Dear Friend,

I am pleased to share with you five exciting new developments in the  audio/video/photography realm connected with Yud Shevat – sixty years.

1.      LIVING TORAH ONLINE. We have just launched LivingTorah.org – a  powerful way to access and watch Living Torah. The most exciting part is its powerful new search capability - you can search hundreds of great clips to find the topic or video that you're looking for. The My Encounter clips are also included, as are the Sicha introductions.

Among this week’s clips, is the Rebbe’s first Maarmar – Chasidic discourse – delivered on the Tenth of Shevat in 1951.

Living Torah Online is free for DVD members. If you are not yet subscribed, it costs $7 per month. DVD subscribers should enter the e-mail address associated with your Living Torah subscription and you will get in for free. If you have trouble, please  contact jem@jemedia.org for help.

A special thank you to Chabad.org for their amazing work to make this happen.

2.      YUD SHEVAT 5711 AUDIO. Newly improved audio of the Rebbe's first Maamar, and the Farbrengen of Yud Shevat, 5711, has been posted up on Chabad.org at http://tinyurl.com/yzm6nea. I urge you to take a few minutes to listen to it. It is very beautiful.

Thank you to the Rohr family for their funding to launch The Living Archive preservation project.

Also, the fourth update disc to the Sichos Kodesh audio set is about to come out. It includes over 20 newly-restored audio Farbrengens from the months of Shevat through Tamuz in the Yuds and Chofs.


3.      VIDEOS OF THE REBBE AT DOLLARS. Over the past weeks, we have added tens of thousands of images to MyMomentWithTheRebbe.com. You can find yourself with the Rebbe and order the full video of the moment right on the site. – Please name anyone whom you recognize! – You cannot imagine how valuable this visual connection is for today’s children; to see their father or mother standing in front of the Rebbe.

In honor of Yud Shevat, we now 100,000 stills online! G-d willing, many tens of thousands more stills will be added in the coming weeks and months.

Thanks again for Chabad.org for their tremendous work on this project.

4.      PICTURES OF THE REBBE. G-d willing, in the next several weeks we will be posting all 75,000 or-so photographs of the Rebbe receiving individuals at dollars to the MyMomentWithRebbe.com site. If you find a picture of yourself, you’ll be able to order a print. (This is not to be confused with item 3 above, which was about VIDEO stills. Here we're talking photographs.)

5.      MY ENCOUNTER ISRAEL INTERVIEWS. I am pleased to inform you that last week, Rabbi Yossel Gutnick committed to sponsor 60 more interviews on the Rebbe's directives regarding Israel's security. This assures the continuation of the Faithful and Fortified Series, iyh. If you have any specific tips on interviews we should be doing with military officials, journalists, rabbis or any other figures on the topic of Israel's security, please e-mail ycagen@jemedia.org.

If you haven't yet seen volume one, you are missing quite a bit. You can get it at www.faithfulandfortified.com.

6.      FARBRENGEN VIDEOS. These aren't news. But if you want a Yud Shevat Farbrengen on DVD, we have 2: Yud Shevat, 5732 here: http://tinyurl.com/yktvrg2 . Yud Shevat, 5743 is here: http://tinyurl.com/yzbfg9o.

If you’d like to donate to our work in honor of Yud Shevat, you may do so here.

Thank you for your support. May we have lots of good news to share.

Rabbi Elkanah Shmotkin

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This email is sent from Jewish Educational Media. We'd love to stay in touch with you, but if you wish to be unsubscribed from this list please click here, or click here to manage your subscriptions.

  Dear Friend,

Today’s Jewish date is 14 Teves. This day has a special significance to JEM and everyone who benefits from our work, because of the Hayom Yom –

The Shpoler Zeideh, a disciple of the Maggid of Mezritch, was a man of intense fervor, far more than any of his colleagues – the Maggid’s other disciples. When he visited the Alter Rebbe in Liadi in 1809 or 1810, he related that when he was a child of three he saw the Baal Shem Tov. “He placed his holy hand on my heart, and ever since, I have felt warm.”

A gesture of a tzadik, certainly seeing him and hearing his voice, must make an impression, never to be forgotten.

– The Rebbe, Hayom Yom, 14 Teves

I’m also e-mailing you because of today’s civil date: December 31^st, 2009

We’ve been sharing the Rebbe’s words – and his image and voice – through video, internet, audio files and photographs for the past several years. 2009 has, thank G-d, been a year exceptional accomplishments. While we slashed costs in the face of tightening budgets and focused on working even more efficiently, we have succeeded to produce a tremendous amount of high-quality materials: Thirteen new Living Torah DVDs; several major films such as Blessing of the Sun, Faithful and Fortified and My Land; tens of thousands of moments with the Rebbe placed online for identification and ordering; dozens of on-camera interviews conducted, and hundreds of requests for research and archival materials fulfilled.

As of the past 48 hours, more good news: Several of our close friends have paid up their sizable commitments,  and we are now within striking distance of breaking even for calendar year 2009. This will be a huge practical accomplishment for us – as well as an emotional one: To have pulled through the year in the black.

I am asking you in the remaining hours of 2009 to please help us finish the year in the plus column (– if we end at zero we’d settle for that, too!) It will be a clear message to our staff, our supporters, and our constituents, that JEM has thousands of individuals who value what we’re doing.

We’re now $23,250 away from breaking even on the years, on a $1.3 million operating budget. That means:

If you donate $2,325 (and 9 others do, too) – we’re there!

If you donate $232.50 along with 99 others – we’re there!

If you donate $23.25 along with 999 others – you’ve put us over the top!

This is certainly not an impossible feat – what with so many tens of thousands of people who benefit from our work every day.

Please help us end the year in the black! I hope to be able to e-mail you again early next week to tell you we’ve succeeded.

You can call us at 718-774-6000 to make a donation until 10 o’clock EST tonight, or donate on this (admittedly low-tech, but fully functional) webpage http://www.jemstore.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=DONATE .

Thank you!

Rabbi Elkanah Shmotkin
Jewish Educational Media | Executive Director
784 Eastern Parkway Suite 403, Brooklyn, NY 11213
t 718.774.1800 x241 | f 718.774.3402
e es@jemedia.org | w www.jemedia.org

 

PS Thank you again for your support this year, for buying our releases – and for your added gift to get us over the top in the next few hours.

---

This email is sent from Jewish Educational Media. We'd love to stay in touch with you, but if you wish to be unsubscribed from this list please click here, or click here to manage your subscriptions.

NEW DVD FROM JEWISH EDUCATIONAL MEDIA: SENSITIVITY

In honor of Gimmel Tammuz, JEM is pleased to announce the release of Sensitivity; a documentary presenting fascinating stories of people who felt the Rebbe’s care and attention to their smallest needs.

                                           

The new 98-minute disc includes:

 

• An eight-minute feature video on the significance of the Jewish Leader throughout history. Jewish leaders have been his thoughtfully attuned to the distinct and disparate needs of each person in their flock. In our generation, this most essential quality was seen in the Rebbe, who fulfilled this need of the Jewish people.

 

• Through fifteen fascinating interviews, people tell their simple, yet fascinating stories of the Rebbe’s care and attention to their smallest needs.

 

• Subtitled in five languages: English, French, Hebrew, Russian and Spanish

 

• Narrated in both Hebrew and English.

 

Click here to order this special DVD.

As you prepare for Gimmel Tammuz, sit down and watch Sensitivity with your family. It is a great tool to open up a discussion about who the Rebbe is and how he affected so many people all over the world.

- The JEM Team

 

Announcing - major innovation with videos of the Rebbe

Dear Living Torah Member,

 

It gives us great pleasure to announce the all new Living Torah Children’s Narration – for kids, by kids!

 

The new narration aims to teach children that the Rebbe’s talks are interesting and contain relevant, important lessons – even if they can’t yet understand the Rebbe’s own words. The narration presents an engaging, audio scene related to the Sicha’s topic, featuring discussions between children and parents, students and teachers, siblings and friends.

 

Meanwhile, the children have the opportunity to watch the Rebbe onscreen.

 

To watch a Sicha with the new narration, click here

 

This innovative feature comes following the enthusiastic response to the children’s narration in Climbing the Rungs of Prayer, and builds on the feedback from a wide-ranging survey of Living Torah viewers.

 

Try it out, and tell us what you think!

 

How to find it on the DVD

 

Here’s how to use the exciting new soundtrack, which debuts in the current disc, Disc 61:

1. On the HOME menu, select NARRATION

2. On the NARRATION menu, select “Children’s Narration – English”

3. Resume to select any program or segment which you want to play.

Please share your comments with us. E-mail Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro, Living Torah’s producer, at yshapiro@jemedia.org.

 

The Living Torah Team

New DVD – Only Four Days Left – next time is 2037!

Having trouble viewing the email below? 1. Click here to view 2. Add jemail@JEMedia.org to your address book

There’s only one week left before the historic occasion of Birchas Hachama, the once-in-a-generation blessing of the sun. Now’s your last chance to order the 90-minute DVD so you understand what the Mitzvah is all about! This amazing DVD includes: A short feature video on the significance of the sun in Jewish observance and history and an explanation of the Mitzvah of Birchas Hachama. The archival recording of the event with the Rebbe in 1981 – the last time this Mitzvah was observed. It includes the prayers, Nigunnim, Torah verses recited by children. The Rebbe's address to the special gathering is presented on the DVD with introductions and translation in English, Hebrew, French, Spanish and Russian. A fascinating talk by the Rebbe delivered after the Birchas Hachama in 1981, on developing solar energy and its importance for the security of Israel and the United States. www.JEMedia.org   |   Contact Us   |   (718) 774-6000 © 2009 Jewish Educational Media, Inc. All rights reserved

Changes Coming to Living Torah

Dear Friend,

Changes are coming to the weekly Living Torah video, and we need your input to get it just right.

Help us get it right by filling out a short survey with six questions – it should take less than a minute – and enter a raffle for a complimentary one-year subscription to Living Torah!

http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/100050/living-torah-survey

The raffle winner will be contacted and posted on www.jemnationblog.com.

Thank you.

The Living Torah Team

Our Take on Mumbai

Monday, September 29, 2008

video

Erev Rosh Hashana, 5769

Dear ,

Thank you for all your help this past year. May you be inscribed and sealed for a happy, healthy, sweet New Year.

Next week, G-d willing, we're coming out with a new DVD called Climbing the Rungs of Prayer. Here's a short clip that I thought you'd enjoy before Rosh Hashana.

Gut Yom Tov.

- Elkanah

(To order the DVD, you can click here.)

Wednesday, June 08, 2005

Charcoal on paper by Pierre Grunberg, courtesy, COL.

My 770

A glimpse at the 770 I know and loved.

Photo by Mark Asnin, Courtesy of RebbePhotos

Tuesday, June 07, 2005

A Picture is Worth More than A Thousand People

According to the Moshiach-oriented news sites, this past Shabbos was to be a “Shabbos of Unity” at 770 for Yeshiva students from around the world. Arriving to participate in the Gala were Rabbi Wilshanski of the Sefad Yeshiva and other assorted superstars.

Problem is, according to American students at 770, that no one showed up.

Several mainstream Yeshivos had either planned or considered coming, but in the end, did not show. Acoording to the sources, this was because they discovered that the Shabbos was a Sefadi event designed to support the Moshiachist movement.

Several hours after its planned beginning on Motzaei Shabbos, the Melave Malka was empty. At some point, an urgent call went out to all Sefadi students to come to the Melave Malka and bring any friends they could reach.

However, that did not stop the organizers from putting up a sign and snapping a picture – no doubt to be used as proof that 770 is Sefad territory.

Monday, June 06, 2005

It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

It’s a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Kingston Avenue is alive with people. Shopkeepers of all types are doing a brisk business, and many out-of-town dollars are flowing into the Crown Heights economy.

It's sunny and the weather is magnificent, albeit hot.

The Jewish Children’s Museum seems to be attracting many outsiders – verified by a stranger’s query on Kingston Avenue and Eastern Parkway: “What streets are we on?”

A small group, clearly “outsiders,” walks around to see 770, home of the Rebbe and Lubavitch World Headquarters, to view the sites. They encounter three flags hanging from the railing of the plaza. One proclaims in big letters, “Say no to the Transfer!” (or something like that). The other two are Moshiach flags. Below them, a modestly dressed woman, her toddlers occupying an old stroller nearby, sells Moshiach trinkets, Rebbe key chains, bottled Mikvah water and tichels.

The visitor’s children are eating ice cream. The parents look on, slightly taken aback by the shabbiness of the whole scene, wandering to the front of 770. They smile awkwardly, trying – unsuccessfully - to be inconspicuous about their stares. The adults gather for a huddle, whispering and nodding.

I move on, continuing up Kingston Avenue toward S. John's. Between Eastern Parkway and Lincoln Place, right after the bank, on the barricades surrounding construction for a Moshiach hotel (is that what it is today?), about 12 huge portraits are glued to the wall, with the words Long Live The King on top, and the word MOSHIACH shouting out from under the picture.

I feel like getting a camera and capturing the scene to post here.

But I’m afraid my readers will think I’ve become obscene. Directly beneath the Rebbe posters (the same huge type glued onto mailboxes and garbage cans across the neighborhood), are another ten-or-so posters. These ones feature a bare-chested rapper.

Saturday, June 04, 2005

Gabbais' Papers Part V - Rabbi Yaakov Chazan

Affidavit of Rabbi Yaakov Chazan, 8 pages, 577 KB

The Rosh Yeshiva has Landed

Rabbi Yosef Wilshanski, Rosh Yeshiva of Sefad, has arrived for a visit to 770.

Courtesy, chabad.fm.

Thursday, June 02, 2005

Dovid Rieber, 1992-2005

It was a hot afternoon in Crown Heights as several hundred men and women gathered quietly on Eastern Parkway.

Steeled into the funeral mode they’ve adapted so many times before, an almost automatic shift took place; a sense of respect hung over the crowd. They spoke in hushed voices, shaking their heads. Others gazed silently down the parkway, waiting.

The women stood on Eastern Parkway’s elegant plaza, the men in front of 770, known affectionately by its nickname, “Beis Chayenu – The House of our Life.” The title refers to the brick and mortar, but sometimes one wonders if it speaks of the towering personality who inhabited it – who, when “all was lost,” lovingly consoled his nation, stirring in them the will to push forward, infusing them with new life.

Today, the assembled weren’t reminiscing about the accomplishments of an old timer, about generations bygone, times past. They mourned a life suddenly cut short.



The hearse pulled up slowly – hesitant, it seemed, to fulfill its dreaded duty.

A group of boys in their blue school uniforms led the procession, bewildered by their sudden responsibility.

One was holding a bag of corn chips, as if he was pulled directly from the school playground, where he rightfully belonged. Instead, he was escorting his classmate on his final journey, two weeks before he was to dance at his Bar Mitzvah.

Siblings stood by tearfully, their shirts torn in fulfillment of Torah’s laws of mourning. Teachers, a school principal, the family doctor, whispered words of comfort to the children. The boys pressed forward to touch their dear friend’s casket, disbelieving, it seemed, that they were about to lay their buddy to rest.

Only the All-Knowing One, we are taught, knows why He acts as He does. One wonders, at times, if any excuse He comes up with is good enough.

Now, Now...

What is it about this round of papers that has everyone so fired up? I think the rhetoric has been upped a few notches.

There’s nothing in there that you haven’t already heard on the street corner for many years.

I don’t think anyone commenting here is convincing anyone of anything right now.

Slow down, think, try to make a point and explain something to everyone else. If you’re too lazy to do that, just read quietly. You're not assisting “your side” by hurling insults at “the other side.”

Wednesday, June 01, 2005

No More Rain on the Parade

The roof of 770 is being replaced.

Courtesy, COL.

Gabbais' Papers Part IV - Rabbi Sholom Kalmanson

Affidavit of Rabbi Sholom Kalmanson 8 Pages, 508 kb

Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Gabbais' Papers Part III - Rabbi Zalman Chanin

Affidavit of Rabbi Zalman Chanin 2 pages, 148 KB

"Various Important Subjects..."

Courtesy, Chabad.info

"Every week graduates from the Tzefat Yeshiva hold a grand farbrengen in 770 during which they sing niggunim and discuss various important subjects. This week, in honor of Lag b'Omer, the farbreng en took place at the home of the Gindi family. It was a particularly special event, with a unique atmosphere."

Continue...

Monday, May 30, 2005

Gabbais' Papers Part II - Rabbi Zalman Lipskier

A number of affidavits were submitted in support of the Gabbais' papers.

An affidavit is a statement by a person in which the person states that to the best of his or her knowledge, the facts in question are true. It is sworn (or, in our case, affirmed) before a Notary, Commissioner for Taking Oaths, lawyer or some other judicial officer who can administer oaths.

Here is the first.

Affidavit of Rabbi Zalman Lipskier 15 Pages, 971 kb

Gosh, Now We Feel Safe!

This morning at about 6:00 AM, the guard in front of 770 was mugged by three unidentified (non-Jewish) assailants.

The attack landed him in the hospital.

Sunday, May 29, 2005

Locks Jammed, Dollars Given

File Photo

According to e-mailed reports, this morning, the locks to the front door of 770 and to all approaches to the front hallway, were stuffed.

It is presumed that this is connected to the sunday dollars custom instituted by the Sefadi students at 770.

In weeks past, the Gabbais have attempted to prevent such activities from occuring inside 770.

This innocuous looking story on chabad.fm today probably has some connection to the stuffed locks. But this is pure speculation on the part of this blogger.

The photo in that story appears to be from weeks past.

Gabbais' papers have arrived

Happy Reading!




Gabbai's Motion 940 kb, 17 pages

Thursday, May 26, 2005

A Place of Connection and Introspection

I was once told, that when the Rebbe wrote to (or spoke to) those responsible for building 770 in Kfar Chabad, the Rebbe said something to this effect: “It should be a place where people will come and reminisce and connect.”

This posting on COL reminds me of that statement. Does anyone have more details on this?

Also, wasn't there a war going on over 770 in Kfar Chabad, as well? Has that ended?

Wednesday, May 25, 2005

State Supreme Court Hearing #5

Today Justice Ira Harkavy presided over a hearing which, according to my sources, lasted all of five minutes.

During the hearing, Merkos’ attorneys requested two weeks time to respond to the Gabbais’ recently submitted papers. The Judge granted the time, and set the next hearing for June 22, (15 Sivan).

According to an attorney familiar with such proceedings, that hearing will likely be pushed off, as the Gabbais will probably request time to respond to the papers Merkos will be submitting.

In their papers, I am told, the Gabbais requested summary judgment in their favor. During today’s hearing, Merkos stated that they would respond to the Gabbais papers in writing and would themselves, as well, also request summary judgment in their own favor.

A summary judgment is a decision made on the basis of statements and evidence presented for the record without a trial. It is used when there is no dispute as to the facts of the case, and one party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.

The judge stated that he would be lenient and allow both sides time to submit all their arguments in writing, adding that he is in no rush.

However, the judge continued, his term expired on December 31, 2007, and he has no intention of staying on for this case!

Tuesday, May 24, 2005

Court Tomorrow

As reported, the Sefadi students, the Gabbais, Merkos and Aguch are to appear in New York Supreme Court at 9:30 AM tomorrow – although in the past, I have been told hearings have begun 1-2 hours after the allotted time.

The Gabbais were to have submitted their papers yesterday, and there will probably discussion and arguments surrounding the papers.

As always, we’ll bring you news and reports as I get them. But please, I’m only as good as my sources – send in any info or documents!

Rant Turned Ramble

Here's the post I wrote upon reading the story above, followed by tonight's amended article.

From Sefad to NYC

Q: Why be Second Best? If you can block Eastern Parkway, in front of 770, why bother traveling to Manhattan to block the streets there?

A: In NYC, you can give Sharon a few great laugh lines for his speech, and give Yediot the opportunity to write, According to one of those present, the episode “was extremely embarrassing and completely alien to the American mentality.”

Or, this, from the AP: The prime minister had to pause when the interruption grew louder and the protesters were escorted out of the Baruch College auditorium in Manhattan. He then received a warm ovation from the crowd. (What do you expect them to do to when a traveling Israeli Prime Minister is heckled?)

The Israeli Foreign Ministry piled on, too.

Also, if you call a guy an a-- h--- in Crown Heights no one will notice. Do it to the Prime Minister of Israel in middle of a speech to "Jewish leaders" -- now that will get you some press.

Some photos: COL
Chabadnik
Chabad.info
Chabad.fm

Now the Bulldozer will come back to Israel attempting to make it clear that the hecklers didn't rile him, by pushing forward with his agenda.

May G-d protect us from his designs.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tonight's Ramble

As always, I'm looking for the 770 angle to everything. I thought this was another story of Sefadim gone wild. But for some reason, after writing up the post, I decided to wait before publishing.

I'm glad I did. Yesterday, COL and chabad.info began to report that the Yediot reporter had done a hatchet job.

Now I must compliment the organizers. In the photos, I see no pictures of the Rebbe and no Yechi signs. They've obviously learned something about staying on message.

My only criticism tonight is that protesting in the streets before a sitting Israeli Prime Minister visiting the US is bad politics. If there would have been a wide coalition including other Jewish groups, then maybe. I just don’t think this particular protest was effective.

But I can understand why they were there. They didn’t want to do nothing at all. The consequences of this pullback will be murderous, G-d forbid.

The real question is, where was the rest of the Jewish world?

And those guys who screamed in the hall during Sharon’s speech? Ingenious. Just brilliant. All they got for their efforts was a desk appearance from the NYPD was a hearty round of applause for the Sharon.

I was glad to see they weren't wearing little yellow pins or Borsalinos.

Monday, May 23, 2005

The Oracle of Crown Heights

The New York Times Magazine
March 15, 1992

THEY ARRIVED WITH the rain, early on a winter Sunday, while most of Brooklyn slept. First hundreds, then thousands appeared. Pale men with grizzled beards and black fedoras, trailed by wives and surrounded by children.

As always, the line moved silently along the broad pavements of Eastern Parkway and into the cavernous synagogue at the corner of Kingston Avenue. A brilliant red-and-yellow banner snapped in the gusting winds outside the World Lubavitcher Headquarters: "Messiah Is on the Way," it proclaimed in Hebrew and English. "We Want Messiah Now."

For the trembling faithful, here to receive a crisp dollar bill and a blessing from a regal old man in a double-breasted waistcoat, the savior already has a name: Menachem Mendel Schneerson, seventh Rebbe of Lubavitch, the Hasidic oracle of Crown Heights.

"Don't look at his face," a frightened Russian woman, Irina Krenslayka, whispered to her young son as they approached the reclusive, 89-year-old leader of the world's most ambitious, aggressive and, at times, detested Jewish movement. "Don't look at the holy man."

Few do. His burning, electric blue eyes forbid it. Each Sunday, this man powerful enough to divide Jewish leaders in America and to affect the politics of a nation he has never seen dispenses dollars to the devout and the curious. Thousands of each file by for a brief glimpse and perhaps a few words. Two attendants -- both rabbis -- grab the fresh new bills from shopping bags and stack them on a green, velvet-covered table.

Leaders of commerce stand with beggars; pious Jews with politicians. Bob Dylan one week. The Ambassador from Israel another. Dozens of Israeli Cabinet ministers and Knesset members make the visit a part of any trip to New York. Ancient but erect, the Rebbe never moves until the line has ended. Usually, it takes four hours--sometimes eight.

"Rabbi, my sister is dying." A frail English woman approaches in tears. "I feel so alone. Please help." The Rebbe hands her an extra dollar and reminds her to give both to charity. She thanks him as a woman pushes her through the doorway and under the oak lintel leading toward the street. The exchange, unusual in its length, lasts nearly a minute.

No question of human life escapes the dollar line. Desperate, infertile women plead for special prayers. There are men who want permission to leave their wives and others who have lost their luck in business. "I'd like to know my purpose," one woman asks. "I need a new car," says another. The Rebbe, a dynastic title bestowed upon the chief rabbi, or leader, of a Hasidic sect, responds to all -- mostly in Yiddish, but often in English, French, ... Read On...

Sunday, May 22, 2005

The Phantom of 770

While the existence of this individual has been the subject of urban legends, only recently have paparazzi caught the phantom individual -- who will remain anonymous to protect his children's Shidduchim -- in the act of improving the external appearance of 770's front yard.

No word yet on whether he will be prosecuted for this and and other similiar crimes against humanity, such as removing piles of garbage from the front of 770 to outside 784-788 Eastern Parkway prior to their pickup by New York City's Sanitation Department.

This and other heartwarming images from this past week, courtesy of chabad.info.

How They Arrive

Courtesy, chabad.am.

If you've ever wondered what mode of transportation the Sefadi students use to arrive at 770...

(Notice the sign on the bus, "Do you need a Shidduch?")

Group of Seniors Visits 770

Courtesy, COL.org.

Thursday, May 19, 2005

Rest Easy

Apparently, global warming is a scam.

Shame on Me

So engrossed in myself was I, that I missed a dollars distribution.

Courtesy, Chabad.fm.

A Unique Man

The funeral procession of Rabbi Berel Junik passes 770.

Courtesy, Shmais.com via Chabadnik.com. Click the links for more photos.

According to Shmais, "Rabbi Junik will be laid to rest in the "Old Chelke" across from Rebbetzin Chana and in close proximity to the Ohel." That's pretty serious. Readers, please teach me something tonight. Tell me more about this man.

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

Off

It's late, I'm tired. Gimmee a night off.

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

My Favorite Posts

I've recently reviewed entries since this blog's inception. Here are some of my favorite ones, excluding really recent ones.

How have we evolved? For the good, for the bad, or not at all?

First indication of a court case
Court? Who said court?

This one changed the face of my blog forever
Experimenting here...

Action at the Rebbe's Farbrengen Place

First blow-by-blow report from the courtroom
Showdown in New York State Supreme Court

First good headline
Who are they running (from)?

First gang attack on me by my readers
Arresting Ramble

First lecture on the abuse of free-speech
Comments Again

First exclusive photo
We Do Windows

Shabbos Afternoon in 770

First lecture on tolerance
Shlichus Blog

Worst case of my readers ignoring me (still no photo of the guardpost)
Guard Post Erected at 770

28 Adar Reflections

Best description of the complexities of the sides in a hard-to-define situation
This Week in 770, and Under the Signs

Sunday Dollars

Most important unheeded warning
Warning: Parents, PLEASE!

Dollars, Week Three

The Original 770 Rambler

Monday, May 16, 2005

From 770 onto Eastern Parkway

Courtesy, chabad.info.

That guy in the white BMW? He's now convinced that,

1. Jews don't banish Jews.

2. Moshiach is about to come.

3. Moshiach is a good thing -- he now wants Moshiach to come.

4. Lubavitch is really awesome -- almost as cool as Coca Cola.

5. The Lubavitcher Rebbe is King Moshiach.

6. All of the above.

7. None of the above.

Sunday, May 15, 2005

Gabbais Send Letter to Crown Heights

Over Shabbos, an open letter, addressed "To Anash and Shluchim around the World," arrived from the 770 Gabbais.

The two-page letter makes the Gabbais' case, explaining that Merkos and Aguch are attempting to usurp the Gabbais' authority over 770, and how the Aguch-appointed Gabbais in the past abandoned and neglected the Shul.

So far, I have only heard of delivery in Crown Heights.

The letter explains that the Gabbais have amassed quite a warchest for fighting the case, but that they wish for everyone's participation with the legal expenses, "the amount is not as important as everyone's participation. You can give your tax-deductible donation, and obtain a receipt, from any of the Gabboim."

I assume that donations to support the Gabbais' cause can also be mailed to the addresses listed on the letterhead: 770 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213, and 383 Kingston Avenue #95, Brooklyn, NY 11213.

Click here for the Gabbais' entire letter:
Gabbais' Letter to Crown Heights, 3 pages, 480 kb

Gabbais' Papers Postponed Another Week

According to sources that have been accurate in the past, the Gabbais of 770 have again requested of the Court, and received, an additional week to submit their next papers.

Looking for Gabbais' Letter

Could somebody please scan and e-mail to rambler@770blog.com?

Thanks!

Thursday, May 12, 2005

My Encounter with the Rebbe - Part 8

770 in an Earlier Era

from My Encounter with the Rebbe
By Zalmon Jaffe
PCL Publishing via chabad.org

Arrival at 770
It was nearly 3:00 in the morning when we finally arrived at 770 Eastern Parkway, the headquarters of the Lubavitcher movement. Refreshments had been thoughtfully provided for us and whilst about 400 people who were present were singing niggunim, friends and relatives were being reunited.

What a thrill and reward it was for me to see families that had in some cases not seen each other in thirty years or more, weeping and crying for joy, and blessing those who had made this £35 flight possible.

Since our last visit, a new shul had been opened at 770. It was below street level, and there was now standing room for about 1500 people. This made it possible to have all the farbrengens in 770; there was no longer a need to book an outside hall.

A Royal Welcome - 3:30 A.M.
About one month before we embarked on this trip I sent a telegram to the Rebbe, inquiring about the possibility of having the Rebbe receive the entire group upon arrival. I received the following letter from the Rebbe's secretary, dated the 27th of Sivan, 5721 (June 11, 1961):

I am directed to acknowledge receipt of your cable about the possibility of the entire group being received by the Rebbe shlita on arrival.

It is difficult to say anything definite at this time, since the date and time of arrival have not been finalized. However, when the group is about to board the plane, and perhaps from the actual flight, you will surely advise us of the exact hour of arrival, and then the question will be given consideration. You should bear in mind, however, that if the actual arrival of the group is at an inconvenient hour, and especially if the travelers may be weary from the journey, it may not be well advised to arrange an immediate reception by the Rebbe shlita. Needless to say, the travelers themselves should also be consulted, as it would not do to make them feel that they have been imposed upon.

I then read the postscript. It stated:

Since writing the above, your letter came with additional information about the trip, the arrival time expected to be between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. The Rebbe shlita wishes me to state that there would be no objection on his part, but the decision rests with you, in the light of what has been written above. When you have made a decision, please notify, preferably by cable.

A quick consensus revealed that our passengers were very much in favor of such a unique and generous honor immediately upon arrival.

We were now indeed waiting for that moment, the highlight of our visit, our first meeting with our beloved and revered Lubavitcher Rebbe.

At 3:30 a.m. on the dot, there was a sudden hush, an almost unnatural silence, and a passageway was miraculously cleared in the midst of the tightly packed crowd of men and boys who lined the side of the hall.

What a thrilling moment as, with head erect and with light but resolute steps, the Lubavitcher Rebbe strode to the dais and seated himself in solitary state at the table, surrounded by a semi-circle of about fifty rabbonim. He gave a wonderful and welcoming smile to me.

Everyone drank to his health and said “l'chaim” and the Rebbe replied to each one with “L'chaim v'livrocho.” That the Rebbe should welcome us personally at 3:30 in the morning was a remarkable and unprecedented honor and a stimulating experience. We were all very conscious of this extraordinary gesture.

We had come a long way to see this saintly and brilliant person and we were not disappointed. Wearing a black soft felt hat with the brim turned down at the front, a neat black beard tinged with gray, and an occasional humorous twinkle showing in his eyes, he had a vivid personality and looked younger than his fifty-nine years.

He greeted us with “Sholom Aleichem,” and we replied with “Aleichem Sholom.”

He then explained that in those two phrases were contained all blessings, including that of B'ruchim Haboim. For it says in the Mishna that peace is the vessel that contains G-d's blessings. Peace and unity are channels through which the Jew draws down upon himself G-d's blessings in the fullest measure - the kind of blessings which only G-d can bestow and which, therefore, satisfy all our needs both materially and spiritually.

This is so, even when one single Jew meets and greets another single Jew. When, kein ayin horah, so many Jews are greeting each other tonight and hearing a discourse on Torah, then the blessings showered upon them are increased immeasurably.

It is now during the “Three Weeks,” and our sages tell us that the Temple was destroyed because of sinas chinum (baseless hatred). How often do we hear the expression, “Oh, I can't bear the sight of that fellow,” even though we hardly know (and maybe have never spoken to) “that fellow.” We should bear in mind that there is good in every Jew.
Many Jews practice ahavas Hashem and many practice ahavas Yisroel, but they must be practiced simultaneously; one is no good without the other. The Jew who goes to shul three times a day and dislikes his fellow man is no better then the Jew who likes his fellow being but keeps no other mitzvos at all. A truly genuine, honest and religious Jew who loves his Maker will most certainly love his fellow Jew, because G-d says “V'ohavto l'raiacho komocho.”

We must transform sinas chinum into ahavas chinum (baseless love), loving a fellow Jew only because he is a Jew, because he has the potential of performing good deeds and, as a Jew, has the obligation and potential to perform the mitzvos, especially the mitzvos of Shabbos, of tefillin and, above all, of giving tzedakah. [This last, by the way, is of the highest importance and must be given daily. No one can measure the rewards of giving tzedakah, and at least one-penny per day must be donated to charity.]

When that time comes, the Rebbe concluded, when we will love all fellow Jews, not out of gratitude for kindness received or in anticipation of a returned favor, but for absolutely no reason at all, then we can expect the rebuilding of the Temple and the coming of Moshiach. May it be very soon and in our time, Amen.

(This is the basis of the Lubavitcher doctrine. Every Jew is important, whether religious or not, whether male or female, whether he lives in a city or at the outposts of civilization. He can always grow in his spirituality.)
In the last eleven years [since the Rebbe ascended to the leadership in 1950], Lubavitcher yeshivos, Talmudei Torah and schools have been founded in many countries in Europe, North Africa, Canada, Australia, South America and the United States. In Israel, an entire new neighborhood is being built. This is in addition to the Chabad village called Kfar Chabad, and numerous schools and yeshivos are making splendid progress in every part of that country.

In the United States alone, there are fifteen academies that attend to the education of 16,000 youngsters. On June 28 of this year [1961], the New York Herald Tribune stated that “the Lubavitcher educational movement is recognized as the largest international Jewish educational institution of its type in the world, reaching 30,000 youngsters.”

Lubavitch has its own printing and publishing facility, Kehot Publication Society, which is really colossal. Millions of books on every aspect of Judaism are published there, and sent all over the world.

Lubavitch has its own free loan society, summer camps for boys and for girls, and vocational schools where boys learn and study half the day and are taught a trade for the rest of the day.

The Rebbe personally carries out the complicated business of running this huge organization. He has two private secretaries. Rabbi Chodakov, who is also his personal gabbai (assistant), has his own office, keeps long hours and works tremendously hard. He is a brilliant orator and statesman, about sixty years of age. Dr. Nissan Mindel is the other private secretary. He attends to all the English correspondences and is a prolific writer. He is about forty-five years of age and the editor of the famous Lubavitcher Talks and Tales.

Additionally, there are six general secretaries, all rabbonim, in the main office; and the four telephones are constantly ringing day and night.

Besides all this, the Rebbe receives a fantastic amount of private mail from individuals all over the globe, written in many different languages, asking for advice, help, guidance and/or brochos for someone.

All this personal mail is handled by the Rebbe himself. One is astounded to see the huge bundles of unopened letters - mostly in air-mail envelopes - which are taken into the Rebbe's office for attention every day. Yes, even after the conclusion of Shabbos, before he goes home, the Rebbe starts on the bundles. Otherwise he would soon get far behind. When someone is anxiously awaiting the Rebbe's reply, this would never do.

In addition to the personal mail the Rebbe receives, three times a week he has private audiences or yechidus, as it is called. These start at 8:00 in the evening and carry on without a pause until the next morning, sometimes as late as 8:00 a.m.! Neither a drop of water nor a particle of food passes the Rebbe's lips during this period. As soon as one person comes out, the next one goes in. And the next morning, at the end of that “day's” work, the Rebbe is as fit and as fresh as he was at 8:00 the previous evening. He arrives at his office, at about 10:00 a.m., and carries on with his regular daily routines.

Quite a lot has been said and written about the wonderful achievements of the Rebbe and the remarkable insight he has. This holy person has such a tremendous gift of being able to discern the correct way to solve a problem, to give just the right brocha or the correct advice when it is needed. It has been attributed to him that he can perform miracles. I consider myself a common-sense type of guy, who only believes what he can see, and these stories of the supernatural should leave me cold. However, I can talk to you for hours of the wonderful brochos that have materialized. At the beginning it was always “a coincidence,” but it happens too often. Amongst my own friends and acquaintances, practically every week one or two people come into my office asking me to write to the Rebbe for them, for his help, guidance and brochos. For all the miracles, the Rebbe himself never encourages talk about miracles.

(I will now continue with my story).

The Rebbe gave another talk; there was some further singing led by Rabbi Dubov (of Manchester) and at 4:30 a.m., to the lively tune of “kee v'simcha tzei'seiu,” the Rebbe stood up and left the hall. The kabolas ponim was over.
Now the mad rush started for home. Taxis were at a premium and independent, but at 5:30, I finally saw my last passenger on his way. The only casualty was Martin Weinberg. Mrs. Simon had gone off with his suitcase and left hers instead. This was not much use to him, as it contained only ladies' apparel and chocolates. He left with his briefcase which contained only his tallis and tefillin, documents and money. I suppose it could have been worse had Mrs. Simon gone off with the briefcase too. She had his trousers, but to take his tallis and tefillin - well, that would have been too much!

Our friends in Crown Heights had gone on vacation and we had taken over their apartment, so we didn't have very far to go.

It was nearly 6:00, so first we davened shacharis and then we went to bed.

Wednesday, May 11, 2005

30,000+ and Frowning

According to my meter, 30,000+ site visits and 75,000 or so hits since January 22, and I'm upset ... at the meter maid.

You see, certain files that I posted had 4,000+ downloads, (see image). On those very same days, I registered about 350 site visitors. The company explains that there can be some discrepancies, but they are way off.

I understand that people have passed around direct links to the files, so they don't register as visitors on the blog, but it still doesn't add up: Most of the downloads were still refered by this Blogger site.

So, my dear friends, I'm crying no fair. When I can figure out how, I will take down the meter. Rest assured, however. You're in good company: Readership is high.

Tuesday, May 10, 2005

LC, Phone Home!

Courtesy, COL.org.il.

LC = Lubavitcher Chosid. Those who know the sentence from elsewhere will understand the reference. Those who don't, I'd rather not teach you.

 

Dear , What a tragic, depressing – and inspiring – ten days we've had. The news, the event, the stories, the memories – and the way the Jewish world has responded – have all been downright overwhelming. Saturday night, the first opportunity we had after learning of the deaths, a number of us gathered together at JEM and asked ourselves, "What can we do?" That question, and the persistent calls from Jewish communities around the world asking for something to help them turn the event into positive action, put us on a path. Over the next 48 hours, we worked on the answer. Here it is, for you review. The staff of JEM – especially the video editors; Yankee Teitelbaum, Yankee Ascher, Alon Schwartz, and Yossi Margolin, as well as Mendel Gourarie worked around the clock and put this together. The film was complete before the funeral, and was used at hundreds of memorial events around the world. It has since been transformed into Hebrew, French, Russian, Spanish and Hungarian. Thank yous are owed to so many – from the El Al pilots who rushed tapes to us from Israel, to the documentary filmmaker who shared his raw footage of the Holtzbergs. From the feedback we've received, we know that many hundreds of thousands have already watched this video. In case you missed it, here is a link. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it. Watch also for a prophetic mention by Mrs. Holtzberg of Sandra – the heroine of this terrible tragedy. http://www.chabad.org/779348/ Alternatively, you can see it on YouTube in two parts. Be sure to watch them both. http://youtube.com/watch?v=WeRAxIPKzuY&feature=PlayList&p=E74010DF14D17798&index=0&playnext=1 I hope you enjoy. May we utilize our abilities for only happy purposes in the future. Elkanah