Wednesday July 26, 2006 -1st Av, 5766 7:00pm – 7:15pm WSNR 620AM and WVOS 1240AM
Thursday July 27, 2006 - 2nd Av, 5766 7:00pm – 7:15pm WSNR 620AM and WVOS 1240AM
Friday July 28, 2006 - 3rd Av, 5766 6:45pm – 7:00pm WSNR 620AM and WVOS 1240AM
Motsei Shabbos July 29, 2005 - 4th Av, 5766 10:00pm-10:15pm WMCA – 570 AM
Monday July 31, 2006 - 6th Av, 5766 7:00pm – 7:15pm WSNR 620AM and WVOS 1240AM
Tuesday August 1, 2006 - 7th Av, 5766 7:00pm – 7:15pm WSNR 620AM and WVOS 1240AM
Wednesday August 2, 2006 - 8th Av, 5766 7:00pm – 7:15pm WSNR 620AM and WVOS 1240AM
Thursday August 3, 2006 - 9th Av, 5766 7:00pm – 7:15pm WSNR 620AM and WVOS 1240AM
Friday August 4, 2006 - 10th Av, 5766 6:45pm – 7:00pm WSNR 620AM and WVOS 1240AM
Motsei Shabbos August 5, 2006 – 1ith Av, 5766 10:00pm-10:15pm WMCA – 570 AM
Monday August 7, 2006 - 13th Av, 5766 7:00pm – 7:15pm WSNR 620AM and WVOS 1240AM
Tuesday August 8, 2006 - 14th Av, 5766 7:00pm – 7:05pm WSNR 620AM and WVOS 1240AM
Wednesday August 9, 2006 - 15th Av, 5766 7:00pm – 7:05pm WSNR 620AM and WVOS 1240AM

Eight IDF soldiers, including three officers were killed and 24 wounded fighting terrorists in the Hizbullah stronghold of Bint Jbeil in Lebanon. Their families have been notified.

The Golani Brigade soldiers were ambushed at approximately 5:00 o’clock Wednesday morning (Tuesday 10:00 pm EDT) by Hizbullah terrorists in the town which is often referred to as the ‘Hizbullah capital’ in south Lebanon.

Infantry divisions, tank and armored corps as well as air support by IAF fighter pilots worked together to try to clean out the nest of terrorists entrenched in Bint Jbeil. Just a day earlier, the IDF had said the town was under Israeli control.

A total of 24 soldiers were wounded in the battle, according to Army Radio. It was the fiercest clash since the beginning of the war two weeks ago due to the number of casualties and the duration of the battle, which continued into the night on Wednesday. Three soldiers were seriously injured in the clashes, six sustained moderate wounds and 15 were lightly injured.

Terrorists also shot at combat medics, preventing them from evacuating the injured for more than six hours. Rescue personnel carried wounded soldiers off the battlefield under heavy fire, bringing them to the four combat helicopters that flew the wounded soldiers to safety as heavy fighting continued on the ground.

One of the soldiers injured in Bint Jbiel Wednesday said, "I want to go back and fight with my comrades. Morale is totally high. [The battle] was complex, and there is fear, but we have to take the fear and turn it around." The soldier spoke on Voice of Israel government radio from Rambam Hospital.

Soldiers fought hand-to-hand in close quarters, with grenades thrown and shooting taking place at point-blank range in small yards and private homes where the terrorists had set up “war rooms” and weapons caches.

Earlier in the week, the IDF had taken control of the town of Maroun a-Ras; however, four paratroopers who stayed to secure the area were hit and wounded by an anti-tank missile Wednesday evening. Soldiers were forced into renewed fighting with terrorists in the area.

As the Golani Brigade and Paratrooper Unit continued the fight to clean out the nest of terrorists in the areas of Bint Jbeil and Maroun a-Ras, Israel Air Force pilots were striking Hizbullah headquarters in the southern port city of Tyre.

IAF air strikes destroyed the seven-story building which housed the office of the Hizbullah commander in south Lebanon, Sheik Habil Kaouk. It was not clear whether the building was occupied at the time. Twelve bystanders were injured in the strike.

Lillian Aliya bas Esther

Shira Yehudis bas Shayna

Meir Chaim Ben Leah Devora

Chaim Yosef Yitzchok ben Mirel

Yeshaya Feivel halevi ben Zlata Shaina

Devorah Rochel Bas Yehudis

Ariela Chaya Rivka bas Devorah

Chaya Tzirel Bas Chana Devorah

Tamar bas Sara

Amram ben Bracha

Ahuva Esther bas Rivka

elana yehudis bas ahuva michal

Sarah Golda bas Malka
a newborn mother of quadruplets - please have the babies in mind too

Avigail Ilana Bas Sara Raizel

Hayeled Reuven Moishe ben Chana

Techiya Ester Noah bas Chaya

Hinda Malka bas Bracha

Menachem Mendel ben Chana

Boruch Moshe ben Hinda Miriam

Dovid Velvel ben Ita Basya

Dahlia Vered bas Yaffa Yehudit

Sheina Devorah bas Tamar

Refoel Levi ben Chaya Toibah

Refoel Chai ben Istat

Sara bas Malka

Chaya Aviva Nechama Bas Sara

Chaya Gittel bas Miriam

CHAYA BAS ESTHER FEIGEL

Miriam Yocheved bas Avital Batya Aviva

Avigdor ben Yachnah

Yehudis bas Yocheved

Adira RiVka Chaya bas Chana

Faige Devora bas Yehudis

Dovid Velvel HaKohen ben Itta Basya

Avinoam Ben Miriam

Shira Yehudis bas Devorah

Aviva Yocheved Ruchama Bas Sima

Fayga Devora bas Yehudis

Raizel Mirel bas Chaya Ita

Michoel Ben Sora

Chana bas Rasha Zelda

Asher ben Chana

Leah bas Zahava

David Yifrach ben Freeda

Yosef Simcha Halevi ben Esther

MOSCOW, Russia – Jews of Moscow gathered in the Moscow Jewish Community Center to pray for the lives of the hostages Gilad Shalit, Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldvasser, for the safety of Israelis suffering from bombardment and for the health of Israeli soldiers fighting with terrorists. The prayer took place on the day before the new moon, the so-called “Yom Kippur Katan,” when a prayer is believed to have a special action.

Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar, FJC Russia spokesman Boruch Gorin, Israeli Ambassador Arkady Milman took part in the ceremony along with members of Jewish organizations and the synagogue’s worshipers.

The Israeli Ambassador brought out the Torah scroll. After the first part of the prayer Rabbi Lazar said: “We pray for the safety of Israeli soldiers who are defending the borders of Israel today. Everyone here in Moscow had to ask what he or she can do to help our brothers in Israel. By our prayers we will show G-d that we are very confident in His help. We will pray for our brothers and they will know that we are with them.”

The Israeli Ambassador Arkady Milman emphasized that that the stronger a Jewish community is, the stronger is Israel. “We will attain a victory!” he assured the audience, which responded with vigorous clapping.

Then the participants read the Mincha Prayer, as well as “El Mole Rachamim” and other prayers. After the prayers, the worshipers lit candles in memory of those who died in this war.

Chief Rabbi of Russia has issued a special statement calling on all Jewish communities to pray for peace in Israel and safety of the Israeli citizens. The appeal was met with tremendous response with thousands of people coming to pray for Israel across Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union.

Permanent shlichus opportunity in a thriving preschool and Chabad community.

Full time/part time teaching. Children's enrichment programs preferably integrated with technology, music, movement and holidays.

Spiritual leadership to the parent and faculty community. (Classes in early chinuch according to torah and chasidus, shabbat hospitality, team-building events, barbecues etc).

With time and training position will include additional aspects such as business management of school, recruitment and P.R. as well as assisting in the building campaign which is in its midst.

Please contact us @ Laizenman@hotmail.com or 843-448-0035

Chabad of Fort Lee NJ - Looking for 2 girls to join us for a great year on shlichus.

The shlichus will include- *Preschool *Hebrew school *Bat Mitzvah Club *Youth Programs *Womens Programs *other general programs. We will provide- *accomodations *car *gas *$ for food *good salary.

If you are interested in this great oppotunity call Lieba at 201-886-1238 or e-mail: LiebaKonikov@aol.com

• During the Nine Days, the custom is not to bathe or wash one’s body solely for pleasure (for example, relaxing in a bath or going swimming), even in cold water. However, if there are medical reasons to wash, one may wash even with warm water (Rabbi Shimon Eider, Page 12)

• If one is dirty or perspired, he may wash himself with cold water to remove the dirt or perspiration. It is forbidden to shampoo or soap the hair or to wash oneself with hot or warm water, even if not for pleasure, unless the dirt won’t come off otherwise or for medical reasons (Rabbi Shimon Eider, Page 12).

When Moses announced to the Jewish people the impending redemption, they: "Moses, how can we be redeemed? Didn't G-d tell Abraham that we will be enslaved for 400 years? We are now only at 210 years!" Moses responded: "If G-d wants to redeem you, He will overlook your calculations. A similar conversation will take place with Moshiach. When Moshiach tells the Jewish people, "In this month you will be redeemed," they say to him: "Moshiach, how can we be redeemed? Didn't G-d say that we will be enslaved by all 70 nations?" Moshiach will respond: "If only one of you will wander to Barbaria, and one of you to Britannia, it is considered as if all of you have wandered there." (Psikta Rabsi Parshat Hachodesh Hazeh)

Rabbi Yitzchok Kogan, Rav of the Bolshoi Bronya Shul in Moscow and member of Agudas Chassidei Chabad in the CIS, traveled to Israel to write a sefer Torah in the merit of the IDF soldiers who are risking their lives to protect the Jewish nation. The hachnasos sefer Torah took place close to the Israeli-Lebanese border and was attended by Chabad House director Rabbi Yigal Tzippori.

The soldiers, who are several minutes away from Lebanese territory, were very moved when they saw the sefer Torah being written. Rabbi Schneur Zalman Henig wrote the sefer Torah. He was accompanied to the ceremony by his brothers, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok and Rabbi Mordechai Henig.

Rabbi Kogan blessed the soldiers and explained to them the significance of the hachnosas sefer Torah. Many soldiers asked Rabbi Kogan for a bracha before going to fight. Each soldier received a piece of the sefer Torah’s mantle as a means of protection from the enemy. The soldiers were very touched by this, and they saw it as having great significance. As they went to their bus, the soldiers sang the niggun, “Ki besimcha,” with tears in their eyes and expressed their gratitude to Chabad.
(SOURCE: COL.ORG.IL)

FLY BETWEEN N.Y OR L.A TO SYDNEY OR MELBOURNE OR VICE VERSA FIRST CLASS FOR JUST $5000 AND BUSINESS CLASS FOR JUST USD$4000. UNITED AIRLINES.

FEW TICKETS REMAINING.

EMAIL: EBAYDEALER99@HOTMAIL.COM FOR DETAILS AND BOOKINGS.

CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED!!!

Start Feeling Better Today!

At Keller Chiropractic, We practice modern chiropractic the old fashioned way. At Keller Chiropactic we focus on your body's ability to heal itself, treating you as a whole, not just your symptoms. We're always here when you need us.

Same day and Emergency appointments available.

372 Kingston Avenue
(718)221-3999

Its Your Future... Be There Healthy!

On Tuesday, thousands of Jews in Uruguay showed their support for Israel during this difficult time at a special rally. Local shliach Rabbi Eliezer Shemtov organized the rally, during which the students of the Semicha Institute in Uruguay distributed thousands of leaflets expressing the Rebbe’s opinions on the situation in Israel.
(SOURCE: COL.ORG.IL)

A woman living in the northern town of Kiryat Yam went through the tragedy of losing a beloved son when a katyusha rocket fell on a train at the railway garage where he worked.

This terrible disaster happened only several months after the woman’s husband died. On Tuesday, a katyusha fell in the yard near the woman’s house, but fortunately no one was injured. Although the entire area has been closed, but Rabbi Dovid Meir Druckman came to the home of the bereaved mother to give her his condolences.

“Check the mezuzos,” said Rabbi Druckman, and explained to her the Rebbe’s opinions on this issue. “I comforted the woman and raised her spirits,” Rabbi Druckman later reported.
(SOURCE: COL.ORG.IL)

Chabad of Toledo is looking for an energetic couple to direct and run our existing Chabad on campus activities for three months, August 15-November 15, 2006.

Our current group has numerous active students who are a real pleasure to work with.

Position offers great working conditions and a real salary.

Please call Rabbi Yossi Shemtov 419-810-0207 or Rabbi Shmuly Rothman 419-392-8941 for more info.

We are looking for three capable, responsible and organized post-seminary girls to join us in our beautiful Southern California community, for an exciting year of Shlichus.

The Shlichus includes teaching in our Pre-School and Hebrew School, coordinating women’s events and children’s programs, as well as assisting with the Friendship Circle.

If you are interested, please e-mail: shlichus@jccmb.com for more information.

Lithuania
Rebbetzin Hodakov was born to R’ Meir Shmaryohu and Rochel (nee Ziv) Schochet HY”D during Chanukah, in the year 5670 (1910) in the city of Telz. She was the 3rd of four children, and outlived all of her siblings. Her parents were killed by the Nazis, Yemach Shemom.

Her older Brother was Rabbi Dov Yehuda Schochet z”l, who had been a Rov in Basel, Switzerland, and of The Hague in Holland, before moving to Toronto, where he served as a Rov and Mechanech for many years. Her older sister, Fruma Leah z”l, lived in Yerusholayim, with her husband Rabbi Yosef Holtzberg z”l, a well known Mechanech who taught in the Bais Yaakov Seminary in Yerusholayim. Her younger sister, Chana Chaya Henna z”l was married to Rabbi Moshe Yehuda Blau z”l, a Rov in Boro Park for many years who was also known for the many Seforim of Rishonim including the Ritva and Meiri that he published from manuscripts that he searched for and uncovered.

Not much is known about her childhood, adolescence, and early adult years. She was part of a generation and culture that did not talk much about themselves and their accomplishments. When her children and grandchildren asked, she was reluctant to speak, saying that she doesn’t like the idea of telling about her own activities, and merely shared that she had taught and directed Mosdos Chinuch in Lithuania, she gave Shiurim in Yiddishkeit to adults and children in Austria, and was active in the ladies’ organization in Riga.

A certificate from the Yavneh Institute of Lithuania in Kovno dated the 15th of Tamuz 5697 (1937) testifies that for two years she directed a Jewish kindergarten in Ponivesh, for a few years she taught in a school in Kelm, and for three years she was the Judaic principal of the girls’ orphanage in Kovno, where she also taught Limudei Kodesh and Ivrit. The certificate praises her pedagogic skills, her exceptional personality, and her faithful devotion to her holy work that benefited her students and brought joy to their parents.

Latvia
In the month of Ador, 5699 (1939) she married Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Aizik Hodakov, himself a lifelong expert on Chinuch (at age 18 had established the Torah V’Derech Eretz school) in Riga. Rabbi Hodakov was one of the leaders of Tze’irei Agudas Yisroel in Riga, and was the head of the official government-run office for Jewish education for all of Latvia. He stood at the forefront of the fight for Torah observance, using his government position to strengthen Torah learning and observance even in the non-observant community. (The effectiveness of his work can be evidenced by the hatred with which they wrote about him in their newspapers).

On several occasion, his work had brought him in contact with the sixth Chabad Rebbe, the Rebbe Rayatz ZT”L, who led and organized the massive network of underground Chadorim, Yeshivos, Mikvaos and Shuls throughout the former Soviet Union. Beyond their “professional relationship”, the Rebbe concerned himself with in his personal life as well, and went so far as to help arrange the Shidduch with Rebbetzin Hodakov.

(In 1950, Rabbi Hodakov became the personal secretary of the Rebbe).

It is interesting to note the reverence which Rebbetzin Hodakov herself showed the Rebbe, considering that she did not come from a Chassidishe background at all. She respected and revered Tzadikim and Gedolei Yisroel regardless of which “sect” they belonged to or led, and by example taught her children to do the same.

In a letter to her parents she writes: “We just returned from a visit with the Lubavitcher Rebbe. It is a tremendous Zechus to be received by him. He seems tired from the many visitors. The Rebbe made a very strong impression on me. First, Mordechai visited with him alone for about half an hour, and then I was called in as well and we were there together for about ten minutes. He blessed us with health and Parnosoh… He wished us Mazel Tov, saying that now he can verbalize what he had been thinking at the time of our wedding. He had wanted to attend but was not feeling well… Usually his secretaries type the letters and even sign on his behalf. Sometimes the Rebbe signs it himself. On occasion of our wedding we received a letter of greeting entirely handwritten by the Rebbe himself… I cannot describe how proud and honored I feel that he made an exception to receive me, since it is rare that he should receive women…”

In 5700 (1940), the Rebbe prepared to travel to America. When applying for visas and travel permits, he included the Hodakovs as necessary members of his entourage.

To a great extent, the fact that they were leaving to America was kept secret, and those who did know thought that it was simply a trip that would last for a few months, using accumulated vacation time from work that he had never used. Ostensibly, his journey would be of benefit for Jewish education in America as well as for his position back in Riga. From letters written during that time period, it is unclear if the Hodakovs themselves were aware that they were making a one-way trip to America.

They traveled by plane to Sweden, and then by boat to America, arriving on the 9th of Ador Sheini. Ultimately, this trip to America saved their lives. The relatives they left behind did not survive the war.

America
Immediately upon arriving in America in 1940, Rebbetzin Hodakov continued her involvement in Chinuch, teaching many Talmidos in the Bais Yaakov High School and Seminary in Williamsburg. She was one of the first teachers in Beth Rivkah Schools, where she taught elementary, high school, and seminary and was involved in the institution’s development and expansion.

She was always interested in hearing news from her former students, and some corresponded with her on a regular basis for many years after they had graduated and even moved to other countries, and they made sure to visit her when they came to New York.

A few years ago, in a very competitive real-estate market, Rebbetzin Hodakov dedicated the home in which she and her husband lived for many years to serve as a dormitory for students from out-of-town, attending Bais Rivkah. Her commitment to the well being of Jewish girls lives on.

And, her teaching spread beyond the classroom. With a reputation as an inspiring and powerful speaker, as she was often called upon to address gatherings of women on various occasions.

She had an excellent command of Yiddish and Lashon Hakodesh, and over the years wrote numerous articles in the Yiddish-English magazine “Di Yiddishe Heim” and the monthly children’s magazine “Shmuessen Mit Kinder Un Yugnt”.

She was meticulous in all things she did, paying attention to every detail. She put her entire being into every class she taught, every speech she made, and every article she wrote. She took care to send bar Mitzvah and wedding gifts to friends and relatives even if she was not attending the Simcha, and the gift was always accompanied by a well thought out, beautifully written note of greeting and blessing. Even in her later years, her penmanship and prose were remarkable.

When she was in her seventies, she came across a manuscript of a Yiddish translation of “Der Rav” (a book about R’ Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the Baal HaTanya, originally written in German by Naftali Hertz Ehrman) that she had begun working on about forty years earlier. (By then, the book had already been translated into English and published by Feldheim). With the encouragement of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, she started work on it again. The heart and soul she invested in every detail of the process is evident in the outstanding quality of the final product. When a certain medical issue once arose, the Rebbe wrote to her that the merit of her having published the book “Der Rav” would stand her and her family in good stead.

Rebbetzin Hodakov was an intelligent, exceptionally perceptive woman. She was blessed with a good memory, and sharp wit. Once, the phone in the house rang very late at night. Someone needed to urgently speak to her husband, Rabbi Hodakov, but felt a bit uncomfortable calling at this hour. When Rebbetzin Hodakov answered the phone, the caller asked “Is it too late to call?” to which she immediately replied “It is too late to ask!”

Throughout her life, she was satisfied with her lot and made do with what she had. She would often say that you don’t need anything new or fancy. As long as it is “rein un gantz” (clean, and whole), it is good enough. When she taught in Williamsburg, she would often walk from her home in Crown Heights, because even the price of a trolley ride was considered a luxury, an unnecessary expense.

In those years, the financial situation was so difficult, that a principal of one school specified in her teaching contract that he was committing himself to the educational part of the contract, but he does not take the responsibility to pay her salary! But teachers were needed, Jewish girls were waiting to learn, and she did what needed to be done.

In later years she would reminisce about how times were so difficult that they were embarrassed to eat their meals on Sukkos. Like other who did not have their own Sukkah, the Hodakovs ate their meals in a communal Sukkah where everyone can see what everyone else is eating. Since they could not even afford chicken, Rebbetzin Hodakov would make two types of Gefilte Fish; regular fish, and then she fried some to make it dark and look like meat-Latkas (“di zelbe yenta, in andere kleider” she would sometimes quip).

Here is another very telling anecdote:

A grandson who was present in her home on Purim observed that she was taking what seemed like too much time with her Mishloach Manos. She never had a “theme” for her Mishloach Manos, nor did she prepare many baskets for anyone who might come. Rather, as was more common not so long ago, when someone delivered Mishloach Manos, she would take some things out of theirs and exchange it with some items of her own. To the grandson this seemed like a simple task; take out one item, replace it with another. But for Rebbetzin Hodakov it was a more involved process, because she wanted to make sure that she was returning a Mishloach Manos of equal value to that which the person had sent to her.

Rebbetzin Hodakov is remembered as a woman who carried herself in a dignified, even regal manner, aware of her status as a true Bas Yisroel.

Although her body was weakened, her mind was clear to the very end. She took tremendous pride in the accomplishments of her Ainiklach, and cared for their well being, thinking of them when she davened, said tehilim, and when she lit her Shabbos candles.

She passed away on the 20th of Sivan, at the age of 96. On the way to the cemetery, the funeral passed by the Bais Rivka campus. In a fitting tribute, the faculty, students and parents who had just concluded their graduation ceremonies were able to pay their respects to this teacher, mechaneches, and role model from a past generation. She was laid to rest in the Old Montefiore cemetery, in close proximity to the Lubavitcher Rebbes and Rebbetzins.

Her own grandchildren serve as Mechanchim, Mechanchos, Rabonim and Shluchim in various communities, carrying on the family tradition. May she be a Gute Beter for Klal Yisroel.

* * * * *

The Hodakov family is interested in hearing from anyone who has any memories or anecdotes to share about Rabbi or Rebbetzin Hodakov. Please contact them at 718-756-5329 or E-mail: HodakovFamily@hotmail.com.

Thanks to a striking full page advertisement in South Florida's top 2 newspapers, Jewish readers are being encouraged to don Tefillin, light Shabbos Candles and give Tzedaka for Eretz Yisroel.

The first ad ran on Wednesday on the back page of the Sun-Sentinel's business section with a readership of 475,000. The second ad will run in the Miami Herald, that has a readership of 730,000.

The Chabad-Lubavitch Centers of Southeast Florida sponsored the ad that was spearheaded by Rabbi Sholom Ciment of Chabad of Boynton Beach.

Chabad house a half – hour from crown heights seeks part-time office manager.

Candidates should have · Strong organizational skills · Experience with Msword, excel (CMS a plus) · Good phone skills · Drivers license
Eligible candidates may email résumé and references to RabbiYossi@ChabadRego.org or fax to 718-459-8495.

Also seeking experienced Hebrew school teachers for the coming year. Aleph-Champ experience a plus.
Email résumé and references to RabbiYossi@ChabadRego.org or fax to 718-459-8495.

Experienced Manager needed for busy warehouse in Bronx. Hrs 7:30am - closing. Manage team & fleet of trucks. Room for growth.

E-mail resume or job history to: sara@awssupplies.com
Experienced only need apply!!!

SNS & SHMAIS.com would like to wish a hearty Mazel Tov to Yossi & Esti (nee Lieberman) Majesky - Crown Heights - on the birth of their firstborn daughter.

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

When terror and tragedy strikes, you can always find Chabad in the middle of the rescue teams. During the Benedict Canyon Fire, Rabbi Chaim Mentz, of Chabad of Bel Air, CA went out to the center of the fire, prayed with homeowners, and checked on many who live in the canyon (some by phone -- others by actual knocks on doors) ... to make sure they were safe and sound. (The fire came within 1 mile from Chabad of Bel Air.) Hundreds of million dollar properties were threatened. Thank G-D, the firefighters put out the fire within a few hours.

Position available for a post seminary girl in South Florida teaching junior high and high school girls for the coming year.

You will join 3 other girls already on our staff. Great environment, great pay and benefits.

Please email: ssossonko@lecfl.com

As a companion to his superb recording of the Yomim Noraim Davening [Nusach Chabad] for the benefit of Baalei Tefilah, Rabbi Rutman has recorded this special collection of Chabad tunes and songs(Sing along)for the benefit of congregants following along.

This thoroughly enjoyable production will provide practical preparation and inspiring listening pleasure to members of your community. They’ll be singing right along with you!

At only $10.00 per CD (with further discounts available for larger orders), what can be a more meaningful and affordable gift?

Yossi Rutman has led High Holiday services in Chabad centers in cities throughout Europe, South Africa and the United States.

Now available at judaica world of Crown Heights or online at Judaica-World.com and at Kehot Publication Society.

For more informatin visit our web site at www.RutmanMusic.com

BRITISH Commonwealth Chief Rabbi Dr Jonathan Sacks will visit Australia later this year to join in celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of Melbourne's Yeshiva Gedola Centre.

He will also honour the third yahrzeit of the centre's founding Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Chaim Gutnick, veteran president of the Rabbinical Council of Victoria and rav of the Elwood Hebrew Congregation.

The Commonwealth chief rabbi is being brought to Australia by Melbourne Chabad leader and businessman Rabbi Joseph Gutnick, in honour of his late father.

Rabbi Dr Sacks will pay tribute to Rabbi Chaim Gutnick and the Yeshiva Gedola in an address to be given at Melbourne's Grand Hyatt Hotel on October 18.

His itinerary will include visits to schools and synagogues in Melbourne and Sydney.

Rabbi Gutnick, who has been Yeshiva Gedola's president for 20 years, told the AJN he remembers the profound impact the Yeshiva made on Jewish communal life in Melbourne in the 1960s.

"The world of black hats and jackets was unknown in Australia and the standards of learning were light years behind those in the United States but the Yeshiva began to change all that," he said.CONTINUE...

During the farbrengen of Parshas Bechukosai, 19th Iyar, 5741/1981, the Rebbe spoke very strongly about the world situation, “which is deteriorating, G-d forbid:”

“In the past, when someone wanted to cause great damage, he could not do it by himself. A group of people had to gather, make plans, and choose a leader. However, today events are occurring in the world that no one could ever have predicted. … We are talking about people and national leaders who have ‘human form,’ 248 limbs and 365 sinews, and they speak as if with wisdom. Yet, even so, their actual leadership is uncivilized. … And only through G-d’s kindness, where ‘the heart of kings and ministers is in the Hand of G-d,’ are matters conducted above nature!

“With such people, it is sufficient for just one of them to push the ‘button’ to bring destruction and ruin to the entire world, G-d forbid. … One single madman who is sitting on a royal throne in Africa or any other country, or even an individual who does not occupy a throne, can creep into the place where the ‘button’ is located, and press this ‘button,’ thus destroying and demolishing not only his own home, but the entire world … And it is simply a miracle that is completely above nature that every single day, through G-d’s kindness, such a thing has not happened.

The question could be asked, ‘Why has G-d done this?’ And the answer is that there is a descent for the sake of an ascent, so that the Children of Israel will awaken and increase their endeavors in all matters of Torah and mitzvos. And as it is written, ‘If you follow in My statutes … I will provide your rains in their time.’ The service of the Jewish people, -‘If you follow in My statutes and observe My commandments,’ - will bring peace to the Land.”

Further on, the Rebbe stated that to bring peace to the world, we need to bring peace among the Jews and work to increase brotherly love and Jewish unity. To unite all of the Jewish nation, we need a single mitzvah that every Jew should observe, and this will bring them together. This mitzvah needs to be of an eternal nature. In fact, the present condition of the world is such that at any moment the opposite of peace could be brought to the world, and we therefore need a mitzvah that can be fulfilled constantly, uniting the entire Jewish nation in an eternal bond, bringing peace to the world forever.

This is the mitzvah of writing a sefer Torah, which has eternal holiness, and when the entire Jewish nation takes part in writing it, everyone is united with a single sefer Torah. There is a great and special merit when children who have not yet reached bar and bas mitzvah age are involved, for with them they “have no sin,” and the Heavenly Court cannot find anything lacking within them. Within young children is revealed the innermost will of the Jew – the fulfillment of Torah and mitzvos. This is especially the case when a sefer Torah is written within the walls of the Holy City of Jerusalem.

“The World Only Exists for the Sake of the Utterances of Jewish Children” (Shabbos 119b)

For this reason, the Rebbe appealed to the community to work hard between Lag Baomer and Shavuos that year to sign up Jewish children for a special sefer Torah, and inspired the Chassidim with a heartfelt request to dedicate themselves to this cause with all of their energies. In the coming days, the Rebbe hurried the community on in various ways, such as through urgent telegrams that were sent to Israel to rush those who were involved in registering children for the sefer Torah. This created the feeling that this was a very urgent task, and every moment should be utilized for this important purpose.

At the farbrengen on Shabbos Parshas Nasso, 4th Sivan, the Rebbe instructed that the following day, erev Shavuos, the Chassidim should abandon their other activities and sign up children for the sefer Torah. The Rebbe even asked to receive reports on that very day of how many children had purchased letters in every country in the world.

On Sunday, 5th Sivan, in the late afternoon of erev Shavuos, the Rebbe received, as requested, up-to-date reports of the numbers of children who had registered for the sefer Torah from all of the countries. At the same time, shortly before Shavuos began, planes took off from Israel bound for Iraq, where they blew up the atomic reactors.

Today, it has become even more apparent that this activity involved many revealed miracles …

“Your People Shall be Delivered, Every One Who Shall be Found Written in the Book”

At the beginning of the final chapter of Daniel, the verses deal with the era preceding the coming of Moshiach, as it states, “And at that time shall Michoel stand up, the great chief angel who stands for the children of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation till that same time, and at that time your people shall be delivered, every one who shall be found written in the book.”

The literal meaning of this passage (as explained by Rabbi Yeshayah Mitrani, author of Tosfos Rid) is that the words, “every one who shall be found written in the book” alludes to those who are written in G-d’s Book – the sefer Torah. Therefore, at a “time of trouble,” when the world is trembling, the prophet is promising us and is alluding to the way to success and protection for the Jewish people (in addition to the protection that the angel Michoel is giving to the nation of Israel).

In other words, anyone who has a letter in a sefer Torah will be delivered from sorrow.

(From the sichos of the Rebbe, Shabbos Parshas Mikeitz, 5742/1982)