Op-Ed: The Rebbe’s Soldier

By Lazer Avtzon

In honor of the Shloshim of Reb Shlomo a”h Matusof – Rosh Chodesh Teves 5768

When my uncle, Reb Shlomo Matusof passed away just over a month ago on Rosh Chodesh Kislev, I felt a void that was hard to explain. I had already lost both my parents, my mother 21 years ago and my father fifteen years later, a mere six years ago. I was also equally close to the late Shliach Reb Yehudah Leib a”h Raskin who passed away two and a half years ago, spending countless days and nights visiting him during the last year and half of his life. As well, I lost one of my closest friends in the attacks of 9/11.

As such, I am no stranger to death, but yet, when I walked into the bedroom of Reb Shlomo just minutes after his holy soul departed his body, I was overcome with tears and emotions I had not felt at any previous time.

Continued in the Extended Article.

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Speeder Mayhem in front of the Precinct

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — At approximately 8:00pm a speeding motorist caused a trail of wreckage and mayhem on Empire Blvd and New York Ave. The speeding motorist was driving a red Toyota and plowed through three cars before coming to a halt after being wedged under a van.

More pictures in the Extended Article!

Jewish Russian Congregation Expanding in Sunny Isles Beach

SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FL — In a small storefront synagogue in Sunny Isles Beach, Rabbi Alexander Kaller leads a Jewish-Russian congregation that is bursting at the seams.

The 65 seats at the Chabad Russian Center surely are an upgrade from the rabbi’s living room, where the synagogue humbly started off in 2002, or the meeting room at the Oceania condos, where they moved to after a few months.

Mazal Tov! – New Engagement!

We would like to wish Mazal Tov to Shmulie (ben R Avremel) Lokshin (Crown Heights) and Bracha (bas R Yossi) Minsky (Crown Heights/Jerusalem) on their engagement.

The L’Chaim will IYH be Wednesday night at Bais Rivkah, 310 Crown St. [between New York and Nostrand Ave].

Stiff Penalties On Tap for Water Scofflaws

The NY Sun

NEW YORK, NY — City residents will avoid a proposed 18% increase in water rates but face stiffer penalties for failing to pay water bills under a new agreement between Mayor Bloomberg and the City Council. Under the new legislation negotiated yesterday, the Department of Environmental Protection will be able to initiate lien sales to force property owners to pay overdue water bills.

Hey Teves Farbrengen at the Chader at the Ohel

QUEENS, NY [CHI] — On Hey Teves, the day that celebrates the liberation of the Rebbe’s Seforim after a long court case, was declared as a day of victory – Didan Netzach, Rabbi Moshe Bogomilsky, who was involved in the court case and the victory, Farbrenged in Cheder Tzeirei Hashluchim at the Ohel.

More pictures in the Extended Article!

Please Say Tehillim for…

Please take a moment and say a Kapitel Tehillim for a Refuah Shlaima.

Chana bas Rivka.

Yehoushua Shlomo Zalman ben Feisel.

Menachem Mendel HaLevi ben Margalis Esther.

Yehuda Berl ben Miriam.

Zohara Chaya bas Yakoot.

Ida bas Leah.

Tanya bas Batya.

Man, 81, Gets Life in Prison for Murder at West Boca Synagogue

Sun Sentinel

Marc Benayer, 81, was sentenced Thursday to life in prison for killing Jonathan Samuels at a West Boca synagogue. Family members of the victim described Benayer as “a disgrace to the Jewish people.”

BOCA RATON, FL — There will be no closure for the family of Jonathan Samuels, not with a guilty verdict, not with a life sentence for Marc Benayer, the man convicted of murdering Samuels. Yet Thursday’s sentencing provided an opportunity for them to let the 81-year-old killer know exactly how they feel.

“As for you, Mr. Benayer, you profess to be a religious man. However, you are a disgrace to the Jewish people,” said Caron Samuels, the widow of Jonathan Samuels, testifying during the sentencing hearing. “You claim to be well-educated but look down on others. How disgusting.”

Land and the Spirit – JLI Video Visits Tzefat

BROOKLYN, NY [CHI] — With over 10,000 men and women across the globe partaking in JLI’s current course on Israel, titled The Land & The Spirit, JLI Central produces each week a brief, striking flash presentation depicting each “city of the week” being explored during the semester. This flash, shown at each JLI chapter at the conclusion of the lesson takes the student on a visual journey through the featured holy city of the week’s lesson.

The JCM Celebrates Chanukah with Macy’s!

NEW YORK, NY [CHI] — Hundreds of visitors and Macy’s shoppers were treated to a special Chanukah Wonderland on the 34th Street Macy’s kids floor on Sunday. Children took part in an olive-press workshop led by Judah the Maccabee, who cracked jokes and gave a riveting account of the Chanukah story. The Menorah was lit using the freshly squeezed oil. Children made Chanukah “Jewelites,” decorating Chanukah images with bright Jewels. All children took home Dreidels and chocolate coins!

More pictures in the Extended Article!