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Breaking News "New location for our Center"
Simchat Torah Celebration Simchat Torah was celebrated in style this year with lively dancing with lots of great Jewish songs and dances with the Torah. Great food and entertainment and lots of lively spirits. Sukkot Celebration "Pizza in the Hut" Over 35 people enjoyed Pizza in the Hut (Sukkah) this past Sunday afternoon. The food was great and the weather was great, making it into one great and enjoyable afternoon. A special game was created which involved 11 stages in which two teams competed to be the first to complete, each stage of the game was another question to do with the Holiday season, and when they would get the right answer or pick up the right article then they could go to the next stage. This game kept adults and kids involved, in the end the teams came in seconds apart. A moon bounce kept kids jumping for hours for some reason no adults were seen on the moon bounce. Jewish New Year Fair Report On Sunday September 9th over 100 people joined the Chabad Center of Sudbury's Jewish New Year Fair. The fair included many exciting parts which included a Shofar Making Presentation and Shofar Factory, a beekeeper with a beehive and honey making presentation, exciting arts & crafts, holiday Judaica and much more. Participants were able to saw and drill their Shofars and then sand and shellac them to finish off the job. At certain points during the event the sounds of dozens of Shofars being sounded by dozens of adults and kids could be heard resounding throughout the building. The beekeeper did a superb job at teaching the kids how honey is made. At the same time participants picked up lots of knowledge about Rosh Hashanah and the High Holidays. A raffle ticket with five multiple choice questions had three winners who won various prizes from the Judaica store. We thank everyone who helped us make this event as great as it was, especially Rabbi Mendy Horowitz of Chai Center of Canton for his Shofar Factory presentation. Adam Miller for all of his helpful input and work. Kerry Weinstein for all the signs and many others who we forgot to mention by name. To view our online photo gallery, please click here. | ||||||
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High Holiday Services Report | |
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Over 100 people joined us over Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur for our High Holiday Services which were held at the Clarion Coach House Inn. The services were held in a traditional setting and led by Cantor Osher Karnowsky of New York and Cantor Yossi Touger. The beautiful heart warming melodies helped make the services a soul stirring and beautiful experience. We are extremely grateful to the Cantor's and their families for joining us for the High Holidays and for making it such an enjoyable experience. The prayers were conducted in Hebrew with various parts recited in English. Moving melodies and commentaries on the prayers helped make the prayers relaxing, enjoyable and fulfilling. Special thanks to Rivky Ferris of New York, Lior Koren, & Dana Hareli who helped with the children's service and other responsibilities over the High Holidays.
Wingate at Sudbury Rosh Hashanah Service
Over 30 residents and relatives of the Wingate at Sudbury gathered together on the 2nd day of Rosh Hashanah for a special Rosh Hashanah celebration led by Rabbi Yisroel & Shayna Freeman. The event included the singing of various Rosh Hashanah prayers and songs, dipping the apple in honey, and other Rosh Hashanah customs. Participants expressed their appreciation for being able to celebrate Rosh Hashanah in such a joyous way. |
JLI Courses beginning soon
This November, the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute, the largest institute of Jewish learning in the world, is about to launch a new chapter in Sudbury, bringing the total count of JLI affiliates worldwide to over 250.We will be joining a community of Jewish learners that spans the globe, with centers in over 30 states and more than 15 countries, including Uruguay, South Africa, Sweden, and Australia. The Jewish learning institute expects to enroll a total of over 30,000 students worldwide during the coming academic year.
In preparation for our upcoming academic year, the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute held its ninth annual conference on June 17-18 at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark, NJ. This two-day symposium was attended by over 300 directors and instructors from around the world, including Rabbi Yisroel Freeman from the Chabad Center of Sudbury. It proved an opportunity for Institute partners to explore new courses being offered, hone their skills with master educators and experts, and to further develop the collegial network that is the Institute’s abiding strength.
The conference gives instructors an opportunity to be come familiar with the content of the upcoming curriculum and to collaborate in honing effective teaching strategies for this year’s featured courses. The focus of this year’s conference was our upcoming fall course, The Land and the Spirit, an examination of our connection to the land of Israel. Preparatory sessions were presented in a variety of formats, including panel discussions led by authors, small group discussion of texts, lectures by master presenters, and round-table forums.
A central focus of the conference was providing our instructors with Special highlights included an extraordinary workshop on teaching techniques led by pedagogical expert Rabbi Berel Bell; teaching demonstrations by veteran instructors Rabbi Moshe New of Montreal, Canada and Rabbi Elchonon Lisbon of Baltimore, Maryland; overview of our fall course, the Land and the Spirit, by author Rabbi Aaron Herman; a presentation of the issues surrounding the land of Israel by Rabbi Manis Friedman; and information from Rabbi Moshe Bryski about JLI’s upcoming Israel mission which will take place in March 2008. Attending instructors were also addressed by Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, vice chairman of Merkos Le’Inyanei Chinuch and principal patron of the Rohr JLI.
The JLI annual professional conference ensures that every Jewish Learning Institute site will provide the same high standard of quality and professionalism that has marked the JLI since its inception. The JLI conference also serves to build an excitement for our course content that the participants bring home and share with past and prospective students. The public is invited to join all three of this year’s course offerings, and see for themselves what makes the Jewish Learning Institute a world-class source of Jewish inspiration and knowledge.
According to Rabbi Yisroel Freeman, director of the Chabad Center of Sudbury and the local JLI chapter, “This conference was another major step in establishing the JLI as the premier institution of adult Jewish learning today.”
The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute was established in 1998 in order to develop cutting-edge adult education for today’s sophisticated and searching Jew. Rabbis, academics and lay people from around the world have pooled their strengths and dedication to assure the kind of experience that will educate and inspire an ever-increasing commitment to Jewish learning and practice. The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute is a branch of Merkos Le’Inyanei Chinuch, the educational arm of Chabad-Lubavitch, and a project of the Rohr family foundation. For further information about the Jewish Learning Institute, log on to www.myJLI.com or contact our local JLI chapter by contacting us at the Chabad Center of Sudbury.
Hebrew School Graduation
This past Monday parents and students gathered together for a graduation for our small Hebrew School. Kids showed what they had mastered over the year including learning how to read Hebrew and a wealth of other Jewish Info. Awards were presented to the students recognizing their specific accomplishments. Next year our Hebrew school is growing, do you know a kid who will benefit from it?
1st Farbrengen in Sudbury
In what is believed to be a landmark historical event the first Chassidic Farbrengen took place in Sudbury this past Sunday in honor of my birthday (Rabbi Freeman's). Participants said some L'Chaim's (Toasts) shared some personal experiences and inspirations and had some fun. Thanks to everyone who came. It will be the 1st of many in Sudbury. You can celebrate your birthday with a Farbrengen too, join the club!
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Hawaiian Shabbat Report | |
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Over 25 people joined us for another great Friday Night, this one with a Hawaiian theme. Participants prayed the Kabbalat Shabbat service with some additional Hawaiian Spirit. Some of the guests and participants managed to find some Hawaiian Shirts to wear which really helped them soak in the atmosphere. Fruit Smoothies and a Hawaiian Menu helped everyone's bodies and souls enjoy a great Shabbat experience. Read here to find out how Shabbat itself represents an Island in time. Thank you everyone who participated, helped or supported this program. | |
Daniel Burger's Bar Mitzvah
This past Shabbat dozens of family members and friends joined us for the Bar Mitzvah Celebration of Daniel Burger of Sudbury. Participants enjoyed Shabbat Morning services which were greatly enhanced by our special guest Rabbi of Chabad of Mansfield, Rabbi Yossi Kivman. Following the services a Kiddush for all the participants was held and many words, laughs and even some tears were shared with the crowd. As a grandson of Holocaust survivors this Bar Mitzvah has particular significance for this family. Once again we wish Daniel, his parents Oded and Julie and all the rest of his family a big Mazal Tov on this important and special occasion.
Shavuot Celebration
On Wednesday May 23rd which was the first day of Shavuot over 50 people joined us for a beautiful Shavuot event, which included the reading of the Ten Commandments and a great dairy Kiddush. During the reading of the Ten Commandments meaningful nuggets of information were shared with the crowd about the Ten Commandments and relevance to our lives. (For example the reasons for the Ten Commandments being engraved on the Tablets, the fact that they were given on a low mountain etc.)
A children's program in which kids dressed up as Mount Sinai and other mountains added to the fun. The food was great and included Cheese Blintzes, Lasagna, Burekas and Cheese Cake. Following the event we realized that there were two more delicious cheesecakes which didn't come out and worst of all due to us being so caught up with the event, four boxes of delicious Ice Cream stayed in the freezer. Our apologies to all the kids and to everyone who feels like a kid. If anyone wants to stop by for an ice cream of their choice we can schedule an appointment. The Cheese Cake is gone!!!!
One more great event to add to the list.
Many thanks to Mr & Mrs Alex Gutt for helping towards the sponsorship of this event in honor of their daughter Rochel.
Women's Night Out
This past Wednesday evening local ladies enjoyed an evening of fun and pleasure. A special activity for the evening included a fruit decoration class by professional teacher Hong from the Culinary school in Cambridge.
A discussion about the meaning of Shavuot in today's world added a meaningful twist to the evening.
Participants also enjoyed delicious cheesecakes and other delicacies. To view pictures click on the image.
Lag Baomer
This past Sunday over 40 people joined together to celebrate Lag Baomer with an outdoor barbecue and fun children's program. A combination of great food and blue skies made it a great day for this great celebration. Children got to enjoy our new Moon Bounce and other fun activities. A special thanks to our friend Roman who manned the grill.
Thank you to everyone who joined and helped us make this great event possible.
To view pictures click here
Shabbat in Israel
Over 30 people joined us for a Friday Night Shabbat Israel experience. Participants enjoyed (hopefully) a Kabbalat Shabbat service which was followed by Kiddush and a delicious Shabbat meal with Israeli tastes and foods. Israeli experiences and memories were recounted by the participants including my very own story of breaking down on the side of a cliff and being towed to the top by an army tow truck. Once again thanks to all our supporters for giving us the opportunity to hold such wonderful events, and thanks to all those who honored us with their presence. We also enjoyed an Israeli Knowledge game which included some of the following questions.
Name the following cities.
3rd largest city in Israel
On the coast
Main commercial port
Home of the Technion University
It is on Mount Carmel
What is the following city?
It has remnants of temple
We face towards this city when we pray
Largest city with population of 704,900
What is the following city?
Home of the patriarchs
First investment in Israeli real estate
The Jewish population numbers 800
How big is the annual hummus industry worth?
1. $143 million
2. $275 Million
3. $42 Million
4. $59 Million
Who was the leader of the Jews who originally led the Jews into Israel?
1. Moses
2. Joshua
3. Aaron
4. Samuel the prophet
How many times does the word Jerusalem appear in the Taanach?
1. 544 Times
2. 669 Times
3. 231 Time
4. 87 Times
Name Two Israeli Prime Ministers who share the same name?
Community Seder
Several dozen people joined us at our first community Seder which turned out to be an incredible experience. Particpants enjoyed great food, a lively atmosphere, meaningful insights and great songs. Several particpants recounted the personal meaning Passover has for them such as a partcipant who told how Passover has such a personal message for her and her family who were lucky enough to survive the Holocaust, and the partcipant who recounted how hard it was to parctice Judaism in Russia during the communist regime.
Elijah joined us for a little bit and he appreciated how much Shmurah Matzah and Wine had been downed.
Thanks to everyone who came and joined us for our Seder, and thanks to all those who helped us with our Passover work and programs.
Senior Center Passover Event
Chabad Center of Sudbury held a joyous Passover event and Model Seder at the Wingate at Sudbury for many Jewish Residents and guests. Participants enjoyed traditional Passover dishes as well as joyuos Passover songs.
Model Matzah Bakery
Well over 150 people enjoyed the second Sudbury Model Matzah Bakery which was hosted by the Chabad Center of Sudbury. The event took place on Sunday March 11th at the Nobscot Reservation in Sudbury. There were sessions throughout the day which were attended by families and groups. Participants ,who were dressed in bakers hats were able to participate in the entire Matzah Baking process from beginning to end. This included winnowing, threshing, grinding, kneading and baking the Matzah. Following the baking participants joined in a mini model Seder and enjoyed some delicious grape juice. Participants walked away with an enjoyable experience and a lot more Passover knowledge.
Arts & Crafts and Passover Judaica added to the fun of the day.
Purim in China Celebration
To see pictures click here
Over 120 people joined the Chabad Center of Sudbury for our first annual Purim around the world event. This year's celebration featured Purim in China, with the food, decorations and costumes all being Chinese.
The event began with a 25 minute Megilla reading which was accompanied by a Multi Media Slide Show so that everyone could follow along. In addition there was a bingo game that went along with the slide show.
Following the Megilla reading everyone enjoyed great Chinese Food and live musical entertainment. At that point the children went upstairs for a special children's program which included games, arts and crafts and lots more fun activities. The adults enjoyed a game about Purim and a few words about Purim from Rabbi Freeman.
At the end of the event all the children participated in a masquerade and votes were taken by the crowd and the winner ended up being Queen Esther.
We are extremely pleased and grateful for the amazing turnout at this event and we are sorry that some people had to leave due to lack of space. We greatly appreciate all the people who helped us with this event, with their time, input and support. Ronni & Smedar Lipetz, Brian & Nancy Schwartz, Pinni & Einat Koren, Kerry & Judy Weinstien, Menachem & Yocheved Freeman, Sara Plotke, and all the others who helped make this event the great event that it was.
Our Purim events also included a Megilla reading Saturday night and visits to the local senior center to bring some extra Purim joy to the residents and help them enjoy some Hamantashen.
Tu B'Shevat Celebration
Great turnout for a great evening
Close to 30 people gathered this past Friday night for a great evening celebrating the holiday of Tu B'Shevat. Kabbalat Shabbat Services were held which were followed by a Shabbat meal which included, a celebration on new fruit, an entertaining Tu B'Shevat game and lots of great food and song. Participants expressed great appreciation for the great evening. We look forward to you joining us at our next Friday evening in a month.
The game included some of the following multiple choice questions
Test your knowledge,
What do we mark on Tu B’Shvat?
1. End of the season of falling dried leaves and pine needles?
2. Global warming awareness day or (“Inconvenient Truth Day”)
3. New Year for trees.
4. Celebration of organic vegetation
Who led the Jewish people in the desert?
1. Joshua
2. Elvis Presley
3. Moses
4. Barak Obama
What percentage of the products of an average US Supermarket is Kosher?
1. 15%
2. 38%
3. 70%
4. 45%
What are the seven species that Israel is blessed with?
1. Grapes, Figs, Melons, Apples, Jaffa Oranges, Pineapple, Olives
2. Grapes, Figs, Wheat, Barley, Olives, Dates, Pomegranates
3. Wheat, Barley, Olives, Dates, Pomegranates, Grapes, Kiwi’s
4. Star Fruit, Carob, Soybeans, Tofu, Brown Rice, Sweet Potatoes, Grapes
1st Anniversary Celebration
On January 5th 2007 we celebrated a Friday evening Dinner & Prayer service as we marked our 1st year here in Sudbury. The participants experienced an enjoyable and meaningful Kabbalat Shabbat through prayers, songs, delicous food and great company. Kabbalat Shabbat began at 6:30pm and a delicious Shabbat dinner followed at 7pm which lasted late into the evening, and included songs, discussions and great food and company.
Chanukah Celebration's Report
Over 100 participants join in our first Chanukah Event
To see the Chanukah Festival Photo Gallery click here, over 30 pictures. Thanks to Bob Hyzen of Hyzen Photography for helping out with the pictures.
Over 100 people joined us this past Sunday for our first Chanukah festival in Sudbury. The festival featured the sculpting and lighting of a magnificent 5 foot ice Menorah, Rami Salami the clown who kept everyone looking so happy and colorful, gorgeous arts and crafts, and great refreshments including Latke's and Donuts. The Menorah lighting was led by Kerry Weinstein which was followed by some Chanukah singing.
We would like to thank all those who helped us with their time, work and $$ to help make this great event happen. Without them I don't know how the event would have happened. Check out this week's Sudbury town Crier has a full page spread of pictures of the event.
The Ice Menorah kind of symbolizes the message of Chanukah, since Ice and fire don't really match but nevertheless we light the Chanukah lights on the Ice signifying how the Jewish Flame and soul despite the many attempts to extinguish it over the years including Chanukah by so many powerful forces, nevertheless thanks to G-d's help and perseverance the Jewish faith and people have survived and continued to grow and move forward over the course of history.
Senior Center Chanukah Programs
Chabad conducted Chanukah Celebration programs at two local senior living facilities Orchard Hill and Wingate at Sudbury. In both locations participants experienced some of the joy of Chanukah with a Menorah lighting ceremony, Donuts and singing.
Simchat Torah Celebration
Dozens of people joined together on Sunday morning the 15th of October for a morning of celebration to mark the holiday of Simchat Torah. During this fun event children got to decorate their own flags by filling the tube's of the flags with Sandy Candy. Following this, plenty dancing with the Torah and lots of singing by the crowd including a Moshiach rap kept everyone moving and shaking for a long time. At the conclusion of the event everyone joined together for a Kiddush and dairy lunch. The event was held at the Clarion Coach House Inn in Sudbury.
Chabad's Sukkot Program's
Chabad provided several programs for different age groups over Sukkot. One such event was an exciting Mummy & Me in the Sukkah in which young mothers and their children participated in fun and exciting Sukkot projects and songs. In addition a program and visitation program was held in the Wingate at Sudbury for the Jewish residents.
New Children's Jewish Enrichment class launched
Every Monday local children meet for an hour and a half of fun and educational Jewish education. Children have been learning the Hebrew Alphabet and general Jewish Knowledge through fun and interactive activities. Shayna Freeman an experienced Jewish education teacher has been running and teaching the program.
High Holiday Services
Chabad of Sudbury launched its inaugural High Holiday services which were held at the Clarion Coach House Inn in Sudbury.
Rosh Hashanah services were very well attended and special features included running commentaries on the background and meaning of the prayers, a children's program and a Kiddush which was enjoyed by all the participants following services.
Yom Kippur services attracted many new faces to Chabad. Once again the running commentaries on the background and meaning of the prayers, and the children's program greatly enhanced the unique touch of the Chabad services. At the conclusion of the service a break the fast was served.
A special thanks to our Chazzanim Sholom Laine of NYC and Sholom Ber Cohen of Montreal, Canada for their tremendous help over the High Holiday's.
Services were free and no membership or background was required. Chabad of Sudbury thanks everyone who sent us in donations in honor of the High Holidays.
Shofar blowing was provided to Jewish Residents of the Wingate at Sudbury and Orchard Hill assisted living in Sudbury in addition to several homes that were visited of people who were unable to attend services.
First Shofar Factory in Sudbury
On Thursday September 14th close to 50 people enjoyed an exciting hands-on educational Shofar Workshop in honor of the new Jewish Year. In the workshop & presentation participants created their own traditional Shofar's which are used on Rosh Hashanah. Each participant's Shofar was cured, sawed, drilled and polished. Following the making of the Shofar students learned how to sound it and practice the traditional sequence of notes blown on Rosh Hashanah.
Check out our Shofar Factory Photo Album Link