Going Door to Door to Make Sure Everyone Hears the Shofar

HOUSTON, TX — There are many contenders for the quintessential symbol of Rosh Hashanah. There’s the apple dipped in honey signifying a sweet new year. Then there’s the pomegranate, an Israeli autumnal fruit eaten to herald in the fall season, and, given that its full of sweet seeds, regarded by tradition as symbolic of a Jew’s being full of good deeds.

On the journey to Yom Kippur

ST PETERSBURG, FL — Judaism’s annual 10 days of reflection, repentance and forgiveness, known collectively as the High Holy Days, conclude Saturday with Yom Kippur.

Friendship Circle Brings Joy to Special Kids

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A crowd of hundreds congregated at the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo on Sunday to participate in a fund-raising walk to raise money for The Friendship Circle, a non-profit organization dedicated to filling the social and recreational void that tends to plague the lives of children with special needs.

Rosh Hashanah in Russia’s Most Easterly Port

KALININGRAD, Russia –- The Jewish New Year – Rosh Hashanah – was met in Kaliningrad by over 250 people attending a communal gathering. Organized by the Jewish community of Kaliningrad, the event took place at a local café.

Long Island Community Establishes Library in Girl’s Memory

DIX HILL, NY — Ever since Ariella Weiss, a dynamic three-year-old girl, tragically died in a fire at her Dix Hills, N.Y., home on July 2, friends and family have come together to create a unique memorial to her.

New Arrivals Working to Strengthen Jewish Life in West Virginia

MORGATOWN, WV — West Virginia University, a top-20 party school deep in the heart of coal country, may seem like an unlikely place for a thriving Jewish community, but its off-campus environs now boast a new Chabad House.

A First for Jewish Inmates in a Texas Prison: High Holy Days Plus Sukkot

HOUSTON, TX — While religious books are being purged from federal prison libraries, a Texas state prison hosted a prayer service, complete with two Chabad rabbis and a Torah scroll on Rosh Hashanah.

Jews From all Walks of Life Come Home in Hungary

BUDAPEST, Hungary — Miklos Foldi waited his whole life to embrace his Jewish identity. He got his chance in the most unlikeliest of places: Hungary’s Sziget Festival, an annual music and cultural extravaganza that draws an estimated 400,000 people.

Russia’s Capital Rings in the Jewish New Year

MOSCOW, Russia –- It has become an annual tradition for Moscow Jews to gather for Rosh Hashanah at the ‘Beit Menachem’ Synagogue, located in the Jewish Community Center in Marina Roscha. This year, however, attendance may have surpassed previous years, with well over 1,000 persons attending the first prayer of the year 5768.

Long Islandís One-of-a-Kind Synagogue, 32 Years in the Making

EAST HAMPTON, NY — There is a fascinating synagogue in East Hampton, N.Y., a trendy hotspot on the eastern end of Long Island. Those who have the privilege to pray there can gaze out the window and see nothing but blue sky, sand and miles of the endless waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Indeed, in many ways, this synagogue is one-of-a-kind.

Chassidim Shul Reunion

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa [CHI] — Held in Johannesburg, South Africa two Shabbosim ago – Parshas Nitzovim/Vayelech The Chassidim Shul reunion, brought congregants together from the very origins of Chabad Lubavitch in South Africa some 35 years ago.

Over 80 people attended the Shabbaton which was held at The Shul of Hyde Park – Rabbi Mendel and Mashi Lipskar’s beautiful new Shul in Summer place – Summer place – A lavish estate, owned by the well known philanthropic Krok Family is an exclusive five star function and conferencing venue, situated in the upper market Hyde Park.

More pictures in the Extended Article!

Rosh Hashana in Watertown, NY

WATERTOWN, NY [CHI] — With the high holidays and all the many preparations for the holidays well underway across the country and the world, there was a rather special and different type of preparations going on in the city of Watertown, home to Fort Drum, a large military base, where four Jewish soldiers did not want to be left out from being involved in the high holidays services.

The soldiers contacted the Aleph Institute, who dispatched a group of Bochurim to help round up local Jews and other soldiers on base who might not be aware that services where being arranged.

In Small Brazilian Neighborhood, One Thousand March With Chabad Rabbi To Tashlich

S. PAULO, Brazil — Home of soccer and Carnival, religion does not usually take center stage in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Reflecting on the Torah

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Twelve-year-old Zachary Silverstein of Jacksonville knows that on the day of his bar mitzvah in February, he will not only have to read from his synagogue’s 800-year-old Torah scroll but carry it around the sanctuary as well.

New Shluchim to Cleveland, OH

Rabbi Michoel and Mrs. Esty (nee Morrison) Feinstein of Crown Heights have moved on Shlichus to Cleveland, OH where they will be working with the Russian and Bukharian communities of the city.

The new shluchim will be working under Rabbi and Rebbetzin Kaizen along with assistance from the World Congress of Bukharian Jews headed by Lev Leviev.

The new Shluchim can be reached at 216-382-7202 or semachsedek@hotmail.com

CrownHeights.info would like to wish the new Shluchim Hatzlocha Rabba on their Shlichus!

Jews ‘Wake up the Sleepy Soul’

DES MOINES, IA — At sundown Wednesday, Jews celebrated Rosh Hashana, the holy day they celebrate as the birthday of the world.

Unlike the festive, secular New Year’s Day, the observance of Rosh Hashana – Jewish New Year 5768 – is a sober and reflective one.