Shalach Manot, Don’t Forget your Classmates! An Innovative Idea

Lubavitcher Yeshiva of Crown Street came up with a great idea in which every child will get to properly enjoy Purim, by receiving and giving Shalach Manot to his fellow classmates. The following could be a true story:

Dear Parents ,שיחיו

It was Purim morning and Sholom was in high spirits. He stood by the mirror adjusting his costume. He smiled as he remembered how excited he was to be the first one in his class to buy a purim costume. He spent his chanuka gelt and allowance and bought his purim costume as soon as they went on sale. Before purim his mother took him shopping for the nosh he wanted to pack into the shalach manos he would give to his friends, and he spent a better part of the whole last week packing them neatly and creatively into the little bags he made. A small “to: from:” tag adorned the cute packages as they stood in the dining room waiting to be delivered.

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Taanis Esther – The Fast of Esther – Laws and Customs

The fast begins at 5:56am and ends at 7:28pm (NYC Times)

Haman’s “Final Solution” was scheduled for the 13th of Adar. Instead, Haman was hanged, and by royal decree the Jews mobilized in self-defense and successfully defended themselves against all attacks. On the next day, the 14th of Adar, the Jews rested, savored their miraculous salvation, and established the holiday of Purim.

Whenever in peril, we are commanded to institute a fast day to repent, pray, and ask for Divine mercy. Thus the 13th of Adar, the day of battle, was a day of fasting.

GPS Lets Drivers Elude Red-Light Cams, DWIs

By Angela Montefinisefor the NY Post

NEW YORK, NY — It’s a scofflaw’s dream – new GPS software that alerts New York City drivers to red-light cameras, speed traps and DWI checkpoints so they can steer clear of cops and traffic tickets.

“The system gives you enough time to correct any dopey thing you’re about to do,” said Brooklyn subway conductor John Carlson, 49, who bought the software from Pennsylvania-based PhantomAlert last year, and said it “absolutely” has helped him avoid tickets.

Rabbinical Certification Program Tested on 70 Chapters of Shulchan Aruch

MORRISTOWN, NJ [CHI] — On the 9th of Adar 5769 a group of students of Yeshiva Tiferes Bachurim were put to the test. This is the elite group of advanced students in our Rabbinical Certification Program. Rabbi Moshe Herson, Dean of the Rabbinical College conducted the test where the students were systematically questioned and marked for their performance. This is part of an ongoing two year program which began in the fall. “There has been a need for this sort of course for a long time already” said Rabbi Yaakov Wagner who is overseeing the program. “Now someone who studies in Tiferes can become certified right here as a Rabbi, educator and community leader” continued Rabbi Wagner.

In Levi’s Memory, a New Sefer Torah has begun

CEDARHURST, NY [CHI] — The ultimate tragedy, the loss of Levi at the young age of 9, has been the drive behind a few new initiatives in his memory including a Jewish Childrens Library and the beginning of a new Sefer Torah which took place today in the Wolowiks home.

More pictures in the Extended Article!

Rabbi Riebers Class Celebrate Purim in School

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — Rabbi Rieber’s 7th grade celebrated Purim in their class for a half a day today! Talmidim dressed up and enjoyed a barbeque and Sushi, together with a live three piece band comprised of kids from the class!

More pictures in the Extended Article!

PSA: We Can Help You, You Can Help Us!

Take part in the mitzvah of machzitz hashekel while accomplishing the beautiful mitzvah of hachnosas kallah, helping chassanim and kallahs.

To accomplish this great mitzvah go to
712 Montgomery Street (Benjamins – b/t Kingston & Montgomery)
Downstairs in 770 (Rabbi Shmuel Benjamin) or
Crown Kosher 413 Kingston Avenue (b/t Montgomery and Empire)
Monday March 9 (taanis Esther) 12:30pm till 7:30pm
Tuesday March 10 (Purim) All day

Chabad Uses Purim to Teach the Virtues of Recycling

By Catherine Jun by for the Detroit News

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI — For weeks, Jonah and Riley Stearns have scoured their home — and their lunch boxes — for recyclables: empty Capri Sun juice pouches, egg cartons and cardboard rolls from toilet paper.

And each Sunday, the 7-year-old twins toted them in bags to Hebrew school at The Shul, a Chabad-Lubavitch synagogue in West Bloomfield, which is going “green” for this year’s Purim holiday.

Op-Ed: Celebrating Purim

Authors name withheld upon request

Hashem put us humans into this world. A world with its never-ending ups and downs, both physically and spiritually.

How lucky we are, us Yidden:
We received the Torah as a gift.
It is a gift from Hashem.

Hashem knows what is best for us and there IS NO OTHER TRUTH besides the Torah.
When we follow the Torah guidelines, we are assured by Hashem that we are living our lives in the best possible way, and in the derech that Hashem wanted us to live.

A way that is contrary to how Hashem wants one to live their lives distances one from Hashem, and will ultimately bring one to no good, one way or the other.

To help us live by the Torah’s ways, Hashem gives us leaders to help guide us and remind us of the correct way of life for a Yid.

A Mezuzah Mystery

By Dvora Lakein for Lubavitch.com

Rabbi Mayer Okunov explains the significance of Mezuzah

BROOKLYN, NY — According to a new report leaked Friday by London’s Jewish Chronicle, properties bearing mezuzahs on their doorposts are selling for 10,000 pounds more than their equivalents without the parchments.

Real estate agents throughout all areas of the city have noticed the surge since October, when homes and apartments with mezuzahs have garnered considerably more. Though it is unclear why this phenomenon exists, retailers across London have also seen an increase in mezuzah sales—and not only to Jewish customers.

Video – MTA Reconsiders Weekend Service Cuts

NEW YORK, NY [NY1] — The MTA now says a plan to cut back weekend subway service can be avoided, if Albany lawmakers act on a plan to shore up the agency’s $1.2 billion budget gap.

Last week, the MTA said it was moving forward with plans to reduce the scheduled frequency of weekend subway service on most of the lettered lines, beginning in June.

Complete Video of Thursday’s Tractor Terrorist Attack & Response

JERUSALEM, Israel [INN] — Closed circuit video shows the attack by an Arab tractor driver last Thursday — the third of its kind in Jerusalem in a single year.

The footage shows the tractor pushing a police car it had just overturned and the near-immediate response by armed policemen and citizens, who shot the driver dead.

Video: Getting into the Purim Spirit!

Purim happened in ancient Persia, present day Iraq and iran. Any connection between todays tensions in that part of the world and Purim of old?

If Yom Kippur (Yom Ha-Ki-Purim) is only similar to Purim, which implies that Purim is holier and greater than yom kippur, how is it that on Yom Kippur we fast and spend the entire day in temple, while on purim we eat, drink, and mostly have a very good time (and that’s an understatement).

1500 attend Chabad Gala Dinner in Sydney

SYDNEY, Australia [CHI] — In a celebration tempered by the recent Victoria bushfire tragedy and last year’s Mumbai terror attacks, the Yeshiva Centre in Sydney’s annual gala dinner adopted a reflective tone on Tuesday night, promoting a message of unity and self-sacrifice for the greater good.

More pictures in the Extended Article!

Bereaved Father: “The Purim Visits Really Raise Our Spirits”

By Sharon Goshen for the Israel Home Front

“The visits from Chabad volunteers over Purim and throughout the year really raise our spirits,” said David Emmett, a bereaved father from Beit Shean. Mr. Emmett’s son, Capt. Boaz Emmett, Hy”d, was killed in a terror attack at the Erez checkpoint. “You are a ray of light in these difficult days,” he says. Rachel Ochana, mother of Shimon Ochana, who was mortally wounded by snipers from Beit Jala, agrees. “Don’t stay home,” she says. “If you have the chance and the time to go and visit some families, please don’t hesitate.”

The director of the Tzeirei Chabad and Agudas Chassidei Chabad Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Ahronov reports that, “At the same time, low-income families have been invited to Purim meals at the homes of Chabad Youth Organization volunteers and take an active part in the festival joy.”