The Sin Behind The Sin – Clinging To Bad Ideas

Rabbi Yossi Kahanov Shliach to Jacksonville, FL

A distraught mother came running to a Chassidic Rebbe one day, weeping uncontrollably. “Rebbe,” she cried, “It’s my son; he went Meshuga. I think he needs a psychiatrist!” He’s really acting strange.”

“What’s the matter,” asked the Rebbe, visibly concerned.

“The matter?” cried the woman, “he’s behaving like a lowlife! He was even observed dancing with gentile women and dining on swine! I’m telling you he’s crazy.”

The Rebbe pondered the crisis for a quiet moment. “My dear lady,” he then exclaimed, “If your son were dancing with pigs and dining on women, I’d say that he is in fact insane, but that’s not what you describe. The characteristics you present are that of ‘sin’ not ‘insanity.’

“I believe that your son has become a rather crude and lascivious young man and there is nothing crazy about it.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yankel appeared in Shul one day with both his ears heavily bandaged. “I was ironing a shirt when the phone rang,” he explained in an awkward tone. “That explains one ear,” declared a fellow congregant, “But what about the other?” “My luck,” came the reply, “the guy decided to call back.”

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Purim with the French community of Miami

Close to 250 people participated in a beautiful Purim celebration on the palm trees and the stars of Miami Beach for a special Purim party for the French Jewish community of Miami. Rabbi Yisroel Frankforter along with other families of the French Beit Chabad organized this event with the help of the French bochurim Shluchim in the Miami Semicha Program. Face painting, balloons sculptures, costumes contest, live music, and middle eastern foods with only part of this special celebration in the luxurious National hotel in the heart of South Beach.

Purim in Smolensk, Russia

Purim 5769 in Smolensk, Russia was celebrated with great joy. The attractive invitations drew a crowd of 150 people to the community purim seuda which took place at the 7/40 restaurant. After hearing Rabbi Levi Mondshine, shliach and chief Rabbi of the Smolensk Region, read the megilla, all of the participants received a mishloach manos which they proceeded to switch with their neighbor, thus fulfilling the mitzvah of mishloach manos.

Mazal Tov! – New Engagement!

We would like to wish Mazal Tov to Moshe Mordechai Serebryanski (Melbourne, Australia) and Sheina Mushka Raskin (London, UK) on their engagement.

The L’Chaim will IYH be Sunday night at Lubavitcher Yeshiva, 570 Crown St [hall entrance on Albany Ave].

Mazal Tov! – 9 Sholom Zochors this Week!

Sholom Ber and Leah (nee Spalter) Munitz.
IYH at 405 Crown St [between Brooklyn and New York Ave].

Shimmy and Zelda Weinbaum
IYH at 447 Troy Ave [corner Lefferts Ave].

Zusie and Chavie Vishedsky
IYH 866 Eastern Pkwy, Apt 3A [between Kingston and Albany Ave].

Menashe and Naomi Amitay
IYH at 350 Lefferts Ave, Apt 3K, [between New York and Nostrand Ave].

Fischel and Miriam (nee Galowinsky) Litzman.
IYH at 57 E Concord Dr, Monsey, NY 10952.

Peretz and Allona Pinhas.
IYH at 850 NE 175th St, North Miami Beach, FL 33160.

Yisroel and Devora Leah (nee Goldstein) Brusowankin.
IYH at 3605 NE 207th St, Aventura, FL 33180.

Sholom and Tzivia Wasserman.
4975 Avenue Carlton, Montreal, QC, Canada.

Daniel and Feige (nee Gudelsky) Swimmer.
IYH at 17 Shipston Ln, Johannesburg, Gauteng South Africa.

Please stay tuned as we update this list as information becomes available. However, in an unfortunate event that we do not get all the Sholom Zochors this week, we are sorry. But you can help! If you know of any Sholom Zochors or Mazal Tovs you can email it to us at mazaltov@crownheights.info! Thank You.

Mazal Tov! – It’s A Girl!

On behalf of myself and the staff here at CrownHeights.info we would like to wish a very hearty Mazal Tov! Mazal Tov! to a friend and supporter, Aron (Lelly) and his wife Mirit (nee Moyal) Hershkop (Crown Heights) on the birth of their daughter!

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

Friendship Circles Purim Fiesta!

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — Once again the Friendship Circle of Crown Heights gave special needs children and their families an afternoon full of fun yesterday, Shushan Purim. Volunteers along with their ‘friends’ enjoyed a carnival with games, prizes, face painting, and a magic show!

More pictures In the Extended Article!

Bnos Menachem Production – “And the Rest is Commentary”

Treat yourself to an afternoon of inspiring song and dance as Bnos Menachem students take the stage in our sensational production, “And the Rest is Commentary”.

As the message of Ahavas Yisroel reverberates through the audience as you join hearts with the cast members and find yourself swept away by the performance.

Three Ukrainian Billionaires are Jewish

KIEV, Ukraine [JTA] — Three of the four billionaires from Ukraine are Jewish, according to the Forbes magazine annual billionaires list.

The highest ranking Jewish Ukrainian on the list, Victor Pinchuk, 48, a business tycoon and son-in-law of the former president of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma, slipped from 203 to 246.

Igor Kolomoysky, 47, a co-owner of the Privat business group with interests in metal and financial sectors also slipped, together with his business partner Gennady Bogolyubov, 47.

How To Resolve Conflict? – A Beautiful Letter from the Rebbe

Conflict? How is it possible to get along? CrownHeights.info and the Avner Institute is proud to present a letter from the Rebbe to a frustrated Jew who had left the Torah path and written him explaining why. To learn more about the Rebbe visit: www.portraitofaleader.org

Chabad.org Launches Mobile Website Simulator

Chabad.org has launched a m.chabad.org.

The feature simulates how Chabad.org’s mobile site would appear on a mobile device, such as Black Berry, Treo or pocket PC, giving visitors the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the mobile site from the comfort of their desktop.

Russian President: We Shouldn’t Interfere with Religion

Lubavitch.com

Russia’s President Dmitri Medvedev meets with religious leaders. Rabbi Berel Lazar, far left.

MOSCOW — At a meeting Wednesday with religious leaders in Russia, President Dmitri Medvedev promised to instruct his staff and heads of security regarding policies of foreign clergy in Russia.

“Government officials should not be interfering in religious life unless security concerns are involved,” said Medvedev at the meeting.

Info to be Menchem Avel Mrs. Bina Cunin

Mrs. Bina Cunin is sitting shiva after the passing of her father Harav Tzvi Mordechai Felder ZTL, longtime Rov of Beis Medrash Bais Aharon. She will be at her parent’s home, 4901 18th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11204 until Sunday morning.

Mrs Cunin can be reached at 718-435-3505.

Hamokom Yenachem eschem Besoch Shaar Avaylay Tzion VeYerushalayim.