Germany Marks 70th Anniversary of Kristallnacht

In this June 19, 1938 file picture, the word Jude (jew) is smeared to the windows of a shop in Berlin run by Jews. On Nov. 9, 1938 Nazi-incited mass riots left more than 91 jews dead, damaged more than 1,000 synagogues and left some 7,500 Jewish businesses ransacked and looted.

BERLIN, Germany [AP] — Chancellor Angela Merkel has called on Germans to stand together against racism and anti-Semitism as the nation marks the 70th anniversary of the Nazi pogrom known as “Kristallnacht” or “Night of Broken Glass.”

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Blueprints for Auschwitz camp found in Germany

Reuters

One of the barracks and a watch tower are seen in the former Nazi death camp Auschwitz in Oswiecim, poland, January 12, 2007.

BERLIN, Germany — The original construction plans believed used for a major expansion of the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz in 1941 have been found in a Berlin flat, Germany’s Bild newspaper reported on Saturday.

The daily printed three architect’s drawings on yellowing paper from the batch of 28 pages of blueprints it obtained. One has an 11.66 meter by 11.20 meter room marked “Gaskammer” (gas chamber) that was part of a “delousing facility.”

Chabad Members to Donate Torah

Dave Schwab – La Jolla Light

LA JOLLA, CA — In the spirit of this year’s Jewish High Holy Days that were September, a 10-day period in which Jews repent their sins and ask forgiveness, a pair of brothers at Chabad of La Jolla went one step further: They offered to donate a Torah to a needy community.

Jewish Weekend in New York Kicks Off for Hundreds of Students From Around the World

By Chanee Grossbaum, Chabad.edu

BROOKLYN, NY — It doesn’t happen every day, but students attest that its effects can last a lifetime.

This weekend, more than 800 Jewish college students and recent alumni from across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom will gather in Crown Heights, N.Y., for a unique cultural immersion that has become the highlight of social calendars at scores of campuses. A mix between inspirational discussions, spiritual explorations and good, old-fashioned Shabbat foods like gefilte fish, this year’s seventh annual Chabad on Campus International Shabbaton & Conference will draw delegations from more than 100 universities.

Hospital Sues Orthodox Jews To Halt Life Support For Brain-Dead Son

Erin Maguire – The Bulletin

Illustration Photo

WASHINGTON, DC — Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. took the family of a 12-year-old Orthodox Jewish boy on life support to court yesterday.

Motl Brody’s family wants to keep their brain-dead son on mechanical assistance for religious reasons, but the hospital said its resources are being used to preserve a deceased body. The case is currently disputed in the D.C. Superior Court.

The Weekly Sedra – Lech Lecha – Transcend Yourself

by Rabbi Yoseph Kahanov Shliach to Jacksonville, FL

The renowned Chasid, Reb Yechezkel (Chatche) Faigin, was said to have been a very strong hearted individual. Few were the times he was wont to allow himself the luxury to breakdown and cry. One such rare occasion, however, was when he served as secretary of the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe – Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson.

The times were extremely dire and the means extraordinary meager. Much of the weight of the underground activities, carried out by Chassidim who risked their lives in defiance of the communist government, fell on his shoulders.
Reb Chatche toiled day and night with compete self-sacrifice, in order to sustain the holy work of the Rebbe – underground Day schools, Yeshivas, Mikvaos, etc. He carried out his responsibilities loyally and honestly, never a complaint or a thought of self pity.

However, there was one problem. His time was so absorbed with his work that he had no time for his own spiritual nourishment. Oh how he ached to study a Chassidic discourse; to spend a little more time meditating in prayer. His soul was parched for the spiritual waters of Chassidus, but the clock did not allow.

One day, when he could take it no more, he decided to present his case to the Rebbe. Perhaps, when hearing how distressed he was over his situation the Rebbe will agree that he ought to snatch some time from his holy work for his own spiritual needs. He pleaded with the Rebbe four a half hour; just a half hour!

After pouring out his broken heart to the Rebbe, he waited in anticipation for the Rebbe to reply. The Rebbe listened carefully to his passionate and painful plea and then tuned to him saying: “But in this and this place there is still no Yeshiva, in that place there is still no Mikvah. . .” Reb Chatche understood the response, but he could not control his emotions and burst into tears.

Upon seeing this, the Rebbe, himself in tears by now, waited several long minutes and then said: “If we afford ourselves the luxury to do ‘what we desire,’ what will be with the work that must get done? Do you think this is the Divine desire!?

Op-Ed: Star-dust

by Getzy Markowitz

This weekend, communities around the world will be discussing the story of two prominent Jews named Abraham. The first fled ancient Mesopotamia, the land of his father. He escaped with the core of monotheism and in the pursuit of G-d’s will. The second broke free from the Soviet motherland, following the path of providence and the dream of raising a family that would freely worship the G-d discovered by his biblical namesake.

Abraham the first set a high standard for generosity and hospitality, while his descendant stands as an exemplar of that excellence, par excellence. Both are patriarchs of celebrated dynasties. The first fathered the Jewish people. The second is father to one of its most beautiful families.

Essays require introductions, while Abraham and Avraham Aaron Rubashkin do not.

Chabad Granted Permit for Campus Synagogue

Emily White – Badger Herald

MADISON, WI — University of Wisconsin students and Madison Jewish community members will soon have an on-campus synagogue due to a conditional use permit granted to the Chabad organization.

The property, located at 223 W. Gilman St., is currently owned by Chabad, which provides education and services for the local Jewish community.

Mazal Tov! – 10 Sholom Zochors this Week!

Sruli and Toby (nee Miller) Menkes (Crown Heights) .

Zalman and Dina (nee Lisker) Friedman.
IYH at 701 Montgomery St, [between Kingston and Albany Ave].

Mendel and Faigy (nee Liberow) Bell
IYH at 665 Crown St, [between Troy and Schenectady Ave].

Meir and Nechama (nee Drizin) Berenshtein.
IYH at Agudas Yisroel, 456 Crown St, [between Kingston and Brooklyn Ave].

Dovie and Sabrina (nee Harari) Lozenik
IYH at 340 W 46th St, Miami Beach, FL 33140.

Shea and Shevy (nee Cohen) Ebert.
IYH at 6639 N Richmond St, Chicago, IL.

Levi and Layla (nee Shpigelman) Zirkind.
IYH at Congregation Levi Yitzchok, 356 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036.

Dov and Lelach (nee Ben-Tor) Winterfeld.
IYH at 4905 Avenue Kent, Montréal, QC, Canada.

Nesanel and Efrat (nee Vigler) Schochet.
IYH at 765 Steeles Ave W, Apt 108, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Aron Meir and Rosy Nechama (nee Michaan) Shloush (S. Paolo, Brazil).

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.