Chabad-Lubavitch Provides Shelter to Evacuees of California Wildfires

E. Davidson – Lubavitch.com

As the wildfires burning out of control in Southern California forced all of San Diego County’s 250,000 residents to evacuate, Chabad-Lubavitch representatives there mobilized immediately.

Removing the Torah scrolls, backing up their computer files, and printing out community member lists, the Shluchim at 15 Chabad centers in the city lost no time ensuring that every individual or family appearing on their lists, were accounted for.

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Building Libraries 63 Books at a Time

The school library at Conejo Jewish Day School is looking forward to expanding in the near future. This, without having to worry about budget limitations.

The students, in kindergarten through sixth grade, will be reading books to raise money for their library. For the third consecutive year, the students will be participating in Kehot Publication Society’s annual Book-a-thon.

More in the Extended Article!

Op-Ed: Follow up for “A Plea for Shidduchim”

Dear Brother, Sister, Parent, and Shadchan,

Recently, I wrote an Op-Ed titled “A Plea for Shidduchim” (for those who missed it, it can be found by Clicking Here) I’m excited to see that it has gained over 120 comments! You have discussed many areas of Shidduchim, debated the ‘divorced’ issue, given dating advice, suggested new ways to meet, expressed frustration with various parts of the Shidduch process, called for a revamp of the whole “references” thing, and threw in some jokes to round it off. Of course, I appreciate all the compliments as well. Implementation of these ideas is key, and I call upon anyone who is in a position to make a difference, to do so.

TLC Breaks Ground for New Addition

Rabbis Benzion (left) and Chonie Friedman stand in front of the new construction at the Torah Learning Center. (Photo by Rick Hellman)

OVERLAND PARK, KS — It’s been a long time coming, but now that construction has actually begun, the Torah Learning Center has set a ceremonial groundbreaking for its $1.2 million addition on Sunday, Oct. 28.

Yom Iyun for our Teachers – Big Success

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — For the first time, over 500 Mechanchim and Mechanchos from each of our community schools, gathered to learn how to identify and help students in need.

World renowned psychologists, Dr. Norman Blumenthal, a Director of Chai Lifeline, and Dr. David Pelkowitz, Professor of Psychology & Education – Yeshiva University, were the guest speakers. Dr. Pelkowitz addressed the day’s topic of “Depression — Early Detection & Signs,” while Dr. Blumenthal focused on how and where to go for help, once a problem is detected.

More pictures in the Extended Article!

Picture of the Day! – Yechidus in the Winter of 1965

Two diplomats who took pictures with the Rebbe after Yechidus. The picture was taken in the winter of 1965, Special Thanks Rabbi Mordechai Kirschenbaum.

Readers are welcome to share additional details about the picture by using the Comment System!

To see pictures from previous weeks Click Here!

Bochur is Lucky to be Alive Following Accident

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — A fifteen year old Bochur is very lucky to be alive this morning, following an early morning crash on Kingston Avenue and Montgomery Street, where a fifteen passenger car service van and a large SUV were involved in a collision which sent them both on to the sidewalk.

Bystanders told CrownHeights.info that the van was speeding up Kingston but it wasn’t immediately clear who ran the red light. The Bochur, who was crossing Montgomery Street, was hit by the van and was thrown against the wall of Kol-Tuv with the van following him and slamming into the wall a few inches from the Bochur!

More pictures in the Extended Article.

A Special Afternoon for Special Children

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] – Sunday afternoon a special event for special children took place in the home of Melly and Eidel Pinson where parents and kids came and partook in a musical and balloon filled event!

Benny Freidman along with Yossi Frankel sang along and danced with the kids, who enjoyed nosh and drinks along with the music and balloons and entertainment from Rico the Magician and Ballon Maker. A special thanks goes to the ‘Mekimi’ organization for providing the musician, Yoeli Feldman.

More pictures in the Extended Article!

Yeshiva, hospital labeled ‘high-risk’ targets – Congressman secures Homeland Security funds for Brooklyn sites

Courier-Life Publications

Is it money to bolster security against possible terrorist attacks or fishing Brooklyn’s non-profit waters for potential mayoral votes?

Either way, Rep. Anthony Weiner last week touted his work in helping 12 Brooklyn non-profit and religious institutions get federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grants.

Among the “high-risk” non-profits, according to Weiner, that are receiving federal funds include such vulnerable targets as the Medical Rehabilitation Center in Borough Park.

Hate Crime VS. Jews on Rise in City

By Angela Montefinise – New York Post

NEW YORK CITY, NY — The number of bias crimes against Jews in New York City soared 15 percent this year, with some blaming the spike on last month’s controversial visit from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Through Oct. 7, there were 94 reported hate crimes against Jews – making up almost half of the city’s 209 total bias incidents, NYPD stats show.

Over the same period last year, 82 anti-Jewish crimes were reported.

Torah Scrolls Evacuated as Fire Threatens Chabad of Malibu

Adam Wills – Jewish Journal

Rabbi Levi Cunin loads Torah scrolls into his car outside of Chabad of Malibu.

MALIBU, CA — A wildfire fueled by 50 mph Santa Ana winds and rising temperatures burned about 1,000 acres in the Malibu Hills area on Sunday, claiming several area businesses and landmarks, including Castle Kashan and Malibu Presbyterian Church, as well as threatening Pepperdine University.

Mazal Tov! – Its A Boy!

We would like to wish Mazal Tov to Menachem M and Raizy (nee Kazen) Krinsky (Crown Heights) on the birth of their firstborn son.

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

Newly Discovered Document about the Rebbe’s Past

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The newly-released film from JEM (Jewish Educational Media), The Early Years Volume III, chronicles the lives of the Rebbe and the Rebbetzin in the years before they arrived in the United States. The film documents the years 1937-1940, when the Rebbe lived in Paris.

Like Early Years Volumes I and II, Volume III includes first-person accounts and testimonies, never-before-seen documents, and a wealth of fascinating information that answers questions about this little-known period.

Click Here to see other new revelations in the film.

No Matzah Ball Soup Here

EJ Tansky – Lubavitch.com

SEATTLE, WA — Chabad on Campus at University of Washington has a new home, room for seventy guests on Shabbat dinner, a library and a joint project with a Jewish fraternity on campus coming up, but no matzah ball soup.

Largest Jewish Welfare and Medical Center in Russia Opens in Moscow

FJC.ru

MOSCOW, Russia — The Jewish Charity Center ‘Shaarei Tsedek’ held its grand opening. Located in the Marina Roscha neighborhood, not far from the Moscow Jewish Community Center, this new thirteen million dollar institution is the largest Jewish Charity center in Russia.

The new building will serve over 1500 elderly hot meals a day in addition to another 1,000 meals that will be delivered by refrigerated trucks to homebound elderly from its kitchen. The center is also a fully equipped day medical clinic serving over 7,000 patients a month with over thirty doctors on staff. It also is a day center of activities for elderly.