Israeli Residents Cope With Increased Barrage of Palestinian Rockets

ASHKELON, Israel — Palestinian-fired rockets continued to fall on Israel’s southern cities yesterday, even as Israeli troops withdrew from the Gaza Strip after a five day operation designed to bring a halt to the incessant attacks.

Ex-NFL Player Goes from Shoulder Pads to Prayer Shawl

Shlomo Veingrad’s broad shoulders are wrapped in a prayer shawl, and at six-foot-five, he towers over the other Orthodox Jewish congregants at the Coral Springs Chabad. He hoists the heavy Torah scroll over his head with ease: Those same long, mighty arms spent seven years shoving aside NFL defensive linemen to clear space for Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith.

As an offensive lineman for the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys from 1986 to 1993, Alan Veingrad, 44, a Miami Sunset High grad, wore giant shoulder pads under his jersey. Now, his undergarments are ”tzitzit” — knotted fringes that serve as a reminder of his commitment to Judaism.

Russian Rabbi Joins Police Department’s Board

ULYANOVSK, Russia — Further building on the warm relations between Ulyanovsk, Russia’s Jewish community and the municipal government, the regional police department appointed Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Yossi Marozov to a position on its community relations board. According to officials, the move came at the behest of regional Gov. Sergei Morozov, who last year signed an accord of mutual cooperation between the Volga River port and its Jewish community.

Released Time Winter Camp Shabbaton

RHINEBECK, NY [CHI] — Last weekend a group of select Released Time students from Queens and Staten Island, NY experienced their first Orthodox Shabbos ever. It was a weekend they will remember their entire life.

This group of Public School students spent their Shabbos in Dutchess County. It was a spirited and fun filled weekend with song, speeches and excitement.