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New York Driving Course Goes Online

By Stephen Williams for the NY Times Blogs

NEW YORK — New York drivers now have the option of taking defensive-driving courses over the Internet to qualify for auto insurance discounts and point reductions on their driving records.

A Tank That Brings Judaism to Moscow Streets

By Elizabeth Shockman Special to The Moscow Times

The Mitzvah Tank crew on Tverskaya Ulitsa. The project eventually hopes to have tanks in other Russian cities too.

MOSCOW — As an unusual combination of symbols — a camping trailer painted in synagogue-stone browns with a giant menorah on its side — the Mitzvah Tank was not created to blend into Moscow’s urban environment. In fact, with a back seat full of rabbis, this synagogue on wheels is strategically designed to change the way Muscovites think about Judaism and spur on its revival in Russia.

Shliach Delivers Invocation at CMU Graduation Ceremony

Over 10,000 people including graduates, family, and friends gathered in the Geisling Stadium for Carnegie Mellon Universitys (CMU) 2009 Commencement. At the conclusion of his first year of Shlichus as director of Chabad of CMU, Rabbi Shlomo Silverman received the honor of giving the Invocation at the beginning of the ceremony.

Shliach’s Home Vandalized – Police Consider Hate Crime

MIAMI BEACH, FL [WSVN] — What was smeared on the walls at the home of a South Florida rabbi has left a community outraged, and police are calling this a possible hate crime.

“We saw, on the window right here, it was smeared all across here,” Rabbi Aaron Rabin said making a sweeping gesture in front of his large picture window at the front of his home. “Dog feces smeared all over this window and on the floor here.”

Mazal Tov! – It’s A Boy!

We would like to wish Mazal Tov to Shmuli and Aidy (nee Katzman) Bendet (Crown Heights) on the birth of their firstborn son.

May the newborn be a source of Nachas to his parents, grandparents and Klal Yisroel.

Rabbi Osdoba Clarifies his Position on the Elections, Rabbi Schwei Responds as Elections Draw Closer

The following is a letter that was released late last week by Rabbi Avrohom Osdoba clarifying his position regarding the upcoming elections for the Vaad Hakohol and Gaboim. In response Rabbi Aharon Yaakov Schwei redistributed his letter from the last elections. Last night there was a meeting where the candidates of the upcoming elections got to introduce the basis of their campaigns. An article with videos will soon follow.

Thursday, 20th of Iyar 5769 / 14th of May 2009

To the members of the community,

I would like to clarify my position regarding holding the elections, that have been discussed lately.

In my opinion one should not vote in these elections (for Vaad Hakohol etc and Gaboim) for the simple reason: the idea of elections is to give an equal opportunity to upstanding and honest individuals to be elected to the important role of Gaboim and community activists. In the present situation there is no possibility to maintain this fundamental provision.

TONIGHT: KSCVK Ice Cream Social

Keren Simchas Choson Vekalah cordially invites all women and girls to an evening of relaxation and inspiration. IYH 6:30pm Monday, May 18th, the 24th of Iyar at Oholei Torah.

Click here for pictures of last years Ice Cream Social and Bake-Off.