I guess Benny is gonna be a scribe.
From the new york daily news.
Girls from the Beth Rivka School in Crown Heights watch over the shoulder of Rabbi Benny Hershcovich as he demonstrates the ancient art of making a Torah scroll at the Jewish Children’s Museum.
In this age of high-speed Internet connections, iPods and HDTVs, the Jewish Children's Museum is inviting the public to step back in time - and learn about the ancient process of making Torah scrolls.
It's a painstaking process that began more than 3,000 years ago with the giving of the Ten Commandments. The process has been handed down through generations, with specially trained scribes taking about a year to handwrite the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
"This is the holiest book for the Jewish people," Rabbi Benny Hershcovich told girls from the Beth Rivka School in Crown Heights last week during a scroll-making demonstration.
Hershcovich, 23, is being tutored to become a scribe.
"I haven't done any writing yet," said Hershcovich, who came to Crown Heights from Montreal 18 months ago. "Right now I'm studying the rules about how the letters are made."
Together the five books contain 304,805 individual letters, written on more than 80 parchments made from kosher animal skins. Scribes use freshly made black ink and quills from the feathers of a kosher bird, such as a goose.
Once the scroll is completed it is stitched together with threads made from the veins of kosher animals, such as deer.
"Eeeeew!" some of the girls from Beth Rivka exclaimed when they found out the threads Hershcovich let them hold were once deer veins.
But there were lots of giggles as the girls passed around white goose feathers that could be used to make quills.
"We wouldn't use a pen," Hershcovich explained, "because it would make holes in the parchment, which would make it unfit."
Goldie Gross, 10, a fifth-grader at Beth Rivka, said Hershcovich's demonstration was "really cool."
Nachama Heller, also 10, said she would tell her brothers and sisters about what she had learned.
Esther Wilhelm, the assistant principal and a teacher at Beth Rivka, said her students attend synagogue every Saturday.
"After praying, they hear the weekly portion [of scripture] read from the Torah scroll. Now, after seeing how it's made, I think they'll have a better understanding and a better feeling for what they're hearing," Wilhelm said.
The museum is hosting the demonstration so the general public also can get a better understanding, said Rabbi Zev Steinhauser, a museum spokesman.
"We want to share these rich customs and traditions," Steinhauser said
Article is here
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2008/01/29/2008-01-29_students_the_art_of_torah_scribe.html
Friday, May 30, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Benny in a promotional video
I love how he types with one finger. My little brazzer is becoming famous. Please everyone send him innocent emails and phone calls telling him to move to Cherkessk (Cerkassia) on Shlichus.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Farby in New York
Yes, I farbrenged in New York for the Ottawa boys and friends. We spoke about Russia, and sang many songs together. All in the cozy apartment of Shmully Stiefel. Here are some pictures.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
In Morristown
I'm in Morristown trying to fundraise (will be in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday).
If anyone can help with any donation, please contact me rabbizvi44@yahoo.com or for now I can be reached at 973-998-4041.
Also, if anyone is willing to give say, 18 dollars a month off their credit card, it can also be arranged.
If anyone can help with any donation, please contact me rabbizvi44@yahoo.com or for now I can be reached at 973-998-4041.
Also, if anyone is willing to give say, 18 dollars a month off their credit card, it can also be arranged.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Leaving for two months
When you leave a city where you have spent 6 months building relationships with community members who are excited to see new, young faces filled with energy to make their lives better, it's a bit tough.
Many of our friends and acquaintances in Stavropol have been begging us to call while we are away, so they know that we will be returning.
A few days before we left, "uncle Leibel" from Montreal phoned us. It was worth in a sense more than any donation, because it made us feel like we weren't alone out there, it was tremendous chizuk, and when you are in Russia, any time of the day it's good to get a call from a friend from home.
Boruch Hashem the political situation in Stavropol got a bit easier, after all our previous troubles before Pesach.
In short for those who don't know yet, we were sent by Rabbi Lazar on Shlichus to Stavropol to work together with FEOR (the organization which officially brought us down) and their representatives in Stavropol.
In Stavropol itself there are two Jewish community centres, the 'Obschin' and the 'Sachnut'.
In most cities the shluchim avoid the Sachnut, who are very Zionist and 90% non-Jews. Instead they focus on the community.
But Stavropol isn't like everywhere else. The Sachnut are the sweetest people, who obviously care and represent the entire current active community (of several hundred people), while the Obschin has been so nasty to the community that people refuse to walk in there.
From the start we weren't welcomed by the Obschin, who made it clear that they only wanted the money they knew we received, but had no interest in anything religious, from kosher food to Yarmulkas, to a Shul. We received no help from them, and anything we tried to do that involved religion they tried to boycott.
We tried to work with them, that is until Pesach, when they got the entire community upset by abusing their power. In a program from Israel in which they are given money to give food packages to poor Jewish children, they instead gave only to their friends (some of them non-Jews). This was the boiling point for the community after many such antics, and we had to take action.
We spoke to R' Lazar who told us we should take away the program from them, which we did. Meanwhile they wrote a 'contract', of what they would like from us, and what they will give in return. It was quite ridiculous, and when R' Lazar saw it, he said that a Rabbi needs a synagogue, kosher food, etc. and we should find our own place.
So Boruch Hashem we will be returning to a best-case scenario (or so we think). Backed by Rabbi Lazar and virtually the entire community, with a new Or Avner fund up and running, and im yirtzeh Hashem many more funds raised, we should be able to focus on shlichus, on doing what we came to do, on getting a shabbos minyan started, on organizing classes, etc. etc.
Iy"h everything will be better.
Many of our friends and acquaintances in Stavropol have been begging us to call while we are away, so they know that we will be returning.
A few days before we left, "uncle Leibel" from Montreal phoned us. It was worth in a sense more than any donation, because it made us feel like we weren't alone out there, it was tremendous chizuk, and when you are in Russia, any time of the day it's good to get a call from a friend from home.
Boruch Hashem the political situation in Stavropol got a bit easier, after all our previous troubles before Pesach.
In short for those who don't know yet, we were sent by Rabbi Lazar on Shlichus to Stavropol to work together with FEOR (the organization which officially brought us down) and their representatives in Stavropol.
In Stavropol itself there are two Jewish community centres, the 'Obschin' and the 'Sachnut'.
In most cities the shluchim avoid the Sachnut, who are very Zionist and 90% non-Jews. Instead they focus on the community.
But Stavropol isn't like everywhere else. The Sachnut are the sweetest people, who obviously care and represent the entire current active community (of several hundred people), while the Obschin has been so nasty to the community that people refuse to walk in there.
From the start we weren't welcomed by the Obschin, who made it clear that they only wanted the money they knew we received, but had no interest in anything religious, from kosher food to Yarmulkas, to a Shul. We received no help from them, and anything we tried to do that involved religion they tried to boycott.
We tried to work with them, that is until Pesach, when they got the entire community upset by abusing their power. In a program from Israel in which they are given money to give food packages to poor Jewish children, they instead gave only to their friends (some of them non-Jews). This was the boiling point for the community after many such antics, and we had to take action.
We spoke to R' Lazar who told us we should take away the program from them, which we did. Meanwhile they wrote a 'contract', of what they would like from us, and what they will give in return. It was quite ridiculous, and when R' Lazar saw it, he said that a Rabbi needs a synagogue, kosher food, etc. and we should find our own place.
So Boruch Hashem we will be returning to a best-case scenario (or so we think). Backed by Rabbi Lazar and virtually the entire community, with a new Or Avner fund up and running, and im yirtzeh Hashem many more funds raised, we should be able to focus on shlichus, on doing what we came to do, on getting a shabbos minyan started, on organizing classes, etc. etc.
Iy"h everything will be better.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Back in town
We are in Montreal finally and can start posting pictures.
First I will post all of our pictures on my facebook photos, but soon I will move the best ones here.
This one is myself and Chayale and Miriam on Chol Hamoed Pesach in Park Pobediy in Stavropol.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Blessing on new fruits
One of the oldest women in the community is a 90-year-old who was blinded during a Russian operation on her eyes.
I went to visit her a while ago to ask her what she remembers. We had a long discussion, party in Yiddish, in which she told me that her father was a religious Jew during Soviet times. She mentioned that she missed Shabbos chicken soup and cholent.
So yesterday we took our leftover cholent and soup from Shabbos and went over to her house.
We gave her some of it and spoke some more, trying to cheer her up, and telling her what life is like now in Stavropol, and the bright future awaiting the community.
She was really happy.
As we were leaving she sent her housekeeper (paid for by her children) outside to her backyard. Her housekeeper returned with fresh lillies for Chayale. Then they showed us the backyard, which, due to the fact that we in an area which is among the best, most blessed land in the world, is full of stuff.
A budding apple tree, some onions (which she pulled out the ground and gave to Chayale), and tons of flowers and fruits.
Suddenly Chayale remembered the Mitzvah of making a Bracha on new trees in Nissan. Cool, huh? on the LAST DAY OF NISSAN we wound up in someones backyard.
We didn't know the Bracha and didn't have a Siddur with us, so we had to call Rabbi Edelkopf in Sochi, who told us over the phone.
I went to visit her a while ago to ask her what she remembers. We had a long discussion, party in Yiddish, in which she told me that her father was a religious Jew during Soviet times. She mentioned that she missed Shabbos chicken soup and cholent.
So yesterday we took our leftover cholent and soup from Shabbos and went over to her house.
We gave her some of it and spoke some more, trying to cheer her up, and telling her what life is like now in Stavropol, and the bright future awaiting the community.
She was really happy.
As we were leaving she sent her housekeeper (paid for by her children) outside to her backyard. Her housekeeper returned with fresh lillies for Chayale. Then they showed us the backyard, which, due to the fact that we in an area which is among the best, most blessed land in the world, is full of stuff.
A budding apple tree, some onions (which she pulled out the ground and gave to Chayale), and tons of flowers and fruits.
Suddenly Chayale remembered the Mitzvah of making a Bracha on new trees in Nissan. Cool, huh? on the LAST DAY OF NISSAN we wound up in someones backyard.
We didn't know the Bracha and didn't have a Siddur with us, so we had to call Rabbi Edelkopf in Sochi, who told us over the phone.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Hectic Week in Stavropol
This week was a whirlwind of activity in this Russian city.
For starters (and where else does this happen?) our governor resigned (which means that for the next few months we will have no governor OR mayor, who was recently thrown into prison), two arabs were killed by skinheads, and it hailed in the middle of a beautiful day.
But on a personal level, it was also a very exciting week. To go through it in order:
- Sunday we made a Moshiach Seuda. About 10 people showed up to our house. We drank four cups on wine, and then since most of them were students, we played two games they never saw. One was rummikub, the other was Stratego.
- Sunday night the second Pesach was over Chaim Hertzel was rushed to the bus station, where he was guarded by 3 guys until the bus came. Then he travelled to Krasnodar overnight, caught the morning Minyan there (got to say HaGomel), and began his return trip to NY, where he expected to be arrested or something to be charged with beating up a black boy, something which happened while he was away in Russia. After he left, we gobbled up all the 40 chocolate bars that our Pesach guests had brought.
- Monday morning was the most beautiful morning ever. There was a Bar Mitzvah I organized in the center. If I wasn't there I wouldn't have believed how beautiful it was. It was like any other shul. We had a Minyan for Shacharis (first time in 80 years). It was beautiful. Then we had a meal, we danced, and the highlight was when the Bar Mitzvah boy announced that he wants to learn more. His aunt, upon hearing that a Sefer Torah is coming to Stavropol G-d willing (we fundraised thanks to Rabbi Greenbergs help), she decided to sponsor an Aron Kodesh for the Torah. Then I left with my driver to Krasnodar (Chaim's flight was early morning, while I was needed there in the afternoon) for Rabbi Segal's sons Bris, the first time a Rabbi's son was Brissed in Southern Russia. It was cool, meeting other Rabbis, wincing while the Mohel cut, cracking dirty jokes with other Rabbis, and eating good food. Oh yeah, and making a little speech. On the trip home I stopped in Novoalexandrovsk, a city in my province of 50,000. I had heard that there was one Jewish family there, and met them (at 11:45 PM). They told me there are 15 Israeli families who live there like on a kibbutz, so I told them if they need anything let me know. I also made a calendar with times for Shabbos... on it. I arrived home at 2 AM.
- Tuesday my sister Malky left back to Israel. I packed all the Pesach stuff in the Jewish center.
- Wednesday was the first Yahrzeit of Paulina Peskina, an active Jewish woman of the community who contributed very greatly to the organization of the community and their events here. Sadly after she passed away, things slowed down and the excitement for Jewish acitviites drained out. Her son and his family came over Friday night. A beautiful family with three daughters... Yartzeit was VERY somber.
- Thursday we had guests for dinner. Two American (Lutheran!! but lovely!!) kids from Maryland and Michigan came over. It was actually a lot of fun and I (Chayale who took over this report) made a kick tuchus dinner. It was nice, shame they are leaving in just a couple weeks.
-Friday was Friday. Our driver decided not to work as usual. We had many guests for the meal.
-Shabbos Zvi walked all the way to the center and no one listened to the Dvar Torah. He wasn't happy.
-Sunday we translated the contract that the lovely board here drew up for us to sign. We are pleased to announce that one of the things they promised to provide on the contract is our priviliege to pay for their internet. Lucky us!
And B"h we have our tickets and will be on safe soil very soon... We miss you all too much.
For starters (and where else does this happen?) our governor resigned (which means that for the next few months we will have no governor OR mayor, who was recently thrown into prison), two arabs were killed by skinheads, and it hailed in the middle of a beautiful day.
But on a personal level, it was also a very exciting week. To go through it in order:
- Sunday we made a Moshiach Seuda. About 10 people showed up to our house. We drank four cups on wine, and then since most of them were students, we played two games they never saw. One was rummikub, the other was Stratego.
- Sunday night the second Pesach was over Chaim Hertzel was rushed to the bus station, where he was guarded by 3 guys until the bus came. Then he travelled to Krasnodar overnight, caught the morning Minyan there (got to say HaGomel), and began his return trip to NY, where he expected to be arrested or something to be charged with beating up a black boy, something which happened while he was away in Russia. After he left, we gobbled up all the 40 chocolate bars that our Pesach guests had brought.
- Monday morning was the most beautiful morning ever. There was a Bar Mitzvah I organized in the center. If I wasn't there I wouldn't have believed how beautiful it was. It was like any other shul. We had a Minyan for Shacharis (first time in 80 years). It was beautiful. Then we had a meal, we danced, and the highlight was when the Bar Mitzvah boy announced that he wants to learn more. His aunt, upon hearing that a Sefer Torah is coming to Stavropol G-d willing (we fundraised thanks to Rabbi Greenbergs help), she decided to sponsor an Aron Kodesh for the Torah. Then I left with my driver to Krasnodar (Chaim's flight was early morning, while I was needed there in the afternoon) for Rabbi Segal's sons Bris, the first time a Rabbi's son was Brissed in Southern Russia. It was cool, meeting other Rabbis, wincing while the Mohel cut, cracking dirty jokes with other Rabbis, and eating good food. Oh yeah, and making a little speech. On the trip home I stopped in Novoalexandrovsk, a city in my province of 50,000. I had heard that there was one Jewish family there, and met them (at 11:45 PM). They told me there are 15 Israeli families who live there like on a kibbutz, so I told them if they need anything let me know. I also made a calendar with times for Shabbos... on it. I arrived home at 2 AM.
- Tuesday my sister Malky left back to Israel. I packed all the Pesach stuff in the Jewish center.
- Wednesday was the first Yahrzeit of Paulina Peskina, an active Jewish woman of the community who contributed very greatly to the organization of the community and their events here. Sadly after she passed away, things slowed down and the excitement for Jewish acitviites drained out. Her son and his family came over Friday night. A beautiful family with three daughters... Yartzeit was VERY somber.
- Thursday we had guests for dinner. Two American (Lutheran!! but lovely!!) kids from Maryland and Michigan came over. It was actually a lot of fun and I (Chayale who took over this report) made a kick tuchus dinner. It was nice, shame they are leaving in just a couple weeks.
-Friday was Friday. Our driver decided not to work as usual. We had many guests for the meal.
-Shabbos Zvi walked all the way to the center and no one listened to the Dvar Torah. He wasn't happy.
-Sunday we translated the contract that the lovely board here drew up for us to sign. We are pleased to announce that one of the things they promised to provide on the contract is our priviliege to pay for their internet. Lucky us!
And B"h we have our tickets and will be on safe soil very soon... We miss you all too much.
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