A Tribute to Auschwitz’s ‘Angels of Life’

Today marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the largest of some 15,000 concentration, extermination and forced-labor camps established by the Germans during World War II. It is estimated that, at minimum, 1.3 million people were deported to Auschwitz between 1940 and 1945; of which at least 1.1 million were murdered.

As a rabbi in this community here in Charleston and a grandson of one of those fortunate to have survived the horrors of Auschwitz, much about this dark chapter in human history informs my personal and professional life.

My late Bubby (Grandma) Bluma was 13 when her mother, five older siblings and their children were exterminated under the orders of Josef Mengele, aptly referred to as the “Angel of Death.”

Police and Shomrim Prepare for Shabbos

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — Since the racial motivated assault the past Friday night, Crown Heights has seen a major increase in Police presence, in both foot patrols along with police car patrols. Shomrim also beefed up its patrols and in addition to the unmarked patrols, 5 three wheelers were added.

19th Annual Chof Bais Shvat Bais Rivkah High School’s Convention

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — Over 1600 high school girls from throughout the world are expected to gather this weekend in Crown Heights for the annual Chof Beis Shevat Inter-School convention titled “Prepare For Landing.” Bais Rivkah of Crown Heights, the flagship school of the Lubavitch Educational network for girls, is hosting the convention for the over 22 participating schools arriving from locations throughout the world, such as Sydney, Chicago, Worcester, Florida, Canada, London, New Haven, Manchester, Seattle, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, and many others.

The Levaya of Rabbi Yisroel Rosenfeld OBM

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] – Residents of the community, men, woman and children turned out for the Levaya of Rabbi Yisroel (Izzy) Rosenfeld OBM, a longtime resident and activist in Crown Heights.

More pictures in the Extended Article.

Last Kaddish for Reb Shimshon Stock OBM

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — This afternoon at Mincha was the last time Benjy Stock recited Kaddish after the passing of his father Reb Shimshon Stock OBM, and as is customary friends and family sat down for a Farbrengen in this honor.

More pictures in the Extended Article!

Letter to Anash and Shluchim about Elana Kasle

10 Shvat, 5768

To all Shluchim and Anash,

Greetings and Blessings,

As many of you may know, Elana Leah Kasle, 18 year old daughter of Dr. Jerry and Mrs. Shaindel Kasle, from North Oak Park Michigan, was hit by a car several weeks ago. She was attending seminary in Florida and on that evening was working on winter camp. Although she has sustained life threatening injuries, and is presently in a coma, as a result of our Tefillos and good deeds in her merit, Boruch Hashem, Elana Leah has shown some improvements.

We have established organized Tehillim throughout our community. Many took upon themselves to finish Tehillim every week until Elana has a full recovery. Hundreds of men, women and Children took upon themselves to recite the Brocho of Asher Yutzar from a Siddur in the zechus of Elana Leah bas Shaindel Rochel, we distributed over two thousand wallet size Asher Yutzar cards to this point.

“My Daughter is Marrying a Chabadnik Parasite”

In a column in the Jewish Daily Forward called Bintel Blog, where Lisa Loeb answers letters from readers she received the following letter:

Dear Lisa,

My daughter, a beautiful, brilliant college graduate with a law degree and a good job is about to become engaged to a Chabadnik (who, by the way, has no job except for being what I call a lay “Jew for Moses” with Chabad).

It’s obvious that if she marries this parasite, she will become a second-class citizen and a baby factory, and I’ll never have any contact with my grandchildren, because, while we are proud Jews, we aren’t kosher and obviously don’t keep all the Shabbat commandments. (Don’t tell me I’m wrong. I’ve had other friends whose kids have drunk the Orthodox Kool Aid — this is what happens.)

Continued in the Extended Article.

Beyond the Checkpoint – Menorah Lighting at Abu Sneneh

It’s over. I knew it would end. When was the last time two and half weeks lasted forever? Memories and a few pictures – those will last – but the experience is behind me – left to be cherished and hopefully processed into
something productive.

I chose the timing my trip to Eretz Yisroel so I could participate in the Menorah lighting on top of the hill known as Abu Sneneh.

Op-Ed: The Forgotten Girls

A few months ago I stood by the Rebbe’s Ohel and cried from the depths of my heart. I cried tears of happiness, tears of fulfillment because I was on my way to fulfilling my life long dream. In but an hour I was about to embark on shlichus. I was about to undertake the great responsibility of going on Shlichus, of joining the elite group of the Rebbe’s army.

Yes, I was scared and yes, I was nervous. I was going a long way from home, to an isolated place, with no family support but I knew that I was taking the Rebbe with me. And I thought that the people who had spent years working for the Rebbe and had given him so much would help me along the way.

Continued in the Extended Article.

New Movie With Distinctly Jewish Message Challenges Hollywood

HOLLYWOOD, CA — As the tops of moon-illuminated palm trees blended with the bright camera lights to cast the typical glow of a Hollywood movie premiere on the streets outside, the stars of “A Light for Greytowers” and their guests sauntered across the red carpet and into the Sherry Lansing Theater on Paramount Studio’s lot. But this was no typical premiere: Those who filled the 280 seats inside were all women and were all dressed in keeping with Jewish strictures on modesty.

Latkes and Vodka

BERLIN, Germany — Immigrants from the former Soviet Union are transforming Jewish life in Germany

In 1938 Julius Schoeps’s parents did what many German Jews who were prescient or lucky did at the time: they left. They went to Sweden, where Julius’s father worked as an archivist. Julius was born there in 1942.