COLlive Magazine - Kinus 5784

ISSUE 14 |

KISLEV 5784 / NOVEMBER 2023

|

‫בס”ד | כאן צוה ה‘ את הברכה‬

M A G A Z I N E

KINUS HASHLUCHIM 5784 Shliach, Mashpia, Writer Rabbi Avrumie Bukiet OBM

Businessman on a mission

London jeweler does Mivtzoim

ERETZ YISROEL AT WAR Witnessing resilience

Special delegation returns

Holding on for dear life

Harrowing battle in Kfar Aza

Illuminations, the book

Chabad war etiquette

Shlichus supercharged

Finding answers

Telling tales of Shlichus

9 apps for daily activities

A panel discussion

Talking with kids and teens

Plus: Humorous take on Thanksgiving, easy dinner recipes and Crown Heights restaurant guide

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CONTENTS 44 50

SHLICHUS THROUGH WRITING AND TEACHING The story of Rabbi Avrumie Bukiet

BUSINESS TRIP FOR A HIGHER PURPOSE How the Rebbe guided a jeweler

ISRAEL AT WAR

10

Witnessing Resilience First-hand stories

20

Chesed in action Colel Chabad’s response

24

Holding for dear life An essay on faith

26

Chabad war etiquette A panel discussion KINUS EXTRAS

54

Illuminations, the book Telling tales of Shlichus

66

Shliach in the kitchen 4 easy dinner recipes

70

Local restaurant guide

COLUMNS

58 62 4 COLlive Magazine

INSURANCE FOR LIFE

6

From the Publisher Mica Soffer

Helping widows and orphans

8

Dvar Malchus A letter by the Rebbe

34

Moments with the Rebbe A gallery by JEM

64

Mental Health Daniel Schonbuch, MA, LMFT

SHLICHUS SUPERCHARGED

72

Fun page Quiz on Chabad trivia

Nine helpful gadgets and apps for your Shlichus

74

Humor Mordechai Schmutter

FROM THE PUBLISHER PUBLISHER Mica Soffer EDITOR Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Menachem Wineberg Dovid Zaklikowski Danit Schusterman Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin Sruly Meyer Zev Gotkin Tzemach Feller Daniel Schonbuch Libby Herz Mordechai Schmutter COVER PHOTO Mendy Krief PHOTOS JEM Hasidic Archives Nechama Photography

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6 COLlive Magazine

Every year, our family has the pleasure and privilege to host participants of the International Kinus Hashluchim. A number of them arrive from Eretz Yisroel.

Whether they are relatives or friends, we enjoy their company and hearing about their lives - especially the anecdotes that don’t make the news.

This Kinus will be different as many Shluchim from Eretz Yisroel will remain behind as they stay close to their families and communities under constant terror attacks.

While our family won’t be hearing first-hand stories, we know that the wider world will. Slowly, the dedication of the Shluchim and Chassidim is trickling into the news and social media, showing their incredible commitment to the land and its people, seen with their ever-present smile bringing hope to all they encounter, even in these dark times.

Take, for example, the Pizem family in Sderot. This family of Shluchim lives in the Negev city, a mere 2,760 feet away from the evil of Gaza.

On the morning of Simchas Torah, their grandson Avremi Pizem saw terrorists walking by the front of his house, wearing green bandannas with Arabic writing. This 9-year-old boy instinctively grabbed a few kitchen knives and ran to the balcony of his home, ready to fend them off.

Thank G-d, he didn’t need to and instead was sent by his parents to the “safe room” with food and drink. What he did there, he later said, was daven.

The bloodthirsty terrorists stormed the city center in open vehicles, unleashing a hail of gunfire and seizing control. They mercilessly attacked the central police station, ultimately destroying it completely. The residents were spared.

Israeli TV interviewed Avremi as he was helping to pack food and other necessities for sheltered residents and soldiers at Chabad of Sderot, run by his grandfather, Rabbi Moshe Ze’ev Pizem, and his father, Rabbi Asher Pizem.

Since the attacks, it’s all hands on deck as they provide essential supplies and nourishment to residents and soldiers.

Working in the courtyard of the Chabad House, the senior Rabbi Pizem managed to escape inside just seconds before a rocket from Hamas exploded.

This is the life they live and know - Shlichus amid the terror. In fact, when Avremi went on a family trip at the age of 4, he asked his parents where he should go when the “red alert” goes off warning of incoming rockets, ever concerned about this tragic part of his daily existence. He could not understand that not everyone faces such threats on a daily basis.

Speaking to the TV camera this past month, Avremi was eloquent and confident. He showed a list of supplies that a needy family has sent Chabad, and how they are packing it for them. Asked by a reporter if he was afraid when he saw the terrorists, Avremi answered: “I was afraid, but I have trust in Hashem, and if the Rebbe sent me here, I’ll do it all the way.”

This year, missing from the Kinus will the Shluchim of Eretz Yisroel, but they will be the most present they have ever been. Shluchim to the front lines, don’t leave the front lines. We dedicate our prayers to them, the soldiers and all the people of Israel. They should live in safety and security.

May we merit the coming of Moshiach immediately, when the roll-call will announce: Please welcome the Shluchim to... the front lines!

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Full Jewish independence The change the Rebbe called for to protect the Holy Land following the Yom Kippur War in 1973

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DVAR MALCHUS 5734

condition, the sooner G-d’s promise will be fulfilled.

Mrs.

It is indeed remarkable that precisely many of our young people now defending the frontiers of the Land of Israel, who have not been brought up in the true Jewish tradition, yet, after seeing the miracles which G-d wrought on all fronts, began to put on tefillin and openly declared themselves to be dati, believing in G-d, the Creator of the world, Who alone determines the outcome of events. One can only hope and pray that those who are behind the lines, as well as our brethren in the Diaspora, will not put to shame the tremendous spiritual revival and inspiration of these young people.

For, unfortunately, too many seek refuge in the excuse that living among the nations of the world and under economic pressures, etc., makes it difficult to retain full Jewish identity and independence, or to observe the mitzvot in the fullest measure in the daily life. It obviously militates against common sense to say that G-d, Who created the whole universe, including the Jewish people, has placed Jews in a position where they cannot fulfill His precepts. Even your typical manager of a small business or industry would not expect his employees to accomplish something that is beyond their capacity. Certainly G-d does not act so capriciously, or despotically, as to expect Jews to do the impossible3.

Detroit, Michigan Blessing and Greeting: I am in receipt of your letter.

It is surely unnecessary to point out to you that events in the Holy Land, and those concerning the Holy Land, are moving with such swiftness and mutability that it makes it difficult to express an opinion on the situation in reply to a letter which was written a few days earlier, and which will reach its destination a few days later.

For, even in the course of a week, there are certain to be changes in the situation possibly important changes.

One observation may be made, however, on a matter not subject to change, and it is surprising and regrettable that it does not receive the emphasis that it merits. I refer to the fact that the Jewish claim to, and connection with, the land which is universally recognized as the Holy Land - the holiness of which is derived from the Torah - is based on the Torah and dates back to the Covenant which G-d made with our Father Abraham in which He promised “Unto your children I have given this land.1” It follows immediately that, for this claim to be recognized by the nations of the world, it is necessary that the Jews themselves live up to that Covenant by showing that they are truly a holy people.

Furthermore, in the present situation, when the whole world has involved itself in the future of the Holy Land, when every nation has its own ideas about it and external pressures are mounting daily, it is well to bear in mind that in the area referred to, namely, in fulfilling the Covenant with G-d, the Jewish people are completely independent and not subject to outside pressures and the good will of the nations, nor subject to international consultations and negotiations.

In the present situation, the plain words of the Torah: “If you walk in My statutes . . . you will dwell in your land safely, and I will give peace in the land . . . and none shall make you afraid . . . and I will be your G-d, and you shall be My people2,” become even more crucial.

The sooner and more fully Jews will live up to this

Needless to say, the above is not meant to imply that Jews should not do everything in their power in the natural order of things to cope with the present situation. However, it should be understood that in order to make the proper decisions, and in order to have hatzlacha in these efforts which concern the Holy Land and the holy people, there must be a definitive and substantial change pointing in the direction of faith and trust in G-d and His Torah - a change that should immediately be evident in the daily life which is conducted in accordance with the will of G-d, as embodied in the Torah and clearly set forth and codified in the Shulchan Aruch.

With blessing,

1. Genesis 15:18.

2. Leviticus 26:3-12.

3. Avodah Zara 3a.

Kislev, 5783

9

Witnessing

Resilience and Faith

Shluchim visiting Israel during the war share moving stories and memorable moments

By Tzemach Feller Photos: Akiva Sheinberger, Shneur Chaviv

As the extent of the horror of the Simchas Torah Massacre in southern Israel unfolded, Chabad Shluchim around the world sprung into action. They counseled grieving community members; gathered for Torah, Tefillah and Tzedakah; encouraged people to put on tefillin, light Shabbos candles,

10 COLlive Magazine

and put up mezuzos; and raised funds.

A group of Shluchim decided to take another step: they would travel to the Holy Land and personally deliver duffel bags full of supplies donated by their communities.

They would also visit with as

many Yidden as possible to encourage them, to remind them that the Jewish world stands behind them, and that they are not alone.

Here are memorable moments from that trip, as related by several participants, to the COLlive Magazine.

SOLIDARITY

THE KEDOSHIM Rabbi Dovid Eliezrie - Yorba Linda, California: There were a million moments.

The moment that touched me the most took place on the first day. We sat with residents of Kibbutz Kfar Aza, where more than 100 Jewish people were murdered in cold blood. The survivors had been evacuated to Kibbutz Shfayim in Central Israel, and we gathered on a large lawn. Every 20 or 30 feet, there was a circle of chairs with another family sitting shiva.

When we arrived, the first thing that struck us was astonishment at the scope of this collective shiva. Then we sat there and we spoke with them, we cried with them, we heard the stories, we heard people tell stories of how they hid in their homes as terrorists searched for them, room by room. We heard how family members—brothers, sisters, mothers and children—were murdered.

What was so remarkable was that here we came from opposite ends of the ideological spectrum—Kfar Aza is largely populated by secular, Mapai-affiliated individuals—but we felt literally as one, as brothers and sisters to the people who were there. That sense

of connection and bond was really one of the most remarkable moments.

We felt their pain, we cried with them, we listened to them—and we tried to comfort them. And we came out stronger and more comforted, inspired with the mission that we had come to Eretz Yisroel to do: to raise the spirits of people, to tell them that the Jewish people all over the world are standing behind them and that we are davening for them and we

care for them, and that we are together with them.

Rabbi Ruvi New - East Boca, Boca Raton, Florida: As we were leaving the shiva for the residents of Kfar Aza, someone walked over to us and said, “A lot of people have visited. But I want to tell you that watching the way you interacted with the families, it was clear that you made a unique connection; they opened up to you in a

Kislev, 5784 11

SOLIDARITY

very unique way.” We saw throughout the trip how the Rebbe’s Ahavas Yisroel, the way the Rebbe looks at a Yid, is catching on.

The Hostages Rabbi Yitzchok Minkowitz Fort Myers, Florida: When we got to Eretz Yisroel, we began to see and hear firsthand from people whose family members were

moving was visiting the “Hostage Command Center,” where the families of hostages are waiting for their return.

That was a very intense meeting; you simply can’t imagine what they are going through. I met the father of one hostage. He had a video of his son in Gaza, in one of the places they were keeping him.

He was chained to the floor, eyes wide in terror, suffering in subhuman conditions.

hostages.

What’s interesting is that the accommodations for the families of the hostages were created through a grassroots effort—not a government project. A Tel Aviv lawyer converted his whole law firm into a center for these families to be able to confront this crisis in a unified way.

When we returned, we joined this campaign to raise awareness and help get the

“One soldier emotionally asked if he could write a letter for a soldier under his command, who had been killed in Gaza hours earlier. As he wrote the letter, we sobbed together.”

murdered. We visited multiple shiva places. It was moving and also incredibly difficult.

Visiting the injured soldiers and civilians in the hospitals was inspiring. But especially

12 COLlive Magazine

We met the parents and siblings of many of the hostages. It was very painful to hear their stories. We also met people working to raise awareness for the plight of the

hostages out. We contacted the media, public officials, and elected officials, to generate pressure to help release the hostages.

SOLIDARITY

Songs of Hope Rabbi Yitzchok Wolf Skokie, Illinois: We stopped at the town of Peduel, located in Shomron between the Arab villages of A-Dik and Deir Balut, at a strategic point known as “Israel’s Lookout.”

The town overlooks most of the coastline of the State of Israel - from the outskirts of Gaza to the city of Haifa. From the lookout, one can see Ben Gurion Airport and the Tel Aviv metropolitan- the largest concentration of Jews in the world. We were greeted by the Chairman of the Shomron Regional Council, Yossi Dagan, and were briefed on the needs of the civil defense units stationed at this critical strategic location. Every soldier we encountered at this location has either already prayed with Tefillin or did so upon our encouragement.

Israeli TV station Channel 14 was doing a live feed, featuring an interview with our group’s principal organizer and spokesman, Rabbi Eliezrie. As we stood behind the popup studio, we began to sing “Acheinu” — a song of prayer for the release of the hostages. In true fluid Israeli fashion, the network carried the singing live, with the instudio anchor joining in the chorus. The onsite anchor, visibly emotional herself, commented to the viewing audience how the song of the rabbis, sung with evident

heartfelt emotion, was making a deep impression on all the soldiers present at the site. It is difficult to describe our own emotions.

Emunah in the Face of Grief Rabbi Ruvi New - East Boca, Boca Raton, Florida: We spent time with Avi and Urit Baruch, a family in Shomron who had just lost their daughter, Adi. She was 22 years old. Her parents told us how Adi’s dream had been to build a yishuv in Shomron. She was about to get engaged. Her whole life was ahead of her.

On that dark day, Adi did not need to go to the Army. She had done her tour of duty. She had not been called up as part of Israel’s massive reserve call-up. But she wanted to defend her home. So she went to Sderot, where she was killed by rocket artillery on her way into the city. In tears, we sang Ani Ma’amin with Adi’s parents.

Rabbi Yitzchok Wolf Skokie, Illinois: As Urit and Baruch reflected on Adi’s life throughout the Shiva, hints of what would occur began to emerge.

Astonishingly, they discovered the following poem that Adi

Kislev, 5784 13

SOLIDARITY

We felt the pain, the sorrow, the grief, but at the same time, we felt the chizuk, the confidence, the strength.

“Their spirit and commitment to represent the land and people of Israel is unbreakable, unshakable and rooted in deep faith and love for our land and our people.”

wrote for her parents. Here is a translation for the original Hebrew:

And every once in a while smile up to the clouds - I will be there.

And if one day I die

I’m sorry for the pain I have caused

Before my time has come I want you to celebrate life

Know that I am in a good place

And do not grieve over my death

Longing

That you wake up each morning with a smile and longing in your heart

Achdus Yisroel

And don’t allow a single moment to be wasted See the world for me, appreciate every moment

14 COLlive Magazine

And ever loving.

Rabbi Moshe Bryski Agoura Hills, California: The solidarity trip that we went on with so many shluchim touched on so many emotions.

From morning to night we were dealing with visits of all different emotions. But the common denominator wherever we went was the achdus Yisroel, stronger than I have ever experienced in my life. We truly felt that it’s klal Yisroel—that it’s one family, one nation, one people. There are no longer any feelings of difference between one Jew and another. It doesn’t matter if you’re religious or secular, right or left, Sephardi or Ashkenazi.

We are one people. And we felt that everywhere, wherever we went.

As a Shliach, I felt that wherever we went, the love that the people of Eretz Yisroel have for Chabad and the Rebbe is universal. Wherever we went, everyone was saying how much Chabad has done for them. How much inspiration they have from the Rebbe— you felt it everywhere.

Now, we hope and pray that this achdus Yisroel will stay, and will be the final step that we need to take to bring Moshiach, bring the Geulah, to end all the suffering and pain.

Rabbi Ruvi New - East Boca, Boca Raton, Florida: The people in Eretz Yisroel now are both traumatized and, at the same time, galvanized into action. We met with people sitting shiva, with families of

SOLIDARITY

the hostages, with families of the wounded. We didn’t find anger. We found people who are taking their indescribable pain and coming together.

The achdus is incredible.

The chesed that is flowing is remarkable. People are resolving to do more mitzvos.

The idea that klal Yisroel is one mishpacha is not a slogan— we really felt it. People were very moved by the fact that we came to represent our communities and to be there for them, to help them out physically and spiritually.

Dodging Rockets in the South Rabbi Yitzchok Wolf Skokie, Illinois We visited the southern city of Ashkelon. There, we were briefed by Rabbi Mendel Lieberman, the Head Shliach in Ashkelon, which is home to 25 Chabad Centers and an extensive network of schools and social service organizations. We heard from

the director of the central security command center and were astonished to see a video presentation that featured the precise locations of the thirteen hundred rockets that were fired into Ashkelon in the last two weeks alone. In the words of Ashkelon’s mayor, Tomer Glam, “No people should have to live this way!”

Rabbi Lieberman shared that his citywide staff members are without protective helmets.

Rabbi Chaim Mentz from Belaire, CA, announced a popup fundraiser, and within two minutes, $25,000 was raised on the spot for the purchase of helmets to ensure the safety of Rabbi Lieberman’s staff.

From Ashkelon, we traveled further south to Sderot, the closest city to Gaza, less than a kilometer away. This beautiful city is eerily empty, as most of the city’s residents have temporarily sought safe haven in other parts of Israel.

Five thousand people are estimated to still be in the city but with most of the residents, including most business

owners gone, Chabad of Sderot is (one of) the only resources for basic goods, from groceries to toiletries.

Rabbi Mentz got to work again and raised $32,000 for their operations.

From Sderot, we went to the Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva, the largest hospital near Gaza. As we approached Be’er Sheva, sirens were heard from inside our bus, forcing the bus to stop in the middle of the highway as did all the surrounding traffic.

We dashed for the nearest sidewalk and lay down as rockets were intercepted over our heads. We later discovered that we were supposed to lay face down and not face up, with our phones recording the action-filled sky.

The “special” wounded Rabbi Dovid Eliezrie - Yorba Linda, California: We visited wounded soldiers in the Soroka Hospital in Beer Sheva and in Tel Hashomer

“We spoke with them, we cried with them, we heard the stories”

Kislev, 5784 15

SOLIDARITY

Hospital in Tel Aviv. We sat with the families of these young men who had been fighting for the Jewish people and told them that they were—as the Rebbe said— metzuyanei Tzahal—the exceptional among the IDF. Rabbi Yitzchok Wolf Skokie, Illinois: At the hospital, we were briefed by Tzachi Slutzki, the deputy director of the medical center, who we learned has not left the hospital since the attacks. The growing number of patients injured during attacks being treated at the hospital is staggering. Many of them are soldiers. The daughter of one of the patients shared with us that eleven of thirteen soldiers in her unit were killed by the Hamas terrorists.

Chabad operates full-time in the hospital and was recently given a large room to serve as the official Chabad Center at the Soroka Medical Center. We were told that they are $10,000 short for the renovation of the room.

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Rabbi Mentz conducted another popup fundraiser, and moments later, the funds were raised.

place of healing.

We then split up into groups and visited with patients wounded in the attacks. Each one shared what can only be described as a miraculous story of survival. We listened and we prayed and we sang and we distributed gifts and get-well cards to the patients from members of our respective communities. We left every bed with tears and a silent prayer to Hashem to grant them a speedy recovery.

Rabbi Yitzchok Wolf Skokie, Illinois:

Rabbi Ruvi New - East Boca, Boca Raton, Florida: Visiting the hospitals was extremely difficult. We saw many young people, soldiers with amputated limbs, bodies full of shrapnel, and excruciating pain. We sat with them, talked to them, sang with them. As we left, the shliach to Tel Hashomer, Rabbi Gopin, told us that we had transformed the hospital from a place of despair to a place of joy; from a place of pain to a

Dancing With Hope The highlight of our day was an evening BBQ with over 125 spirited soldiers stationed in a military building in Ofakim.

For two hours, we sang together, danced together, ate together, thanked them for being the Maccabees of 5784, and blessed them to return home with a resounding victory in Gaza. Their spirit and commitment to represent the land and people of Israel is unbreakable, unshakable and rooted in deep faith and love for our land and our people. ___ I met the Rabbi of the town of Kfar Maimon, (most of whose residents are staying in the same hotel as us), located 7 km from the Gaza border.

On the morning of Shemini Atzeret, terrorists came within 200 meters of the town. At the same time, an Israeli military helicopter in the vicinity

SOLIDARITY

experienced a malfunction.

The pilot made an emergency landing, and the soldiers quickly exited the helicopter.

Within a minute, the helicopter exploded.

The soldiers immediately engaged with about 70 terrorists who surrounded them. Miraculously, they fought bravely and eliminated over 50 of the terrorists without any casualties.

The terrorists then realized that the village was well guarded and moved on to the farming area, where dozens of Thai employees were tending to cows, sheep, and agriculture. Unfortunately, these Thai workers were subjected to torture, decapitation, and brutal violence.

The village of Maimon was miraculously saved — an open miracle.

What the villagers from Kfar Maimon did not have this year, however, was a proper Simchas Torah celebration.

Our delegation was about to change that. With guitar in hand, Michi Ravnoy and others

from our group began to sing and dance in the hotel lobby.

Before long, dozens of children and teenagers from Kfar Maimon joined in the spirited singing and dancing. The Hakafot they were denied on Simchas Torah they could now celebrate tonight.

The Heroes of Israel Rabbi Yitzchok Wolf Skokie, Illinois: We visited a shooting range where reservists were being trained to use the latest Arad rifle, manufactured in Israel.

It was there that we met Elye Avichai, a Deputy Commander in the Golani 51 brigade, his hand in a cast and a scar on his face, who shared his incredible story.

He lives in the Shomron area.

On Simchas Torah morning, upon hearing the news of the attack, he immediately realized that this was an extremely dangerous situation.

He jumped into his car with a few friends and sped towards

“They arrived at Kibbutz Re’im, but they were only equipped with handguns while facing tens of terrorists with long rifles and other weapons.”

the south of Israel — “Ground Zero” of the Hamas attack.

As they approached Ofakim, they began to see bodies littered everywhere and terrorists ambushing the intersection they had stopped at. They realized that the scope of this situation was way beyond anything they imagined.

They arrived at Kibbutz Re’im, but they were only equipped with handguns while facing tens of terrorists with long rifles and other weapons.

A vicious gunfight ensued, during which Elye singlehandedly neutralized close to 40 terrorists.

Sadly, his friend Motti was killed in the gunfire, and Elye himself was injured, with a bullet in his hand and one that grazed his face. He was grateful to be alive. ___ Ofek, a resident and a member of the local security for Kfar Aza, was woken to frantic calls for help as terrorists had infiltrated the village.

Ofek and the 15 other team members were fighting to protect their village.

His phone rings, his wife is on the line. The terrorists are in their house, she and her two children are petrified.

They run into their room and hide in a chest under the mattress. They lie there quietly for hours, while

Kislev, 5784 17

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the terrorists are wandering about the house. They sit on the bed, while the mother and two children hold their breath beneath them.

Ofek, upon hearing his wife, jumps into his car and drives around towards his home.

As he approaches, he sees

close to 200 terrorists, armed to the teeth. A gunfight ensues. He kills tens of terrorists while he sadly is badly injured in his arm. He continues to dodge the bullets while realizing he’s gushing blood. He hides behind a bush and tries to tend to his wound.

The terrorists are done with his home, so they set it on fire.

The woman and children begin to inhale smoke and cannot breathe. They have no choice and crawl out of the house.

They see the terrorists, so they hide in an outdoor shed under a pool cover.

Miraculously, they are not found and survive. Later that night, the woman and children

18 COLlive Magazine

are saved by members of the IDF. Ofek is found and rushed to Sheba Hospital where he undergoes a surgery to save his arm, and is currently rehabilitating.

This non-stop flow of miracles doesn’t stop here.

Ofek asked a friend to enter his home and see if

anything was salvageable.

The friend returned with the disappointing news that everything, their entire life, was burned to a crisp.

Besides… for his Tefillin.

Rabbi Levi Gopin, Shliach at the Sheba Hospital, arranged to have the Tefillin checked.

Today, Rabbi Gopin returned with a delegation of American Shluchim, and brought back the Tefillin. They are 100% Kosher.

One of our group had the distinct honor and privilege to lay these holy salvaged Tefillin on Ofek. They recited Shema together in tears, while marveling at the incredible miracles that brought us to this moment.

Chabad’s Aid Rabbi Yitzchok Wolf Skokie, Illinois: We visited Kfar Chabad, where we marveled at the sophisticated Chabad Emergency Operations Center, providing material, humanitarian and spiritual

aid across Israel through the network of hundreds of Chabad Centers. On a daily basis, truckloads of items, from food, clothing, games, educational and religious materials are delivered from Kfar Chabad to families all over Israel, reaching thousands of people on a daily basis.

One of the lesser-known stories of this war are the hundreds of thousands of people who have been uprooted from their homes in the south and north, to hotels, community centers and private homes, all in central Israel. This calls for massive humanitarian assistance efforts on multiple levels, of which Chabad is at the forefront.

SOLIDARITY

Rabbi Glukowsky, a leading Chabad rabbi from Rechovot, reminded us of the sacred duty we have to galvanize our communities into greater awareness and most of all a call to action, to do our part in this war against the Jewish people, materially and spiritually, politically,

base as a firefight broke out.

More than 30 soldiers died defending the base against scores of terrorists, but they held on despite the withering attack. Finally, as the base was in danger of being overrun, Dickstein directed the remaining soldiers to shelter in a structure while he called in a dangerous close

“We dashed for the nearest sidewalk and lay down as rockets were intercepted over our heads.”

diplomatically, through media.

Whatever influence we have, we must use to come to the aid of our brothers and sisters in our Holy Land.

The IDF Unity Torah Rabbi Shuey Biston Parkland, Florida During our visit, we stopped at the Re’im Base near the Gaza border. This was the only base that withstood the attack and was not completely overrun. We spoke with one of the soldiers stationed there, a Lubavitcher named Avigdor Dickstein.

As sirens sounded on that fateful morning, he entered the command bunker on the

airstrike, which succeeded in taking out the remaining terrorists.

During our conversation, I discovered that the base does not have a kosher ashkenazi sefer Torah, and I pledged to return with a Torah for the brave fighters of the Re’im Base. But then we decided to take it a step further. In 1982, as the Lebanon War raged, the Rebbe directed that every soldier should sign up for a letter in a Sefer Torah — the best defense. So we returned to Israel, and we brought with us a klaf on which a sofer had outlined the first few hundred letters of a new IDF Unity Sefer Torah (for more, visit IDFunitytorah.com).

Be’eri, the site of one of the worst massacres during the attack, to begin the writing of this Torah, but on the way, as we drove near the border, we passed a tank column revving up its engines. As soldiers scrambled to load their gear, it was clear that they were about to enter Gaza—and we immediately realized that the Torah had to be started right here, right now, writing letters with the brave soldiers who were about to put their lives on the line for us. One soldier emotionally asked if he could write a letter for a soldier under his command who had been killed in Gaza hours earlier. As he wrote the letter, we sobbed together.

From there, we continued to Kibbutz Be’eri, where first responders paused from their work to write a letter in the Torah. An especially heartrending—and inspiring— moment came as one of the heads of Zaka working there walked up to write a letter.

He told us that he had just identified the remains of a child, who had been murdered in cold blood simply for being a Jew. His emunah was being put to the test—” What am I doing here,” he asked himself—but as he walked out and saw us, he realized.

Mitzvah goreres mitzvah. He had the zechus of fulfilling the mitzvah of kavod hames, and now he would fulfill the mitzvah of writing a Sefer Torah.

We headed towards Kibbutz

Kislev, 5784 19

Colel Chabad pulls through Hot meals for seniors, toys for massacre survivors, sweaters for soldiers—and boundless love for every Jew

By Tzemach Feller As war broke out in Eretz Yisroel, and so many Yidden were murdered, tortured, and kidnapped, with hundreds of thousands more evacuated, one organization knew what it had to do. They knew what to do because they’ve been doing it for a long, long time.

Founded in 1788 by the Alter Rebbe, Colel Chabad is the oldest—and largest—charity of its kind in Eretz Yisroel.

And on that dark day, the volunteers who make up the backbone of Colel Chabad threw themselves into what they do best—helping people.

“It’s not that we’re fearless.

We understand the risk of driving around Ashkelon, Sderot, Ofakim, and the Gaza

20 COLlive Magazine

Envelope right now,” Rabbi Sholom Duchman, who directs Colel Chabad, wrote. “But we will not allow terrified Jews to go hungry. After all, we’re Colel Chabad, and we’ve been doing this since 1788.”

families, risking their lives to save the lives of others.

It is this determination to help our Jewish brothers and sisters that has galvanized Colel Chabad into massively expanding the scope and reach of their programs, bringing aid to hundreds of thousands at a time when it is sorely, crucially needed.

A year ago, the Israeli government announced a partnership with Colel Chabad in a $44 million effort to bring more and healthier food to families in need in Israel. Much of this aid was distributed through financial aid cards to individuals in need, utilizing Colel Chabad’s network of centers and volunteers.

Now, that partnership would aid tens of thousands who suddenly found themselves homeless.

Often clad in ballistic vests and helmets, volunteers of Colel Chabad hit the streets in cities throughout southern Israel, bringing urgently needed meals to tens of thousands of

Aid for the Displaced

CHESED

for example, arrived at hotels with nothing but what they were wearing, evacuated by IDF soldiers as fighting raged across the region.

Colel Chabad would not leave them alone, homeless and destitute. They distributed 5,000-shekel gift cards for people to use to purchase basic needs—gift cards which were printed, in better days, on Kibbutz Be’eri, which prints plastic cards for the entire country.

And much broader aid was needed for the hundreds of thousands evacuated from border towns and cities. Colel Chabad immediately began distributing financial aid cards to the displaced families.

Adults received muchneeded money, and toys were distributed to the children. To date, they have distributed more than $4 million in aid cards to survivors of the attacks.

And that was only the beginning.

In the aftermath of the devastating invasion of Hamas, as Israel went to war against Gaza terrorists, hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated from the north and south of Israel towards the center. More than 2,500 families lost their homes, possessions, and livelihoods—and those were the fortunate ones, the ones who survived the attacks on their homes.

The residents of Kibbutz Be’eri,

“on that dark day, the volunteers who make up the backbone of Colel Chabad threw themselves into what they do best—helping people.”

Colel Chabad volunteers went from hotel to hotel, asking what was needed, taking notes, and drumming up supplies. As the weather gets colder, many asked for warm clothing and shoes. So Colel Chabad held multiple pop-up “shops” open to the survivors of the Hamas attacks. Rows upon rows of clothing — donated by generous partners in the USA — were trucked in.

The families browsed, selected what they liked, and walked away with whatever they

Kislev, 5784 21

CHESED needed — for free.

World Central Kitchen to offer subsidized meals in food distribution centers in Jerusalem and Bnei Brak, and also distributing subsidized food aid cards.

“The residents of Kibbutz Be’eri arrived at hotels The families of many reservists been left without their with nothing but have breadwinners, so Colel Chabad been working to provide what they were has aid for those in temporary during the war as wearing, evacuated need well—just another gear in the chessed machine

by IDF soldiers tremendous In addition to those under that is Colel Chabad today. mandatory evacuation—whose as fighting raged Since the war began, hotel accommodations are paid for by Israel—thousands Chabad has begun across the region.” Colel of those who live a bit farther providing 38,000 additional Volunteers spent hours at Pantry Packers — one of Colel Chabad’s aid distribution centers — preparing packages filled with toys and games, to be distributed to children living in the South. More than 700 sets of toys were distributed to evacuee children, each set including books designed to aid the children’s emotional well-being.

out from the border, in cities like Ashkelon, have decided to relocate. Life in those cities has been only slightly more bearable, with businesses shuttered and rockets continuing to rain down.

These “voluntary” evacuees

22 COLlive Magazine

are not eligible for government funding, but many are in desperate need. Colel Chabad has come to their aid as well, collaborating with the

meals—besides for the many thousands they already provide—to those now in need. They’ve opened distributions in 97 new locations. They’ve distributed over 12,000 toys and handed out more than 70,000 food aid cards.

CHESED

“To date, they have distributed more than $4 million in aid cards to survivors of the attacks.”

Supplies for Soldiers With war declared, Israel called up more than 300,000 reserve soldiers. This influx of people strained the IDF’s logistics capacity, with nonessential supplies taking time to reach many soldiers.

Colel Chabad stepped in, delivering a 40-foot container of sweaters to soldiers called to the Gaza border in the days after the war broke out.

They also distributed hundreds of care packages to soldiers.

The packages included essentials that many hadn’t had the time to pack—things

like towels, deodorant, power banks, socks, and underwear.

They distributed hundreds more phone charges to soldiers who needed them.

With the basic, physical needs of the survivors accounted for, Colel Chabad turned to their emotional needs. The children who lived through the massacre are scarred and traumatized. They have witnessed unspeakable atrocities and have been uprooted from their homes.

Many are missing family members murdered or kidnapped by Hamas.

Colel Chabad arranged a day trip for families from Chulit, Beeri, Kisufim, Magen, Netiv

Haasara, and Kvar Aza at the Magic Kass amusement park in Maale Adumim. The park was closed to the public for the day, reserved only for these precious children who have been through so much. And for a few precious, fleeting moments, smiles crossed their faces.

Colel Chabad’s efforts have been funded by generous individuals worldwide.

Donations have come from more than 67 countries, ranging from the change in one of the ubiquitous Colel Chabad pushkas to the hundreds of thousands of dollars contributed by the UJA and the Jewish Federations of North America.

Funds came from the IranianAmerican Jewish Federation of New York; from a Missouri restaurant—Novellus—that went kosher for a day and donated all proceeds to Colel Chabad; from Rabbi Efrem Goldberg and the Boca Raton Synagogue community and so many more individuals and organizations.

As the war in Israel continues, Colel Chabad—Israel’s oldest charity—is in it for the long haul. As long as people are in need, they will continue to do what they do best: help.

To partner with Colel Chabad in their urgently needed aid campaign, visit ColelChabad. org/iron-sword.

Kislev, 5784 23

Holding on for dear life

By Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin

On the dark day of Simchas Torah 5784 (October 7), Itamar and Dorin Cohen first heard the whistling of rockets. Then they heard the threatening sounds of murderous shouts and gunfire as Hamas terrorists swarmed their Kibbutz of Kfar Aza in southern Israel.

As the voices and gunfire came closer, Dorin called the police, begging for help, and then called her father in nearby Ashkelon. “I told him we have terrorists at our kibbutz. He said: Tell Itamar that he shouldn’t let go of the door handle of the safe room; no matter what happens, he shouldn’t let go of the handle.”

Every home in Israel, by law and due to the ongoing security concerns, is mandated to have a “mamad” room. It’s a designated safe room with thickened and hardened walls and ceilings, sealable windows, and doors for protection against chemical attacks. It is often stocked with provisions, flashlights, and a radio, much like American basements in Tornado Alley.

However, safe rooms do not lock

24 COLlive Magazine

ESSAY

to prevent a child or pet from inadvertently locking themselves into a space that would be very difficult to break into. They don’t have locks so that families can rush inside without having to find a key as sirens wail. They don’t have locks because no one dreamt that murderous terrorists would blast their way through the border and go house to house, hunting for Jews.

All that separated Itamar, Dorin, and their two little children from the horrific fate that befell 1,400 Jews on that dark day was the door handle.

Itamar held onto that door handle for more than 27 hours.

He did not eat or drink. He did not sleep and didn’t sit. He did not so much as scratch his nose.

Finally, Israeli soldiers fought their way back into the kibbutz. The Cohen home turned into a terrorist stronghold, and an Israeli tank fired shells into the house, the soldiers reasoning that “No one is there, and even if someone was there, they aren’t alive anymore.” But the Cohens survived the battle that ultimately eliminated the

I must confess not fully appreciating the term “holding onto the doorknob (klamke) - until I learned about the story of Itamar and Doron Cohen in Kibbutz Kfar Aza And Itamar held that door handle for his very life, the door handle that was all that divided his family between life and death.

From outside their room, they heard screams of horror and explosions. Around midnight, the terrorists broke into the Cohen home and tried forcing open the door of the safe room. Itamar held strong. Then they piled furniture outside the room and lit it on fire. The metal handle quickly became searing hot, but still, Itamar held on.

terrorists who had invaded their home.

The Cohen family survived because Itamar never let go of that door handle.

The Rebbe quoted the Chassidic aphorism that one should “hold on tight to the doorknob” (“halten zich in der klamke”). For Chassidim, this meant hanging onto our ilana d’chaya (source of vitality): The Rebbe and his teachings and instructions, come what may.

on different occasions as learning the Rebbe’s Torah, making an effort with hafatzas hamayanos, and going to the Ohel with questions and requests. By holding onto the klamke, the Rebbe said, one will merit to be redeemed from all restraints and limitations.

I must confess not fully appreciating the term — until I learned about the story of the Cohens in Kfar Aza. We must hold onto the doorknob because that is what is keeping us alive during times of trial.

Our emunah, our hiskashrus and our connection to each other — that is the door handle of each and every one of us. And on Simchas Torah 5784, that door handle became a lifeline. Our faith was blasted; it came under fire. But ultimately, our grip did not waver.

We have found supernatural strength, strength that we may not have realized we possess, to complete that superhuman feat of holding the door handle, of keeping the faith and the connection.

Come what may, we will never let go.

- Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin, Editor of COLlive. comand COLlive Magazine, is the outreach director of Chabad Tucson, and Associate Rabbi of Cong. Young Israel of Tucson, Arizona. He coordinates the annual Yarchei Kallah gathering of Chabad Rabbonim and Roshei Yeshiva.

Holding onto the klamke was described by the Rebbe

Kislev, 5784 25

In times of war...

A panel discussion about Mitzvos and Mivtzoim during such times

By Danit Schusterman With Shluchim and Chabad Chassidim being the address for questions on faith and approach, we hosted a discussion on various aspects related to war and the current situation in Eretz Yisroel. The discussion provides valuable perspectives on how to approach and navigate these complex issues during times of crisis.

Our panelists:

Rabbi Manis Friedman is the founder and dean of Bais Chana Institute of Jewish Studies in Minnesota, the world’s first yeshiva for women. He is a worldrenowned author, counselor, lecturer and philosopher who served as simultaneous translator for the Rebbe’s televised talks (1984-1990).

He’s known as “Youtube’s Most Popular Rabbi.”

26 COLlive Magazine

Rabbi Simon Jacobson is the author of the best-selling book “Toward a Meaningful Life,” inspired by his 14 years of documenting and publishing the Rebbe’s talks as Editor-in-Chief of Vaad Hanochos Hatmimim. A renowned speaker, educator, and mentor to thousands, he hosts the weekly podcast and webcast “MyLife: Chassidus Applied.”

Rabbi Dov Greenberg is the Founder and Executive Director of Chabad House at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. He is a sought-after communicator of Jewish thought and spirituality who has lectured throughout the United States, Canada, Israel and Europe. His teachings, writings and online videos have inspired millions.

Q&A

1. Shluchim are encouraging their communities to increase Mitzvos for Eretz Yisroel. Besides the usuals (Tehillim, Tefillin, Neshek, tzedaka, and Mezuzah), should other Mitzvos be emphasized too?

Rabbi Friedman: Any of the 10 Mivtzoim are good. Mivtza Kashrus, Shabbos, and even Taharas Hamishpacha when appropriate.

Rabbi Jacobson: Ahavas Yisroel. Unity is the source of our brachos. When we are united, no one can hurt us.

It says in Tehillim Chapter

Rabbi Friedman: If a Shliach is connected to a politician or a leader and can talk some sense into them, by all means, a one-on-one meaningful conversation is great. But going out into the streets and joining in protests, people are not listening. Engaging in these public debates is degrading.

Rabbi Jacobson: A Shliach represents Chabad. We need to ask ourselves, would the Rebbe have participated in these things? The answer is no. We represent Chabad, and the focus of Chabad is on spreading light and

We can’t cower in fear, we need to be strong and not show any signs of weakness. We need to fight against antisemitism and bring beauty into the world.

8:3, “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings You have established strength because of Your adversaries, to put an end to enemy and avenger.”

When we are one, Hashem will protect us.

2. Should Shluchim also be involved in pro-Israeli rallies, anti-BDS activities and advocacy? If yes, to what extent?

Yiddishkeit. If a Shliach is invited to speak at one of these events and share some words of light and encouragement, it is one thing.

But it is not our job to organize these events.

Rabbi Greenberg: The task of a Shliach is not to open a hotdog stand and serve up a mitzvah here or there to those walking on your street. Their mission is that of a grand builder, taking the raw clay

of a city and sculpting it into a community where Jewish life flourishes – in schools, in homes, in hearts, guided by the Torah and mitzvos such as Tefillin, Mezuzah, Shabbos candles.

This mission is broad – it reaches out to include the nonJewish world in a celebration of the 7 divine moral laws (Noahide Laws) that are the foundation of a kind and gracious society. Where a hotdog vendor might satiate the immediate needs of individuals, the Shliach stands as a builder and defender of an entire city, ensuring that its skyline remains untouched by the shadows of antisemitism and the smog of BDS that seeks to choke Israel.

The Shliach doesn’t shy away from that fight. They stand tall, armed with faith, and with the courage, optimism, and joy that the Rebbe inspired.

The Shliach is the one who sees the city not just as it is, but as it could be: a reflection of divine aspiration, a place that is worthy of being a home for the divine—dirah betachtonim—and they work tirelessly to make it that every day.

3. Are there particular teachings in Torah and Chassidus that you think should be emphasized now?

Rabbi Friedman: The idea of the coming of Moshiach is not just for the Jews. It is for the whole world. Right now, as

Kislev, 5784 27

Q&A

Hashgacha Protis has it, the world’s attention is on Israel and the Jews. The world is our student right now, the spotlight is on us, and we must utilize it in the best way.

Let the world look at us like teachers, not victims. We are all here to make the world into what Hashem intended it to be, a dira betachtonim, which includes everyone in the world, not just the Jews.

We shouldn’t be waiting for Moshiach to come. We need to

stronger than hate and death.

4. Do you have stories or examples that illustrate the power of inspiration during times of crisis?

Rabbi Friedman: I was listening to an Israeli TV station discussing what’s going on. The host was an Israeli man with a shaved bald head and no yarmulke, and he was marveling at the

Doing Mitzvos has nothing to do with Religiousity. When a Jew does Mitzvos, it makes him ‘Jewish’ not ‘Da’ati’. Mitzvos have gone mainstream! be proactive and do something to bring him.

Rabbi Jacobson: Bitachon. We need to trust Hashem. Think good, and it will be good.

Right now, we need to have a positive attitude. There needs to be a high morale in war.

One can have the best military and weapons, but there has to be high morale. We have to be in a positive frame of mind. We can’t cower in fear, we need to be strong and not show any signs of weakness.

We need to fight against antisemitism and bring beauty into the world. We must fight for light and life, which is much

28 COLlive Magazine

explosion of Mitzvos that the soldiers were doing.

He mentioned how it is the popular thing to say ‘be’ezras Hashem’ and ‘Koach Hashem’ and how they’re giving credit and attention to Hashem and recognizing that Hashem is fighting for them and protecting them. His co-host went on to say that people are ‘becoming dati’ (religious), to which he responded, ‘ze lo Da’ati, ze Tefillin’. People are not becoming ‘dati,’ they are doing Mitzvos! Dati is making exceptional changes in your lifestyle. Doing Mitzvos has nothing to do with religiosity.

When a Jew does Mitzvos,

it makes him ‘Jewish,’ not ‘Dati.’ Mitzvos have gone mainstream! It doesn’t mean you are a Baal Teshuva, you are doing Mitzvos.

Rabbi Jacobson: After the Yom Kippur War, which had high casualties, Rabbi Yisroel Meir Lau met the Rebbe and was asked what the mood was in Israel. Rabbi Lau answered that the people in Israel are asking, ‘What will be?’ The Rebbe’s said the response should really be, ‘What can we do?’ We are not victims. ‘What will be?’ is putting ourselves into someone else’s control.

We need to say: ‘What can we DO?’ We need to dig deep. We need to rise to the occasion and do what we have to do.

Rabbi Greenberg: In the pages of Sichos Kodesh, I was surprised to learn that the well-known adage, ‘The whole world is a very narrow bridge, and the main thing is not to fear at all,’ traces back to the Chabad Rebbes — a lesson that, given our tumultuous times, could stand as a national anthem for its empowering message.

The most frequent divine command in the Torah is ‘Do not be afraid, Al Tirah.’

Over eighty times, the refrain ‘Al Tirah,’ ‘Don’t fear,’ is directed at patriarchs and prophets alike, becoming a core message for the Jewish people.

It’s not that there is nothing to be afraid of. Indeed, there are many things to fear —

Q&A

that’s precisely why the Torah repeats it eighty times. By telling us, “Don’t fear,” Hashem is reassuring us that we can handle anything; he will give us the strength we need — as long as we are not paralyzed by fear.

In Judaism, faith in Hashem is not the certainty that all will be perfect; it is the courage to live with uncertainty. It is the courage not to be paralyzed by fear, never giving up the bitachon that we can and will make the world better through our deeds—our Mitzvos, acts of chesed, prayers, and Torah study.

5. People look to their rabbis for inspiration. Is it okay to also share one’s own fears, doubts and struggles with the community?

Rabbi Friedman: What would be the point? A Shliach is in a position of leadership.

He does not need to receive sympathy from his community.

If a Shliach is having strong feelings of fear and doubts or is struggling, he should speak to his Mashpia, not his Baal Habatim.

Rabbi Jacobson: This is okay if done in a healthy way. We are all human. It is natural to have fears. The obligation of a Shliach is to say, ‘I have fear, but I have Bitachon.’ It is not healthy to be in denial and pretend everything is fine. One should have and show hope and strength.

be the focus.

6. Should a Shliach share his personal opinion on policy or military decisions of the Israeli government (such as not invading far enough as the Rebbe said about Damascus)?

Rabbi Friedman: If a Shliach is quoting the Rebbe, then yes, it is okay to share the Rebbe’s words. His own opinion does not need to be shared. This is a war. It is very serious. The Rebbe’s opinion, which he has said many times, is the same as the army’s opinion. The army knows what to do. Let them do it. Leave the politics out of it. Let the soldiers do what they need to do to bring

7. Do you agree with those who find instruction in the Parsha as to how the IDF should be fighting Hamas (such as wiping them out like the Mabul, or trying to save the innocent like Avraham and Sedom)?

Rabbi Friedman: This is not a spiritual war. This is a real, physical war. The facts are clear and on the ground.

The Torah confirms what we already know, but we can’t base military strategies on the Parsha. Let the army do what they need to do.

Rabbi Jacobson: We need

We shouldn’t be waiting for Moshiach to come, we need to be proactive and do something to bring him. peace. When the war is over, you can discuss politics.

Rabbi Jacobson: If an opinion is shared in the name of the Rebbe, that is fine. Just like one who is not a doctor cannot give a medical opinion, we are not military strategists, so it is not our place to give our opinion on this. One needs to know their place. You are an expert in Shlichus; that should

to do everything with qualification. We can see something in the Parsha and take a lesson from it. We don’t know if something actually applies to what’s going on.

8. Which type of tzedaka should people be encouraged to donate to?

Rabbi Friedman: Any type of

Kislev, 5784 29

Q&A

tzedaka is always fantastic.

People are giving to the soldiers, the families of the soldiers, the injured, Colel Chabad and they are doing amazing things. When giving tzedaka, it would also be good to look for any neglected areas where people are not giving to and where people are being overlooked.

The main virtue here is not necessarily about who you are giving to, but about giving more than one usually gives.

than the next. They are all legitimate. Follow your heart.

9. How do you view this war and suffering in the light of “Moshiach already being here,” as the Rebbe said?

Rabbi Friedman: The current experience for the average Jew is very painful and confusing.

We are being faced with both great news as well as horror.

We don’t even know what to feel. We are more proud and united than ever before. We

We know what is evil and what is good and the good will prevail over the evil.

There are people who give $100,000 to tzedaka annually, which is amazing. But we need to go out of our comfort zone and give more than we habitually give. Bring out the ‘Hidur’ in the Mitzvah. Now is the time to give even more tzedaka to Israel. They are in a state of emergency and demand exceptional behavior beyond our comfort zone.

Extraordinary times cause extraordinary goodness.

Rabbi Jacobson: Anytime tzedaka is given is good. It says, “One learns only where one’s heart desires” (Avoda Zarah 19). We all gravitate toward different things. When it comes to giving tzadaka, follow what speaks to your heart. One tzedaka isn’t better

30 COLlive Magazine

see the bravery, the emunah, the tefillin, the tzitizis, it is truly Moshiach times. But we are also fighting the ugliest evil.

The Rebbe said that the last generation before Moshiach would be the ugliest Galus, and the first generation of Moshiach would witness amazing miracles. We look around the world and ask, is the world with us or against us? The answer is both. The half that is against us is the last generation of Galus, and the half that is with us is the first generation of Geula.

Rabbi Greenberg: The Rebbe taught that the Moshiach is as present as the sun waiting beyond drawn curtains. Our

final deeds are the hands that can pull the shades aside and welcome that awaited light onto the world’s stage. Yet, sadly, in Israel, our hands have often drawn the shades tighter through misguided policies that have led us further into darkness rather than toward the light.

Observing Napoleon’s rapid advance across Europe, a lieutenant dashed to the Duke of Wellington’s tent, map trembling in hand: “General, the enemy is nearly upon us!”

Wellington responded, “Young man, obtain larger maps, and the enemy won’t seem so close.”

For decades, many politicians argued that granting the Palestinians land would lead to peace. The Rebbe countered: They don’t desire their own state; they covet ours. He warned that territorial concessions meant “the enemy will be upon us.” Those politicians retorted: Disregard the small map, overlook the immediate threats, and envision the larger roadmap to peace. Now, the nightmare they ignored has become our reality.

How much more innocent blood must be shed before we reject the failed “larger roadmaps”? How many more lives must be lost before we declare an end to this tragedy?

It is time to heed the Rebbe’s urgent call. By our acts, we will open the shades and windows to welcome the bright dawn of redemption.

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Moments with the Rebbe PRESENTED BY JEM

34 COLlive Magazine

FLASHBACK

Menachem Begin A number of aides accompanied Menachem Begin on his visit to the Rebbe in 1977. Among them was his adviser and speech writer Yehuda Avner, who is pictured here shaking the Rebbe’s hand.

2 Av 5737/July 17, 1977 Photo: Velvel Schildkraut

Kislev, 5784 35

FLASHBACK

Menachem Begin On 2 Av, 5737, Israel’s Prime Minister Menachem Begin visited 770 for a yechidus with the Rebbe.

In his remarks to the press, Begin explained that he had come to the Rebbe to ask for his brocho ahead of his talks with President Carter in Washington D.C. 2 Av 5737/July 17, 1977 Photo: Velvel Schildkraut

zalman shazar Then Israeli President Zalman Shazar visited the Rebbe on Purim 5731. The Rebbe showed a deep affection for Shazar and presented him with a silver megillah case as a memento from his visit.

13 Adar 5731 Photo: Velvel Schildkraut

36 COLlive Magazine

FLASHBACK

zalman shazar After Maariv and Megillah reading, the Rebbe and Shazar met privately for over four hours.

13 Adar 5731 Photo: Velvel Schildkraut

Kislev, 5784 37

FLASHBACK

Ariel sharon Ariel Sharon, former Israeli General and Prime Minister, speaks to the Rebbe by dollars on 1 Sivan 5749.

When Sharon mentioned the need for Jews to be strong, the Rebbe added that their strength also needs to express itself in their observance of Torah and Mitzvos.

1 Sivan 5749/June 4 1989 Photo: Chaim B. Halberstam

Mayor Ron Nachman The Rebbe speaks to then Mayor of Ariel, Ron Nachman, by dollars on 6 Nissan 5750. The Rebbe advised Nachman to stress to the American public how supporting Israel is in America’s best interest as an important ally in the Middle East.

6 Nissan 5750 Photo: Chaim B. Halberstam

38 COLlive Magazine

FLASHBACK

Bibi Netanyahu The Rebbe speaks to Bibi Netanyahu by dollars on Rosh Chodesh Kislev 5751. The Rebbe spoke to him about the urgent need to accomplish more to finally bring Moshiach.

1 kislev 5751 Photo: Chaim B. Halberstam

Bibi Netanyahu Bibi Netanyahu visits the Rebbe on Hoshana Rabba 5748 during his term as Israel’s Deputy Ambassador to the UN. 21 Tishrei 5748 Photo: Levi Freidin

Kislev, 5784 39

FLASHBACK

Injured Soldier During the sicha, the Rebbe suggested that the veterans be known as Metzuyanei Yisrael (“the special of Israel”), because Hashem had blessed them with unique and special abilities.

23 Av 5736 Photo: Yossi Melamed

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FLASHBACK

Injured Soldier On 23 Av 5736 a large group of disabled Israeli veterans visited 770. After adressing them as a group, the Rebbe handed them each a dollar bill to give to tzedakah.

23 Av 5736 Photo: Yossi Melamed

Kislev, 5784 41

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Shlichus through writing and teaching The story of Rabbi Avrumie Bukiet, a Shliach of the Rebbe to Eretz Yisroel

By Dovid Zaklikowski at a young age.

Shlichus through writing and teaching

There, he met Rabbi Volf Greenglass, the unforgettable spiritual mentor. Avrumie reveled in the rabbi’s Chassidic stories and teachings, but above all, he was touched by his warmth and kindness. Once, Avrumie injured his arm and required medical attention. As he walked alone to the hospital, Rabbi Greenglass came running up behind in order to accompany him.

The story of Rabbi Avrumie Bukiet, a Shliach of the Rebbe to Eretz Yisroel Any interaction with Rabbi Avraham Shmuel “Avrumie” Bukiet was an experience to be remembered. With an ineffable twinkle in his eyes, he always had a good word to share, a witty vort and the inevitable joke. He had a unique way of dispensing sensitive messages without raising indignation.

The third child of Rabbi Chaim Meir and Rebbetzin Esther Bukiet, Avrumie was born in 1951 and raised in a home that valued knowledge. His father was Rosh Yeshiva of the Central United Lubavitcher Yeshivoth and rabbi of Oneg Shabbos and Yom Tov shul. His mother was dedicated to her children, and volunteered for various causes that included Lubavitcher Yeshiva, and the

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building of a local Mikvah in East Flatbush, the first of its kind in New York.

Avrumie, a rowdy child, would be compared by teachers to his more studious siblings, and their mother often had to defend Avrumie’s unique qualities.

Sensing that he’d never live up to their aptitude and fearful of being overshadowed by his father’s role in the local yeshiva, Avrumie went to study at the Lubavitch yeshivah in Montreal

At the yeshivah, he blossomed into a young scholar and developed a deep love for the Rebbe’s teachings. Decades later, he would say, in typical jest, that if not for the Rebbe, he would have ended up selling bagels on a street corner. This deep connection grew in Avrumie during his years as a student and through his rabbinical ordination. When he met Feiga Wilhelm, an Israeli educator who was working in New York,

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One of his first publications was based on the famous teaching of the Baal Shem Tov about how negativity seen in others is merely a reflection of one’s self. He called the twelve-page booklet, which was reprinted dozens of times, “Hazulas Hu Harei,” the other is the mirror.

He gathered sources spanning thousands of years of Jewish scholarship that shed light and provided new meaning to the Baal Shem Tov’s teaching.

they both shared a desire to become shluchim of the Rebbe, and decided to marry.

Although Feiga hailed from Jerusalem, Rabbi Bukiet desperately wanted the wedding to be near the Rebbe in New York. He asked the bride and her parents if they would agree to hold the wedding in New York, which they accepted. The Rebbe, too, gave his blessings to hold the wedding locally.

In 1978, when the Rebbe wanted to send a group of shluchim to the Holy Land, Rabbi Bukiet added his name to the list. To their delight, the Bukiets were chosen, and together with their newborn son Zalman, they moved to Israel.

He led communal activities in the city of Kiryat Ata for six years. In an unassuming way, he found a way into the hearts of many. Every one of the Rebbe’s mitzvah campaigns was dear to Rabbi Bukiet. After some years, he was joined by

more Shluchim, and with the blessings of the Rebbe, moved to Kfar Chabad, leaving the others to continue the work he’d established.

He began to teach in the various institutions in the budding village and began working for the Machon Oholei Shem publishing house headed by fellow Shliach, Rabbi Yochonon Gurary, who is the Chief Rabbi of Holon.

Although there were many communal issues and the laxity of chassidishe life that bothered Rabbi Bukiet, he understood that fighting people would not be effective. He completely embodied the Rebbe’s approach to add light in order to conquer darkness. To do this, he began publishing books that were often compilations of the Rebbe’s teachings on various topics. He hoped that by presenting ideas from the Rebbe succinctly and clearly, the reader would be influenced positively.

The fact that this was his first publication was telling. He incorporated this approach in his daily life by constantly seeking the positive in others, and never engaging in personal vendettas.

If one does see negativity in another, he wrote in the introduction, “It is a way for us to uncover flaws in ourselves, for if you do not have the negative attribute in yourself, how would you be able to recognize it in your friend?”

In appendices to many of these works, he collected additional documentation and historical accounts. He would go from library to library and spend countless hours speaking with librarians and scholars while researching out-of-print and ancient texts.

In 2010, he began new projects focusing on topics that were important to him, such as the need to be careful in one’s speech, Chabad customs for Yom Tov, the need to consult with rabbis, and the Rebbe’s campaign to print Tanyas in every location.

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and lectured on their contents.

Speaking to teachers, listening to their challenges, and receiving their feedback, he felt great satisfaction, which encouraged him to continue expanding the series.

Above all, in the last ten years of his life, he took great pride in publishing five books on education. Being on the receiving end of teachers who were poor educators in his youth, teachers who did not understand the power of their words, he committed himself entirely to this project. He took countless stories from the Talmud about teachers, and analyzed them from every angle.

of books that imparted the great merit and responsibility bestowed on teachers. “This book is first and foremost to give encouragement,” he wrote in the introduction, “and strengthen teachers and educators in their holy work. To inspire them in the great merit that is their lot… In addition, it is for them to recognize their great responsibility and what is demanded from them.”

Word by word, line by line, he collected sources from dozens

He made the books available to schools at discounted rates

At the behest of the Chief Rabbi of Kfar Chabad, Rabbi Shmuel Ashkenazi, he joined the spiritual committee of the village. He later became a mentor in one of the many shuls that sprouted up in the village in the last two decades. His farbrengens there and across Israel were a Chassidic revelation.

A day after his 70th birthday, on the fifth of Adar, 2021, Rabbi Bukiet passed away, leaving his wife and children, many of whom serve as Chabad shluchim across the globe, to continue his legacy. He merited to publish over fifty publications that will surely inspire for generations to come.

“Why Didn’t You Show Them?”

American-born Rabbi Avrumie Bukiet had recently arrived in Israel as the Rebbe’s representative to the northern city of Safed. One day, his young son was sick, and the hospital in the area was known to be inferior. It would be better for him to travel to the Poriya medical center in Tiberius, a local told him.

Gathering two-year-old Zalman in his arms, the rabbi embarked on the two-hour bus ride to the hospital. It was one of his first experiences on an Israeli bus: At each stop, more passengers got on until there was hardly room to move. The air was thick with perspiration. Soon, however, Rabbi Bukiet noticed that there was something else in the air—tension.

Everyone was looking at one teenager who was sitting toward the front. An elderly man—Rabbi

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Bukiet thought he looked old enough to be her great-grandfather—was standing next to the girl with a look of annoyance on his face. “Would I be able to sit down?” he asked. She looked up and seemed about to reply, but noticing the disdainful looks of the other passengers, she turned away in silence.

The old man began muttering aloud. “Where is a little respect? Look at the new generation of sabras!

They don’t know how to give the common courtesy afforded to the elderly in every other civilized society.”

Visibly angry, the man stormed off the bus at the next stop. As soon as he left, the other passengers began to discuss the incident among themselves. The girl was roundly and audibly condemned. Everyone had a comment, a novel expression of outrage to contribute. Throughout, the girl remained in her seat, facing the window.

Slowly, the bus began to empty as the passengers disembarked, throwing one last look of derision, or sotto-voice comment, at the girl.

The hospital was the last stop. As he picked up his son and prepared to get off, Rabbi Bukiet was shocked to see the girl in the front bend down and pick up a pair of crutches from beside her seat.

Slowly, painfully, she limped to the door and down the stairs.

Rabbi Bukiet quickly recovered himself and ran after her. Did she need help, he asked. Was there anything he could do? She looked abashed and seemed barely able to speak. “Tell me,” he asked in his broken Hebrew, “why didn’t you just pick up the crutches? Everyone would have understood and left you alone.”

“I couldn’t,” she responded simply. “I just couldn’t.” She looked him in the eyes. “But what did you think while this was all happening?”

Rabbi Bukiet was ashamed of the thoughts he had harbored on the bus. He thought for a moment.

Years later, telling the story, he would recall the final words of that unforgettable conversation: “It has been a long, hot, and tiring trip. But it was worth everything just to be a witness to this story.”

The Test at the Meal At a young age, Avrumie Bukiet traveled from New York to pursue his studies in Montreal. Once, a teacher invited him over for a Shabbos meal. The young student was honored to have the opportunity and was welcomed warmly into their home.

Mid-meal, the teacher began to question Avrumie about the material he was studying. It was not long before the teacher had young Avrumie tripping up over difficult questions. It was clear that the teacher knew Avrumie would not be able to respond to his complex questions and intended to encourage him to place more effort in his studies.

After Avrumie left the meal, he was so humiliated that he vomited at the first street corner. Although the teacher continued to invite him, Avrumie never returned to his home.

At a future date, he was invited by another teacher, Rabbi Volf Greenglass, who taught Chassidic philosophy and would regularly lead gatherings at the yeshiva. Avrumie was unsure if he should go.

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Firstly, considering that Rabbi Greenglass regularly told the students not to indulge in materialism, surely the food would not be that good, though Avrumie. Secondly, he was afraid of being publicly shamed, as the other teacher had done. He turned down the offer.

Rabi Greenglass, however, did not give up so quickly. He told Avrumie that he was his father’s friend from Poland, and it was out of respect for his father that he was inviting Avrumie. The teen relented and joined the meal.

To his surprise, the meal was a pleasant experience. There was plentiful food, soda, ice cream… and he wasn’t asked to say a word about his studies. Avrumie enjoyed his teacher’s stories, the thoughts shared on the Torah portion, and the kind words about him.

After returning several times, and deepening his relationship with Rabbi Greenglass, Avrumie asked him, “Tell me, after everything you’ve told us at Chassidic gatherings, how is it that you serve ice cream in your home? And why don’t you test me on what I’m learning?”

“At school,” the teacher said, “you are a student, but in my home, you are a guest.” Rabbi Greenglass continued, “To a guest, you give good food, and a guest you do not test. If I want to test you, I know where to find you.”

Ten Children A neighbor of the Bukiets in the East Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn was having a difficult time financing the wedding of a daughter. The father of the bride realized he’d need to fundraise and went from rabbi to rabbi, Rebbe to Rebbe. There were six children in the family, but he figured that if he told the rabbis he had ten children, they would see the need was dire and support him accordingly.

When he came to the Lubavitcher Rebbe with a letter that professed his circumstances, the Rebbe asked him for the names of his wife and ten children so that he could pray for them. When the man barely stammered a response due to the great discrepancy between the six children he had and the ten he claimed to have, the Rebbe repeated his question. When the man still did not respond, the Rebbe asked again. After a third time, the man ran out of the room.

He went directly to the Bukiet home. Seeing his neighbor’s great distress, Rabbi Chaim Meir Bukiet asked what had happened, and the man shared what had occurred. The following morning, the Rebbe’s secretary called, and Rabbi Bukiet explained the entire story.

The next day, Rabbi Bukiet’s son, Avrumie, a student at the central Lubavitch yeshiva, was called to the Rebbe’s secretariat. “Please give this to your neighbor,” the aide told the teenager, handing over a sealed envelope.

The secretary concluded, “Tell him that the truth is important, but giving money towards a wedding is important, too.”

-- Dovid Zaklikowski is a biographer, archivist and historian. He lives with his wife, Chana Raizel, and their six children, Motti, Meir, Shaina, Benny, Mendel and Sholom in Crown Heights. His books are currently available at a discount with the code kinus on HasidicArchives.com. He could be reached at DovidZak@gmail.com

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business trip for a higher purpose How the Rebbe guided a jeweler to do hafatzah

By Dovid Zaklikowski He was short and thoughtful.

Like his vivid red beard, the fifty-eight-year-old Rabbi Benzion Shemtov was a fiery Lubavitch Chossid, who in 1952 explained the Lubavitch mission as being “to sacrifice for the sake of Yiddishkeit” in the Soviet Union and elsewhere.

Arriving in 1947 in London at the directive of the Rebbe Rayatz, Rabbi Shemtov opened an afternoon Hebrew school in his home. It started with three students and quickly grew to several locations—including his dining room—with over a hundred students.

While several Lubavitchers were in London before him, Rabbi Shemtov mobilized them into a group, molding them into a cohesive community.

To support Rabbi Shemtov’s educational activities, a local

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shochet R’ Mule Liberow would recruit the financial support of the local Orthodox community.

One of the homes he visited was that of R’ Nosson “Bobby” Vogel, a successful London jeweler. “I saw really something which I didn’t see in many people, a very ehrlich, sincere” individual, Vogel later said of him.

The Lubavitchers’ zest for Jewish education was infectious. Mr. Vogel saw “there was very little in London” regarding Jewish education beyond primary school. “I found that Chabad had people that were enthusiastic, especially when it came to chinuch,” which is why he turned to the Rebbe for assistance in 1963 in establishing a high school.

When Rabbi Shemtov and his

son-in-law Rabbi Nachman Sudak suggested that he visit the Rebbe in New York, Mr. Vogel went. There, he found much inspiration, he said, from how the Rebbe could take what seemed to be negative situations and view them “in a positive way and see only the good, and chas veshalom, never the negative.”

The experience had a strong effect, calling it “tremendous,” beginning a new chapter in his life, “and from that time onwards, I came to the Rebbe regularly.”

A BUSINESS DEAL IN SWEDEN An idea that the Rebbe shared in that 1974 letter and reiterated in his private audience caused Mr. Vogel to reconsider how he had

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though, he dutifully arrived at the home of the single Jewish contact he had in the city. The wife said that her husband was at a community meeting: “Once a year, there is a meeting of the entire Scandinavian Jewish community and it happens to be tonight.”

viewed the distinction between business and Judaism: “While, needless to say, the proper way to serve G-d is not for the sake of reward, there is the well-known saying of the Alter Rebbe that G-d gives Jews material things, and Jews convert the material into the spiritual. Hence, when a Jew follows this principle, G-d gives him all the more material benefits to enable him to convert them into spiritual accomplishments.”

To the Rebbe, this would manifest itself, as he told Mr. Vogel: “Whenever you are going on business, make sure to use it for Jewish matters too.” In one audience, when Mr. Vogel told the Rebbe that he was going to Sweden on a business trip, the Rebbe gave him a hundred dollars, instructing him to “meet all the members of the community— the rabbis, president and members.”

The Rebbe told him to encourage community members to take upon

themselves all of the mitzvahs of the upcoming holiday of Purim. Furthermore, the Jewish day school should go to the old-age home to bring joy on the holiday to the elderly. In addition, with the money the Rebbe gave him, he should purchase mezuzahs and encourage everyone to affix them on their doorposts. He was also to bring tzitzis with him for the men.

“I’m there for a few days,” he later said about the Rebbe’s idea to meet the entire community, “and I’m trying to do some business…” there would be little time to talk to so many people. To top that off, he only had one contact in the Swedish Jewish community, whom he had never even met.

To the businessman, it seemed like an impossible task.

Mr. Vogel saw it as divine providence and made his way to the meeting. At the meeting, Mr. Vogel gave the person in charge a note explaining that he had come from the Lubavitcher Rebbe with a message for the community.

Accordingly, when the speaker completed his remarks, the chairman stood up and said that there was someone who had brought greetings from the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Against his expectations, Mr. Vogel found himself delivering the Rebbe’s message to the entire Scandinavian community.

When the meeting was done, dozens of people approached Mr. Vogel and asked him for mezuzahs. He gave them the fifty he had with him and promised to send more. “It was

When he returned to London, the appointment with the businessman in Sweden was canceled and rescheduled for two weeks later.

When he arrived in Sweden,

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such a tremendous success,” Mr. Vogel recalled. “It was just unbelievable.”

two decades. He was also the president of the Jewish community.

He would regularly retell the story in the hope of inspiring others, noting that “from above, Hashem turned things that my appointment should be canceled so that I could fulfill the Rebbe’s wishes to meet the entire community.”

The Rebbe told him to ask Sir Hassan to establish a Jewish library in the country. The Rebbe said it should have Torah books, as well as other Jewish books that would attract a broad audience of Jews. The importance of a library, the Rebbe explained, was “that young Jews would go to read the various books there. Over time, a Jewish girl will meet a Jewish boy and perhaps they will want to marry.”

As an aside, he would conclude, the chairman of the meeting had a friend who was a diamond dealer. “He gave me a larger order than the person I came to Sweden to meet.”

A REQUEST FROM THE CHIEF MINISTER On another occasion, before Mr. Vogel went on a business trip to Gibraltar, the Rebbe asked him to give “my very best regards and best wishes” to Sir Joshua Abraham Hassan, a Gibraltarian politician, who served as mayor and Chief Minister of the country for 52 COLlive Magazine

Sitting in the audience with the Rebbe, Mr. Vogel was grinning at the approach to reaching every Jew. “The Rebbe thought ahead,” he later said, while he could have lambasted intermarriage in the country, he instead spoke of an effort “in a positive way” to attract young people to marry other Jews.

In Gibraltar, Mr. Vogel approached Sir Hassan,

conveyed the regards from the Rebbe, and told him of the Rebbe’s idea. Sir Hassan was impressed and liked the idea, but wanted to create the library in a place where not just Jews would come. In the end, Sir Hassan was of no assistance, and Mr. Vogel turned to the Jewish school in Gibraltar, where he dedicated a room and donated the first Jewish books.

Another time, when Mr. Vogel was planning to have a table at a conference for people in the jewelry business, the Rebbe told him that he should have volumes of Chumash, Tehillim and siddur in a tzedakah box.

“To infuse Yiddishkeit at our table.”

Dovid Zaklikowski is a biographer, archivist and historian. This is an excerpt from his forthcoming biography, “A Gaon in Kindness: Chapters from the Life of Mr. Nosson Vogel.” Dovid could be reached at DovidZak@gmail.com

Illuminating the World of Shluchim An interview with Yosef Shidler, founder of DollarDaily, an organization that provides financial help to Shluchim by making a one-time payment each day to a different Shliach. The money is collected from people who commit to donate one dollar each day to the fund with the amount growing every day as new donors get on board.

DollarDaily recently published a new book entitled “Illuminations” that tells stories of Shluchim from all over the world. COLLive sat down with Yosef for a fascinating conversation about how the organization got started, its goals and growth, and the inspiration for its new book.

Chaim: Yosef, thanks for coming in today. Your organization does so much for Shluchim worldwide so it’s a real pleasure to be able to have this conversation ahead of the Kinnus HaShluchim.

Yosef Shidler: It’s a pleasure to be here. Before we get started, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to COLLive for all that they have done to support our work. Yossi and

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Mica Soffer, the founders of COLLive, have extended themselves in immeasurable ways to ensure the project’s success and DollarDaily would never have gotten to where it is today today without their help.

Allow me to explain. When the idea of DollarDaily came up, I was unsure how to take it further. It was clear that without the proper PR and media reach, the project would never take off.

I met with the Soffers who enthusiastically embraced the idea and set in motion what is today a wellrecognized organization that is doing tremendous work for Shluchim.

Chaim: What motivated you to start DollarDaily?

I credit two particularly

moving talks that I heard from Shluchim with motivating me to help this cause. One was by Rabbi Amar of Golden Beach when I was a bochur in the

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which the Rebbe replied that he should add even more.

I decided to take a leap of faith. The first person I reached out to was Rabbi Shlomo Friedman, who had established the Yad L’Shliach fund in memory of his late father. With Hashem’s help, DollarDaily was launched on Erev Yom Kippur, from an idea that began during Parshas Re’eh just a few weeks earlier.

Yeshiva in Miami. He explained how Shlichus is about giving your life for the Rebbe, and he shared a story about going to the grocery store without having enough money to buy food. That hit me hard. I had never fully grasped the challenges and sacrifices that Shluchim often face and hearing his story was a powerful wake-up call for me.

Later, during my time at Hadar Hatorah, Rabbi Dov Yonah Korn from NYU spoke to us and he related a time when he dropped his kids off at school only to receive a call from the office telling him that he needed to pick them up because tuition had not been paid.

Both of these Shluchim shared their experiences not for sympathy but rather to illustrate what it means to totally give oneself over to the Rebbe’s Shlichus and their

stories really inspired me.

Chaim: So how did it get off the ground?

I’ll be honest; when I first had the idea, my initial instinct was to walk away from it.

Summer is the peak season for my business, and I felt like

Chaim: Some people have questioned why you started DollarDaily, considering that the Rebbe’s Keren Hashanah of giving an amount of money for every day of the year already exists. How do you respond to that?

Yosef: To be honest, before starting this project, I had heard about Keren Hashana, but I had no idea what it was all about. It wasn’t until I was deeply involved in DollarDaily

To some, it may seem that Shluchim are living in exotic places to provide kosher options to Jewish tourists on vacation. Of course, that was never the purpose of Shlichus.

I didn’t have the time required to turn this idea into a reality.

But I was reminded of the time when Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz asked the Rebbe which one of his many time-consuming projects he should drop, to

that someone even brought up the comparison with the Keren Hashnah. But even if I had known about it, I still wouldn’t have seen what are doing as a competition. I’ve always viewed DollarDaily simply as the Chabad

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version of DailyGiving, which is already donating over $10,000 a day to various organizations through people’s $1 contributions.

Chaim: DollarDaily’s Illuminations publication which profiles a particular Shliach and Shlichus each week has become very popular. Did that start with the launch of DollarDaily?

Yosef: No, that started a bit later. Shortly after we launched DollarDaily, I quickly saw that the growth was going slow. I remember receiving a call from a wellknown askan in Crown Heights who asked me: “What’s the deal with this DollarDaily thing? I see it everywhere. Why does it not have a million people already?”

I realized that we needed something inspirational to keep the momentum going and it hit me that Shluchim telling stories from their Shlichus would be the best way to educate people and inspire them to give.

Chaim: Doesn’t Chabad.org and COLLive also report on Shluchim’s activities? How is this different?

Yosef: The major moments of a Shlichus are profiled on websites like Chabad.org and COL. What is overlooked is the day-to-day life of Shluchim, the miraculous moments, and the inevitable struggles that every Shliach faces. Those experiences are the ones we try to capture in Illuminations.

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Chaim: Besides inspiring people to donate to Shluchim, do you see other benefits from the Illuminations publication?

Yosef: As a Lubavitcher living in the Lakewood area, I have the privilege of engaging in conversations with many of my non-Lubavitch neighbors.

In speaking with them it dawned on me that many people in the frum world are not fully aware of the tremendous work carried out by Shluchim. To some, it may seem that Shluchim

Shluchim were hesitant, unsure who I was and what this was all about. are living in exotic places around the world to help with humanitarian needs and to provide kosher options to Jewish tourists on vacation.

Of course, that was never the purpose of Shlichus.

Illuminations has helped many of them to truly understand the life of a Shliach and the incredible job that they do in bringing people closer to Yiddishkeit.

Chaim: Is this the first time that something like this was attempted?

Malka Touger published a book of Shluchim stories in 2006 entitled “Excuse Me, Are You

Jewish?” and I reached out to her about publishing a second volume. She explained that despite her desire to do so, the significant time involved and the challenge of securing interviews with Shluchim made it too difficult.

Her assessment turned out to be quite accurate; it can be very difficult to arrange an interview with a Shliach. I remember one occasion when an interview was rescheduled three times a day for four days, only for the interview never to happen. But when you’re dealing with individuals who are fielding emergency calls and managing hectic situations, flexibility is a necessity. I knew that there were hundreds of Shluchim whose incredible stories were waiting to be told so I pushed on to make it happen.

Chaim: What was the initial feedback to Illuminations from the Anash community?

Extremely positive. Yossi Soffer encouraged me to print the stories on high-quality paper and in color and to distribute them in Shuls in Crown Heights. This turned out to be an excellent idea and soon communities around the world followed suit. Stories from our interviews began to appear in other publications and people look forward to reading them each week.

Chaim: Were the Shluchim quick to get on board with it?

We launched “Illuminations” in January of 2022, and the

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first 10 to 20 interviews were challenging. Shluchim were hesitant, unsure who I was and what this was all about.

Thankfully, after conducting over 100 interviews, they have a much better understanding of our mission and they are excited to be a part of it.

Shluchim are often surprised when we ask them to share their stories, believing that others have more captivating stories. More often than not, they’re shocked to realize the depth of their own narratives when they make time to speak with us.

Chaim: How do you decide which interviews to publish and when?

Yosef: It’s really a whirlwind of activity conducting interviews, writing and editing, and then publishing them in time each week. Often, we’ll just choose a random interview to publish and it will be a perfect fit for that week. For example, a few weeks ago I suggested focusing on college campuses for our publication without realizing that the same Shabbos was the Pegisha weekend in Crown Heights for college students. We wrote up the content and sent it to the Shliach for review. He was sure we had saved it for just that week!

Chaim: Now you are publishing a book from the Illuminations interviews. What made you decide to do that?

Yosef: We quickly realized that our interviews were producing

stories that were too rich to fit onto a single, double-sided page. Instead of trimming down the stories, we decided to conduct more in-depth interviews with the intention of turning the rest of the interview into a book.

We settled on 25 Shluchim whose stories we believed each brought something unique and different. The result is a remarkable 432page book featuring the fascinating encounters of these amazing Shluchim.

In today’s fast-paced world, people have short attention spans so we realized that the stories needed to be wellwritten and engaging. Chaya Chazan skillfully directed the writing team, and a review team, led by two Shluchim, Rabbi Mendel Heidingsfeld of

It’s worth noting that the book was actually printed on Chai Elul, a special day on the Chabad calendar. Without delving into a long story with numerous details, I had asked the Rebbe for a bracha for the book a month prior and I happened to open a letter of the Rebbe that mentioned the auspiciousness of Chai Elul.

Only when the printing took place on that date did I fully comprehend the significance of that letter.

I had never fully grasped the challenges and sacrifices that Shluchim often face.

Manchester and Rabbi Chayim Friedman from Milwaukee, ensured the book’s quality.

Chaim: How many Shluchim are featured in the book?

Yosef: I had originally hoped to include 30 to 40 of the original Illuminations interviews in the book. However, as the project evolved, we found ourselves dedicating 15 to 25 pages to each shliach which would result in a book much larger than the intended range of 400 pages. The challenge was selecting which interviews to choose as so many of them were inspiring.

Chaim: What’s next?

Yosef: Now it’s up to the readers’ to tell us how we’ve done. We have already received tremendous feedback from people who have read the book telling us that they literally can’t put it down.

We continue to interview new Shluchim, and with the incredible amount of Shluchim out there, we’ll be busy for a long time. This project has profoundly changed my life, and it’s given the Shliach within me a newfound purpose. Listening to hundreds of hours of Shluchim share their unique messages has been a real zechus. We aim to continue telling these stories and hope that Illuminations is just getting started.

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Bringing Hope and Dignity to Those Who Need It Most

By L. Herz Rabbi Mendel Lipskier of Sherman Oaks, California, refers to Areivim as “a positive force.” It all began when dedicated community members gathered to address the sudden loss of a husband and father. His family was left in a dire financial situation, and the new widow despaired.

How would she manage to collect enough money to marry off her seven children?

Although her beloved community organized a public funding campaign, she was hesitant to post the pictures of her family which would compel people to donate. Additionally, her children craved privacy and they did not want to air their family’s details with the public. This tragic scenario was all too familiar. Areivim formed in order to offer a glimmer of hope and dignity to families who have suffered the loss of a mother or father.

AREIVIM’S NOBLE MISSION

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In 2009, Areivim embarked on a mission to provide support to widows and orphans in a dignified manner. The founders, a group of 15,000 community members, pledged that in the unfortunate event of an adult member’s passing, they would collectively contribute a small amount for each child in the family, ensuring that every orphan received $100,000 in financial

assistance. This amount has since been raised to $150,000.

MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE Years later, the impact of Areivim is palpable in the stories of families discreetly receiving substantial assistance. “There are so many campaigns we see, rachaman l’tzlan,” says Rabbi Lipskier, “but understandably,

AREIVIM

sometimes campaigns cause embarrassment to people. Areivim covers all the extras and allows family life, including simchas, chinuch, and camp, to go on. Rather than feeling like a burden to the community, this becomes a zchus because it is done in such an honorable way. It’s a no brainer.”

In a letter signed by Rabbi Avrohom Osdaba and Rabbi Yosef Braun, the Crown Heights Beis Din released a letter of support for Areivim, stating that “We are aware of the Areivim progam that supports orphans and widows in an honorable way. Yasher Koach to the organizers and all those that participate.”

TRANSPARENT AND MANAGED FUNDS Areivim commits to ensuring that every child receives financial support for their upbringing and future, including the ability to get married.

A transparent approach is crucial, and each individual fund is overseen by a rabbi, a family member, and an Areivim representative, ensuring that each $150,000 fund is responsibly managed. Rabbi Mendel Lipskier, Rabbi Levi Garelik, and Rabbi Chaim Fogelman oversee the most recent funds for the Lubavitch families.

“Sometimes people pass away and there is no money for the children,” says Elozor Raichik of Crown Heights.

“Look at Areivim as if it were a tzedakah organization. There is no monthly fee, yearly fee, or registration fee. Each member of Areivim gives a one time fee of $10.50 for each of the yosomim, and a fund is immediately set up. Each child and the spouse receives a total of $150,000 over the course of the years. Rabbanim have paskined

Frequently Asked Questions: 1. CAN I SIGN UP FOR AREIVIM IF I HAVE LIFE INSURANCE? Yes, you can. Areivim strongly advocates for every person to have life insurance. Still, they understand that many have insufficient coverage, or may be ineligible for life insurance. Areivim is primarily a tzedakah, but the side benefits make it a crucial resource, as well.

2. DO FAMILIES RECEIVE A LUMP SUM PAYMENT? The money is collected as one lump sum, but is then managed by the committe, with the goal of supporting children and helping them get married.

3. I LIVE IN ISRAEL. CAN I SIGN UP FOR AREIVIM? No, there is an Areivim organization in Israel, and you would need to sign up with them.

4. I’M ON SHLICHUS. CAN I SIGN UP? Yes, you can. Areivim realizes that the home base of each shliach is in 770.

5. DOES A WIDOW OR WIDOWER GET A PAYOUT? Yes, as long as there are a minimum of three children who are recipients.

6. ARE THERE ANY AGE LIMITS? A child will receive support if they are not married and under the age of 32 years old.

7. I HAVE HEALTH ISSUES; CAN I STILL SIGN UP FOR AREIVIM? When registering to Areivim, you will need to declare your health issues, and Areivem’s Volunteer Medical Board will decide if you can be accepted. Once accepted, you are fully covered. However, if one does not declare health issues and they are found out later, the family may face challenges.

8. WHY ARE THERE HEALTH-RELATED RESTRICTIONS? This restriction ensures the sustainability of the organization, as it helps balance the needs of its members.

Without such restrictions, there would be constant fundraising efforts. Areivim aims for sustainability.

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AREIVIM

Letter To the organizers of Areivim USA: I wanted to express my thanks for your wonderful organization. I admit that I only recently understood the magnitude of what you have accomplished. I was married at the age 23 and, like many, I took out a term life policy before the birth of our first child.

Now, almost twenty years later, it’s time to renew. I am denied coverage.

My medical history isn’t perfect because of simple stress, overweight, and severe Covid. This caused my carrier to deny my coverage. Although I make a living, b”h, the cost to convert a term policy into whole life was more than I can afford. I did convert some, but I was left significantly under covered.

Thank G-d, I had registered to Areivim a couple of years back. I’m sure many in our community have similar situations and are either not covered or undercovered.

So again I just want to express my appreciation.

Sincerely Name withheld

that dues to Areivim may be paid with maaser, as well.

MONTHLY CONTRIBUTION CAP A crucial clause in the Areivim guidelines is that no member will ever pay more than $42 per month. This means that if there was a loss in a family with more than four children c”v, members are charged $42 for one month, and the remaining orphans support are contributed in the following month.

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THE “WAR CLAUSE” AND THE CHALLENGE OF COVID-19 Areivim’s “war clause” acknowledges that in certain situations, there may be an influx of orphans due to a catastrophic event such as a war, pandemic, or natural disaster. In these cases, resources could be strained.

The war clause allows members to either reduce payouts or temporarily halt collections, with the decision

resting in the hands of trusted rabbinical leaders.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic put Areivim’s resilience to the test. During the pandemic, they faced the challenge of supporting one hundred new orphans, and a crucial decision had to be made. Members voted on how to proceed, and over 90% of members voted not to use the war clause. Instead, they raised the maximum collection amount to allow all orphans to receive the full amount.

A RESILIENT AND GROWING COMMUNITY Remarkably, Areivim emerged from the COVID-19 crisis stronger than ever. Its membership expanded from 15,000 to 22,000 families, and the contribution of each member was reduced. Every dollar contributed directly benefits the children, with no administrative overhead.

Areivim’s model ensures that beneficiaries do not feel like charity cases, but rather like rightful recipients of support.

BEYOND LIFE INSURANCE “Don’t look at Areivim as ‘life insurance,’” says Elozor Raichik, “view it as tzedakah.

By joining, you give a one-time contribution of $10.50 to a yosom.” Elozor points out that many people in the community lack sufficient coverage, with some insuring only the husband. He also emphasizes

AREIVIM

that all too often, life insurance coverage is not adequate.

Kollel yungerman often struggle to afford comprehensive policies, and adding new policies later in life is very expensive. Some families simply cannot afford it. Areivim’s coverage amount scales up as you have more children, and scales down as they are married off. No additional medical check-ups are required as the family grows. Areivim also covers both parents under one policy, and carefully manages payouts to ensure funds are preserved for each child.

A CORNERSTONE OF TZEDAKAH “We don’t always see Hashem’s ways,” says Rabbi

Lipskier. “But I know a few families that have benefitted from Areivim here, in Los Angeles. I was able to be part of a group that took care of every major expense of the children until each was old enough to take control of their own life.” Since its inception, Areivim has distributed $60 million in financial assistance, proving that unity and compassion can overcome any challenge.

Areivim’s care and support for all yidden truly shines, as they offer hope and dignity to those who need it most. “It’s a great support for almanos and yesomim. It’s also a very high level of tzedakah,” Rabbi Lipskier says. “Many members do not even take benefits.They join just to be charged and to help yidden.” Families left in financial distress during their

most challenging times are supported with the utmost respect.

In recent years, many Askonim in Crown Heights have penned and signed letters encouraging the community to join Areivim. To date, Areivim has supported Lubavitcher families with over $2 million in the past six months, and $6 million since its inception.

“Ashrei Chelkum v’goydel z’chusam of all those involved,” Lipskier adds. “The more people are together in this, the more brochos it brings.

It’s a positive insurance policy.

There should not be any tragedies.”

For more information and to register to Areivim free of charge visit AreivimUSA.com

Shlichus Supercharged Nine helpful gadgets and apps for your Shlichus

By Libby Herz

1

SNAPPR:

ROAD WARRIOR AND ZEO:

Route-Planning Dream Team Plan your Mivtzoim routes minus the headache using apps like Road Warrior and Zeo Route Planner. These apps make route planning a piece of cake – no coding required! Road Warrior is a budget-friendly app, while Zeo adds premium features to your planning game.

ONPAY:

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Payroll Without the Panic Compensating your cooks, teachers, and camp counselors just got a whole lot easier with OnPay, a payroll superhero designed for small businesses.

It simplifies payroll and tackles tax troubles at a starting rate of just $40 a month. Rated the number one payroll service for small businesses by Forbes.com, Onpay might be an ideal payroll option for your Chabad House.

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Life as a Shliach is a whirlwind of effort and dedication. From learning with community members to mopping the kitchen floor, there is always something that requires your attention. But fret not! In a world where apps and gadgets are your best friends, here’s a list of tools that will make your Shlichus run (a bit) smoother.

2

Picture Perfect Your Mega Challah Bake is tomorrow night, and you just remembered to get a photographer. Sounds familiar? You’re not alone, and Snappr is there to help. Snappr. com is a website that connects you with pro photographers in your area, guaranteed to deliver quality photos with a quick turnaround. (Their mobile app is for the photographers themselves).

REACH:

4

Text with Pizzazz Whether it is a pre-Shabbos reminder or a promotion for your Chanukah party, the Reach app will help you keep your community engaged and informed. With great customer service, an easy-to-use interface, and a low monthly cost, it’s a must-have tool for every Shliach. Reach is also known to waive their monthly fee for non-profit organizations.

TECH

CANVA FOR NON-PROFITS:

Where Creativity Runs Wild

5

Canva took the graphic design world by storm by enabling amateur designers to produce stunning designs without the cumbersome Photoshop. The real magic happens in Canva Premium, which unlocks photos, fonts, and templates not available in the free version.

Luckily, Canva provides this service for free to non-profits. Search Canva for non-profits on Google, fill out the application, and you’ll be reaping the benefits of this fantastic tool at no cost! Also, be sure to check out the wide selection of Canva designs made

by Shluchim on the Shlichus Market, including an archive of professional designs made for each of the Yomim Tovim.

ASAKUKI OIL DIFFUSER:

A Breath of Fresh Air Welcome visitors to your Chabad House with a scent of freshness and comfort. The Asakuki Oil Diffuser is built to freshen up larger rooms, and its long-lasting battery will keep it going for even a long summer Shabbos. With an array of fresh aromas to choose from and colorful LED lights to make it glow, this oil diffuser will add a touch of class to your Chabad House.

CENTR:

Simplify Your Health

7

SENSYNE PHONE TRIPOD AND WIRELESS REMOTE:

6

Seamless Streaming Sensyne Phone Tripod and Wireless Remote: Seamless Streaming Fed up with your phone’s clumsiness as you try to record? An easy $30 purchase on Amazon of a Sensyne tripod will solve all your problems.

This solidly built tripod can be positioned at various heights, and it includes a Bluetooth remote that controls when the recording stops and starts. This helps you get the angle you want without the awkward beginning of you reaching over to press record.

FLIPD:

Stay Productive

8

Your phone and its features help you manage your Shlichus, but how much phone time is too much?

Flipd will help you crank up your productivity and keep your attention laser-focused. This app, created for overachievers and productivity aficionados, boasts custom productivity timers, daily, weekly, and monthly stats, and productivity insights so you can eliminate phone distractions and stay focused on what’s important.

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A healthy body is essential to one’s Avodas Hashem. That means exercising regularly, eating healthy, and living a balanced lifestyle. But who has time for that when there are a million other things to do? That’s where Centr comes in.

This all-in-one app blends exercise, meal planning, and relaxation techniques to help you prioritize your health. A few workouts each week will help you feel happy and energized as you go about your Shlichus!

When you’re on Shlichus, every bit of help can make a world of difference.

These gadgets and apps will streamline your operations and add some sparkle to your day. They’re the secret to saving time and easing stress as you go about your mission of conquering the world with Torah and Mitzvos!

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ASK THE THERAPIST

WITH RABBI DANIEL SCHONBUCH, LMFT

HOW TO TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT THE WAR IN ISRAEL With our children and teenagers, some topics can be avoided, like winners or losers of sports games or petty politics that consume the news cycle. Unfortunately, wars, terrorism, and the attacks that we have recently witnessed against our people in Israel cannot be avoided.

Even though we may try to protect our children from things we don’t want them to hear or see, the recent violence and the proliferation of social media make it impossible to avoid the inevitable fact that our children will find out about

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what’s going on; the question is from whom?

Children in the West who were born since 9/11 have never been free of information about war and terrorism. Even though most children were not exposed to the violence in Manhattan or overseas, it doesn’t mean parents shouldn’t talk to children about the conflicts happening abroad.

The question is, how can you speak to children about murderous attacks that killed innocent adults, mothers, and children? I believe the process

should begin by learning about what your child already knows and how old they are.

And, please remember, there are no perfect answers.

Younger children Starting when a child is around 6-8, it’s important to be open to discussing the facts surrounding war if your child brings it up. However, you need to do so in a manner that’s appropriate for their age. For example, you could tell them, “War happens when countries are attacked, and they need to fight back to protect their lives.” However,

MENTAL HEALTH

it’s not happening here, and we’re not in any danger.”

As their parents, you need to reassure them that they’re safe and you will do everything in your power to make sure their lives and your home are secure. Having a simple conversation can be an opportunity to correct any misunderstandings your child may have.

Older children The older the child, the more sophisticated your conversations need to be. Your child will likely want to know why we are in a war. Keep your explanation simple by saying something like, “War is meant to prevent more bad things from happening in the future.” You might also talk about how war is meant to protect Israel and us.

Teens Tweens and teens are likely to witness significant media coverage, no matter how much you try to limit their exposure. They’ll see the titles in the news or hear them from others at school.

What’s worse is the constant exposure to social media, which is filled with horrifying images intended to grab their attention. It’s hard for a teen not to look, especially when their classmates are talking about it.

Although there is no perfect answer to this level of exposure, what is more important is to monitor their emotional states - and yours.

Your child will learn how to

cope with world events by watching how you handle issues. So be aware of how you respond to stress and how you communicate with others.

Your reaction I suggest you calmly allow them to express all of their fears about what they are watching. Even if it makes you feel overwhelmed, try to ground yourself by noticing

PLEASE REMEMBER, THERE ARE NO PERFECT ANSWERS your feet touching the floor and take a deep breath to calm yourself down as they are speaking.

It’s normal to feel anxious about war and acts of terrorism. And while it’s OK to tell your child you feel scared, don’t burden your child too much with your emotions.

Instead, focus on their emotions. For those who want to fine-tune their listening skills, I suggest you pick up a copy of “How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk” (by Adele Faber and

Elaine Mazlish).

Noticing distress Young children aren’t able to verbalize their stress, so be on the lookout for behavior changes such as difficulty sleeping, becoming extra clingy, reverting back to baby talk, thumb-sucking, or bedwetting.

Older children may express more fears about death, or they may report persistent upsetting thoughts if they’re distressed. Be on the lookout for preoccupation with war or terrorism, death, or even suicide. This is especially true for children or teens with mental health issues or those who have experienced traumatic circumstances and are particularly vulnerable.

Finally, if you see that even after talking to your child you don’t see their mood improving, I suggest you reach out for help. Have them meet with a mental health professional who is trained to talk about feelings and can monitor their thoughts and emotions and make suggestions on how to help them more effectively.

-- Rabbi Daniel Schonbuch, LMFT, is a licensed psychotherapist who specializes in treating anxiety, depression, PTSD and marriage issues. He is the director of Mytalkplace.com, which offers online therapy for the frum community.

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RECIPES

4 EASY DINNERS SHLUCHIM CAN PULL OFF

Delicious meals for when you’re in charge

By Sruly Meyer

Being a Chabad Shliach comes with a whirlwind of responsibilities, from tending to the needs of the community to fulfilling family obligations. And when the Shlucha is engaged in her own pursuits, getting dinner on the table can be a challenge.

To alleviate this, we’ve compiled four wholesome and kid-friendly recipes that are fairly a breeze to prepare. Keep these handy for those moments when your wives are away at the Kinus Hashluchos in New York.

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Everything Bagel Chicken Strips Ingredients: Everything Bagel Spice 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs ½ cup of olive oil 1 family-size package boneless chicken 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon of onion powder 2 eggs Instructions: 1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

2. Cut the chicken into thin strips, coat them in olive oil, and then dip them into the beaten eggs.

3. Lay them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle with salt, onion powder, and the everything bagel spice.

4. Sprinkle on the panko bread crumbs, then turn the strips over and repeat on the other side.

5. Bake until the breading is golden brown for about ten minutes, then turn the strips over and bake for another 10 minutes.

RECIPES

Basic Beef and Ramen with Sweet Sauce Ingredients:

Instructions:

2 packs of instant ramen noodles 4 cups water 500g thinly sliced flanken steak 1 tbsp vegetable oil Salt and pepper, to taste For the Sweet Sauce: ¼ cup soy sauce 3 tbsp brown sugar 1 tbsp sesame oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (for thickening) 1 large onion, sliced and sautéed Green onions, chopped Sesame seeds

1. Season the beef slices with salt and pepper. Heat half of the vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the beef to the pan and stir-fry until just browned. Remove from the pan and set aside.

2. In the same pan, add the remaining oil and the sliced onions.

3. Sauté the onions over medium heat until they are soft and golden. Remove from the pan and set aside with the beef.

4, In a separate pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the ramen noodles, discarding the seasoning packets. Cook according to package instructions, usually 2-3 minutes.

5. Drain the noodles and set aside.

6. Make the Sweet Sauce: In the same pan used for the beef and onions, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, and sesame oil. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Stir in the cornstarch-water mixture. Continue to simmer until the sauce thickens.

7. Add the cooked beef, sautéed onions, and ramen noodles to the pan with the sauce.

8. Toss everything together until the noodles, beef, and onions are well coated with the sauce.

9. Plate the beef, onions, and ramen. Garnish with chopped green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve hot and enjoy!

Tips: Feel free to add vegetables like broccoli or bell peppers to the sauté for added flavor and nutrition. For a spicier version, include chili flakes or a drizzle of hot sauce in the sweet sauce.

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RECIPES

Simple No Fuss Chicken and Rice Ingredients: 1 cup of duck sauce 2 tablespoons of onion soup mix 1 pack of whole chicken cut into 8 pieces 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon pepper 1 cup of white rice Instructions: 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Wash the rice and add it to a 9 by 13-inch pan.

3. Mix in the salt, pepper, and soup mix. Combine well.

4. Layer the chicken pieces on top of the rice.

5. Pour and brush the duck sauce over the chicken.

6. Add enough water or chicken broth to cover the chicken, making sure the tops of the chicken pieces are still above the liquid.

7. Cover, and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for one hour.

8. Remove the cover, and bake for another 30 minutes or until golden brown.

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RECIPES

Spaghetti Carbonara with Sausages Ingredients: 400g spaghetti 200g A&H sausages, sliced or diced 2 large eggs 2 cloves garlic, minced Salt and black pepper to taste Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions: 1. C ook the spaghetti according to package instructions in salted water until al dente.

Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

2. W hile the pasta is cooking, fry the A&H sausages in a large skillet until browned and cooked through. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.

3. I n a bowl, lightly beat the eggs, seasoning with salt and pepper.

4. A dd the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the sausages. Remove from heat, and quickly pour the beaten eggs over the spaghetti, stirring briskly to cook the eggs with the heat from the pasta and sausages.

Use the reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency if needed.

5. G arnish with parsley. Serve immediately for a warm, comforting meal.

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Crown Heights Kosher Food Guide ABE’S CORNER Gastropub offering unique, delicious food in a spacious and immersive setting.

Kosher Certification: Rabbi Eliyahu Matusof 674 Rogers Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226 Phone: (718) 684-7828 ALBANY BAKERY 339 Albany Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213 Phone: (718) 778-1733 ALMAH CAFE Kosher Coffeehouse and bakeshop Kosher Certification: CHK 87 Utica Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213 Phone: (347) 533-6494 BAKERIE Modern bakery for kosher breads, sweets & daytime noshes with housemade spreads & coffee.

Kosher Certification: OK 252 Albany Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213 Phone: (718) 693-8248 BUTCHER GRILL HOUSE Lubavitch Shchita - CHK 411 Troy Avenue Brooklyn, NY 347-770-4042

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BOEUF & BUN Innovative, handcrafted burgers pair with a variety of craft beers at this upbeat locale.

Kosher Certification: CHK 271 Kingston Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213 Phone: (718) 221-8900 BUNCH O BAGELS Cafe offering bagels plus a roster of entrees, omelets, salads, sandwiches & pasta dishes.

361 Troy Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213 Phone: (718) 604-0634 CROWN PIZZA Dark wood & exposed brick adorn the interior of this upmarket pizzeria with specialty slices.

Kosher Certification: OK 419 Kingston Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11230 Phone: (718) 484-4817 BROOKLYN ARTISAN BAKEHOUSE Rustic decor, down to earth ambiance and flavorful menu.

Kosher Certification: OK 665 Empire Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11213 Phone: (718) 872-5155

GRUIT BY ABE’S A neighborhood restaurant & garden with a modern American kitchen and strong focus on seasonality & cocktails.

Kosher Certification: OK 252 Empire Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11225 Phone: (347) 846-0622 HOLESOME BAGELS Bustling shop offering housebaked bagels, breakfast, sandwiches, pizza & salads.

Kosher Certification: CHK 333 Kingston Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213 Phone: (347) 955-5300 IZZY’S BBQ SMOKEHOUSE Kosher BYOB barbecue restaurant serving platters, sandwiches, sides & desserts in hip digs.

Kosher Certification: OK 397 Troy Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213 Phone: (347) 425-0524 KINGSTON BAKE SHOP Kosher Certification: CHK 380 Kingston Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225 Phone: (718) 467-2047

KOSHERTOWN CAFE Kosher Certification: CHK CHOCOLATTE Bright & Modern cafe in Crown 469 Albany Ave, Heights, free WiFi Open 24 hours. Brooklyn, NY 11213 Kosher Certification: CHK MAMA KITCHEN NY 792 Eastern Pkwy, Restaurant featuring a funky Brooklyn, NY 11213 modern interior & menu of contemporary & classic Israeli ESS AND BENTCH cuisine.

Offering hot dogs, shnitzel, 7 Rochester Ave, sandwiches and french fries Brooklyn, NY 11233 Kosher Certification: CHK Phone: (718) 771-3038 313 Kingston Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213 MEAT Phone: (718) 705-7770 MEAT is where food and design meet. Extremely GOMBO’S HEIMISHE elegant restaurant featuring BAKERY modern Mediterranean cuisine.

Counter-serve bakery specializing Kosher Certification: OU in jelly doughnuts, plus other 123 Kingston Ave, sweets, sandwiches & coffee.

Brooklyn, NY 11213 328 Kingston Ave, Phone: (516) 888-1730 Brooklyn, NY 11213 Phone: (718) 771-7701

MENDY’S Mendy’s Deli is the place to go for burger, a delicious steak,or a heAvenly sandwich.

Kosher Certification: CHK 792 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11213 Phone: (718) 907-8877 MERMELSTEIN’S Deli & Home-style Jewish Food Kosher Certification:CHK 351 Kingston Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213 Phone: (718) 778-3100

PATIS Kosher Certification: OU 266 Kingston Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213 929-234-6365 www.patis.com SAUCE N CHEESE Stop-in kosher pizzeria offering slices, calzones & salads in a simple counterserve setting.

Kosher Certification: CHK 509 Albany Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11203 Phone: (347) 425-1450

MOZZARELLA Fine Dining Dairy establishment conveniently located in Crown Heights.

Kosher Certification: CHK 265 Troy Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213 Phone: (917) 633-6770

SUSHI SPOT Snug storefront offering both basic & specialty kosher sushi rolls for delivery & curb-side pickup.

Kosher Certification: CHK 426 Kingston Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225 Phone: (718) 756-4040

NORIBAR High quality Sushi meals using fresh ingredients and skilled preparation techniques.

Kosher Certification: CHK 326 Kingston Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213 Phone: (347) 913-8888

SWEET EXPRESSIONS Ice cream shop, candies, chocolates and sweets Hot and cold shakes and smoothies.

310 Kingston Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213 Phone: (718) 613-0188

PITA PINA Israeli style falafel, shwarma and sandwiches.

Kosher Certification: CHK 250 Kingston Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11230 Phone: (718) 484-7814 PRIME AVENUE Prime Avenue offers a delicious global menu that includes schnitzel sandwiches & Chinese dishes.

Kosher Certification: CHK 377 Kingston Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213 Phone: (718) 576-6665

TAKEOUT

DOVID MALKA 1552 Carroll Street 718-773-2335 KOSHERTOWN 469 Albany Ave phone 718-778-6171 THE MARKETPLACE 589 E New York Ave Phone (718) 363-1300

GUIDE

IMPORTANT NUMBERS & INFORMATION HATZOLAH (718) 230.1000 SHMIRA (718) 221.0303 SHOMRIM (718) 774.3333 CHAVERIM (718) 222.1800 BIKUR CHOLIM OF CROWN HEIGHTS (718) 467.1661 CROWN HEIGHTS URGENT CARE 555 Lefferts Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11225 BEIS DIN OF CROWN HEIGHTS 390 Kingston Ave. (Above Kettle & Cord) (718) 604.8000 RABBI OSDOBA ext 1 RABBI BRAUN ext 3

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Quiz

Quiz yourself on Israeli Chabad trivia

By Binyomin Weiss

1

WHICH REBBE SAID, “MACH DOH ERETZ YISROEL” (MAKE ERETZ YISRAEL HERE)?

4

A. The Alter Rebbe

A. Yerushalayim and Tzfas

B. The Tzemach Tzedek

B. Yerushalayim and Kfar Chabad

C. The Frierdiker Rebbe

2

IN WHICH SPECIAL LOCATION DID THE REBBE INSTRUCT THE CHILDREN’S SEFER TORAH BE WRITTEN?

C. Tzfas and Kiryat Malachi

5

B. Yitzhak Shamir

B. Tzemach Tzedek Shul in Yerushalayim

C. Shimon Peres

C. Y eshivas Toras Emes in Yerushalayim

3

A. The Mishnayos: Taharos, Nezikin, Kadashim B. The Mitzvos: Taharas Hamishpacha, Neiros Shabbos Kodesh, Kerias Shema (davening) C. T he cities where they first drove: Teveria, New York, Kiryat Gat

WHICH ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER DID NOT MEET THE REBBE? A. Yitzhak Rabin

A. The Kosel Hama’aravi in Yerushalayim

WHAT DID THE REBBE SAY THE HEBREW SPELLING OF TANK (TES, NUN, KUF) STANDS FOR, MAKING IT A PROPER NAME FOR MITZVAH TANK?

TO WHICH CITIES DID THE REBBE SEND SHLUCHIM IN THE YEARS 5736-8 (“LAMED VOV AND LAMED CHES)?

6

WHO WAS THE ONLY CHABAD REBBE TO VISIT ERETZ YISROEL? A. The Mitteler Rebbe B. The Rebbe Maharash C. The Frierdiker Rebbe

7

WHICH SEFER TORAH WAS WRITTEN AT THE INSTRUCTION OF THE REBBE IN 13 TAMMUZ 5742?

A. Sefer Torah for the residents of Kfar Chabad B. Sefer Torah for the city of Netivot C. Sefer Torah for the Israel Defence Forces (IDF)

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FUN PAGE

8

WHICH IS THE OLDEST CHABAD SHUL IN ERETZ YISROEL?

12

A. Baal Hatanya’s Shul - Me’ah Shearim, Yerushalayim

A. Rabbi Gershon Mendel Garelik OBM

B. Tzemach Tzedek Shul - Old City of Yerushalayim

B. Rabbi Shlomo Maydanchik OBM

C. M itteler Rebbe / Menucha Rochel Shul Chevron

9

WHAT DID KFAR CHABAD RESIDENT MRS. SHIFRA MOROSOW DO AFTER HER HUSBAND DOVID WAS KILLED IN BATTLE AFTER THE SIX-DAY WAR?

13

WHICH OF THE CENTRAL CHABAD ORGANIZATIONS DOESN’T HAVE AN ISRAELI EQUIVALENT? A. Agudas Chassidei Chabad B. Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch

B. She organzied Bar Mitzvahs for IDF orphans

C. Kehot Publication Society

14

B. Rabbi Binyomin Klein OBM of Crown Heights C. R abbi Yosef Gutnick of Australia HOW MANY CHABAD HOUSES OPERATE TODAY UNDER TZACH (LUBAVITCH YOUTH ORGANIZATION) IN ERETZ YISROEL?

WHICH OF THESE CITIES DOESN’T HAVE AN OFFICIAL CHABAD NEIGHBORHOOD? A. Lod

WHO DID THE REBBE APPOINT AS HIS “SPECIAL SHLIACH FOR THE INTEGRITY OF THE LAND OF ISRAEL (SHLEIMUS HA’ARETZ)?

A. Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Aharonov of Kfar Chabad

11

C. Rabbi Mendel Futerfas OBM

A. She ran for a seat in the Knesset

C. S he worked for Colel Chabad to feed the hungry

10

WHO SUGGESTED THE CHABAD SHUL IN THE RAMAT SHLOMO NEIGHBORHOOD IN YERUSHALAYIM BE BUILT AS A REPLICA OF 770?

B. Be’er Sheva C. Kiryat Malachi

15

WHAT DID THE REBBE PROPHESIZE TO RABBI YISRAEL MEIR LAU DURING DOLLARS ON 15 ELUL 5751?

A. That he will be elected Chief Rabbi of Israel B. That his son will be elected Chief Rabbi of Israel C. T hat he will serve as Chairman of Yad Vashem

A. 674 B. 770 C. 800

Answers: 1-B, 2-B, 3-B, 4-A, 5-B, 6-C, 7-C, 8-C, 9-B, 10-C, 11-C, 12-A, 13-B, 14-B, 15-A.

Kislev, 5784 73

YOU DON’T KNOW SQUANTO A brief history of Thanksgiving (in case someone in your community asks)

By Mordechai Schmutter Some woman came over to my mother at a bank once, and asked, “Do Jews celebrate Thanksgiving?”

My mother said, “Some do; some don’t. We don’t.”

“You’re so lucky!” the woman said. “You don’t have to cook!”

Nevertheless, Thanksgiving is a time when people all over the country get together to celebrate things like religious freedom and the fact that a group of long-gone Pilgrims stopped dying except at the normal rate. Because if not for those Pilgrims, we wouldn’t have a country unless you count all the explorers who settled in more tropical regions, like Manhattan.

Because Shluchim live in communities where Thanksgiving may literally be the only time that people do cook, and you can’t avoid

74 COLlive Magazine

the excuses that people can’t attend a class or give a donation because they are away for Thanksgiving, I think it would be helpful to run through the story behind this holiday.

The basic story involves a group of people called the Pilgrims, who were looking to get out of England so they could have more religious freedom. Eventually, they were approached by the London Company, who told them that if they went, they could catch animals and trade furs.

For money. Not for other furs.

They set sail on two ships.

One of those ships was called the Speedwell, which was so called because it began to leak almost immediately after they left the dock. So everyone went back to England, where they all squished onto their other boat – the Mayflower, which is a

pretty name for a hundred-foot boat that held 132 people plus goats, birds, and dogs for over two months. It did not smell like a Mayflower.

They finally left England in September, 1620, and they landed at Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in November, which is not the prettiest time to go to Cape Cod. And they were pretty upset, because they were supposed to be aiming for Virginia.

But what do you want? There was no GPS. There were paper maps, but they lost those when the goats got loose.

Anyway, the Pilgrims landed in New England right before the winter, with no food, no supplies, and no shelter. By the end of the first winter, there were 53 people left. They had better luck during the summer, though.

HUMOR

In March, they happened to luck into a Native American named “Squanto”, who happened to know English because he was once kidnapped and brought to England as a slave, at which point he escaped and made his way back to America, only to find that his tribe had been wiped out by a plague brought over by the people who’d kidnapped him, so he had to join another tribe, which, as it turned out, was the very same tribe the settlers ran into! Talk about Hashgacha pratis! Not that he was sore.

And boy did Squanto come in handy. According to my research, he taught them: 1. How to plant corn. (Corn is hard. What part do you even plant?)

2. How to avoid plants that were poisonous. (“It’s not like they chase you,” he said.)

3. How to use alewives as fertilizer for their crops.

4. That alewives are a kind of herring, not a kind of wives.

5. How to catch local animals such as turkeys, which are exactly like chickens, but terrifying. Especially during kaparos.

So I don’t know what the settlers were thinking. It’s like they didn’t even bring anyone over who had any basic survival skills. They didn’t know how to catch animals? Weren’t they there to trade furs? It’s like the colonists were actively trying to kill themselves.

But despite everyone dying, the

Pilgrims decided to celebrate, because if history teaches us anything, it’s that you can’t live in the past.

So in the fall of 1621, they started preparing a festival.

They don’t remember when they celebrated it, but they know it was on a Thursday.

They didn’t even know it was an official Thanksgiving. They thought it was just a fall harvest festival, which is something that people had been doing for thousands of years, which is when you bring all your crops in from the field, and then you try to eat them all at once before they go bad. The first actual “Thanksgiving” meal that they had was two years later, in 1623, after it didn’t rain for a while, and then it did. They had a Thanksgiving Day feast, in the rain. People died. So what people think is Thanksgiving is actually a composite of two events.

In fact, on the first Thanksgiving or whatever, they weren’t even going to invite the Indians, because they had to draw the line on the guest list somewhere. But then the Indians heard gunfire, so they ran in with all their weapons, and the Pilgrims were like, “No, no, we’re getting ready for our feast. We’re hunting corn.”

So now they had to invite the Indians. And Squanto, so he could teach them how to cook.

After the feast, everyone pretty much forgot about it, until 1863, when Lincoln decided to institute the holiday on the last day in November to try to

avoid the Civil War. After all, the Pilgrims and the Native Americans ate together, and they didn’t kill each other that much for at least the next 50 years.

It didn’t work. Right after the holiday, everyone ran out and started killing each other over reasonably-priced gift items.

Then, in 1939, Franklin Roosevelt decided to move the holiday to a randomly-moving day in November, so he could have a long weekend.

So in summary, Thanksgiving was established in both 1863 and 1939 to commemorate an event that didn’t actually happen in 1621, but sort of happened in 1623 based on a misunderstanding. Though you’ve got to say that as far as secular holidays go, it’s not the worst reason to have one.

It’s better than celebrating groundhogs. It’s actually sitting around a table and being thankful for the things you have, until about 6:00, when you run out to the store to buy more things.

Or, if you don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, you can at least be thankful that you don’t have to cook.

-- Mordechai Schmutter is a freelance writer and a humor columnist for Hamodia, COLlive Magazine and other publications. He also has six books out and does stand-up comedy. He can be contacted at mschmutter@gmail.com

Kislev, 5784 75

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