Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on June 15, 2024

Sandra Lawson, one of the first openly queer Black women to be a rabbi, spoke at the 2024 Pride Keynote Lecture at Carnegie Mellon University in the Simmons Auditorium at theTepper School of Business(opens in new window). The event was held on June 11th to celebrate Pride month(opens in new window) at CMU and around the world.

Lawson is a thought leader and anti-racist policy and training advocate who has been the inaugural director of racial diversity, equity, and inclusion atReconstructing Judaism(opens in new window) since early 2021. She has a wealth of previous professional experiences that inform her current perspectives; she has served in the military, supported HIV/AIDS communities, worked in higher education and collaborated with advocacy organizations to combat hate groups.

Lawson's work, it was noted by herself and university leadership throughout the program, was inspired by trailblazers and civil rights leaders like Kimberl Crenshaw and bell hooks, whose pioneering writing and transformative theories explored the complexities of intersectionality in American society.

Lawson was first introduced with remarks fromWanda Heading-Grant(opens in new window), vice provost for diversity, equity and inclusion and chief diversity officer at CMU; and subsequently from Provost and Chief Academic OfficerJames H. Garrett Jr(opens in new window).

"Rabbi Sandra Lawson is a thought leader known for tackling difficult questions surrounding complex dimensions of identity within systems and cultures," Garrett said during his introduction. "As one of the first African American queer female rabbis, she has consciously worked to alter perceptions of what a rabbi can look like."

Lawson started the event by sharing three blessings for those in attendance one blessing for first experiences, one for gratitude and one to honor the pain of those feeling unseen.

During the event, Lawson described how the intersectionality of her experiences as a Black woman, a Jewish leader and a member of the LGBTQ+ community has informed her life and connections with others.

"Tonight I'm honored to share my experiences, including the joys and the challenges I've faced for being my authentic self joys like the day I married my wife, Susan. Our marriage is a same-sex marriage, which wasn't legal when I met her in 2012. And as an interracial couple, marriages between Black folk and white folk wouldn't have been legal in my parents generation.

"When I reflect on my life, I see a tapestry woven from multiple identities. Each thread represents a part of who I am Black, Jewish, queer, a woman and a rabbi. These threads intersect in ways that profoundly shape my experiences and perspectives.

Lawson described the important role that communities play and the responsibilities they have in recognizing these intersections and fostering connection across different identity groups.

"Navigating the challenges of living in the intersection of multiple identities has taught me the importance of building bridges between communities," Lawson said. "I believe that when we see and understand each other's full humanity, we can break down the walls of fear and prejudice that divide us. I believe that our liberation is interconnected. The struggles for racial justice, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer plus rights, and religious freedom were all part of a larger movement toward a more equitable world."

Lawson concluded the lecture portion of the event with one final blessing for the audience, centered on the idea that differences are not just to be tolerated, but celebrated.

"May we go forth from this space with our hearts open to understanding, minds eager for connection and hands ready to build bridges toward the divides that separate us, she said. May we recognize the divine spark within each person we encounter, celebrating the beautiful tapestry of the human experience. And may we strive to create a world where all feel seen and heard and valued, where justice and compassion guide our actions."

The event ended with a Q&A between Lawson andMark D'Angelo(opens in new window), diversity, equity, and inclusion learning and development consultant and trainer at Carnegie Mellon, the final question of which ended on the subject of joy.

"In that process of fighting and coming together and building coalitions, how do we also not lose joy or be defined by trauma?" D'Angelo asked.

"It is easy to focus on how bad this world is," Lawson replied. "Focusing on joy doesn't change that, but it changes your perspective, and so you start to see the joy in all the things that exist. I think that by operating from the space of joy, you're more resilient and better able to make change.

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2024 Pride Keynote Lecture Explores the Power of Intersectionality - Carnegie Mellon University

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Posted By admin on June 15, 2024

(June 10, 2024 / JNS)

For the past three years, its been tough to get a spot in Rabbi Daniel Levines course in major Jewish texts at the University of California, Irvine, which is a requirement for the Judaic studies minor at the public university.

It was the most interactive class Ive ever taken at UCI, Nova Sari, a third-year student studying history with minors in computer science and Jewish studies, told JNS. It was the highlight of my week.

By all accounts, Levine received stellar evaluations from students and the course was well-balanced, they and the professor told JNS.

Ive had all sorts of people take my class, even Palestinians, Levine told JNS. The goal is for everyone to be comfortable, and a little bit uncomfortable. Regardless, there will be something that will challenge you in some way.

It was news to the rabbi, who also serves as campus rabbi and senior Jewish educator at the Hillel Foundation of Orange County, and to students when UC Irvine opted not to renew his contract, instead bringing in two outside hires.

Sari told JNS that students were shocked. I honestly didnt believe something like this could have happened, especially at UCI, she said. I didnt think theyd go as low as this.

Levine, however, told JNS that the news wasnt that shocking to him.

Jewish studies departments across the country, over the last generation, have been moving much more towards an anti-Israel activist lens, as opposed to a nuanced academic perspective, he said.

UC Irvines School of Humanities and its history department stated that they were delighted to announce a major expansion of the program with the appointment of two new tenure-track faculty, and given strong student interest, the history department will offer History 18A (Jewish texts) in the winter or spring quarter of 2025.

The announcement devoted an entire subsequent paragraph to the course on Jewish texts, which it said the history department offered 10 times since 2007 with five faculty members and lecturers. Not offering History 18A in fall 2024 is not a change in policy, and we are certainly not eliminating the course, it stated.

Students and faculty at the university told JNS there is more to the story than the university is letting on.

Its part of a disturbing trend

Unlike at many other universities, where there might be a standalone Jewish studies department or at least a major, UC Irvines Judaic studies minor resides not in the Center for Judaic Studies on campus but in the history department.

Susan Morrissey, professor of history at the university and chair of the history department, is one of the signatories to an Oct. 24 solidarity statement in support of Palestinians.

We hold the ongoing, 75-year occupation and settler colonial violence to blame for all violent struggle that is currently taking place on Palestinian lands. More specifically, we join a growing international chorus of voices holding the Zionist Israeli government accountable for the violence that we have witnessed over the last several days, reads the letter. (Morrissey referred a query from JNS to the university.)

The statement also appeared to invoke a centuries-old antisemitic trope when it suggested that the university system protected Zionist students over Palestinian ones because it privileges the protection of those communities that benefit from their multimillion-dollar military investments.

One of the two scholars that UC Irvine hired to replace Levine is Rachel Smith, who is slated to take over the course next academic year. Smith holds a doctorate from the University of California, Los Angeles, in addition to a masters in Jewish history and education from the Jewish Theological Seminary, according to an archived version of the UC Irvine update on Jewish studies.

The live page no longer names Smith. It also omits a paragraph that used to be on the page, which states that it is deeply grateful to Rabbi Levine for his outstanding service and excellent teaching as a lecturer over these last three years as we transition into an expanded program.

It went on to state that: Our decision not to renew his contract is due to the successful search and appointment of two new tenure-track faculty members as well as the consequent review of departmental curricular needs and practices. We hope that students can continue to explore Jewish history and thought with Rabbi Levine through his many other professional activities and connections to UCI.

Smith, the new hire, was a member of UCLAs chapter of the anti-Zionist group Jewish Voice for Peace, according to a screenshot of the club website obtained by JNS. The professor also appears to be a signatory to a statement referring to the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians by the Israeli government with full material support from the U.S. and many European countries. (JNS sought comment from Smith on the matter.)

Levine told JNS that Smiths bias is clear and in line with the way that many professors use their positions of power for activist ends. Its part of a disturbing trend, he said.

I was afraid of my windows being smashed

Since the Hamas terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, many Jewish students, including those at UC Irvine, have felt unsafe on campus as antisemitic incidents have surged.

When an anti-Israel encampment came to UC Irvine, it changed the atmosphere on campus, Sari told JNS.

Mika Schreiman, a first-year student, told JNS that protesters in the tent encampments recognized and would surround her Jewish friends as they walked by. When a visibly Jewish student, associated with the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, walked by the encampment on the way to class, protesters yelled yehud, yehud! (Jew, Jew!) at him, she said.

I have an Israeli flag in my car, Schreiman told JNS. I had to call my roommate to take the flag out of it because I was afraid of my windows being smashed.

Posters blaming us for something

Other students echoed her fears, including Saris roommate Sami Ilan, a third-year student at UC Irvine who is studying psychology and biology, with a Jewish studies minor.

Ilan and fellow Jewish students received hateful messages, including being called baby killers, after Oct. 7, and lost many friends. She hid in a bathroom out of anxiety, but found that even in the bathroom, you cant have a moment of peace, she said.

A lot of students havent been able to heal because there are posters blaming us for something 7,000 miles away, Ilan told JNS. We can never heal.

Students found Levineand the campus Hillel that he helps runa bright spot on campus.

Hes always there when any of us have a problem, said Sari, adding that hes the first person that people usually go to when they need to ask advice.

We werent just going to let Daniel take this lying down, Schreiman told JNS of UC Irvines decision not to rehire Levine. (She came to UC Irvine because of Levine, who is friends with her hometown rabbi.)

Students who support Levine conducted research, wrote letters and organized online campaigns on his behalf. The students letter reached Morrisey, the history department chair, whose response was inadequate, students told JNS.

Rabbi Levine did not create history 18A, which has been taught 10 times since 2007 by five different faculty and lecturers, wrote Morrisey, adding that the minor in Judaic studies is not well subscribed and that just one person graduated with it from 2018 to 2022.

Sari, who serves as a student assistant to the department, told JNS that the statement is manipulative for two reasons.

At UC Irvine, students have to submit separate documentation, even after taking the required courses, to declare a minor, she said. Since many students dont know that an extra step is required, their paperwork is often processed only after graduation.

And, Sari said, Levine built the current History 18A curriculum from scratch.

Levine told JNS that he designed the current version of the course, with an eye towards providing a robust background in Jewish history through textual production.

With Smith poised to take over the course, students told JNS they worry that she will bring outside biases to her teaching.

The department that its going to become is very hostile and toxic, Sari said. There are no returning faculty in the Jewish studies department. Its been entirely reformed.

Roz Rothenstein, founder and CEO of StandWithUs, a nonprofit Israel education organizationsaid that university Jewish studies departments should reflect the broader Jewish community to the greatest extent possible. We have heard from many UC Irvine students who are concerned that the department on their campus not only doesnt represent them but is hiring faculty who actively promote harmful political agendas. The vast majority of Jews see Israel as an important part of their identity and believe denying Israels right to exist is a form of antisemitism. UC Irvines Jewish studies faculty should reflect that reality if they want to be taken seriously.

Still, Levine said that he remains optimistic. As a scholar of Jewish history, weve been in far worse situations, he told JNS. Weve overcome them.

Students are asking the university either to make a Judaic studies department or at least move the program into a different department. (JNS sought comment from UC Irvine.)

Sari said she hopes the program can go back to the way it was, which made her fall in love with it. Some people enrolled in Judaic studies classes to fulfill general education requirements but stayed because they felt so fulfilled, she said. Thats the Jewish studies I know.

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Posted By admin on June 15, 2024

In a personal tribute, Daniel Eleff of DansDeals.com recounts the impact Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky had on him and his family, and how, despite being very busy, he took the time to listen.

By Daniel Eleff

Last week, I went to Crown Heights with my mother and grandfather, along with thousands of others topay our final respectsto a great man, Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky. He passed away just shy of his 75th birthday in New York.

A visionary, he worked tirelessly for decades to bring theLubavitcher Rebbes vision to fruition. He constantly traveled the globe to support the RebbesShluchim, and was beloved by thousands, who could each write their own book about him. Even in his final years when he battled a lengthy illness, he was still busy with his mission and visited Shluchim andparticipated in regional gatheringsworldwide.

The proof is in the pudding. Under his direction as Shliach of the Rebbe, the global network of Chabad centers has exploded to over 5,000. Its no exaggeration to say that millions of Jews have been able to learn more Torah and do moreMitzvosthanks to his efforts to do everything to bringMoshiach. He personified the type of Chossid that the Rebbe would be proud of. He never settled for what was accomplished but looked at how much more work there was to do.

The fact that G-d didnt feel the world was ready for Moshiach pained him personally. During his final illness, he felt like a reason for getting sick was from negative forces that wished to counter his push for theOneMitzvah campaign.If it was too successful in getting Jews to do more mitzvos, Moshiach would have to come. His final wish was for people to sign up there to share mitzvos, for Bar Mitzvah bochurim to inspire classmates to do more good deeds, and that people should inspire others to do the same.

He was the dedicated organizer and emcee of the annualKinus Hashluchim, which hosts thousands of Shluchim from around the world.His annual roll call of Shluchimbefore a call forspontaneous dancingwas legendary.

And his impact on the world was massive.

The stories about him are no less legendary.

The story ofthe Small Jew in Curaaois a powerful one about the Rebbes vision and devotion toeverysmallJew, and Rabbi Kotlarsky was proud to have served his part. Im happy to have had a tiny part in the postscript to that story, which Ill share below.

Theemotional wedding storyis another incredible one.

My family was no exception and our story is forever linked with Rabbi Kotlarsky as well.

My maternal grandparents, Ted and Vicky Cohn, may they live and be well, were not religious when they first met 23-year-old Rabbi Kotlarsky. Along with my Bubbys siblings, they were introduced to Chabad in Cleveland and went on an annual community trip to Crown Heights for Simchas Torah from 1972 through 1979. My grandparents family was matched up to stay with Rabbi Kotlarsky, who was married to Cleveland native Rivka Kazen. Their family of 5 crammed into Rabbi Kotlarskys 2 bedroom apartment at 888 Montgomery St.

The philosophy of Chabad is that whenever you go somewhere, you arent going there on your own volition. You are being directed by G-d himself to go there to fulfill the purpose of the worlds creation. Its a lesson I drove home when our DansDeals kosher cruise to Antarctica was temporarily diverted to the remote Falkland Islands. There is a purpose to this, so make a brocha, say over some Torah, and lets elevate this corner of the Earth. In the end, the DansDeals reader who won a free cruise in a charity auction wound up printing theTanyathere for the first time.

Those trips were fateful indeed.

Within just a couple of months of their first trip to Rabbi Kotlarskys apartment, they would start keeping kosher and Shabbos. My grandparents attribute their decision to become religious in their 30s to Rabbi Kotlarsky, without which I wouldnt be here today. His warm, down-to-earth approach to Judaism, mixed with a very healthy dose of good humor, sold them on taking the leap of faith.

The first joke he remembers Rabbi Kotlarsky telling him? G-d told Moses to go forth, but he wound up placing fifth and G-d lost two bucks.

With the Rebbes blessings, they wound up going into business and traveled together, with the business cards showing Mo Kotlarsky and Ted Cohn as partners.

In July 1973, my mother was going to fly by herself to Boston and then Camp Emunah as an 11-year-old. The day before her flight,Delta flight 723 crashed attempting to land there, killing 88 passengers. My grandfather called Rabbi Kotlarsky for the Rebbes advice about her flight and medical issues that my grandmother was having at the time.

Rabbi Kotlarsky typed up the note below and the Rebbe responded by circling the word that she was scared, and answering that there was nothing to fear at all. The Rebbe also noted in response to my grandmothers problems, they should keep strictly kosher. Rabbi Kotlarsky said that meant to keep things like Bishul Yisroel, and my grandmother recovered from the issues she was having.

My Aunt in Boston said that it was a stormy day, but suddenly the sky cleared when her plane landed at Logan Airport, before returning to heavy storms afterward.

When Rabbi Kotlarsky started working for the Rebbes office, Rabbi Hodakov told him that he would get a small salary, but that he could collect a commission on funds raised, as is traditional for anyone raising funds. He refused to take a cent from funds raised, feeling that it was wrong to take away money that was intended for the Rebbe or the Shluchim.

In the end, he raised billions of dollars for Chabad and Shluchim worldwide, without taking any commission on those donations. When donors offered to help fix up his house, he refused to accept any help, only taking out another mortgage once he started collecting social security income. While others who raised those kinds of funds would be living quite the lifestyle, he lived modestly and Rabbi Kotlarskys kids used his final paycheck to cover his burial expenses. While he lamented not being able to leave his 9 kids with much, he said that he was leaving them each other.

He always refused to accept any money from my grandfather, only offering to pass it on to the Rebbe. That distressed him, so he went into Lowens Bake Shop and secretly paid off Rabbi Kotlarskys account there.

Rabbi Kotlarsky made a party for one of my uncles Bar Mitzvahs in 1977 in his apartment, and when another uncle wasnt eating, made sure to let him know that if he didnt eat, he would only get 1 dessert. Later that year they moved to 398 Crown St and my mother stayed with the family for the year when she went to Bais Rivkah High School.

He also helped my grandparents family receive several private audiences (yechidus) with the Rebbe, and they have several miraculous stories that came out of that connection with the Rebbe.

My grandfather relates how impressed he was when Rabbi Kotlarsky was held up in Peru at gunpoint and had his tefilin stolen, mistaken for a jewelry bag. Nobody in Peru had a pair ofRabbeinu Tam tefilinat the time, so he rushed to buy and take a flight to another country so that he wouldnt miss a day of wearing them.

My grandparents went with the Kotlarskys oneMotzei Shabboson the Staten Island Ferry (hey, its cheap entertainment!) when a young mans yarmulka blew into the water. Rabbi Kotlarsky didnt hesitate to reach under his hat and give him his yarmulka, despite his wife mentioning to him that he was giving away his favorite and hard-to-find yarmulka.

As a bochur, I had the opportunity to stay at Rabbi Kotlarskys house and shmooze with him many times. I was also roommates with his son Sruli in LAs Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad.

He also made a surprise Bar Mitzvah party for JJ when he came to Crown Heights to receive his first aliya in the Rebbes office. At his house for the Friday night meal when JJ turned 13, he invited JJs camp counselors and friends to celebrate with him.

When my parents were engaged, Rabbi Kotlarsky gave my father insider tips so that he would be able to daven from the Rebbes siddur. The Rebbe also put his hands on my fathers head to give him a brocha, something that Rabbi Kotlarsky mentioned he hadnt seen him do before.

Rabbi Kotlarsky wasMesader Kiddushinat my parents and my own wedding. In subsequent years, he would check in on our marriage, saying he always davened that the people he married off would haveShalom Bayisand stay together.

Rabbi Kazen, Rabbi Kotlarsky, my grandfather, and my father at his Kabalas ponim before his wedding in Beachwood, OH, December 1983:

My parents getting married by Rabbi Kotlarsky, Beachwood, OH, December 1983:

With Rabbi Kotlarsky and my father at my Kabalas ponim in Overland Park, KS, November 2008. My fathers beard had grown just a bit in the 25 years since he got married!

As for the Curaao story, my shul brought outRabbi Shais Taub to farbreng in Cleveland last year, and he spoke about Rabbi Kotlarskys influence on him moving to Five Towns, and then the Rebbes and Rabbi Kotlarskys hand inhis son getting engaged to the granddaughter of the Jew in Curacao.

The story didnt end there.

Rabbi Taub asked if we would also fly a Trumpet player,Mike Bogart, to Cleveland, which I happily agreed to. Mike spoke about recently leaving his band, the Tower of Power, as he was becoming religious and didnt want to perform on Shabbos any longer. He went to the Ohel to daven by the Rebbe, pray for a shidduch, and ask for the strength to leave the band, and received a quick answer when he found a wedding invitation with a trumpet on it. An attendee at the Cleveland farbrengen loved his story and suggested a shidduch for him. It worked out and they got married several months later! At the wedding was a local shliach, whose sister was thekallahfrom the wedding invitation he found when davening at the Oheltrulyhashgocha protis.

As Rabbi Taub explained the Chasidus behind Adam Kadmonin the Hayom Yom for the 16th of Elul, when you do a favor to another, you are doing a favor to all of their progeny until the end of all generations.

People who think like that will never stop working to do a favor for another, and that was how the Rebbe, and his shliach, Rabbi Kotlarsky operated.

After the brutal murder of theHoltzbergs, Shluchim to Mumbai, in the2008 terror attack, Rabbi Kotlarsky urged everyone to take strength and make the world a brighter place with torches of goodness and kindness.

At the end of a dedication in 2019 after the passing of Rebbetzin Kazen, her sons-in-law, Rabbi Kotlarsky andRabbi Shabsi Alpern from Sao Paulofarbrengedand shared stories and life lessons with the community. He shared words of the Rebbe that made him cry, but also gave him strength after the Rebbe passed away in 1994.

Rabbi Kotlarsky often related how its our job to bring Jews closer to Judaism, so that Shabbos doesnt become Saturday or the weekend.

But thanks to him, the opposite happened in my family and countless other families.

Despite being incredibly busy, somehow everyone felt like they were Rabbi Kotlarskys best friend. My grandfather spoke with him every few weeks for decades, until recently when it became too difficult for him to talk on the phone.

Rabbi Kotlarsky exemplified what it means to love and care about his fellow Jews and we can all take a lesson from that.

Want to participate in his legacy?

He founded OneMitzvah 2 years ago.You can enroll here to do a mitzvah for his 75th Birthday.

And you candonate to keep his legacy going.

It was heartwarming to see so many thousands participate in paying their final respects.

ButC.D.S.G.(Chasidim dont say goodbye). We know that well see each other again very soon.

Baruch Dayan Haemes, may the neshama of Moshe Yehuda ben Tzvi Yosef have an aliya and storm the heavens to bring Moshiach now.

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Posted By admin on June 15, 2024

Shlach Lachmecha (Cast Your Bread) is a new book hot off the press that is full of shiurim and explanations on the weekly Torah portion as well as Rashis commentary, interwoven with actual lessons, compiled from Shiurim and Drashos of Chief Rabbi of Russia Rabbi Berel Lazar. Full Story

Shiurim, drashos, and explanations from Hagaon Rabbi Berel Lazar Shlita, Chief Rabbi of Russia

Good news arrived for those who toil in Torah and Chassidus. Shlach Lachmecha (Cast Your Bread) a new book hot off the press that is full of shiurim and explanations on the weekly Torah portion as well as Rashis commentary, interwoven with actual lessons, backed by thousands of sources. Words of Torah that rang in Moscows central Marina Roscha Shul from hagaon hachassid Rabbi Berel Lazar shlita, Chief Rabbi of Russia.

On his first visit to Russia nearly forty years ago, the Rav was sent to teach Torah to a handful of young Jewish men who fearlessly got together to learn, and he set up an underground yeshiva for them. As the years passed, with the blessings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe zatzal, this turned into a full fledged yeshiva Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim of Moscow. It has since produced hundreds of graduates, avreichim, yerei shamayim, many of whom serve as Rabbis and Shluchim throughout Russia and in communities all over the world.

It was no simple task to quench the thirst of these students who so strongly desired to learn Torah and drink from the wellsprings of Yiddishkeit. From early morning till late at night, the young Reb Berel sat and learned with his students. The eager young men thirstily absorbed every word, and asked many wise questions, filling the Ravs time. When he returned to Moscow after his marriage, along with his family, he noted in a letter that he wrote to the Lubavitcher Rebbe, that aside from his responsibilities as a Rabbi in the Marina Roscha community, much of his time is spent teaching Torah in the yeshiva.

From the day that he arrived in Moscow, Rabbi Lazar shlita has been doing everything in his power to ensure that it is a place of Torah. In a letter of support that Rabbi Yaakov Kalmes penned to Rabbi Alter HaLevi Hilevitz, who served as the Rabbi of Marina Roscha some ninety years ago, he wrote that the shul there is a beis knesses shel chachomim unevonim. Boruch Hashem also today it is so. Visitors entering the shul at any hour of the day will find yidden sitting and studying Torah.

Over the years, the Chief Rabbi Shlita has given many classes on the weekly Torah portions, and with time, he has accumulated lots of valuable material. At the request of his students, some of the lessons were collected, and they serve as base of this book which includes about 700 pages full of Torah verses, interpretations of Rashi, and now just in time for Chag Matan Torah, it has been published to the great joy of many.

The aforementioned lessons were delivered mainly to precious yidden who were zoche to come close to the light of the Torah, hence the title was chosen Shlach Lachmecha -Cast Your Bread. This is based on divrei Chazal that the words of Torah are likened to bread. The main point being that learning Torah with yidden who are still on their journey to Hashems mitzvos is very much similar to casting your bread upon the water because one day you may find it. Sometimes its just one phrase, one verse, or one lesson from the Torah that have such a strong impact on them, that it causes them to completely change their life. Often the teacher has no idea how his words brought about such a spiritual transformation, and how it impacted their students life.

The new book contains lessons on Chumash Bereishis, and with Hashems help we will merit to see the other 4 volumes on the other 4 chumashim come from printing.

Additionally, a comprehensive halachic responsa on unusual matters unique to Russia, with which the Chief Rabbi deals on a regular basis in his leadership of hundreds of Rabbis throughout the vast country will soon be available as well.

The new book can be purchased in the Ohr Hachaim stores.

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Posted By admin on June 15, 2024

RabbiYosef Polakof Boston, a noted rov, writer, and lecturer,was in third grade when he first learned under the legendary Montreal mashpia, RebVolf Greenglass. Seven decades later, he is still in awe of this great, yet personable, chassidishe Yid.

By Anash.org reporter

In recent months, shluchim and anash in the Boston area have been gathering each month for a special farbrengen at different locations.

The initiative was taken on by R Shmuel Bollen of Natick, MA who took it upon himself to find a host, design a flyer, encourage attendance, and send the Rebbe a duch with the participants names. Some of the recent hosts, include Rabbi Dr. Binyomin Abrams, Rabbi Moshe Bleich in Wellesley Weston, and Rabbi Mendy Krinsky in Needham.

This month, the farbrengen was held at Chabad of Watertown, MA, under Rabbi Dovid and Shternie Zaltzman and featured the Av Beis Din of Boston, Rabbi Yosef Polak. It was dedicated by the Shluchim liluy nishmas Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky ah.

Rabbi Polak, a rov, and noted lecturer and writer, survived the Nazi invasion to his hometown in the Netherlands and then the concentration camp Bergen-Belsen. He wrote his experiences in a memoir called After the Holocaust the Bells Still Ring which won the 2015 National Jewish Book Awardand is an acclaimed work studied in universities with the likes of author and survivor Elie Wiesel.

Seeking to stimulate Rabbi Polak, Rabbi Zaltzman shared with him recent articles from Anash.org about Rabbi Greenglass, which inspired him to share many memories from their years together in Montreal.

For close to an hour, Rabbi Polak shared many unique memories of Rabbi Greenglass and his colleagues from that time.

In a conversation with Anash.org, Rabbi Bollen shared What impressed me the most was that Rabbi Polak was speaking about the deep impact being around such a Chossid had on him, decades after his experiences with Rabbi Greenglass in Montreal.

He feels the deep impact of what he absorbed in his formative years and he feels it every day. It wasnt some far off memory he needed to recall, it was a fresh real-life influence that he was reliving and affected him in a real way every day, helping him serve Hashem with Simcha every day.

This really shows on the power of Chassidus Chabad and shows the impact it has on a Yids life. Ashreinu that we have Chassidus and are mekushar to the Rebbe because these are things that inject true life into our Avodas Hashem

This Shabbos in PIrkei Avos we learned that Torah is great because it gives life to those who practice it, in a way that we are able to impact others- it goes through us and flows out and affects others.

AUDIO (sound improves 1 minute in):

VIDEO:

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Posted By admin on June 15, 2024

An anti-Israel protester at a third encampment at the University of California, Los Angeles smacked a phone out of a rabbis hand.

Rabbi Dovid Gurevich, director of Chabad at UCLA Jewish Student Center, was livestreaming the encampment from his phone on Monday when a protester could be seen smacking the phone out of his hand.

The protester attempted to confront Gurevich more, but was held back.

We hate Zionists, the protester said. We love the good Jews.

[RELATED: Students who invaded Stanford presidents office and injured cop slapped with felony charges]

Gurevich told Fox 11 that the protester singled him out.

Being confronted by people with masks is a little bit disturbing, Gurevich said. Im very visibly Jewish. I was wearing my yarmulke hat, so Im sure it had a lot to do with that. If they perceive Jewish people as the enemy, then were worth, I guess, singling out and attacking.

Braziel, UCLAs Associate Vice Chancellor for Campus Safety called the third encampment protest completely unacceptable.

The demonstration activity disregarded our values as a community, violated our campus policies and broke the law. These actions injured people, threatened the safety of our community and vandalized our campus. These actions also prevented students from completing their final exams,Braziel said.

According to the Daily Bruin, over 100 protesters set up three encampments in different areas across campus on Monday afternoon following a protest by the UC Divest Coalition and Students for Justice in Palestine at UCLA which called on the University of California to divest from companies that support the Israeli military.

[RELATED: Catholic university in Chicago gives several AWARDS to terrorism-loving SJP chapter that argued Resistance is justified]

The protesters barricaded the encampment on Monday afternoon and began reading the names of individuals who have died in Gaza.

UCPD issued several orders calling on the protesters to disperse but waited until Monday night to begin clearing out the encampment and make arrests. In total, 25 people were arrested.

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UCLA Hamas-endorsed protester smacks phone out of rabbi's hand: WATCH - Campus Reform

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Posted By admin on June 15, 2024

Illuminations #126, a weekly publication by COLlive.com and DollarDaily.org: Rabbi Yaakov and Chanie Zucker share stories and moments of Shlichus at Chabad of the Florida Keys, Key West, FL. Full Story

Rabbi Yaakov and Chanie Zucker, Chabad of the Florida Keys, Key West, FL

Download for Yom Tov reading

By: Chaya Chazan

You can try, but there arent many places left, I was told when I tried finding somewhere to move on shlichus, shortly after my engagement in 1995.

It was true. As hard as I looked, I couldnt find too many options. There were already 600 shluchim in the Kinus photo! I couldnt imagine how we could add any more to that already impressive number.

I was almost ready to give up the search for shlichus when I heard through a friend that Rabbi Yossi Biston of Chabad of Parkland and North Broward, Florida was looking for someone to open a Chabad house in the Keys. He was looking for an Israeli-American someone who could relate to both of those key demographics. As someone who was born in America, but made aliyah as a boy, I figured I fit the bill.

We met in Elul of that year, three months before my wedding. Rabbi Biston told me to visit Key West for Rosh Hashanah so I could see what it was like for myself. There was a rabbi that drove down to Key West almost every Shabbos to host a minyan in a rented storefront. The minyan had recently ceased, but I was able to get the makeshift shuls key from someone who still had it. I rented a hotel room nearby, bringing catering from Miami with me.

I walked around the island before heading to Duval Street, the epicenter of the island. Many of the little shops and kiosks were owned by Jews. I extended invitations to everyone I met, and was pleasantly surprised when seventy people showed up for davening on the first day of Yom Tov! Even more showed up for Yom Kippur!

It was a great initial experience that showed me just how much work could be done in the Keys.

The original plan was to visit for Chanukah, which was just 3 weeks after our wedding, and then return to Crown Heights, which would remain our base for the next year or so. We thought wed visit Key West a few times that year to run minyanim and programs, and otherwise, wed have the traditional shana rishona year in Crown Heights.

When we arrived for Chanukah, we saw how much the community needed us. Somehow, we just never went back.

The owner of the storefront had never rented it to anyone else, so I approached him and negotiated a fair rental contract. That was a simple enough transaction, but when it came to finding a place to live, things were a bit more complicated. It was winter in Florida, so every house was taken by snowbirds. The only place we could find was a small studio directly across the street from our rented storefront.

In the past 30 years, our Chabad house, the southernmost in the continental United States, has grown tremendously, baruch Hashem. We have over 100 baalei teshuva, some of whom are now shluchim in their own communities! We received the ultimate nachas when, a half a year ago, our daughter and son-in-law joined us, opening another branch in Key Largo. - Key West has a surprisingly rich Jewish history. Its home to the oldest Jewish congregation Jewish cemetery in southern Florida, with ancient gravestones dating back to the 1880s. Jews fleeing persecution in Russia by ship somehow landed on the shores of the Keys. Back then, there were no bridges connecting it to the mainland, so perhaps it made them feel safe in their relative isolation.

Key West became one of the wealthiest cities in Florida due to the many boats shipwrecked on its shores. All the cargo those ships were carrying floated onto the beach (to say nothing of the other precious booty from the crews), where it was gathered by eager locals for resale.

The congregation, now Conservative, is still running, and the cemetery can be used as well. Since wed moved to Key West so suddenly, most of our furniture and boxes were still in New York. After a couple of months of making do with lawn furniture, we looked into shipping everything down south. We were shocked to learn it would cost $1,200.

At that point, I had $200 but I was still missing $1,000! I had no idea how wed get our sefarim, dishes, and brand new furnishings wed received as wedding presents.

I decided to leave it in Hashems more than capable Hands, while I concentrated on things that were within my control. I grabbed my tefillin, and started my usual rounds on Duval Street.

I was just about to walk into the first store, when Amos ran up to me, slightly out of breath. Amos was the owner and manager of a few other stores on Duval Street, and I knew him well. Before I could even greet him, he pulled a wad of cash out of his pocket and counted out ten brand new, crisp hundred dollar bills.

Wha? I stammered, taken utterly by surprise. Amos had donated to us before, but hed never searched for me and voluntarily given me money!

This isnt for the shul! Amos warned me. Use it on yourself, for something personal!

I will! I said, still amazed. Thank you! If I can ask what inspired you?

I dont know, he said, shrugging. I was looking at a picture of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, and I suddenly had an urge to give you $1,000! I cant really explain it myself.

It was another confirmation that we were in the right place.

When we first moved to Key West, the Conservative congregation didnt have a rabbi, but having one in town gave them the impetus they needed to find their own. A few months later, a very nice man named Rabbi Grob moved down to take over leadership of the Conservative temple.

I was anxious to build a friendly rapport, so I called him right away to welcome him to town. I was nervous, not knowing if he saw Chabad as the enemy, or if hed be willing to keep an open dialogue.

Rabbi! Im so happy to hear from you! he returned my greeting. Can you do me a favor? The congregation gave me a fully furnished home, but Im not sure if the mezuzos are kosher. I know I can trust Chabad to check them. Can you come over?

As I new how to check mezuzos, I was more than happy to oblige. I checked through all his mezuzos, finding a few that were questionable. I showed them to him, explaining how they might be fixed, but Rabbi Grob waved me off.

Ill just get a whole new set of Chabad mezuzos, he said, shrugging his shoulders.

It was the start of a great friendship. A while later, Rabbi Grob asked if I wanted to have a chavrusa with him, to join in the new cycle of Daf Yomi.

Of course! I answered. We began a daily chavrusa, and Rabbi Grob often brought members of his shul to mine, to join in the learning session. We continued learning together for over three years, covering half of Shas!

During that time, we grew even closer. Rabbi Grob anonymously donated a sefer Torah to our shul, a gesture whose generosity shocked me. When I asked him what inspired a Conservative rabbi to give such a generous gift to a Chabad rabbi, he told me that before coming to Key West, hed served as a rabbi in North Carolina, in a Conservative shul close to Rabbi Yossi Groners Chabad house.

Rabbi Groner once brought me to New York to get dollars from the Rebbe, Rabbi Grob told me. When we finally stood face to face with the Rebbe, he handed me a few dollars and chanted, Pesachya Hakohen! More Yiddishkeit! More Yiddishkeit!

Since then, Ive tried my best to live up to the Rebbes expectations. I bring my shul members to you, so they can get more Yiddishkeit!

I was taking a post-cholent Shabbos walk on Duval Street when I passed by a man working in one of the Israeli-owned shops on the boardwalk.

Shabbat shalom! I greeted him.

He waved me over, and we started talking. I found out Michael was from Montreal. I mentioned the parsha of the week, and Michael blurted out, Oh! Its my bar mitzvah parsha next week! I even remember how to read it!

Thats amazing! I said. Were going to be reading it soon, during Mincha. Why dont you come lein for us?

But my job he said, biting his lips.

Dont worry. Theres plenty of other shops on Duval! Come for Mincha, and stay until the end of Shabbos. If youre going to be our baal korei, you cant go back to work after reading the Torah!

Okay. Ill speak with my boss, he said, a worried wrinkle still furrowing his brow.

When he showed up for Mincha, some other members of the shul were upset.

This is wholl read the Torah for us? Someone who spent the whole Shabbos working?

Right now, hes not working. Hes in shul, and hell be staying the rest of Shabbos, I answered. At this moment, he is a tzaddik, keeping Shabbos just like everyone else. What he did before is no ones business but his own.

They nodded, and settled in their seats.

Michael read the Torah flawlessly, and stayed for the farbrengen and Maariv. He loved every minute, and left extremely inspired. That was the last time he ever worked on Shabbos.

Today, he lives a Torah observant life, and he teaches others about the beauty of Yiddishkeit. I was visiting the Tzemach Tzedek shul in the Old City of Yerushalayim last summer. I noticed one man who kept staring at me. Finally he came over and introduced himself.

Im David*, he said, shaking my hand. Are you the rabbi in Key West?

Yes, I answered surprised. How do you know who I am?

Mah pitom? he said. You and your wifes food brought me back to Judaism! I couldnt remember him or what he was referring to, so he explained. Years ago, a friend and I went to Florida after completing our army service. We had a wild night in South Beach, partying it up. We heard Key West was the place to go for after parties, so we hopped in the car and drove down.

When we got there, we couldnt find any after parties, but we met a few other Israelis in the shopping district. We were just hanging around with them when you showed up, looking for a minyan. When you spotted us, you headed right over and asked us to join your minyan. We kept trying to refuse, but you wouldnt take no for an answer. You promised it would just take ten minutes, so we finally gave in and followed you.

Of course, it took a lot longer than ten minutes, since you still had to find the rest of your minyan. Then you tried to convince us to stay for Arvit. We were famished and just wanted to get out and get something to eat, so we said no. You were clearly desperate, and you promised to serve us supper if we stayed for Arvit.

After davening, your wife brought out plates full of food, fish, potato kugel, kishke the works.

But that davening, and the chat we had while we ate, made me think about my Judaism for the first time in many, many years. It inspired me to learn more, and now, you see me as I am today a proud, Torah observant Jew!

*Names changed to protect privacy

DollarDaily.org is proud to present IllumiNations, a new weekly PDF for your Shabbos table featuring stories direct from the frontlines of shlichus. Since its inception in October 2021, DollarDaily is now distributing over $725 each day to different Chabad centers worldwide all from people donating $1. While it does not aim to completely underwrite the enormous financial commitments shouldered by shluchim, DollarDaily gives donors a practical opportunity to partner in their holy work, by supporting those who have set their personal religious and physical concerns aside to meet the needs of our Jewish brothers and sisters worldwide.

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The Key to a Jewish Heart, Part I - COLlive

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(June 9, 2024 / JNS)

Aleksander Janik, a stylist who has been photographed with stars like Celine Dion, Rihanna, Brooke Shields and New York City Mayor Eric Adams, was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court on Friday, the New York Post reported.

Janik pleaded not guilty to a hate-crime assault.

The stylist is accused of assaulting Rabbi Chezky Wolff after he and the Chabad rabbi argued about an unleashed dog. Wolff says that Janik made antisemitic comments, including about dirty Jews, while the stylist told the Post that he is half-Jewish.

Janik also admitted to the Post that he pushed Wolff, although he claimed it was in self-defense. I support the Jewish community. Im a very huge fan of every religion, he told the paper. He told the Daily Beast that my grandmother was in Auschwitz.

We have no response to an antisemites lies, said Cary London, lawyer to Wolff and member of his congregation. The Jewish people just want peace.

You have read 3 articles this month.

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Title: Faith and Fortitude: Megillat Ruth and the Torah Reading for Shavuot with Commentary from the Writings of Rabbi Eliezer Berkovits By: Compiled and Edited by Reuven Mohl Urim Publications

Rav Eliezer Berkovits was one of the greatest rabbinic minds of the 20th century. Yet, mention his name today and far too few people know of this gadol.

While Reuven Mohl spends his working hours as a dentist, he also spends a lot of his time working on getting the writings of Rav Berkovits into print, beginning, a few years ago, with Jewish Women in Time and Torah. In Faith and Fortitude, he brings Rav Berkovitss brilliant insights about Megillat Ruth to the written page.

As Mohl notes, there are few direct references to the book of Ruth throughout Rav Berkovitss writings. Mohl formed the commentary in this book by merging thematic connections between the text of Megillat Ruth and the writings of Rav Berkovits, attaching his thoughts to the texts and trying to explain them through his words.

R Aharon Lichtenstein often posited that Orthodox society prefersevolutionrather thanrevolution. For many, they saw R Berkovits as being too revolutionary. This was especially true regarding womens rights and the plight of agunos one of the main themes of Megillat Ruth.

In the book, R Berkovits notes that the practice of our time in the application of the Torahs marriage and divorce laws often leads to grievous human suffering and much desecration of G-ds name. He says that it is ethically indefensible, but halacha is not responsible for it.

The verse in Megillat Ruth 4:7 states, Such was the practice in Israel. This phrase is often used to defend practices that worked in previous times but are no longer relevant to current times. R Berkovits writes that it is a fundamental principle in Judaism that Torat Moshe is unchangeable and eternal. However, it is not part of Jewish doctrine to believe that the application of the Torah to one special period of Jewish history must remain unalterably valid for all time.

A similar approach was articulated by the great Jewish composer Gustav Mahler, who said, Tradition is tending the flame; its not worshiping the ashes.

However, the challenge in modifying halachic practices is that it can often be akin to modifying DNA. While the outcome can have horrifying consequences, Judaism has only survived by adapting to new circumstances while keeping its core the same. This is an explanation of the success of Satmar, under the leadership of the Satmar Rebbe. As detailed inAmerican Shtetl: The Making of Kiryas Joel, a Hasidic Village in Upstate New York, Satmar as a group was able to change without changing. It led them to regrow into one of the most potent political and religious groups in New York State.

The protagonists of Megillat Ruth are women, and much of the commentary is regarding the status of women. One of the most, if not most, vexing issues surrounding women and halacha today is that of theagunah. Throughout this fascinating book, its eminently clear that R Berkovits can toe the very fine line between fealty to halacha and being a feminist in the true sense of the word. He pioneered examining many present-day crucial ideas within a halachic framework.

Megillat Ruth is relatively short, consisting of 85 verses, which is also the numerical value of Boaz. The running commentary here takes the reader only a short time to read, but it will undoubtedly enhance their understanding of Megillat Ruth and the holiday of Shavuot.

Rav Eliezer Berkovits was ahead of his time. But thanks to Dr. Mohl, who is bringing his writings to print, they are now quite timely.

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Rav Avigdor Miller, ztl, said: The great tragedy of mankind is that we ignore the happiness of life. Hashem specially designed this world for happiness and pleasure. People overlook that; theyre ignorant of it. Its such a pity. If I had koach, and if people would listen to me, bli neder, I would run out in the street and tell people how to enjoy this world all day long.

Hashem Wants You to Enjoy His World (Judaica Press) is a book that brings Rav Millers mandate to fruition. To paraphrase Rabbi Yehuda Schonfeld, its author, a person can choose to discover how wonderful life is by reading this book. Filled with rich Torah sources, this work helps us discover the happiness that awaits us here in this world by opening our eyes to Hashems wonders and kindness, through the teachings of Rabbi Miller. As we go on Chol HaMoed trips, recite birchas hailanos, and enjoy watching the spring flowers bloom, this book can help us Enjoy His World.

The Jewish Press: What is your connection with Rabbi Miller?

Rabbi Schonfeld: I grew up listening to Rav Miller on the family tape recorder. My mother would play Rav Millers Thursday night shiurim as she busied herself with taking care of my siblings and me. I did not recognize the ravs greatness at the time, but the board was set for writing the book. I guess you could say that my mother introduced me to the rav. Regretfully, I never met him in real life.

Years later, I reconnected with the ravs shiurim and books. His wisdom, passionate idealism, and courage in presenting the searing, often unpopular truth spoke to me, as it does to many people in our generation.

Is Enjoy His World your first book?

This is the first book that I wrote myself. I previously helped my rebbi, Rabbi Daniel Garfinkel, shlita, write his English sefer, Kaasher Tziva Hashem, about the relatively unknown halacha of having kavana when doing mitzvos.

What was your impetus for you to write Enjoy His World?

By helping Rabbi Garfinkel write his sefer, I gained the confidence needed to write my own sefer. I saw firsthand how publishing a book can be very difficult, but with perseverance, determination, and Hashems help, it will happen.

I had wanted to write a book on the topic of enjoying Olam Hazeh for a long time. Years ago, I found Rav Millers shiurim on torahanytime.com. At the time there were only a couple of the ravs shiurim there. I started listening to The Habit of Happiness and my eyes were opened to a world I had never known. Rav Millers vibrant words sailed out of my sound system and the world began to sparkle. An enthusiastic zest for life was ignited inside me.

I listened to that shiur many times. Eventually, I decided that I had to share these ideas with the world. I always enjoyed writing. So, when my rebbis book was complete, I began to work on my own.

Baruch Hashem, many people have shared that when they read Enjoy His World, they were affected in a similar manner to the way I felt after listening to The Habit of Happiness. It is my hope that my book can reach everyone in Klal Yisroel. We live in such a good world, yet the reality is that many people need a positive lift. The book has been described as life-changing and therapeutic. It really takes the reader to a good place and makes them happy.

What was your research methodology like?

My father, R Yacov Schonfeld, shlita, helped me tremendously with the research. We worked together for many hours, and he expertly located very many of the sources brought throughout the book.

In general, I started with the basic shiur by Rav Miller, Habit of Happiness which I cannot recommend enough (it is available on http://www.simchashachaim.com) and I worked through the various sugyas and kashas as they arose. I was also fortunate to have access to several talmidei chachamim (including my father), to whom I presented many of my questions. They gave generously of their time and really helped me produce the book.

How do we create boundaries in a seemingly boundless world?

We live in a physical world, so we mistakenly think that our happiness is affected by our possessions. This is simply not true! People are emotional beings. Why do we want stuff? It is for the emotional effects that result. For example, we want a nice home because others will admire us and compliment us, not because we care about the actual house. We want money because a big bank account will make us feel successful. The same holds true for clothes, cars, vacations, etc. Its all about how these items make us feel.

With this in mind, we can overcome our desires for admiration based on superficial things such as style or vacations. Instead, lets focus on real, spiritual achievements that are truly worthy of admiration.

What are we to say about natural disasters are they a blessing or a curse? How do we bless the good with the bad?

Our gedolim have already answered these questions. I dont have anything to add to their answers.

What did Rav Miller say about natural disasters?

I dont address natural disasters directly in the book. However, Rav Miller taught that a person must not become despondent over other peoples suffering. Of course, he should do whatever he can to help. But at the same time, he must be happy that he was spared and continue to enjoy his life.

In todays fast-paced world, how do we live in and appreciate the moment, as you say to do?

Reading my book is a good place to start!

How do we help people who are in shidduchim appreciate the possibility of finding their zivug?

This question doesnt really relate to my book, but Ill address it anyway.

So many people are struggling with this challenge today. I believe it is essential to understand the purpose of marriage before searching for a spouse. The secular world has presented us with fantasies and untruths about marriage which have unfortunately penetrated our communities. Its terrible how many marriages in our communities are crumbling as we speak, leaving brokenhearted children (and adults) in their wake.

Even those who arent affected by those ideas may be getting married simply because they are 22 and dont want to be left behind by their friends. Thats not good. We should be entering marriage with a purpose. If we understood what marriage is about, our search for a spouse and our marriages would be a different experience.

Rav Miller taught the truth about marriage. Marriage is an opportunity for a person to achieve greatness; to succeed at the heroic accomplishment of living peacefully with a spouse so different from yourself. Marriage is a mission: Preserve the harmony between you and your spouse, and provide a safe, stable home for your children to grow up. What can be greater? A person will receive endless glory in Olam Haba for achieving that! And you will have real, enduring happiness in this world too.

Of course, there are other reasons for marriage too, but that is a big one.

Can you share a story or a mashal of how one can appreciate the people in their lives?

In my chapter on marriage, I brought from Rav Miller an example of how an elderly man comes home at night to an empty apartment. He makes himself a tea and sits down at the table. As he drinks, he notices how quiet the apartment is and wistfully remembers his late wife. He misses her terribly and would give anything to have her back again. If he could only hear her voice again, it would be like music to his ears! But sadly, when she was still alive, he didnt appreciate her. He complained about her and got annoyed at her chatter.

Now he wishes he had her, but its too late.

This is one of the most poignant pieces in the book and is a perspective that can totally transform ones marriage.

Appreciate your spouse while you still have one!

What is the central message that you want readers to walk away with?

Its a message for every person: the Torah isnt here to take away your happiness in this world. Its exactly the opposite! Its here to give you happiness! Hashem wants you to enjoy Olam Hazeh as part of your growth in ruchnius. If you werent taught this in school, then you need to learn it now. It would be an awful tragedy to go through life without understanding this. That is exactly what motivated me to write the book: to present this concept with clarity and inspiration. Im confident that readers will walk away with a totally fresh, optimistic perspective on life.

Rabbi Yehuda Schonfelds book, Hashem Wants You to Enjoy His World, published by Judaica Press, is available at Hebrew booksellers everywhere as well as on judaicapress.com, where you can watch a beautiful short film about the book.

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How Do We Enjoy Hashem's World? A Conversation with Rabbi Yehuda Schonfeld - The Jewish Press - JewishPress.com

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