Baby Girl!
Dovid and Chani (nee Hauck) Levine (Los Angeles, CA)

Hakhel: Its Essence and Its Purpose
The corner has turned, a new year has begun; there is a special distinct aura in the air. This year is different; it is a Hakhel year.
Baby Girl!
Chaim and Chaya Brocha (nee Morozow) Bortunk (Miami Beach, FL)

Israeli Chief Rabbinate: Shliach’s Conversion Invalid
A Jewish convert from the US who made aliyah to Israel had her conversion rejected by the Chief Rabbinate’s department for matrimony and conversion earlier this year, who said it was invalid. The rejection of the Giyur raised many eyebrows, since it was performed by senior Chabad emissary and veteran rabbi Moshe Feller of Minnesota, under the auspices of the Beth Din of America.

Hundreds Gather for ‘Shabbat 1000’ at Harvard
Roughly 800 students and faculty members packed the Science Center Plaza this past Friday evening for “Shabbat 1000,” a massive dinner co-organized by Harvard’s Hillel and Chabad organizations. Organizers said the event was the largest of its kind in Harvard history.

Picture of the Day: Improvised Airport Sukkah
Yeshiva World News published this photo of a Chabad Chossid in Moscow International Airport en-route to New York City. Not wanting to eat outside of a Sukkah, the man devised a makeshift Sukkah using luggage trolleys and a bamboo mat.

Man Run Over By Tractor-Trailer on Utica Ave.
A man is in the hospital after he was run over by a tractor-trailer on Utica Avenue in Crown Heights.

Photos: Simchas Beis Hashoeva in Beitar Illit
Thousands participated in a Simchas Beis Hashoeva celebration Monday night in Beitar Illit, Israel, joyously dancing until the early hours of the morning to music by musician Simcha Friedman.
Baby Boy!
Yossi and Nechi (nee Pinson) Raskin (Crown Heights)

Musician Creates Free Sukkos Dance Track
Crown Heights Musician Aron Niasoff has created a Sukkos Dance Track, which he graciously recorded for the community to stream or download free of charge. The music is perfect for Sukkos parties, Simchas Beis Hashoeva celebrations, or just your personal enjoyment.
New Engagement!
Asher Raymond (Crown Heights) and Shoshana Levine (Los Angeles, CA)
Baby Girl!
Dovid and Chana Slava (nee Eidelman) Perl (Crown Heights)

Photos: Simchas Beis Hashueva in the Rain
Hundreds braved inclement weather and periods of fierce rain to dance at the Simchas Beis Hashueva celebrations on Kingston Avenue in Crown Heights.
Baby Boy!
Menachem and Chaya (nee Gutnick) Korf (Melbourne, Australia)

Photos: Erev Sukkos in Crown Heights
In the hours leading up to the Yom Tov of Sukkos a JDN photographer set out on the streets of Crown Heights to capture the sights as scenes as people hurried and made their last purchases before the holiday.

Chabad Opens ‘The Kugel Collaborative’ for Philadelphia University Students
The new year has brought something new to Jewish students of the arts in Philadelphia: a modern, stylish and comfortable space where they can study, socialize and kick back with a cup of coffee while the creative juices flow.