A new addition to the already very active Chabad House. Chabad of Marseilles, directed by Rabbi Emanuel Tuvenblat has mobilized a brand new Mitzvah Tank. The vehicle was first used this Succos, as it towed a succah around the city offering local Jews the opportunity to partake in the Mitzvos of Succos. » Additional photos in "Full Article".

Who would have ever thought that this well known philanthropist would suddenly make a total career change, and for art! Rabbi Meir Gutnick, the man famous for all of his tzadakah work, including sponsoring the beloved Gutnick Chumash, recently completed a painting of himself and his son studying Torah together. The piece is an oil painting on canvass which portrays the most minuscule details of the imagined scene. Although it may seem so, it's not really due to the current financial crisis that Rabbi Gutnick has turned in his business for painting, he simply decided to try his hand at art.

Our very own Chabad.info photographer Mendy Hechtman was invited to photograph the piece. Feel free to comment!

At the end of last week, in the name of the thousands of guests who came to spend Tishrei in the Rebbe's Daled Amos, a huge sign was hung over Kingston Ave. thanking the Crown Heights community for hosting the guests. The sign has the words "Many thanks to every single Crown Heights resident" written on it, and is adorned with balloons. The sign was placed by the staff of Eshel - Hachnosas Orchim, in the words of one of the organizations leading organizers "we felt the need to thank the community, although the sign is only a tiny token of our appreciation, we thank every family for their assistance whether it be providing meals, room and board, or a donation of any other sort to this great effort".

With the conclusion of the Yomim Tovim, the Lubavitch wedding season has recommenced all around the world. The opening shot in Crown Heights was the Lazaruss (Framingham, Mass) - Weinberger (Antwerp, Belgium) wedding which took place on Isru Chag. » Additional photos in "Full Article".

A large group of boys from Dniepropetrovsk have come to Crown Heights to visit 770 for the first time in their lives. The boys, who are all students at the chabad sponsored orphanage in the city, enjoyed touring 770, the children's library, and other sites around the neighborhood. After spending their first day in 770, they got together for a group photo.

On the last night of Chol Hamoed Sukkos, the Governor of New Jersey, Jon Corzine, attended a lively Musical event with hundreds of New Jersey residents. This event was uniquely called. "Sushi in the Sukkah", and more than 300 students and adults came from Rutgers University and throughout central and south New Jersey. The Governor was met with loud cheers and applause as he stepped into the Sukkah. » Photos and Video in "Full Article".

This past Thursday night, a special 'Tzeischem Leshalom' gathering took place in 770 for the thousands of guests who have come to spend Tishrei in Crown Heights. The event was attended by many Rabbonim and Mahpiyim, including Rabbi Menachem Mendel Hakohen Hendel, director of Ehshel - Hachnosas Orchim, the organization which cares for the needs of the guests who come to spend the Yomim Tovim in 770. » Photo gallery in "Full Article".

Happy Birthday Torah Online!  Now entering our 10th year, Baruch Hashem! Consider making a donation to Yeshiva Ohr Tmimim, to mark this special ocassion.

This week we begin reading the Bible anew and are introduced to its author and main character; G-d, the Creator of the universe. We learn how G-d created the world in six days and 'rested' on the seventh but as we read we sense that the whole thing was not so simple. First of all we notice that the Biblical day begins with night, as it says 'and it was evening and it was morning one day". (1:5) Why didn't G-d begin the day with…..day? ...

It was remarkably reminiscent to the days of camp, which ended just under two months ago, as one hundred children from Crown Heights hopped onto the bus for the first official Chayolei Hamelech Reunion. Prior to their embarking, the campers lined up on President Street in the good old camp style, and chanted the twelve pesukim. Their pure voices rang to the other end of Crown Heights.

»Photos in "Full Article".

There is a famous aphorism from the Frierdike Rebbe "that the way one sets himself up on Shabbos Breishis is how things will go". In several sichos the Rebbe Melech Hamoshiach applies this specifically to the inyan of Limud Hatorah. On this occasion Yagdil Torah has published a small collection of quotes regarding the opportunity of Shabbos Breishis and several inspiring quotes relevant to this weeks Parsha. To view click here.

This year, during the holiday of Sukkot, Russia’s capital hosted the largest Sukka in Europe. This ritual Jewish mobile dwelling was erected in the Marina Roscha neighborhood of Russia, not far from the landmark Moscow Jewish Community Center. The structure was put up at the initiative of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Russia, with financial support from the internationally-renowned businessman and philanthropist Lev Leviev.

When most grapegrowers talk about history, they talk about a time nearly 150 years ago when the first vines were planted in the Napa Valley. Rabbi Elchonon Tenenbaum, the director of Chabad of Napa Valley, connects with history, too — only it is ancient history, when Jews tended vines and made wine for the temple in Jerusalem. According to Genesis, Noah was the first one to plant vines, grow grapes and make wine. Today Tenenbaum is tending the grapevines and making wines much the way Noah did thousands of years ago.

4:30 PM, Monday afternoon: A bystander called 911 to report a parked car belonging to a Jewish Crown Heights resident which caught fire on Montgomery St. and Brooklyn Ave. When FDNY fire engines arrived they found the car with smoke coming out of the windshield and fluids leaking all over the street. The firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

» Photos in "Full Article".

In honor of the conclusion of the month of Tishrei, and Shabbos Bereishis, during which it is customary to announce "Yaakov Holach LIdarko", Chabad.info proudly presents a video clip of the Rebbe Melech Hamoshiach standing on the steps of 770 and bidding the guests farewell, along with other clips of Motzei Simchas Torah. » Click Here to play.

Please recite Tehillim for the immediate recovery of Gedalya Yekutel Ben Roni, may he be healed immediately, along with all of the other ill members of Klall Yisroel.

The Second Hakofos in Israel (Hakafos Shniyos) which take place Motzoei Simchas Torah, in solidarity with the Jews abroad who celebrate Simchas Torah at that time were celebrated all over Israel last night. For years this event had been a highlight in Kfar Chabad. Every Motzoei Simchas Torah, people from all over Israel come to Kfar Chabad to celebrate these Hakofos, and this year was no exception as thousands danced the night away in the Kfar » Photo gallery and video in "Full Article".

The Yom Tov of Succos is behind us, and along with all of the spiritual leftovers everyone is left with an esrog, which was previously used to fulfill the mitzvah of the daled minim, but is now worthless. In the year 5739, as the Rebbe was handing a set of the Daled Minim to be used by Yeshivas Toras Emes in Yerushalaim the Rebbe said "they can be used after the holiday as well, for besamim and the likes". For the enjoyment of our visitors (primarily the female ones) Chabad.info presents a recipe for making Esrog jelly in "Full Article".

Earlier this week Palestinian hackers broke into and perverted the website belonging to famed Lubavitch artist Baruch Nachshon. All the content of www.nachshonartstore.com was erased and painted black. In place of the artist's famous Jewish paintings, the site featured a photo of Muhammad al-Durrah, the Palestinian boy killed by the Israeli Defense Forces.

In loving memory of our dear uncle Boruch ben Moshe ע''ה Lieblich (To be used by HaMesivta United Lubavitch Yeshiva)
 
Endow one of the Five Books of Moses, A weekly portion (Parsha,) a chapter, a verse, a word(s) that has special meaning to you, your family and/ or a friend.
 
Torah Book ………………………………………….. $5000
Parsha– weekly Torah portion ………………………. $1000
Torah chapter ………………………………………... $360
Torah verse ………………………………………….. $100
Torah word ………………………………………….. $54
Torah letter ………………………………………….. $18

Commissioner Ray Kelly has a surprising under-the-radar campaign underway - in some ethnic and minority areas in New York. The Village Voice reports on the possible candidate for the mayoral post and quotes Rabbi Chanina Sperlin and Rabbi Eli Slavin about the commissioner's kinship with Crown Heights.

Motzei Simchas Torah in 770. A crowd numbered in the thousands filled 770 from wall to wall during the traditional Simchas Torah Farbrengen. The scene of thousands of Chassidim packed together for a Chassidishe Farbrengen was truly unbelievable. After the Niggunim of the Rabbeim were sung, 'Yechi Adoneinu' was sung enthusiastically for over an hour. » Photo gallery and video in "Full Article".

For the very first time, Chabad of Rural and Regional Australia set up Sukkahs in Townsville, QLD and Cairns, QLD. Tens of residents and tourists frequented the Sukkahs throughout the Holiday. For most Queenslanders this was the first time in their life that they had the opportunity to eat in a Sukkah and make a blessing on the Arba Minim. On Sunday of Chol Hamoed, Chabad of RARA set out to Geelong, Victoria to set up and host a Sushi in the Sukkah Party. Rabbi Rachmi Aron inspired the small crowd with stories and anecdotes about Sukkos and Simchas Torah. A discussion ensued on various topics and a great time was had by all.

At Chabad of Tokyo, Tishrei was a month of non-stop activity. Beginning with Rosh Hashana, which was celebrated in a beautiful hall near Chabad of Tokyo's center. There were over 100 participants, including many families and local Jews, as well as many visitors from abroad. Throughout the holiday there was a wonderful atmosphere, and inspiring New Year feeling...  

On Monday morning, Crown Heights Residents living on President St, saw a large crew totalling four trucks come and trim the overhanging trees. The city administration issued the work order following many 311 calls from local home owners complaining that the tree branches were blocking street lights. Unfortunately it seems the problem still exists even after the trimming as the workers claimed "The branches were to high" for them to reach, even though they had a cherry picker to lift them. Nevertheless, locals told our photographer that they are extremely pleased that they finally trimmed the problematic trees.

In setting an example for kedushas Shabbos and kedushas Yom Tov, B&H Photo deserves great credit for closing their website on Shabbos and Yom Tov by disabling their order feature and stating that all orders must wait until after Shabbos or Yom Tov. You can visit the site by clicking here, and you will see the pop-up that apears displaying the kiddush Hashem in withstanding the challenge of the thousands of dollars that could be made in weekend sales.

The Central Synagogue of Kharkov hosted a festive gathering during Sukkot, which involved members of the local Jewish community and many guests. In all, over 800 people took part in the celebration. Representatives of 14 different Jewish communities spanning the Kharkov, Poltava and Sumy Regions of eastern Ukraine gathered in Kharkov in order to participate in this ambitious undertaking. The Chief Rabbi of Kharkov and Kharkov Region, Moshe Moskovitz, who is also a Chabad Lubavitch emissary serving in the area, gave the opening speech on this occasion. He especially thanked all those persons who came to celebrate this “Day of the community”.

Drink responsibly - It's the Chassidishe thing to do. The above signs have been posted all around Crown Heights in preparation for Simchas Torah, reminding everyone to drink responsibly. The campaign is an initiative of the NCFJE, aimed at preventing the unfortunately common Simchas Torah brawls and other reckless behavior which are a result of irresponsible alcohol consumption.

Last night, the eve of Hoshana Rabba, was the final part of the Simchas Beis Hashoeva celebrations across the globe. Following seven tremendous nights of dancing, during which hundreds of visitors from nearby Jewish communities came to experience true joy, the excitement has come to a close.

» Photo gallery of the final night of Simchas Beis Hashoeva in "Full Article".

Released Time of Greater New York reached out to an unprecedented number of Jewish children in public school over Sukkos. On Wednesday, though it was a Holiday and the instructors could not drive over 50 instructors WALKED to the public schools and brought a Lulav and Esrog to the school children so that they could make a proper Brachah and share some of the happiness of Sukkos. On Sunday, Released Time ran an incredibly successful children's Sukkos Rally in coordination with the Bukharian Jewish Community Center in Queens.

Last night, the eve of Hoshana Rabba the Simchas Beis Hashoeva celebrations continued in Crown Heights, with lively singing and dancing. The festivities went on until 1:00am, after which the Tmimim, visitors and local residents marched in an impressive procession toward 770, where they recited Sefer Devarim and Sefer Tehillim. After the recital of Tehillim, the gabbaim gave out pieces of apple in honey, which were eaten in the sukka adjacent to 770. ● Photo gallery of the minyan tehillim in "Full Article".