News Blog

Did you know that around 27% of adults are estranged from at least one parent?

Did you know that according to a YouGov Poll, 38% of American adults say they are currently estranged from any of a sibling (24%), a parent (16%), a child (10%), a grandparent (9%), and a grandchild (6%)?

Do these statistics shock you?

These are crazy figures and point to a deep issue that needs to be addressed and corrected.

I am sure that there are so many dynamics and aspects to this issue and I don't profess to understand all the varying pieces that are causing this breakdown. However, one thing I am sure of, is that no community is exempt, and sadly this is a painful reality which I see all too often, which causes so much deep heartbreak and … Read More »

Chanukah has been epic so far despite the pain and challenges!

Sudbury Town Center Chanukah Celebration

Thank you to the beautiful crowd that showed up for the Menorah Lighting this evening at the Sudbury Town Hall!

It was truly heartwarming and encouraging to see so many come to celebrate together, not give in to fear, and to appreciate light over darkness.

As my dear friend Rabbi Shmuli Schlanger whose brother was the Rabbi murdered in Sydney this week, told me, "the only response is to add even more light to the world"!

Sudbury, we did it!!

Thank you Senator Jamie Eldridge for joining us and for your meaningful message and thank you State Rep. Carmine Gentile for your words as well as Town Mana… Read More »

Chanukah 2025 was meant to be one of just joy, light and happiness, yet even before it has begun here, we were hit with the terrible news of the attack in Sydney.

This event hit so hard for all of us, and for us as close friends of the Schlanger Family, it has been a surreal week of pain, tears and grief as the stories of each victim, the wounded, including a good friend of my son, and the heroism all comes out.

Yet in all of that, as one side of our hearts carried so much pain and tears, the other side knew it is Chanukah, and we need to be joyful, strong, resilient, proud, and beacons of light.

We need to make the children laugh and have fun for Chanukah, the message of the Maacabees and the Miracle of the Oil and what it repre… Read More »

Listen to Sorella Abrahams, a survivor of the attack in Bondi Beach, (whose husband is also from my community in London) shared a story in an interview that starkly frames what we are experiencing. 

Her family keeps a large menorah outside their home year round. Since October 7th especially, it has become something more than a decoration. Neighbors recognize the house. It stands as a symbol of Jewish presence, warmth, and pride, and it has been met with a surprising amount of love and support.

But then came fear.

Her family had been on Bondi Beach when the attack unfolded. When they finally made it home that night, their children were crying, terrified.

“Please, Mom. Aba. Turn off the menorah,” they begge… Read More »

It has been a devastating morning as we woke up to the terrible news from Australia as we heard about the terrible terrorist attack at a huge Chabad Chanukah celebration.

Rabbi Eli Schlanger, originally from the UK and whose brother is very close friend, was murdered at this event with 11 others, and dozens more were injured, including the Rabbi's wife. It was just a few months ago that I was chatting with Eli at his niece's wedding in NY, a true ball of positive energy.

It has been a difficult and very emotional morning, but here I was shoveling the pathway, getting ready for Minyan and preparing for Hebrew School and Chanukah while on the phone with Eli's cousin, also a Rabbi in the UK, as we spoke about how to somehow… Read More »

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 Dear Friends,

The footage that was released by the families of six hostages who were murdered, included a dramatic moment when the six hostages were lighting Chanukah Candles somewhere in Gaza. You can see in the video the depth of this moment and what it meant to them as they supported each other, prayed for a miracle, and remembered the story of Chanukah and its eternal message.

It was so heartbreaking and painful to see yet also so powerful to witness and process.

Chanukah is here, a holiday of light and joy, a holiday of light overcoming the darkness and joy overcoming sadness.

Chanukah is one of my favorite holidays, even though it is often so cold and in the middle of the winter. It may not be Biblical in nature, an… Read More »

 Thank you to all of the amazing young kids and families who joined us on Thursday afternoon for a pre Chanukah Interactive Story Hour with Shayna! Great Storytime, Arts & Crafts, A Light Dinner and more!

Everyone had a blast and there was so much healthy, happy and youthful Chanukah noise in the room!

Looking forward to the next Story Hours for the 5 and under group!