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.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
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.
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