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Bs”d
Capital Chabad Center 122 S. Main Ave. Albany NY 12208
(518) 423-4103 [email protected]
Celebrating at Stuyvesant Plaza!
Precious Pesach Moments…
Don’t Passover PASSOVER! Yitzchok
smiles as he shares the holiday spirit with
Mr. Aharon Widro. Mr. Widro was impressed with the enthusiasm & knowledge
of the young boy. Later Mr. Widro sold his
Chametz, for a Chametz FREE Pesach.
One of many passersby and storeowners at Stuyvesant Plaza to receive the
Passover packet, Yitzchok Crane poses
with Mordechai & Moshe R. Mr. Cranemeeting these Mitzvah men reminded
him of the warm feelings he personally
experienced 30+ years ago by the
Lubavitcher Rebbe. He told the boys
about the amazing atmosphere at the
Rebbe’s Farbrengens, and recalled the
Rebbe’s penetrating blue eyes.
Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe
“Passover” is derived from the Hebrew words "G-d will leap over."
Therefore one observes it in a manner of with bounding and leaping." (Rashi)
The Jewish people in Egypt became so mired in slavery that when
time came for liberation they didn’t wish to leave Egypt! Egypt was then considered culturally advanced in terms of knowledge, art, technology and philosophy - But in terms of morality and ethics, it was most depraved and immoral , described as "abomination of the earth."
It was from that level that the Jewish people had to attain physical
1,2,3 - SHMURAH MATZAH! and spiritual freedom, so they could rise to the spiritual heights to receive GStep 1 —Packing handmade Matzah
with tissue and Matzah letters into
special boxes.
Step 3—
Spreading
the holiday
warmth and
spirit with
others who
wouldn’t
otherwise get the handmade Shmurah Matza!
Step 2—
Once the
boxes are
ready, they
head off to their
destinations.
d's Torah."When you will take the nation out of Egypt, they shall serve G-d
upon this mountain [of Sinai]." Rashi notes: ‘in the merit of their service to G-d
at Sinai were the Jewish people redeemed from Egyptian exile.
The themes of G-d's absolute unity and the highest degree of ethics
contrasted with the depravity of Egyptian "culture" and ‘civilization.’ Achieving true freedom & accept Torah and mitzvos required a mighty "Pesach" leap.
This began while Israel was still in Egypt, when they were told to
observe the Pesach service "in a manner of bounding and leaping." A vaulting
manner of service culminated on the Night of Pesach, when G-d Himself leapt
over the fetters of exile, revealed Himself to Israel while they were still in
Egypt, released them from their captivity.
This theme of vaulting and leaping is fundamental at all times and in all
Rivky & Mushky Cohen
give Mrs. M. a Matzah &
holiday guide. Amongst
the many Jews in office buildings they met her on the
elevator on her way to a conference, she didn't know
that if her mother is Jewish she is Jewish— what Divine providence!
places, in our service through the rest of the year. We are exiled in a physical
world, mostly spending out time for physical eating, drinking, sleeping, earning a living, etc. The time remaining for spiritual affairs such as Torah study,
prayer and the performance of mitzvos is thus restricted.
But Pesach informs us that as Jews we are empowered to "leap over"
all physical and corporeal limitations, attaining spiritual freedom all year!
PAGE 2
PESACH MIVTZOIM REPORT 5772 - Albany, NY
Clifton Park Chabad
Pesach events ranged from the Jewish Women's Circle, Model Matzah Bakery, to Kosher Week!
GOING
KOSHER!
Promoting Kosher awareness at Clifton Park‘s Price
Chopper, Rabbi Yossi set
up a kosher display in the
‘Passover aisle,’ offering
free Shmurah Matzah, a
raffle for a Kosher Cook
book, and sampling of
Passover Macaroons!
The Bahir family pose in their
Matzah Bakery uniforms!
SEDER
PLATES!
BAKE YOUR OWN MATZAH!
Clifton Park
Chabad Jewish Women's
C i r c l e
(picture on
top
right)
had a handson workshop to create their
“With our children & elders will we go” at B’nai Brith Apts
own beautiful Seder plates
Rabbi Yossi Kagan and Sholom Kudan arranged this year’s Seder at (right) and an interactive exB’nai Brith. Over 25 Jewish residents joined with lively traditional hibit of objects that tell the
songs and warm Passover stories. Things started with story of Exodus!
Kadesh, and continued with matza, maror and the seder
essentials, plus Passover foods ranging from beets, carrots, potatoes plus Gefilte fish - prepared by
the Kudan family (pictures on left). All felt the absence of our beloved Russian translator & leader,
Yosef Yankulin - obm, who would enhance the Seder with rich Jewish Russian culture. They sang songs
and spoke to many of the residents, - one man hadstudied in R' Moshe Feinstein's yeshiva, and received semicha from him!
All
enjoyed this hands-on Passover experience
with Rabbi Yossi. “Put on your Matzah baking hat and apron!” was exciting for the children. Volunteers poured the water into
the flour from 2 separate stations, rolled the dough into round matzos and also perforated the holes. All participants then got their own handmade Shmurah Matzah!
Join the Mitzvah Brigade on their missions…
On the 7th of Pesach, Chaim & Moshe Kudan, Moishy Cohen, Mordechai Carr
and Mordechai Rubin went to B’nai Brith apts. They sang lively songs & gave
people Shmurah Matzah along the way, as Carr did awesome Pesach raps, plus
a Yiddish rap for Yiddish speaking residents: “Ess di Matzah! Es, Es di Matzah..”
Besides visiting elderly residents, they met young people as well, one was very
impressed with the on the spot Pesach themed rap. The finale occurred by the
Washington park lake with Torah passages, L’Chaim on grape juice & lively dancing, plus sharing the holiday spirit with a Jewish UAlbany student. (follow the
brigade in Saratoga’s Broadway on Page 3)
JEUNION!
Chabad
at Union’s Passover
schedule isn’t only
the grand Passover
Seder (on right), but
also serving hot Kosher Lunches for students each day of
Passover!
‘Shabbos House’ Celebrates Pesach
Shabbos House hosted Pesach events for many UAlbany students
who couldn't make it home for the holiday (see erev Yom Tov picture left), and this year was the biggest! On Chol HaMoed students
joined the ‘Torah—Tuesday’ learning night with a Pesach dinner,
winding up to the ’Seudat Moshiach’ Grand finale!
Dedicated In loving Memory of Esther Aidel Bas R’ Yisroel Eliezer
PESACH MIVTZOIM REPORT 5772 - Albany, NY
PAGE 3
From left to right (left picture): Ruvain Kudan of Albany, Rabbi Abba Rubin of Saratoga Chabad, Rabbi Nachman Simon
of the Chabad House of Delmar, Marc Gronich of Albany, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D—Manhattan), Assembly
Majority Leader Ron Canestrari (D—Cohoes), Rabbi Yisroel Rubin, director of the Capital Chabad, Assemblyman Jack
McEneny (D—Albany), Rabbi Zalman Simon of the Bethlehem Chabad and Assemblyman Bob Reilly (D—Colonie).
CAPITAL Celebration!
High ranking leaders from
across NY state commemorated the
110th birthday of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson.
Governor Cuomo’s Proclamation marked “110 days of education in the Empire
State as a tribute to the Lubavitcher Rebbe.”
Learning never ends! Mordechai Rubin
studies
Talmud
with Mr.
Mann of
Saratoga
and his
visiting
grandson
(from Queens College) at Passover Fun day.
Saratoga Chabad
hosted a grand Passover Fun
day! Many attended the Seders, meals and services
during the first 2 days of the festival!
Capital Region Chabad’s Rabbi Yisroel Rubin compared the mega data bytes in
the cutting edge round computer wafers being developed at UAlbany’s
NanoTech Center, with the bites of the round Shmura Matzah that transmit vital Jewish history and information.
“Celebrating the Rebbe’s birthday is one of the longest running
Spring traditions here in the Capital,” Rubin said. “We mark the Rebbe’s
birthday by doing what the Rebbe taught: active mitzvos and education …
The Rebbe insisted that the matzahs for the seder be handmade.. absorbing and digesting the matzah transmits precious memory and traditions.”
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D – Manhattan) said,
“Rebbe Schneerson was a visionary leader and scholar. He believed
and taught that every human being possessed the divine gift; one that
can and must be nurtured and brought to fruition. His message of love
and hope, his tireless efforts to reach every corner of the world and
his commitment to education and to charity have inspired many heads
of state as well as teachers and leaders from every walk of life.”
“Committing ourselves to the expansion and the enhancement of educational opportunities is what the Rebbe spent his time for all people.
.
Hopefully we can realize what he realized, and that is the wealth of the
potential Gd gave to each one of us ... How we nurture and develop
is the key
to the
result that we bring about what the Rebbe wanted us to
make sure each human being reached their maximum
potential.”
(from an article by Capital Reporter Marc Gronich)
Above Mendy Antelis a ‘Jewish Star” finalist performs with
his father Moshe, a famous guitarist. Besides live music,
guests enjoyed a Passover dinner, a Magic Show, Fruit juicing and 3 different arts & crafts!
Passover on Saratoga’s Broadway!
During the Holiday the Mitzvah Brigade (Moishy Cohen, Mordechai &
Moshe Rubin) went up & down
Broadway bringing the Pesach
warmth to the streets! One mother
and daughter waited at the corner to
receive Matzah after ‘eavesdropping’
on
the boys’ conversation. The
Brigade met Jews who
hadn’t celebrated Passover & shared with them
the festivals joy!
Daily
Gazette
front page featured
Saratoga
Chabad children.
Please help us continue
Serving our Jewish Community with Holiday
Mitzvos!
Kinus Torah!
MHDS Alumni were among the “Kinus Torah” forum speakers, most relating to
Pesach topics. Yaakov Backman (center)
teaches in Morristown, NJ, Meir Simon
(top) & Sholom Ber Kudan (bottom) study
in Brooklyn. Some alumni came from England and Miami, Florida. The ‘Kinus’ finale
was on the 7th night of Pesach, when the
learning continued all night !
Every dollar counts.
We need YOUR help
to cover the
Pesach Programs!
Motti Rubin c/o Capital Chabad
122 S. Main Ave. Albany NY 12208
Email: [email protected]
423-4103
Dedicated In loving Memory of Esther Aidel Bas R’ Yisroel Eliezer
PAGE 4
PESACH MIVTZOIM REPORT 5772 - Albany, NY
CHILDREN’S TZIVOS HASHEM RALLIES!
WELCOME!
to the
GRAND PESACH RALLY!
12 Pesukim!
Children recite the Torah passages
BINGO!
CHARITY!
I won!
PRAYER!
DY!
U
T
S
H
A
R
O
T
The Grand
BINGO
Game!
GRAND RAFFLES!
One of you has the WINING TICKET!!
WE HAVE A WINNER!
GUEST STORYTELLER!
SONGS!
Lively
holiday Songs!
Along time ago...
Mara Dunn rode home
on her NEW Mitzva bike!
BIG CROWDS! Over 50 children at this year’s Pesach Rallies!
Dedicated In loving Memory of Esther Aidel Bas R’ Yisroel Eliezer
Is this the
wining
ticket?