COLlive Magazine - Chanukah 5784

ISSUE 15 |

CHANUKAH 5784 / DECEMBER 2023

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‫בס”ד | כאן צוה ה‘ את הברכה‬

M A G A Z I N E

Celebrating Chanukah, Thinking of Eretz Yisroel A Benefit Party For IDF Soldiers Chanukah After The Six Day War The story of the Rebbe’s library

Why We Need The Classic Dreidel

Uncle Nussen Fellig of Montreal

Sufganiyot & Chanukah Challah

Chinuch special: 8 lights, 8 parenting insights

6 Chanukah Gifts Nobody Wants

New Halacha column: Unraveling the Duke’s decree in Shulchan Aruch

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Dvar Malchus

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From The Publisher

Letter from the Rebbe

Mica Soffer

A Crown Heights teacher visits his student in the Israeli army

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In Support of the Soldiers

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The Chanukah After the Six Day War

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Crown Heights supporting IDF soldiers

ESSAY

Who are Your Heroes?

CHINUCH

8 Lights, 8 Parenting Lessons TZEDAKAH

34

Raising Hope

A chance meeting with a determined founder HALACHA

36

Unraveling the Duke’s Decree in Shulchan Aruch MENTAL HEALTH

38

Ask the Therapist

Rabbi Daniel Schonbuch LMFT BUSINESS

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Treasures and Triumphs The story of the Rebbe’s library and its jeweled archives

26_ Uncle Nussen of Montreal

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The Boozery launches Bon & Jack

43

Chanukah Gift Ideas

46

Kids 3-D Dreidel Cookie KOSHER

48

Sufganiyot - 3 ways

52

Chanukah Challah

54

Spreading Yiddishkeit came first for businessman Mr. Nussen Fellig OBM

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By Kehos

The classic and two unconventional ones

By Rochie Pinson HUMOR

Chanukah gifts Nobody Wants

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ISRAEL AT WAR

Touching Base

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INSIDE

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PUBLISHER Mica Soffer EDITOR Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin

Chanukah 5784

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Danit Schusterman Dovid Zaklikowski Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin Sruly Meyer Tzemach Feller Rochie Pinson Jamie Geller Daniel Schonbuch Libby Herz Mordechai Schmutter Yosef Shidler COVER PHOTO Levi Kolton PHOTOS JEM Hasidic Archives Nechama Photography

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FROM THE PUBLISHER There’s a photo being shared of a wooden dreidel for Chanukah this year. The letters on it are BTBN. It spells Bring Them Back Now, referring to the hostages that the terrorists from Gaza took captive on Simchas Torah.

Thankfully, a whole group of hostages has been freed since and will be celebrating Chanukah with their families and loved ones.

But while we are all davening and doing mitzvos for the hostages, that they should be brought from darkness to light, I feel like even alongside this new dreidel’s sentiment, the original dreidel as we know it should still relay the message to our people that it has for centuries.

Our traditions are the glue that keeps our faith together. ‘Minhag Yisroel Torah Hi,” the Rambam said. A Jewish custom is part of the Torah. Since the Torah is eternal, so are the Jewish customs. The material and colors of a Menorah are up to preference, yet not its practice - increasing in light for 8 nights with the help of a shamash.

So too, the dreidel doesn’t need ‘updating’ or to be ‘relevant.’ In fact, I believe that the classic letters on the dreidel are exactly what we need to hear and believe in today. Nun, Gimmel, Hei, and Shin - a great miracle happened there.

There are soldiers currently risking their lives to keep the borders safe. There are families from both the south and the north who are displaced due to the ongoing threat of rockets. There are many who are injured and traumatized.

They all need and deserve a miracle - together with the hostages, of course.

There are Jewish people around the world who worry for their safety. There are Jewish institutions that are currently spending thousands of dollars to be more secure than banks. There are Jewish students on college campuses who are considering hiding their identity. So many are in desperate need of and deserve a miracle.

This Chanukah, let’s give them a miracle. Following the Rebbe’s directives, this is our chance to spread even more light in the world through Mivtzoim and public Menorah lightings. While we usually attend those conveniently nearby, perhaps drive a little further one night and attend another lighting that could use a boost.

Nun, Gimmel, Hei, and Shin—these letters speak to us not only of historical miracles but of the miracles we seek today. They remind us that our faith, unity, and resilience will always triumph over adversity. This Chanukah, let’s be the bearers of light, spreading hope and miracles wherever we go. As we kindle the flames of the menorah, let us be catalysts for the miracles our world so desperately needs.

Happy Chanukah!

MicaSoffer

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8 Chanukah 5784

THE JEWISH HOME

A HOME FOR G-D PUBLIC LETTER FROM THE REBBE WRITTEN FOR CHANUKAH 5746

Chanukah, 5733 FREE RENDITION By the Grace of G‑d In the Days of Chanukah, 5733 Brooklyn, N.Y. To the Sons and Daughters of our People Israel, Everywhere G‑d bless you all!

Greeting and Blessing: Many are the interpretations and lessons derived from these Chanukah days. Basically, the essential significance of Chanukah is the dedication of the Mizbe’ach (Altar) and of the Beth Hamikdosh, as explained in the special prayer of “V’al Hanissim”: “Then Your children entered the Sanctuary of Your House, cleansed Your Sanctuary and purified Your Mikdosh, and kindled lights in Your holy Courts.”

Hence it is also the event of the dedication of the Beth Hamikdosh that contains basic instructions for every Jew, man or woman, at all times and in all places, Since the purpose of all commemorative days in the life of our people is to teach us practical lessons from “those days”—“at this time.”

The essence of every Jewish home and its fulfillment is to serve as an abode and sanctuary for the Shechinah (Divine Presence). More particularly—every Jew, man or woman, is a sanctuary and abode for G‑d’s Presence. This is what our Sages of blessed memory taught us by their commentary on the verse, “Let them make Me a Sanctuary, and I will dwell in them”—“in each and every Jew.” Meaning, that the end purpose of every act and service in connection with the Mikdosh is to draw and bring in G‑dliness into each and every Jew. Since the Beth Hamikdosh was destroyed “because of our sins”—it is through Teshuvah and good deeds, through the performance of the Mitzvoth throughout the duration of the Exile by each and every Jew, that the sanctuary within each of us is built and fortified, while bringing closer the redemption of our Jewish people by our righteous Moshiach, who will also restore the central Beth Hamikdosh on its site, and on an even higher level.

What happened with the Beth Hamikdosh in the time of Mattisyohu ben

May G‑d grant that it should be so speedily in our own time.

With blessing for brightly illuminated Chanukah days, illuminating also all the days of the year—with an ever increasing light. /Signed/ Menachem Schneerson

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Yochonon Kohen Godol is (on the spiritual level) relevant to the “Sanctuary” that is within every Jew, here and now. The environment, society, etc. often “cause them to forget Your Torah and lead them astray from the statues of Your Will”— With emphasis on Your Torah—studying the Torah because it is, and as it is, G‑d’s Torah; an infinitely higher concept than that described as “your wisdom and understanding in the eyes of the nations.”

Similarly, the “statutes of Your Will ”—performing all the Mitzvoth, including the so-called rational precepts, on their highest level as G‑d-given statutes, with the sole intent to do the Will of G‑d.

It therefore behooves everyone who has G‑d at heart to follow the example of those dedicated Hasmoneans, to the point of Mesiras Nefesh, disregarding the overwhelming odds of “(physically) weak and few against the mighty and many.” And in the end G‑d will take up his cause and ensure his everlasting triumph, and he will celebrate Chanukah—the dedication of his inner Beth Hamikdosh— “to give thanks and praise to His great Name.” *** Now, among the Mitzvoth of Chanukah—viz., reciting the whole Hallel every day, reciting V’al Hanissim, reading of the Torah, prohibition of eulogizing (the dead) and fasting, and lighting the candles—it is the last which comes first in time (although the victory on the battlefield preceded the miracle with the cruse of oil). It is with this Mitzvah of kindling the Chanukah Lights that the festival of Chanukah is ushered in—for the time of the lighting begins at sunset. Moreover, it is the traditional practice (Minhag—which is also part of Torah) to “ascend in holiness”, to increase the number of candles from day to day.

Thus, the emphasis on the Chanukah Lights underscores a great and essential principle, namely, that it is necessary to scrutinize even “the oils that are in the Sanctuary” to make sure that the oil has not been defiled. Be it noted that the oil in question was not intended for consumption, but for lighting, and one would have thought that it did not matter if it was momentarily defiled. Yet, absolute purity is essential.

And it is for this miracle with the oil that the festival of Chanukah was instituted. This pointedly teaches us that the light which illuminates the Beth Hamikdosh (the general as well as individual “Beth Hamikdosh”) must be pure, without the slightest defilement.

The light that illuminates the way of the Jew, man and woman, in their daily life, is defined as “a Mitzvah is a lamp and the Torah is light.” This lamp and light must be carefully guarded that it be not contaminated, and then the road will be secure.

For our Sages of blessed memory assured us that these lights will never cease, meaning also that their lesson is eternal, for all times and places, and, as mentioned, for every Jewish home, and every Jew and Jewess.

To the end that the entire conduct of the house and of every person living in it, particularly in regard to the education of the sons and daughters (Chanukah and Chinuch being derived from the same root), should be illuminated and permeated with the light of the Torah, pure light, and in a steadily growing measure, until it will illuminate also the darkness outside, as is also indicated by the Chanukah Lights which are kindled at the entrance of the house, outside. So that one be justly able to declare: “I have been like a wonderful example to many, for You are my stronghold. And as it was in those days at this time, when “You stood up for them in the time of their distress, fought their battle, etc. and accomplished great deliverance and redemption.”

The fulfillment of the Mitzvoth (rectifying “our sins” which are the cause of the Exile), and the Mitzvah of the Chanukah Lights in particular ‫ אותיות מורדת‬- ‫כמובן ממשנ”ת שעי“ז כליא ריגלא דתרמודאי‬ (‫ ובכ“מ‬.‫ ב‬,‫)אוה“ת חנוכה ע‘ תתקמא‬, brings closer the fulfillment of the Divine promise of the true and complete Redemption through our righteous Moshiach and the restoration of the Beth Hamikdosh.

10 Chanukah 5784

TOUCHING BASE Crown Heights teacher Rabbi Moshe Reinetz visited his student serving in the Israeli army

By Tzemach Feller

Twenty-seven years ago, Shmuly Ben, a young man who grew up in Crown Heights, was a student in United Lubavitcher Yeshiva—Ocean Parkway.

His third grade Rebbi was Rabbi Moshe Reinetz, who has taught in Lubavitch‑ er Yeshiva for some three decades, infusing hundreds of talmidim with a passion and love for Yiddishkeit — and he was about to discover just how deep is his connection to his students, even all these years later.

It’s 2023. Now known as Sammy, he has traveled far from Crown Heights, and is a businessman living in Los Angeles. He looks very different from the young schoolboy who chanted pesukim of Chumash in third grade in the 90s. He moved to Israel and served in the IDF as a young man and is now in his 30s, living a traditional Jewish lifestyle.

But he never forgot his rebbi, and his rebbi never forgot him.

Rabbi Moshe Reinetz and his former student Sammy Ben

Rabbi Reinetz kept in touch with Sam‑ my throughout his adult life; first by phone, and now by WhatsApp. They’d chat from time to time, Sammy keep‑ ing his rebbi apprised of how he was doing; what he was up to.

Sammy was visiting Israel on Chol Hamoed Sukkos, and met up with a fellow former classmate during a visit to the Kotel. Together the two filmed a video for their beloved Rebbi, which they proudly sent to him.

Then the war broke out.

Rabbi Moshe and Rivkah Reinetz with Israel’s oldest soldier Ezra Yachin

On Shemini Atzeres, 5784, Sammy got the call that more than 300,000 milui‑ mniks received: our nation is under at‑ tack, and we need you back in uniform.

We need you to defend your land, your people, your home.

And like hundreds of thousands of others, Sammy answered the call. He dropped everything and rushed to his unit, leaving his life behind. The IDF’s supply chains were stretched thin by the sudden influx of soldiers, and non-essential items simply weren’t prioritized, so Sammy and his buddies went without.

Bravely, they fought for their country, enduring risks and privations that others cannot imagine—and that they cannot even talk about. As the weeks went by, they struggled to maintain their morale. But then Sammy got some news from home.

His rebbi was on the way.

Rabbi Moshe Reinetz, along with his wife Rivkah, were visiting Eretz Yisroel, on a mission to bring chizuk to its inhabitants, and especially to the brave soldiers defending the Holy Land.

“Sammy actually reached out to my husband and asked that we come visit him, as he understood we were in Is‑ rael,” Rivkah Reinetz told COLlive.com.

“My husband asked him what he’d like us to bring, so we brought things for the soldiers; food, and various supplies that they needed.”

They finally found Sammy at a base in an undisclosed location in Israel.

Between corrugated steel-walled build‑ ings hastily constructed out of ship‑ ping containers, Sammy was spending some time with his buddies in their

In that distant base, for Sammy, and the rest of the soldiers in his unit, the pintele yid shone forth. Warmly, he embraced his rebbi of decades before.

Excitedly, he distributed the goodies the Reinetzes had brought with them for their entire unit. He proudly intro‑ duced his Rebbi to the commanders on the base and his fellow soldiers.

And proudly, he called each of his buddies to take their turn putting on tefillin.

“My husband put on tefillin with many of the soldiers, and Sammy was actual‑ ly recruiting soldiers to put on tefillin,” Rivkah Reinetz proudly related.

Then, another moment of inspiration.

Israel’s oldest soldier—Ezra Yachin— was visiting the base, also on a mis‑ sion to boost morale. At 95, he is the oldest reservist in the IDF, and he was there, speaking to the soldiers. Yachin was 19 years old in 1948 when he put on the uniform of the IDF for the first time. He saw combat, losing the vision in one eye in the fighting. Now he has put that uniform on once again, and travels from base to base, motivating the soldiers. The Reinetzes met him, and were impressed by his story of decades-long commitment to Eretz Yisroel.

For Ezra Yachin, the same fiery zeal for his homeland that led him to put on the uniform in 1948 continues to inspire those around him. And for Sammy, the same pintele Yid that was fueled decades ago in United Lubavitcher Yeshiva rose to the sur‑ face, inspiring him and those around him to renew their commitment to Yiddishkeit as they put their very lives on the line to defend our Holy Land.

11 COLlive Magazine

makeshift gym; rows of weights and exercise gear on a turf floor, hidden beneath camouflage netting.

12 Chanukah 5784

IN SUPPORT OF THE SOLDIERS MITZVAH CENTER TO HOST CHANUKAH PARTY FUNDRAISER

By Sruly Meyer

What do you do when you aren’t in Israel, you aren’t enlisted, and you want to do everything you can to help protect the soldiers?

You step up to the plate and get involved. For members of the Mitzvah Center, a Shul in Crown Heights, this Chanukah they are making it possible for everyone to also get involved.

Yossi Chayo, owner of Bellissimo Hats, together with his Shul, The Mitzvah Center on Troy Between president and union, are hosting a Tzedaka Live Auction and Fundraising Event to bring warmth to the soldiers in the IDF. It started on Yom Tov, when Mendel Kugel, who is also a member of The Mitzvah Center heard that his brother got a call to return to base in Israel. “It was even before Simchas Torah, during Chol Hamoed he got an alert to return and he left right away,” said Kugel.

As soon as the attacks happened and the war began, Mendel and Yossi, together with other members of the Shul, started to raise funds and begin sending gear

and other supplies to the front lines.

“We just knew we had to do something, we are so far away, but we know every single one of us has an obligation to do whatever we can, and this was our way of helping.” Yossi Chayo tells COLlive.com.

As Chanukah approached the members of the Shul began deciding on the details of their yearly Chanukah gathering. “We didn’t want to just host a lavish Chanukah party for ourselves to enjoy, we wanted this event to be something else, with a greater purpose,” Chayo explains further. “We had

a shul meeting to decide what to do for Chanukah, and instead of doing a big expensive event for us, we decided to do something for the soldiers.”

Mendel Kugel shares an experience that fueled his commitment to supporting those serving in Israel.

Recounting a family WhatsApp message from his brother about a friend heading to Israel, Mendel vividly described the immediate action it inspired.

“When my brother messaged our family WhatsApp group about his friend joining an Israeli unit and needing supplies, I jumped into action

13 COLlive Magazine

that entire weekend. I was hustling, reaching out to people for donations to buy the necessary items from an Amazon wish list,“ Mendel explained, emphasizing the swift and collective response within the community.

The pivotal moment occurred when Mendel, alongside his brother, drove to the airport on Sunday as he departed for Israel. Mendel couldn‘t help but empathize with the sacrifices his brother was making.

“As I watched him board the plane, I couldn‘t shake the reality that he wouldn‘t see his family for months. He‘d be without their support and miss important moments.

And it also hit me that he was heading into a situation where he could make a difference, at a time when we all felt a bit helpless,“ Mendel expressed, acknowledging the unique challenges faced by those serving abroad.

In that moment at the airport, Mendel admitted to feeling a twinge of envy, recognizing

that despite the separation from family, the departing soldier was undertaking a meaningful mission.

“While no one wants to be away from family, I couldn‘t help but envy him a bit. He was going to make a real impact during a time when we all felt powerless,“ Mendel shared.

For those seeking a meaningful way to contribute, Mendel encourages readers to recognize their strength and seize the opportunity to make a difference. “f you‘ve been searching for a way to help, a way to actively contribute to the situation, this is it. This is your chance to show your strength and support those who are bravely facing challenges on the front lines,“ Mendel passionately conveyed.

Chayo and Kugel reached out to Mordy Botnick, who runs Chayal El Chayal, to discuss partnering up. Botnick, who started Chayal El Chayal as a Bochur, and later enlisted in the IDF, created the

organization to help soldiers who might be feeling alone while serving in the army.

Many people, especially those who came from places outside of Israel to enlist, often find themselves struggling to find their place.

Mordy Botnick tells us, “It‘s incredible to see that young communities in Crown Heights are supporting the soldiers on the front lines!

Crown Heights is already sending more soldiers to the IDF via the Aliyah Youth Program, run by Moishy Feiglin, as well as the programs and upcoming event by The Mitzvah Center, it’s simply heartwarming!”

Chayal el Chayal offers a comforting ‘home away from home’ for lone soldiers. It is a genuine home where no appointments are necessary, welcoming all lone soldiers with open doors to provide the resources they need. The organization is committed to fostering personal and enduring relationships with every individual who walks

14 Chanukah 5784

through its doors.

Located in the Central Jerusalem neighborhood of Nachlaot, they host over a hundred lone soldiers each month. Their diverse range of programs includes Shabbat and holiday meals, a community and synagogue, holiday packages, winter gear distribution, monthly hikes, weekly classes and personal guidance throughout military service. They also provide home-cooked Shabbat meals to over 50 lone soldiers every week, and Chayal el Chayal has become a trusted spot where these individuals know they can find a loving family and a welcoming home at any time.

“When we asked Mordy what we could do, he told us that normally during this time of year they are focused on bringing winter gear, such as warm coats, blankets and space heaters to the soldiers.

In addition, as Chanukah approaches they reach out to every soldier to raise their spirits during Chanukah and bring the holiday to them.”

Botnick explained that now due to the war, there are many other activities they are focused on, and that’s when The Mitzvah Center told them, “we got this” to take over the winter and chanukah efforts.

The Mitzvah Center is hosting ‘Warm Up Our Warriors’ to be held at The Arches, a new event space in Crown Heights located at 1394 St. Johns Place. The event touts its efforts to help Chayal El Chayal provide warm gear and bring the light of Chanukah to thousands of

lone soldiers. It will be held on December 14th, the 8th night of Chanukah at 7:00 PM. Performing live at the event will be Eli Levin. There will also be wine, cocktails, and a warm shawarma bar provided by Sizzle. The event will include the live auction for fabulous prizes being showcased on their website.

The goal is to raise $200,000 dollars through ticket sales of the auction as well as entrance fees to the event.

Chayo explains, “We are hoping that since this is a newer auction, we know that we might have less people entering this year, but that will only increase the chances of winning for those that do purchase tickets. The hope is that even those that aren’t able to purchase tickets to the event itself, will take part in the auction raffle.”

You can purchase tickets through their website, raiseathon.com/ mitzvahcenter, to enter to win incredible prizes. You can win $1000 at The Market Place, an original painting by Karen Gordon, family photo sessions, baby gear, a spa

treatment and dozens of others. There are some big ticket items as well, such as 2 Round trip tickets to Israel, a luxury Yaffie Begun Shaitel, and $2500 to Tzfasman Jewelers. The website showcases everything available.

Leasing Direct, another sponsor, has already been deeply involved, sending suitcases filled with gear and supplies every single day.

“We can‘t thank all the sponsors enough, we know that there are many Tzedakah events and they are often asked to contribute.

However when we called and explained the mission they didn‘t hesitate, and we are grateful for everyone who has contributed to this special cause. In the past we know that sponsors of events don’t always attend every Charity event, but we know many of the sponsors of this event also plan on being there to show their support in person,” Chayo says.

The event and auction winners will be broadcast on COLlive.com so you can watch and enjoy and see the results live!

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16 Chanukah 5784

The CHANUKAH After the SIX DAY WAR

The Rav was at the front of the room. He gently touched his beard and waited pa‑ tiently until the whole room was quiet.

“I light my menorah outside my house,” he began. “I have this special glass box meno‑ rah. After using it for many Chanukas, one day, I realized the glass was broken. At first, I thought about fixing it next year, but I decided it would be better to take care of it right away. So, I asked my son to take it to a shop in our neighborhood that fixes glass.

“The guy who usually ran the shop was out for lunch, but the Jewish owner was there.

He asked what we needed, and my son showed him the broken glass. The boss looked at it carefully and asked where it came from.

My son explained that the glass box I use for our me‑ norah broke, and I wanted it fixed right away, so we wouldn’t wait a year and sud‑ denly notice it was broken the day before Chanukah.

“Your father is a very smart

man,” the owner said.

“People always leave things for the last minute.” He got ready to fix the glass.

The old man asked my son if he knew the story of the Egyptian officer who saw a menorah. My son replied, “No, I don’t think so. What is it?”

The old man asked, “Have you heard about the Six Day War?” Even though my son knew about the war, he wasn’t exactly an expert. He was still

“The whole war was like a miracle,” the owner contin‑ ued.

“Right from the start, Is‑ raeli jets surprised Egypt while they were busy eating breakfast. The Israeli Air Force were smart enough to make their move when the Egyptian pilots were relaxing. They destroyed the sophisticated planes Rus‑ sia had given Egypt to use against us and Israel, they also destroyed the runways and air towers. In seven minutes, Israel’s army made sure Egypt’s air force couldn’t be a part of any war. It was incredible! And definitely an amazing miracle.”

That was pretty much the beginning of the end for Egypt’s part in the war. Egypt had no air force to help their soldiers on the ground.

Now Israel had an advan‑ tage - they could fight on the ground without worrying they might be attacked by

But that wasn’t the only chal‑ lenge Israel had to face. King Hussein of Jordan — one of Israel’s neighbors — had said in public, “There’s no way we’ll get involved!” …but then they did anyway!

Imagine you were playing a game with your friends and someone said they wanted to sit out, but then halfway through, they changed their mind and jumped in. You’ve already picked teams and started counting points, and all of a sudden, someone new just shows up when they said they didn’t want to! It’s always silly when that happens - and it’s even worse when you’re talking about a real war.

But King Hussein made a huge mistake when he attacked Israel. The Israelis had to protect themselves, so they fought back hard.

They had a rough battle in the streets of the Old City of Yerushalayim. The Israelis won and took control of the Kosel again for the first time in thousands of years.

During those six days of war, everyone could clearly see

that Hashem was in charge.

There were lots of amazing miracles that nobody could explain.

When everything calmed down, Israel had won the fight against the Egyp‑ tians, Jordanians, and the Syrians. They even won the Golan Heights back, a place at the very top of Israel. It was an amazing win, but also a bit scary for a country as new as Israel.

The shop owner kept telling the story. “At this time, I was in the army. My job was in‑ telligence, which meant I was one if the people in charge of learning and protecting all the top-secret information.

I worked with a lot of other people, and we had special ways to find secrets. Let me tell you about some of our tricks!

“At the end of the war, we had a lot of prisoners.

During wars, soldiers capture people from the enemy’s army, and they become our prisoners until we decide to send them back home. But before we do that, we like to find out what they know.

They might know import‑

17

Egypt’s planes.

COLlive Magazine

pretty young. Usually, kids that age don’t learn much about wars. They can be really scary for people that young.

18 Chanukah 5784

ant secrets! We need that information to keep Israel safe. So, we’d speak with the soldiers and try to get them to spill the beans on every‑ thing they knew.

“Anyway,” the old man went on, “the next few months were extremely busy for people like me. We were with the Egyptian soldiers from morning till night, trying to get them to open up and share their secrets with us — something they obviously didn’t want to do.

“For months, I spent every day with the same Egyptian prisoners. In between meals and sleep, they’d be sitting in my office. I kept reminding them how lucky they were to be prisoners in Israel. They were lucky we were being kinder to them than they were being to the Jewish prisoners in their armies! But nothing helped. No matter what I said, the men refused to speak.

“But I never backed down.

No matter how much time went by or how frustrated I got, I knew my mission. I tried every trick I knew. And after months and months, I finally started getting through to the prisoners!

“All of them - except one.

There was one prison‑ er, General Kareem, who wouldn’t fall for any of my tricks. He was just as stub‑ born and determined as I was! And he would spend hours ignoring me. I would get angry and yell, I would be quiet and nice. I offered him food, wine, and money. But none of it worked. Eventually, my boss came up with a new idea.

“Take him outside,” my boss said. “Show him what Cha‑ nukah is like in Tel Aviv. Buy him a donut, and let him go shopping. Show this prisoner what life is like in Israel. What life could be like without any secret Egyptian police. Show the man what it means to be free!

“I was pretty sure this wouldn’t work,” the old man admitted, “If anything, it would probably make him hate us even more, seeing how happy we were. But my bosses seemed sure, so I gave it a try.

“It looked like me and Col‑ onel Gamal Kareem were going to spend this Chanu‑ kah together. .........................

“It was a cold Chanukah.

But the streets were still crowded with shoppers, and tons of people were rushing through the rain. And in the middle of it all, there was me and the Egyptian prisoner, Kareem. I watched him take it all in. I knew he was trying to memorize the streets to report back to his leaders.

I was angry that he knew he was going home soon - I wanted all the Israeli pris‑ oners to come home, too!

“Chanukah is all about light, after all. Maybe he would see how beautiful the sparkling fire was against the dark sky - almost like one of the stars.

“I wanted to show Kareem what it meant to be a Jew. I wanted him to hear the brachos, and see the smiles.

Maybe I’d even buy him a Sufganiyah, so he could taste the happiness of Yiddishkeit.

I knew these were things he would never experience as a Muslim back home in Egypt.”

“He didn’t try to escape?” my son asked.

The old man shook his head.

“He knew he couldn’t,” he explained. “We had security everywhere, closely watching every move Kareem made.

We weren’t giving him any real freedom - just a taste of it. Plus, he didn’t speak a word of Hebrew, so people would know he wasn’t Israeli the minute he opened his mouth.

“Anyway, when we reached the shul, I took Kareem inside. The room was deco‑ rated for chag, and a chaz‑ zan was already preparing to lead the menorah lighting.

I knew they’d be singing a beautiful version of Maoz Tzur in a few minutes.

Kareem seemed to be in a better mood. People around us got ready for the meno‑ rah lighting, and I watched Kareem’s eyes focus on the Chazzan.

“I got so caught up in the moment, I forgot to watch Kareem. Of course, security had their eyes on him, but I was letting myself enjoy the beautiful moment of chag.

“It wasn’t until I felt him start to move that I looked over at him. His face was white, and he was sweating. He looked sick. But that wasn’t even the weirdest part! The weirdest part was that Kareem was mouthing the words to Maoz Tzur!

“I remember this song,” he told me. “My parents sang it to me as a kid!”

.................................

“A few days later, I learned the truth. It turned out that Kareem was Jewish.

“His parents had passed away in accident when he was really young, and he’d been taken to a Muslim orphanage. This is common in Muslim countries, and Ka‑ reem wasn’t the only one. So, as a young boy, he’d been raised like a non-Jew — nev‑

er knowing his roots — and was good at following their rules, even when he didn’t like them.

“Kareem was smart and well-behaved, and he quickly became an officer in the Egyptian army. He’d always known he was different from his Arab friends and neighbors, but he’d never really known why… not until he was standing with me in that shul, lighting Chanukah candles.

“In the end, my bosses had been right, making me take Kareem around Tel Aviv they just didn’t realize the true reason it had been so important.

“And as for Kareem? He end‑ ed up speaking to us. In fact, he never even went back to Egypt.”

“Instead of a life in Egypt, he’s still in Israel, all these years later, still lighting his menorah and singing Maoz Tzur. That chag had been the strike of the match that lit his Jewish fire and brought him back to where he belonged.”

Adapted from a true story originally told to Rabbi Nachman Seltzer

From the upcoming book Amazing Miracles Stories for Kids #3.

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“I grabbed the prisoner’s arm and walked him towards the Great Synagogue of Tel Aviv.

There, I told him to watch the menorah being lit up.

“He watched the strike of the match and the long white candle glow with its flame.

When the Chazzan lifted the shamash above his head, he began to make the brachos.

His voice was deep and loud. It spread out across the room so everyone could hear. One candle followed the next, and then he was lighting the menorah while singing HaNeiros HaLalu.

The room fell silent while the shamash was put back into place, and then, together, everyone started singing Maoz Tzur.

COLlive Magazine

Egypt had taken some of my friends.

20 Chanukah 5784

WHO ARE

YOUR HEROES?

By Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin

There was a video recently shared on social media showing a kindergarten graduation in a Hamasrun school in Gaza. In the clip, six-year-olds clad in camouflage outfits launched mock mortars and fired toy rifles. They then “captured” other kids standing in for Jews.

Once the Israel-Gaza war is over, once the terror regime is toppled, how will the Gaza City population conduct themselves? Will they be ruled by and drawn to self-destructive radicalism once more? Will they pick as heroes people who senselessly murder with no achievable goal in sight?

In the 4th grade class in the al-Shati refugee camp, an educational project created by students showed pictures of Osama bin Laden, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, Imad Akel, and Abed al-Aziz Rantisi— men who are collectively responsible for the killings of thousands of people.

If the answer is to be no, then the work needs to begin in their classrooms.

Warren Buffet once said, “Tell me who your heroes are, and I‘ll tell you how you‘ll turn out to be.“ Sadly and unfortunately, October 7 showed us how people whose heroes are terrorists

We look to the story of Chanukah, a holiday that provides a different approach from what the students are being taught in Gaza.

When the Mishnah retells the account, the Maccabees of the Chashmonai family are not even mentioned. Some opinions say this was a form of censure. The Maccabees started as a brave band of guerilla fighters, temporarily stepping away from their priestly service for the battlefield in a crisis. But then they held onto their political power following their victory over the Syrian Greeks rather than appointing a leader from the Divinely-ordained kingly tribe of Yehuda.

But there is another, perhaps more meaningful reason, one which is also alluded to in the name of the holiday itself. Chanukah is rooted in the Hebrew word Chinuch—education.

The battle wasn‘t about territory but about purity: the identity and integrity of the minds of the Jewish community. Observance of Mitzvos was outlawed, specifically the observances

that are at the root of our identity as a unique nation.

The Syrian Greeks sought to forcibly assimilate the Jews to create a nation that would act just like them, following their Hellenic ways.

The Jewish People could have lived in peace so long as they were devoid of faithful intention and passion for Judaism. But we stood up for our faith, our right to worship our G-d, and freedom of religion.

We waged war with those who would deny us our traditions and beliefs, and miraculously, we won.

But Chanukah was never supposed to be a celebration of our military heroes.

Had just the military victory been celebrated, the lesson of the holiday would have been the Festival of the Fittest, the celebration of might. Instead, when they taught us the laws and customs of Chanukah, our sages focused on the selfsacrifice of those who gave their lives rather than give up their religion, on the miracles of the unlikely victory— and the miracle of the oil, enabling the kindling of the Menorah as a sign of hope and faith.

Yes, sometimes you have to fight for what you believe in. And we appreciate our defenders and their sacrifice.

Yet what we celebrate isn‘t the devastation they‘ve caused but the way of life that was protected. “Your eyes shall see your teachers,” Yeshayahu Hanavi instructed (30:20). Our classroom heroes are the scholars, the teachers, the charitable, and the kind. We look up to them because we hope to be them one day.

Here’s one modern-day hero to consider: Adina Moshe, 72, who was taken hostage by Hamas when they raided her Kibbutz, Nir Oz, on October 7. When she was notified that she was being released on November 24 as part of a cease-fire agreement, she wasn’t thrilled. “Wait, there‘s a problem,” she told the terrorists. “There‘s a woman older than me and in poorer health. She should go first.“ Who are your heroes?

- Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin, Editor of COLlive.com and 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.

COLlive Magazine

can turn out to be.

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Had just the military victory of the Maccabees been celebrated, Chanukah would have been called the Festival of the Fittest

Chanukah 5784

22

8 8 LIGHTS L

By Danit Schusterman

On this amazing journey of parenting, the Rebbe highlights a unique connection between Chanukah and education, encouraging parents to reflect on their children's Jewish education and overall development during this miraculous time.

Adding a candle each night during Chanukah serves as a powerful reminder that combating darkness involves not just maintaining but consistently increasing light. This philosophy emphasizes our own continuous growth, awareness, and knowledge in the intricate journey of parenting and education.

As we enter into the 8 days of Chanukah, we find 8 lights representing different stages of parenthood. Just like a small flame can light up the darkest room, we as parents can have the most profound effect on our children's lives with the simplest of actions.

1st

Light Infancy: Illuminating Attachment Before we lived in a world with so many distractions, bonding with our infants was a lot easier. An infant learns to trust the world by how we respond to whatever is going on around us. We don't realize the power of our own self-regulation on our children's development, especially in the infancy stage. Infants learn and grow so much by hearing our words and looking into our eyes. Who knew it could be so simple to connect with our babies?

Learning to stay calm, managing our own stress, and being present with our babies by looking them in the eye—all these aspects have a profound effect on their development. In a world filled with so much stimulation, these simple yet impactful actions lay the foundation for a secure attachment, fostering a sense of trust and emotional well-being in our babies.

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8 PARENTING S LESSONS 2nd Light

The Toddler years: Brighten their day with Play While playing with other children and going to playgroups is fun, one of the most significant ways to boost a child's health and development in these early years is when a parent can give them that undivided attention through play. When a parent plays with their toddler, whether sitting on the floor building blocks or doing a puzzle together, it actually builds social-emotional resilience. The mutual joy and one-onone interaction that happens during this playtime helps manage the body's stress response and builds the bond between parent and child. It's that simple. The power of sitting on the floor and playing with our toddlers extends beyond the immediate fun—it lays the groundwork for essential life skills. Through playing with a parent, children learn to navigate emotions, develop problem-solving abilities, and build a sense of security. This shared time fosters not only a stronger parent-child connection but also sets the stage for healthy emotional development.

3rd

Light The Preschool years: Igniting Individuality If we want to raise kids who are confident in their individuality, we have to consider who they are as individuals. Encouraging individuality in children involves providing them with different opportunities for self-expression. By providing an array of opportunities for self-expression, parents empower their children to explore and celebrate their individuality. This approach not only fosters confidence but also encourages a sense of autonomy, resilience, and a positive self-image as children navigate their journey of selfdiscovery. Not sure what your child likes?

Have different types of age appropriate books, art supplies, building sets, musical instruments and sports equipment readily available at arms reach. When you see your child spark an interest in something, encourage and support it. Even if it's loud (music) or messy.

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4th

Chanukah 5784

Light The Elementary years: Brightening and Building their Confidence: Showing our elementary age children that we believe in them and that they are more capable than they think instills a sense of self worth and self confidence in them.

How do we do this? Encourage them to do things by themselves, without your help.

Let them know you are always there if they need you but you know that they are very capable of figuring things out on their own.

If they are having trouble with a friend, or need to do a project for school, give them the time to figure it out by themselves- 9 out of 10 times they do. When a parent is able to give them the space to figure these things out, they have just given their child the message that they can do hard things all by themselves. (Yes- there are many times a parent has to step in in extreme cases, but the less we have to, the better for the child).

5th

Light The Middle School years: Trust and Encouragement These years constitute a pivotal stage in a child's development, where the importance of trust and encouragement cannot be

stressed enough. As our children navigate the challenges of this transitional period, a foundation of trust established by parents provides a crucial anchor. Trust fosters open communication, allowing children to share their experiences, concerns, and triumphs. Our reactions to anything they share with us lays the groundwork for anything they may or may not share with us in the future. If we are calm and regulated when they share something alarming with us, we have given them the message that we are their safe space and chances are, they will share things with us again in the future. Spending time together is a vital part of having a healthy self-concept and gives our children the message that they are loved and valued. Spending this one on one time accomplishes more that we will ever know. A simple walk to school together. Bring them along on a shopping trip. Taking them out of school for lunch.

We are giving them the message: You matter. You are important. I have time for you and want to hear what you have to say.

6th

Light The High School Years: Being There Through Challenges Parenting high schoolers demands a delicate balance of being present during challenges while respecting and supporting their journey into adulthood. As teenagers grapple with academic pressures, social dynamics, and self-discovery, our consistent presence offers a steady support system. It's crucial to refrain from imposing unsolicited advice and instead, provide support tailored to their evolving needs. Recognizing their growing independence becomes paramount, fostering an environment where trust and open communication thrive.

Post Highschool years: Listen and Guide Parenting young adults who have just stepped out of high school/Mesifta is a delicate balance of providing support while allowing them space to figure themselves out. This transitional period is marked by self-discovery and the pursuit of independence. As a parent, offering a listening ear without judgment is really important, creating a safe space for them to share their aspirations, uncertainties, and goals. Encouraging them to explore diverse experiences, whether through education, work, or travel, helps in shaping a more comprehensive understanding of themselves and their passions. Providing guidance when sought, respecting their autonomy, and expressing unwavering support is very instrumental in helping them navigate this phase of self-discovery and transition into adulthood with confidence.

8th

Being a parent of a child at any age is not easy, but there are many simple things we can do to make these years a little easier.

From nurturing attachment in infancy to fostering autonomy in the middle school years, each stage is essential and many times it's really the small things that we do (or make sure NOT to do!) as parents that make all the difference. Trust and encouragement play a pivotal role, especially during high school and young adulthood, which if we build the foundation in the early years, by the time our children need it most it will already be there and be strong. Parenting involves allowing our childrens light to shine, treating them with respect and trust, and instilling in them the confidence to navigate challenges and attract positivity into their lives. As the lights of Chanukah increase each night, may our strength and wisdom as parents continue to grow as we embark on our own respective parenting journeys.

Light Parenting Young Adults: Let their Light Shine Parenting young adults who have their own lives involves a profound shift towards treating them with respect and trust, acknowledging their autonomy and capability. Maintaining an unwavering foundation of love and acceptance is

Danit Schusterman is an {Unconventional} Parenting Coach who trains parents with simple yet powerful techniques to help them help their children. To contact her visit www.unconventional-coach.com or danitschusterman@gmail.com

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Light

crucial. This assurance provides young adults with the confidence to tackle challenges and attract positive influences into their lives, as they inherently understand their self-worth. Knowing that their parents love and accept them unconditionally becomes a powerful source of strength, influencing their choices and relationships in a positive and fulfilling manner.

COLlive Magazine

7th

26 Chanukah 5784

UNCLE NUSSEN OF MONTREAL

Spreading Yiddishkeit came first for businessman Mr. Nussen Fellig OBM

By Dovid Zaklikowski

The trip from Montreal to Brooklyn should have taken nine hours at the most. But Nussen Fellig managed to make it a 36-hour affair, with dozens of stops along the way—not to rest or use the restroom—but to do mitzvahs.

The year was 1970, and they were driving to Crown Heights, the Brooklyn neighborhood home to Chabad headquarters, where the Lubavitcher Rebbe would be presiding over a Chassidic gathering, marking the 19th of Kislev, the “New Year of Chassidism.”

When Nussen had asked Yidi Gniwisch, the 12-yearold son of his close family friends, if he wanted to join Nussen’s two sons on the trip to New York, Yidi had been delighted. He had tagged along on smaller excursions with Nussen in the past. Still, he could not imagine what a trip to New York would be like. a

He wasn’t sure why they had to leave a day earlier, but he knew that with Nussen, you didn’t ask questions. You just followed the leader and enjoyed the ride. “Over the years, I sat in his car for many hours,” Mr. Gniwisch said. “It was all to do with Yiddishkeit. The business was secondary.”

On the way to New York, Nussen stopped at every exit on the highway, he said. “He would go into the local gas station and ask

them if they were Jewish.

If there were any Jews, he would ask them if they wanted to put on tefillin.”

It turned out to be quite an adventure for the young yeshivah student. Nussen was friendly and funny, Mr. Gniwisch said, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer. “We were watching this guy at work. He was like a magician. He had a way with words. If he wanted to, he could get a donkey to put on tefillin.”

At one gas station, they

27 COLlive Magazine

saw a man pumping gas who looked like a real redneck. Nussen asked if there were any Jews in the area.

“There are very few Jews living here,” the man said.

“I happen to be one of the few.”

Nussen immediately asked if he had put on tefillin that day. “I haven’t put on tefillin since the one time in my life. I don’t even remember when it was,” the man said.

Mr. Gniwisch recalled how the conversation progressed from there: Let’s do tefillin.

No, I don’t do that stuff.

Customers are going to come. This is not the place for this. People are going to look at me like I am crazy.

This is the biggest mitzvah in the world.

No, no.

Do you have any problems in life?

You know, I have a hard time making a living. I live in this town and work in this gas station over here. It does not give me much at the end of the month.

Listen, you put on tefillin and G-d is going to help you and make you more successful.

How do you know?

I do this with lots and lot of people.

Finally, the man relented.

Nussen helped him do the mitzvah, and they resumed their journey, until the next exit. **** Nussen and his brother Joe were the owners of Felco Ltd., importers and manufacturers of men’s and boys’ clothing in Montreal. Close to seven feet tall, with unusually long feet and hands, Nussen traveled across Canada selling his wares

with his unique brand of humor. The company’s tagline was “Wherever you go, wear Felco,” and he would tell people, “If you don’t wear pants that’s your business, but if you do wear pants that’s my business.”

Mr. Fellig was known in the Montreal Jewish community as “Uncle Nussen.” At first in the Outremont neighborhood and later in Côte-desNeiges, he was famous for his jokes, witticisms and pranks. Some said he was trying to uplift a community still licking its wounds after the Holocaust, others that he had developed his sense of humor as a way to deal with his own difficult childhood. Still others believed he was simply being himself. It was likely a combination of all three.

28 Chanukah 5784

He was a passionate advocate for Jewish observance, and his pranks were usually in the service of his desire to spread Judaism. They might not have received it warmly at the moment, but the Montreal Jewish community always forgave his mischief eventually— they knew it was done with love. “I don’t know how he ever did business,” said Montreal native Rabbi Mayer Plotkin, “he was always busy doing mitzvahs.”

As he continued on that 1970 road trip, Nussen approached New Baltimore Plaza. Almost halfway between Brooklyn and Montreal, the rest stop is one of the largest and most well-known on the route. New Baltimore was full of restaurants, presenting Nussen with a new challenge: Jews eating non-kosher food.

He began making the rounds, his three young companions in tow. He soon discovered Emil, a young man he knew from Montreal, enjoying a nonkosher meal. “Emil, how could you?” he demanded.

“How could you eat here?

You know it is not kosher. It is treif!”

At six feet four inches, he towered over the young man, who sat frozen to his chair. Nussen didn’t hesitate to use his formidable presence to “encourage” people to do the right thing. After a few moments of silence, he took the food and threw

it in the garbage. Emil did not protest, but he looked upset. He got up and made a beeline for the parking lot.

Nussen continued to make his rounds. Only when he was satisfied that they had found every Jew in the place did he continue on the trip. A few miles down the highway, they saw Emil’s car on the shoulder.

He had been pulled over by the police, apparently for speeding.

Mr. Gniwisch recalled thinking that he was probably speeding towards the next restaurant to eat quickly before Nussen caught up with him. Never scared of a challenge, Nussen pulled over behind the police car and approached the officer.

“Listen officer, it’s really my fault that he was speeding,” he told the amused policeman. “He is a nice Jewish boy. I caught him eating non-kosher food,

and I threw out his lunch.

He was probably upset and was trying to get to the next restaurant quickly to eat lunch.”

He offered a solution: if Emil would apologize and promise to eat only kosher in the future, he would be spared the ticket.

In a testament to Nussen’s extraordinary powers of persuasion, the officer agreed. Emil apologized and promised, and the summons was forgiven.

The road trip continued.

After an overnight stop in New Square, New York, they toured the towns around the city, arriving in Crown Heights several hours late for the Rebbe’s farbrengen.

An Excerpt from a forthcoming biography on Mr. Nussen Fellig, to share any memories you have, write to DovidZak@gmail.com. To purchase any of Dovid’s books, visit www.HasidicArchives.com

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The story of the Rebbe’s Library and its jeweled archives The contents of the Central Chabad library are a scholar’s dream and the heritage of the Lubavitch community. After a tumultuous history, the Library of Agudas Chassidei Chabad and Ohel Yosef Yitzchak Lubavitch, now known as the Central Chabad Library, opened its reading room in 1992 and exhibition hall in 1994.

The collection is home to 250,000 books, mostly in Hebrew and Yiddish; many are rare and unique to the library. More than 100,000 letters, artifacts and pictures belonging to, written by and for the Rebbes of Chabad and their Chasidim complete the collection.

Housed in Chabad-Lubavitch world headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, NY, the library is utilized by Chabad and general Judaic scholars and viewed by thousands of visitors each year.

A Turbulent History Uprooted, burnt, lost, and confiscated, Chabad’s library has been subject to the upheavals of Jewish history since its beginning

Photo credit: JEM

Chanukah 5784

TREASURES AND TRIUMPHS

s

in the late eighteenth century.

The first Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, known as the Alter Rebbe, had his 100-volume library seized by imperial authorities searching for evidence of sedition. Fires common in the time of thatched roofs and wooden buildings ravaged the 600 volume library of the second Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Dov Ber, the Mittler Rebbe.

During World War I, the fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Shalom Dov Ber, fled the town of Lubavtich for Rostov, Russia, and stored his collection in a Moscow warehouse.

After the communist revolution, the bulk of the Lubavitch collection was appropriated by the government for the Moscow Public Library where it remains. The sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe aggressively rebuilt the library starting with the purchase of 5,000 rare volumes from a Jewish bibliophile and moved the collection to Riga, Latvia and then to Poland. The collection remained in Poland throughout Nazi occupation, and it was at this time that the manuscript portion of the library was lost. During WWI, in 1941, the library was shipped to New York and housed in the

Collection Contents The Chabad library is home to books on Jewish topics dating back to the earliest days of Jewish publishing. While the bulk of the collection is comprised of works on Chabad chasidic philosophy, many works are of more general interest. Among the collections’ 2000 Passover Haggadahs is the Kittsee Hagaddah written in 1760 by calligrapher Rabbi Chaim son of Rabbi Asher Anshel of Kittsee.

A Zohar with commentary in the handwriting of kabbalah master Rabbi Moses Kordovera, known as the Ramak (1522-1570) is another treasure in the collection.

31 COLlive Magazine

basement of Lubavitch World Headquarters. During that year, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, who would become the seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe, was appointed head of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch and its publishing arm.

The Rebbe opened a separate library for use by Merkos on the premises of Lubavitch World Headquarters and the library grew to the extent that an adjacent building to 770 was purchased in 1968 to house the collection.

In 1977, the manuscripts were found in Poland and returned to Chabad-Lubavitch. Some years later, the ownership of the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe’s library was contested by a descendant. In 1987, the courts ruled that the library was the property of Agudas Chassidei Chabad (Association of Chabad Chasidim). Four years later the master catalog of all works in Chabad’s libraries was completed. Currently a full time staff of librarians is at work culling the library for works that will be anthologized in future Chabad publications.

32 Chanukah 5784

Handwritten manuscripts on Chabad philosophy are among the most prized elements of the collection.

Pages from the Alter Rebbe’s own manuscript of his magnum opus, the Tanya, as well as contemporary handwritten copies of the pre-print edition of the work are in the library’s holdings.

Letters, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, written to and by the seven Lubavitcher Rebbes occupy a special place of spiritual and historical significance in the collection.

Among the collection’s more recent acquisitions are ephemera from the Rebbe’s Mitzva Campaigns, which motivated Chabad Chasidim to spread the understanding and observance of key Jewish commandments. Brochures, posters, booklets and press clippings from the worldwide effort to reawaken Jews to Judaism, along with photos of Mitzva Campaign activities, document Chabad’s growth from small chassidic group to an international force.

Books on contemporary Jewish topics have been added to the collection

in recent years. These include books on Jewish communities around the world, books from the today’s Chabad publishing houses and even a smattering of books of the science-andTorah variety. Together they make up one of the largest Jewish libraries in the world.

Accessing the Collection Scholars around the world visit the Chabad library during reading room hours.

Scholars wishing to view the rare book and manuscript collection may require special permission and guidance from staff librarians to access the collection. The complete library catalog, including the Hebrew, Russian, French, German and English holdings, is available online at www.chabadlibrary. org . Books are organized by title and author.

In 1994, an exhibit space opened on the library premises. Rabbi Levine and his team of librarians and archivists, are always updating the display cases with fascinating seforim, manuscripts, and artifacts belonging to the Rebbeim.

Some items currently on display include a silver bowl belonging to the Alter Rebbe which graced the Seder table of the Rebbe, the Shofaros used by the Rebbe on Rosh Hashanah and the Chanukah Menorah kindled by the Frierdiker Rebbe.

In 2021, the library celebrated the opening of a new wing, which was made possible by Machne Israel and its generous donors. The new wing has already been filled to capacity.

The library is open daily and a self guided tour in various languages are available to allow visitors a deeper appreciation for the display.

This coming Hei Teves , Machne Israel will be hosting the annual fundraiser in support of the Library.

Please visit TheRebbesLibrary.com to support this treasure of our people.

Article revised and reprinted with permission from Machne Israel

33 COLlive Magazine Photos Credit: Library of Agudas Chabad

34 Chanukah 5784

RAISING HOPE Ray of Hope is an organization that provides and facilitates lifesaving support and group therapy to survivors of abuse within the Jewish community.

Founded and led by the passionate and dynamic Mrs. Zeldy Broyde, Ray of Hope had become a household name in many Jewish communities. Still, their fundraising efforts had never quite taken that crucial next step.

Shloimy Greenwald, Founder and CEO of Raisethon was introduced to Mrs Broyde by a mutual friend at a function over the summer.

Following a lengthy discussion about the ins and outs of the crowdfunding industry, albeit with much trepidation and fear, Zeldy agreed to go ahead with a crowd funding campaign.

An initial meeting between the Raisethon team and the administrative staff at Ray of Hope was set for that week, and several follow-up meetings thereafter, it was quite clear that this campaign would require a lot of work, and that turning donors, or potential donors into ambassadors and team leaders would need to be a priority to get this campaign the exposure it desperately needed.

Originally, a goal of $360,000 was

Fast forward 6 weeks later, the Raisethon marketing and graphic design team put together a remarkable, engaging and inspiring campaign, which conveyed the importance of Ray of Hope on a relevant and practical level to many different demographics.

“At a parlor meeting with Raisethon and campaign ambassadors for Ray of Hope, something pretty standard before going live with a campaign, you could sense that while there was still a great deal of trepidation and fear, the dozens of teams had a clear sense of responsibility, urgency and excitement to get the job done,” said Zeldy Broyde.

Ultimately, Ray of Hope was successful in raising over $1 million, from over 1,200 donors.

These numbers are unprecedented, especially for an organization never having run a crowdfunding campaign before.

“I‘d like to extend a huge shoutout to the Raisethon team for their exceptional efforts. The level of dedication, creativity, and customer care they‘ve demonstrated is truly remarkable. Thank you!” Broyde said.

The 2 pieces of inspiration we can take from this are: 1 - Don’t ever underestimate the power of your network when they are properly empowered.

2 - Betting on yourself, obviously with much help and blessings from above, is always a safe bet.

35

Following an in depth analysis of donor history and behaviors, coupled with a few gutsy projections of team recruitment, the goal was increased to $800k, to the utter bewilderment of the Ray of Hope staff, who knew this money would help them do more, but simply could not see this goal as remotely feasible.

ULTIMATELY, RAY OF HOPE WAS SUCCESSFUL IN RAISING OVER $1 MILLION, FROM OVER 1,200 DONORS

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put forth, and seemed overly ambitious.

Chanukah 5784

36

HALACHA

Unraveling the Duke’s Decree in Shulchan Aruch The ruling that impacted the struggle to keep Jews in Brooklyn

By Rabbi Shraga Homnick Sgan Rosh Kollel of Kolel L‘Horaah Maasis

The Rama, the Duke, and the Rebbe Where is a duke mentioned in Shulchan Aruch?

The answer to what sounds like an odd trivia question can be found by studying the Laws of Nizkei Shcheinim (concerning damages and disputes that occur between neighbors),1 a subject that the Kolel L’horaah Maasis has been studying in depth this year (and one that anyone who has ever had to deal with damages and disputes between neighbors would do well to acquaint themselves with).

And it is in the midst of these laws2 that the Rama writes in a gloss:3 And there is a [halachic authority] who derives from this, with regard to a Duke from a land who decreed that the Jews [under his domain] should arrange with the Jews living under [the domain of] minor noblemen in

the villages that they [uproot themselves and return to] live [directly] under his rule, or else he will expel them all; [the ruling is that] that they must all fulfill the directives of the duke in order to eliminate the damages facing the many, and [the Jews of the villages] must first travel [and move in] under the Duke, and only afterwards can they initiate legal proceedings with the larger group [of Jews] over damages they might incur from this.

If this sounds oddly specific, it’s because the Rama is summarizing a psak from an actual incident that occurred almost three centuries earlier, with the identifying information removed. But from examining the Rama’s source4 we learn that this was an actual decree issued by one of the dukes of Lorraine (a region in France that borders Germany), and that this was the psak issued

by R. Azriel b. Yechiel of Rothenburg,5 in which he confirmed the halachic power of

1 Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat simanim 153-156.

2 Siman 155, se’if 22.

3 To a din cited by the Mechaber that a city government has the right to unilaterally remove a private individual’s threshing floor from within the city’s vicinity, since the chaff may otherwise be harmful to the city people.

4 Hagahos Mordechai, Kiddushin, remez 561-562.

5 C. 1270 - c. 1340; talmid of Maharam of Rothenburg, and a leading posek in his time and place.

[Another, related din on this theme may be familiar to those who have learned Hilchos Dayanim, where the Rama writes7 that when an individual city resident is in conflict with the ‘rabim,’ the ‘kahal’ are considered ‘muchzakim’ with respect to the ‘yachid’ Interestingly, there was an instance in which the Tzemach Tzedek, writing during the lifetime of his father-in-law and predecessor the Mitteler Rebbe, conceded in a halachic correspondence with a fellow rav that in sharing his opinion in conversation regarding a certain local halachic matter, he had “momentarily overlooked the difference in din when a ‘yachid’ is litigating against the ‘rabim,’” and that the other rav had in fact been correct in his ruling on that matter all along.8] But if we’re looking for an example of a contemporary, practical application of

The above [about ‘hamocher l’akum’] applies even when the sale causes harm to a single Jew. How much more so in this instance when the harm is caused to all the Jews of the neighborhood (as well as to the Jews in other neighborhoods, and even to Jews in other lands). And we find that the Rama goes even further than this in the case of the duke […] This despite the fact that [the Jews of the villages] would [be compelled to] move from a place where they wouldn’t be under the domain of such a wicked duke – who threatens to expel the Jews due to no fault of their own – to his domain!

We can therefore derive from this in our instance, that there may even be a case to be made that Jews who already live in other neighborhoods might be obligated to return to these neighborhoods (if there are no other means of mitigating the harm)! And there is certainly no ‘heter’ for the Jews who reside in these neighborhoods to flee and thereby broaden the damage, etc.

And as the Rebbe concluded in the original sicha:10 And if you have ‘taanos,’ go hash it out with the Rama and the Hagahos Mordechai!

6 See Mishpat Tzedek – Nizkei Shcheinim (3rd ed. 2021), siman 12 os 16.

7 Siman 4.

8 Tzemach Tzedek Choshen Mishpat siman 48; Yagdil Torah no. 69 siman 28; Igros Kodesh Tzemach Tzedek (2013) Iggeres 5.

9 Acharon shel Pesach & Parshas Shemini 5729; Hapardes Iyar 5729; Likutei Sichos vol. 6 pg.

350 ff.; Teshura Nagel 5767; Teshura Rubashkin-Schmukler 5779.

10 Shmini 5729, see Teshura Nagel ibid.

37

And while this may indeed have originally been with concern to a highly specific instance, the choice by Rama to include this in Shulchan Aruch points at larger ramifications that may apply across a broader range of cases, though the precise parameters remain to be clarified. For instance, would this mean that a local shul would constitute a ‘rabim’ and trump the ownership rights of a neighboring homeowner? Contemporary poskim don’t necessarily seem to think so.6 But would that change if this was the ‘community shul’? (And how might this concept be applicable in the context of current events in Eretz Yisroel?)

There remains much to be explored and debated on this topic.

the din of the duke, we need look no further than a forceful sicha of the Rebbe from 1969 concerning the collapse that Jewish neighborhoods in Brooklyn were experiencing at the time due to ethnic migration trends and the ensuing ‘flight’ they caused in their wake. In this sicha,9 the Rebbe delved into the matter from a halachic perspective, marshalling relevant halachos from Choshen Mishpat, including, in os gimmel:

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the larger Jewish community to override the rights of a smaller group of individuals.

38 Chanukah 5784

ASK THE THERAPIST

WITH RABBI DANIEL SCHONBUCH, LMFT

LEARNING HOW TO RESPOND TO ANXIETY We are living in a world where fear has become the new norm. Unfortunately, due to the increasing violence and Internet-led coverage of terror and disaster, many more people are expressing that they are “feeling anxious” or they simply feel a lack of security in their lives.

Most people are not aware that anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting 40 million adults age 18 and older (18% of U.S. population).

And the cost to society is staggering. According to The Journal of Clinical

Psychiatry, anxiety disorders cost the U.S. more than $42 billion a year, almost one-third of the country’s $148 billion total mental health bill.

More than $22.84 billion of those costs are associated with the repeated use of health care services; people with anxiety disorders seek relief for symptoms that mimic physical illnesses.

So where does anxiety come from? Is it organic or genetic? Is it based on one’s personality and a possible series of traumatic events? A simple answer is that anxiety disorders develop from a complex

set of risk factors including genetics, brain chemistry, personality and life events.

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress.

Sometimes it can be positive, for example, if it helps you deal with a tense situation in the office, study harder for an exam, handle a new situation, or stay focused on an important task. In general, it helps people cope. But when anxiety becomes excessive, doesn’t fit the situation, or lasts a long time, it can get in the way

Common anxiety disorders include panic disorder, social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessivecompulsive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). No matter which type of condition you may have, it is important to know that most people with anxiety disorders can be helped with professional care.

When Does Normal Anxiety Become an Anxiety Disorder?

Anxiety disorders take normal anxiety responses to another level. For people with anxiety disorders, worrying (or worrying about worrying) disrupts the flow of daily life. These worries and even the fight-or-flight adrenaline rush are not necessarily

Tips to control anxiety Adopt some relaxation techniques When you feel anxious, your breathing becomes rapid and shallow and you muscle tighten. This can impact your body by increasing your heart rate and bringing about lightheadedness, nausea and sweating, among other physical symptoms of anxiety.

There are plenty of relaxation exercises to help reduce anxiety. These focus your breathing and identify areas of tension in your body which you can then release.

Distract yourself Whenever you are experiencing anxious thoughts, doing something that “fills your mind” and needs complete focus can be a good distraction.

Small things like leaving the room or going outside can be effective.One other technique that some people use when calming their anxiety is counting backwards.

When trying out this technique, find a quiet

place, close your eyes and count backwards until you feel your anxiety subside.

If you don’t find that this helps, try something a little more complicated, like counting back from 100 in 3s. For many people, they find that they can’t continue to worry when they are focused on subtracting the numbers.

This is a technique that you can then use to calm your anxiety when you’re out and about, whether you are shopping or at work or yeshiva.

Changing focus can be especially effective if you’re experiencing anxiety at night. Sitting in bed ruminating about what’s making us anxious will only prolong our feelings.

Get out of bed and distract yourself.

Share your feelings The saying goes that a problem shared is a problem halved. You might be surprised how effective opening up to people about your feelings can be.

They can offer you some valuable perspective.

The idea of opening up can even more daunting when it isn’t a member of your friends or family, like for example in your workplace.

Rabbi Daniel Schonbuch, MA, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and director of mytalkplace.com offering frum therapists online for depression, anxiety, trauma and marriage.

39

There are several types of anxiety disorders with a variety of symptoms.

Some people have repeated short term episodes of intense fear, while others have exaggerated worry and tension most of the time or in everyday social situations. Sometimes, the anxiety comes with physical symptoms like heart pounding, trouble breathing, trembling, sweating or being easily startled. Other times, anxiety disorders can include ongoing, unwanted thoughts or repetitive behaviors.

connected to any specific event. Often they happen for no apparent reason, and disappear as mysteriously as they started. What best characterizes an anxiety disorder is that it is out of proportion and out of the individual’s control.

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of your everyday activities and may interfere with how you get along with others.

40 Chanukah 5784

The Boozery Launches Bon & Jack New family-friendly ice cream line is made locally

| The Boozery’s cozy space

is the perfect spot for a low-key date that won’t break the bank |

41

It’s the first kosher liquor-infused ice cream on the market, the first manufacturer of hard Italian Ices, and the first non-dairy liquor infused ice cream in the USA. Now, the Boozery at 420 Troy is breaking the mold with their artisan, family-friendly brand, Bon & Jack.

Neubauer’s new gelato-like ice creams are all hand-made and filled with mouthwatering flavors and textures which are changed up weekly. Treat your tastebuds to

Neubauer’s creations are a labor of love which started in his home kitchen

Caramel Cheesecake - crammed with sweet cream cheese chunks, or indulge in Red Velvet, Fruity Pebble, or Honeycomb flavors. Whichever flavor you try, it’s sure to be pure, genuine, handcrafted goodness, set apart from anything you’ve ever tasted.

Neubauer’s creations are a labor of love which started in his home kitchen. He always loved whipping up delicious treats for family and friends, and one Shabbos evening, he became inspired about his newest idea - a kosher, artisan, liquorinfused ice cream brand. “People were talking about highquality ice cream in interesting flavors - not just chocolate and vanilla,” he says. Over the next few months, he brought his idea to life. Now, ice cream from The Boozery is a staple at hundreds of Shabbos tables.

The Boozery’s cozy space is the perfect spot for a low-key date that won’t break the bank. You can also drop in for free ice cream tastings. Many more delightful experiences are on the horizon at The Boozery brand where the journey of delicious fun never ends.

“I want to offer a proper ice cream store in Crown Heights with gelatos, shakes, and desserts,” Neubauer says. We are all in for this sweet, kosher adventure!

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Bon & Jack is Boozery’s dairy line, and it’s teeming with an array of ice cream flavors that are as unique as they are irresistible. “In Crown Heights,” says owner, Dovid Neubauer, “All the ice cream is mass-produced, coming from one source.” This boutique brand is very different, and it takes the art of ice cream to a whole new level.

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CHANUKAH

43

GIFT IDEAS

By Kehot

New from the Chasidic Heritage Series:

From Trial to Triumph

The Maamar Nosata Lire’echa was sent in 1933 by R. Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn to the Jews living in the Soviet Union‫ ץ‬It discussed the self-sacrifice they would need to overcome the tremendous challenges they were facing.

In 1951 the Rebbe delivered his own discourse based on that of his father-in-law, elaborating how it is specifically during this last exile, with the overwhelming darkness that precedes Moshiach, that we have the power needed to not succumb to challenges.

Explore The Essence Of Bitachon And The Path To Genuine Happiness: Shaar Habitachon

By popular demand, we’ve made this classic work available in a compact size, so that now, you can study Shaar Habitachon anywhere, even on the go!

You’ve always taken your Chitas on the go, whether in your car or tallis bag.

Now you can enjoy this masterpiece in a large format while studying at your shtender or dining room table.

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Large format Chitas

Torah Studies

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’s classic adaptation on the Rebbe’s talks has been given a fresh new typeset, beautiful cover design, as well as colored edge pages.

Thought Streams

Stairway to Serenity

Adapted from the Shaar Habitachon and written by renowned author Robert Kremnizer, Stairway to Serenity will help its reader Navigate the complexities of modern life and discover the path to genuine happiness.

GREAT GIFTS FOR THE KIDS IN YOUR LIFE Introduce the next generation to the books from your youth! Over the past year Kehos has brought back 8 of its classic kids‘ books:

A book of inspiration and lessons for the busy Jewish woman, Thought‑ streams provides quick and accessible bursts of Torah learning. Its range of topics includes womanhood, marriage, parenting, and festivals. Adapted from the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, the author seeks to inspire with meditations written to elevate the everyday

CHANUKAH IS THE TIME FOR

IllumiNations

I

nside these 432 pages of adventure, you'll discover a unique collection of stories, some of which have graced the pages of the DollarDaily.org weekly newsletter 'IllumiNations,' captivating readers far and wide. Alongside these are dozens of previously unreleased tales and details, making each page a new discovery. With intriguing facts, a stylish magazine-style layout, and vibrant, full-color illustrations, "IllumiNations" takes you on a journey through over 250 narratives, spanning the globe from Alaska to Australia, California to Johannesburg, and beyond. In every story, you'll feel the deep theme of a Jewish soul finding its way home, one at a time, guided by the extraordinary individuals we call shluchim.

Compassion

Chabad of Sumy, Ukraine

Amidst Chaos Rabbi Yechiel Shlomo & Rochi Levitansky

M

y connection to the Jews of Ukraine has deep roots that stretch back many years. Upon completing my studies in yeshiva, I embarked on a mission to assist the shluchim in Kharkov, Ukraine. It was the year 1995, only a few years after the fall of communism, and Ukraine was still grappling with the challenges of attaining independence and shedding the remnants of its communist past. The people were yearning for a fresh start.

The disparity between my home in California, where my parents raised me in the spirit of shlichus, and the reality I encountered in Ukraine was stark and overwhelming. The Ukrainian people had very little. Electricity was unreliable, and water supply would sporadically cease. Foreigners were regarded with suspicion, and making phone calls back home was both complicated and expensive.

When children attended the Chabad overnight camp, they didn’t arrive with two pillows and a duffel bag filled with treats. Instead, they carried a single change of clothes, crammed into a shopping bag. They possessed next to nothing, yet they radiated genuine happiness. They lacked material wealth, but they did not consider themselves impoverished. I vividly recall the sheer joy on their faces when I distributed bananas—a simple act that brought them immeasurable delight.

The humble Jews of Ukraine served as an incredible source of inspiration for me. Whenever we organized an event, they showed up eagerly and without persuasion. They possessed an insatiable thirst to learn more about Yiddishkeit. They yearned to listen, to absorb knowledge.

Many arrived with virtually no prior understanding of their faith, not even the basics. Witnessing their journey—from embracing bris milah and donning tefillin to adopting Shabbos observance and adhering to kashrus—within the span of a year or two was nothing short of astonishing. The fire that blazed in their eyes as they delved into Torah study and their unwavering devotion to their faith was a sight to behold.

392 | Compassion Amidst Chaos

Compassion Amidst Chaos | 393

∑

D

uring a recent summer, we had thousands of frum Jews passing through Jackson on their way to Yellowstone. We had a beautiful Shabbos meal set up for over 100 people. We hired a caterer, and waiters to set the tables and serve.

A few hours before Shabbos, a man came in with his whole family. “I’m here to help,” he said, rolling up his sleeves. I told him we had waiters taking care of everything, but he insisted.

It was a busy morning, but when the man and his family showed up at 9:00, I sat down to chat with them. We had a pleasant conversation before I excused myself to get the shul ready.

“We’re coming to Wyoming for Shabbos - we can pitch in.” He had all eight of his children helping as well. He was a memorable guest in a sea of unfamiliar faces.

As is customary in many Chabad Houses, during the meal, we went around the table asking each person to introduce themselves and share a piece of inspiration or suggest a song to sing.

“Rabbi, do you know who that is?” a member of my congregation whispered. “That’s Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots!”

The mysterious helper from Erev ShabbosOne man stood up and introduced himself as Yoely.

“I’m not Chabad, as you can tell,” he said, “but I love the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Any time I have any issue at all, I go to the Ohel, ask the Rebbe to intercede on my behalf, and the problem is always resolved soon after.

Throughout davening, I turned to Robert to signal that a kaddish was approaching. After a couple of times of me turning around, Robert commented to the man next to him, “The rabbi thinks I’m a goy who doesn’t know where kaddish is!”

“I manufacture sweeteners and sell them to large companies. I’d made a deal with T.J. Maxx, but then they told me they no longer needed the product. For two months, they kept threatening to cancel the order. I didn’t know what to do. I went to the Ohel and explained the situation to the Rebbe. Within two hours, I received a call that everything was back on - business as usual.”

Robert was used to being flattered and fawned over wherever he went, so he was happy to be treated like any other Jew who simply needed a minyan to say kaddish.

After davening, another man told him, “You know, you kind of look like Robert Kraft.”

“Oh, really?” Robert answered, innocently. “Interesting. Do you know him?”

We became close. They continue to support our Chabad house, and any time we have a new baby, they send boxes and boxes of Patriots baby gear. I’m a Dolphins fan myself, but we accept the gifts, knowing they’re coming from a good place.

Wyoming is home to a secret network of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) silos. These silos house the Minuteman III ICBMs, which are part of America’s strategic defense system and crucial for national security. The exact locations of the silos are classified, but they are spread throughout Wyoming. While hidden from public view, these silos contribute to the country’s defense capabilities and serve as a deterrent against potential threats.

130 | Cracking the Tough Nuts

Cracking the Tough Nuts | 131

The Real Stars of the

Hollywood

Chabad of Mt. Olympus Hollywood Hills West, California

Hills Rabbi Sholom Ber and Rochela Rodal

I

n 1970, the Rebbe sent my in-laws, Rabbi Naftoli and Fayge Estulin, to Los Angeles.

Years before the Iron Curtain fell, well before anyone even dreamed of such a possibility, the Rebbe’s instructions guaranteed a supportive infrastructure for the first wave of Jewish Russian immigrants that flocked to California later that decade.

My father-in-law, himself originally from Russia, founded the West Coast’s first Chabad Russian Center. Russian immigrants began gentrifying the nearby Hollywood Hills. That’s where we come in. In the late 1990s, my wife and I moved to Mt. Olympus, in the beautiful Hollywood Hills, to serve the Jewish community and the large segment of the Russian Jewish population that had moved to the area, with a focus on young Jewish families and young professionals.

The Hollywood Hills is a prestigious neighborhood located in the Santa Monica Mountains in Los Angeles, California. It is known for its luxurious homes, stunning views, and close proximity to the entertainment industry.

Ironically, the recent unrest in Russia and Ukraine has made it come full circle. There’s a huge influx of refugees, and we’re called upon to offer many of the same services my father-in-law once offered.

We provide food, housing, and clothing, assist them with immigration lawyers, and, of course, Hebrew school for their children, alongside a wide variety of shiurim and other Jewish experiences.

Some refugees don’t speak a word of English. It’s amazing to sing a Jewish or Russian song and watch their faces light up with belonging. A lot of our local families adopted a refugee family to help them with anything they need. We’ve witnessed a tremendous outpouring of kindness and generosity.

374 | The Real Stars of the Hollywood Hills

The Real Stars of the Hollywood Hills | 375

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48 Chanukah 5784

Sufganiyot 3 Ways

The Classic and 2 Unconventional ones

Jelly donuts are the classic Chanukah dessert. Doughnuts are eaten because they are fried like latkes and commemorate the miracle of the oil in the Bais Hamikdash.

While jelly is the popular go-to filling, there is no reason that you have to limit yourself.

Here are one traditional and 2 new ways to fill and top your doughnuts that will surely please everyone.

JAMIE GELLER Jamie Geller influences millions every day. Known as the “Jewish Rachael Ray” (The New York Times), and the “Queen of Kosher” (CBS) 7-time best-selling author Jamie Geller is the Founder and CEO of Kosher Network international (KNi), the #1 Global Kosher Food Media Company, home to @jamiegeller and JamieGeller.com featuring over 10,000 recipes and the viral @jewlishbyjamie how-to videos with 1 Billion Views.

This recipe yields a light and fluffy doughnut that leaves plenty of room for your favorite fillings.

Make-ahead your doughnut dough the night before then store in a resealable bag in the refrigerator, then take out 1 to 2 hours before frying. This way you’re ready to go when the party starts.

Chopsticks make the perfect doughnut turning tool for frying.

Using two chopsticks, one on each side of the doughnut, gently twist and flip the dough in hot oil.

INGREDIENTS DOUGH: 1¼ cups coconut milk, heated to 90°F 1 (0.75 ounce) package yeast 1 cup all-purpose flour 2 egg yolks 1 whole egg ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil, such as Colavita 2 teaspoons vanilla extract ¼ cup sugar 1 teaspoon kosher salt 3 cups all-purpose flour plus more rolling out the doughnuts 2 quarts extra virgin olive oil, such as Colavita FILLING & TOPPING: 1 cup favorite jelly loaded into a pastry bag fitted with a round tip Confectioner’s sugar INTRODUCTION Dough: 1. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and lightly dust the sheets with flour. Line 2 additional baking sheets with paper towels.

2. In the bowl of a standing mixer or in a large bowl, stir together warm milk, yeast, and 1 cup flour. Cover and set aside for 30 minutes.

With a dough hook fitted to the mixer, and the motor on LOW, add eggs, evoo, vanilla extract, sugar, salt, and remaining flour.

Alternatively, you can mix in ingredients by hand.

3. K nead by mixer or by hand until it’s smooth

240 MIN DURATION 10 MIN COOK TIME 230 MIN PREP TIME

SERVINGS 24 MINI OR 12 LARGE

and elastic. If making doughnuts the same day, place dough in a lightly greased bowl and let rise for 1 to 2 hours until doubled in size.

Or, lightly oil dough, place in a resealable bag, and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.

4. When ready to make the doughnuts, lightly flour your work surface and roll dough to ¼-inch thick. Cut dough into desired size doughnut with cookie or doughnut cutters.

For a filled doughnut, do not cut out a center.

If using the make ahead dough method, let dough come to room temperature before rolling and cutting.

5. P lace cut dough on prepared baking sheet lined with parchment paper and flour. Allow doughnuts to rise at room temperature for 1 hour.

6. Pour 2 quarts of oil in a large heavy bottom pot or Dutch oven fitted with a deep fry thermometer and place on medium-high heat. Once oil reaches 360°F on the deep fry thermometer, place several doughnuts in oil and fry 2 minutes per side. Use chopsticks to gently flip the doughnuts over and fry for 1 to 2 minutes on the other side. Transfer fried doughnuts to paper towel lined sheets.

Filling & Topping: 1. Once the doughnuts have cooled a bit, poke a hole either in the side or on top and fill with jelly, Chocolate Pastry Cream or Lemon Pastry Cream. Sprinkle with powdered sugar or dip in Luscious Vanilla Bean Glaze or Bittersweet Chocolate Glaze (See recipes at Jamiegeller.com).

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49

Classic Sufganiyot

50 Chanukah 5784

Lemon Cream Pie Doughnut You could serve Classic Sufganiyot, or you could take your Chanukah over the top with this doughnut. Tart lemon curd filling and sweet meringue topping make these doughnuts into mini pies.

Since this filling and topping take about 30 minutes to make, you can start making them while the Classic Sufganiyot are rising before frying.

25 MIN DURATION 15 MIN COOK TIME 10 MIN PREP TIME

SERVINGS 12 DOUGHNUTS

INGREDIENTS

PREPARATION

LEMON CURD FILLING Zest from 4 lemons ½ cup of lemon juice (4 lemons) 1 ½ cups sugar 4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter 5 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract Pinch of kosher salt

Lemon Curd Filling: 1. Whisk zest and juice, sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla, and salt together in a stainless steel or other non-reactive saucepan over low heat. Continue whisking until curd is thick and starts to bubble.

2. Place a piece of parchment paper on top of the cream (so that it touches the cream) to cover the surface and keep a skin from forming.

Cool completely.

3. F ill a pastry bag, fitted with a round tip, with lemon curd.

Poke a hole in the side or on top of the Sufganiyot and fill.

12 prepared Classic Sufganiyot doughnuts (recipe on previous page) Lemon Meringue Topping 3 egg whites ½ cup + 1 tablespoon sugar

Lemon Meringue Topping: 1. In a medium-size, heatproof bowl, whisk together egg whites and sugar.

2. Place the bowl over a small saucepan of simmering water, making sure the water doesn‘t touch the bowl.

3. K eep whisking the mixture until the sugar has dissolved. You can easily check whether the sugar has dissolved by rubbing a bit of the mixture between your fingers; the mixture shouldn‘t feel grainy.

4. Using a stand or hand mixer, beat the warm mixture until the meringue holds a stiff peak and has cooled to room temperature.

5. D ollop the meringue on top of the doughnuts in “peaks.” Use a kitchen torch to brown meringue for a bruléed effect, or skip the torch and eat.

You could serve Classic Sufganiyot, or you could take your Chanukah OOT (over the top) with this chocolate one-twothree-punch. Chocolate pastry cream filling, chocolate glaze, topped with chocolate covered malted milk balls. It‘s easy to see why we call this “divine.“ Once you‘ve finished mixing and kneading our Classic Sufganiyot dough, start on the chocolate filling, since both need 2 hours to rest. Or, if making dough the night before, start the filling when you take the dough out of the fridge.

That way, they‘ll both be ready at the same time.

140 MIN DURATION 20 MIN COOK TIME 120 MIN PREP TIME

SERVINGS 12 DOUGHNUTS

INGREDIENTS

PREPARATION

MALTED CHOCOLATE PASTRY CREAM: 4 large egg yolks ¼ cup granulated sugar 2 tablespoons corn starch 3 tablespoon cocoa powder ½ cup malted milk powder ¼ teaspoon kosher salt 1 cup whole milk 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Filling: 1. In a medium sauté pan, whisk together egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder, malt powder, and salt. The mixture will be fairly thick.

2. Slowly whisk in the milk. Place pan over medium low heat.

Stir constantly so that the milk does not burn and the eggs do not cook. When mixture just comes to a boil it will quickly begin to thicken.

3. R emove from heat and continue whisking until thick and smooth, and it’s the consistency of pudding. Add chocolate chunks, butter, and vanilla extract to the warm chocolate mixture and stir until all is melted and well incorporated.

4. Transfer hot pastry cream to a small bowl. Place a piece of parchment paper on top of the cream (so that it touches the cream) to cover the surface and keep a skin from forming.

Chill for 2 hours.

5. F ill a pastry bag, fitted with a round tip, with the malted chocolate filling. Poke a hole in the side or on top of the Sufganiyot and fill.

6. Glaze with Bittersweet Chocolate Glaze (recipe below) and garnish with malted milk balls and chocolate shavings.

12 prepared Classic Sufganiyot doughnuts (recipe on previous page) BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE GLAZE: ½ cup heavy cream 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Garnish: chopped dark chocolate malted milk balls and chocolate shavings

Bittersweet Chocolate Glaze: 1. Heat cream in sauté pan, over low heat until steaming, but not boiling.

2. Pour hot cream over chocolate and set aside for 10 minutes.

Stir in butter and vanilla.

3. S poon over filled doughnuts. Garnish with malted milk balls and chocolate shavings.

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51

Malted Chocolate Divine Filled Doughnut

52 Chanukah 5784

Chanukah Challah Shaped to perfection as a Menorah and a Dreidel

Yields 6-8 Challahs

INGREDIENTS: 4¾ cups warm water 1½ cups sugar 7 tsp yeast 1 cup oil 2 eggs, beaten 2 tsp vanilla extract 2½ Tbsp fine sea salt 13-15 cups all-purpose flour (approximately a 5 lb bag) GLAZE: 1 egg yolk, beaten with 2 tsp water

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Rebbetzin Rochie’s Classic Challah Dough

PREPARATION 1. Pour the warm water into a bowl. Add the sugar and yeast; stir to combine.

2. Add the oil, eggs, and vanilla; stir well.

3. A dd the salt and 13 cups flour, adding the remaining flour as needed until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.

4. Knead until smooth and elastic. Put a bit of oil in the challah bowl and roll the dough around in it.

Cover the bowl, and let rise in a warm spot for 2-3 hours, or overnight in the fridge.

5. W hen the dough is puffy, punch it down to let out the air. Then do the challah separation with the blessing.

6. Braid, then glaze with egg, and top with your favorite toppings.

7. Allow to rise for another 1-1½ hours, then bake in a 350°F oven for 30 minutes.

Rochie Pinson is a shlucha in downtown brooklyn, and is the bestselling author of “Rising! The Book of Challah” (Feldheim 2017) and her newest cookbook “The KIDS Book of Challah: Challah Adventures for the Whole Family” (Feldheim 2022).

They are both available on Amazon and at Jewish bookstores everywhere. Pick up a copy (or 3) for the most amazing Chanukah gifts.

Rochie travels, nationally and internationally, to spread her message about the power of the Jewish woman, and to teach women the art of challah. She has inspired thousands of women to bring the mitzvah of challah into their lives in a positive and joyful way.

Follow @rochiepinson on Instagram and Facebook to discover endless ways to create with challah dough, as well as Torah insights connected to each challah and parsha.

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CHANUKAH GIFTS NOBODY WANTS

By Mordechai Schmutter What do you buy for the person who has everything?

Well, first of all, it’s important to note that no one has everything. Even someone who has everything you could ever want doesn’t think he has everything. So the question, really, is what do you buy for the person who has everything you can afford? Or everything he wants?

And the answer is: Get him something he doesn’t actually want – something you know that he would never in a million years buy for himself.

We’re here to help.

Plus, it turns out that some of these things are relatively inexpensive! So win-win!

(NOTE: Every time I mention

Chanukah gifts in an article, my editors make me put in a disclaimer that not everyone holds of them, and that you should ask your rav if he does while trying not to imply that if he says yes, you’ll buy him one. They make me do this despite the fact that a couple of years ago, in an article about great ideas for Chanukah inventions, I wrote, “I am presenting the ideas here as a gift to you. If you personally don’t hold of gifts, please send me money.”

And no one sent me money.

So when it comes down to it, either, A. All my readers hold of Chanukah gifts, or B. Maybe the real reason they don’t is not so much on religious grounds as it is on monetary grounds. So in other words, it’s very Jewish to claim that gifts aren’t Jewish.)

Our first gift, speaking of Chanukah, is a Measuring Tape Belt ($20). This is a belt made out of measuring tape, so that you can tell at a glance how big your waist is.

Well, actually you can’t; your stomach’s in the way. But everyone else can! Worried that you might be getting fat? Now you know for sure!

This gift is perfect for people who want to proclaim their waist size to the world. Or for people who want to gradually wear their pants higher and higher so it looks like they’re losing weight, until they’re wearing them around their necks. It’s also a great item for when you go to buy pants and you forget what size you are, but you don’t want to first take a trip to the dressing room just to find out.

Also, if you think the person on your list needs to get

You can also get them a Banana Slicer ($6). This is a plastic device, sort of like an apple slicer (where you push it down on the fruit and it makes slices), but it’s shaped like a banana, obviously. We have so many devices for cutting round fruits, but

There are also lots of great things to get parents, such as a Piggyback Driver. This is a helmet that’s designed to be worn by a father when he’s giving shoulder rides. So now you’re saying, “Actually the father does need a helmet; mostly to protect him from drool and lollypops.” But that’s not really its prime use. It has a handlebar on top so the kid can steer. So now you’re saying, “Actually the steering is a great idea. Because until now, he’s been steering through my ears.” This is why older men sometimes have larger ears. So maybe it’s a great idea. There’s also a horn your kids can push, which can be useful when you’re standing in line at the

bank. Plus the helmet has turn signals, which your kid can use if he doesn’t want to crash into other fathers or people walking their goldfish. This is a perfect present for a woman to get her husband as a “thank you” for not helping her shop for presents. Though you’d think that if anyone should be wearing a helmet during a shoulder ride, it should be the kid, because of doorways.

And for the person on your list who has killed too many brain cells giving their kids piggyback rides, there’s also something called a Smart Umbrella. This is an umbrella that costs $125, and before you say, “I don’t want to pay $125 for an umbrella that I’m just going to leave somewhere,” it actually has a chip that makes your phone beep whenever you get more than 30 feet from it. Unless you put the umbrella in airplane mode. It actually seems like a great idea, though.

We’ve all left raincoats in shul by accident. But 30 feet doesn’t really seem like enough, does it? (“Why did you bring an umbrella to the meeting?”) On the other hand, it might be too much.

Basically, it means that if you leave it in a cab, by the time your phone beeps, the umbrella will be well on its way to starting a new life without you. Also, I suppose, if you go somewhere with your umbrella but without your phone, it can alert you to that too. Well, no; you don’t have a phone. So it

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what about bananas? How are you supposed to cut those? Okay, so you can cut a banana accidentally at the bottom of your knapsack.

But in general, until now, cutting bananas has always been just another one of those chores that was a pain to do. You have to get out the cutting board, go through the kitchen drawer looking for a knife or a reasonably stiff spatula…

You know, because there’s nothing else that you carry around that will allow you to cut bananas, such as a credit card. Or a slinky. The only downside of this thing is that cleaning it makes up for all the time you’re saving up front. This item is perfect for the person on your list who has to read the instructions. (“Okay… STEP 1: Peel banana before use… Oh.”)

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more exercise, you can get him a Goldfish Walker.

This is like a stroller for your goldfish. You attach a small, covered bowl to a bunch of bungee cords, and you can push it around on the street.

This way, you can take your goldfish out on walks without looking like a weirdo, and make memories that will last a few minutes! Because honestly, the goldfish has no idea what’s happening. At most, it’s wondering why the scenery keeps changing and the water keeps sloshing and people keep saying, “Wow, what a cute… Oh.” So you’re really doing this for yourself, perhaps as motivation to get some exercise. Though arguably, you’d get more exercise carrying around a fish tank. But it’s something.

At least it gives you a reason to get out of the house on a nice day! Or when it’s raining; the fish don’t care.

Maybe not in the winter, though. Either way, this is the perfect gift you can use to tell someone, “You need to get out more. You spend way too much time with your fish.” It’s also something you can get people who desperately want a dog but can’t buy one because their parents have some sort of “allergy”.

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will alert the phone that you’re not there. Good luck with that. The umbrella also has a feature that tells you the weather. (“It’s raining.” “Thanks. What a smart umbrella.”) This is the perfect gift for the person on your list who would leave his head somewhere if he didn’t need it to look at his phone.

Finally, if you’re looking for a gift for someone who always has his hands full, you can get them a Wineglass Holder Necklace ($25).

This is a necklace with a device on the front from which you can suspend your wine glass, thereby freeing up both of your hands to grab more food or move furniture. Or hold your umbrella. But you know how it is. Sometimes

you’re at a shmorg and you want to hold the plate and the fork and the knife, but what do you do with your glass? You don’t have 4 hands. I personally think it’s a great idea to wear a cup, because so many times at home I pour myself a drink and leave it on the kitchen counter, and then a halfhour later I wonder why I’m still thirsty. “AND WHO KEEPS LEAVING CUPS ON THE COUNTER?!” In fact, the only issue with this item might be leaving it dangling and forgetting it’s there.

“Where did I put my wine? I just had it. Oh, there it is.

On my shirt.” I can get to school, and my students will be like, “Mr. Schmutter, why are you wearing a drink?”

So you might just leave the simcha hall with it still on by accident. Or wear it to a

shmorg and forget to take it off before you walk your son down the aisle. (“What?

Oh. That’s for him to break later.”) This will not look good for you if you get pulled over while driving, though. (“No, officer, this is just my necklace. You know how some people keep a locket of their loved ones? This is my loved one! It’s Bartenura!”

“Oh, that’s what it is? Okay, you’re free to go.” “What?”

It is too a wine!”) You can also put your goldfish in it.

This is the perfect gift for the person who drinks that much wine and doesn’t own a table. It’s also great for the Seder. Anyway, for the $25, you get a set of two. That way you can wear 2 different drinks around your neck.

That’ll go over well with the cops.

THE

UNIVERSITY FOR YOU

Antisemitism is on the rise at college campuses around the country. At Touro, we are proud of our Jewish heritage—it is the foundation upon which our university was created, and illuminates everything we stand for.

Touro invites you to pursue your education in a place where you’ll be a cherished member of the community.

Where your values are celebrated and where your professional dreams will be nurtured in an environment dedicated to your success. Wherever you want to go, TOURO TAKES YOU THERE.

To apply or transfer to Touro for SPRING ‘24 contact Meir Weiss, Director of Enrollment Management at meir.weiss10@touro.edu

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