Every year at Chanukah time, the Chabad Center of Solon puts up a 15-foot-tall menorah on its Harper Road property.
On the first night of Chanukah, during a holiday celebration, the Chabad center sends members up in a cherry picker to light the menorah's first two candles.
However, on every other night, just one Chabad member, Sandy Seiger, lights the menorah's candles -- and he doesn't have a cherry picker to make it easy.
"He does a fabulous job, no matter how cold the weather," said Miriam Greenberg, wife of Chabad center Rabbi Zushe Greenberg.
For more on this story, see the Dec. 18 Solon Sun.
Showing posts with label Ohio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ohio. Show all posts
Monday, December 22, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Solon: Radio talk show host Dennis Prager speaks to 350 at Chabad Jewish Center
Everyone has a moral obligation to be happy -- or at least to act that way.
Dennis Prager, a nationally syndicated radio talk show host, delivered that message Sunday to about 350 admirers at the Chabad Jewish Center of Solon.
"I have declared war on the chronically unhappy," Prager said. "You annoy us."
The audience roared with laughter, as they did frequently during Prager's lighthearted presentation.
Dennis Prager, a nationally syndicated radio talk show host, delivered that message Sunday to about 350 admirers at the Chabad Jewish Center of Solon.
"I have declared war on the chronically unhappy," Prager said. "You annoy us."
The audience roared with laughter, as they did frequently during Prager's lighthearted presentation.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Chabad House takes yeshiva on the road
Volunteers bring lessons to students
BLADE RELIGION EDITOR
School may be out for the summer, but not at Toledo’s Chabad House-Lubavitch.The Jewish outreach center is offering free classes on Jewish studies taught by six students from yeshivas, or Jewish educational institutions, around the country.And if it is inconvenient to come to Chabad House for classes, then Chabad House will come to you with its “Summer Yeshiva on Wheels” program.Andy Golding signed up for classes at his Sylvania home because he wanted his children to see that studying the Torah, Talmud, and other Jewish texts is important.“I want them to have a sense of Jewish identity, and I think identity is created in the home,” said Mr. Golding, a member of the Temple-Congregation Shomer Emunim in Sylvania. “Having a rabinnical student come to the house is another layer of that identity.”He and his wife, Cami, have four children — Joey, 6; Benny, 5; and twins Sammy and Sophie, 2.“My kids are young. I think the important thing for the kids is that they see their father studying Jewish things,” Mr. Golding said. “And studying Jewish things is a mitzvah, a good deed. This is an easy one.”Mrs. Golding said she has the highest regard for the programs offered by Chabad House, which is part of the worldwide Jewish organization that carries on the teachings of the late Rebbe Menachem Schneerson.“They have such passion. They are the most extreme in being observant [of Jewish traditions], and yet they are the most liberal in how they love and accept people.”Henoch Rosenfeld, a Pittsburgh native studying at a Detroit yeshiva, came to the Goldings’ home this week to teach a class on Jewish ethics.Wearing a black suit, white shirt, and wide-brim black hat, Mr. Rosenfeld brought three books written in both Hebrew and English.As Joey sat on Mr. Golding’s lap, both of them wearing kippahs, or head coverings, Mr. Rosenfeld spoke of how Moses received the Torah from God on Mount Sinai and passed it down from generation to generation.“Listen up,” Mr. Golding told his son. “This is very important!”Benny joined them briefly, then wandered off. Same with Sophie.Mr. Rosenfeld jokingly told Joey to pay attention because he had to teach the lesson to his younger brother. “You repeat this to Benny. I’ll give you a test,” Mr. Rosenfeld said with a grin.Joey just smiled shyly.Mr. Golding read two sentences and Mr. Rosenfeld launched into an enthusiastic lecture, for more than half an hour, about the need to be patient in judgment, and to raise up disciples. “Wow. That’s a lot,” Mr. Golding said with a laugh. “And it’s only been two sentences!”Rabbi Yossi Shemtov of Chabad House, said the Summer Yeshiva program started July 25 and continues through Aug. 15, with classes available almost any time of day or night, at Chabad or in an individual’s home.The program is made possible because the yeshiva students are willing to give up vacation time to teach others, the rabbi said.“Instead of jet-skiing, they graciously offer to come and teach and we are truly grateful,” Rabbi Shemtov said.More information on Summer Yeshiva and Summer Yeshiva on Wheels is available by calling Chabad House-Lubavitch at 419-843-9393. Toledo’s Chabad House is at 4020 Nantucket Dr., off Sylvania Avenue in West Toledo.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Shabbat for beginners: how to get started
The warmth and beauty of Shabbat can provide not only a day of rest, but a time of family bonding, personal growth and fulfillment.
In a heavily technological society, where we are constantly plugged in, Shabbat is a time when we can keep life in perspective. For those who don’t observe Shabbat or aren’t familiar with the customs and traditions, the thought of where to start can seem overwhelming.
"We are often hindered by the idea that if we can’t do it perfectly, we can’t do it at all," says Rabbi Shmuel Klatzkin of Chabad of Greater Dayton. "People have to trust in themselves. I’m behind whatever works. I know how I got to the belief in traditional Shabbat...I found my way bit by bit to where I am now. I don’t think most people accept something just because it’s written in a book. Most people need some overwhelming reason to do it. They need to grow."
The most compelling idea behind Shabbat in modern terms is that we have to consciously make sure that we are running the machines and technology, rather than them running us, Klatzkin observes. He says that Shabbat is what we are all about — helping us to keep in perspective what we are actually working for.
"As for observances, there are ways to break into it," he says. "Lighting candles on Friday night is one of the easiest ways to get in touch and perhaps the most significant. There are many ways to make it distinctive — nicer meals, devoting time to reading Jewish books — people will find their own aspect of its specialness."
"I call it a gift that God has given to us because it’s a day of rest and a day we can use for personal growth and fulfillment," says Rabbi Hillel Fox of Beth Jacob Congregation. "It’s as if someone offered you a day of vacation. Who wouldn’t take it?"
Fox says that Shabbat conjures up feelings of joy and happiness in the Jewish psyche. Jews have survived more than 2,500 years of persecution through which Shabbat has kept us alive, morally and spiritually. "As much as Jews have kept Shabbat, Shabbat has kept the Jews," he says.
Fox says the Torah teaches us to "remember the Sabbath and keep it holy" or to "safeguard" Shabbat. "One way gives us an idea of what to keep away from," he says. "The other gives us positive acts to accomplish."
He offers the way that he would share the beauty and taste of Sabbath from a traditional standpoint, in what he refers to as Rabbi Hillel’s top 10 ways to start celebrating Shabbat.
"When I was little, most of my friends were not Sabbath observant," Fox recalls. "I thought it was a burden when I was a child. As I’ve grown older and matured, I realize it’s actually a gift from God. We are all so busy. I have seven kids. When I get home, they are often asleep. The Shabbat is a day we are always together. It’s a wholesome family time...a time I can really sit back and appreciate them. I don’t know how anyone can live without the Shabbos."
Rabbi Fox's top 10 ways to start celebrating Shabbat
1. Reserve time to celebrate with family. Shabbat is a special time — a time to find ourselves and reorient to make sure we are heading in the right direction.
2. Light two candles before sundown on Friday. Two candles signify remembering and safeguarding.
3. Say the Kiddush over wine or grape juice on Friday night and Saturday lunch.
4. Wash hands ritually with the blessing and say hamotzi over the bread. Use two full, uncut challahs, one for Friday night and one for Saturday lunch.
5. Eat three delicious meals and say grace after each. Thank God after each meal: it is a mitzvah to enjoy Sabbath.
6. Dress nicely. Wear clean clothing...like preparing to greet a king or queen.
7. Attend synagogue services and pray — a time to come together as a community. Synagogue provides availability for individuals to elevate themselves on a spiritual plane.
8. Offer warm "Shabbat shalom/Good Shabbos" greetings and blessings.
9. Acknowledge the holy day and treat it differently. Remove or at least reduce distractions such as TVs, phones, computers, pagers, etc.
10. Conclude the Shabbat with a beautiful Havdalah ceremony. Once three stars are in the sky, Sabbath has ended. Carry the sweetness of the Shabbat into the week, with sweet wine, sweet spices and candles — the difference between light and darkness.
© 2007 The Dayton Jewish Observer
In a heavily technological society, where we are constantly plugged in, Shabbat is a time when we can keep life in perspective. For those who don’t observe Shabbat or aren’t familiar with the customs and traditions, the thought of where to start can seem overwhelming.
"We are often hindered by the idea that if we can’t do it perfectly, we can’t do it at all," says Rabbi Shmuel Klatzkin of Chabad of Greater Dayton. "People have to trust in themselves. I’m behind whatever works. I know how I got to the belief in traditional Shabbat...I found my way bit by bit to where I am now. I don’t think most people accept something just because it’s written in a book. Most people need some overwhelming reason to do it. They need to grow."
The most compelling idea behind Shabbat in modern terms is that we have to consciously make sure that we are running the machines and technology, rather than them running us, Klatzkin observes. He says that Shabbat is what we are all about — helping us to keep in perspective what we are actually working for.
"As for observances, there are ways to break into it," he says. "Lighting candles on Friday night is one of the easiest ways to get in touch and perhaps the most significant. There are many ways to make it distinctive — nicer meals, devoting time to reading Jewish books — people will find their own aspect of its specialness."
"I call it a gift that God has given to us because it’s a day of rest and a day we can use for personal growth and fulfillment," says Rabbi Hillel Fox of Beth Jacob Congregation. "It’s as if someone offered you a day of vacation. Who wouldn’t take it?"
Fox says that Shabbat conjures up feelings of joy and happiness in the Jewish psyche. Jews have survived more than 2,500 years of persecution through which Shabbat has kept us alive, morally and spiritually. "As much as Jews have kept Shabbat, Shabbat has kept the Jews," he says.
Fox says the Torah teaches us to "remember the Sabbath and keep it holy" or to "safeguard" Shabbat. "One way gives us an idea of what to keep away from," he says. "The other gives us positive acts to accomplish."
He offers the way that he would share the beauty and taste of Sabbath from a traditional standpoint, in what he refers to as Rabbi Hillel’s top 10 ways to start celebrating Shabbat.
"When I was little, most of my friends were not Sabbath observant," Fox recalls. "I thought it was a burden when I was a child. As I’ve grown older and matured, I realize it’s actually a gift from God. We are all so busy. I have seven kids. When I get home, they are often asleep. The Shabbat is a day we are always together. It’s a wholesome family time...a time I can really sit back and appreciate them. I don’t know how anyone can live without the Shabbos."
Rabbi Fox's top 10 ways to start celebrating Shabbat
1. Reserve time to celebrate with family. Shabbat is a special time — a time to find ourselves and reorient to make sure we are heading in the right direction.
2. Light two candles before sundown on Friday. Two candles signify remembering and safeguarding.
3. Say the Kiddush over wine or grape juice on Friday night and Saturday lunch.
4. Wash hands ritually with the blessing and say hamotzi over the bread. Use two full, uncut challahs, one for Friday night and one for Saturday lunch.
5. Eat three delicious meals and say grace after each. Thank God after each meal: it is a mitzvah to enjoy Sabbath.
6. Dress nicely. Wear clean clothing...like preparing to greet a king or queen.
7. Attend synagogue services and pray — a time to come together as a community. Synagogue provides availability for individuals to elevate themselves on a spiritual plane.
8. Offer warm "Shabbat shalom/Good Shabbos" greetings and blessings.
9. Acknowledge the holy day and treat it differently. Remove or at least reduce distractions such as TVs, phones, computers, pagers, etc.
10. Conclude the Shabbat with a beautiful Havdalah ceremony. Once three stars are in the sky, Sabbath has ended. Carry the sweetness of the Shabbat into the week, with sweet wine, sweet spices and candles — the difference between light and darkness.
© 2007 The Dayton Jewish Observer
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