General “Pan” Reading

At 12 PM today Gimmel Tammuz, the General “pidyon nefesh” on behalf of Anash and temimim all over the world was read at the Ohel.

Rabbi Avrohom Shemtov, chairman of the international Agudas Chasidei Chabad in an emotional tone read the “Pan” as members of Aguch, heads of shluchim, mashpiim and rabbis and the mass crowd that was there stood by.

Long after his death, rebbe’s words resound among Washington’s elite

WASHINGTON — Twelve years after Menachem Mendel Schneerson died, his followers and admirers in Chabad-Lubavitch delivered his message to Washington’s highest echelons.

The timeless themes of education, security for Israel and reaching out to other faiths still resound, organizers said.

Speakers including Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel, Talmudic scholar Adin Steinsaltz and radio host Dennis Prager interacted with top Bush administration officials at the Tuesday-Wednesday event marking the Lubavitcher rebbe’s yahrzeit.

A Mystical Covenant

Tonight marks the 12th yahrzeit of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory. The last 12 years have produced prolific narratives offering personal testimony to the imprint of a leader.

Following the passing of the Rebbe in 1994, Chief Rabbi of Great Britain, Jonathan Sacks, presented the inaugural lecture of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Memorial Lectures, republished here.

On this momentous occasion, I could not do other than begin with one of the most moving scenes in the whole of scriptures, the scene in the second book of Kings which describes the last days of that great, passionate, visionary leader of Israel, the prophet Elijah.

UPDATE: Hollywood rejects Chabad offer

Hollywood, FL – After rejecting a proposal that would’ve ended a federal lawsuit accusing them of discriminating against a synagogue, city commissioners Wednesday night said they planned to keep negotiating to avoid a trial that could come next week.

The settlement rejection came after more than a dozen Hollywood Hills residents took turns urging city leaders to continue their efforts to oust the Hollywood Community Synagogue Chabad Lubavitch from a residential neighborhood.

Commissioners then announced they would reconvene today at 1 p.m. for negotiations with Chabad officials.

The Rebbe Whose Staff Continues to Blossom

A Jewish man is shipwrecked on a desert island. After 10 years he’s finally rescued by a passing ship. When the rescuers embark on the island, they are surprised to find the man has built himself an entire civilization: golf course, restaurant, and two synagogues. “But since you’re here all alone on the island,” they asked, “why do you have TWO synagogues?” “Because,” replied the man, pointing to the buildings, “that’s the one I go to, and that’s the one I don’t!”

The truth behind an old Russian joke

An old Russian joke tells the story of a peasant with one cow who hates his neighbor because he has two. A sorcerer offers to grant the envious farmer a single wish. “Kill one of my neighbor’s cows!” he demands.

Getting ready for Gimmel Tammuz with Rabbi Seligson

Pittsburgh, PA — On Monday night the Jewish community in Pittsburgh gathered for a fabreng with Rabbi Michoel Seligson, who spoke to the community until the wee hours of the morning, prior to the busses leaving to NY for the Gimmel Tammuz pilgrimage to the Ohel of the Rebbe.

Can A Jewish Community Fly In Dumbo?

Early one Friday evening about a year ago, while in the middle of our family Shabbat dinner, there was a knock at the front door.

I opened it to find one familiar face — an observant guy from the neighborhood who has taught my son piano – and a new one.

The new guy was Rabbi Ari Kirschenbaum, a young Lubavitcher who had recently decamped to our corner of Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. They were holding Shabbat evening services in an apartment over the local greasy spoon across the street and needed a 10th man to make the minyan. Could my husband come?

Lubavitcher Arrested for Not Participating in Gaza Disengagement

A resident of Shaarei Tikvah, in Samaria, was arrested Monday night for an act of conscientious objection he made nearly one year ago, on the eve of Israel’s unilateral withdrawal from Gaza and northern Samaria. At the time, Reuven Weissblich, a father of three and a Lubavitcher Chassid, refused to report for reserve duty, writing to his commanders that he “does not want to be a part of the crime of expulsion” and that the Torah forbids relinquishing parts of the Land of Israel.

Police officers turned up at Weissblich’s home Monday with no prior warning or summons. Ever since his arrest, he has been unable to speak with his family.