Just One More Cup

Rabbi Shea Hecht – NCFJE

The other night my son walked into my room and told me, “You know the recent rumors that so-and-so died of a heart attack or something like that? It really didn’t make too much sense to me when I heard it because he was so young and now I just heard the real, harsh truth. He spent the night drinking and died of alcohol poisoning.”

The story my son told me hit me like a sledgehammer….

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Thus Shall be done… in Gan Temimim!

After learning the story of Purim with the miraculous turn of events, and that Haman led Mordechai in the royal robes atop the royal horse throughout the capital, the young Temimim of ULY, Crown Heights were treated to a pony ride to help them relive the story of Purim.

More in the Extended Article.

Mayanot and Birthright Expecting a Busy Summer

Jon Gold – Chabad.edu

For years, Taglit-birthright israel trips have provided students and young professionals the chance to go to Israel for free during the summer and winter. Starting in 1999, the programs have gradually expanded into serving thousands annually. All told so far, more than 120,000 have taken part in the guided tours.

But this year, even those closest to the program are surprised by the response to the summer trip registration, which opened on Feb. 15.

New Hot Properties: YouTube Celebrities

The New York Times
Lubavitcher Shmuel Tennenhaus in the New York Times

Mr. Tennenhaus, an aspiring comedy writer who gained a modest following on YouTube for his droll question-and-answer clips and other spots featuring his grandmother “Bubby,” is being wooed by the site’s competitors, including Metacafe, ManiaTV and others, with promises of guaranteed exposure, a share of advertising money, or both.

Home used for Worship draws Neighbors’ Gripes

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

West Boynton — Dozens of Jewish congregants observing the Sabbath and worshipping daily gather in a two-story home less than a half-mile from the mammoth Chabad Lubavitch of Greater Boynton synagogue.

But neighbors want them to stop.

The irritated residents say they want no more daily religious services conducted in the cream-and-champagne-colored home in the 6200 block of Madras Circle in the Indian Wells subdivision.

Exclusive interview with the Commissioner of the Crown Heights Softball League

Zevi S. talks about the Red Heifers’ big win, about the question of sports and bitul torah, and his gratitude to the CH Softball sponsors.

CrownHeights.info: As commissioner of Crown Heights’ only organized sports league tell me a little bit about how you got started.
Zevi S.: I was previously part of a secular league in Bayridge.We were about twelve guys who used to play twice a week. Then we saw how many people in Crown Heights were searching for this kind of recreation and we – Danny Cole and me – decided to start our own league here.

Sold Out Crowd for the 5th Annual Soul II Soul Concert

Over 1000 Men Woman and Children packed into the George Wingate Auditorium for the annual Soul II Soul concert which benefits the Chasdei Zahavi Foundation for tuition for children with special needs.

The hall was full, there wasn’t an empty seat in the house, and all were there for a performance by the Crown Heights native and Chassidishe Performer Mordechai Ben David.

A Large gallery of beautiful pictures in the Extended Article!

Chabad of California Prepping for Purim

Pictures By Israel Berdugo

Chabad of California is now preparing thousands of Shalach Manos to be distributed throughout California.

The gifts are distributed through community centers, schools and social service programs to increase the joy of the holiday to the recipients.

Emotional Celebration in Romania

Lubavitch.com

Bucharest, Romania — In a scene not seen in Romania since before WWII, thousands gathered to the festive grand opening of a newly restored 200 year-old Bucharest synagogue and the dedication of two new Torah scrolls, as Romanian national TV televised the event.

CrownHeights.info Ranked #1 for ‘Chabad News’ by Google!

Thanks to our readers and supporters for making us number one!

From the day CrownHeights.info posted its very first story till today, more than 5000 articles later we have been the fastest growing Chabad and Crown Heights News website. With over 25,000 unique visitors every day our popularity on the web has given us worldwide recognition!

Internet search giant Google.com ranked CrownHeights.info number 1 on a number of key phrases including ‘Chabad News’ and ‘Crown Heights News’ and a tight number 2 for the term ‘Crown Heights’. Rankings are based on a number of elements including the amount of hits and links a site gets. Click Here to see the search results for yourself!

Advertise with us! Click Here to see the ad spaces we have to offer! We are also running a Purim special, Free Announcements! To post an announcement or if you have any questions in regards to advertising please email our ads department at sales@crownheights.info

To submit news or news tips you can simply email news@crownheights.info!

New Chabad center aims to ease transition for Central Asian emigres

JTA NEWS
Funder Lev Leviev, front right, listens during a ceremony marking the opening of a Chabad center in Vienna, next to his wife and daughter and one of Russian´s chief rabbi´s, Berel Lezar, second from left, Feb. 18.

Vienna, Austria — As a slender violinist with flowing black hair played “Oseh Shalom” to an audience peppered with at least a dozen long-bearded rabbis, Bukharian Jews in this capital city ushered in a new era.

Their cause for celebration: Unlike many of those from Central Asia who came to Austria more than 25 years ago, immigrants to the country now have a new center to help them find their way.

U.S. Congressman Visits Jewish Community Center in Moscow

FJC.ru

Moscow, Russia – Senior American congressman Tom Lantos, chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, visited the Moscow’s Jewish community center while paying a visit to Russia. In a meeting with Russia’s chief rabbi Berel Lazar, the two discussed issues affecting the growth of the Russian Jewry while praising continued governmental support and growth efforts of the community. They also discussed the removal of Russia from the 1974 Jackson-Vanik amendment which denied normal trade relations between the US and Russia, and was put into place because of restrictions on Jewish community members right to emigrate during the soviet regime.

This Motzoai Shabbos the Soul II Soul Concert!

The annual Soul II Soul concert is set to take place this Motzoai Shabbos Parshas Trumah in the George Wingate Auditorium on Kingston Ave. The proceeds of the concert go to the funding of education and summer camps for special children with special needs.

This year the concert is featuring Mordechai Ben David as its featured performance as well as a special performance by the Temimim Boys Choir under the direction of Rabbi Yossi Goldstein. Producers of the Soul II Soul concert have informed us that ticket sales are moving at an incredible rate selling out some sections of the George Wingate Auditorium.

Yeshiva Academy gets $2 million Bequest

Worcester Telegram

Worcester, MA — A gift of nearly $2 million from the estate of Max and Ida Fallman will allow the Yeshiva Academy day school to offer college scholarships for the first time, Rabbi Hershel Fogelman said yesterday.

Mr. Fallman, whose family fled the Nazis in Austria to the United States in 1939, was a member of the Yeshiva board and a trustee of the Congregation Tifereth Israel Sons of Jacob Synagogue, Rabbi Fogelman said. Mr. Fallman was a photographer by trade and died in 2001.

“He valued education very much,” the rabbi said in an interview yesterday at the school on Newton Avenue.

Oholei Torah celebrates Fifty Years

Crown Heights has rarely seen a beautiful event such as it did this past Sunday, at Oholei Torah’s Gala Jubilee Dinner.

The hall, packed with over 1000 appreciative participants, enjoyed a scrumptious smorgasbord and a full sit-down dinner in the attractively decorated Oholei Torah Ballroom. Organized by the Dinner Committee, this elegant evening was full of love, respect and honor to the Mossad and its honorees

More pictures in the Extended Article.

Chasidic Tunes Inspire Rockers

Mordechai Shinefield – Lubavitch.com

New York, NY — The last few years in mainstream music have seen an explosion of bands influenced by Eastern European melodies and songs. From Jdub Record bands Balkan Beat Box and Golem to indie bands DeVotchKa and Beirut, everything from Roma lautari to klezmer music has been fair game. Recently, though, artists have been finding inspiration from a more mystical source – the niggunim of Chabad Lubavitch.