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ALBANY, NY [NY1] — Governor David Paterson wants the state Legislature to vote Monday on his plan to bail out the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

The plan still calls for a payroll tax to raise more than a billion dollars for the agency and stave off huge fare hikes and deep service cuts.

NY Governor Wants Immediate Vote On MTA Bailout

ALBANY, NY [NY1] — Governor David Paterson wants the state Legislature to vote Monday on his plan to bail out the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

The plan still calls for a payroll tax to raise more than a billion dollars for the agency and stave off huge fare hikes and deep service cuts.

NYC News
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Mazal Tov's View More
New Engagement!

Shneur Pink (Manchester, UK) to Sheindel November (Teaneck, NJ) L’Chaim: Tonight, Monday, 8:00pm at Ulam Chana 556 Crown Street
New Engagement!

Levi Katan (Kfar Chabad, EY) to Miriam Krichevsky (London, UK)
Baby Girl!

Yakov and Tzivia (nee Fogel) Staschower from Crown Heights had a baby girl!
Baby Boy!

Sender and Chana Sara Segel from Coral Springs, FL had a baby boy!
Baby Girl!

Mendy and Chaya Mushka (nee Vaisfiche) Labkowski from Buffalo, NY had a baby girl!
New Engagement!

Zalmy Liberow (Colorado Springs, CO) to Fraidel Werde (Crown Heights) L’Chaim: Thursday, August 7th, 8:00pm at Rubashkin’s Upstairs
New Engagement!

Yaakov Levy (Crown Heights) to Mimi Stern (Houston, TX)
New Engagement!

Mendel Schaffran (Brooklyn, NY) to Chana Friedman (Pittsburgh, PA) L’Chaim: Tonight, Wednesday, 8:00pm at Lubavitcher Yeshiva Crown Street
Baby Boy!

Zev and Chaya Mushka Shusterman from Coral Springs, FL had a baby boy!
New Engagement!

Mendel Vardi (Yerushalayim, EY) to Sara Namdar (Gothenburg, Sweden) L’Chaim: Tuesday, the 4th of Av, 8:30pm at The Garden House 1386 S. Johns Pl
Baby Girl!

Sholom and Chaya Mushka (nee Rosenfeld) Katz from Lauderhill, FL had a baby girl!
Baby Girl!

Ari and Chanie Greenwald from Crown Heights had a baby girl!
New Engagement!

Israel Guetta (Netanya ,Israel) to Sterna Benmoussa (Paris ,France )
New Engagement!

Avremel Rapoport(Clarks Summit, PA) to Faigy Liberow (London, UK) L’Chaim: Tonight, Tuesday, 8:00pm at Lubavitcher Yeshiva Crown Street
New Engagement!

Menny Leitner (Monsey, NY) to Bracha Goldberg (Monsey, NY) L’Chaim: Sunday, July 20th, 7:30pm at Bais Yosef Meir Simcha Hall 19 Olympia Ln, Monsey
New Engagement!

Mendy Sulami (Los Angeles, CA) to Aidel Spielman (Crown Heights)
New Engagement!

Tsvi Feygin  (Teaneck, NJ) to Faigy Kahn (London, UK)
by Naftali Salomon
Unless your head is buried in the sand, you’ve probably been told to beware of the coming “pandemic”, “health crisis”, or “epidemic”. You are most likely being as careful as possible to wash your hands often, stay away from crowded areas or, perhaps, to go as far as keeping your children home from school.

To add intrigue to the virus, the media has now given this “deadly plague” a mysterious and sci-fi sounding name, the “2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus”. Of course, any virus whose name contains a combination of names and numbers must be dangerous and deadly – and I must be next!

However, one must keep things in perspective, especially when it comes to things like fear and danger. Failure to keep accurate facts and statistics in perspective can result in even more unnecessary injury and death. In most cases, the very same evasive measures taken to help prevent one from contracting the disease can place a person in substantially more danger than the disease itself.

Op-Ed: Swine Flu: Misguided Mass Hysteria?

by Naftali Salomon

Unless your head is buried in the sand, you’ve probably been told to beware of the coming “pandemic”, “health crisis”, or “epidemic”. You are most likely being as careful as possible to wash your hands often, stay away from crowded areas or, perhaps, to go as far as keeping your children home from school.

To add intrigue to the virus, the media has now given this “deadly plague” a mysterious and sci-fi sounding name, the “2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus”. Of course, any virus whose name contains a combination of names and numbers must be dangerous and deadly – and I must be next!

However, one must keep things in perspective, especially when it comes to things like fear and danger. Failure to keep accurate facts and statistics in perspective can result in even more unnecessary injury and death. In most cases, the very same evasive measures taken to help prevent one from contracting the disease can place a person in substantially more danger than the disease itself.

Op-Ed
11
By Levi Stein for the Home Town Life

Students taking a class at The Jewish Learning Insitute.

WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI — This May, the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) will unveil its spring course, Biblical Reflections: Finding Yourself in the Book of Genesis.

The stories in the Bible have intrigued sages and laymen alike and have inspired thousands of artistic retellings. This six-session course examines classic stories from Genesis in a modern light, focusing on their eternal relevance to everyday life.

Michigan to Join Worldwide Release of Biblical Reflections

By Levi Stein for the Home Town Life

Students taking a class at The Jewish Learning Insitute.

WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI — This May, the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) will unveil its spring course, Biblical Reflections: Finding Yourself in the Book of Genesis.

The stories in the Bible have intrigued sages and laymen alike and have inspired thousands of artistic retellings. This six-session course examines classic stories from Genesis in a modern light, focusing on their eternal relevance to everyday life.

Shlichus
By Dvora Lakein for Lubavitch.com

Rabbi Masinter and Eric Samson, a noted industrialist and philanthropist, with former President Bill Clinton at an event distinguishing...

South Africans are facing the unknown, again. Following new president, Jacob Zuma’s triumph last week, many in the broader Jewish community are trying to decipher their place in this ever-changing land. More than 30 years ago, the Lubavitcher Rebbe encouraged the community to stay put, stating that, “South Africa will be good for the Jews until Moshiach comes.” Today, despite widespread concern, his 40 Chabad representatives stationed throughout the country are ensuring that his pledge remain true.

Diamond in the Rough

By Dvora Lakein for Lubavitch.com

Rabbi Masinter and Eric Samson, a noted industrialist and philanthropist, with former President Bill Clinton at an event distinguishing…

South Africans are facing the unknown, again. Following new president, Jacob Zuma’s triumph last week, many in the broader Jewish community are trying to decipher their place in this ever-changing land. More than 30 years ago, the Lubavitcher Rebbe encouraged the community to stay put, stating that, “South Africa will be good for the Jews until Moshiach comes.” Today, despite widespread concern, his 40 Chabad representatives stationed throughout the country are ensuring that his pledge remain true.

Chabad News

ISRAEL [ynet] — The Africa Israel international holding and investments group, controlled by businessman Lev Leviev, announced last week that it would be selling the “Africa Israel Tower” in Tel Aviv for NIS 166.5 million (about $40 million) to a foreign corporation whose name was not disclosed.

The company is selling 95% of its rights to the tower and 50% of the unused building rights.

Leviev Selling Kirya Tower for NIS 166.5M

ISRAEL [ynet] — The Africa Israel international holding and investments group, controlled by businessman Lev Leviev, announced last week that it would be selling the “Africa Israel Tower” in Tel Aviv for NIS 166.5 million (about $40 million) to a foreign corporation whose name was not disclosed.

The company is selling 95% of its rights to the tower and 50% of the unused building rights.

Jewish News
3

NEW YORK [CBS] — The numbers could be enough to drive someone to drink.

New York City police made nearly 10,000 drunken-driving arrests last year, but of the more than 6,000 cases that have gone through the courts so far, only 187 offenders have landed behind bars. That's according to the state Division of Criminal Justice Services.

Report: Few NYC Drunken Drivers Do Jail Time

NEW YORK [CBS] — The numbers could be enough to drive someone to drink.

New York City police made nearly 10,000 drunken-driving arrests last year, but of the more than 6,000 cases that have gone through the courts so far, only 187 offenders have landed behind bars. That’s according to the state Division of Criminal Justice Services.

NYC News
2
From World Poultry

WASHINGTON — Sales of kosher foods through grocery stores in the US have risen to over $200 bln in 2008 from about $150 bln in 2003, showing yearly growth rate twice that of the overall food market, according to Packaged Facts' new study, “Market Trend: Kosher-and Halal-Certified Foods in the US.”

Kosher Food Sales on the Rise

From World Poultry

WASHINGTON — Sales of kosher foods through grocery stores in the US have risen to over $200 bln in 2008 from about $150 bln in 2003, showing yearly growth rate twice that of the overall food market, according to Packaged Facts’ new study, “Market Trend: Kosher-and Halal-Certified Foods in the US.”

Jewish News
2
By Karen Kaplan for the Tribune Newspapers

Illustration Photo

The question had been gnawing at Gregory Cochran for years: Why are European Jews prone to so many deadly genetic diseases?

Natural selection, the self-taught genetics buff knew, should flush dangerous DNA from the gene pool. Could the mutations causing these diseases have some benefit?

Jewish Diseases Make Jews Smarter?

By Karen Kaplan for the Tribune Newspapers

Illustration Photo

The question had been gnawing at Gregory Cochran for years: Why are European Jews prone to so many deadly genetic diseases?

Natural selection, the self-taught genetics buff knew, should flush dangerous DNA from the gene pool. Could the mutations causing these diseases have some benefit?

General
12

NEW YORK [CBS] — New Yorkers were able to breathe a breath of fresh air Friday when Mayor Michael Bloomberg said there were no new confirmed cases of the swine flu, or what officials calling the H1N1 virus. Yet plenty of people are still afraid the virus is spreading, causing a paranoia that's clogging up the system at local hospitals.

Paranoia: City ERs Flooded With Swine Flu Fears

NEW YORK [CBS] — New Yorkers were able to breathe a breath of fresh air Friday when Mayor Michael Bloomberg said there were no new confirmed cases of the swine flu, or what officials calling the H1N1 virus. Yet plenty of people are still afraid the virus is spreading, causing a paranoia that’s clogging up the system at local hospitals.

NYC News
By Zalman Nelson for Lubavitch.com

Participants in Singapore's only Jewish synagogue

SINGAPORE — At least 100 community representatives from districts and faiths across Singapore participated in a government sponsored seminar on the fundamentals of Judaism and Jewish practice presented by the local Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries and rabbinical students.

Chabad Rabbis In Singapore Host IRCC

By Zalman Nelson for Lubavitch.com

Participants in Singapore’s only Jewish synagogue

SINGAPORE — At least 100 community representatives from districts and faiths across Singapore participated in a government sponsored seminar on the fundamentals of Judaism and Jewish practice presented by the local Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries and rabbinical students.

Shlichus
4

CROWN HEIGHTS [NY1] — Charges are pending against a Brooklyn man shot by police yesterday during an altercation at a Crown Heights subway station.

Police say Stephen McKenzie, 32, became argumentative after asking plainclothes officers for a cigarette yesterday at the Utica Avenue station.

Charges Pending Against Man Who Allegedly Attacked Police

CROWN HEIGHTS [NY1] — Charges are pending against a Brooklyn man shot by police yesterday during an altercation at a Crown Heights subway station.

Police say Stephen McKenzie, 32, became argumentative after asking plainclothes officers for a cigarette yesterday at the Utica Avenue station.

Crime

MOSCOW, Russia [FJC] — The recently-established Hatzolah Volunteer Ambulance Service has begun operating in Moscow. In particular, Moscow Hatzolah is available to respond to emergency calls in the Sofrino and Marina Roscha neighborhoods, as well as the vicinity of Bolshaya Bronnaya Street where the Agudas Chasidei Chabad Synagogue is located.

Jewish Ambulance Service – Hatzolah Launched in Moscow

MOSCOW, Russia [FJC] — The recently-established Hatzolah Volunteer Ambulance Service has begun operating in Moscow. In particular, Moscow Hatzolah is available to respond to emergency calls in the Sofrino and Marina Roscha neighborhoods, as well as the vicinity of Bolshaya Bronnaya Street where the Agudas Chasidei Chabad Synagogue is located.

Jewish News
1

A 15 second ad from FOX will play before the video

A professional boxer from Brooklyn who also happens to be an Orthodox Jew is one contender who is making a name for himself in and out of the ring. Ukrainian-born Dmitriy Salita prays daily at an ultra-Orthodox center in Flatbush, keeps kosher, and doesn't fight or train on the Jewish Sabbath.

Video – Brooklyn’s Orthodox Jewish Boxer

A 15 second ad from FOX will play before the video

A professional boxer from Brooklyn who also happens to be an Orthodox Jew is one contender who is making a name for himself in and out of the ring. Ukrainian-born Dmitriy Salita prays daily at an ultra-Orthodox center in Flatbush, keeps kosher, and doesn’t fight or train on the Jewish Sabbath.

Videos
8
By Erica Pearson, Frank Lombardi and Wil Cruz for the NY Daily News

The informational card being handed out by the NYPD to pedestrians whom cops stop and frisk explains why people are singled out.

NEW YORK — The NYPD didn't answer lawmakers' questions about its controversial stop-and-frisk policy Thursday, but people who get patted down are getting clarification - on a card.

The department has begun handing out informational cards to people police stop and frisk, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said Thursday. The cards, in seven languages, list general reasons why police might deem the encounters necessary.

NYPD Hands Out Cards People Stopped and Frisked

By Erica Pearson, Frank Lombardi and Wil Cruz for the NY Daily News

The informational card being handed out by the NYPD to pedestrians whom cops stop and frisk explains why people are singled out.

NEW YORK — The NYPD didn’t answer lawmakers’ questions about its controversial stop-and-frisk policy Thursday, but people who get patted down are getting clarification – on a card.

The department has begun handing out informational cards to people police stop and frisk, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said Thursday. The cards, in seven languages, list general reasons why police might deem the encounters necessary.

NYC News

Chabad of Lawrenceville Hosts Rider Hillel

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ [CHI] — Last week Chabad of Lawrenceville hosted the Jewish students of Rider University and the Rider Hillel for a challah baking program. Students learned how to make three and six braided challahs. They were addressed by Rabbi Yitzchak Goldenberg who spoke to them about the meaning behind baking challah and about the shabbat experience, when challah is usually eaten.

Shlichus
4
By Rabbi Yoseph Kahanov Jax, FL
SCAPEGOAT
Pronunciation: ˈskāp-ˌgōt
Function: noun
Etymology: scape; intended as translation of Hebrew ʽazāzēl, as if ʽēz 'ōzēl goat that departs—Lev 16:8(Authorized Version)
Date: 1530
1: a goat upon whose head are symbolically placed the sins of the people after which he is sent into the wilderness in the biblical ceremony for Yom Kippur

2 a: one that bears the blame for others b: one that is the object of irrational hostility – Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

For G-D or for Azalzel – G-dliness Is A Mutually Exclusive Endeavor

By Rabbi Yoseph Kahanov Jax, FL

SCAPEGOAT
Pronunciation: ˈskāp-ˌgōt
Function: noun
Etymology: scape; intended as translation of Hebrew ʽazāzēl, as if ʽēz ‘ōzēl goat that departs—Lev 16:8(Authorized Version)
Date: 1530

1: a goat upon whose head are symbolically placed the sins of the people after which he is sent into the wilderness in the biblical ceremony for Yom Kippur

2 a: one that bears the blame for others b: one that is the object of irrational hostility – Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

Something Jewish
6
Doctors in the community issued the following letter regarding a confirmed case of the flu in Crown Heights:

Influenza Type A (H1N1) Outbreak

It has become apparent that there are cases of H1N1 flu in our neighborhood. This virus is highly transmissible - it spreads easily and quickly to most exposed individuals.

Despite earlier reports and concerns it appears as if this will be no more than a “regular” flu virus with a range of illness from:

1) just feeling unwell
2) cold symptoms and fever
3) more severe illness requiring treatment

Those with mild illness will not be treated and can expect to recover easily. Those with more severe illness must contact their physician, as treatment may be necessary.

For those who are ill - please stay away from public places - including work, school and Shul. Infectivity begins 1 day prior to onset of illness and lasts as long as the individual is ill.

Those who are chronically ill or old and frail and the very young should avoid contact with anyone manifesting symptoms.

In the event of exposure to the virus - the above “high risk” group can receive prophylaxis (prevention) by taking a certain medication. Once again please contact your physician in such an instance.

Neither prophylaxis nor treatment is recommended for average well individuals.

We hope that in fact this is outbreak will be a “blessing in disguise” by providing all of us with the immunity to the apparently more virulent (dangerous) strain of this virus. With a wish that all should stay well, and be well.

Dr’s Rosen, Isseroff, Gottesman, Feldman, and Plaut

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Influenza Type A (H1N1) Outbreak

Doctors in the community issued the following letter regarding a confirmed case of the flu in Crown Heights:

Influenza Type A (H1N1) Outbreak

It has become apparent that there are cases of H1N1 flu in our neighborhood. This virus is highly transmissible – it spreads easily and quickly to most exposed individuals.

Despite earlier reports and concerns it appears as if this will be no more than a “regular” flu virus with a range of illness from:

1) just feeling unwell
2) cold symptoms and fever
3) more severe illness requiring treatment

Those with mild illness will not be treated and can expect to recover easily. Those with more severe illness must contact their physician, as treatment may be necessary.

For those who are ill – please stay away from public places – including work, school and Shul. Infectivity begins 1 day prior to onset of illness and lasts as long as the individual is ill.

Those who are chronically ill or old and frail and the very young should avoid contact with anyone manifesting symptoms.

In the event of exposure to the virus – the above “high risk” group can receive prophylaxis (prevention) by taking a certain medication. Once again please contact your physician in such an instance.

Neither prophylaxis nor treatment is recommended for average well individuals.

We hope that in fact this is outbreak will be a “blessing in disguise” by providing all of us with the immunity to the apparently more virulent (dangerous) strain of this virus. With a wish that all should stay well, and be well.

Dr’s Rosen, Isseroff, Gottesman, Feldman, and Plaut
Notices
10