Remember that game in camp 'escape from Russia'? basically the idea for this 'night activity' was that there were tables across camp (you know, one at the north end of camp, another at the south end, one in the dining room, another in the lake...) and all the campers had to run around getting all their papers in order while trying to avoid staff acting as the 'KGB' who would steal your papers or send you to 'Siberia' (the photo-development room).
Well, the past few months have been the opposite, as we try to escape to Russia, or rather, get papers for our newborn son to Russia.
So let us show you the game in it's proper order and where we are standing:
1 - Give birth to a baby. This part was easy for the husband, not so easy for the wife. We did it in Canada for several reasons, but mainly because the hospital in Stavropol has 'no husbands admitted' rule, which made us a little wary. Also, in Canada we are covered by medicare, so it was free.
2 - Immediately after birth, fill out all the documents for the birth certificate and send out the form. Do this immediately, like before even getting your wife a glass of water.
ALERT: Might not be a good idea to visit your parents in the U.S., since that leads to:
3 - After making calls to the hospital and the border, return to the hospital to pick up a document stating that the baby was born here. Make sure it is signed by a doctor. Expect to wait for the document for over an hour, and so (next time) bring something like a crossword puzzle or Chitas (case depending) to the hospital with you.
4 - Cross the border into the U.S. Show them the paper, and watch as they look on, impressed. Imagine how QUICKLY the other documents will arrive, and start telling friends that you will be gone in like two weeks.
5 - Once safely in New Jersey, decide (out of laziness) that you might as well make both of the kids U.S. citizens while you are at it, because it also saves a trip back to Canada to apply for the passport. Call the U.S. passport office, and listen to them tell you how for "just 200 bucks extra", they can have the passport done in two days. Wonder how much quicker they can go if you add a bottle of champagne.
6 - Wait for the birth certificate to arrive in Canada.
7 - Keep waiting.
8 - Call birth certificate office in Canada to find out what's taking so long. Discover that it'll "arrive on thursday."
9 - Wait another week and a half. Meanwhile, discover that you must go in to pick up the birth certificate, since you are the parent. Discuss a trip to Montreal.
10 - When the birth certificate arrives, discover that your mother can pick it up since her name is one the application as a witness (yeah!). Have her pick it up and rush her to put it on Hyman's bus THAT VERY NIGHT!
11 - Receive a phone call from your mother saying that she gave it to a woman who lives in Monroe, an hour from Morristown.
12 - Rush to Monroe the next morning, and spend another hour lost looking for the address. Pick up the package and return to Morristown. Try to make it back in time for the New Jersey passport office to still be open, but get stuck in traffic and miss it. Swear (in Yiddish, preferably).
13 - Early the next morning, pay 20 bucks to get two beautiful U.S. sized passport photos of your kids. Then rush to the passport center. Spend two hours trying to keep your daughter entertained while filling out forms, and then hand them in with every other possible document that exists, excited that you will receive a U.S. passport for your son in two days and be able to make a visa!
14 - The lady at the desk tells you that minimum time for it to be processed and ready is two weeks! And that is only if the application for the passport is accepted. Plus, they will take the original birth certificate and keep it until they send the passport! Ask her why they told you two DAYS? Receive the answer that two days can be done only if the applicant had a previous passport.
15 - Grumble and mutter the entire way home, with all your papers. Call Canada and discover that they can ACTUALLY do it in two days even for a new baby! Plus, instead of the 250 bucks U.S., it'll cost just 55 dollars Canadian to get it done. Immediately decide to 'be wise' and take the Hyman's bus THAT VERY NIGHT to Canada so the father can IN PERSON apply for the passport. Rush your son to a walmart for Canadian sized passport pictures.
16 - Get on Hymans overnight bus full of stale cholent, with all the documents. Look at the passport photos and notice that they are blurry. Get worried. Don't sleep.
17 - Early morning, drive to the passport office and wait an hour for your turn. Then let the woman in the passport office go through all your documents and finally tell you that the pictures are too blurry, but everything else is ok. All you have to do now is bring non-blurry pictures of your son. Excited, run home and call your wife in New Jersey. Tell her to do new photos and send tham on Hymans bus.
18 - The wife takes phots in a special place that even specializes in Canadian passport photos! Her mother drives to Monsey at midnight to give the photos to someone.
19 - Naturally, the person is located on the other side of Montreal. Pick up the photos and return to the pasport office, conveniently located all the way on the OTHER side of the city.
20 - The dude at the desk tell you, after you waited for a half hour, that the baby must be IN CANADA, and the photos must be taken IN CANADA, or that you must bring proof that you are living in your parents house. Return home dejected, wondering what to do.
21 - Find some bank bills in your name, living proof that you exist in Canada, and return to the office. Another wait. Another line. Another time told that the pictures must be taken in Canada. Also, they want the wife to come in, since next to her signature, she mistakenly wrote that she signed 'in Montreal'.
22 - Go home. Call your wife. Tell her she must come in with the baby. She rents a car.
23 - 2:30 in the morning: drive to the border to meet your wife, since YOU are the one who has the baby's birth certificate and without it, he will not be admitted into Canada.
24 - 9:30 in the morning: get pictures taken in the place next to the passport office. Wait in line. Triumphantly show the teller your wife and child plus the high-quality super dooper Canadian sized passport photos. The letter looks at them, and tells you they must be signed by your mother, the witness, to show proof that it is the baby. This is even though the baby is right there sleeping in front of the teller.
25 - Get your mother to the office. She signs the paper. They tell you to return at 2:00 PM and pick up the passport. Now on to the visa.
26 - Pick up the passport. The teller as a joke says he lost it. Not funny.
27 - VISA TIME! Call the Russian consulate, and listen to them tell you that it takes 3 weeks to get the visa, all the while they keep the passport too.
This is where we are up to. Further updates as events warrant.
To sum it all up, here is one of my favorite web videos:
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
We want to go home!!
It's been over two months already since we've arrived, and we want to return home. It's really annoying being away from home for so long, and away from a community that keeps asking 'when do you return' especially considering that the 'president' of the community is trying to do everything he can to get rid of us (and please G-d he will not be successful).
I met R' Lazar on Gimmel Tammuz at the Ohel. Our conversation went something like this.
Me: Hey, Rabbi Lazar.
Him: Sholom Aleichem. When do you return?
Me: We want to get back already, but it looks like it will be a while. We are waiting for the papers from the Canadian government confirming that our son was born.
Him: Try to speed it up.
Me: ok.
I wish it were that easy.
I guess that the reason for this mood is that we did not have the most productive day today. We have spent a month waiting for the 'confirmation of birth' from canada, then another week waiting for his birth certificate, followed by a trip to Monroe to pick up the document which my mother had sent there via Heiman's bus.
So we had the documents. Now we were all ready to get Chaim Shimshon a passport (and we were so sure we were saving time by having him get dual citizenship AND an American passport at the same time).
So we took passport pictures of both the kids (we want them BOTH to be dual), and went to the passport office. (IMPORTANT NOTE: they had barely slept. Miriam was sick with some kind of extreme diarrhea disorder rash. She still has it) We had called before and came with all documents we had, including like 10 years worth of Chayale's report cards. After spending over an hour trying to calm the kids, and write/gather the documents, the lady told us that she would need to take away the original documents, we might not get approved, and worst of all WE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT A MINIMUM OF TWO WEEKS!
So we left, and called Called. They can do it in a day, if we have a flight. So now the plan is to go to Montreal in time for Monday, and try to rush a passport for Chaim Shimshon.
This is so time consuming. When the passport is done, we need to get an invitation for him from Russia (since we were told that he isn't eligible to be counted on our visa... Which R' Lazar, in another discussion I had with him, said we might be able to do), followed by a visa. Only then can we return home.
I will make a Toronto fundraising trip of it, I guess.
Oh well. It's all Hashgacha Protis.
I met R' Lazar on Gimmel Tammuz at the Ohel. Our conversation went something like this.
Me: Hey, Rabbi Lazar.
Him: Sholom Aleichem. When do you return?
Me: We want to get back already, but it looks like it will be a while. We are waiting for the papers from the Canadian government confirming that our son was born.
Him: Try to speed it up.
Me: ok.
I wish it were that easy.
I guess that the reason for this mood is that we did not have the most productive day today. We have spent a month waiting for the 'confirmation of birth' from canada, then another week waiting for his birth certificate, followed by a trip to Monroe to pick up the document which my mother had sent there via Heiman's bus.
So we had the documents. Now we were all ready to get Chaim Shimshon a passport (and we were so sure we were saving time by having him get dual citizenship AND an American passport at the same time).
So we took passport pictures of both the kids (we want them BOTH to be dual), and went to the passport office. (IMPORTANT NOTE: they had barely slept. Miriam was sick with some kind of extreme diarrhea disorder rash. She still has it) We had called before and came with all documents we had, including like 10 years worth of Chayale's report cards. After spending over an hour trying to calm the kids, and write/gather the documents, the lady told us that she would need to take away the original documents, we might not get approved, and worst of all WE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT A MINIMUM OF TWO WEEKS!
So we left, and called Called. They can do it in a day, if we have a flight. So now the plan is to go to Montreal in time for Monday, and try to rush a passport for Chaim Shimshon.
This is so time consuming. When the passport is done, we need to get an invitation for him from Russia (since we were told that he isn't eligible to be counted on our visa... Which R' Lazar, in another discussion I had with him, said we might be able to do), followed by a visa. Only then can we return home.
I will make a Toronto fundraising trip of it, I guess.
Oh well. It's all Hashgacha Protis.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Letters in the Torah
I don't think I ever posted this, but a Sefer Torah has been donated to our community thatnks to Eli Ginsburg and Zeev Shurman. We will welcome the Torah at the end of August/beginning of September. We are selling letters in the Torah for 18 dollars a letter. If anyone wants more information, or would like to sponsor words, perakim, or parshas, email me at rabbizvi44@yahoo.com
Also, we are still looking for a sponsor of the Paroches' (cloth covering the ark in which the Torahs are kept. There are two of them, one for the high holidays and one for the year). The cost is approximately 3,000 dollars, and a Ner Tamid (eternal light which burns in front of the ark).
Also, we are still looking for a sponsor of the Paroches' (cloth covering the ark in which the Torahs are kept. There are two of them, one for the high holidays and one for the year). The cost is approximately 3,000 dollars, and a Ner Tamid (eternal light which burns in front of the ark).
Friday, July 18, 2008
A miracle story
Today was a very hot day.
Elisheva "G" as we shall call her, was in day camp.
Color war was over (her team had won), but her counselors wanted to have a little extra fun.
So they sent all their campers outside into the heat for 2 hours straight. The children chased each other around and around until they got dizzy, and finally, exhausted, they sat down under the shade of a tall tree to rest.
But this did not satisfy their evil counselors, who immediately handed out water guns, and sent them back out into the sauna they call 'air', to have a waterfight.
While most of the s were given super-soaker 1200's, Elisheva "G" was handed a dollar-store handgun-soaker which didn't work, and she got sprayed until she wheighed 18 more pounds becuase of her soggy clothes.
The exhausted camper went to her counselors, and begged to be allowed to change, but instead they sent her on a yellow school bus with - metal seats, to go on a trip to... the Matza bakery.
Hours later, the "really tired" (to quote her own exact words she JUST SAID RIGHT NOW!!!) came home... and then a miracle happened.
Her brother-in-law, who is the super-coolest guy in the world ever plus he even knows how to spell, was on the computer updating his blog, and he agreed to write an ENTIRE post about her.
May we all be Zoicheh to such wonders.
Here is a picture of her.
Elisheva "G" as we shall call her, was in day camp.
Color war was over (her team had won), but her counselors wanted to have a little extra fun.
So they sent all their campers outside into the heat for 2 hours straight. The children chased each other around and around until they got dizzy, and finally, exhausted, they sat down under the shade of a tall tree to rest.
But this did not satisfy their evil counselors, who immediately handed out water guns, and sent them back out into the sauna they call 'air', to have a waterfight.
While most of the s were given super-soaker 1200's, Elisheva "G" was handed a dollar-store handgun-soaker which didn't work, and she got sprayed until she wheighed 18 more pounds becuase of her soggy clothes.
The exhausted camper went to her counselors, and begged to be allowed to change, but instead they sent her on a yellow school bus with - metal seats, to go on a trip to... the Matza bakery.
Hours later, the "really tired" (to quote her own exact words she JUST SAID RIGHT NOW!!!) came home... and then a miracle happened.
Her brother-in-law, who is the super-coolest guy in the world ever plus he even knows how to spell, was on the computer updating his blog, and he agreed to write an ENTIRE post about her.
May we all be Zoicheh to such wonders.
Here is a picture of her.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Internet is a blessing
A while ago, I decided to search 'Stavropol' on facebook, and then message people telling them that I am a Rabbi who just moved here, and blah blah blah a Shabbaos meal.
It worked, because I found 2 ex-Stavropolian Jews. One of them told me about odnoklassniki.ru, the Russian version of facebook.
So I joined 'classmates', and added him as my friend. Pretty soon I started to find people we know from the community, and I made a group called 'Stavropol Jews'.
Then I was told about vkontakte.ru, another facebook style program, and decided to search there as well.
After several weeks now, I have compiled a list of Stavropol Jews, perhaps 40 of them on odnoklassniki.ru and 15 of them on vkontakte.ru. I keep meeting more and more of them (some of them in Israel). One of them is now a yeshiva bochur!
And that is how we keep in touch with our community.
It worked, because I found 2 ex-Stavropolian Jews. One of them told me about odnoklassniki.ru, the Russian version of facebook.
So I joined 'classmates', and added him as my friend. Pretty soon I started to find people we know from the community, and I made a group called 'Stavropol Jews'.
Then I was told about vkontakte.ru, another facebook style program, and decided to search there as well.
After several weeks now, I have compiled a list of Stavropol Jews, perhaps 40 of them on odnoklassniki.ru and 15 of them on vkontakte.ru. I keep meeting more and more of them (some of them in Israel). One of them is now a yeshiva bochur!
And that is how we keep in touch with our community.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
A video of Diesel
For those of you who have been to Yeka, I am now back in contact regularly with Diesel, and he sent me this video he just made. I think it might be nice if we got together some Yekazoids and raise money to get him a trip to America.
Who is in?
I am serious, by the way.
The guy is very depressed, has given up on Yiddishkeit, and it would be nice to bring him into the USA, at least for a tour.
Come on, we all raised money to go to Yeka, let's together raise money to bring him here!
For those of you who don't know about Diesel, he was a hit in the Ukraine summer of Dnepropetrovsk (to see videos form the camp which inspired me to go to Russia, search Yekatrinoslav on google video). A talented and funny Ukrainian boy, which is a rarity.
Would love to see him live his dream for a few moments being in New York, and getting to look at some skyscrapers.
He currently works in a department store as a salesman in Denpropetrovsk, making 250 dollars a month.
Who is in?
I am serious, by the way.
The guy is very depressed, has given up on Yiddishkeit, and it would be nice to bring him into the USA, at least for a tour.
Come on, we all raised money to go to Yeka, let's together raise money to bring him here!
For those of you who don't know about Diesel, he was a hit in the Ukraine summer of Dnepropetrovsk (to see videos form the camp which inspired me to go to Russia, search Yekatrinoslav on google video). A talented and funny Ukrainian boy, which is a rarity.
Would love to see him live his dream for a few moments being in New York, and getting to look at some skyscrapers.
He currently works in a department store as a salesman in Denpropetrovsk, making 250 dollars a month.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Hashgacha Protis in Montreal
Hashgacha Protis is a great Hebrew word which most people translate as 'divine providence' which is like translating Tefillin as 'phylacteries' when in reality people should just call them by their more commonly used synonym: Jew-straps.
Similarly, Hashgacha Protis in plain English means: 'G-d makes cool coincidences' which according to Judaism, aren't coincidences.
Since I have returned to the land of wide roads, I have searched for Jews from Stavropol in every city I've been to. For example, in Toronto I stopped by Rabbi Zaltsman (translation: salty man), who is in charge of Russian Jews and runs the JRCC of Ontario, and I asked him if he knew any Jews from Stavropol.
His answer: No.
Bet you weren't expecting that. Well, neither was I. I also asked Rabbi Sirota in Montreal, and other Rabbis in other places.
Anyway, so in Montreal they had this bone marrow drive to help several people in the community. I went to get the inside of cheek swabbed by Q-tips, and it was held in the Montreal 'Y', where they have a woman in charge of all Russians living in Montreal, Olga Freiman.
I tried to meet hger but she was away, so I gave up.
Then on Monday on a whim I decided to call again. She answered and I explained that I live in a city in Russia, and I am looking for Jewish people from that city in Montreal so I can contact their relatives in Russia, and maybe they have a database where everyone is from blah blah blah blah.
So she asked, "Which city?"
And I said, "Stavropol!"
So she says, "I'm from Stavropol!"
See? a classic case of Hasgacha Protis!
Anyway, we met today and had a long chat, where it turned out that I know her relative in Stavropol, who is one of the sweetest men in the community. He's the guy who when he sees me trying to walk into a room or entering the building, he immediately rushes over to open the door for the Rabbi. He's the guy who on his second time meeting me gave me a piece of paper on which he drew by hand a map of Stavropol, so that I wouldn't ever get lost. He's the one who smiles every time I call him by his Jewish name, Yitzchak.
And I think it will be nice returning to Stavropol, and showing him pictures of his relatives in Montreal, and telling him all about how I met his cousin, and what she is like, and giving him a letter she wrote to him.
I hope it warms up his heart like he warms up mine.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Purimshpiel
The children from the Sunday school put on a Purimshpiel for the entire Stavropol Jewish community. Anna Datsyuk (of no relation to Pavel, unfortunately) mouths the words she has sung 2,000,000 times. It's cute.
Purim in Stavropol
While looking back at some pictures, I cam across this video of our event in a restaurant in Stavropol, attended by 120 people. The childrens table cannot be seen, and would anyway not have been seen, since they were practising for their production. The performers were (older man) Ilya Levinbuk, one of the most famous Jewish Russian comedians, who worked for 'Radio Nana' during Soviet times, and another young performer who did most of the singing. I was on the side waiting to start my speech. (There is also a video of me giving the speech in horrible Russian).
Monday, June 23, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Miriams first cute story
Over the past week, Miriam has officially learnt what the word 'no' means.
This morning, she crawled over and opened the breakfast drawer where my parents keep the cereal. This is something she usually does, and then scatters all the rice krispies all over the floor, or something to that effect. Ta (my father), seeing her, said "No!"
Obediently, she shut the drawer.
About a minute later, my sister Esty walks in and opens the drawer to get some cereal.
Miriam looks at her, points to the drawer and shouts, "No!"
Monday, June 16, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Mazel tov
We have a baby boy! Chayale gave birth Motzei Shabbos at 3:43 AM to a healthy, 8.3 pound fish.
I mean boy.
Pictures to follow.
I mean boy.
Pictures to follow.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
The Ultimate Honor
I just received a post from someone in our community. An amazing woman who wants to learn more about Yiddishkeit, and has been dreaming of getting a Jewish name for herself and her daughter.
Anyway, this past week she was in Rostov, and went to the Shul and got a Jewish name. Her daughter, an 11-year-old also wanted a Jewish name, and she asked her which one.
Without hesitating, she answered, "Chaya Mushka", like our Rabbanit.
So Chayale has someone named after her already.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Boxes
Sometimes the Rebbe wants you to know that you are where he sent you for life.
About a month before we left for Russia, back when we were young and innocent, we sent half our boxes of clothes and food by ship through a guy named 'Bill', expecting to receive them about 48 minutes after we arrived.
We landed in Russia, and found out that they had closed their borders to anything shipped, which meant we were stuck with what we had brought.
This lasted for months and months, and we had in a sense given up, though occassionally we would call Bill to ask him the latest update ("they are in storage in Poland").
About 2 weeks before we left, he told us that Russia had just opened its borders.
Anyway, THE NIGHT BEFORE WE LEFT, as though to say, "don't think you guys can stay in Canada forever," our boxes arrived. 20 of them.
Now we have to send the rest of them. Most are Sefarim which we can't get there otherwise.
About a month before we left for Russia, back when we were young and innocent, we sent half our boxes of clothes and food by ship through a guy named 'Bill', expecting to receive them about 48 minutes after we arrived.
We landed in Russia, and found out that they had closed their borders to anything shipped, which meant we were stuck with what we had brought.
This lasted for months and months, and we had in a sense given up, though occassionally we would call Bill to ask him the latest update ("they are in storage in Poland").
About 2 weeks before we left, he told us that Russia had just opened its borders.
Anyway, THE NIGHT BEFORE WE LEFT, as though to say, "don't think you guys can stay in Canada forever," our boxes arrived. 20 of them.
Now we have to send the rest of them. Most are Sefarim which we can't get there otherwise.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
No posting for a while
Sorry about the lack of posts, but what is there to write about when you are in Canada?
Aside from the fact that we have been astounded at the amount of kosher food available, and have definitely gained a few pounds each eating at pizza pita or Ernie's and Ellies, there is not much to write about.
I did just return from Toronto, where I went on a small fundraising trip, which turned out OK. I didn't raise much, but I did get to reconnect with some friends and relatives.
A funny fundraising story: I visited someone, showed him our pictures and what we do, and spoke to him for an hour. It was alot of fun, but at the end he told me he was retired and could only afford to give me a post-dated 18 dollar check.
I found it very funny. I thanked him, and the truth is, he DID give it with all his heart.
Anyway, we opened a paypal account, and also figured out that if someone would like to donate 18 dollars a month or something like that, it can now be done. We can even organize American receipts. Just contact me at rabbizvi44@yahoo.com
Also, we are still looking for the following sponsorships:
Tefillin for Igor Lerner - $100 (Tefillin bank covers the rest)
Box of Sefarim shipped to Stavropol - $180
Paroches for Aron Kodesh - (don't know yet exactly how much)
A week and a half to D-day.
Aside from the fact that we have been astounded at the amount of kosher food available, and have definitely gained a few pounds each eating at pizza pita or Ernie's and Ellies, there is not much to write about.
I did just return from Toronto, where I went on a small fundraising trip, which turned out OK. I didn't raise much, but I did get to reconnect with some friends and relatives.
A funny fundraising story: I visited someone, showed him our pictures and what we do, and spoke to him for an hour. It was alot of fun, but at the end he told me he was retired and could only afford to give me a post-dated 18 dollar check.
I found it very funny. I thanked him, and the truth is, he DID give it with all his heart.
Anyway, we opened a paypal account, and also figured out that if someone would like to donate 18 dollars a month or something like that, it can now be done. We can even organize American receipts. Just contact me at rabbizvi44@yahoo.com
Also, we are still looking for the following sponsorships:
Tefillin for Igor Lerner - $100 (Tefillin bank covers the rest)
Box of Sefarim shipped to Stavropol - $180
Paroches for Aron Kodesh - (don't know yet exactly how much)
A week and a half to D-day.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Benny makes headlines again
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
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
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.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Inside the Shul
Yesteday we toured central Stavropol. The library was closed to Chaim Hertzel, dressed in a tie and suit, as a 'visiting dignitary from New York', couldn't see the old Torah which was stolen from the community and is now on display.
But when we went to look at the Shul, we were actually admitted inside.
It is beautiful. Obviously remodeleed, since the only thing that slightly made it look like a former was stained glass bashed out and replaced by garbage bags, but overall a very pretty interior.
Not so large though, so if we do get it back, then we will probably try to extend it if we can.
Pictures to follow, hopefully when we arrive in America.
Or hopefully before then.
But when we went to look at the Shul, we were actually admitted inside.
It is beautiful. Obviously remodeleed, since the only thing that slightly made it look like a former was stained glass bashed out and replaced by garbage bags, but overall a very pretty interior.
Not so large though, so if we do get it back, then we will probably try to extend it if we can.
Pictures to follow, hopefully when we arrive in America.
Or hopefully before then.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Check it out now
www.youngavraham.com
Still not down as writers, rather as 'research consultants...'.
Still not down as writers, rather as 'research consultants...'.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Pesach in Stavropol
Well, we did it.
The first three days came and went by, and the good news is that Chayale didn't give birth on the road.
Altogether over the first two nights of Pesach we did 5 Sedarim. That is according to my calculations 20 cups of wine.
Shabbos was quiet. We basically slept the whole day through, and chased Yummy around the house trying to stop her from turniong on the computer and inserting the Living Torah in there.
Motzei Shabbos, everyone except Chayale and the baby trudged an hour and a half to the Jewish center for the first Seder.
35 people showed up for a nice quiet Seder. Highlights of the first Seder:
- Igor Vanskov, a kid of 7, singing the Mah Nishtana by himself in the sweetest little voice.
- At the meal, I ask Oleg Bogopolsky, a community member, to read the part of the 4 sons, since it wasn't said during Maggid. I planned on giving the whole Dvar Torah about the fifth son that the Rebbe speaks about. Oleg reads it (with his own comments), and finishes by talking about the fifth son! I was speechless.
- Misha Gorovenko standing up in the middle of the meal and announcing "Kavod HaRav, we are so happy to have you here!"
- Taking the kids to the door to greet Eliahu HaNavi with a candle. Three 6 year olds and a 3 year old. Cute as anything.
- Finding out after the mneal was over that several people snuck a bottle of booze around under the table and had a party of their own.
After the Seder (ended at 11:00), a detective came to pick us up and walk us through the dangerous streets home. Two spetsnas (Russian special forces) in a car followed us along. In the back seat of the car was an arsenal of weapons. We felt well-watched, even though it was Leil Shimurim. Naturally we felt even more protected thanks to Chaim Hertzel having his mace and a knife.
Just in case.
We got home safely but forgot the key, so the detective had to call our neighbors and get them to open the door at 12:00 AM. Then we went in and ate our real Seder, which lasted until 2. Chaim Hertzel was picked up toward the end by a community member who you would never want to meet in a dark alley. He was walked home.
Sunday - During the day, about 65 people showed up for the childrens seder, which went over very well. We played games with the kids to tell them the story, and did a whole seder.
At night, we did another seder. This time, it was a younger audience, so we sang lots of songs.
Highlights:
- Singing Halleli for one of the women in the community.
- Students opening the door for Elijah the prophet.
- Mistaking onions by Karpas for potatoes, and then not being able to speak after I ate a huge chunk.
Once again we were walked home by security. This time we had the key.
Monday we took everyone to "park pobedy", a mini-amusement park in the centre of the city. We went on a roller-coaster, watched Miriam go on mini-tanks, and walked all the way to the poorest-looking zoo I have ever seen.
The animals were so skinny you could see THROUGH them.
It was also funny. Here was the order of the animals cages.
- ducks.
- horses.
- cats.
- chickens.
- roosters.
- pigeons.
- LIONS. (what the heck?)
Anyway, we went home after that. Today we will go to Kosmos and Ramstore. I will write about them tomorrow.
The first three days came and went by, and the good news is that Chayale didn't give birth on the road.
Altogether over the first two nights of Pesach we did 5 Sedarim. That is according to my calculations 20 cups of wine.
Shabbos was quiet. We basically slept the whole day through, and chased Yummy around the house trying to stop her from turniong on the computer and inserting the Living Torah in there.
Motzei Shabbos, everyone except Chayale and the baby trudged an hour and a half to the Jewish center for the first Seder.
35 people showed up for a nice quiet Seder. Highlights of the first Seder:
- Igor Vanskov, a kid of 7, singing the Mah Nishtana by himself in the sweetest little voice.
- At the meal, I ask Oleg Bogopolsky, a community member, to read the part of the 4 sons, since it wasn't said during Maggid. I planned on giving the whole Dvar Torah about the fifth son that the Rebbe speaks about. Oleg reads it (with his own comments), and finishes by talking about the fifth son! I was speechless.
- Misha Gorovenko standing up in the middle of the meal and announcing "Kavod HaRav, we are so happy to have you here!"
- Taking the kids to the door to greet Eliahu HaNavi with a candle. Three 6 year olds and a 3 year old. Cute as anything.
- Finding out after the mneal was over that several people snuck a bottle of booze around under the table and had a party of their own.
After the Seder (ended at 11:00), a detective came to pick us up and walk us through the dangerous streets home. Two spetsnas (Russian special forces) in a car followed us along. In the back seat of the car was an arsenal of weapons. We felt well-watched, even though it was Leil Shimurim. Naturally we felt even more protected thanks to Chaim Hertzel having his mace and a knife.
Just in case.
We got home safely but forgot the key, so the detective had to call our neighbors and get them to open the door at 12:00 AM. Then we went in and ate our real Seder, which lasted until 2. Chaim Hertzel was picked up toward the end by a community member who you would never want to meet in a dark alley. He was walked home.
Sunday - During the day, about 65 people showed up for the childrens seder, which went over very well. We played games with the kids to tell them the story, and did a whole seder.
At night, we did another seder. This time, it was a younger audience, so we sang lots of songs.
Highlights:
- Singing Halleli for one of the women in the community.
- Students opening the door for Elijah the prophet.
- Mistaking onions by Karpas for potatoes, and then not being able to speak after I ate a huge chunk.
Once again we were walked home by security. This time we had the key.
Monday we took everyone to "park pobedy", a mini-amusement park in the centre of the city. We went on a roller-coaster, watched Miriam go on mini-tanks, and walked all the way to the poorest-looking zoo I have ever seen.
The animals were so skinny you could see THROUGH them.
It was also funny. Here was the order of the animals cages.
- ducks.
- horses.
- cats.
- chickens.
- roosters.
- pigeons.
- LIONS. (what the heck?)
Anyway, we went home after that. Today we will go to Kosmos and Ramstore. I will write about them tomorrow.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Bedikas Chametz in Stavropol
Chaim Hertzel is in town, which means that the entire community is being seriously harrassed into buying Olympus FE340's.
Unfortunately, no one could afford it.
Chaim bought a special hat "for the first time in like 18 years" according to him. Note: Chaim is 20 years old. But it really is nice, he bought a hat SPECIAL FOR THIS SHLICHUS.
Think about this Ottawa groupies. Go now and buy yourself a hat. Or get a Bris. Your call.
Anyway, so we have been travelling around giving people Matza, talking to people, beating up arabs, etc. etc. and finally Bedikas Chametz night arrived.
We had the candle, the spoon, the feather, and Kanyeshna (Russian for of course) the camera.
Oh yeah, and the ten pieces of bread.
Before I go on, let me note that in Stavropol, barely anyone walks outside at night, unless of course they want to be stabbed in the back.
We did Bedikas Chametz at home, and then remembered that we don't know if we have to do it in the community centre.
So we called a Rabbi in Moscow. He told us that we gotta do it in the centre.
My driver had retired for the night, so we had to find a taxi.
Now remember we are in Russia, where at night the only lights in the streets are the occassional firefly and some headlights of approaching mafia cars.
Basically it was spooky.
Chaim of course had his knife, mace, and fists. I, naturally had my giant muscular muscles (which bulge) to protect him.
Anyway, we found a taxi, and went to the centre. It was dark and spooky. We put down the ten pieces, Chaim said the Bracha out loud, and then we got ready to go, but....
I FORGOT TO BRING MATCHES!
So we searched the whole centre for matches, but apparently all the smokers had stolen anything that had been there.
We were forced to go outside and find someone to light up the candle. We found someone but then as we get back in, me, the "moron that I am" according to Chaim, blew it out.
(Let the record stand that it was completely by mistake).
So we had to go out again. This time there was some gang down the block, so we tried to stay out of view in case they were here to beat our faces in.
Here is where the Rebbe (insert here words which come after saying 'Rebbe') comes in.
Some dude in army clothes walks by and we ask him to light our candle.
He lights it, and then hands us the lighter, saying "so your fire should never go out."
Pictures to come.
Unfortunately, no one could afford it.
Chaim bought a special hat "for the first time in like 18 years" according to him. Note: Chaim is 20 years old. But it really is nice, he bought a hat SPECIAL FOR THIS SHLICHUS.
Think about this Ottawa groupies. Go now and buy yourself a hat. Or get a Bris. Your call.
Anyway, so we have been travelling around giving people Matza, talking to people, beating up arabs, etc. etc. and finally Bedikas Chametz night arrived.
We had the candle, the spoon, the feather, and Kanyeshna (Russian for of course) the camera.
Oh yeah, and the ten pieces of bread.
Before I go on, let me note that in Stavropol, barely anyone walks outside at night, unless of course they want to be stabbed in the back.
We did Bedikas Chametz at home, and then remembered that we don't know if we have to do it in the community centre.
So we called a Rabbi in Moscow. He told us that we gotta do it in the centre.
My driver had retired for the night, so we had to find a taxi.
Now remember we are in Russia, where at night the only lights in the streets are the occassional firefly and some headlights of approaching mafia cars.
Basically it was spooky.
Chaim of course had his knife, mace, and fists. I, naturally had my giant muscular muscles (which bulge) to protect him.
Anyway, we found a taxi, and went to the centre. It was dark and spooky. We put down the ten pieces, Chaim said the Bracha out loud, and then we got ready to go, but....
I FORGOT TO BRING MATCHES!
So we searched the whole centre for matches, but apparently all the smokers had stolen anything that had been there.
We were forced to go outside and find someone to light up the candle. We found someone but then as we get back in, me, the "moron that I am" according to Chaim, blew it out.
(Let the record stand that it was completely by mistake).
So we had to go out again. This time there was some gang down the block, so we tried to stay out of view in case they were here to beat our faces in.
Here is where the Rebbe (insert here words which come after saying 'Rebbe') comes in.
Some dude in army clothes walks by and we ask him to light our candle.
He lights it, and then hands us the lighter, saying "so your fire should never go out."
Pictures to come.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Arrival
Well, Chaim Hertzel arrived, but is still sleeping.
A miniature Hashgacha Protis story happened yesterday. We needed to buy plywood to make the kitchen kosher, and searched the city. Wherever they had, there was only large planks with no possibility of cutting them. We offered payment to cut them for us, but no one was able to.
Finally we said, "Hashem help us". This was as we were driving to a furniture store where our driver thought "perhaps they sell some plywood."
Suddenly on the road in front of us, a large sign (of which I have the photo) which says, "plywood, left. We cut!"
Cool, huh?
A miniature Hashgacha Protis story happened yesterday. We needed to buy plywood to make the kitchen kosher, and searched the city. Wherever they had, there was only large planks with no possibility of cutting them. We offered payment to cut them for us, but no one was able to.
Finally we said, "Hashem help us". This was as we were driving to a furniture store where our driver thought "perhaps they sell some plywood."
Suddenly on the road in front of us, a large sign (of which I have the photo) which says, "plywood, left. We cut!"
Cool, huh?
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Lack of posting
Pesach preparations are crazy, I barely have enough time to post, but some quick updates.
First anti-Semitic experience: someone followed me around, telling people I was a "zhid". I eventually went over to a street vendor I know, who threatened the dude, who obviously ran off. Interstingly, he was an older man. Also, he actually believed a swastika was "Russian." I told him to read his history how many Russians died over that.
In the world of Hashgacha Protis: I am delivering presents of Shmura Matza to Gvirim here. One gvir, head of the medicine centre, I got in the elevator with my two gifts (one for his daughter, head gyneacologist), but forgot which floor he was on (of 10). The lift stops on the second floor, and guess who walks in? his daughter. I gave her the Matza, and then she arranged an immediate meeting where I gave him the Matza.
We have had the hardest time trying to find a place for Chaim Hertzel (coming in over Pesach) to sleep. But finally someone offered his house, where he has 2 extra rooms. The guy has no money, but is the sweetest person on earth.
STARS is happening! 5 people have signed up for this amazing program. I'm told that usually it takes like 4 years to find people ready. Boruch Hashem more people are thinking about it. It's a program for students 17-28 years old. They come to two classes a week, and earn up to 120 bucks a month, plus events in Moscow and Israel. Cool, huh? only Rabbis can organize it.
We got security to walk us home after the Sedarim. 2 huge men with guns. Cool, huh?
First seder: 8:30 PM starts. Second: 7:00 starts. Of course by both we come home and start from the beginning again. Should be fun.
Sunday was perhaps the best "voskressenia school" day ever. We made a play for the kids, telling them the story of Pesach. Malky was Pharaoh (all she said was Nyet and Idi - go). Chayale the narrator (and by the second plague, a frog). And I of course was Moshe. We did all the plagues, the kids loved it, so did the parents. Then they followed me into the next room where we got stuck with Pharaoh chasing us and two blue blankets representing the red sea in front of us. But we davenned to Hashem and miraculously and with the help of two mothers, the sea parted, and everyone got to go to their seats, make a bracha, and eat lunch (phew). Then everyone made Kaaros for this coming Sunday school. Bummer that our camera had no batteries.
We fundraised locally 120 bucks. Not bad for a start. Really impressive when you consider we don't yet know any of the Gvirim here.
First anti-Semitic experience: someone followed me around, telling people I was a "zhid". I eventually went over to a street vendor I know, who threatened the dude, who obviously ran off. Interstingly, he was an older man. Also, he actually believed a swastika was "Russian." I told him to read his history how many Russians died over that.
In the world of Hashgacha Protis: I am delivering presents of Shmura Matza to Gvirim here. One gvir, head of the medicine centre, I got in the elevator with my two gifts (one for his daughter, head gyneacologist), but forgot which floor he was on (of 10). The lift stops on the second floor, and guess who walks in? his daughter. I gave her the Matza, and then she arranged an immediate meeting where I gave him the Matza.
We have had the hardest time trying to find a place for Chaim Hertzel (coming in over Pesach) to sleep. But finally someone offered his house, where he has 2 extra rooms. The guy has no money, but is the sweetest person on earth.
STARS is happening! 5 people have signed up for this amazing program. I'm told that usually it takes like 4 years to find people ready. Boruch Hashem more people are thinking about it. It's a program for students 17-28 years old. They come to two classes a week, and earn up to 120 bucks a month, plus events in Moscow and Israel. Cool, huh? only Rabbis can organize it.
We got security to walk us home after the Sedarim. 2 huge men with guns. Cool, huh?
First seder: 8:30 PM starts. Second: 7:00 starts. Of course by both we come home and start from the beginning again. Should be fun.
Sunday was perhaps the best "voskressenia school" day ever. We made a play for the kids, telling them the story of Pesach. Malky was Pharaoh (all she said was Nyet and Idi - go). Chayale the narrator (and by the second plague, a frog). And I of course was Moshe. We did all the plagues, the kids loved it, so did the parents. Then they followed me into the next room where we got stuck with Pharaoh chasing us and two blue blankets representing the red sea in front of us. But we davenned to Hashem and miraculously and with the help of two mothers, the sea parted, and everyone got to go to their seats, make a bracha, and eat lunch (phew). Then everyone made Kaaros for this coming Sunday school. Bummer that our camera had no batteries.
We fundraised locally 120 bucks. Not bad for a start. Really impressive when you consider we don't yet know any of the Gvirim here.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Beautiful picture
Our future stock picture in our full color magazine. We allow anybody to use it for their brochures and fundraising. :)
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Yoshkas witnesses
I don't understand what they are thinking.
On shabbos, someone knocked on our door, and when we opened it, two Yoshkas witnesses were there, all smiling. This is the third time I have been approached by them, and while this one I can understand (perhaps they didn't know a Rabbi lived there), I don't know what they are thinking when they stop a Rabbi on the street on one of his 'Shabbos walks' and ask him to accept Yoshka.
What do they think a Rabbi, in Tallis, Kapota, hat (the works) will say, "Gee there, nice point! I will convert! Quick! Sprinkle me with water before I change my mind!?"
It is odd.
Another thing I don't understand is swastikas in Russia, and how they put up with it.
The word "Zhid" or the "N" word I can understand, after all, it's just plain racism, but a swastika? weren't like over 10,000,000 Russian lives lost to the people wearing that insignia on their shoulder? so why don't they ever do anything about it? at least quickly clean it up.
After all, the battle of Stalingrad (6 million Russian lives there) was only 8 hours from here. I wonder what the old army veterans who fought the Nazis and lost their friends think when they see swastikas around their city walls.
Ridiculous.
On shabbos, someone knocked on our door, and when we opened it, two Yoshkas witnesses were there, all smiling. This is the third time I have been approached by them, and while this one I can understand (perhaps they didn't know a Rabbi lived there), I don't know what they are thinking when they stop a Rabbi on the street on one of his 'Shabbos walks' and ask him to accept Yoshka.
What do they think a Rabbi, in Tallis, Kapota, hat (the works) will say, "Gee there, nice point! I will convert! Quick! Sprinkle me with water before I change my mind!?"
It is odd.
Another thing I don't understand is swastikas in Russia, and how they put up with it.
The word "Zhid" or the "N" word I can understand, after all, it's just plain racism, but a swastika? weren't like over 10,000,000 Russian lives lost to the people wearing that insignia on their shoulder? so why don't they ever do anything about it? at least quickly clean it up.
After all, the battle of Stalingrad (6 million Russian lives there) was only 8 hours from here. I wonder what the old army veterans who fought the Nazis and lost their friends think when they see swastikas around their city walls.
Ridiculous.
Je-hova's witnesses in Russia
I don't understand what they are thinking.
On shabbos, someone knocked on our door, and when we opened it, two Yoshkas witnesses were there, all smiling. This is the third time I have been approached by them, and while this one I can understand (perhaps they didn't know a Rabbi lived there), I don't know what they are thinking when they stop a Rabbi on the street on one of his 'Shabbos walks' and ask him to accept Yoshka.
What do they think a Rabbi, in Tallis, Kapota, hat (the works) will say, "Gee there, nice point! I will convert! Quick! Sprinkle me with water before I change my mind!?"
It is odd.
Another thing I don't understand is swastikas in Russia, and how they put up with it.
The word "Zhid" or the "N" word I can understand, after all, it's just plain racism, but a swastika? weren't like over 10,000,000 Russian lives lost to the people wearing that insignia on their shoulder? so why don't they ever do anything about it? at least quickly clean it up.
After all, the battle of Stalingrad (6 million Russian lives there) was only 8 hours from here. I wonder what the old army veterans who fought the Nazis and lost their friends think when they see swastikas around their city walls.
Ridiculous.
On shabbos, someone knocked on our door, and when we opened it, two Yoshkas witnesses were there, all smiling. This is the third time I have been approached by them, and while this one I can understand (perhaps they didn't know a Rabbi lived there), I don't know what they are thinking when they stop a Rabbi on the street on one of his 'Shabbos walks' and ask him to accept Yoshka.
What do they think a Rabbi, in Tallis, Kapota, hat (the works) will say, "Gee there, nice point! I will convert! Quick! Sprinkle me with water before I change my mind!?"
It is odd.
Another thing I don't understand is swastikas in Russia, and how they put up with it.
The word "Zhid" or the "N" word I can understand, after all, it's just plain racism, but a swastika? weren't like over 10,000,000 Russian lives lost to the people wearing that insignia on their shoulder? so why don't they ever do anything about it? at least quickly clean it up.
After all, the battle of Stalingrad (6 million Russian lives there) was only 8 hours from here. I wonder what the old army veterans who fought the Nazis and lost their friends think when they see swastikas around their city walls.
Ridiculous.
Friday, April 04, 2008
Programs, programs
We are trying to start classes, which Moscow is very good at helping with.
There is a terrific program called STARS, in which students come to 2 classes on Torah a week, and receive up to 100 bucks a month. Plus they get the opportunity for trips to Moscow, Israel, meetings with other STARS groups in the area, and stuff like that.
Also I want to start a class on Jewish Prayer, to get the community ready a little for Davening. When p[eople realize why, what, and the depth of each prayer, perhaps they will help get a Minyan going, at least on Shabbos. Another idea is to put together a CD of songs we will sing, and give it to them so they can learn the songs before we start prayer services.
Another class I want to start is on Kashrus, Chayale is teaching 'the kosher kitchen', but I'm working on getting kashrus started, explain a lot of basics to the community.
And finally, Yisroel Bernath has classes on 'Judaism and love' which is a hit everywhere in the world.
Other programs for now, include: organizing a singles Shabbaton together with the Rabbis of Southern Russia (there are so many Jewish singles looking for Shidduchim), perhaps starting a soup kitchen for poor people here, and of course, finding a sponsor to make the kitchen permanently kosher.
There is a terrific program called STARS, in which students come to 2 classes on Torah a week, and receive up to 100 bucks a month. Plus they get the opportunity for trips to Moscow, Israel, meetings with other STARS groups in the area, and stuff like that.
Also I want to start a class on Jewish Prayer, to get the community ready a little for Davening. When p[eople realize why, what, and the depth of each prayer, perhaps they will help get a Minyan going, at least on Shabbos. Another idea is to put together a CD of songs we will sing, and give it to them so they can learn the songs before we start prayer services.
Another class I want to start is on Kashrus, Chayale is teaching 'the kosher kitchen', but I'm working on getting kashrus started, explain a lot of basics to the community.
And finally, Yisroel Bernath has classes on 'Judaism and love' which is a hit everywhere in the world.
Other programs for now, include: organizing a singles Shabbaton together with the Rabbis of Southern Russia (there are so many Jewish singles looking for Shidduchim), perhaps starting a soup kitchen for poor people here, and of course, finding a sponsor to make the kitchen permanently kosher.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Meeting of G-dly men
This morning in the Jewish centre a bunch of priests, Mullahs and one Rabbi met to do the program called MARS, which is basically a religious unity program. 20 people showed and spoke about a whole bunch of stuff, none of which the Rabbi understood.
So instead he sat in the hot room for THREE WHOLE HOURS pretendiong to agree with all the Russian that was spoken, and doing alot of doodling.
He also sent a few accomplishing text messages to his wife, in which he found out the valuable information that Miriam made a giant poop at 11:30 (let the record stand).
Finally they brought out food, and the Rabbi got to meet other members of the deity. There was priest with a long, grey beard who has a very cheery outlook, and they spoke alot, and there was a Ukrainian missionary who spoke English.
Everyone was fascinated by the Rabbi, and took pictures with him, some asking straight out, other trying to do so unobtrusively by pretending to take pictures of objects such as a dirty vase, and then clearing their throat and "missing", instead getting a full-face photo of the Rabbi's nose.
It was kind of fun (the eating part).
Hopefully next time I will understand what they spoke about.
So instead he sat in the hot room for THREE WHOLE HOURS pretendiong to agree with all the Russian that was spoken, and doing alot of doodling.
He also sent a few accomplishing text messages to his wife, in which he found out the valuable information that Miriam made a giant poop at 11:30 (let the record stand).
Finally they brought out food, and the Rabbi got to meet other members of the deity. There was priest with a long, grey beard who has a very cheery outlook, and they spoke alot, and there was a Ukrainian missionary who spoke English.
Everyone was fascinated by the Rabbi, and took pictures with him, some asking straight out, other trying to do so unobtrusively by pretending to take pictures of objects such as a dirty vase, and then clearing their throat and "missing", instead getting a full-face photo of the Rabbi's nose.
It was kind of fun (the eating part).
Hopefully next time I will understand what they spoke about.
Pesach class
Yesterday Chayale spent the entire morning on the phone with our secretary working on perfecting her class in Russian.
Yes, she did her first class on "the kosher kitchen".
6 women came, and I happened to be in the house when they arrived, and can PERSONALLY ATTEST to seeing one of the women give Chayale a big hug upon entering.
While I watched Miriam in the next room (or tried to watch... actually what I did was sit her in front of a video and try to see how many chocolate balls I can stuff into her mouth), Chayale had given each of the women a plate. She then taught them all about the seder plate.
They made Charoses by chopping up walnuts and apples and mixing them with wine, then they boiled eggs, followed by roasting chicken shankbone (I always wanted to write that word), after which they peeled and cut maror and checked it for bugs, and finally washed and checked lettuce.
All the while Chayale explained the mystical interepetations, and other cool Jewish stuff.
Then Chayale told them to take it home, but they refused and instead ate it all in one festive meal at our home. One woman even cried when she ate the Maror.
They spoke alot, and planned the next class, for this coming Wednesday night, where they will bake something else that has to do with the Seder.
I personally suggested making a model Matza bakery, but Chayale vetoed my idea, saying "maybe next year."
When everyone left, Chayale couldn't understand why Miriam was on such a sugar high.
Yes, she did her first class on "the kosher kitchen".
6 women came, and I happened to be in the house when they arrived, and can PERSONALLY ATTEST to seeing one of the women give Chayale a big hug upon entering.
While I watched Miriam in the next room (or tried to watch... actually what I did was sit her in front of a video and try to see how many chocolate balls I can stuff into her mouth), Chayale had given each of the women a plate. She then taught them all about the seder plate.
They made Charoses by chopping up walnuts and apples and mixing them with wine, then they boiled eggs, followed by roasting chicken shankbone (I always wanted to write that word), after which they peeled and cut maror and checked it for bugs, and finally washed and checked lettuce.
All the while Chayale explained the mystical interepetations, and other cool Jewish stuff.
Then Chayale told them to take it home, but they refused and instead ate it all in one festive meal at our home. One woman even cried when she ate the Maror.
They spoke alot, and planned the next class, for this coming Wednesday night, where they will bake something else that has to do with the Seder.
I personally suggested making a model Matza bakery, but Chayale vetoed my idea, saying "maybe next year."
When everyone left, Chayale couldn't understand why Miriam was on such a sugar high.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Birthday party
Yesterday I received a phone call from one of the Gvirim in the community (part of a large family of Mountain Jews) who invited us to his daughters 16th birthday party. He arranged for his driver to pick us up.
We arrived at their cafe to find out that only his (giant) family had been invited, along with several non-Jewish friends, and of course, us.
It was just what we needed. We ate, made Lechaims and speeches, and discussed making his cafe kosher eventually.
One of the boys asked me to teach him some Torah. I got really excited, until I found out he's from Pyatigorsk, 3 hours from here. So iy"h every time he comes to town, we will learn together.
It was a fun night, and a reminder of who we are and what we are doing here.
We arrived at their cafe to find out that only his (giant) family had been invited, along with several non-Jewish friends, and of course, us.
It was just what we needed. We ate, made Lechaims and speeches, and discussed making his cafe kosher eventually.
One of the boys asked me to teach him some Torah. I got really excited, until I found out he's from Pyatigorsk, 3 hours from here. So iy"h every time he comes to town, we will learn together.
It was a fun night, and a reminder of who we are and what we are doing here.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Quick post
To say hi, and thank you to all the people who have called.
I'm getting a little burned out, need to get my battery recharged.
I'm getting a little burned out, need to get my battery recharged.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Yaakov Zimmel
My new nephew: Yaakov Zimmel Hershcovich.
For pictures, see Benny's blog. running84.blogspot.com
I am happy.
Last night, an American called me, and I found out that 2 Americans plus one Canadian live here as well. They also teach English. And apparently a group of American Mormons work here too.
Today I met one of the Americans, and we had a nice chat. He offered to teach me Russian!
I hope to meet them all. Also, I met with the head of hockey here, and offered my help, as well as started work on organizing some roller-hockey.
I am happy.
For pictures, see Benny's blog. running84.blogspot.com
I am happy.
Last night, an American called me, and I found out that 2 Americans plus one Canadian live here as well. They also teach English. And apparently a group of American Mormons work here too.
Today I met one of the Americans, and we had a nice chat. He offered to teach me Russian!
I hope to meet them all. Also, I met with the head of hockey here, and offered my help, as well as started work on organizing some roller-hockey.
I am happy.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Kiddush Hashem
I have yet to scan the article, but an interview I had a while ago finally made it into the newspaper. The headline? "when Moshiach will come..."
The article goes through our plans here, what happened in Ivanovo, and what we think of Stavropol. All in all, a nice kiddush Hashem.
Another article about Purim made it into the papers, where it told the story, and what the Jewish community has done today. One interesting note is that in their historical summary, they mentioned that the reason we eat Hamantashen is because prior to hanging Haman, the Jews cut off his ears.
And you would thinik circumcision would be enough. :)
The article goes through our plans here, what happened in Ivanovo, and what we think of Stavropol. All in all, a nice kiddush Hashem.
Another article about Purim made it into the papers, where it told the story, and what the Jewish community has done today. One interesting note is that in their historical summary, they mentioned that the reason we eat Hamantashen is because prior to hanging Haman, the Jews cut off his ears.
And you would thinik circumcision would be enough. :)
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
So the last post was bleary
Which is why I am writing a new one.
More interesting meetings:
On Shabbos I walk 45 minutes each way in my hat and kapote, and things interesting always happen. This past shabbos I hear a guy speaking Hebrew on a cell phone.
So I say Shabbat Shalom.
To make a long story short, he was a Palestinian. Not only that, he is from Sydney, and speaks fluent English. Surprisingly, he was nice, we had an interesting conversation. After Shabbos, he called me to say that if I ever need help, I can call him. Also, he was happy to meet me. He's here for only six months as a student. Interesting, huh?
Two minutes later I met an Israeli who moved here.
Another meeting: the governors assistant in charge of religious affairs. Purim day this busy guy came over to say hi. I assumed it was just to say hi, and spoke warmly with him for about abn hour. Only after I left did I find out that I was supposed to ask him if he can help us get the shul back. That's why he came. Oh well, next time. I'll have my secretary try and arrange a second meeting with him.
Tuesday: I meet a pastor who is excited to meet me. He came to the centre to say hi. He's part of an organization of pastors, minmisters, mullahs etc. that meet and talk peace. They want to make their next meeting in the Jewish centre.
Thursday last week: a woman wants me to Barmitzvah her son. Date of entry into Jewish manhood? third day of Pesach.
Shabbos: on the way home from Centre, I meet a Russian boy. We have a nice conversation - he is an author. I told him one day he will be famous. He told me to remember his name. I told him to remember mine when he's famous. ;)
A day in the life of a very religious looking Jew in Russia. :)
More interesting meetings:
On Shabbos I walk 45 minutes each way in my hat and kapote, and things interesting always happen. This past shabbos I hear a guy speaking Hebrew on a cell phone.
So I say Shabbat Shalom.
To make a long story short, he was a Palestinian. Not only that, he is from Sydney, and speaks fluent English. Surprisingly, he was nice, we had an interesting conversation. After Shabbos, he called me to say that if I ever need help, I can call him. Also, he was happy to meet me. He's here for only six months as a student. Interesting, huh?
Two minutes later I met an Israeli who moved here.
Another meeting: the governors assistant in charge of religious affairs. Purim day this busy guy came over to say hi. I assumed it was just to say hi, and spoke warmly with him for about abn hour. Only after I left did I find out that I was supposed to ask him if he can help us get the shul back. That's why he came. Oh well, next time. I'll have my secretary try and arrange a second meeting with him.
Tuesday: I meet a pastor who is excited to meet me. He came to the centre to say hi. He's part of an organization of pastors, minmisters, mullahs etc. that meet and talk peace. They want to make their next meeting in the Jewish centre.
Thursday last week: a woman wants me to Barmitzvah her son. Date of entry into Jewish manhood? third day of Pesach.
Shabbos: on the way home from Centre, I meet a Russian boy. We have a nice conversation - he is an author. I told him one day he will be famous. He told me to remember his name. I told him to remember mine when he's famous. ;)
A day in the life of a very religious looking Jew in Russia. :)
The political scene
I suppose now is the right time to explain the community situation, especially after recent occurences.
This community is split. From what I understand, about 5 years ago, a woman who led the community passed away, leaving 2 people in charge. Yefim, the president of the community, and Natasha, a strong woman who ran Chesed and Sachnut. They had good working relationship which lasted about a year.
Then Yefim started living with a Jewish woman named Yanna, and apparently she felt he wasn't getting enough Kovod. She started making Natasha's life miserable.
People began to get disgusted with the community, and many left, vowing never to return to the Jewish centre (to this day they won't come). A committee was started of people who want to overthrow Yefim and put up a new Rosh Hakahal.
Yefim himself is a sweet guy, who wants to learn Torah, and add Yiddishkeit. He is dedicated to the community, and wants things to improve. Yanna, on the other hand (the woman he lives with), is, I'm not sure how to put it nicely... She is protective of her man, and feels anything is a threat to him. She respects nobody, and hates Yiddishkeit. She orders him around, and laughs at him in front of other people.
Yanna is a very loud woman, and after a year, Natasha took the Chesed and Sachnut, and Sunday school, and left. I don't think Yefim was too happy about that, but the community more or less stood behind Natasha, because the people backing Yefim were mean to almost everyone.
When we arrived here the heat had died down, but was simmering. We were not given a warm welcome (again, I assume it was because of Yanna, who despises us, though we have never done anything to wrong her).
We asked for help to find apartments, and also requested an office, but while they made the occassional phone call, it would take us two weeks to find an apartment, and 2 months to settle into a normal one, plus a month to get a tiny office in the back of the center, followed by another month of waiting for a normal office to put a secretary into.
In short, we were not warmly welcomed, and every time they spoke to us, they demanded help, money or things immediately. When we asked them to help us out (for example, when we told them that Rabbi Lazar told us we need to write a letter to our Minister about the Shul), it took at least a month to receive an answer, if we received one at all.
The several meetings we had were not constuctive, but rather were "Rabbi-bashing" moments, where they (mainly Yanna) would shout at us for hiring non-Jewish secretary and housekeeper, making Shabbos meals in our house, etc.
Meanwhile, Natasha welcomed us with open arms. She arranged that we should meet people, offered her help (and has been there for us when we needed her help), and shows up to our classes and programs.
To illustrate an example: On our first month here we tried to organize a womens club, and asked Yefim to call women and invite them, being that we don't know many. We also made our calls, but when the day came, not only did no women show up, but even his secretary, and Yanna were no-shows. On the other hand, Natasha came over to us with a list of 12 women who want Chayale to start teaching them a class on "kosher kitchen."
Purim was extra hard for this very reason. We decided that for the first time in several years, we want Purim to be done the entire community together. Yefims group (which today is about 10% of the community) did everything they could to stop it, but Boruch Hashem it worked out.
After several small incidents, I got the feeling that Yefim feels threatened (I was asked where I got my list of Jews, from Natasha?), and decided to call a meeting.
I spoke to my Mashpia about the situation and he thought it was a good idea. First of all, we wanted to explain why we go to the Sachnut bichlal (because we are here for every Jew), and to let them know our goals and explain that we are not a threat, rather it'll be better for everyone. Also, we wanted to work out Pesach.
I'd also spoken to Eli krivchevski (president-Rabbi relations guy in Moscow), who correctly told me that Boruch Hashem we are in a good scenario. Only 10% of the community backs our Rosh Hakahal, who himself is a nice guy.
Anyway, we prepared two days for the meeting, working it out that it should be easiest for everyone to swallow, and we were sure they wouldn't have a problem, since they want to work together (or so it seems).
How wrong we were. At the meeting, while Yefim and Rosa listened, Yanna was downright rude, telling us to return to Canada... So we finally asked if they think we can work together, explaining that our standards are run by Hashem, and if we are going to raise and bring in 10,000 dollars for Pesach (compared to the 1000 they can raise, and that includes the Sachnut plus fundraising), then it should be done kosher, and after Shabbos.
Amidst Yanna's derogatory comments, Yefim and Rosa couldn't answer. So we left, assuming that this is how it is:
Before we came, they wanted a Rabbi who can bring more money to the community, and take it further. Yefim was probably excited about the Yiddishkeit aspect, but he is a weak character and answers to a board, of which Yanna is a loud voice (incidentally I am head of this board).
But once we arrived they felt threatened somehow, and instead of taking us to meet people, organizing classes etc. they just had demands.
Result: now while we will continue to "work" with them, we are shluchim, who represent Yiddishkeit, 90% of the community is excited that we are here, and since we are raising the money, we will do things our way. We would love to work together weith them, but cannot if they don't respect our ways and understand why we are here.
People have asked what it's like, working in Russia as a Shliach. This is the downside - the political stuff. Of course I think that's the downside everywhere in the world. But it's especially tough when you have no one nearby you can speak to.
This community is split. From what I understand, about 5 years ago, a woman who led the community passed away, leaving 2 people in charge. Yefim, the president of the community, and Natasha, a strong woman who ran Chesed and Sachnut. They had good working relationship which lasted about a year.
Then Yefim started living with a Jewish woman named Yanna, and apparently she felt he wasn't getting enough Kovod. She started making Natasha's life miserable.
People began to get disgusted with the community, and many left, vowing never to return to the Jewish centre (to this day they won't come). A committee was started of people who want to overthrow Yefim and put up a new Rosh Hakahal.
Yefim himself is a sweet guy, who wants to learn Torah, and add Yiddishkeit. He is dedicated to the community, and wants things to improve. Yanna, on the other hand (the woman he lives with), is, I'm not sure how to put it nicely... She is protective of her man, and feels anything is a threat to him. She respects nobody, and hates Yiddishkeit. She orders him around, and laughs at him in front of other people.
Yanna is a very loud woman, and after a year, Natasha took the Chesed and Sachnut, and Sunday school, and left. I don't think Yefim was too happy about that, but the community more or less stood behind Natasha, because the people backing Yefim were mean to almost everyone.
When we arrived here the heat had died down, but was simmering. We were not given a warm welcome (again, I assume it was because of Yanna, who despises us, though we have never done anything to wrong her).
We asked for help to find apartments, and also requested an office, but while they made the occassional phone call, it would take us two weeks to find an apartment, and 2 months to settle into a normal one, plus a month to get a tiny office in the back of the center, followed by another month of waiting for a normal office to put a secretary into.
In short, we were not warmly welcomed, and every time they spoke to us, they demanded help, money or things immediately. When we asked them to help us out (for example, when we told them that Rabbi Lazar told us we need to write a letter to our Minister about the Shul), it took at least a month to receive an answer, if we received one at all.
The several meetings we had were not constuctive, but rather were "Rabbi-bashing" moments, where they (mainly Yanna) would shout at us for hiring non-Jewish secretary and housekeeper, making Shabbos meals in our house, etc.
Meanwhile, Natasha welcomed us with open arms. She arranged that we should meet people, offered her help (and has been there for us when we needed her help), and shows up to our classes and programs.
To illustrate an example: On our first month here we tried to organize a womens club, and asked Yefim to call women and invite them, being that we don't know many. We also made our calls, but when the day came, not only did no women show up, but even his secretary, and Yanna were no-shows. On the other hand, Natasha came over to us with a list of 12 women who want Chayale to start teaching them a class on "kosher kitchen."
Purim was extra hard for this very reason. We decided that for the first time in several years, we want Purim to be done the entire community together. Yefims group (which today is about 10% of the community) did everything they could to stop it, but Boruch Hashem it worked out.
After several small incidents, I got the feeling that Yefim feels threatened (I was asked where I got my list of Jews, from Natasha?), and decided to call a meeting.
I spoke to my Mashpia about the situation and he thought it was a good idea. First of all, we wanted to explain why we go to the Sachnut bichlal (because we are here for every Jew), and to let them know our goals and explain that we are not a threat, rather it'll be better for everyone. Also, we wanted to work out Pesach.
I'd also spoken to Eli krivchevski (president-Rabbi relations guy in Moscow), who correctly told me that Boruch Hashem we are in a good scenario. Only 10% of the community backs our Rosh Hakahal, who himself is a nice guy.
Anyway, we prepared two days for the meeting, working it out that it should be easiest for everyone to swallow, and we were sure they wouldn't have a problem, since they want to work together (or so it seems).
How wrong we were. At the meeting, while Yefim and Rosa listened, Yanna was downright rude, telling us to return to Canada... So we finally asked if they think we can work together, explaining that our standards are run by Hashem, and if we are going to raise and bring in 10,000 dollars for Pesach (compared to the 1000 they can raise, and that includes the Sachnut plus fundraising), then it should be done kosher, and after Shabbos.
Amidst Yanna's derogatory comments, Yefim and Rosa couldn't answer. So we left, assuming that this is how it is:
Before we came, they wanted a Rabbi who can bring more money to the community, and take it further. Yefim was probably excited about the Yiddishkeit aspect, but he is a weak character and answers to a board, of which Yanna is a loud voice (incidentally I am head of this board).
But once we arrived they felt threatened somehow, and instead of taking us to meet people, organizing classes etc. they just had demands.
Result: now while we will continue to "work" with them, we are shluchim, who represent Yiddishkeit, 90% of the community is excited that we are here, and since we are raising the money, we will do things our way. We would love to work together weith them, but cannot if they don't respect our ways and understand why we are here.
People have asked what it's like, working in Russia as a Shliach. This is the downside - the political stuff. Of course I think that's the downside everywhere in the world. But it's especially tough when you have no one nearby you can speak to.
So much to post
Purim was amazing... and while I can't post pictures here yet (not enough time at the moment), I can say that it really was special.
100 Jews in a cafe, with beautiful music, and cutre kids, it worked out teriffic. Only one thing - my request that all food be kosher was ignored, and non-kosher wine was on the tables. This means that we can no longer trust anyone else, and we will run holidays ourselves.
We arrived late, as we said we would, and apparently the party had already started. From what I heard later people representing several communities, including (surprise) the Cossacks! came to wish us well. As we walked in I met the leader of the "Ossetian diaspora" who wished us well and said he was glad to meet us.
Also, the leaders of the community, president Yefim Fainer and Sachnut head Natasha Kulugina told everyone how happy they were to do it together, and to welcome the new Rabbi blah blah blah.
When we arrived (with 120 Shalach Manos'), a little girl was singing Tumbalalalaika and dancing. It was very good, and a little sad because she had a cast on her arm.
Then we sat down while a comedian (very well-known Russian comedian Moscow had sent) told some jokes, and a young tall singer with a deep voice sang some traditional Jewish Purim songs (such as "vodka spasiba nyet davai" and "ya vodka khatchoo moy myatch").
Then I had to speak, and gave a very prepared Dvar Torah, followed by a half hour Megilla reading. I wish I could say that people wept while hearing Megilla for the first time in 80 years, but the truth was if they wept, it was because of my hoarse voice (man, the kids made noise).
The good news is that since here no one knows Hebrew enough to realize when you say Haman, it means that unlike America, every five seconds you don't have to stop reading because someone heard you say the name out loud.
Then I broke my fast, the kids put on the cutest Purimshpiel, everyone danced (the leaders of both communities together!), and I juggled (which shocked everyone).
It was a beautiful night.
My highlight was when one man came up to me and told me with ACTUAL tears in his eyes: "Rabbi, I thank G-d that he brought you to our community."
More updates to follow soon.
100 Jews in a cafe, with beautiful music, and cutre kids, it worked out teriffic. Only one thing - my request that all food be kosher was ignored, and non-kosher wine was on the tables. This means that we can no longer trust anyone else, and we will run holidays ourselves.
We arrived late, as we said we would, and apparently the party had already started. From what I heard later people representing several communities, including (surprise) the Cossacks! came to wish us well. As we walked in I met the leader of the "Ossetian diaspora" who wished us well and said he was glad to meet us.
Also, the leaders of the community, president Yefim Fainer and Sachnut head Natasha Kulugina told everyone how happy they were to do it together, and to welcome the new Rabbi blah blah blah.
When we arrived (with 120 Shalach Manos'), a little girl was singing Tumbalalalaika and dancing. It was very good, and a little sad because she had a cast on her arm.
Then we sat down while a comedian (very well-known Russian comedian Moscow had sent) told some jokes, and a young tall singer with a deep voice sang some traditional Jewish Purim songs (such as "vodka spasiba nyet davai" and "ya vodka khatchoo moy myatch").
Then I had to speak, and gave a very prepared Dvar Torah, followed by a half hour Megilla reading. I wish I could say that people wept while hearing Megilla for the first time in 80 years, but the truth was if they wept, it was because of my hoarse voice (man, the kids made noise).
The good news is that since here no one knows Hebrew enough to realize when you say Haman, it means that unlike America, every five seconds you don't have to stop reading because someone heard you say the name out loud.
Then I broke my fast, the kids put on the cutest Purimshpiel, everyone danced (the leaders of both communities together!), and I juggled (which shocked everyone).
It was a beautiful night.
My highlight was when one man came up to me and told me with ACTUAL tears in his eyes: "Rabbi, I thank G-d that he brought you to our community."
More updates to follow soon.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Weird stuff
I am an uncle... again.
Benny('s wife) last night gave birth to a healthy baby boy. It's such a sahme that I won't get to see him until the summer, because that means that Benny's child will probably go THREE WHOLE MONTHS before putting on his first pair of skates.
Benny('s wife) last night gave birth to a healthy baby boy. It's such a sahme that I won't get to see him until the summer, because that means that Benny's child will probably go THREE WHOLE MONTHS before putting on his first pair of skates.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Update on sad Purim
Well, we went to the restaurant, and cannot kasher the place for reasons too complicated to write.
So while the community leaders sat on the edge of their seats and nervously whispered to each other (we didn't give our 2000 bucks for the program yet), we called our Rabbis to ask what to do.
So here is what we are (sadly) doing.
All food will have kosher INGREDIENTS but not be PREPARED kosher, since we are able to control the ingredients. Also, I'm gonna try to get in early on Taanis Esther and turn on the ovens for them. They promised to clean the ovens, and have a hot dishwasher, which doesn't hit the Halachic heat (110 degrees) but will have to do since we have no other choice.
I will show up to the party after everyone has eaten, give my speech, read the Megilla, and then dance.
What a shame. It's a little heartbreaking to know that 120 Jews (would've been more but the community didnt even believe they'd GET 120 Jews) will be eating non-kosher.
So lessons are learnt.
From now on, we raise the money, and we control EVERYTHING! They can help, but we order them what to do. If they don't like it, they can go back to their 200 dollar meals, or they can join our 8000 dollar Pesach, and get all the kovod they need etc.
So while the community leaders sat on the edge of their seats and nervously whispered to each other (we didn't give our 2000 bucks for the program yet), we called our Rabbis to ask what to do.
So here is what we are (sadly) doing.
All food will have kosher INGREDIENTS but not be PREPARED kosher, since we are able to control the ingredients. Also, I'm gonna try to get in early on Taanis Esther and turn on the ovens for them. They promised to clean the ovens, and have a hot dishwasher, which doesn't hit the Halachic heat (110 degrees) but will have to do since we have no other choice.
I will show up to the party after everyone has eaten, give my speech, read the Megilla, and then dance.
What a shame. It's a little heartbreaking to know that 120 Jews (would've been more but the community didnt even believe they'd GET 120 Jews) will be eating non-kosher.
So lessons are learnt.
From now on, we raise the money, and we control EVERYTHING! They can help, but we order them what to do. If they don't like it, they can go back to their 200 dollar meals, or they can join our 8000 dollar Pesach, and get all the kovod they need etc.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Zhenskiy Kloob
Chayale's womens club was a small success.
5 women showed, and according to Chayale, "the best part was the shiur."
From my vintage point of being in the bedroom watching several kids, I understood that the Torah part lasted about half hour to 45 minutes. Accorsing to Chayale, people were fascinated and lots of questions were asked (such as, "really? this cake WAS made with salt?"). But seriously, they didn't know the story of Purim too well, so Chayale had to recap.
Then the makeup lady gave them all tips on 5-minute makeup. They need that because they are all Moms. Then an entire makeover was done on one of the women. Chayale says she did an amazing job, but personally I cannot attest to seeing the result, though I did see a mannequin leave our house (kidding).
Chayale gave each woman a small makeup kit to take home, and as everyone was leaving, another woman showed up.
But luckily she wasn't into makeup, she just came by to say hello, so all was good.
When everyone left Chayale chatted with the makeup lady and bought some things, while I snuck in and ate all the remaining cake.
On a side note, something cute happened. Chayale had left a shaitel lying around in the room where I watched the kids. One girl, Mashe, saw it and started laughing. I had to explain her it was for Purim, then put it on and pretend to be a rock star, before I could sneak it away.
Other great news: at the kinus, they gave us a CD of all the Sichos and many English books! This means we can seriously prepare classes now, as everything comes in PDF format and we can print what we need, or at least read and learn, etc.
Boruch Hashem!
Purim problems
Mishenichnas Adar Marbim Besimcha.
If there is a judgement between a Jew and a non-Jew let it happen in the month of Adar.
These are the thoughts going through my mind now, as I get ready to go to the cafe which we rented to work out the kashrus issue.
When we rented the cafe for Purim, the boss wasn't there, so we gave in the money for the rental (non-refundable) once they promised that we could make it kosher.
But now the boss called up and said we cannot kasher the kitchen. The menu he is cool with, but not the kashering.
Hopefully this will go well.
If there is a judgement between a Jew and a non-Jew let it happen in the month of Adar.
These are the thoughts going through my mind now, as I get ready to go to the cafe which we rented to work out the kashrus issue.
When we rented the cafe for Purim, the boss wasn't there, so we gave in the money for the rental (non-refundable) once they promised that we could make it kosher.
But now the boss called up and said we cannot kasher the kitchen. The menu he is cool with, but not the kashering.
Hopefully this will go well.
Friday, March 14, 2008
In memory of Zaidy
March 14, 2008
Zayin Adar 2, 5768
Dear Zaidy,
We can’t believe you’re gone. But we know that there is no place you’d rather be than with Bubby, whose side you did not leave for 62 years. We all look to you and Bubby as an example of the most beautiful marriage, full of devotion and kindness, and will always try to emulate the care and concern you always showed for each other.
Zaidy, this last year was not an easy one for you. Yet you did not complain. The residents in your building often heard you singing as you went to meals or walked the halls. You encouraged those around you to be happy, to be positive. You made friends and invited them over, you took care of the lonely and you never ceased to greet everybody with a smile. We know how lonely you must have been, yet you found in your last year of life, new things to live for. You joined a Shul with Rabbi Sperlin and devoted yourself to their services. We are sure that they, nor the congregants at Rabbi Sirota’s Shul and neither the congregants at Anshei Ozeroff will ever forget the smiling, jolly face of Jack Dubrow.
----I, Zvi, grew up on your knee. It was always the highlight of my week to run over to Bubby and Zaidys to see the game and drink ginger ale while Bubby watched opera. After I got married we continued the tradition and even Miriam watched her first hockey game in your apartment.
Zaidy, you have done so much for our family in the last couple of years. Our home in Montreal was full of your things; your kitchen table and chairs, a cookbook, some linen, a suitcase… and soon they will join us in Russia and we will think of you and your generosity when we use them. You were always giving giving giving. Every time we came to your house, we left with a lot more than we came with. Shirts, ties, books, fruit. Fruit, always fruit. And the greatest surprise was when you would show up at our door with a pint of strawberries or some blueberries!
----You have been the only Zaidy, I Chayale, have ever had. And you welcomed me as one of your own. You always kissed me and told me how much you loved me. You asked about my work, you even came once to visit me at work! When I mentioned last month that I was going to be in New York for a few days your response was “I miss you so much, I’m going to come to New York just to see you.” I felt like the most special person in your life.
And You loved our daughter too like your own child and always took an interest in her development. You were always Miriam’s favorite Zaidy from the minute she stuck her tongue out to you exclusively. As Zvi said the last time he spoke to you, we will give her, from you, the biggest kiss she has had this week. We will tell her about her Zaidy and we are sorry that she will grow up not knowing you.
When we left to go to Russia on our lifelong mission, you were not excited about it. It was too far and you wanted us nearby. But you knew it was important to us and you sent us off with your blessing. That meant the world to us as well as the phone calls asking how we’re doing. We are sure that you and Bubby wherever you are watching over us and giving us strength to continue.
We love you Zaidy and we are grateful to you for the lessons you shared with us and the warmth and laughter you spread. We will miss you.
Zvi and Chayale
Anti-Semitism in Stavropol
People have asked me, people have warned me... Heck, the only thing people in Stavropol, and around the world are interested in knowing is "how can you stand the anti-Semitism?"
To demontrate my answer I have added the picture, above (of Miriam playing with her handcuffed doll in a btahtub, which gives you an idea of how Russian people raise their kids, and of their mentality).
To tell you the truth, on an Anti-Semitic scale of 1 to 10, I would give Stavropol a 6. Not high enough to get worried, but it still is Russia.
I can't understand the shluchim that walk the streets at night without a bodyguard in cities in Siberia where it is so cold that anti-Semites seek warmth by trying to attach their fists or legs to body-parts of Jews.
However I do feel somewhat safe here, mainly due to the fact that this is such a multi-cultural city, very diverse. You can talk to 5 people in a row, and one will be Armenian, the next a Turk, the next Kazakhstani (and I HAVE seen several Borats), followed by a Georgian and a Ukrainian.
In most Russian cities, there are Russians and there is you. You stand out like soap in a Mikva. Everyone stares, and the stares are generally not very welcoming. Nobody dares speak to you, so you just walk either with your head held up high, or with your eyes to the ground (depending on if you have a stiff neck or not).
But here, there are so many 'oddities', dark people, bright people, people wearing tichels (I kid you not), and hippies that if someone were to say "I hate Jews", it just wouldn't work as much as elsewhere.
That is not to say that occassionally I do get an anti-Semitic remark. But the good thing is I don't understand what they are saying. For all I know they could be yelling at me "Your fly is open!" and then spitting on the ground because they almost swallowed a bug.
There are two anti-Semitic writings (one of which I photographed and filmed) and anti-black writing (also filmed and photographed), but they may have been up there for ages.
So I don't have a problem walking the streets in my hat and jackets, as a matter of fact, I always make sure to, because I have had many interesting encounters, such as students stopping me to take pictures, people wishing me peace, and of course, Jews shaking my hand with tears in their eyes, and thanking me for coming to their city.
Some Jews are still afraid. Many times I have heard a "Shalom", and asked the speaker if he was Jewish, and they put a finger on their lips, nod their head 'yes' and whisper Shhhh.
Yesterday I had a meeting with the police public relations department, and met some big head of the department, who offered his assistance in anything, and as well with the head of the department for religious affairs (in Russia they have departments for everything).
It went really nice. I gave them a Hamsa, telling them that we value their protection, and this is protection from G-d.
I was warned beforehand that generally when people meet the police it is to complain, so I made sure to heap the praise. I told them how competent their police are, and how I love that there is a cop on almost every corner. I got the name of a Jewish policeman, and told them that if I can be of any use to them, they are welcome to ask.
The station being next door to the city's largest newspaper, they called a reporter who came and took pictures, and asked all sorts of questions about Yiddishkeit.
All in all it was a great hour-long bullshove, after which I went home to eat supper.
Let's hope they actually report what I said, and don't add horns on me in the photographs ;)
Shabbos smell
A little note with the picture. When Chayale makes Shabbos you can smell Shabbos (the food that is) throughout our building. I LOVE IT!
Pictured is Chayale teaching (Alef for Ahavas Yisroel).
On the topic of Hasgacha Portis...
Hashem works in mysterious ways.
I know that is a quote straight of a Tzvi Jacobs book, but he really does.
About a month ago, Levi Stiefel, a fellow Canadian Shliach in Voronezh, Russia told me about a website for Canadian Expats in Moscow, where they have discussed all the visa problems and what to do about it.
I found the site boring.
Anyway, on Wednesday, I had a few spare moments on the internet, and googled Montreal expats in Stavropol.
One of the websites it brought up was an article written by a "Graham", who for some odd reason compared Stavropol to Montreal (to give you an idea of the differences, it is right now like minus-30 in Montreal while I am typing this in my bathing suit... Oh, and tie. I AM a Rabbi after all).
The gyst of the article was to convince people to come to Stavropol to visit, or preferably to stay, and that there is much work to be done here.
At the end, Graham, an Englishman, posted his email address. The article was dated 2 years ago. But I sent Graham an email anyway, telling him I'm a Canadian Rabbi in town, who assumed I was the only foreigner from an English-speaking country, and that I would love to meet him. I left him my cell number, and went home and forgot about the whole email (Chayale had made pizza for supper, so can I be blamed?).
Later that night I receive a phone call. "Hi, is this Zvi? my name is Mel, and I'm a South African Jew who has moved here four months ago..."
A SOUTH AFRICAN JEW who had no idea there was anothing Jew in this city!
Obviously I invited him for Shabbos and went to meet him. Turns out that as far as we know, there are 3 of us English-speakers in this town. Graham and Mel teach English to students here.
I think Hashem guided me a little bit so I can find this South African before Purim and make sure he does another Mitzvah. What do you think?
I know that is a quote straight of a Tzvi Jacobs book, but he really does.
About a month ago, Levi Stiefel, a fellow Canadian Shliach in Voronezh, Russia told me about a website for Canadian Expats in Moscow, where they have discussed all the visa problems and what to do about it.
I found the site boring.
Anyway, on Wednesday, I had a few spare moments on the internet, and googled Montreal expats in Stavropol.
One of the websites it brought up was an article written by a "Graham", who for some odd reason compared Stavropol to Montreal (to give you an idea of the differences, it is right now like minus-30 in Montreal while I am typing this in my bathing suit... Oh, and tie. I AM a Rabbi after all).
The gyst of the article was to convince people to come to Stavropol to visit, or preferably to stay, and that there is much work to be done here.
At the end, Graham, an Englishman, posted his email address. The article was dated 2 years ago. But I sent Graham an email anyway, telling him I'm a Canadian Rabbi in town, who assumed I was the only foreigner from an English-speaking country, and that I would love to meet him. I left him my cell number, and went home and forgot about the whole email (Chayale had made pizza for supper, so can I be blamed?).
Later that night I receive a phone call. "Hi, is this Zvi? my name is Mel, and I'm a South African Jew who has moved here four months ago..."
A SOUTH AFRICAN JEW who had no idea there was anothing Jew in this city!
Obviously I invited him for Shabbos and went to meet him. Turns out that as far as we know, there are 3 of us English-speakers in this town. Graham and Mel teach English to students here.
I think Hashem guided me a little bit so I can find this South African before Purim and make sure he does another Mitzvah. What do you think?
A vibrant community
Pictured is "Yula", a very kind woman from the community, and Miriam.
Whoever came up up with the word "vibrant", must be getting tons of royalty checks from Chabad alone.
Every Chabad house is described as having "a vibrant community". I think it's one of those words that Lubavitch kids know before they learn what a 'notepad' is.
Stavropol obviously is a vibrant community.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Reasons to stay on Shlichus
Sometimes people say things which remind you what you are doing, and make you proud to know that your lifelong commitment of helping a Jewish community in Russia seems worth it (of course, at other times you wish you could be in Montreal so you could go down the block to Pizza Pita and order a pizzawrap).
Like yesterday, when I decided to call people and invite them for Purim. I am expecting mostly no's, mainly because we don't have established relationships with most of these people, and they include some people whom I have only met once (a 'Shalom' in the street and I took down their phone number).
But call after call people were so happy. One lady was so excited that she is running over today to bring the money for her husband and herself. Things like this really make you feel great.
Incidentally, Chayale decided to give her 'womens club' another shot, and have a makeup artist come and teach women how to use makeup or something like that (how complicated can it be? what will she say? "your fluorescent pink lipstick is NOT eye shadow").
The makeup teacher agreed to come and do it all for free, saying "it's great advertising". So this coming Sunday will be the first Womens club at our apartment, and all we need to do is make food.
I will take care of the baby, and Chayale will have fun with the women. She has made pretty pink invitations (in Russian), and passed them around to about 30 women. We are expecting at least 10, already having several confirmations. I hope this works out.
Like yesterday, when I decided to call people and invite them for Purim. I am expecting mostly no's, mainly because we don't have established relationships with most of these people, and they include some people whom I have only met once (a 'Shalom' in the street and I took down their phone number).
But call after call people were so happy. One lady was so excited that she is running over today to bring the money for her husband and herself. Things like this really make you feel great.
Incidentally, Chayale decided to give her 'womens club' another shot, and have a makeup artist come and teach women how to use makeup or something like that (how complicated can it be? what will she say? "your fluorescent pink lipstick is NOT eye shadow").
The makeup teacher agreed to come and do it all for free, saying "it's great advertising". So this coming Sunday will be the first Womens club at our apartment, and all we need to do is make food.
I will take care of the baby, and Chayale will have fun with the women. She has made pretty pink invitations (in Russian), and passed them around to about 30 women. We are expecting at least 10, already having several confirmations. I hope this works out.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Hamantashen classes
Well, Chayale is giving a class to older women on baking Hamantaschen. The women want poppyseeds. Does anyone know the kashrus situation of poppyseeds?
Also, please say Tehillim for my Zaidy, Yaakov Zimmel ben Tzivia Lena.
Also, please say Tehillim for my Zaidy, Yaakov Zimmel ben Tzivia Lena.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Zhensky Den
In Russia they take their few holidays seriously.
Therefore, this past Shabbos, being Zhensky Den (womens day), the walk to shul was more intertesting than usual, with men all over rushing around carrying flowers, or watching their little children while their wives were (I'm assuming) out partying or finally catching up on sleep. Their were also romantic couples camped out all over, and several street bands singing lullabies. It was a fun experience, topped off with two soldiers, who stopped me to ask for cigarettes. When I explained them about Shabbos, they told me they were from Northern Ossetia and Dagestan, and they keep Shabbos on Friday (Muslims, I assume). Then they asked me if I knew Igor the Jew in the market, thereby giving me another name of a Jew to look for and perhaps invite for Shabbos.
Today is also Zhensky Den (2 days, perhaps because we are in the diaspora), and so the children gave Chayale a present. It was really cute.
I don't think I ever mentioned what we do each Sunday. So here is a report:
From 12:00 to 2:00 is Sunday school. Chayale has arranged for there to be kosher crafts and she does arts and cr4afts with the children in a genius way that there is always a lesson. She also teaches Alef Beis by having the kids color in all sorts of pictures that start with that letter (for example an 'ananas' for Aleph), and putting in their "alef-beis train" that Chayale made for each kid.
I teach a Jewish History class, which always turns into a discussion about different Jewish items, becuase while you teach history, you understand more Jewish things (such as, in explaining the sheishes yemei breishis you learn about shabbos...)
Then we go to meet the studnets, with whom we just chat.
I am trying to start classes. I plan to introduce them at Purim with a sign-up list.
Therefore, this past Shabbos, being Zhensky Den (womens day), the walk to shul was more intertesting than usual, with men all over rushing around carrying flowers, or watching their little children while their wives were (I'm assuming) out partying or finally catching up on sleep. Their were also romantic couples camped out all over, and several street bands singing lullabies. It was a fun experience, topped off with two soldiers, who stopped me to ask for cigarettes. When I explained them about Shabbos, they told me they were from Northern Ossetia and Dagestan, and they keep Shabbos on Friday (Muslims, I assume). Then they asked me if I knew Igor the Jew in the market, thereby giving me another name of a Jew to look for and perhaps invite for Shabbos.
Today is also Zhensky Den (2 days, perhaps because we are in the diaspora), and so the children gave Chayale a present. It was really cute.
I don't think I ever mentioned what we do each Sunday. So here is a report:
From 12:00 to 2:00 is Sunday school. Chayale has arranged for there to be kosher crafts and she does arts and cr4afts with the children in a genius way that there is always a lesson. She also teaches Alef Beis by having the kids color in all sorts of pictures that start with that letter (for example an 'ananas' for Aleph), and putting in their "alef-beis train" that Chayale made for each kid.
I teach a Jewish History class, which always turns into a discussion about different Jewish items, becuase while you teach history, you understand more Jewish things (such as, in explaining the sheishes yemei breishis you learn about shabbos...)
Then we go to meet the studnets, with whom we just chat.
I am trying to start classes. I plan to introduce them at Purim with a sign-up list.
Friday, March 07, 2008
Cricket in Russia!
The other day I was being driven down Pushkina Street when I noticed a group of Kavkaz-looking boys playing cricket in an alleyway! Cricket in Russia! Hey, if cricket can be played in Russia, definitely roller-hockey is a possibility.
In other news, we decided that now that a Rabbi is in town, things much change. Suprisingly, the hostility we expected (and have received on other occassions) hasn't been seen (probably because we have raised 1500 bucks for Purim, more than all of them put together, though we still need to raise more hint hint). In other words, everyone agrees that the huge Purim meal in which we are inviting the ENTIRE COMMUNITY (both factions... a first for this community in about 5 years) will be entirely kosher.
Chayale also has promised to help prepare food for Shabbos and to make Shabbos kosher, which means that for now we prepare everything at home, and bring it to the centre to be eaten. We want to kasher the kitchen, which altogether (new dishes, stove, etc.) will cost 1000 dollars.
Anyone wanna help sponsor a kosher kitchen for a large Jewish community in Russia?
In other news, we decided that now that a Rabbi is in town, things much change. Suprisingly, the hostility we expected (and have received on other occassions) hasn't been seen (probably because we have raised 1500 bucks for Purim, more than all of them put together, though we still need to raise more hint hint). In other words, everyone agrees that the huge Purim meal in which we are inviting the ENTIRE COMMUNITY (both factions... a first for this community in about 5 years) will be entirely kosher.
Chayale also has promised to help prepare food for Shabbos and to make Shabbos kosher, which means that for now we prepare everything at home, and bring it to the centre to be eaten. We want to kasher the kitchen, which altogether (new dishes, stove, etc.) will cost 1000 dollars.
Anyone wanna help sponsor a kosher kitchen for a large Jewish community in Russia?
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Ivanovo, Russia: Man Get 4 Years In Jail For Attacking Rabbi
Ivanovo Leninsky District Court handed down a sentence to the local resident who attacked the chairman of Ivanovo Jewish Community Ervin Kirshtein and his foreign guests - reported HERE on YWN.
In addition to a four-year jail sentence, the court will impose on him a penalty of 80,000 ruble moral damages in favor of Kirshtein, and 40,000 ruble moral damages in favor of community member Valery Makushev.
According to earlier reports, on June 11, 2007, some youths attacked the chairman of local Jewish Community Ervin Kirshtein, Jewish Community member Valery Makushev, and their guests from Montreal, rabbi Zvi Hershcovich with his wife and 8-year-old daughter walking about the central streets of Ivanovo.
(Source: Interfax)
That from theyeshivanews.com
My did Miriam grow.
Hows that for news?
In addition to a four-year jail sentence, the court will impose on him a penalty of 80,000 ruble moral damages in favor of Kirshtein, and 40,000 ruble moral damages in favor of community member Valery Makushev.
According to earlier reports, on June 11, 2007, some youths attacked the chairman of local Jewish Community Ervin Kirshtein, Jewish Community member Valery Makushev, and their guests from Montreal, rabbi Zvi Hershcovich with his wife and 8-year-old daughter walking about the central streets of Ivanovo.
(Source: Interfax)
That from theyeshivanews.com
My did Miriam grow.
Hows that for news?
White toilet paper
Who would know? all toilet paper here (except for the sandpaper ones) are colored for some reason.
But a big heros thank you goes to Leibele and Chanie Rodal who sent us ULTRASOFT WHITE toiletpaper!!!!
We are now able to sit down on our chairs properly. Thank you guys.
But a big heros thank you goes to Leibele and Chanie Rodal who sent us ULTRASOFT WHITE toiletpaper!!!!
We are now able to sit down on our chairs properly. Thank you guys.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
First video upload
Esty and Chayale playing an arcade game in the Galeria. We went skating as well, and word spread. Several people have already mentioned that they heard the Rabbi is a good skater ;) More videos to come.
Internet at work
The arrival of Esty brought luck with it.
High-speed internet here costs 400 bucks to install, and takes a month. Well, in short, when our secretary went to pay for it, they said that there was a sale, for only about 275 dollars and they installed it within 4 days. This means that we now have internet in the office, which is where I am writing from.
So much is going on, but instead of writing it all, I will try and post pictures and videos.
This one is Chayale teaching women how to make Challah a few weeks ago. One of the ladies now makes Challah (6 braids) herself each week for Shabbos!
Monday, March 03, 2008
My sister is in town
Esty came in for a week, and there is nothing like having a family member visit you after spending 4 months in the middle of nowhere trying to find kosher food.
Incidentally, before this past Shabbos we got a call from a community member who wanted to meet us. She speaks a fluent English, and so I invited her and her husband for Shabbos. They are a really cute couple, and we found out that their daughter lives with her husband in MOntreal!!! Now that Esty's here she gave Esty a package to bring to Montreal for her daughter. Such a nice couple.
Incidentally, before this past Shabbos we got a call from a community member who wanted to meet us. She speaks a fluent English, and so I invited her and her husband for Shabbos. They are a really cute couple, and we found out that their daughter lives with her husband in MOntreal!!! Now that Esty's here she gave Esty a package to bring to Montreal for her daughter. Such a nice couple.
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