A Bar Mitzvah, a Parade and a Kiddush Hashem like no other

by Mendy Hecht

Congregation Levi Yitzchok’s Torah scrolls join their new colleague for outdoor hakafos

LOS ANGELES, CA [CHI] — L.A.’s Frum Jewish Community Comes Together for Special Sefer Torah.

Over 1,000 Yidden—men, women and children of all ages—converged on a single house in the Beverly-La Brea area of Los Angeles this past Sunday, January 13, 2008, for a very special siyum and hachnosas sefer Torah.

More pictures in the Extended Article! (by Natan Davoodi)

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Restored Audio Released from Yud Shevat 5728

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CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — We are pleased to inform you that Jewish Educational Media has obtained a previously-unreleased recording of the Farbrengen of 10 Shevat, 5728 – 1968, corresponding to this year’s chapter in the Maamar Bosi L’Gani.

On Russia’s Volga, Community Celebrates Synagogue’s Century Mark

Chabad.org

Holding celebratory torches, students of the Ohr Avner Chabad day school in Saratov, Russia, lead a procession of the Jewish communityís new Torah scroll.

SARATOV, Russia — Jews residing in the southern Russian city of Saratov, affectionately known by locals as “Students’ City” in deference to its many universities, welcomed a new Torah scroll to the Great Choral Synagogue on occasion of the shul’s 100th anniversary. Young and old celebrated by dancing throughout the cultural hub’s streets.

Davening Times in the Rebbes House

Throughout Yud Shvat, the day of the Histalkus of the Frierdiker Rebbe and the day the Rebbe accepted the Nessius, the Rebbes house will be open for Tefilos. Times are as follows:

Wednesday 9th of Shvat: Maariv – 6:45pm for 770 Bochurim, Smicha Bochurim and Kvutzeh Bochurim.

Thursday 10th of Shvat: Shacharis – 9:30am for Zal Bochurim.
Mincha – 3:15pm for Mesivta Bochurim.

Elderly Man Hit by a Car Crossing Eastern Pkwy.

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — An elderly member of Anash was struck by a car while crossing Eastern Parkway in the crosswalk. The incident took place at around 10:45am in the intersection of Kingston Avenue where lots of bystanders witnessed the accident saying that the car came speeding into the turn with squealing and tires and short stopping as he struck the victim, who is in his 80’s.

More pictures in the Extended Article.

Tickets and Car Thefts on the Decline

NY Daily News

Getting a parking ticket in NYC.

NEW YORK, NY — Believe it or not, fewer car windshields got slapped with parking tickets in Brooklyn last year.

Overall, cops wrote 59,589 less tickets in 2007, an 11% drop from 2006, preliminary city records show.

Stats in the Extended Article.

Attempted Mugging at Knife Point

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — A Bochur on his way home at 1:30am was accosted by a masked perpetrator who pulled a knife out and demanded the Bochurs Money. The incident took place on Lefferts and Schenectady Avenues.

More in the Extended Article.

Satirical Newscast, Kosher Style

by Paula Roth – The Jewish Daily Forward

Mendy Pellin (right) with singer Benny Friedman at the KSCVK Auction.

Over footage of burning buildings, Israel Defense Forces troops and the Israeli prime minister, the straight-faced anchorman intones: “Great news out of Israel: Ehud Olmert has announced that the second Lebanon war was a success…. Another of Olmert’s notable successes is his attempt to comb over his bald spot.” Yes, it’s a satirical newscast, but not “The Daily Show”; nor is it “Weekend Update” from “Saturday Night Live.” On “The Mendy Report,” news is delivered by a long-bearded Hasid wearing a velvet yarmulke at a rakish tilt.

Polish Leader Gets a Firsthand Look at Chasidic Life During Visit to Israel

Joshua Runyan – Chabad.org

Meir Dahan/Chabad.org

KFAR CHABAD, Israel — Lech Walesa, the popular former president of Poland whose Solidarity Party ushered in a social revolution in the once Communist country, visited the Israeli village of Kfar Chabad early this week.

Live Parsha Shiur and Yud Shvat Farbrangen with Rabbi Jacobson Tonight

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — This coming thursday is Yud Shvat, We would like to ask that on this Yoim Kodoish when you are davening, writing a Pan, etc. You mention Chana bas Rasha Zelda L’Refuah Shleima U’Kerovah.

We are happy to announce that in honor of Yud shvat we will be hosting a special program. The program will take place on Wednesday Oir l’yud shvat 5768, more info in the Extended Article!

As Kosher Awareness Grows, More Make the Switch Even When Eating Out

Dvora Lakein Lubavitch.com

MINNETONKA, MN — When Leslie Paskoff of Minnetonka, Minnesota, recently invited some friends to her kitchen table, it was a “going kosher” party. Guests peeled stickers off of new kitchen tools, and helped organize kitchen cabinets, separating dairy and meat utensils. Dr. Paskoff tried to avoid the Rabbi’s blowtorch and keep his cool.

Today – Hachnasas Sefer Torah

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — The community is invited to participate in the Siyum an Hachnasas Sefer Torah, in honor of Rebbitzin Cherna Ushpol and HaRav HaChossid Yitzchok Dovber Ushpol OBM. It will IYH take place tomorrow, Wednesday, Tes Shvat, January 16th. The Siyum will be held at 422 Crown St, [corner Brooklyn Ave], the Sefer Torah will then be led with the traditional procession at 3:00 pm to 770 Bais Rabbeinu Sheb’bavel and will be followed by hakafos.

More info in flyer in the Extended Article!

Sen Joe Lieberman Coming to Chabad of Boynton

BOYNTON BEACH, FL [CHI] — On the heels of its thirteenth, Bar Mitzvah Year celebration, Chabad-Lubavitch of Greater Boynton will continue its week-long celebration of its Bar Mitzvah Gala by hosting the renowned Senator Joseph Lieberman.