New Shluchim to the USA Niagara Falls in New York
Niagara Falls, New York, a city known for its majestic waterfalls and breathtaking natural beauty, is about to experience a spiritual surge with the arrival of its new shluchim: Rabbi Yehuda and Yehudis Lorber who will serve the local Jewish community and visitors alike.
Rabbi Lorber and his family join the Regional Shluchim of Chabad Lubavitch of Western New York under head shliach Rabbi Nosson Gurary. “After several years of successful programs it was time to establish a permanent Chabad Center” says Rabbi Lorber. With a special permit from Niagara Falls State Park the Mitzvah Tank has access to enter and operate right in the center of the tourist attraction. A unique Tanya was printed which drew hundreds of people.
Public Chanukah Menorahs are placed at the City Hall, Niagara Falls Airport, and at the Niagara Falls State Park. Last year during Sukkos for the first ever on the American side, a Public Sukkah was built right by the Falls. Another outstanding accomplishment is the city’s declaration of Education and Sharing Day honoring the Rebbe on his birthday signed by the Mayor, and the initiation of the Rebbe’s Moment of Silence program in the entire School District of the City of Niagara Falls.
Are there any special customs associated with traveling?
A special "Prayer for Travelers" (Tefilat HaDerech) is said upon reaching the outskirts of the city from which you are traveling. If one will be away for more than one day, the prayer is said--without using G-d's name--each subsequent day after the morning prayers.
USS Aircraft Carrier Welcomes Kosher Sukkah on Deck
After navigating through extensive paperwork and permits, just in time for Sukkos, Lieutenant Yehoshua Rubin, a chaplain serving with Carrier Air Wing Nine, successfully erected a fully kosher Sukkah on board using wood pallets attached together. A fighter jet whose wing protruded above the sukkah was duly moved to make the sukkah kosher.
The Sukkah will provide Jewish servicemen with a place to observe the mitzvah of sukkah, including the shaking the lulav and esrog, which Rubin received just in time after they were flown in from Bahrain.
Amidst Ukraine’s War, Jews In Kharkiv Celebrate Sukkos
In the heart of Ukraine’s warzone, Kharkiv defied adversity by hosting a sukkah large enough for hundreds, embodying the indomitable spirit of Jewish unity. Despite the ongoing conflict, the streets were alive with music, laughter, and celebration as over 500 people came together to shake the lulav in a demonstration of pride and resilience.
As the vibrant melodies filled the air, men, women, and children flocked to the expansive sukkah in front of the shul. They shook the lulav and soon gathered for a grand concert, where Rabbi Moishe Moskovitz, the chief rabbi of Kharkiv, emphasized the power of unity and the importance of coming together, even in wartime. His message resonated deeply in a city renowned for its strength and determination against all odds.
Sukkah Stands Tall at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
Nestled within the U.S. Army’s oldest active proving ground, a sukkah was built at Aberdeen Proving Ground, thanks to the efforts of Baltimore Chabad Shliach Rabbi Chesky Tenenbaum, director of the Jewish Uniformed Service Association of Maryland. The Sukka was available for use by the Jewish members of APG throughout the days of Chol Hamoed.
JUSA hosted a Sukka Party on the third day of Chol Hamoed that was well attended by soldiers and employees of APG, were they had a chance to do the Mitzvah of Lulav and Estrog and make a Brocha in the Sukka.
600 Celebrate Simchas Bais Hashoeiva in San Francisco
San Francisco’s Jewish community gathered in unprecedented numbers on Sunday Chol Hamoed for a grand Simchas Bais Hashoeva, hosted by 14 local Chabad Houses and Shuls. With over 600 attendees, the celebration of Sukkos filled the streets with music, joy, and unity.
The festival offered a wide array of activities for all ages, from a rock climbing wall and moon bounces to edible sukkah crafts and balloon sculpting. Juggler Jefferson stole the show with a dazzling fire juggling performance that had the audience captivated.
But the night reached its peak when singer Oriyah Shiff, together with one-man band Yoey Muchnik on keyboard, led the crowd in a rousing rendition of “Ivri Anochi.” Hundreds joined in the spirited dancing, with the energy of the crowd rising to new heights.
The message of the evening was clear: “After a challenging year, we need to double the joy,” explained Rabbi Nosson Potash, one of the event’s organizers. The lively music, dancing, and festive atmosphere reflected this message perfectly, as young and old celebrated together in a display of resilience and community spirit.
Yom Kippur in Moscow
At the Marina Roscha shul in Moscow, erev Yom Kippur was marked with kaporos and the giving out lekach, sweet honey cake. Before Yom Kippur the office of Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar worked with an extensive team to accommodate the throngs of guests, from all shades of the Jewish spectrum in the Russian Capital.
Distributing Shabbos candles, yahrtzeit candles, yarmulkes, kitlach, tallisos, arranging comfortable seats, machzorim prayer books with translation, and wonderful cantors, all in the large, air-conditioned synagogue.
As the fast concluded on Motzei Shabbos, the crowds burst into spontaneous singing and dancing of “Napoleon’s March,” while the Chief Rabbi enthusiastically waves them on.
Holiday Celebrations Around the World
As the month of Tishrei with its many holidays starting with Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, followed by Sukkot and Simchat Torah comes to an end, we share with you special moments of holiday celebrations from around the world.
May the blessings and inspiration of the holidays continue to be with us, giving us the clarity and strength to illuminate and uplift our surroundings with the light Torah and Mitzvot.
