In Ukraine, Jewish Camp Widens Community’s Circle

Mariupol, Ukraine –- Dozens of kids from the Jewish community of Mariupol, a city in the Donetsk Region of Ukraine, are winding down from an unforgettable two weeks at the ‘Gan Israel’ camp. Based out of the Synagogue, the girls and boys were introduced to the laws of Kashrut, morning prayers, national holidays and living a Jewish lifestyle.

Berlin Jewish Center builds replica of Western Wall

Berlin, Germany — Germany’s new €6-million (US$8.2 million) Jewish community center will feature a replica of Jerusalem’s Western Wall — accurate down to the plants sprouting from it, the center’s leaders said.

Dozens of Jewish Communities Unite for Rostov Camp

Rostov-On-Don, Russia –- After wrapping up the boys’ season, over 200 Jewish girls have embarked on two weeks of entertainment and education at the ‘Avichai’ camp gan israel near Rostov-on-Don. Apart from local kids, participants come from right across Russia – from larger communities such as S. Petersburg, Orenburg, Kostroma, Kursk, Perm, and Bryansk to dozens of smaller communities.

New Shluchim to Agoura Hills, California!

Rabbi Eli and his wife Rochel (nee Bryski) Laber of Crown Heights will IYH be moving on Shlichus to Agoura Hills, CA where they will serve as the Directors of Chabad of the Conejo’s Friendship Circle and Teen Programming.

The new Shluchim were appointed by Rabbi Moshe Bryski director of Chabad of the Conejo.

The new Shluchim can be reached via e-mail at elaber@gmail.com

CrownHeights.info would like to wish the new Shluchim Hatzlocha Rabba on their Shlichus!

Despite hitches, Rabbi finds his place in Cancun

Cancun, Mexico — From the day they arrived in Cancun three weeks ago, Lubavitcher Rabbi Mendel Druk and his wife, Rachel, have stood out from the crowd.

Bearded men wearing wide-brimmed hats, white shirts and black suits are a rare sight in the noted Mexican resort.

“A lot of people stop us and ask where we’re from. We say, ‘New York.’ They say, ‘Oh, very nice,’” Druk said.

With their 8-month-old daughter Mushka in tow, the Druks left Crown Heights to open the Chabad Lubavitch Jewish Center of Cancun.

The transition has had its challenges, Rabbi Druk said in a telephone interview.

Tisha b’Av: Making It A Meaningful Fast Day

Bangkok, Bangkok — Cut off shorts, t-shirts, flip-flops: Israeli backpackers in Thailand don’t shed their travel uniforms when they join Chabad for the saddest day on the Jewish calendar, and that suits Rabbi Yosef Kantor just fine.