Tax Rebate Checks ‘May’ be in Mail, Sez Mayor Bloomberg

Adam Lisberg and Frank Lombardi – NY Daily News

NEW YORK, NY — Mayor Bloomberg said for the first time Friday that “maybe we will” send out that $400 property tax rebate he has been holding hostage for more than a month.

Although not specific, the mayor seemed to link mailing the rebate – worth $256 million to more than 600,000 homeowners – to striking a deal with the City Council on a disputed budget modification plan.

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Boruch Dayan Hoemes – R. Mendel Feldman OBM

With great sadness we inform you of the passing of Rabbi Mendel Feldman OBM at the age of 93. Reb Mendel was the Rov of the Kehila of Tzemach Tzedek in Baltimore and a Shliach of the Frierdiker Rebbe for over 60 years.

He is survived by his son Rabbi Pinchus Feldman Shliach in NSW, Australia.

The funeral will begin at 10:30am tomorrow (Sunday) at the Chevra Kadisha, 172 Oxford St Woollahra. After the service at the Chevra, the procession will continue to Rookwood Cemetery for the burial.

Boruch Dayan Hoemes

Chabad Hosting First Shabbat Meals in Mumbai Since Terror Attacks

By Tamar Runyan

The Mumbai Chabad House and Rabbi Dov Goldberg inset

MUMBAI, India — Two weeks after the sudden passing of two of its emissaries in one of India’s worst terror attacks, Chabad-Lubavitch organized a Shabbat gathering for visiting Jewish travelers at a local hotel in Mumbai.

On Friday night, Rabbi Dov Goldberg – interim director of the Mumbai Chabad House after the tragic death of his friends, Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg – will welcome tens of people for an evening meal replete with Torah discussions and the singing of Chasidic melodies. Prayer services will take place at a local synagogue; lunch will be served the next day.

Mazal Tov! – Its A Boy!

We would like to wish Mazal Tov to Yoni and Chana Esther (nee Landa) Mizrachi (Crown Heights) on the birth of their firstborn son.

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

Father & Son Learning Program – Every Motzai Shabbos!

There will be father and son learning programs every Motzai Shabbos, 7:00 – 8:00pm, for children of grades 2 and up. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring your own Seforim.

Program Locations:
Agudah Shul, 456 Crown St, [between Kingston and Brooklyn Ave].
Congregation 935, 935 Eastern Parkway [between Albany and Troy Ave].
Bais Eliyahu Nochum Shul, 672 Lefferts Ave, [between Albany and Troy Ave].
Empire Shteibel, 489 Empire Blvd, [between Brooklyn and New York Ave].
Frankel Shul, 1699 President St, [between Utica and Rochester Ave].

A project of the Igud Menahalei Hayeshivos of Crown Heights and Avos Ubonim International.

Menorah Lighting Ceremony Planned in Loveland

Douglas Crowl – The Loveland Connection

Rabbi Yerachmiel Gorelik speaks to the assembled crowd in 2007. Gorelik will host a menorah lighting ceremony at 4 p.m. Dec. 21 in Loveland. The event may be Loveland’s first public menorah ceremony. (Loveland Connection library)

LOVELAND, CO — The city of Loveland might be making holiday history this year.

Rabbi Yerachmiel Gorelik will host possibly Loveland’s first public menorah lighting ceremony, and he’s praising the city’s openness to the event.

New Chanukah DVD from JEM for Distribution


BROOKLYN, NY [CHI] — JEM is pleased to announce the release of a new Chanukah DVD, featuring twelve segments including Sichos, personal encounters with the Rebbe, songs, and Chanukah moments, all focusing on the theme of Chanukah.

This Chanukah, you have the perfect way to share the Rebbe’s words and inspiration with your community and friends.

The Rebbe Pointed At Me: Here Is G-D

The following is a part two of the encounter that took place in the front of 770 where a group of Bachurim (yeshiva students) saw a young man in long hair and boots approach the Rebbe, who waved his finger around and then pointed at this man’s chest. What happened there? What did the Rebbe say? The encounter is retold by the former “young man” himself. Note The picture of the Rebbe is a First time released picture, to learn more about the Rebbe Visit: www.inspiringageneration.org

Mazal Tov! – Its A Girl!

We would like to wish Mazal Tov to Eytan and Chana Feige (nee Engel) Abrahams (Crown Heights) on the birth of their firstborn daughter.

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

The Weekly Sedra – Parshas Vayishlach

The Rebbe says:

1. In this week’s Torah portion Hashem (G-d) tells Yakov Avinu (Jacob our Forefather) that his name would no longer be called “Yakov” (Jacob), it would now be called “Yisroel” (Israel).

2. As the preface to a question, the Rebbe now quotes the Talmud which discusses this verse:

The Talmud tells us that whoever calls our Forefather Avraham “Avram” (which was his original name), transgresses on the verse, “And your name shall no longer be called ‘Avram’; it shall henceforth be called ‘Avraham’ ”.

A Home at Chabad

Yonat Shimron – News Observer

Rabbi Pinchas Herman listens to Rabbi Zalman Bluming reflect on his time with the Chabad House of Mumbai during a community memorial.

RALEIGH, NC — Like medics, firefighters or police officers, Rabbis Aaron and Pinchas Herman can be considered first responders. When a Jew needs immediate assistance, people turn to them.

Last week, Aaron Herman helped a company in Research Triangle Park find kosher meals for two Orthodox Jewish financial analysts who had flown in for a two-day visit.

Chabad’s Tremendous Response to Terror

By Yonit Tanenbaum – The YU Observer

Stunned, lamenting, action. In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy that struck Mumbai, India, last week, Chabad took action. In tremendous ways, the ultra-orthodox Hassidic Jews redirected their grief into positive action in order to combat the evil that quaked their world.

“This week, no one is celebrating,” said Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz, editor and publisher of the weekly newspaper, Yated Neeman. “But they are more united than ever before. After the atrocities in India, all of us are more united.”

Among the hostages who were killed by terrorists at Mumbai’s Nariman House were two Chabad Shluchim (emissaries) of the Lubavitcher Rebbe: Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his pregnant wife, Rivka.

No Charges Against Author of Suspicious Letter to Chabad

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — The man who sent a suspicious letter to Chabad of Scottsdale with references to the Mumbai bombings will not be charged, Scottsdale police said Thursday.

Scottsdale investigators did not release the name of the Scottsdale resident, but said he is a former Chabad student.

Mazal Tov! – 11 Sholom Zochors this Week!

Baruch and Soshie (nee Weingarten) Meer.
IYH at 1465 President St, [between Kingston and Albany Ave].

Chaim Yisroel and Mussie (nee Gurary) Wilhelm
IYH at 25 Balfour Place, [between Empire Blvd and Lefferts Ave, MAP].

Tzion and Adina Yakubov.
IYH at FREE, 1383 President St, [between Kingston and Brooklyn Ave].

Sholly and Chama (nee Heber) Weiser.
IYH at 568 Montgomery St, [between Brooklyn and New York Ave].

Mendel and Rochel (nee Malka) Druk (Shluchim to Cancun, Mexico) .
IYH at 440 Brooklyn Ave, Apt 2G, [between Empire Blvd and Sterling St].

Nochum and Nurit Sarychev.
IYH at 935 Eastern Parkwy, Apt 5C, [between Albany and Troy Ave].

Yoni and Chana Esther (nee Landa) Mizrachi
IYH at 715 Empire Blvd, [between Albany and Troy Ave].

Sruly and Adina (nee Friedman) Lazerson (Crown Heights) .

Chalom and Mairav Boudjnah (Shluchim to S Diego) .
IYH at 6524 Roxy Ln, S Diego, CA 92115.

Yisroel and Chaya Sarah (nee Andrusier) Hahn (Shluchim to Spokane, WA) .

Chaim Yisroel and Dina (nee Flood) Schneider.
IYH at 12 Main Street, Rouxville, Johannesburg, 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.