, for G‑d had de‑ scended upon it in fire.

The sound of the Shofar grew louder, but suddenly all sounds ceased, and an absolute silence en‑ sued; and then G‑d proclaimed the Ten Commandments as follows: 1. “I am the Lord thy G‑d, Who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

2. “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor any manner of likeness, of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down unto them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy G‑d am a jealous G‑d, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children of the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me; and showing mercy unto the thousandth generation of them that love Me and keep My commandments.

3. “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy G‑d in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.

Moses ascended Mount Sinai, and G‑d spoke to him the following words: “Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: ʻYe have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eaglesʼ wings, and brought you unto Myself. Now, therefore, if ye will hearken unto My voice in‑ deed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be Mine own treasure from among all peoples; for all the earth is Mine; and ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and a holy na‑ tion.ʼ”

4. “Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is a Sabbath unto the Lord thy G‑d, in it thou shalt not do any manner of work, thou, nor thy

Moses returned from Sinai and called for the elders of the people and put all these words of G‑d be‑ fore them. Unanimously, with one voice and one mind, the people an‑ swered: Naaseh Venishma, “Every‑ thing G‑d has said, we shall do.”

Thus they accepted the Torah out‑ right, with all its precepts, not even asking for a detailed enumeration of the obligations and duties it in‑ volved. When Israel had voiced its eagerness to receive the Torah, G‑d spoke to Moses again: “Go unto the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments, and be ready against the third day; for on the third day the L‑rd will come down in the sight of all the people upon Mount Sinai. And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about saying: Take heed to your‑ selves, that ye go not up onto the Mount, or touch the border of it;

5. “Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy G‑ d giveth thee.

son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maid‑servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea and all that in them is, and rested on the seventh day; where‑ fore the Lord blessed the Sabbath Day, and hallowed it.

6. “Thou shalt not murder.

7. “Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Then G‑d asked Moses to ascend the mountain; for he alone was able to stand in the presence of G‑d.

There Moses was to receive the two tablets containing the Ten Com‑ mandments and the entire Torah, to teach it to the children of Israel.

Moses went up the mountain and stayed there forty days and forty nights, without food or sleep, for he had become like an angel. During this time, G‑d revealed to Moses the entire Torah, with all its laws and the interpretations thereof. Finally, G‑d gave Moses the two stone Ta‑ bles of Testimony, containing the Ten Commandments, written by G‑ d Himself.

*** SHAVUOT CALENDAR Tuesday 5 Sivan, 5774 • June 3, 2014 It is customary to decorate syna‑ gogues and homes with flowers and boughs.

Women and girls light candles tonight to usher in the holiday, please see right for lighting times and blessings.

It is customary to stay up and study Torah throughout the night to “make up” for the fact that our an‑ cestors slept late on the morning that they were to receive the Torah.

Wednesday 6 Sivan, 5774 • June 4, 2014 Torah Reading: Exodus 19:1–20:23 Haftorah: Ezekiel 1:1‑28, 3:12 Reading of the Ten Command‑ ments. All men, women and chil‑ dren should go to the synagogue to hear the reading of the Ten Com‑ mandments.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, encouraged the bringing of even the youngest of children to the reading of the Ten Commandments on Shavuot. This is in commemora‑ tion of the Jewish people declaring:

“Our children are our guarantors [that we will keep the Torah]”. This was the only guarantee acceptable to G‑d (Midrash). The Priests bless the congregation with the Priestly Blessing.

Many communities chant the poetic Akdamot.

It is customary to eat dairy foods on Shavuot, commemorating the fact that upon receiving the Torah and the laws of Kashrut, the Jewish peo‑ ple could not cook meat in their pots which had yet to be rendered Kosher.

*** Candle lighting (from an existing flame).

Thursday 7 Sivan, 5774 • June 5, 2014 Torah Reading: Deut. 14:22–16:17 Numbers: 28:26‑31 Haftorah: Habbakuk 2:20 – 3:19 The Yizkor memorial service is re‑ cited (and charity is pledged) for the souls of departed loved ones.

The Priests bless the congregation with the Priestly Blessing. Some communities read the Book of Ruth on Shavuot, as King David (whose passing occurred on this day) was a descendant of Ruth the Moabite.

CANDLE LIGHTING BLESSINGS Tuesday June 3, 2014 Blessings 1 & 2 Light Candles 8:04 pm Wednesday June 4, 2014 Blessings 1 & 2 Light Candles 9:13 pm* *Light from an existing flame. Do not light before time indicated.

1. BA‑RUCH A‑TAH ADO‑NAI E‑LO‑ HE‑NU ME‑LECH HA‑OLAM ASHER KID‑E‑SHA‑NU BE‑MITZ‑VO‑TAV VETZI‑VA‑NU LE‑HAD‑LIK NER SHEL YOM TOV. Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the holi‑ day light.

2. BA‑RUCH A‑TAH ADO‑NAI E‑LO‑ HE‑NU ME‑LECH HA‑OLAM SHE‑ HECHE‑YA‑NU VE‑KI‑YE‑MA‑NU VE‑HIGI‑A‑NU LIZ‑MAN HA‑ZEH. Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.

8. “Thou shalt not steal.

9. “Thou shalt not bear false wit‑ ness against thy neighbor.

10. “Thou shalt not covet thy neigh‑ borʼs house; thou shalt not covet thy neighborʼs wife, nor his manser‑ vant, nor his maid‑servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighborʼs.”

Moses Receives the Torah The entire people heard the words of G‑d, and they became frightened.

They begged Moses to be the intermediary between G‑d and

Jewish News 9

Jewish News

WISE CHARITABLE GIVING, THE REBBE RESPONDS TO A CHARITABLE FOUNDATION In the correspondence below, the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory, states his opinion on how a charita‑ ble foundation should distribute its funds. The Rebbe's two primary concerns are the amount of time it takes (spent on studies, surveys, etc.) before funds are actually dis‑ tributed, and the common approach of not dipping into a foundation's principle.

The letters are addressed to Mr. Irv‑ ing I. Stone, of blessed memory, the eldest son of Jacob Sapirstein.

Jacob founded the American Greet‑ ing card company in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1906, selling picture post‑ cards from a horse‑drawn wagon.

Together with his two younger brothers (all of whom Americanized their surname to Stone), Irving transformed American Greetings from a small family business into the world's largest publicly owned greeting card company.

Mr. Stone was a staunch supporter of many Jewish organizations and was scrupulous in ensuring that his funds were properly spent.

A short while after the passing of the family patriarch, the Stones es‑ tablished a fund in his memory.

Their goal was to educate the edu‑ cators in Jewish schools. In 1973, Mr. Stone, who greatly admired the Rebbe and had supported many Chabad‑Lubavitch institutions, wrote to the Rebbe. *** July 25, 1973 Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson 770 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn 13, New York Dear Rebbe: I am writing to you for your advice and guidance on how to solve a problem we are confronting in dis‑ tribution of funds from our Founda‑ tion. One of the chief objectives of

By the Grace of G‑d Rosh Chodesh Menachem‑Av 5733 [July 30, 1973]. Brooklyn, N.Y. Mr. I. I. Stone The Jacob Sapirstein Foundation Cleveland, O. Greeting and Blessing: After not hearing from you for some time ‑‑ though I have been re‑ ceiving indirect regards through mutual friends ‑‑ I was pleased to receive your letter of July 25th. I hasten to reply, because of the ob‑ vious importance of the subject matter, which has to do with the problem of how best and most ef‑ fectively to distribute funds from your Foundation to further Torah true Jewish education, and you ask for advice and guidance on the mat‑ ter.

Permit me, therefore, first of all, to point out some of the pitfalls which have hampered such highly desired objectives on the part of similar foundations. For the avoidance of these pitfalls is the first step in meeting the urgent needs.

It has often happened, unfortu‑ nately, in various areas of philan‑ thropy, that before actual distribution of funds is commenced, a preliminary and lengthy research or study program is initiated. While this approach is generally moti‑ vated by a desire to distribute funds more effectively, and may be com‑ mendable theoretically, the net re‑ sult has all too often been to delay actual distribution of funds ur‑ gently needed immediately, quite apart from the fact that substantial funds have thus been diverted from their main purpose. In our day and age, considering the state of emer‑ gency prevailing in Torah Chinuch [education], the delay is even more deplorable than the diversion of funds.

A further point, which is also men‑ tioned in your letter, is the preva‑ lent policy of foundations not to touch the principal at any time, but 10 Jewish News

to make distributions from income only. This policy, too, may be com‑ mendable in normal times, but in times of emergency such as now ex‑ ists, I believe that a more flexible policy is clearly called for. Obvi‑ ously, however substantial the in‑ come may be, it is only a fraction of the actual reserve; and where there is a case of life‑saving, some of the reserves should also be brought into play.

I repeat, I fully appreciate that both guiding principles mentioned above, with which I take issue, are unquestionably businesslike and well‑intentioned. But they are sound only in normal times.

The reality of the situation is, how‑ ever, that we live in abnormal times, and the abnormality of the situation has two facets, one nega‑ tive and one positive.

On the negative side, we see to our deep sorrow and dismay how a large and growing segment of our Jewish youth is utterly confused and alienated to such an extent that it is being written off in some quar‑ ters as a lost cause, G‑d forbid. Such a view is, of course, quite at vari‑ ance with the Torah view, unequiv‑ ocally expressed by our Sages of the Mishnah: "All Jews have a share in the World to Come, as it is writ‑ ten, but all your people are right‑ eous. . . the work of My Hands." In other words, the eternal destiny of each and every Jew is assured by G‑ d Himself, regardless of the present state in which the individual may be.

our Foundation is to further Torah True Jewish Education, through He‑ brew teacher training, regardless of the philosophy so long as it is Torah True.

Over the years we want to transfer funds from our Foundation and put them somewhere where all facets of Torah Judaism can be aided on a proportionate basis according to training programs. If the proper program can be inaugurated ‑‑ one which is effective, meaningful, and will guarantee that our aims will al‑ ways be followed, we contemplate marking periodic gifts which even‑ tually may total several million dol‑ lars. The principal at all times is to be retained intact, and the income is to be used to aid Torah True teacher training institutions, re‑ gardless of philosophy. Present in‑ stitutions should be helped as well as new ones which may be estab‑ lished in the future, and should in‑ stitutions change in philosophy or

Fortunately, just as Divine Provi‑ dence is in evidence in every thing, it is evidenced also in the fact that the negative side of the situation is compensated by the positive side of it. It is, that never before has there been a greater, more eager and honest desire on the part of our young generation to search for the truth, a desire matched by a deter‑ mination and readiness to accept challenge and re‑order the daily life accordingly ‑‑ so long as they are convinced that they have found the truth.

The combination of the said two factors, the negative and the posi‑ tive, makes it even more compelling to render the needed help immedi‑ ately, without delay and in the max‑ imum measure.

There are numerous borderline cases, where it is a matter of touch or go, where every minute is of the essence: Reach out to them ‑‑ and you save them; let go ‑‑ and they may drift away beyond reach. For the forces pulling them in the wrong direction are many and tremendous; forces that "call darkness ‑‑ light, and bit‑ ter ‑‑ sweet," and many of our boys and girls are constantly exposed to them with maximum vulnerability and minimum defenses.

The above may seem a lengthy pref‑ ace to my answer to your letter, but not too lengthy considering the vital import of the subject.

If you have in mind some kind of agency or program involving con‑ tingent investigative or coordina‑ tive functions ‑‑ then I have already expressed my view on it above. I rather hope, however, that you would consider, instead, beginning at once with direct allocations to Torah‑true institutions of Chinuch organizations which meet the qual‑ ifications you have set before you. I would also suggest, moreover, that in the next few years at any rate, some funds from the capital should augment the distribution from the income.

effectiveness, they no longer receive aid.

Reflecting on 20 Years

We feel a strong re‑ sponsibility to set up the proper pro‑ gram to further teacher training at Torah True insti‑ tutions in perpetuity. How to set up the correct program is of deep con‑ cern to us. Any help and sugges‑ tions you can give us in solving our problem will be greatly appreci‑ ated.

If the latter part of the suggestion still calls forth some hesitation, let me allay all such misgivings by the oft repeated assurance of our Sages that Tzedoko [charity] is analogous to a well, which replenishes itself.

Drawing water from such a well does not decrease the supply, while depriving oneself of the needed quantity does not increase it. Even more illuminating is the analogy from the use of the mind, especially in regard to knowledge and wisdom of the Torah. The teacher who teaches Torah, the more demand‑ ing the students and the more he teaches, the more he learns and the more he deepens his own knowl‑ edge. There is no need to elaborate on this to you.

I trust you will accept my sugges‑ tions even if, at first glance, they do not appear overly businesslike.

From what I have heard of you and know you, you are more concerned with persons and values than with hard business, and this is what we are concerned here with ‑‑ living persons and the eternal values of Toras Chaim [Torah of Life] and Toras Emes [Torah of Truth], which must be brought together, in order to save them and their future gen‑ erations.

May G‑d guide you in making the right decisions, and the Zechus Horabim [merit of the community] will be with you to do the right thing and to set a shining example to others, and to carry out your re‑ sponsibilities ‑‑ with the fullest co‑ operation and encouragement of your wife ‑‑ in good health and with gladness of heart.

With esteem and blessing, M. Schneerson

Jewish News

By the Grace of G‑d 13th of Cheshvan, 5734 [November 8, 1973] Brooklyn, N. Y. Mr. I. I. Stone, Cleveland, Ohio Greeting and Blessing: With further reference to our cor‑ respondence, I wish to emphasize here another point about the ur‑ gency and speed that should propel every activity for the strengthening of Yiddishkeit [Judaism] in general, and Torah Chinuch in particular.

In normal times, steady, albeit slow, progress might be satisfactory, and sometimes steady progress and speed may not even be compatible.

However, we live in "abnormal" times, when things move with whirlwind speed, and we must not lag behind the times in our method of tackling problems in the vital area of Torah and Chinuch. Indeed, in light of the Baal Shem Tov's teaching that a person must learn from everything around him how better to fulfill his purpose in life, especially in fundamental matters, the present jet age and supersonic speed should inspire the idea of time‑saving in the spiritual realm. A distance that not so very long ago took days and weeks to cover, can now be spanned in a matter of hours, and a message that took as

long to communicate can now be transmitted instantly. If this could be accomplished in the physical and material world, surely the same should be true in the spiritual realm, whether in the area of per‑ sonal achievement, or in the area of effecting a change in the environ‑ ment. To be satisfied with less in the realm of the spirit would be like arguing to return to the era of the horse and buggy on the ground that this was satisfactory in olden days, all the more so since spiritual matters have never been subject to the limitations of time and space.

Reflecting on 20 Years

If anyone may entertain any doubt about his ability to meet a chal‑ lenge which Divine Providence has thrown into his lap, suffice it to re‑ member that G‑d does not act despotically or capriciously, and most certainly provides the neces‑ sary capacity to meet the challenge, and to do so joyously, which is the way of all Divine service, as it is written, "Serve G‑d with joy," and which, incidentally, is a basic tenet of the Chasidic approach to all mat‑ ters.

With all good wishes, and With blessing, M. Schneerson

Jewish News 11

Jewish News

CHABAD

HAPPENINGS

Continued from cover A week earlier, on 27 June, an Air France plane was hijacked, by members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the German Revolutionary Cells, and flown to Entebbe, the main airport of Uganda. More than 100 Israeli and Jewish passengers remained as hostages and were threatened with death.

Israeli transport planes carried 100 comman‑ dos over 2,500 miles (4,000 km) to Uganda for the rescue operation which took place at night.

The operation lasted 90 minutes. 102 hostages

12 Jewish News

IN

were rescued. Five Israeli commandos were wounded and one, the unit commander, Lt. Col. Yonatan Netanyahu, was killed. All the hijack‑ ers, three hostages and 45 Ugandan soldiers were killed.

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Jewish News 13

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16 Jewish News

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CHABAD

HAPPENINGS

“AWAKEN” STAY UP ALL NIGHT TO TALK ABOUT OUR VALUES

IN

NORTHWEST

Continued from cover Every year, on the same date of the giving of the Torah, we celebrate this special day, by going to the synagogue and hearing the Ten Commandments. Remember! YOU are the guarantors of the Torah. So make sure to be there! (And bring your friends and family along too).

dairy foods.

Join us Wednesday June 4, 2014 At 6:00 PM.

There is another reason that we eat dairy on Shavuos. Upon receiv ing the Torah at Mount Sinai, the Jew‑ ish nation was born anew. Just like a baby drinks milk from its mother, we eat milk or dairy products on Shavuos.

After the reading of the Ten Com‑ mandments you can enjoy a dairy buffet dinner including blintzes, kugels and cheesecake.

Continued from cover Our tradition relates that the Jew‑ ish people did not rise early to be prepared for that revelation, and that it was necessary for G‑d Him‑ self to “awaken” them. To compen‑ sate for their behavior it is customary to stay up the entire first night of Shavuot studying Torah. Thus the reason for the name “tikkun leyl Shavuot” literal‑ ly translating “to fix the night of Shavuot.”

One of the things traditionally studied on Shavuot night is a com‑ pilation of parts of both the Writ‑ ten and the Oral Torah, entitled Tikkun Leil Shavuot. This compila‑ tion was organized centuries ago.

One noticeable feature of the com‑ pilation is that in it, each book in the Tanach and Mishna is begun

and concluded.

The reason for this stems from a teaching which we see applied in the Kedusha on Shabbos where we recite the first and last verses of the S'hma prayer. This is because during our exile in Persia, the king forbade the saying of S'hma. In order to circumvent the decree, hese verses were added to Ke‑ dusha, so it would be considered as if we had said the whole S'hma prayer. Similarly on Shavuot, we learn the beginning and end of each part of the Torah, so by the end of the night, it is as if we had learned the Torah in its entirety.

CT

Why eat dairy? Before the visit from G‑d, Jews did not keep kosher or follow the Kashrut (dietary) laws. It was on the first Shavuot that they found out that their uten‑ sils were nonkosher and thus unfit for use. So finding themselves with‑ out kosher meats or utensils the Is‑ raelites were forced to eat only

Another reason we eat dairy on Shavuos is because the word “cholov” (milk) has the numerical value of forty. This corresponds to the forty days which Moses spent on Mount Sinai to receive the Torah.

This program is open to all mem‑ bers of the community, no matter oneʼs religious affiliation, and one need not be a member of any syna‑ gogue or temple to attend. Please call 860.567.3609 for reservations or more information or email of‑ fice@chabadNW.org.

“Tikkun leyl Shavuot” will begin at 11:00 pm you can choose your topic, be it Talmud, Kaballah or current Jewish issues.

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Jewish News 17

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ON GIVING CHARITY BEFORE KINDLING SHABBAT CANDLES By the Grace of G d

tial things which the Torah wants us to remember par‑ ticularly.

Rоsh Chodesh Sivan, 5735 [May 11, 1975]. Brooklyn, N.Y.

It is also a matter of common experi‑ ence that when people want to make sure they will not forget cer‑ tain matters, they do all sorts of things to help them remember.

Miss […]

Blessing and Greeting: This is in reply to your letter of the 17th of Iуar, in which you inquire about the significance of the dollar bill you received in connection with the Candle Lighting Campaign.

Actually there are many aspects in‑ volved, but I must limit myself here to one or two. But first а few words leading up to the subject.

As you know, Jews are commanded to remember and do all the Mitzvoth of our Torah, Toras Chaim (the practical guide in our daily life). But there are certain Mitzvoth which the Torah specifically em‑ phasizes by the commandment ‫רוכז‬ – "Remember!" Such, to mention a familiar example, is one of the Ten Commandments: "Remember the Shabbos day to keep it holy." So also the commandment to remember Yetzias Mitzraim [Exodus from Egypt] every day of the year, and so other commandments. The most central of all such remembrances is to remember the day of our receiv‑ ing the Torah at Mt. Sinai, which we are to celebrate soon on Shavuos: "Beware lest you forget the things

Reflecting on 20 Years

which your eyes saw the day when you stood before G d your G d at Chorev (Sinai)."

It is self evident why the Torah commands us to remember those very important events, for а Jew lives in a world which hustles and bustles with all sorts of material things, which distract his attention from the truly important and eter‑ nal things. We are speaking, of

course, even of "Kosher" things such as eating and drinking and doing business, etc. ‑‑ all in accor‑ dance with the Shulchan Aruch [Code of Jewish Law]. Yet, inasmuch as a person is inevitably involved with such things for the most part of the day, day after day in а rou‑ tine manner, he may become too much absorbed in them so as to for‑ get the very important and essen‑

In light of the above, the Torah has given us certain Mitzvoth which, in addition to all other meanings, are notable "reminders." Again, to men‑ tion а familiar example, the Mezuzo (in addition to everything else) reminds the Jew upon leaving and returning home that G d Who is our very life and strength is One, etc., as [is inscribed] in the portion of Shеmа which the Mezuzo con‑ tains. Similarly upon arising from sleep in the morning, we recite а prayer in which we declare that our soul, which G d returns to us every morning, is pure, etc. And so there are many Mitzvoth which con‑ stantly help us to remember our real purpose in life – to serve G d in all our ways. There are Mitzvoth which serve as reminders to all Jews, since all Jews are equal in re‑ gard to the observance of those Mitzvoth. But there are also Mitzvoth which apply to certain groups only, such as Kohanim. In each case there are specific re‑

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minders for those concerned.

This brings us to the subject matter of your letter.

One of the most important and most beautiful Mitzvoth is the light‑ ing of the candles before Shabbos and Yom Tov [Jewish holidays], and it was given as а special privilege to Jewish women, mothers and daughters, to do it not only for themselves, but also for the whole family and household. Obviously, everyone in the home enjoys the advantages of the light of the can‑ dles, illuminating the home as well as the table at which the members

of the family sit down for the Shab‑ bos and Yom Tov meal.

The importance of this Mitzvo [Di‑ vine precept] goes deeper than merely illuminating the home in the plain sense, for it makes it а bright home also spiritually, in ac‑ cordance with the text of the bless‑ ing recited before lighting the candles – "...Who sanctified us with His commandments." Hence it is highly desirable that such an im‑ portant Mitzvo should have a spe‑ cial "reminder" that would further emphasize the deeper significance of this Mitzvo. There could be vari‑

ous things which could serve as re‑ minders of the Mitzvo. The most suitable one would be a reminder that is not too cumbersome, yet at the same time expresses the signif‑ icance of such а great Mitzvo as lighting the candles. Thus the most suitable way is to connect it with money, since money is the medium wherewith one fulfills the Mitzvo of Tzedoko, its being an especially great Mitzvo since the giver could have used the money to buy his own needs, yet gives it selflessly to a needy person, and thereby does an act of lifesaving, as cur Sages have emphasized.

The special relevance of Tzedoko to the lighting of candles before Shab‑ bos and Yom Tov is in the fact that, as our Sages relate, lighting the candles is an act of rectification of а wrongdoing committed by the first woman and mother of all mankind, namely Chava (Eve) who caused "the candle of G d which is the soul of man" ‑‑ of Adam ‑‑ to be extinguished through the sin of eat‑ ing the forbidden fruit. By lighting the candles, the Jewish mother and daughter rectifies the act of putting out the said "candle." It is therefore particularly relevant to associate candle lighting with Tzedoko, for Tzedoko too is an act of lifesaving, as mentioned above.

This, then, is briefly one of the meanings for the dime or dollar bill

Reflecting on 20 Years

which accompa‑ nied the Candle Lighting Cam‑ paign, and which is intended for Tze‑ doko, or, if one wants to keep that particular dime or dollar bill as а memento, one has to substitute it by an equal amount for Tzedoko. All this is in‑ tended to call attention and empha‑ size the importance of the lighting of the candles for the person light‑ ing them and for the whole Jewish home.

May G d grant that you should ful‑ fill this great Mitzvo with joy and inspiration. And inasmuch as the great principle of our Torah is V'O‑ havto L'Reacho Komocho [Love your fellow as yourself], you will surely use your good influence with friends and neighbors that they too observe this great Mitzvo in a simi‑ lar way.

At this time before Shovuos, the Festival of Mattan Torah [The giv‑ ing of the Torah],1 I extend to you and all your family my prayerful wishes for а happy and inspiring Yom Tоv, and the traditional bless‑ ing of receiving the Torah with joy and inwardness. May the joy аnd inspiration of this great Yom Tov be with you throughout the year.

With blessing, M. Schneerson

Jewish News 19

Jewish News

JEWISH FUNERAL PAGE SHIVA: THE BASICS

The shivah and other mourning ob‑ servances

I. PHASES OF MOURNING There are five stages to the mourn‑ ing process: 1) Aninut, pre‑burial mourning. 2‑3) Shivah, a seven day period following the burial; within the Shivah, the first three days are characterized by a more intense de‑ gree of mourning. 4) Shloshim, the 30‑day mourning period. 5) The First Year (observed only by the children of the deceased).

II. BASIC MOURNING OBSERVANCES Note: What follows is only a very basic outline of the laws of mourn‑ ing. for a more comprehensive sum‑ mary visit chabadNW.org, or consult a qualified rabbi.

A. Who Mourns: The laws of mourning described below are incumbent upon seven first‑degree relatives of the de‑ ceased: son or daughter, brother or sister, father or mother, and spouse (husband or wife). The other rela‑ tives and friends form the more outer circle of mourning, and offer support and comfort to the primary mourners.

B. Aninut: The first, most intense period of mourning is the period between the death and the burial. This period, called aninut, is characterized by a numbing, paralyzing grief. During this period, the first degree rela‑ tives' all‑consuming concern are the funeral and burial arrange‑ ments, to the extent that they are absolved by Torah law from the ob‑ servance of allmitzvot requiring ac‑ tion (praying, laying tefillin, etc.).

It is during this period that the k'riah, or rending of the garments as a sign of grief, is performed. (Ac‑ cording to the custom of some com‑ munities, k'riah is performed immediately following the death or upon receiving news of the death; the more common custom is that the first degree mourners tear their clothes during the funeral cere‑ mony, before the burial.)

Our sages instruct, "do not comfort the mourner during the time that his deceased lies [still unburied] be‑ fore him." At this point, the grief is too intense for any effort at conso‑ lation. It is a time to simply be with the mourner and offer practical as‑ sistance, rather than words of con‑ solation. It is a time of silence, not words.

C. The Shivah

The Shivah begins after the burial, and extends to the morning of the seventh day. The distinguishing fea‑ ture of the Shivah is that the mourners take an almost complete break from the routines and in‑ volvements of everyday life to focus exclusively on the memory of the departed and the manner in which they will honor him or her in their lives, and receive consolation from their extended family, friends, and the community.

The basic practices of the Shivah are: 1. Condolence Meal: When the mourners arrive home from the cemetery following the burial, they are given a special meal of condo‑ lence ‑‑traditionally, bagels and hard‑boiled eggs, whose round shape is symbolic of the cycle of life.

2.

The House of Mourning: For the entire week of the Shivah, the mourners remain in the house of mourning, and their relatives, friends and members of the com‑ munity come to fulfill the mitzvahof nichum aveilim (consoling the mourner) and participate in prayers, Torah study, the giving of charity and other mitzvot per‑ formed in the merit of the departed.

During the prayer services, the mourners recite the Kaddish.

It is best to "sit shivah" in the home of the deceased, so that the prayers and good deeds performed in his or her merit take place in his or her "place" and environment.

4.

Consoling the Bereaved (making a "Shivah Call"): It is a great mitzvah to console the be‑ reaved. This is done by visiting the mourner in the house of mourning during Shivah, talking about the life and deeds of the person being mourned, participating in the prayers and other activities done in merit of the departed, or simply being there for the mourner.

Before leaving, the visitors extend the traditional words of consolation to the mourners: Hamakom yenachem etchem b'toch she'ar aveilei tzion v'yerushalayim ‑‑ "May G‑d comfort you, together with all mourners of Zion and Jerusalem."

5.

We are there to be support‑ ive, to visit, to listen, but not to place a burden by expecting false joviality and plastic smiles from the bereaved. No mourner should, G‑d forbid, feel obliged to put on a "nice face" for others.

6.

Daily Minyan. A minyan (prayer quorum) should gather for the three daily prayers in the house of mourning, so that the mourners can participate in a communal prayer service and recite the Kad‑ dish. A Torah Scroll should be bor‑ rowed, for use on days on which the Torah is read. If no minyan can be assembled, the mourners should leave the house of mourning to at‑

tend services with the congrega‑ tion.

7.

Memorial Candles. Candles should be kindled in the house of mourning in memory of the de‑ ceased, attesting to the presence of the "candle of G‑d [that is] the soul of man" (Proverbs 20:27). The can‑ dles are kindled upon returning from the cemetery and kept burn‑ ing for the entire seven‑day period of Shiva. According to the Kab‑ balah, five candles should be lit, representing the five levels of the soul. (Special Shivah candles are usually provided by the funeral di‑ rector.)

8.

Covering the Mirrors. It is a time‑honored tradition to cover the mirrors and pictures in the house of mourning from the moment of death to the end of Shivah. While the custom is of uncertain origin, its practice is appropriate to the pattern of mourning (see "Leather Shoes" below).

9.

"Sitting" Shivah: It is an an‑ cient Jewish tradition that mourn‑ ers, during Shivah, do not sit upon chairs of normal height, but rather on low stools.

10.

Leather Shoes: The mourner forgoes the comfort of leather shoes during Shivah. The stockinged feet or less substantial

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3.

Working and Conducting Business: One of the most funda‑ mental laws of Jewish mourning (over three thousand years old, and later recorded by the prophet Ezekiel), is the prohibition of work‑ ing and doing business during Shivah.

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20 Jewish News

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Jewish News shoes of bereavement is symbolic of a disregard of vanity and com‑ fort in order better to concentrate on the deeper meaning of life.

11.

Grooming: The mourner does not shave or cut his hair, nor does he bathe or shower for pleas‑ ure, during Shivah. Laundering or wearing freshly laundered clothes is also proscribed, as is the acquisi‑ tion or wearing of new clothes (if the only clothes available are soiled, they may be washed). The mourner wears the torn garment on which he or she performed the k'riah throught the Shivah.

12.

Marital Relations: Mourn‑ ers refrain from marital relations during Shivah.

13.

Music or Entertainment: Mourners do not enjoy the sound of music, or any other forms of amuse‑ ment or entertainment.

14.

Torah Study: The study of Torah is not permitted during Shivah, for it is considered a source of profound delight. As the Bible it‑ self expresses it, "The laws of G‑d are righteous and rejoice the heart." However, the mourner is permitted to read the laws of mourning and study books on ethi‑ cal behavior and other parts of Torah that are of a non‑joyous na‑ ture.

15.

Shabbat: During Shabbat, all public displays of mourning are suspended. Shortly before the holy day begins, the mourners bathe and put on their Shabbat clothes. On Shabbat, they may also leave the

house of mourning to attend serv‑ ices and recite the Kaddish in the synagogue.

16.

"Getting Up" from the Shivah. Shivah ends on the morning of the seventh day after burial (with the day of the burial counting as the first day), immediately follow‑ ing the morning service. Those present extend condolences, and the mourners rise from their week of mourning to resume the nor‑ malcy of everyday life.

D. The Sheloshim and the First Year: Even as the mourner resumes his or her everyday routine after the Shivah, certain mourning practices, such as not purchasing or wearing new clothes, cutting one's hair, en‑ joying music or other form of enter‑ tainment, and participating in joyous events (weddings, etc.), are continued for a period of thirty days (beginning from the day of the burial).

In the case of a person mourning the passing of a parent, these mourning practices extend for a full year. (Regarding the cutting of the hair, the law provides for the principle of "social reproach." This means that those in mourning for a parent may cut their hair after 30 days at the first instance of even mild reproach or criticism by friends or neighbors. Immediately after this social reproach, the mourner is permitted to take a hair‑ cut.)

In Summation: Jewish tradition provides a frame‑ work to channel and express our grief over the loss of a loved one, from the stupefying grief of Aninut, to the seclusion, break from rou‑ tine, and receiving of condolence of theShivah, to the subsequent re‑ sumption of everyday life whilst continuing certain mourning ritu‑ als during the Sheloshim and the First Year.

bles established by the Torah has been attested to time and again by anyone who, G‑d forbid, undergoes this process. The Torah's mourning laws provide the outlet and valida‑ tion for our grief so crucial to the healing process, as well as the framework to graduate from one level of mourning to another, until our loss is integrated as a construc‑ tive, and not, G‑d forbid, destruc‑ tive, force in our lives.

It is important to meticulously ob‑ serve these guidelines and rituals; it is equally important that they not be exceeded. At times, the mourner may not consciously feel the degree or type of grief and mourning these rituals convey; other times, he or she may not feel prepared to "move on" to the next, lesser phase of mourning. Yet the wisdom of adher‑ ing to the observances and timeta‑

But the traditional mourning prac‑ tices are not only about us and how we deal with our grief. They are, first and foremost, about the per‑ son whom we mourn. The mourn‑ ing and memorializing rituals mandated by the Torah empower us with the spiritual tools with which to honor the departed soul and assist its elevation to its new, higher state of life.

***

Jewish News 21

Jewish News

THE OHEL During our long journey through history, the holy resting places of our righteous forebears have served as spiritual oases in times both joyuos and sad. These gravesites, such as Mother Rachel's and King David's, referred to in the Bible and Talmud, have provided solace to millions.

study and some degree of spiritual stock‑taking.

During the Rebbe's lifetime, espe‑ cially in his later years, he would frequent the gravesite of his father‑ in‑law, the sixth Rebbe, Rabbi Joseph Isaac Schneersohn, two, three, even four times a week, bringing people's troubles, joys and prayer‑requests of all sorts to the holy resting place. The Rebbe would painstakingly read thou‑ sands of notes, then tear and leave them at the grave.

As in the Rebbe's lifetime, stories abound of miraculous reprieve re‑ sulting from a gravesite visit. This should come as no surprise as we recognize the Rebbe's life‑span as a continuum of spirituality and holi‑ ness. While on this earth the Rebbe related to G‑d on higher plains, our Sages tell us that after leaving the physical constraints this only inten‑ sifies.

Now chassidim, Jews and non‑Jews from all walks of life come from around the world to the Rebbe's gravesite for blessing, meditation and spiritual guidance.

There are numerous observances related to visiting the Rebbe's rest‑ ing place, such as refraining from food (though not drink) before the visit, removing leather shoes before entering the Ohel (as did Moses be‑ fore nearing the burning bush), and more.

But, most importantly, one goes not to the Rebbe without the minimal preparation of charity giving, Torah

22 Jewish News

"The righteous are greater in death than during their lifetime," say our Sages. Commentaries explain that while freed from their physical lim‑ itations they are able to be even more unconstrained in their con‑ cern for us left down below.

But as during his lifetime, praying in the Rebbe's presence has not only a salutary, redemptive effect, but motivates and charges one to continue, indeed to strengthen, one's thought, speech and actions in the realm of goodness and kind‑ ness.

In fact, again as in the Rebbe's life‑ time, many carefully observe the custom of adding a resolution to en‑ hance one's mitzvah observance to a letter one writes to the Rebbe; these are the "conduits" through which G‑d's blessings can flow.

The visceral experience at the

Rebbe's grave site, has the potential to fuse the supplicant and the Rebbe together in spirit, in an expe‑ rience of unmitigated truth. One stands before the Rebbe sensitized and uplifted to examine one's rela‑ tionship with G‑d and purpose on earth.

One prays for the spiritual and physical wellbeing of one's own self, one's loved ones and the entire Jewish People.

Many who remember the Rebbe go not only to pray, but to re‑experi‑ ence, relive the moments of spiri‑ tual elevation one had in the Rebbe's presence in his lifetime.

One cannot help but be affected, be charged with a renewed, uplifted spirit, a deep sense of renewal.

The Ohel: An Overview "The Ohel" is where the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, was laid to rest on the 3rd of Tam‑ muz 5754 (June 12, 1994), next to his father‑in‑law, the sixth Lubav‑ itcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Y. Schneersohn, of righteous memory.

The term Ohel (lit. "tent") refers to the structure built over the resting place of a Tzaddik, a righteous per‑ son. It is also known as "The Tziyun," or "marker."

During our long, painful journey

Reflecting on 20 Years

through history, the holy resting places of our right‑ eous forebears have served as spiritual oases.

While Jewish law and tradition dic‑ tate that a person direct his prayers only to G d, and not to any other en‑ tity, the resting place of a righteous person is considered hallowed ground, a place where ones suppli‑ cation to the Almighty are heard in the merit of the holy soul connected with this place. Gravesites such as Mother Rachel's and King David's, referred to in the Bible and Talmud, have provided solace to millions.

During the Rebbe's lifetime, he would frequent the resting place of his father‑in‑law, the sixth Rebbe (Rabbi Joseph Isaac Schneersohn) two, three, four, sometimes even six times a week, bringing peoples troubles and prayer‑requests to the holy resting place. The Rebbe re‑ sponded to hundreds of thousands of people by writing (in Hebrew), "I will mention [your request] at the tziyun." He would painstakingly read every single of the thousands of notes, then tear and leave them at the grave, perhaps as a physical memento of the supplicant.

Now chassidim, Jews and non‑Jews from all walks of life come from around the world to the Rebbe's

Jewish News Women should be modestly dressed, and married women should wear a head cover‑ ing that covers their hair entirely (these are available in the courtyard behind the house).

Reflecting on 20 Years

It is customary not to wear leather shoes in the Ohel (slippers are available in the courtyard behind the house).

Candles may be lit on the desig‑ nated shelves in the Ohel's ante‑ chamber (candles are available in the courtyard behind the house). resting place for blessing, spiritual guidance and inspiration.

able background, occupation and faith.

Why Use the Motherʼs Name When Praying for Someone?

There are numerous observances related to visiting the Rebbe's rest‑ ing place, such as refraining from food (though not drink) before the visit, removing leather shoes before entering the mausoleum (as did Moses before nearing the burning bush), and more.

Today people continue to send let‑ ters to be placed at the Ohel for the Rebbe's guidance and intervention On High, in the age‑old tradition of written prayer petitions at our holi‑ est sites.

When praying for a person in a dire predicament, such as an ill individ‑ ual, his or her Hebrew name is men‑ tioned along with his/her mother's name. For example, "Avraham ben (the son of) Devorah" or "Rachel bat (the daughter of) Chaya." (The same holds true when requesting a bless‑ ing from the righteous, the "Tzadik." It is customary to write in the note the names and mother's names of all those on whose behalf the petitioner is requesting a bless‑ ing or prayer.)

But most important is the prepara‑ tion of charity, learning and spiri‑ tual stock‑taking.

The visitation center near the Ohel is open 24 hours a day. If one is un‑ able to come in person one may join the hundreds of thousands who send letters to be placed at the Ohel.

Send a Letter to the Rebbe OBM Throughout his lifetime, the Rebbe received hundreds of letters every day, from people of every conceiv‑

Whether referring to one's own self or mentioning someone else's name in a letter, one should always in‑ clude the name and mother's name (e.g. Isaac the son of Sarah) of both the one(s) who are in need of bless‑ ing and the signer. (See below Why is a personʼs motherʼs name men‑ tioned when praying on his/her be‑ half?) It is preferable to use one's Jewish name. (Customarily gentiles use their father's name.) Letters can be written in any language. Letters can be e‑mailed to: ohel@ohelch‑ abad.org or faxed directly to the Ohel at: (718) 723‑4444

The source for mentioning the name of the individual's mother is King David's entreaty (Psalms 116:16): "Please, O Lord, for I am Your servant; I am Your servant the son of Your maidservant," wherein he specifies his mother (although his father was also a very righteous person).

We can always be sure who a per‑ son's mother is, whereas the fa‑ ther's identity is never absolutely unquestionable. When praying for someone's life, we obviously do not want to confuse his/her identity through using mistaken lineage.

On a deeper level, a Jew's spiritual essence is inherited via his or her mother, as evidenced by the fact that Judaism is passed down ma‑ trillineally. When praying for an‑ other, we want to emphasize their essential and eternal link to G d, as derived from their mother's side.

Ideally, Jewish names should be used for prayer. If, however, only the mother's non‑Jewish name is known, it should be mentioned, as in "…ben (or bat) Elizabeth." In a case when the person's mother's name is entirely unknown, the ill person's name should be appended with "…ben (or bat) Sarah," refer‑ ring to the matriarch Sarah, who is the mother of all Jewish people.

May we only need pray for contin‑ ued good health for us all!

Appropriate Conduct at the Ohel Before entering the Ohel, it is cus‑ tomary to write a letter to the Rebbe. Whether referring to one's own self or mentioning someone else's name in a letter, one should always include the name and mother's name (e.g., Isaac the son of Sarah). It is preferable to use one's Hebrew name. (It is customary that Gentiles use their father's name.)

Men should wear a kippah or a hat.

In The Ohel There are separate entrances for men and women. Some have the custom to knock on the door before entering, as a sign of respect.

It is customary to verbally read one's letter (albeit quietly), then tear it up and place it in the en‑ closed area.

Customary prayers include the Ma'aneh Lashon and Psalms. Sug‑ gested chapters of Psalms include the Rebbe's chapter, Psalm 112, and the chapter corresponding to one's age (e.g., Chapter 31 for some‑ one aged 30). There are Ma'aneh Lashons and books of Psalms in the Ohel's ante‑chamber.

As a sign of respect, it is customary to exit the Ohel walking backwards.

DIRECTIONS TO THE OHEL 226‑20 Francis Lewis Blvd. (between 226th Street & 227th Street) Cambria Heights, NY 11411 Tel.: (718) 723‑4545 ‑ Fax: (718) 723‑4444 *** • From Midtown Manhattan: Take the Queens Midtown Tunnel, onto the Long Island Expressway East, to the Cross Island Parkway South (Exit 30S) to Linden Boule‑ vard (Exit 25B), turn right onto Lin‑ den Boulevard, to 227th Street (7 blocks), turn left onto 227th Street, to Francis Lewis Boulevard (4 blocks). The house is on the oppo‑ site side of the street.

• From Uptown Manhattan: Take the Triborough Bridge, onto the Grand Central Parkway East, to Francis Lewis Boulevard South (Exit 20B), take Francis Lewis Boulevard for approx. 3 miles, to the last house on the right before the ceme‑ tery (approx. 1/4 mile after 121st Avenue).

• From Connecticut: Take the 95 South to the White‑ stone Bridge, or the Throgs Neck Bridge, onto the Cross Island Park‑ way South, to Linden Boulevard (Exit 25B), turn right onto Linden Boulevard, to 227th Street (7 blocks), turn left onto 227th Street, to Francis Lewis Boulevard (4 blocks). The house is on the oppo‑ site side of the street.

Jewish News 23

Jewish News

Reflecting on 20 Years

THE POWER OF THE OHEL

compromised: I would stay home, but they would go to the Ohel and ask the Rebbe for a blessing on my behalf.

Learn more on chabadNW.org/Rebbe

It was exactly five years ago, June 2007, that my friends at Chabad of Riverdale were going to the Ohel, the resting place of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory.

The group was to travel to the Queens cemetery in honor of Gim‑ mel Tammuz, the anniversary of his passing. I had joined the group the year before, but when I recalled how hot and crowded it had been I re‑ fused to go again.

At the time I was unemployed and looking for a new teaching position.

Prayers said at the gravesite of a righteous person are particularly potent, so a friend suggested I go along to pray for my job prospects.

Considering I had never been fortu‑ nate enough to meet the Rebbe dur‑ ing his lifetime, the idea of writing a letter requesting his blessing – and then praying to G d at his gravesite ‑ seemed almost absurd. I felt I had a much bigger chance of success if I just worked on my resume and in‑ terviewing skills some more. But my friends pushed, and in the end we

The next Shabbat my friend let me know that she had indeed prayed for me, and although I was still skep‑ tical, I thanked her politely. Needless to say, I didnʼt give it another thought.

I continued my job search, attending a career fair a couple of weeks later.

I was specifically looking for a re‑ source room position, which is often the hardest type to find because it is an out‑of‑classroom position. The fair was incredibly crowded and out of all the education‑related jobs being offered, only one was for the resource room. The line was long, but I waited. I talked to the school representative and was – incredibly – among those invited for an inter‑ view.

The following day I put on my best outfit and headed to the school which was in a predominantly Latino neighborhood, in the Bronx.

I parked, took one last glance in the mirror, locked the door and started towards the school. But as I crossed the street, something caught my eye. It was small and crumpled and

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24 Jewish News

looked like it had been run over by car after car for days. I picked it up and stared in disbelief. It was a pic‑ ture of the Lubavitcher Rebbe!

Whose was it and how did it get there? I had no idea. But I placed it in the pocket of my navy blue blazer and continued on to my interview.

Fortunately, I was offered the job and it turned into a wonderful teaching experience. I was happy, the school was happy, and I couldnʼt help but think the Rebbe was happy too. In fact, when I told one of the counselors at the Chabad of Riverdale Gan Israel Day Camp about my experience, she smiled and said, “See, you refused to go to the Rebbe, so he came to you.”

Within a few short years the school I loved was being phased out due to low test scores, and it eventually closed in June of 2011. I spent my summer sending out countless re‑ sumes and attending job fair after job fair, but nothing turned up. I was feeling very disheartened when my friend and Rebbetzin, Sorah Shem‑ tov, suggested we go to the Ohel.

This time I agreed.

So there we were, on a hot summer Friday, making the journey from the Bronx to Queens. Iʼd had an inter‑

view scheduled for that morning and suggested postponing the trip, but Sorah insisted we go after my in‑ terview. Despite my previous expe‑ rience, I still had a niggling thought that I would probably be better off at home sending out yet more re‑ sumes. To add to the mix, it was a beautiful day and I couldnʼt help but wish I was sitting poolside instead of driving through Queens. But Sorah obviously wasnʼt fazed by the weather. In fact, going to the Ohel probably only added to the beauty of the day for her! So I took her cue and perked up.

When we arrived, I wrote my letter to the Rebbe, gave some coins to tzeddakah (charity), read the Maaneh Lashon prayer, tore up my letter and placed it at the Rebbeʼs headstone.

By the time we were driving back to the Bronx, I had received two phone calls from principals in two different schools. One I had interviewed with that morning; the other I had met with the week before. Both were po‑ sitions I very much wanted, and both were positions in great de‑ mand.

And both were calling to offer me the job.

Jewish News

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www.statelinewine.com 13 EAST MAIN ST, CANAAN NEXT TO STOP & SHOP PHONE 860.824.7295 OPEN MON-FRI 9am-8pm; SAT 9am-8pm

www.ledgebrookwines.com ROUTE 44,WINSTED NEXT TO STOP & SHOP PHONE 860.379.4216 OPEN MON-THU 8am-8pm; FRI-SAT 8am-9pm

As a premier service company, we provide a full array of human resource and payroll services from your basic payroll needs to a full service hr package. Some of these include online hr payroll, workers comp pay as you go, time and attendance, direct deposit, tax filing, and benefits administration, with 24/7 access

Sales Department P: (860) 838 6261 x100 F: (860) 838 6299 E: sales@iesprhr.com 34 Jerome Avenue, Suite 216 Bloomfield, CT 06002

Major Credit Cards Accepted

HC Lawn Service

Dutch Flower Lady FLORAL BOUTIQUE

Lawn Care Fence Installation Tree Removal Yard Cleanup PO Box 147 Thomaston, CT 06787 203.768.5881 203.879.1188

SUSAN OCCHINO 180 Grand Street Waterbury, Connecticut 06702 Phone (203) 419-0232 Email DutchFlowerLady@aol.com Website: www:.dutchflowerlady.com Jewish News 25

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Nicholas & Son Land Services Since 1997

Lawn Care & Snow Removal 860-868-7456 The Official Landscaper of Chabad of Northwest CT

26 Jewish News

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Crossword puzzles are hard.

Applying for a mortgage is easy.

Wouldn’ o ’t it be great if applying for and getting a mortgage really were easy?

At Newtown Savings Bank it is. It all starts with our people. Professionals who streamline the process for you. Not only do they get you started, but they go over all your options and can help you every step of the way. Our rates are low and our turnaround is fast.

At Newtown Savings Bank we believe that no matter how, when or where you bank, every banking experience you have should be a good one. One that’s easy and rewarding; and fits the way you live today. more, To learn l m stop by one of our 14 branches to talk with a mortgage professional, call 800.461.0672 or go to EasierMortgage.com to apply. It’s that easy.

Equal Housing Lender Member FDIC

800.461.0 672 • EasierMortgage.com Jewish News 27

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Visit us Online at

Ǥ Ǥ Or Call us and Speak with a Live Agent 24/7!

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