Masada Witnesses Completion of First Torah Since Roman Siege

As the sun began to set Dec. 8, hundreds of people pooled together at Masada’s Western Palace, a massive structure once used by Herod the Great, to watch a ritual scribe ink the final lines of the ancient mountaintop’s first Torah scroll in modern history.

The ancient synagogue atop the Judean desert fortress of Masada is by no means large. But on the eighth night of Chanukah last week, the rededicated space seemed to expand with revelers as they celebrated the completion of the first Torah scroll to be written on the historic mountaintop in 2,000 years.

Mazal Tov's View More

Op-Ed: Business or Shlichus: World or Worlds?

by Meir Alon

The time is 1:35 AM. And I sit here with a renewed sense of passion. It’s not manic enthusiasm, but rather an more introspective, in depth, even auspicious sense of understanding. There is lust, and then there’s love. Lust is fleeting. It comes as a flood of impulse and emotion, but soon withers into oblivion, or worse, mediocrity. No. What I am experiencing in this moment is more than just a fleeting passion. It’s a feeling of intimidation and admiration mixed with immense pride and responsibility. A connection to something that surpasses any pain, overpowers any objection, which disables any doubt. It’s a love for more than financial gain, physical pleasure, or spiritual bliss. It’s a love… for life. True life.

So what is Shlichus? A mission? A way of life? A chance to conquer a city?

Info to be Menachem Avel the Bruk Family

The family of Mrs. Chanchie (Chana Leah) Bruk OBM are all sitting Shiva at 1507 President Street.

Shacharis 7:00am, 8:00am, and 9:00am
Mincha and Maariv Bizmana

Out of respect to the grieving family they request no visitors past 10:00pm

Email: Rabbi@JewishMontana.com

Hamokom Yenachem Eschem Besoch Shaar Avaylay Tzion VeYerushalayim.

Clarifying the Story Behind the Laundered Wig, Georgie Speaks Out

Millions of people watched the appearance of Mendi and Heidi on The Peoples Court over last few weeks, both on national TV and on the internet. The ‘trial’ ended with Judge Marilyn Milian accusing the Jewish couple of lying, embarrassing the two, and causing a Chillul Hashem of “epic proportions” as we called it. And most concluded that the Jewish couple indeed attempted to defraud the cleaners, but the story is not as straightforward as it seemed.

Legislators Hold Press Conference Protesting Priority 7 Voucher Elimination

Over a half dozen legislators, including Council Members David G. Greenfield, Lew Fidler, Stephen Levin, Brad Lander, Jumaane Williams and Mark Weprin and New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, joined Jewish community leaders from across the five boroughs to denounce the elimination of the Administration for Children’s Services’ Priority 7 Voucher Program and to call for its immediate restoration. Joining the group were representatives of Council Member Sara Gonzalez, State Senator Kevin Parker and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer.

Within Harms Way; A Chaplain’s Tale

by Avi Lesches

Afghanistan is a country torn by war; yet it’s a vast land filled with natural beauty that has been untouched by modern development. In a mountainous area of Afghanistan, an area that is fraught with danger on every corner, it’s also a strong hold for the insurgency and Taliban. It’s on these rocky and dangerous hills that we find a lonely Jewish captain who is also an Intel officer and is serving with his unit in protecting the local roads that are crucial to the supply route for the US armed forces stationed in Afghanistan.

This story takes place during the holiday of Pesach; and in honor of the holiday Chaplain Colonel Rabbi Ira Kronenberg was stationed in Bagram Airbase to conduct and host Jewish activities, during the intermediate days Rabbi Kronenberg gets a request to go visit a Jewish soldier serving in the mountainous region, he gladly agrees.

Jimmy Kimmel Sued over YouTube Clip of Hasidic Man

NY Post

He may be funny, but talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel is no mensch.

Kimmel swiped a YouTube video of a ranting Hasidic man and spliced it into a skit to poke fun at hoops superstar LeBron James without permission, according to a suit filed yesterday in Brooklyn Supreme Court.

Chanukah Celebration Bathes Mumbai’s Gateway to India in Light

by Joshua Runyan, Chabad.org

Under tight security, the Gateway to India celebration allowed local Jewish residents to dance the night away. (Photo credit: Chabad.org)

Mumbai, India’s Jewish community celebrated Chanukah with increased vigor, continuing a tradition begun by the slain directors of the city’s Chabad-Lubavitch center by lighting a towering menorah at the Gateway to India monument.

Chabad Center of Kendall & Pinecrest 15th Anniversary

On Monday, December 6, Chabad Center of Kendall/Pinecrest celebrated “Fifteen Years of Commitment” in the community, with a beautiful dinner at the Dadeland Marriott paying tribute to Danny & Staci Berry, Michael & Grant Miller, from Community Newspapers & Joe & Aida Roisman. The dinner highlighted the various types of outreach of Chabad Center of Kendall/Pinecrest and its far reaching impact on the community. People from all segments of the community participated in the elegant celebration including local politicians.