News Blog

Yesterday, I cried tears of joy as I saw the first images of Agam Berger, hugging her parents Shlomi & Meirav.

Agam along with two other hostages were released today by the terrorists, in the ransom exchange for and with murderers.

The chaotic scenes and screams of hate and murder that surrounded the other two hostages, were a reminder of what a miracle of life, each one of these hostages are.

When I was in Agam's house in May, it was so painful and hard to even imagine how she would come back. Yet her parents Meirav and Shlomi were full of hope and faith and kept encouraging us to get others to do more prayers and good deeds in her and the other hostages merit.

We chatted with her sisters and brother and saw what an amazing … Read More »

Every week, our community is involved and helping out people and causes on the ground in Israel ina  very direct way.

In last six weeks, we have been able to;

Deliver significant funds to two families whose homes were destroyed in Northern Israel, and to several others who had significant damage.

Help support a family, whose father was killed in a missile attack in the North along with three workers, and help his wife and three children with funds.

Help towards a Bar Mitzvah of a child, whose father was killed.

Helped with funding towards Bomb Shelters for Children in Two Locations

The support to the families in the North totaled over $18k.

In honor of Tu B'Shevat, we have taken on to help the above mentioned fam… Read More »

He Broke Down

Yesterday the UBER driver who dropped off the Hebrew School teachers at Chabad of Sudbury, BROKE DOWN at the exit of the parking lot.

After helping him get to a safe space, we invited him indoors to have a drink and call AAA. Upon chatting we discovered that M. who was originally from Kiev, Ukraine, had never had a Bar Mitzvah or put on Tefillin.

So in the lobby of Chabad, in front of some students as he waited from AAA, he donned the Tefillin and said the Shema for the first time in his life.

His eyes filled with tears as he told me that while he was frustrated about breaking down, he was so grateful and happy that he managed to do this meaningful Jewish Mitzvah and tradition for the first time in his life.

A few months ago, I visited the family of Agam Berger in Cholon, Israel, one of the young female hostages being held in Gaza. I felt so much apprehension as I walked into their home, but then ended up spending two hours with her parents and siblings who are full of so much faith and hope even as they carry so much pain and suffering.

Sitting with her parents Shlomi & Meirav, who I have been with again since then and keep in touch with, was something that will stay with me forever. Their 19 year old daughter was suffering tremendously, with no sign of life, and yet they were so full of hope, faith and determination, that G-d willing she will return one day.

They took me into her bedroom and showed me the hundreds of items and l… Read More »

Death and the Jewish way of death and mourning is a subject that on the one hand many don't want to explore and contemplate, yet at the same time it is a topic that that draws a lot of interest and intrigue. 

Importantly, the Jewish way of death and mourning is done in a way that is meant to provide eternal rest to the soul, dignity to the body and comfort to the loved ones, all at the same time.

The structure of the mourning process, the funeral, the Shiva and so much more, including with definitive times to seek to move forward, things we do and don't do, and things that other do and don't for us, are seen as important elements that help the loved ones move on in many ways, and as importantly, they help ease the final … Read More »

This morning on his 79th birthday, our dear friend and congregant at ChabadSudbury passed away surrounded by his family.

We are all in shock and so saddened at his sudden demise, especially as earlier this week, he was at the daily Minyan at Chabad of Sudbury through Tuesday morning.

We were chatting after the morning prayers as we had our coffee on Tuesday morning, and today he has returned his soul to his maker.

Mel had been coming for the last few years to the morning Minyan as well as the Monday night class and other events, and quickly became close with so many of the regulars. He was so well liked and respected and people love to chat and learn with him.

His love for Judaism and Yiddishkiet, his dedication to making sure t… Read More »