Child Molested in Crown Heights Mikvah

The NYPD and Shomrim at a scene – Illustration Picture

CROWN HEIGHTS [CHI] — At 4:12pm, Friday, Erev Shabbos, a child called the Shomrim hotline asking for help. The child stated that he was just molested at the Empire Shtibel Mikvah and the perpetrator was still in the Mikvah.

Numerous Shomrim members arrived on the scene within seconds. After speaking to the child, they requested for Police to further investigate. The members had the suspect, a 23 year old Israeli, wait for Police.

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Video – Son of Hamas Leader Renounces Group

“There is no chance. Is there any chance for fire to co-exist with the water?” said Mosab Hassan Yousef, the son of one of the group’s founding members.

Yousef, son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, one of the most influential leaders of the militant group, said the organization betrays the Palestinian cause and tortures its own members.

Please say Tehilim for Israeli Soldiers in Gaza..

Israeli tanks and troops push into Gaza, in an operation to destroy the infrastructure of Hamas. Israel has warned that the opperation can take “many long days.” Thousands of reservists are being called up, including many Lubavitchers. We would like ask that everybody say Tehilim chapters 121 and 142, which can be found in the extended article.

Click on the Extended Article to say Tehilim!

Brooklyn Plaque Dedicated One Year After Fireman’s Death

CROWN HEIGHTS [NY1] — A plaque was dedicated Saturday to a Brooklyn firefighter who lost his life in the line of duty last year.

Family and friends of Lieutenant John Martinson joined Mayor Bloomberg, Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta and other members of the FDNY in Engine 249 Ladder 113 in Crown Heights.

As Murder Rate in City Goes Up, CH Suffers its First of ’09

CROWN HEIGHTS [CHI] — On Thursday, January 1st, Crown Heights suffered its first murder of 2009. It happened at 347 Maple St, between New York and Nostrand Ave. Police responded when someone called 911, saying there was an unconscious male at the location. Upon arrival the police found an unresponsive black male in his 60’s on the floor.

EMS pronounced the victim dead at the scene and transported him to the medical examiner. The ME’s office released in a statement, 67 years old Delinor Dorissaint was murdered at his home Thursday. NYPD detectives are still investigating why and who murdered him.

Video – Mumbai’s Jews Determined to Stay Despite Attacks

MUMBAI, India — Last November, at least 179 people were killed in a terrorist attack in Mumbai. Among the 10 sites targeted were two five-star hotels and a Jewish centre. A month later, the Jewish community in Mumbai is still reeling from the trauma but has decided to stay.

During the attacks on Nariman House, its steel menorah, the Jewish traditional candelabra, remained standing. One month after the bloody rampage that struck Mumbai, the Jewish orthodox movement of the Chabad-Lubavitch came to light the menorah, which has become the symbol of the reopening of the Jewish centre.

NYC Mayor Heads to Israel to ‘Show his Support’

NEW YORK, NY [AP] — New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is heading to Israel with police Commissioner Raymond Kelly and New York Rep. Gary Ackerman.

Spokesman Andrew Brent says the mayor “is going in order to show his support for Israel.”

Massacred Shluchim Remembered at Oholei Torah Events

CROWN HEIGHTS [CHI] — Educational Institute Oholei Torah dedicated this past Hey Teves as a day of learning and reflection for the Kedoshim Gavriel Noach and his wife Rivkah Holtzberg h”yd, who was a talmid of Oholei Torah. Rabbi Yosef Rosenfeld, Executive Director of Oholei Torah met with the families and told them of the many programs and Siyumei Mishnayus that are taking place, L’iluy Nishmosom.

The Programs began on Wednesday night, with a Siyum of Mishnayus in the Raitport Beis HaMedrash and concluded Friday morning with the elementary division. All the 1600 talmidim of all ages participated in the days events.

Galleries from all events in the Extended Article!

Play Tells Story of How Maccabees Recaptured Temple

David Yonke – Toledo Blade

Miriam Shafransky, 10, eats a fried doughnut as Halie Johnstone, 11, observes, after a performance of ‘Maccabees.’ Photo: Lori King for the Blade

TOLEDO, OH — Last Monday, which was the eighth and final day of Hanukkah, a group of nine children and a few parents stepped through a curtained doorway and entered a time machine.

Professor Schnoodle, a wild-eyed scientist with bushy hair, thick round glasses, and a lab coat, introduced himself and his assistant, Professor Schnitzel, then began pushing a series of buttons to get his time machine humming.

First Ever Chanukah Menorah Parade in Sheffield, England!

SHEFFIELD, UK [CHI] — The first ever Chanukah Menorah parade in Sheffield, England took place this Chanukah. The event was organised by local Shliach, Rabbi Yoinosson Golomb, and his son Levi. The parade was a real example of Pirsumei Nisah and a huge Kiddush Hashem. Much gratitude to , Rabbi Levi Cohen of L’Chaim Outreach, Manchester for helping make this wonderful parade happen.

Chabad Bringing Chanukah to Hungary

BUDEPEST, Hungary [CHI] — At a public Menorah lighting in Budapest, the Prime Minister of Hungary expressed his pride and joy, that he heads a government which lets Chanukah to be celebrated openly. Rabbi Baruch Oberlander, Rabbi Shlomo Koves, Rabbi Shmuel Raskin, and Rabbi Shmuel Gliztshtein, together with the help of a few Bochurim brought the joy of Chanukah to Budapest. They distributed shipments of Chanukah Menorah’s, dredle’s and other Chanukah necessities brought in from Israel to the local community.

Many more pictures in the Extended Article!

Playwright Pens Script on Postville

Grant Schulte – Des Moines Register

NIWOT, CO — A stage drama inspired by the struggles in Postville could appear in theaters this year, once a Colorado playwright finishes his script.

The play “Postville” features characters that include longtime residents, Hasidic Jews and a veteran journalist. It may also portray immigrant workers from a local meatpacking plant, based on Agriprocessors Inc.

The Agriprocessors plant in Postville was the site of a real-life immigration raid in May 2008, when federal agents detained nearly 400 workers for allegedly being in the country illegally. A top executive was later charged with harboring and hiring illegal immigrants, Agriprocessors was forced into bankruptcy, and the town suffered financially as the work force evaporated.