More links

yamlive.blogspot.com has changed its interface to add a nice picture to its forefront. Here is it with a news story about us.

Chabad on line COL.org.il

More pictures from my Mammy-in-law

Sponsor Peter Order in Tefillin, thanks to Rabbi Greenberg, who set himself up in a corner, where he sporadically attacked people, and forced them to don the holy boxes.


The musician, who was given a CD of Nyet Nyet and other Jewish songs like 2 days before the event and div very well. He accompanied us through the parade.


A better shot of the crowd while I gave the gift to Eli Ginsberg



Rabbi Shalumov from Pyatigorsk and Yulia from Ulpan of Stavropol (she teaches Hebrew to everyone) at the meal.


Sponsor Eli Ginberg in Tefillin.


The cops who guarded the place.

SOme links to websites postnig our story

Pictures courtesy of my Mommy-in-law, or to use the more sinister-sounding word: Shvigger.


Lubavitch.com

fjc.ru

Crownheights.info

fjc.ru in Russian!

shturem.net in Hebrew!

In other news, the Selingers are coming for Sukkos! Yes!

Our version of the events

The story everyone has been waiting for is here:

What really happened at the Torah celebration.

This is like a behind-the-scenes piece in the DVD bonus features (of the living Torah).

Motzei Shabbos was slichos, so we stayed up til 1 AM, after which Rabbi Greenberg and myself (Zvi writing in Chayale's name, by the way) Davened for the half hour and then went Shluff.

Four hours later my alarm on my phone went off to start the day. Rabbi Greenberg somehow was already awake. Our taxi arrived 10 minutes later, and barely dressed, we drove the 20 minutes to Cafe Kovcheg, the Solomonov's restaurant, to start the kashering process.

Well, apparently the Solomonov's thought I'd walk in there, say and blessing, make sure the products were all kosher, and go on with my day, but that was not the plan. They had forgotten to put aside dishes, and we had no blowtorch, so we had to kasher the place the old fashioned way. All fires on, we started kashering the shashlik holders. Meanwhile we filled a huge bucket with water, and when it bubbled 4 hours later, we started toiveling stuff in the boiling mess. We also poured boiling water over all the counters, or covered it with a garbage bag. And every salad bowl was covered with a plastic bag.

We had bought knives, cutting boards, and 120 plates which we will use for every kosher event, and also some platters, and later I had to run out and buy some more salad bowls, and bring some dishes from home, since most of their dishes had been used within 24 hours and thus were un-kasherable.

Meanwhile, time was passing, and at 8:45 I called Yonatan Feldman, who was in the airport in Moscow with the Sofer, the Torah, and two of the sponsors, Eli Ginsburg and Peter Order.

"Everything's looking great!" He told me.

Reassured, I went back to work.

At 9:10 Yonatan called. "Min Vody had bad weather so our plane is indefinitely not going to take off."

This was bad news. Since people would be arriving at 3:00, and the plan was that they would be picked up from Min Vody at 11:30 for the 3 hour drive here. I took a break and davened Shachris.

Just when I finished, I got a call. "We're on the plane. All is good."

I spread the 'miracle' to everyone in the cafe, and continued working. Rabbi Greenberg blew the shofar for everyone, and we put Tefillin on Sasha and Kostya Solomonov as well.

At 12:00 I got a call from R' Feldman.

"Bad news. The plane was rerouted to Krasnodar. We are still inside it and don't know what to do."

Krasnodar is 4 hours away by car if you speed a little, so I told them to get out, into a cab, and hope that Kfitzas Haderech happens.

Meanwhile, Rabbi Shneur Segal, along with about 6 people and 2 kids, were driving in from Krasnodar. They were maybe 3 hours away. And they also called.

"Hi Zvi, we will be there late. Our car has a flat, and it'll take an hour to fix."

They had the Chupah.

Suddenly our entire organized and planned schedule was down the drain. Also, I couldn't reach Chayale to tell her the news, so I made an executive decision and decided we will do whatever it takes to kill time.

I thought that was a very creative idea, but that's just me.

Worse news hit a minute later, when my phone died, and there went my entire connection to the uotside world, since I had not brought with me my phone book, and now couldn't reach any of them. I frantically ran around trying to find out if anyone has a plug I can use, but everyone had all these cool, high-tech phones that can launch missiles and stuff while mine has a left arrow which doesn't work.

So I knew I had to run home, and called a cab. It arrived 20 minutes after about a miles worth of pacing.

We tried to race home, but with traffic, it took an hour. We were home by 1:30. Chayale had arrived 2 minutes earlier, so while the phone charged, I filled her in and we tried to adjust plans. We changed the kids and got them ready to go.

Meanwhile I looked at my phone and read a Private message from Yonatan Feldman sent at 1:45.

"We are on our way now to Min Vody. The plane took off again. Will keep you posted."

I calculated quickly. They would arrive there at 2:45, and would have a 2 hour drive minimum. This was going to be close.

Nothing we can do.

We called a cab, and taking all the kids with us, and a change of clothes with me (the ones I wqas wearing stunk from the kashering and being in the hot kitchen the entire morning and sweating etc.) we hopped into the car.

We arrived at 2:45, expecting no one to be there. Instead, miraculously the buses had arrived like 15 minutes early, and the whole community was there.

The immenseness was... immense. Over 200 people had showed up, according to someone who counted. This was probably the largest turnout EVER for the community. And more importantly, only maybe a quarter of the people there were old! It was amazing!

But for now there were more important things to do: like get changed.

I charged through the crowd and cameras, and into a back room where I changed into my nice suit. Then I came out all smiles to meet and greet people.

I tasted the food. Delicious.

Time passed. At 3:00 Yonatan called to tell me they arrived. Where is their car?

"It's cancelled. Take a taxi. I'll pay. Just get here."

People were getting antsy, so I took the mike and guided them to their seats. Then I gave my speech, taking my sweet time.

Afterward, I let soft Niggunim play for a few minutes, before I decided to honor some people and let them speak.

Rav Shertil Shalumov from Pyatigorsk was first, followed by president of the Stavropol community Yefim Fainer, and then director of Sakhnut/Chesed of Stavropol Natasha Kuligina.

Still, time was passing and there was nothing we could do.

More visitors arrived, from Nevinnomysk, Kislovodsk and Pyatigorsk.

I blew shofar for everyone, but then people started to mill around, bored.

I called, and was told they were 'half hour away.'

This was going bad. We waited outside for 10 minutes, and then a taxi rolled up.

All excited, Chayale ran inside, took the mike and yeleld 'Yay! The Torah is here!' The deejay started some fast music from Avraham Fried, and people got up and started clapping, but it was a false alarm. Just some dude from Kislovodsk.

Now people really wanted to leave.

But then Olga Solomonova assessed the situation and saved the day, but singing some Israeli karaoke. We waited outside, thinking how this was flopping.

Minutes later, the Torah arrived. At the exact same moment, Shneur Segal and the Chupah arrived too.

The crowd had been waiting for this and this time it wqas real. I guess the wait did good because the spirit soared, there was a community feeling never before felt, and several people openly cried.

The Torah was brought in and we started the writing immediately.

The rest of the program went so smoothely it was incredible. Everyone gathered close to watch, Yonatan Feldman gave a beautiful speech, most people wrote letters, Hagba, Gelila, and then dancing in the streets.

Then as the guests left we got into buses and went to the center of the city where the parade continued all the way to the shul, where we did hakafos.

I was sure we would have 4 people by hakafos... that everyone would leave.

Instead, over 50 stayed to the end!

At the end of the evening, we were exhausted, but happy. It had been a success.

Side note: this past Shabbos we had our first davening. 6 people showed up, which is an amazing start for Russia.

Two more days to prepare for Rosh Hashana.

Does anyone reading this (preferably a couple) wanna come run Sukkos services for the city? our visas expire and we'll be out of the country.

"I need a Tallis"

Hillel Davidov, when we started rolling the Torah, ran over to me and said, "I want the Zechus of rolling, and I want to wear a Tallis."

He had brought his Tallis, and put it on. Then he took over from the Sofer's side, and started muttering prayers while he rolled the Torah.

I'm not sure what he asked for, but I think his sister is not feeling well in Israel.

Hakafos ready to begin

In the Shul for Hakafos. Left to right: Mordechai Ekman, potential sponsor from Pyatigorsk, Yom-Tov - head of mountain Jews world-wide, and Rabbi Greenberg.

Some more street dancing

Walking through the streets of Stavropol with the Torah.

Krasnodar in the house!

Schneur Segel, the Rebbe's Shliach to Krasnodar, writes in the Torah. He brought a bunch of his Mekuravim, and they livened up the party. They also brought the Chupah.

Babysitter

Dovid Solomonov watches Chaim Shimshon for us at the event.

Proud Shluchim

Rabbi and Rebbetzin Greenberg, to whom we owe the event to.

News update: I just raised money locally for the first time. Actual cash. One guy told me he plans to give monthly, the other, a 3000 dollar one time dnation for the new year.

We make the Keilim, Hashem sends his messengers.

Why not? another photo.

We've already hit the news.

http://shturem.net/index.php?section=news&id=29883

http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=13660

The picture: This time it's Yefim Fainer, president of the community, proudly holding onto a Sefer Torah with the love for Judaism emanating from his face.

Dancing by the 'gate of Caucasus'

While Hillel Davidov held the Torah, we danced around him and sang Jewish songs every knew, while an accordion player played to the singing.

Watching and clapping

Watching the dancing in the restaurant.

Left to right in front - Boruch ben Yosef Bruk, Tamara Avshalumova, Anya Davidova's mother, Laura Bogopolsky, Chaya Pesakhova, Lena Ishchenko. In the back are Irina Faivushkina and Angela Sukhotnik.

More dancing with the Torah

The Rov of Stavropol, Rabbi Zvi Hershcovich, dances with the Torah.

Rabbi Shertil Shalumov with the Torah

The Rov of Pyatigorsk, Rabbi Shertil Shalumov, dances with the Torah.

Miriam watches the proceedings

...And Eli Ginsburg waits to write one of the last letters in the Torah.

The source of it all

Rabbi Rony Greenberg, who if not for him we wouldn't be celebrating this event, writes in the Torah.

I know Rabbi Greenberg, that as you are reading this you are saying that 'if not for the Rebbe, who sent you to Carmel college when you wanted to go elsewhere, nothing would've happened," but if you had not inspired your boys IN Carmel College, nothing would have happened. And so just as we must write good news of what happened after the event to the sponsors, so too must write you the good effects this started.

1 - The next day, we put up a Mezuza in the Solomonov's restaurant, first open Mezuza in Stavropol.

2 - The Zhukov's are coming for Shabbos. Olga wants to learn about Kashrus, and they want to send their son Matvei to the kindergarten when we open it.

3 - Valoda and Leiba Zhikh, after 29 years of marriage, want to do it properly under a Chuppah, with a Kesubah.

4 - Three more students confimed joining STARS, the group for Jewish students where they will learn alot of Yiddishkeit.

5 - A group of people from Novoalexandrovsk, a rural city an hour and half away, want to come in for Rosh Hashana.

Eli takes his gift

Eli Ginsburg receives his gift and the one for Zev Sherman, sponsors of the Sefer Torah. The gift is a miniature Torah, with a plaque from the community, thanking them for their generosity.

The two Chaya Mushkas

Chaya Mushka Hershcovich, the Rebbetzin, and the newly named Chaya Mushka Berkun.

The Rabbi blows the Shofar

Rabbi Zvi Hershcovich blows the Shofar for the community.

Watching the procession

Left to right - Sara Avshalumova, Ilana Berkun (with her son Dan), and Lena Ishchenko watch the writing of the Torah.

Jewish community of Stavropol welcomes a new Torah

In the center of the city of Stavropol, Russia, at the edge of Lenin Square, just opposite to Lenin's statue and the provincial government building, proudly stands the Museum of Stavropol. In its basement, hidden in a closet back behind a display of "significant" older books, lies an ancient Torah scroll, confiscated from the local Jewish synagogue close to 80 years ago and now wound up and tightly stored inside a cardboard tube. Ever since the communist regime relegated Judaism to an atavism, the Torah has been conceived as a museum piece, curious to look at, but nothing you could take home.
Until now. This past Sunday, on 21 September, 2008, the Jews of Stavropol, Russia were witness to a heart-stopping repudiation of this communist notion. Three hundred local Jews, along with guests from overseas, from Moscow and from other Russian cities, assembled to watch the completion of the writing of a new Torah scroll for the Jewish community of Stavropol and to celebrate bringing the scroll to its home in the newly established synagogue of the city.
The writing of the scroll and Sunday's celebration was arranged by Rabbi Zvi and Chayale Hershcovich; Chabad emissaries who arrived in Stavropol last November to teach local Jews about Torah and to inspire them to live a more Jewish life.
The program Rabbi and Mrs. Hershcovich provided for the day included many firsts. When local community members, the Solomonov’s donated the use and services of their restaurant for the occasion, the Rabbi was able to kosher and provide, for the first time in decades, a fully-catered kosher meal. Hakofos were danced in the synagogue while sweets were thrown by, and for, the delighted children of the community. But most significant of all firsts was the pride of the Stavropol Jews as they carried their new Torah proudly in the streets under the astonished gaze of by-standers.
The scroll was written by Rabbi Meir Nigberg and generously paid for by Moscow businessmen Eli Ginsberg and Zev Sherman. A new Aron (Torah ark) to house the Torah, was provided by the largesse of Peter Order, another Moscow businessman. Mr. Ginsberg and Mr. Order were on hand for the event, flying in from Moscow with the Sofer and Rabbi Yonatan Feldman who spoke at the event and emceed as dozens of guests and locals participated, each writing a letter in the Torah.
For the donors, Eli and Peter, it was coming around in a full circle, since they remembered Chayale (Mrs. Hershcovich) as a little girl when they were students of her father, Rabbi Rony Greenberg, himself a shaliach and their teacher when they were studying in England. Now, they are excited to participate by giving, by seeing that with their own hands they can help Jewish life take root and flower in new soil.
Rabbi and Mrs. Hershcovich have many plans for the near and the distant future. They are starting a new synagogue with weekly services, beginning right now with Rosh Hashanah prayers. They plan to establish a new kindergarten this year. They will be participating in the STARS program, for which a couple dozen young people have shown interest and half of whom have already committed themselves.
From the arrival of a new Torah scroll which brought joy and encouragement to Jews who, but for this, might have felt forgotten by the world.
One cannot help but imagine, that somewhere in the depths of the Stavropol city museum, there is an old Torah scroll, happy to have a friend in town, just around the corner and out and about meeting people.

Written by 'Ma Greenberg' for the newspapers. Our personal account coming soon.

In the picture, Rabbi Yonatan speaks to the crowd of 200, and explains how precious the Torah is to the Jewish people.

Yossi Davidov and the Torah

Yossi Davidov looks at his new Torah

Zvi writes in the Torah

Rabbi Zvi Hershcovich writes the last letter in the Torah.

More dancing

Hillel Davidov dances with the Torah in the center of the city, while people from the community watch and clap along.

The beautiful Paroches my parents donated

In the new Shul, Rabbi Zvi Hershcovich holds the new Torah as the community gets ready for Hakafos.

The food was gone in minutes!

All the food for the party was Glatt Kosher, watched by two Mashgichim. The kosher food was a first for the Stavropol community, up until then the only kosher meat was eaten at the Shabbos meal in the Rabbi's house.

Outside dancing

Oleg Bogopolsky dances with the Torah in the streets of Stavropol.

Kids chor

The children prepared songs in Russian about the Torah.

Chayale and Chaim Shimshon

At the party.

Yet another one

Mel Solomon, a South African Jew, who up until a few months ago had no idea other Jews lived in Stavropol, writes a letter in the Torah.

Another photo

Parading through the center of the city, and past the city's landmark, it's arch, representing the 'gate to the Caucasus'.

Torah event

Peter Order, sponsor of the Shul (doing Gelilah), and Eli Ginsburg, co-sponsor of the Sefer Torah (who was honored with Hagba).

Continued from last post...

...gave it over the head to the Rosh Hakahal, telling him that the money given to him, and the centre given to him is supposed to be used as a Shul. All the food there is supposed to be kosher, we are supposed to be working together, and he must realize that I am a Rabbi. Then R' Lazar said we should make a contract.

So we sat 7 hours together (should have taken half an hour, but he made an issue out of every little thing). Fnally, at 2 AM, he signed, after tremendous pressure from the people at the top. In it, he agreed that he is in charge of everything that doesnt have to do with Yiddishkeit (financially and practically), while we are responsible for everything that has to do with Yiddishkeit, inclduing making a shul, kosher kitchen, kosher food, etc.

We also will now be running the 'food for children' program, and the Sunday school.

2 - Chayales parents came to visist. Perfect timing too, as the water was shut off for 10 between 9-6 during the day, and hot water is off at all times. Day one we (read I, Zvi, Schlepper #1 in Stavropol) spent boiling pots on all the stovetops and making sure 2 kettles warmed up quickly, while running back and forth pouring boiling water into an empty tub before 9 o'clock hit. When the water was shut off, Miriam got naked and stepped into the bath. She would be the first, followed by Chaim, Chayale, and me. 5 seconds in, Miriam calls out "Pishy!" Yes, an immediate urination of our beloved bath.

We bathed regardless.

Friday we rented a hotel room for a day, which we had to do anyway in order to register the Greenbergs. When we asked for extra towels, they said they only give to people who rent the best rooms. Ths from the local intourist.

But turned out I was motioning 'towels' wrong. They thought I meant bathrobe. We got 5 towels, and took turns showering, finishing half hour before Shabbos. Miriam, I am happy to say, did not say 'pishy', or any other scary words during that ordeal. However, Hashem had other plans and when we came outside it was a downpour. And by 'downpour', I mean Niagara Falls. People were going by in canoes downpour. We raced to the car which was parked half a block away, and soaked and cold we rushed back home. We got home in our new Shabbos clothes (now smelly and wet), and flew to the front door of the apartment building. Unfortunately the entrance to our building is not equipped with such basic equipment as a DRAIN, and so we were forced to stop.

"Never fear, I will lead you through," was the courageous words of Rebbetzin "Nachshon ben Aminadav" Greenberg, who stepped through the knee-deep water, sopping her shoes forever. We followed behind, holding our babies high above our heads, supposedly to protect them from the puddle, but in reality to protect our heads from the rain.

Oh, forgot to mention: I saw an AWESOME bolt of lightning.

Anyway, we made it home, changed, just in time for guests to arrive for Shabbos.

3 - Chayale is Moses. She joined askmoses.com but she might be kicked off, since after a fantastic first week, she missed the second one due to an emergency, and this week she was all ready at 3 our time, and suddenyl the electricity went out. She ran to an internet cafe, and found out she had to download the java to do it.

Meanwhile, back home, the lights went on. I decided to cover for her, and for the first time, filled Moses' shoes. I was in middle of speaking to someone, and BAM! The lights went out again.

Next post: the sefer torah event. But I must go to sleep now.

Long time no post

Excuse the lack of posting. It's actually Zvi writing this, under Chayales name.

Lots has happened here in Stavropol, and we are more busy than we ever imagined, so briefly:

1 - When we returned, we came with a new attitude, that we didn't have to worry about the rosh hakahal, and are here to do our shlichus work. About a week later, I traveled to Moscow to meet with Rabbi Lazar with the president of the community. I also took care of many other things there, including raising some funds and checking out our beautiful Torah. We met Rabbi Lazar who... to be contnued later..

SHE'S DRIVING ME CRAZY!!

She is out of control! Yesterday, she pulled the baby off the couch and he landed flat on hs face. She plays with cocoa, she colors on the floor, she bites my toes, she gets into EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am famous!

http://shturem.net/index.php?section=news&id=29249&lang=hebrew

The Hachnosas Sefer Torah will iy"h be on September 21st. Anyone who can come, please do.

The best babysitters EVER

Miriam misses you guys so much! She sings sbout you while she sits in her highchair and eats.

"I love Dassi, I love Sheba, I love Naomi.... Bubby, Zeidy..."

Community of Stavropol welcomes Chaim

Sunday after we arrived, we invited our friends to come over and meet Chaim (A number of our friends were out of town). 12 people came, and gave us presents, such as gauze, cloth diapers and a singing Santa. Boruch Hashem for presents.