Kostroma Jews Mark Synagogue’s Centennial Anniversary

Kostroma, Russia –- This week, Jews residing in Kostroma had good occasion for celebration, with the centennial anniversary of the city’s historic Synagogue. This structure was built exactly 100 years ago by Rabbi Tzvi-Hirsh Shneiderman, whose predecessors also traveled here from far away to mark this important event. Rabbi Shneiderman, who led the rather small Jewish community at that time, drafted the architectural plans himself and oversaw the construction of this building.

North Carolina Regional Kinus Hashluchim

Charlotte, NC — This past Sunday a regional conference was held for the Chabad Shluchim to the Carolinas. The conference was held in the Lubavitch Educational Center of Charlotte and was attended by over 40 shluchim and shluchos with their families.

More pictures in the Extended Article.

New Shluchim to Kenosha, Wisconsin!

Rabbi Tzali and his wife Rivkie (nee Matusof) Wilchanski will be IYH be moving out on Shlichus to Kenosha, Wisconsin where they will establish a new Chabad House to serve the needs of the local Jewry.

The new Shluchim were appointed by Rabbi Yisroel Shmotkin director of Lubavitch of Wisconsin

The new Shluchim can be reached via e-mail at rabbitzali@gmail.com

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

Volgograd Children Get Closer to Jewish Roots

Volgograd, Russia –- The summer camp season is well underway for Jewish children residing in the Volgograd Region. It has already been one week since the boys and girls headed to the site, located at a resort in the Leninsky District of Volgograd Region. Here, there enjoy top-notch security, comfortable living conditions, two pools, clean air, a nearby forest and spring.

New Shluchim to Sharon, Massachusetts

Rabbi Ilan and his wife Yael (nee Rahmani) Meyers of Crown Heights will IY”H be moving on Shlichus to Sharon, Massachusetts, where they will head the adult education activities for Chabad of Sharon.

The Meyers were appointed by Rabbi Chaim Wolosow of Chabad of Sharon, and have been recently approved for the Shluchei Torah Grant from the Rohr Family Foundation.

A special Yasher Koach to Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky for arranging the Rohr Shluchei Torah Grant and to Rabbi Efraim Mintz and Rabbi Yoni Katz for all of their guidance and assistance.

The new Shluchim can be reached via e-mail at ilanym@yahoo.com

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

In Ukraine, Jewish Camp Widens Community’s Circle

Mariupol, Ukraine –- Dozens of kids from the Jewish community of Mariupol, a city in the Donetsk Region of Ukraine, are winding down from an unforgettable two weeks at the ‘Gan Israel’ camp. Based out of the Synagogue, the girls and boys were introduced to the laws of Kashrut, morning prayers, national holidays and living a Jewish lifestyle.

Berlin Jewish Center builds replica of Western Wall

Berlin, Germany — Germany’s new €6-million (US$8.2 million) Jewish community center will feature a replica of Jerusalem’s Western Wall — accurate down to the plants sprouting from it, the center’s leaders said.

Dozens of Jewish Communities Unite for Rostov Camp

Rostov-On-Don, Russia –- After wrapping up the boys’ season, over 200 Jewish girls have embarked on two weeks of entertainment and education at the ‘Avichai’ camp gan israel near Rostov-on-Don. Apart from local kids, participants come from right across Russia – from larger communities such as S. Petersburg, Orenburg, Kostroma, Kursk, Perm, and Bryansk to dozens of smaller communities.

New Shluchim to Agoura Hills, California!

Rabbi Eli and his wife Rochel (nee Bryski) Laber of Crown Heights will IYH be moving on Shlichus to Agoura Hills, CA where they will serve as the Directors of Chabad of the Conejo’s Friendship Circle and Teen Programming.

The new Shluchim were appointed by Rabbi Moshe Bryski director of Chabad of the Conejo.

The new Shluchim can be reached via e-mail at elaber@gmail.com

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

Despite hitches, Rabbi finds his place in Cancun

Cancun, Mexico — From the day they arrived in Cancun three weeks ago, Lubavitcher Rabbi Mendel Druk and his wife, Rachel, have stood out from the crowd.

Bearded men wearing wide-brimmed hats, white shirts and black suits are a rare sight in the noted Mexican resort.

“A lot of people stop us and ask where we’re from. We say, ‘New York.’ They say, ‘Oh, very nice,’” Druk said.

With their 8-month-old daughter Mushka in tow, the Druks left Crown Heights to open the Chabad Lubavitch Jewish Center of Cancun.

The transition has had its challenges, Rabbi Druk said in a telephone interview.

Tisha b’Av: Making It A Meaningful Fast Day

Bangkok, Bangkok — Cut off shorts, t-shirts, flip-flops: Israeli backpackers in Thailand don’t shed their travel uniforms when they join Chabad for the saddest day on the Jewish calendar, and that suits Rabbi Yosef Kantor just fine.

New Shluchim to Pacific Beach, California!

Rabbi Yossi and his wife Rochie (nee Leider) Tiefenbrun of Crown Heights will IYH be moving on Shlichus to Pacific Beach, California where they will establish a new Chabad House serving the needs of the local Jewish residents.

The new Shluchim were appointed by Rabbi Yonah Fradkin director of Chabad of S. Diego.

The new Shluchim can be reached via e-mail at chabad.pb@gmail.com or (646) 402-4498.

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

Camp Uses Dough to Instill Culture

Pasadena, CA — Chanie Pinson knows just what to do to make young children interested in their Jewish heritage – give them a clump of raw dough and a pile of flour.

Video in the Extended Article!

Students Graduate JLI Courses at Lauder Business School in Vienna

Vienna, Austria — Over 80 Students from Austria, Russia, Hungary, Bulgaria and other countries recently completed the JLI track at the Jewish Leadership Program at the Lauder Business School in Vienna, Austria. For most, this was their first Jewish learning experience.

New Chabad Houses Will Double its Oregon Operations

Portland, OR — As the Portland, Ore., metropolis expands, Chabad-Lubavitch is coordinating its own rapid growth in the city, currently the Pacific Northwest’s most populous locale. By the end of the summer, Chabad operations in the Beaver State will double.