A good moment for my ego

Womens club.

The other day at womens club, they started gossiping. Chayale was a little uncomfortable, so she said, "If Zvi were here he would say..."

And before she could finish everyone in her class chimed in together "nilzya govorit plokho na ludi" (you're not allowed to talk bad about people).

I will be rereading this post whenever I feel I am getting nowhere.

Everyone loves foosball

As I've previously written, the Rosh Hakahal broke the old contract ages ago by opening a second school, of which maybe 5-6 kids attend.

Under the new contract, he is allowed to continue his school, but he receives no funding for it from Moscow, and as soon as we get our offices, he must shut his school down and merge it with the community school.

Anyway, his school's biggest lure was a small ping-pong table (Russian standards), which he was able to buy with the money that came in when the children weren't at school.

Anyway, that attracted some kids, and infuriated the est of the community (as I said before, parents were threatened that they'd received no aid from the community if their children weren't in that school too).

The children talk, and heard about the ping-pong table, so we were asked if we can use some extra money (which came from Moscow) to buy a ping-pong game.

Boruch Hashem we had enough money to get something good, and had to argue with them that we could get something better and good quality. It took us a while to find it, but we bought a nice foosball table that they had to import from Krasnodar.

Chayale teaching

From this past thursday's class. I slipped into the room and took a picture without flash. No one noticed (tee hee).

Treaty at last!

So today I went on Mivtzoim again. Truth is that I wasn't in the mood, but Chayale pushed me to go, and gave me some Challah's she made specially for my route.

As I left her womens class was going strong. Today they made Hamantashen. Yum.

My route started off slow, but picked up when I was at the Zizovs, and we spent over an hour debating Torah, Talmud, and all sorts of Jewish law. His cousin, who works with him, is a Jew and leader of Stavropol's Jehova's witnesses. He thinks like a Karaite, and we argued back and forth...

It was lots of fun. Almost like being in Yeshiva again.

When I got home I received a phone call from Yefim, wanting to meet as soon as possible to sign. Finally! I hope this means the city will finally see peace.

A new contract with Rabbi Lazar was drawn up in the past month, and we met to make the final changes. We will be signing tomorrow morning.

Among the changes:

- He only receives his monthly cash from FEOR when I sign with him a document that everything is ok.
- He must shut down his Sunday school as soon as we move our school out of the Sachnut.
- He must keep my programs and classes going when I'm out of town.
- He must inform me of all meetings on the subject of religion with authorities and what-not.
- I finally get to browse through (and make copies) of all the papers proving Jewish people's Halachic status.

What to do? what to do?

So many things happening...

Moscow has been stalling on the paychecks, which means that we are of course getting paid, but it's comng real late these days.

This complicates matters. If we get paid today, it won't go through til after we leave, and we need to borrow someone's credit card to use the 2700 US dollars it costs for us to leave on the 1st of March (when our visas run out).

My supportive family immediately has helped out, by putting money in through our paypal account. But it takes 5-7 days for paypal to go through... If anyone knows of someone who can loan us 2700 for like a week or two (we need to use a credit card), let us know. Our salary will be transferred to our Canadian account immediately when it comes through.

The current help coming from Moscow for the community is from 'Keren Yedidus', thanks to the generosity of Rabbi Yechiel Ekshtein. And while they are generous and helpful, they are also a huge stress.

Meat just arrived from Moscow (not 100% super-kosher), and we will be givnig it out to the children in Sunday school.

But his other projects (clothing for children, money for elderly and sick) are such that we must have everyone write thank you letters, take pictures of us giving out the clothes, and the Rabbis must write a letter explaining why we are choosing these 10 people to support, etc.

I suppose it's a good thing on the other hand, since people will learn to appreciate what they're getting, and to understand that it ain't free, and also with all the corruption and bribery going on in Russia, at least Rabbi Ekshtein will know that it's going where he wants it.

Something to ponder.

P.S. If anyone has a credit card we can use, email me at rabbizvi44@yahoo.com

Paypal - donate now! (or else)

Purim is difficult

Picture from last years Purim event.

I never thought it would be this hard!

I have started fundraising, and it is a torturous job. The crisis has finally made its way to the provincial cities in Russia, and it has hit harder than it could in Moscow.

We are going to be in America for Purim, which means that aside from the fundraising we must do for the event, we also must fly out two Bochurim from Moscow in order to read the Megilla and talk about Purim.

I've started making calls and everyone is up to their necks... I have no idea what I will do for now, but I'm sure it'll work out.

More importantly, How will we be able to make sure that only kosher food is served?

This could be a disaster.

More on Chaim

Pictured is Sasha Filatov, Davening in Sunday school.

In the last post, I mentioned how I met a young Mountain Jew named Chaim in the street after trying to get in touch with him for ages. I'd like to write more about him.

Chaim comes from a town about a 6 hour drive east of Stavropol, but still in the Krai (province) which makes me responsible for the spirituality of his family. The town is called Zelenokumsk.

They know of only one other Jew in Zelenokumsk, but they are very proud of their heritage. Chaim has joined our Minyan, and he brought with him some fascinating objects. A picture of his great-grandfather Rabbi Rachman, who was the chief Rabbi of Chechnya a century ago, a picture of his sisters family, who are religious, and close to Chabad of Norway. Matter of fact, they live in Stavanger, and bring in Kosher meat from Oslo through the shluchim there.

And finally, his family owns a 'yad' from a Torah, 300 years old! His grandmother is a deeply religious person, and hasn't eaten meat in over 60 years (since the last time there was a shochet!).

His family keeps as many Jewish traditions as they can. Some day I'd like to travel out there to meet them.

For now, his father will be joining him this Shabbos at our Minyan/meal.

Another great moment in Stavropol

Chaim and Kaila Danzinger landed in Rostov thursday night. They will serve the community as Rabbi. Chaim is my good buddy, and Kaila is Chayale's, which means that life will get a little easier for us. At least we'll have a friend to commiserate with, to visit when we get down, and to join in our Simchas who is only a 4 to 5 drive away.

A few days before Chayale left to America, something amazing happened. SOmething I can probably farbreng with the bochurim in Moscow about.

I went to the notary to make a document allowing Chayale to travel overseas with Chaim, and when the business was done, the notary asked me (I get this often): "why do you walk around with your hat? There are many dangerous anti-Semites in Stavropol. It's not wise."

I responded by removing my hat, under which was a huge, bright blue Yarmulka. We all had a laugh, and then I told her that even if I were to wear a baseball cap, people would still know I was Jewish (since I need to wear tzitzis anyway). Besides, what kind of life is a life of fear? better to go back to Canada then live looking behind my back all the time. I finished by saying that the main reason I wear my hat is because I meet so many Jews that way, and even if they don't come over to say Shalom, at least it warms their heart to see a Rabbi, and lets them know that they have nothing to worry about.

We then left. Now I rarely walk in the street with Victoria (my secretary), but this time we had to do other business nearby (get a foosball table for Sunday school).

As we trudged through the mass of Russians, Victoria asked me if it's true that I meet people through wearing that hat, or if it has only happened two or three times. "It's really unsafe, Rabbi." She emphasized.

Before I could answer, my cell phone rang. I did the 'just a second' motion with my finger, and looked at the caller ID. Chaim Khanukayev!

Chaim is a young Jew who just finished college that I had had several phone conversations with. We had tried to meet several times, but it never worked out.

I put the phone to my ear.

"Rabbi, turn around!"

I turn around to see this young man walking toward me with arms outstretched.

I hugged Chaim with a huge Shalom! and then Chaim told me, "I was walking down the street, and suddenly saw your hat! I knew it had to be you!"

I immediately turned to Victoria and said, "this was not orchestrated!"

Thank You!

You know, when we go to the Kinus, it feels like a big happy family reunion. You can talk to people you don't know about your hardships and challenges because they are facing the same thing and understand what you're going through. I thought, as I sat there in the workshop where people shared their difficulties, that I am not alone. I truly belong to the most supportive, most caring family one could imagine.

What amazes and inspires me though, more than being in New York with my family, is meeting a family member in Yehuuppitz ville and receiving an outpouring of support out in the middle of nowhere. After a 12 hour flight from New York to Moscow and a two hour stop over in Moscow, I missed my flight back to my city. I was very upset, needles to say since the next flight was the next morning. A neighboring Shlucha (four hours awayt!!) was with me, Chavi Segal from Krasnodar, so I left my baby with her while I frantically ran and changed my flight to to with her to Krasnodar. I was exhaustd when I arrived and dreaded the thought of another four ride to Stavropol. When I got off the plane, Chavi's 6 year old son Aryeh, came over to me with a bouquet of orchids. Her husband, Shneour gave me a bag full of food for the trip home. Then they helped me sort my luggage and sent me home with their personal driver! I was so inspired by the way that Shluchim take care of each other, how my family was right there with me, out in the middle of nowhere. What an amazing family the Rebbe created. It's real! We don't just talk about it at the Kinus, but out there we are caring for each other and for every Jew that they should have what that they need.So thank you Chavi and Shneour Segal for bringing the inspiration and the feelings of the Kinus home to me.

I love calling some people on the phone in Stavropol!

Because their numbers start with 911!

Yeah!

A practical donation

As I have previously written, there's a man in the community who has a 2-year-old son with Leukemia.

Boruch Hashem there's an 85% chance of the boy surviving, but it's been hard on the family. The parents have separated, and the father lost his job due to the crisis.

I raised 500 bucks to help the family several months ago, and told the father (Denis Feldman) that I will keep trying. So far, no luck (although if anyone wants to make a donation, please contact me).

Last week, I was speaking to Denis, and he was telling me how difficult it is. He is doing all kinds of odd jobs, but still can't put together enough to pay for his son's medicine, which is extremely expensive.

I had an idea, and told him I would see what I can do.

Each Thursday I visit many businessmen from the community. Among them is Yosef Zizov, a wealthy Jew who imports medicine and sells them to all the hospitals and pharmacies. He is a 'hartzige yid', and so I told him about Denis, and he agreed to sponsor the medicine. They just met, and Denis was given the medicine.

Another Mitzvah in Stavropol! (pictured above is Yosef).

The 'N' Word

Picture from my Sunday school class.

Today I went on my Mivtzoim route and had a great chat with my driver, Oleg Bogopolsky. As we usual, he asked some questions regarding the Torah, and then we chatted a little about Chayale's experiences in America.

Then Oleg asked me, "so what do American Jewry think of the fact that the new president is a N...?"

I'd normally be shocked, but now I've gotten used to it. It's a very odd deifference between Russia and America, and the first time I heard it, I gave a sermon-worthy speech to the person who said the 'N' word (comparing it to 'Zhid'...).

Anyway, in America it is unbelievably rude to call someone a 'N'. Instead, the polite way would be to say, 'Obama is a black.'

In Russia, the reverse is true. The 'N' word is polite, but to call someone a 'Chorni' (black) is a horrific insult.

And to think that I encouraged someone to stop using the 'N' word here and start using the word 'Chorni.'

Oyoyoy. They must think their Rabbi is a racist.

Tu Beshvat Womens club

Preparing the oranges (how easy it looks. But don't be fooled...)

Some of the food they decorated.

Some of the women at the event (one woman left early because she was allergic to cucumbers!)

We're back

Internet is up again, and here is what you've all missed.

- Upshernish of Dan Berkun. It was fun and lively.

- Start of Friday night Minyan. Last week I had 9 attendants.

- Chayale's women's club. For Tu Beshvat they made fruit platters. 9 women came.

- I started weekly visiting a senior in the community. Thanks to Levi Stiefel for that suggestion, it's been going great!

- Chayale went for a week to New York for Chavi's engagement party and the kinus (international conference for shluchos). She came back inspired, and with shalach manos for all the kids in Sunday school.

- Once again peace talks have begun in the community, and I am almost literally bending myself backwards to show I am serious about peace, though on the other hand I told the president of the community that 'I have proven that I want peace. Your actions up to now show otherwise, and therefore you must prove to me that you want peace before funding from Moscow returns.' Nonetheless for the time being, I've requested a return of the funding, and will attend shabbos afternoon gathering provided it is kosher.

The dancing in the shul...


I led a Hakafa.


The kindergarten put on a show, singing about the Torah.


Reading Hakafos with Shmuel Osik, a Krasnodar Baal Teshuva and amazing guy.



Dancing in the Shul with Refoel Khaimov. Stavropol rocked the house!

On the streets of Krasnodar

Can you see the marching band?


I also danced with the Torah! The other Torah also came out of the Shul to greet the new one.


Hillel Davidov was one of the first guys to grab the Torah outside. Apparently there was a preset order of whom Rabbi Shneor Segal was giving the Torah to, but he was so excited he kind of pushed in and grabbed the Torah and started dancing with it.

They had a marching band behind the Chuppah. It was really nice. The only hitch was that the parade took about 45 mnutes, and they only knew 3 Jewish tunes.

Try dancing to Haveinu Shalom Aleichem repeated for a half hour.

First new pictures... The Torah event in Krasnodar

That's me! Writing in the Torah!


Hillel Davidov writes a letter in the Torah.


Putting Tefillin on Refoel Khaimov as the event started.

Baby food

We're back. Internet is working.
And the above picture was taken in Moscow's Vnukovo airport bathroom.

Todays topic, before I upload a thousand more photos: baby food.

I never thought it would be this big of a deal. When your 7 month old baby needs food, you just whip over to the local supermarket and buy a couple of cans of mushed bananas.

Not in rush.

No sir. Mushed bananas in a can in Russia are not totally kosher. In Moscow they have a bunch of kosher food, but way out in the windy city of Stavropol (which has been experiencing wonderful summery weather for a month already... take THAT Los Cabos) you gotta MAKE all the food for your baby.

I never thought it was so difficult, but it is a while situation.

First you gotta find the mixture of stuff you want to mush. Then you gotta cook it. After that is done, you must zhuzh it for a while to make sure there are no chunks of whatever it is, and finally you gotta cool it down (or if it was in the fridge from last use, heat it up).

Chaim eats SO much!!!!

Quick updates

- Chavi is engaged. Woooooo! I danced around the house in my pyjamas when I heard. (Chavi is chayale's sister).

- To Dovid Russ! (he's a buddy). For that I will now perform a split.

Ouch.

- We received money from our Or Avner organization to do some work. Most of it goes to pay salaries, but we are closer to standing on our feet.

- We have taken over sunday school. It's now full of Yiddishkeit, and how we want it. We also are making it one of the best Sunday schools in the city (where else can kids learn English in stavropol from a NATIVE SPEAKER)?

- chayale's womens class has been rocking. It's popular, and for the past 3 weeks she has averaged around 10 women a week. (it's in our apartment. She teaches lessons on prayer, and then teaches them how to cook something else each week).

- She also made a womens club for Tu Bishvat in which they turned fruits into swans and stuff. 10 people came (several cancelled at the last moment).

- Friday night Minyan in our apartment is growing and is really nice. We just sing the entire time, talk about a different prayer each week, and then sit down to eat.

- We bought a dryer. The ones here aren't like the ones in America. You don't need a plastic pipe poking out the window, rather the dirt magically disappears.

- Our kitchen is still missing some essentials. We have no office to speak of yet, but we are happy.

- I went to Krasnodar for their Torah celebration last week and it was absolutely stunning. I brought two Jews from stavropol, and they got pumped about it. I'll post pictures when we get internet at home. The party went from a classy theatre through the streets of Krasnodar with a marching band to the beautiful shul where we made Hakafos. Both Stavropol guys got to write a letter in the Torah, and I showed them where we 'will be in 3 years.' They were particularly impressed with the kindergarten.

My time is running out in the internet cafe. I gotta go.