“I Have Never Seen a Haggadah Like This!”

Many thanks for the beautiful Haggadah “Kol Menachem” which you so kindly sent me. From all the Haggados that I have set my eyes upon I have seen never seen something like this. In terms of content, it includes a fabulous selection from the great Jewish sages, and each reader will find something of personal relevance. Everyone who sees it will be impressed. The centerpiece contains the commentary and thoughts of the Ga’on of our generation, Rabbi Menachem Mendel, the Rebbe of Lubavitch זצקללה”ה, whose influence has spread across the full spectrum of Jewish life, from the very closest of Jews to the most distant, “to call them all in the name of G-d, to serve Him in unity.”

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Israeli Teen Invents Device Reducing Gas and Emissions

ISRAEL — Zion Badash, 18, from Savyon, has invented a device to reduce emissions from internal combustion engines in most vehicles by as much as 40 percent and significantly cut gasoline consumption.

The compact contraption called Z5 has no moving parts and can be easily self-installed in cars.

Third Suspect Found Guilty in Timoshenko Murder

NEW YORK [WABC] — A jury has convicted Lee Woods, the third suspect on trial for the murder of New York City police officer Russel Timoshenko.

Woods was convicted on charges of aggravated murder, aggravated attempted murder, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon.

Jewish Community Celebrates Purim at Chabad’s “Purim in the Circus!”

Rabbi Pesach Burston, “ringmaster” of Chabad of Orange County with Gil & Phyllis Goetz, of Monroe, during Chabad’s “Purim in the Circus” party

GOSHEN, NY [CHI] — “Ladies and gentleman, step right up for the greatest Purim fun on earth!” announced “ringmaster” Rabbi Pesach Burston to the crowd of over three hundred who had come to celebrate “Purim at the Circus” with Chabad. People of all ages from throughout the county enjoyed a spectacular party, in celebration of the Jewish holiday of Purim, which was on March 10 at the American Legion Hall in Monroe.

NY Waterway Suing US Airways over Flight 1549

NEW YORK, NY [NY1] — Ferry company New York Waterways says it is having trouble staying afloat, and may need to file for bankruptcy protection this year.

This is the same company that came to the rescue when US Airways Flight 1549 landed on the Hudson in January.

Home of Rebbe’s Father Honored

DNEPROPETROVSK, Ukraine [FJC] — Residents of the east Ukrainian city of Dnepropetrovsk celebrated the inauguration of a memorial built in honor of Rabbi Levi Yitzhak Schneerson, the father of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson of righteous memory. Rabbi Levi Yitzhak served as the Chief Rabbi of Dnepropetrovsk (then known as Yekaterinoslav) from 1909 to 1939.

Gallery of the Ceremony in the Extended Article!

Boruch Dayan Hoemes – Shlomo Reuven Halevi Orzech

It is with sadness we inform you of the passing of Mr. Shlomo Reuven Halevi Orzech OBM on Monday morning.

He is survived by his wife Mrs. Rika Orzech, son Mr. Sholom Orzech, daughters Mrs. Gitty Karnowsky and Mrs. Chanie Raskin (all of N15, London, UK). He is the son-in-law of Reb Shmuel Grossman the son of Reb Osher of Nikolayev.

The family is sitting Shiva and can be contacted by; Phone: (011 44) 208 800 9307 Fax: (011 44) 208 503 2600 Email: orzechfamily@gmail.com

Hamokom Yenachem Eschem Besoch Shaar Avaylay Tzion VeYerushalayim.

Rabbi Nochem Kaplan Appointed President of NCPSA

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Rabbi Nochem Kaplan, Director of the central education office of Chabad-Lubavitch, was recently elected President of the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA), the umbrella organization for accrediting agencies of private schools in the U.S. from early childhood through grade 12. Following his election, Baila Olidort, editor of lubavitch.com, interviewed Rabbi Kaplan.

You’ve been elected to serve as President of the NCPSA. How significant is that?

Well, notwithstanding the fact that most people have never heard of it, the NCPSA represents in excess of 4,000 schools and some 5 million children nationwide. It has a major impact on education in the U.S.

Purim @ Nightlife

by Chanah Poltorak

I hadn’t known what to expect from my first Purim in Crown Heights. I was unsure about where I would be comfortable hearing the Megillah, and when I received Nightlife’s flier about their Purim night event, I got to wondering about whether I would actually be entertained by the game of “Simon Sez” that they were advertising. I need not have worried at all.

More pictures in the Extended Article!

Deranged Suspicious Person Attacks Shomrim, Committed

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — It started with a suspicious man loitering on Kingston Avenue and ended off with property destruction and a racial bias crime.

At approx 11:00pm, Sunday Night, a Middle Eastern looking man was spotted walking up Kingston Ave and attempting to break into local stores. Numerous calls from worried residents were made and patrolling Shomrim Volunteers responded and also noticed the man. Additional units were called to the scene to ensure the safety of passerby and stores.

More pictures in the Extended Article.

Students Celebrate History

Capitol News

ALBANY, NY — Purim is annual celebration that commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia. Well, recently students and teachers from a local school recognized this holiday. And while they understand the historical significance, there was also a more lighthearted approach toward some local history as well.

Photos: Megillah Reading at the Mall!

YORBA LINDA, CA [CHI] — Hatomim Shalom Bluming Went through the shopping mall on Purim day and read Megillah for many of the shoppers, most Israeli, in middle of a regular business day.

More pictures in the Extended Article!

Matzah Class is Parts Cooking Custom

By Roger Bull for Jacksonville News

PONTE VEDEA BEACH, FL — Leah Kurinsky was explaining some basics to the children gathered there for Sunday school.

“The Jewish calendar has many holidays,” she said, “and do you know what the next one is? It’s Pesach.”

Jackie Mason: Obama is a “Schvartza”

TMZ

Comedian Jackie Mason used what some say is a racial epithet in describing President Barack Obama during his act Thursday night, infuriating at least several people in the crowd.

During a performance at Feinstein’s at Loews Regency in NYC, Mason referred to Obama as a “schwartza” — some say it’s equivalent to the “N” word — others say it’s just part of the Yiddish culture and a literal translation of the word “Black.”

Lake Worth Congregation Celebrate New Sacred Contract

By Lona O’Connor for the Palm Beach Post

Congregants at the Chabad of Lake Worth reach out Sunday to touch their new Torah, carried by Velvel Lozynskyy. The procession was accompanied by music and dancing. ‘It has something incredibly holy about it,’ Leah Rosenfeld says.

GREENACRES, FL — It’s a wedding, but the center of attraction is not a new bride, but a new Torah scroll.

Members of the Chabad of Lake Worth congregation celebrated the completion of their new Torah on Sunday with dancing, food and a traditional chupah canopy over the scroll.

Video – Canadian Prime Minister Addresses Shluchim

Over 100 Chabad Shluchim from across Canada at a reception on Parliament Hill in Ottawa this past Thursday – March 12, 2009. The Prime Minister’s reception was also a tribute to Chabad’s slain Shluchim to Mumbai, India, Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holzberg. He applauded the immediate arrival of a new Shliach of Mumbai, saying it “Sends a powerful message”. Read the full article.