News Blog - Chabad Center of Sudbury

Passing of Rabbi Yaakov Lazaros

Sunday, April 19, 2026 - 11:28 AM

Rabbi Yaakov Lazaros, who directed and ran Chabad of Framingham for close to 48 years, passed away this morning surrounded by his family.

Rabbi Lazaros was a deeply spiritual and genuine person and Rabbi and a devoted husband, father of seven children and many grandchildren.

On Thursday I sat across the table from him in his synagogue and we chatted, never did I imagine that within 36 hours he would pass away.

In our early years in Sudbury before we started our own services, I would walk the 4+ mile walk each Shabbos to be a part of the Minyan, and during that time, I had the honor to get to know this silent and gentle spiritual giant, who had impacted so many hundreds of lives in such a meaningful and deep way.

Hearing the Birds Chirping & Month of Healing

Friday, April 17, 2026 - 12:08 PM

Bracha Sassonikin from Metulla, Israel, right on the border of Lebanon, described to me this morning the new sounds they are hearing this morning of the birds chirping, the trees blowing in the wind and the sound of quiet that has settled in.

I asked her and others in the border towns of northern Israel what do they feel now?

She told me that what keeps her going is quote a father always told her in Yiddish, "Mir Darf Farshteyen, as men Farsheteyt Gornisht, ober der Aibisheter vet Helfen", meaning, "we need to understand that we don't understand anything, but G-d will help".

After a few very challenging few months for her and so many others who have stayed put despite the daily missiles, anti tank missiles, cluste… Read More »

Artemis

Friday, April 10, 2026 - 1:30 PM

As we were celebrating a beautiful Passover here in Sudbury, the historic mission of Artemis II mission was launched which has carried four crew members farther from Earth than any human has ever traveled, looping around the moon and now returning home, for a total distance of 252,756 miles.

While there have been creative images shared with me, of images of the Chabad of the dark side of the Moon, this journey is one of tremendous meaning and inspiration on so many levels.

When the Apollo 8 mission first orbited the moon in 1968, the Lubavitcher Rebbe reflected on several powerful lessons. One of the ideas which he shared was how rockets rely on massive fuel tanks, but once their job is done, those tanks are released. Wh… Read More »

Seder Recap

Monday, April 6, 2026 - 1:12 PM

Thank you to the 80+ who joined us for the Community Passover Seder on the first evening of Passover. The room was packed and atmosphere was a beautiful one of inspiration, community, stories, melodies and tradition.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen, with setup, support and sponsorships, security, shopping and so much more.

Passover Photos, Updates & Message

Wednesday, April 1, 2026 - 8:45 AM

Dear Friends,

In just a few hours we will all be sitting around the Seder Tables with our loved ones, friends, and community, and at Chabad with 80 participants at the community Seder this evening.

The messages of Passover with its timeless message of faith, hope, resilience and miracles, is as relevant as ever.

As our friends and family in Israel found ways to celebrate the Passover Seder in between sirens, braving walks to neighbors, sirens midway in the four questions, but surely with a determination as they said the prayer of Vehee SheAmda, in each generation they rise up to destroy us.

Now more than ever, we need to take the time on Passover to count the miracles and blessings that have been happening, even as we … Read More »