When I was becoming more interested in Judaism, I learned that the word “Torah” comes from the word “hora’ah,” meaning to teach, to instruct. I was taught this meant that each day’s Torah portion had a vital lesson for our daily lives, even in this contemporary world. Frankly, I didn’t buy it.
A journalist friend of mine emailed me at 1am Friday morning to tell me that Christopher Hitchens had died. The news brought with it a deep sadness and I instantly recited the Jewish prayer upon hearing of the passing of a friend, “Blessed is the true Judge.” That instinctive religious action captured the paradox of our unpredictable friendship, born in battle in four public debates – stretching from 2004 until 2010 – on G-d, faith, evolution, and religion, but solidified over food at kosher restaurants, kosher wines, and, of course, healthy swigs of whisky.
To preface, I’m a 21 year old bochur who is currently in his last stage of the “system.” We all hear the statement that “the Yeshiva System is messed up;” it is echoed daily by people all across Lubavitch: students, parents, teachers, Shluchim, observers, etc.
He was a photographer at Crown Heights chasunas and worked the cash register at his daughter’s grocery on Kingston. He was friendly in a self-effacing way and was friends with my father. His name was Velvel Shildkraut.
Yisroel Newman makes an interesting point in his op-ed, Chevra Ahavas Yisroel, One Year Later: CAY has no business holding itself out as an official shul in Crown Heights unless it complies with the community’s standards. Therefore, if CAY wishes to continue operating in Crown Heights, it has an obligation to the community to change the way it operates.
Chevra Ahavas Yisroel is coming up for their first anniversary since they opened. It has been spoken about ad nauseum since its inception. Some praised the shul for their innovative weekly minyanim and their many unique events throughout the year.
About a year ago, a Chabad Rabbi got in touch with me and asked if I would agree to meet a senior Jewish PETA executive named Philip Schein. Philip’s wife Hannah, who also works for PETA, is in charge of PETA undercover investigations.
While walking through the supermarket recently I found the laundry detergent, shampoo, body soap, and even paper towels, that I have been using for years are now “new and improved.”
The ancient Israelite nation was founded and built by many great men of impeccable character, whose devotion to God and righteousness were imbued in every fiber of their being. There was Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and Aaron, to name but a few. However, only Jacob was given a second name by God himself, which was the name “Israel.” And the question arises, what was Jacob’s uniqueness among our forefathers that earned him this name? And what was it about his life and deeds that merited him to have this new name become the future appellation of the entire Israelite people?
Inside the International Atomic Energy Agency headquarters in Vienna, diplomats from around the world tried to formulate a resolution to repudiate Iran for its suspicious nuclear intentions. Sitting around a long conference table in a spacious room were the leading diplomats of the west, including the US, Britain, France, Germany, and the diplomats of Russia and China.
The Kinus has always been the highlight of a Shliach’s year. It’s a time when we can connect, meet old chaveirim, and draw chayus for our shlichus. Even more than what we gain at the kinus, is the experience our children, the Yaldie Hashluchim, have.
A man was biking through the countryside. As he approached a fork in the road, he saw that the road sign had been blown down. He could no longer tell which road would lead to his destination. Undaunted, he picked up the sign and looked for the part indicating his original destination. He was now able to discern the direction in which he needed to go.
When attending the annual conference of Chabad emissaries in New York, I am frequently tempted to contrast it with similar conventions whose attendees are mandated with securing the Jewish future. Particularly the Jewish Federations’ General Assembly comes to mind as it often takes place around the same time.
I am a victim of abuse. Well actually, I’m a survivor. I no longer consider myself a victim, as I am slowly breaking out of that lowly hell, and moving forward to a better place in life. I came forward a little while ago about the abuse I went through, and doing so was one of the biggest and most painful decisions I had made in my life. It was like pulling off the scab off an old wound that never healed properly.
In a November 12th interview with The Algemeiner, ADL National Chairman Abraham Foxman declared that when it comes to positions on Israel, “with the exception of Ron Paul, there is not much difference between the parties.” I cannot imagine how he arrived at this conclusion, as in fact, nothing could be further from the truth.
Three years ago this weekend, believers of two religions came face to face, with horrific results. It is remembered as the Mumbai Attacks. Over the course of four days, 10 terrorists from the Islamic group Lashkar-e-Taiba perpetrated coordinated attacks on 10 different locations across India’s financial capital. In addition to three hotels, a cinema, and a hospital for women and children, four of the terrorists traveled to the Nariman House, which served as the city’s Chabad Jewish community center.
On Oct 24, I protested a visit to Yale University by noted journalist, Thomas Friedman. After his lecture, I stood in the corner of the Whitney Humanities Center and held a sign that asked the question: “With friends like Chomsky, Soros, Mearsheimer and Thomas Friedman, does Israel need enemies?”
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