Daily Archives: January 3, 2006

Chasidic Mapquest

Chemists looking for solutions to chemical mysteries keep an eye on the periodic table of elements. Now Kehot Publication Society, the Lubavitch publishing house, has released a Tanya poster to serve the same purpose for students of Chabad Chasidic philosophy who wish to solve spiritual quandaries.

With multicolored rectangles arranged in topical clusters, the poster, which provides an overview of Tanya, the central work of Chabad Chasidic philosophy, looks a lot like Mendeleev’s famous chart. The Map of Tanya, in English on one side and Hebrew on the reverse, shows the key elements of the opus’s first 53 chapters and offers clear clues about their relationship to one another.

Cameras expose hidden diaspora

Chabad Lubavitch Chassidim, subject of Jewish Identity Project which challenges the visual assumptions of what constitutes a Jew.

Some 30-plus years ago there was an extremely successful advertising campaign for Levy’s rye bread that used the slogan “you don’t have to be Jewish to love Levy’s.” The advertisement featured a native American munching on a sandwich made with the company’s product.

One is reminded of that advertisement when viewing an exhibit currently at The Jewish Museum: “The Jewish Identity Project: New American Photography,” which challenges our visual assumptions of what constitutes a Jew. Some 10 bodies of work by 13 artists, involving film and still photography, uses a variety of approaches, both real and fanciful.

Andrea Robbins and Max Becher’s “Brooklyn Abroad, 2004-2005” series shows how members of the orthodox Lubavitch Hasidim maintain their religious identity no matter how far they’re from their New York-based community. Lubavitchers in Iowa present an unlikely picture as they mow lawns, fish by a creek or simply pose against rural green backgrounds.

Chabad of South Broward Tops Ekaterinburg’s 6,000!

Long established as North America’s largest annual Chanukah event, “this year’s Festival surpassed all expectations,” says Rabbi Raphael Tennenhaus, executive vice president of Chabad of South Broward.

The event served as Chabad’s 25th birthday celebration of Chabad of South Broward, a recognized leader in Jewish education, outreach and social services in 10 Broward cities with 11 centers and over 25 agencies.