Keeping the Jewish spark burning

Four months ago, Rabbi Dovie and Chaya Shapiro came to Flagstaff from Brooklyn, via Miami Beach, to start a special Jewish center in town.

The couple was brought to town by Rabbi Zalman Levertov, regional director of Chabad of Arizona, centered in Phoenix, to establish a Chabad Jewish Center in Flagstaff.

Their goal was to reach out to Jews in the Flagstaff area, help make them more aware of their Jewishness and bring them closer to their Jewish roots.

What happens when 200 friends come for a haircut

Chaim Newman’s long blonde hair reached down to his waist. But it all disappeared at his third birthday party where he had his very first haircut.

His mother, Yehudis Newman, cut the first piece of hair from his forehead. Then his father, Rabbi Mordechai Newman, lopped off a section in the back that was in a ponytail, His grandparents followed, each taking a snip. His father then invited the 200 guests attending the July 10th party at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Alexandria, to take turns cutting as well.

More in the Extended Article!

Brooklyn congressional race heats up

Click Here for a newscast of this story (middle of the page, right hand side)

It was a seat once held by Shirley Chisholm in a district that was redrawn to help increase the amount of African American representatives in Congress.

Now, in Crown Heights, Brooklyn the question being asked is “Should a white man represent a primarily black district?”

This part of Brooklyn has always had an African American representing them in Washington. It all dates back to the days of Chisholm, the Voting Rights Act and a lot of politicians like Al Sharpton say the district’s historic black representation should continue.

Rabbinical emissaries visit Saginaw Valley Jews

Walking around Saginaw wearing black suits, white shirts, black ties, black hats and full beards brings curious stares to Rabbi Gershon Akerman and Rabbi Isser New.

The recent rabbinical school graduates often are asked whether they’re Amish.

“That happens here more than other places,” New said. “We explain to them that we’re Hasidic Jews, and this is our unofficial uniform.”

Shootings Kill 2 in Queens and Crown Heights

Two men were killed yesterday in unrelated shootings in Queens and Brooklyn, the police said.

In the Queens shooting, which occurred about 1 a.m. on 108th Street near Forest Park, Michael Rogers, 20, was fatally shot after he exchanged words with a man whom the authorities did not identify. Mr. Rogers, who lived in Brooklyn, was pronounced dead at the scene, the police said.

Through FridayLight, Women Find Peace — And Share It With The World

Los Angeles, CA — Chabad today announced the launch of FridayLight, a campaign to inspire more Jewish women and girls to experience a moment of peace and serenity by lighting Shabbat candles.

A key part of the project is FridayLight.org, a website offering information about the candle-lighting tradition, a forum for members of the FridayLight community, and free starter kits to help newcomers enjoy this unique spiritual act.

FridayLight is an innovative effort to encourage Jewish women who may not have strong religious ties to reconnect with their roots by taking time to illuminate their homes — and their lives — by lighting weekly Shabbat candles. FridayLight believes that the collective power of millions of flickering candles can spread light and peace around the globe.

Visiting rabbis touched by the ‘Fiji way’

Fiji, Rotuma Islands – Fiji is a perfect model of the way the world should be, say members of the Habad organisation who are at present visiting the country.

In a press conference yesterday, Rabbi Berel, said his team had come with a mission to relay a message of peace and prosperity.

IDF Tank Crew Saying Tefilas HaDerech

Israel File: Keeping The Morale High

Nine thirty p.m., Tuesday, in Akko, where homes have been barraged by katyusha attacks, Chabad representatives, Rabbis Natan Oirechman, Yosef Makmel and Avi Harosh gather round a desk for their nightly meeting at the Baal Shem Tov synagogue.

Byron Bay to jump on Chabad wave

Byron Bay, Australia — Sun, surf, alternative living – and Chabad. It doesn’t sound like Byron Bay, but that’s about to change when the area’s first permanent Jewish centre opens later this month.

Rabbi Mosheh Serebryanski, who runs activities and services on the Gold Coast and currently travels to Byron Bay about once a week, last week finalised a lease on premises in the Byron Bay Industrial Estate, about five minutes’ drive from the centre of the beachside northern NSW town.

He said the establishment of a designated centre would provide the local community of around 1000 Jews, including a large proportion of Israelis, with a place to call home for Jewish classes, prayer services and social activities.

New Shluchim To Buenos Aires Argentina

Rabbi & Mrs. Eli Levi have recently moved on Shlichus to Colegiales in Buenos Aires Argentina to establish a new Chabad House, serving the residents of the area with youth programs, Shul services, shiurim, and working with the local singles and university students.

The Levy’s were appointed by the head Shliach of Argentina Rabbi Tzvi Grunblat.

HATZLOCHA RABBA!

The new Shluchim can be reached via e-mail at jabadcolegiales@latinmail.com