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3 Iyar: Yohrtzeit of Rabbi Hodakov OBM

by Rabbi Michoel Seligson – (Adapted from the Kfar Chabad and Chabad.org)

Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Eizik Hodakov (1902 – 1993), Chief of the Rebbe’s secretariat for more than 40 years, was born in the Russian town of Beshenkowitz in 1902 on the 4th of Shevat to Horav Hagaon Reb Sholom Yisroel, a descendent of Chabad Chassidim and to Chaya Treina Hodakov. Two years after his birth, the family moved to Riga, Latvia, where he was brought up under the auspices of the famous Gaon and Tzadik Reb Yoel Barantzik. As a young man, he began spreading Torah and Yiddishkeit, and the famous Chabad chossid, Reb Mordechai Dubin, the leader of Agudas Yisroel in Latvia and a minister in the government, directed him to utilize his shining talents in chinuch.

More in the Extended Article.

DA: No deal for Jews accused in attack on black man in Crown Heights

NY Daily News

The Brooklyn district attorney’s office refused to accept the surrender of two Jewish men accused of beating an unarmed black man in Crown Heights in exchange for more lenient charges, sources told the Daily News.

A lawyer with more than 30 years’ experience dealing with the Hasidic community tried to broker the deal, sources said Wednesday.

Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes turned the lawyer away, electing to have a grand jury continue to probe the April 14 attack on Andrew Charles, a 20-year-old college student.

Protesters Arrested at Bell Verdict Rallies

1010WINS

The Rev. Al Sharpton, center, and Nicole Paultre Bell, right, are led away in handcuffs after being arrested at the Brooklyn Bridge Wednesday, May 7, 2008 in New York. Hundreds of demonstrators blocked traffic at the Manhattan entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge Wednesday to protest the acquittals of three detectives in the 50-bullet shooting of Sean Bell. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)

NEW YORK, NY — The Rev. Al Sharpton and nearly 200 demonstrators were arrested Wednesday as they blocked traffic at the height of the evening rush hour to protest the acquittals of three detectives in the 50-bullet shooting of an unarmed black man.

Police estimated that about 190 people were arrested, including Sharpton, two survivors of the shooting and the slain man’s fiancee. They lined up and peacefully put their hands behind their backs as police arrested them on disorderly conduct charges.

Jewish Student Center Opens Doors at Virginia Tech

Chabad.edu

The new Librescu Chabad Jewish Student Center at Virginia Tech is housed in a former bed and breakfast.

BLOOMSBURG, VA — The new Librescu Chabad Jewish Student Center opened its door at Virginia Tech in a ceremony timed to coincide with memorial events marking the first anniversary of a gunman’s rampage through the Bloomsburg, Va., campus.

Member of Anash Prevents Serious Assaultin a CH Building

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — Last week, a Jewish Crown Heights resident stepped in and prevented the serious assault of a 17 year old Black girl, and contributed to the apprehension and arrest of the attacker.

The incident took place on Thursday, May 1st where the attacker, a Black male, grabbed the teen at the subway station on Nostrand Avenue and Sterling Street at knife point, and dragged her all the way to an apartment building, 441 Brooklyn Avenue which is on the corner of Empire Boulevard, and there proceeded to take the victim into the elevator to the sixth floor.

More in the Extended Article.

Info to be Menachem Avel R. Dovid Friedman

HaRov HaChosid Reb Dovid Friedman is sitting shiva for his mother, the Tenker Rebetzin Rochel bas Reb. Moshe Aaron Friedman at her home 1338 Ocean Parkway (between M and N) from 9am to 12pm and from 4pm to 9:15pm.

All other times will be at 1665 43rd St. in Boro Park.

Hamokom Yenachem Eschem Besoch Shaar Avaylay Tzion VeYerushalayim.

Tonight: Shiur followed by Farbrengen

The motto of the Rebbe Maharash, whose birthday is today, was “L’chatchila Ariber” – exhortation to supersede limitation (that’s how chabad.org translates it). That is what we are trying to do with this ad-hoc Farbrengen in honor of Bais Iyar catered specifically for bochurim learning and/or working in Crown Heights. Age is not an obstacle.

Today, Wednesday, at 10pm there will be a Shiur and Farbrengen at the Rubashkin residence, 1349 President St, [between Kingston and Brooklyn Ave] with the talking phenomenon, Rabbi Yossi Jacobson, which will be broadcast live over the Internet.

Click here to watch this weeks Shiur LIVE at 10pm.

Many thanks to the Crown Heights Community Council (CHJCC) and Moshe Rubashkin for sponsoring and hosting.
L’Zechus Chana bas Rasha Zelda L’Refuah Shleima U’Kerovah

Mazal Tov! – Its A Girl!

We would like to wish Mazal Tov to Zev and Leah (nee Lipskier) Sandman (New Haven, CT) on the birth of their daughter.

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

Mazal Tov! – Its A Boy!

We would like to wish Mazal Tov to Moishe and Sheva (nee Lipskier) Schmukler (Crown Heights) on the birth of their son.

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

Anthology Examines Women’s Experiences in Jewish Life

Rivkah Slonim, left, co-director of Chabad-Lubavitch of Binghamton, learns with students at Binghamton University.

BINGHAMTOM, NY — When Rivkah Slonim was a new bride, the Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory, assigned her and her husband Aaron to serve as a bridge to Judaism on a large and important American university campus. The decision was unexpected. Rivkah Sternberg came from a Chasidic family that could trace its roots at least as far back as the Maggid of Mezritch. She was a bit of a rebel, articulate and outspoken.

The Mishpacha Magazine Responds

The following is a response the Mishpacha Magazine sent to each letter it received concerning the article which attacked Chabad.

Thank you for your letter to Mishpacha Magazine.

We realize from the many letters we have been receiving from readers, that parts of the article, “Burning Issues of Charedi Jewry”, caused some misunderstanding among our readers regarding the magazine’s attitude towards Chabad.

As is well known, Mishpacha Magazine offers wide coverage on the activities of Chabad and their shluchim located throughout the entire world. Our clear and oft-stated policy is to value all streams of Orthodox Judaism and treat all of them fairly and respectfully. Mishpacha will continue to stand by its policies now and in the future.

Continued in the Extended Article!

Beis Iyar Farbrengen at Bais Shmuel

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — Tuesday, in honor of the 2nd of Iyar, the Rebbe Maharash’s birthday, there was a Farbrengen at Bais Shmuel. Rabbi YY Jacobson and Rabbi Feivish Vogel, London, UK, Farbrenged with the crowd.

More pictures in the Extended Article!