Home

@ Chabad.org

A Pure Heart
Out of the corner of my eye, I notice a young boy hobbling through the door. He’s about nine or ten. His legs are barely able to carry his own body. Read more

@ OK Kosher Spirit

Keeping Kosher in ... Antarctica
Dan has seen the volcanoes in Hawaii, enjoyed over-thewater bungalows in the Maldives, and snorkeled with the jellyfish in Palau, while Moishie has led photography trips chasing auroras in Iceland, polar bears in Svalbard, and photo journaling Havana, Cuba. But the logistics of keeping kosher in Antarctica were altogether different. Read more

Keeping Kosher in... The Outback
Yitzchak, age 3, was throwing a tantrum in the freezer section of the supermarket. “I want a popsicle!” he screamed. It was a hot day, he was tired – it was a reasonable request. But this was in Port Augusta, a tiny city in South Australia with nary a Jew in sight, let alone a selection of kosher food. Yitzchak could not be consoled. Read more

Keeping Kosher (for Pesach) in... Russia
Imagine you’re doing a last minute shopping run picking up fruits and vegetables for the seder, when you’re approached by two policemen who take you to the local police station for questioning. Now imagine you’re all of 19
years old, hundreds of miles from home, and preparing a seder for some 200 people who may not participate in any other Jewish activities this year! Read more

Self Published

The Jew I Met in Borough Park
I go in to the Ohel with my son and I say, ‘Rebbe, you sent Shluchim all over the world to put on Tefillin with Yidden. Right here is a Yid who wants to put on Tefillin, but can’t. Rebbe, take care of my boy.’” Read more

Why I danced for Rubashkin
It’s impossible to describe the feeling of unity that washed over me. It was then that I realized, we weren’t happy a fraudster was being released. We weren’t celebrating or idolizing a community leader. We were ecstatic that a fellow Jew was being reunited with his family after years of unjust treatment.
Sholom Mordechai didn’t get a hero’s welcome, he got a brother’s welcome. Read more

I was There! How Rabbi Yitzchok Dovid Groner Transformed a Continent
It was 1958, and the Rebbe was sending off a young Yitzchok Dovid Groner to faraway Australia. Rabbi Groner was hesitant; he knew of the challenges that awaited him.
“Go, and I will make you a godol,” said the Rebbe. Read more

Road Warriors: 8th Day’s Quest for a Kosher Sandwich
8th Day travels thousands of miles each year to bring their unique brand of music to fans all across the world. They endure endless security lines, sleepless nights, cramped flights and invasive customs questioning — all to uplift, inspire and bring joy to their fans. But they are exhausted and hungry. So, if you do happen upon the band running through an airport one day, be a kind soul and offer them a sandwich. Read more

@ The Forward

We Hasidim Aren’t Aliens. And We’re Tired Of The Media Acting Like It.
From the New York Times to CNN, from blogs to podcasts, Hasidic Jews are mythical creatures living in a bubble only the bravest and most intrepid reporters can infiltrate. Read more

Yes, Farrakhan Is Still Dangerous. Just Ask Us Orthodox Jews
If you think Farrakhan is irrelevant, it’s likely because you haven’t been spat in the face or heard your children cursed in the street. Read more

Orthodox Trump Supporters Are Not White Supremacists
But despite my personal disgust for Trump, plenty of people I know and respect do support him. Whether they voted for him or have come to support him based on recent actions, they are most definitely not white supremacists. Read more

El Al Should Apologize For Smearing The Orthodox Over Shabbat Flight Debacle
Israel’s national airline has, at best, committed a series of grievous management errors. By far the worst of these was to try and cover up their errors by blaming the ultra-Orthodox. Read More

@ COLlive

An Ode to Crown Heights
This is a community where the failings of any one individual can be magnified and viewed as a blight on the entire “system.” How about giving it an opportunity — even if only for a brief moment — to pat itself on the back.
To all those who helped make up that list up there, and those who I neglected to mention — I can’t say it enough, but thank you, thank you, thank you. Read more

R’ Mendel, The Rebbe’s Soldier
On Friday morning, my grandfather passed away. Today, the Rebbe’s faithful soldier made his way to 770 one last time to report to his general. There is no doubt that, as always, the Rebbe will be smiling broadly, thanking him for service. Read more

Get Your Grandparents to Talk
I’m not one to preach about the value your stories have for the entire Chabad community, but do it for your children, for your einiklach. Do it for the child who will one day carry your name — let him or her carry it with the pride and joy that comes with appreciating a rich history and the legacy they are living. Read more

From Crown Heights to the World
Crown Heights has been dubbed the “hosting capital of the world.” Indeed, from the Kinus Hashluchim, Kinus Hashluchos, annual Campus, JLI and CTeen Shabbatons, to Tishrei, Yomim Tovim and innumerable family events, each year the Crown Heights community hosts tens of thousands of visitors in just a few square blocks. Read more