theshteeble

NEW HOME

2010-01-12T06:58:00.004-11:00

PLEASE VISIT OUR NEW HOME AT theshteeble.com

CLICK HERE

2009-12-10T07:33:00.004-11:00

STAY TUNED

2009-11-11T07:28:00.007-11:00

Friends

During the past three weeks, we have seen that there is a demand and interest in a Montreal-centered site, a resource to connect and inform us of shared interests. Your response has been overwhelming, BH. We tried to share ideas and comments in a respectful setting and tried to use the power and convenience of technology for communal good.

Be'ezras Hashem, we are working on updating theshteeble to a full website, complete with communal calendar, rides to ny, simcha info, minyanim and many other things that will enhance the lives of frum Montrealers, as well as news, events and photos.

We hope to have the site up and running within weeks and welcome your suggestions for what you would like to see included at theshteeble@yahoo.ca.

Please stay tuned. We will no longer be posting here, and will iyH inform the public as soon as the new site is launched.

May we always share besuros tovos!

Yisroel Besser

Last Sheva Brachos in Sanz

2009-11-11T06:34:00.004-11:00

The final sheva brachos in Sanz was a grand affair in the main beis medrash, attended by various gedolim, including Rav Steinman, the Rebbes of Erlau and Seret-Viznitz and many politicians. The mechutan, Rav Unsdorfer, was the featured speaker.

'The Event' on Motzoei Shabbos Vayetzei

2009-11-11T03:48:00.001-11:00

Save the date- Motzoei Shabbos Vayetzei, Nov 28th for the annual Kollel Avreichim Melave Malka. The evening of song has become a highlight in many people's calendars. The event will, iyH, be held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Boruch Kuhnreich.

Below is a clip from last year.

Letter from the Canadian Jewish News

2009-11-10T17:07:00.002-11:00

Y Shabbat opening shameful

The compromise worked out between the Y and a delegation of Orthodox congregational rabbis (“Y, rabbis reach accord on Shabbat opening,” Oct. 29) allows the two gyms, the swimming pool and the weight-training room to remain open on Shabbat. The rabbis felt they had to work with the Y to minimize the most flagrant violations of Halachah, namely the triggering of an electrical current, and that is why the cardio facility will remain closed.
With all due respect, there will still be flagrant violations of Halachah with the new compromise. The rabbis’ decision was based on the fact that using electricity is a biblical violation of Shabbat, while exercising without electricity and swimming are only rabbinical prohibitions. What they failed to realize is that all who swim and exercise invariably take hot showers. Opening up the hot water faucet is a biblical prohibition. Thus, they have gained nothing with their compromise other than appear to be condoning chillul Shabbat.
While previously, the Y was to open at 1 p.m, the article states that they have now come to an agreement with the rabbis to open at 7:30 a.m. How absurd that at the same time some people will be entering the Y for Shabbat services, others will be entering to exercise. Is this the Y’s definition of a “full-service workout?”
There are many Jewish community centres in North America that are unfortunately open on Shabbat. Ours, however, is probably the only one to be open with rabbinic approval! How shameful!
Rabbi Mordechai Bulua
Montreal

Shloshim for Mrs. Devorie Neuwirth

2009-11-10T12:32:00.004-11:00

A shloshim for Mrs. Neuwirth will take place on November 11th, at Anshei Lubavitch, 6850 Trans Island, at 8:00 pm. A Siyum will be made by her oldest son Motki and a guest speaker from New York will honor her memory with a moving Dvar Torah.

Rav Gross Coming for Shabbos

2009-11-10T06:33:00.004-11:00

Rav Mordechai Gross, Rov of Chanichei Yeshivos in Bnei Brak and dayan of Sheiris Yisroel is widely recognized as one of the young gedolim of the Israeli olam haYeshivos. We will have the merit of having him spend Shabbos Chayei Sara here in Montreal.

SCHEDULE: Upon his arrival Thursday night, he will be giving a Shiur in Hilchas Kiddush (Hilchas Shabbos)and the inyan of being Kovia itim Latorah at the Skverer Bais Medrish on 6019 Durocher starting at 8:30 -9:30pm.

Friday morning the Rav will be giving a Shiur in Hilchos Chanukah at 11:00 am in the oitzer upstairs by Yeshiva Gedola.

Friday night there will be an Oneg Shabbos at the home of Mendy Friedman, beginning at 9:00pm, with the Rav speaking for 15-20 minutes.

Shabbos morning the Rav will be speaking at the Zibo Bais Medrash before Kriyas Hatorah,

Between Mincha/Maariv on Shabbos the Rav will speak in the main Bais Medrash of Yeshiva Gedola.

He and his Rebbetzin will be the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Hershey Friedman

2009-11-10T01:44:00.005-11:00

There will be a Tehillim vigil in front of the Y on Westbury, on Tuesday night , 24 Cheshvan (November 10) at 6:45 pm. The Y's annual general meeting will take place that same night at 7:00 pm. Consequently, it is the opportune time to stand up for Kedushas Shabbos.

Please come with your Sefer Tehillim and show your support for SHABBOS KODESH. This Tehillim gathering has the sanction and encouragement of Harav Yonasan Binyomin Weiss, Chief Rabbi of the Va'ad Ha'ir of Montreal.

Signed,

Rabbonim:

Rabbi Moshe Werner
Rabbi Menachem Katz
Rabbi Yoel Chonon Wenger
Rabbi Shneur Aisenstark

MODERATORS NOTE: IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT DISTINGUISHED RABBANIM SIGNED ON THE PAPER, THE COMMENTS THREAD WILL BE CLOSED ON THIS POST.

From The McGill Review

2009-11-09T08:14:00.002-11:00

Leibish Hundert, 31, is the rabbi for the Ghetto Shul, a student-run synagogue providing weekly services and classes for Jewish students at McGill and around Montreal. Hundert, who grew up in Montreal, is also a graduate student at Concordia studying for a Master's in Religion, focusing on post-modernism and Jewish studies. He recently offered his perspective on McGill students' handling of the Gaza conflict.
In your opinion, have McGill's Jewish students been united in dealing with this issue?

It seems to me that there's not really such a unified front. There are really a lot of different opinions. There are groups of Jews who will side with Israel no matter what, and there are groups of Jews who will side against Israel no matter what [laughs]. Those groups, to me, are the least interesting, because they have their minds already made up. And then there are people in between. I think that what is shared by a lot of Jews on campus-though not every Jew, because there are the hard-line left wingers-is their distress about a wider issue, having to do with the legitimacy of the state. I think people find it distressing that a few weeks ago, there was a burning of an Israeli flag by some McGill students near St. Catherine Street. It's one thing to question, to protest. And it's another to completely delegitimize.

So is there a sort of polarization among Jews at McGill?

There's a blurring of those issues amongst Jews. People who start questioning sometimes get lumped into a black-and-white situation: either they're for Israel in general or against Israel in general. It's clear whenever anyone gives the same response to all different types of questions-whenever there's a lack of nuance-that there's a lack of critical thinking going on, and it's just a preconceived notion just getting recycled. There's a polarization going on, and I think at McGill, as an educational institution, what should be strived for is a sense of complexity. If there's anything that a university should be about, it's dissecting and understanding … the difficulty of the situation. When [that's] missing, then it becomes scary, because then it's undermining the whole purpose of being students, of being thoughtful people. We have a responsibility to be thinking people, not to just melt away into mottos and slogans and party lines.

What are your thoughts about the upcoming SSMU General Assembly, in which the Society for Palestinian Human Rights introduced a motion to condemn Israel's bombing of Gaza's educational institutions?

McGill is a university of 20,000 students. In general, it's a problem for a few hundred people to speak for tens of thousands. If it's possible for a few people to be loud and passionate and get into a room and raise their hands, it doesn't seem fair to me for them to have political sway. … [SPHR] is taking an issue that is very close to the heart of everyone, because everyone's a student. They're taking an issue that everyone will agree with, that is easy to rally behind-that people should have a right to education-and using it to turn a conflict into something that has a clear right and wrong. In reality, in this conflict between the Israelis and Hamas, there are a lot of complex issues, and they are being skirted through this kind of a setup.

How would you describe the current state of discourse regarding Gaza at McGill?

It comes down to the majority of the sound you hear compared with the majority of the people. The people you hear the loudest are the people who think they've got it all figured out. It's a black-and-white world for them, and therefore they can yell about it. The people who see more complexity are less vociferous about it. It's very important [for those people to voice their opinions]. I just recently saw in the Canadian Jewish News a poll of Canadians regarding the conflict in Gaza. Fifty-one per cent of Canadians were undecided, 13 per cent sided with Hamas, and 36 per cent sided with Israel. … I think it really is important that the undecided-the people who see the nuance and the difficulty within the conflict-engage in the discussion. It's hard to be "passionately unsure,'"… but it's important to be passionate about honesty, and about intellectual, critical thought. Therefore, a condemnation-on any issue, really-brought about by a few people who are taking a complex issue and turning it into a black-and-white issue by choosing hot button topics, and getting the vote through, seems dishonest to me. When you take an oath in court, you tell "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth." Here, I think what's missing is the whole truth.

Miracle in Sanz

2009-11-09T05:52:00.000-11:00

A few minutes after the Chuppah of the son of the Sanzer Rebbe shlit’a, the participants were still excited about the lofty spiritual event, when suddenly Harav Avraham Hoffman, one of the important chassidim of Sanz in Bnei Brak, collapsed.

Within a few minutes EMTs who were prepared for any case came, and began CPR. For a half an hour they attempted to revive him, but it seemed the worst of all had happened; there was no pulse, no breath.

After half an hour of CPR operations his pulse slowly returned, and the emergency crews who treated him decided to evacuate him to the hospital next door, Laniado in Netanya.

After evacuation to the hospital his condition improved dramatically. To the staff's surprise, a few minutes before the Sanzer Rebbe shlit’a was due to enter the Heichal HaSimcha to attend the wedding feast for his son, he went to Laniado Medical Center with a limited number of gabbaim, and paid a visit to Harav Avraham Hoffman.

The department staff was very moved to see the Rebbe shlit’a during those happy moments of his simcha in the department. When the Rebbe shlit’a entered Harav Avraham Hoffman’s room, he sat with tears streaming from his eyes. He told the Sanzer Rebbe shlit’a that he has no doubt that participation in the Chuppah when all the tzaddikim of the Court of Sanz, zy’a, were above, was a great merit for him.

The Sanzer Rebbe shlit’a thanked him for coming to the simcha and told him that if, Heaven forbid, the evil eye needs to rule at a simcha, this incident should be an atonement.

The Sanzer Rebbe shlit’a encouraged Harav Avraham Hoffman and told him not to worry, and before Shabbat he would be released.
Indeed, at the Tischen and tefillos of Shabbos, Harav Avraham Hoffman participated like everyone else.

Historic Meeting a Success, BH

2009-11-09T03:56:00.003-11:00

Yesterday's meeting in the Belzer beis medrash- to discuss a possible solution to the housing crisis faced by heimeshe families- drew far more participants than expected. Led by the dynamic and indefatigable askan Reb Moshe Yitzchok Adler, the questions were many. Why now? Why Laval? Why will this be successful when others have failed?

Reb Moshe Yitzchok responded to each one, explaining that the situation, with large families bla'h residing in cramped quarters is no longer an option. The opportunity to purchase large, spacious, affordable dwellings has presented itself at this time in this location.

He expressed the belief that the tzibbur, which included Satmar, Belz, Vizhnitz, Skver and Bobov, would work together to establish a community and infrastructure based on their shared dreams and ideals.

Over seventy people signed up to be part of this endeavor.

Tonight, several individual groups are holding their own meetings to continue the discussion as it pertains to them. The Skverer olam will be meeting in Beis Tziporah.

Harper to Visit Chabad House

2009-11-09T01:51:00.002-11:00

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is scheduled to visit the Mumbai Chabad House on November 17th in Mumbai.In India on a three-day state visit, the Conservative leader will pay tribute to the victims of the Islamic terrorist attack on the site, on the first anniversary of the event.

Important Update from Refua V'chesed

2009-11-08T19:26:00.008-11:00

CHANGES IN H1N1 VACCINATION SCHEDULE: Anyone under age 65 with a chronic medical condition can begin going to H1N1 vaccination clinics to obtain their flu shot immediately. Those aged 5 through 18 with chronic illness, who were to have become eligible for vaccination only Nov. 16, are now eligible eight days earlier.
Adults between 18-65 with chronic illness– including heart troubles, asthma, diabetes and cancer – that were to have become eligible for their H1N1 inoculation Nov. 23 are now being moved up 15 days

Video- Chabad Simchas Beis Hashoeva at Trudeau Park

2009-11-08T19:16:00.003-11:00

Avrohom Fried at Chabad Cote St Luc simchas beis hashoeva 5770.

Pictures from the Simcha

2009-11-08T13:23:00.003-11:00

At sheva brachos tonight in Yerushalayim's Kiryat Sanz.

New Kehilla in Laval?

2009-11-08T06:48:00.002-11:00

A group of askanim are hosting a meeting for the wider community to present a plan for creating a kehilla in Laval. The lack of affordable housing in the downtown neighborhood has made this a serious option, and they hope to form a group of serious buyers to bring the plan to the next level.

The gathering will take place at the new Belzer Beis Medrash at 6091 Park, at 100 sharp.

From Our Comments - Challenge Is On

2009-11-08T04:59:00.012-11:00

Anonymous said...: ok Anon if you think it is a bushah and we should respond when a choshveste rov begs lets start an open apeal here on the blog you can remain anonymos but say an amount you will pledge and lets get the project going .
learn from Hershey and dont just talk but some action; November 8, 2009 4:40 AM
Anonymous said...: Okay deal, but who us going to be on top of donations from a bunch of anons?; November 8, 2009 4:50 AM
Anonymous said...: Nu, let the ledges roll. I am prepared to start. I pledge 100 dollars. And I will immediately email my real name to theshteeble's address.; November 8, 2009 4:52 AM
Ekers said...: I pledge $200 and will send my Email to the shteeble as well .Come on send it to your friends let us see what we can raise

WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT OUR FIRST PLEDGE OF TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS HAS JUST BEEN RECEIVED. LETS SEE IF OUR COMMENTERS ARE MORE THAN JUST TALK.

ANOTHER 180 HAS JUST BEEN RECEIVED.

ANOTHER TWENTY-FIVE.

ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF CABINETS FROM MORANTZ WOODWORKING, SO WE KNOW THE PROJECT WILL FINISH OFF BEAUTIFULLY.

ANOTHER EIGHTEEN.

ANOTHER ONE HUNDRED.

ANOTHER FIVE HUNDRED.

ANOTHER ONE HUNDRED.

ANOTHER ONE HUNDRED.

ANOTHER ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY.

EMAIL YOUR DONATION TO THESHTEEBLE@YAHOO.CA

Photos from Private Reception

2009-11-07T17:37:00.002-11:00

On Motzoei Shabbos, a private reception was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hershey Friedman for a select group of donors, with the goal of raising the rest of the funds for the uptown mikvah. The Zibo dayan addressed the olam.

Proteczia?

2009-11-07T14:09:00.000-11:00

MONTREAL GAZETTE; – As thousands of Montreal adults wait anxiously to get their H1N1 flu shots next month, the top 200 donors of the Jewish General Hospital have already been inoculated, The Gazette has learned.

Hospital officials, however, denied that there’s a link between making a financial donation and getting fast-tracked for the flu shots. Rather, the 200 donors are all volunteers at the Jewish General in some capacity, said spokesperson Karen Ohayon.

“It has nothing to do with the fact that they gave money,” she said. “There’s absolutely no link.”

Last month, the Quebec government announced that health-care workers – including doctors, nurses and other staff who are in close contact with patients – would be the first to be vaccinated against the pandemic H1N1 strain.

However, the Jewish General has decided that in addition to health professionals, donors who sit on various boards would also be vaccinated.

“Most of the people that donate to the hospital in one way or another volunteer at the hospital, because they are all part of boards and are involved in the hospital,” Ohayon explained.

“They are inside the hospital, they give their time. They are inside meetings. They are part of the hospital in a way, because they are always here.”

Asked whether a donor-volunteer of the Jewish General foundation is in close contact with patients, Ohayon responded:

“Yes, because there is contact. I work for the PR department, which is next to the entrance, and I’m in the hospital almost all day and I was vaccinated. We’re exposed to the virus.”

However, a physician who works at a Montreal hospital accused the Jewish General of applying a double standard to favour “elite donors.”

“That’s disgusting,” said the doctor, who spoke on condition that her name not be used. “Where are the priorities in our society? Are sports figures and elite donors a priority?”

2009-11-06T07:27:00.001-11:00

Oneg Shabbos and Kumzitz at the home of Reb David Grunbeger, 5100 DeVimy at 8:30 Leil Shabbos, in honor of the yahrzeit of Reb Shlomo Carlebach. All are welcome.

Don't Forget

2009-11-06T07:09:00.002-11:00

I would like to take this opportunity to cordially invite the entire community to a Kiddush hodaah with respect to my recent election as city councilor. It will be held this coming shabbos, parshas Vayera (November 7^th) at Tiferes Israel (Rav Toledano’s shul) 2195 Ekers 1^st floor/left door as of 11:30 am. Please spread the word and announce it in your respective shuls.Thank you.Lionel Perez

Friday Night Learning Program To Begin

2009-11-06T06:16:00.003-11:00

The winter Friday night learning program, Kol Yaakov, li'n habachur Yaakov Kuhnreich a'h, will resume tonight, iyH. The program, which is for the upper high school grades for both Yeshiva and Mesivta bochurim, features a learning seder, chaburos on the parshah, and delicious cholent. It is held in the Zibo beis medrash from seven forty-five.

This week, the oneg Shabbos is being sponsored by a very generous mispalel of that beis medrash.

2009-11-06T04:58:00.004-11:00

one more from Netanya

Call for Boycott of Rebbe's tisch

2009-11-06T04:10:00.004-11:00

A prominent Five Towns newspaper has called for a ban of the Toldos Avrohom Yitzchak Rebbe's tish.

CLICK HERE

Matzav hits back.
CLICK HERE

2009-11-06T03:51:00.000-11:00

The av beis din was in New York this week, where his brother, Rav Meir Weiss, married off a child. Here, he is pictured with the Klausenberger Rebbe of Boro Park.

2009-11-05T14:41:00.002-11:00

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE

Remarkeable Man, Remarkeable Cause

2009-11-05T09:59:00.006-11:00

One of Montreal's most dynamic kiruv personalities is Rabbi Tuvia Hoffman, who has been quietly creating a revolution on the West Island. This motzoei Shabbos, there will be an event in support of his organization, the Montreal Jewish Experience Please pass around to your West Island and area contacts-
* Wine demonstration
* Wine tasting
* Large selection of gourmet cheeses
* Chocolate fondue
* Benefit RAFFLE.
Prizes include wine, wine accessories, jewelry, Montreal Canadiens hockey tickets, and housewares. Please bring cash or cheque. Raffle tickets are $10 each.
Location: 5 Bayside
Time: 8 PM
Cost: $15 per person
View Larger Map

Denied Insurance For Travel To Israel

2009-11-05T05:51:00.009-11:00

MONTREAL — CJN: The local society of Jewish lawyers and jurists last week was seeking to resolve why one of its members was denied his first-ever life insurance policy – offered as a group plan to members of the Quebec bar at preferred rates – on the grounds that he travels to Israel’s “occupied territory”Dan Goldstein sent relevant documentation to the Lord Reading Law Society after he was notified in September that his application for life and long-term disability insurance was turned down by Medavie Blue Cross.

He was informed that he was turned down because of his “travels to Israel, specifically to the city of Holon.”

Lord Reading president Irwin Rudick told The CJN that it has struck a committee to investigate the matter.

“This has very much upset me,” Goldstein, a 35-year-old labour lawyer with the firm of Schneider & Gaggino, told The CJN. “I remain uninsured.”

On Sept. 21, Goldstein received a letter from the insurance brokerage firm of Michel Rhéaume & Associés Ltée, notifying him only that he was being denied coverage by Medavie Blue Cross for “other reasons (other than medical),” based on the criteria of “risks” determined by the company.

Michel Rhéaume & Associés recommends and is authorized to sell Blue Cross’ group plan, but it is Medavie Blue Cross – the actual insurer – that approves or rejects individual applications.

When Goldstein then sent a follow-up letter seeking more specific reasons for being turned down, he was told in an Oct. 6 reply that it was because he travels to Holon.

According to Jean-Pierre Carbonneau, an adviser on group insurance for Medavie Blue Cross, Goldstein, when asked where he travels as part of his general insurance evaluation, mentioned Israel and Holon, a town of 170,000 within the Tel Aviv district, where his wife Liat’s grandparents reside. Goldstein and his wife travel there annually to visit them and his parents in Jerusalem.

It is a question of “underwriting standards,” was Carbonneau’s explanation to The CJN. “Mr. Goldstein does travel to [Holon] an occupied territory in Israel… the territory is recognized as dangerous territory.”

When informed that Holon is part of Israel proper, Carbonneau said he would pass the information on to company underwriters “and they can double check that.”

Asked why Goldstein could not have been issued an individual policy with an “exclusion” clause that would deny benefits in the event of a terrorist incident or war, Carbonneau answered: “My specialty is group policy, so when it comes down to writing an individual policy, I’m not the best-informed person.

“Why is there not an exclusion to the effect that if something happens there, nothing will be paid? I don’t know.”

Goldstein laughed over the phone when informed of all this, noting that “nothing, absolutely nothing, happens in Holon,” which lies on the coastal strip just south of Tel Aviv and is not known to have ever been targeted by terrorists or seen warfare.

In an earlier e-mail to The CJN, Goldstein said: “There has never been a terror attack in Holon, and I don’t know of a single Canadian tourist dying in Israel since 1990 [when Marnie Kimmelman, a 17-year-old from Toronto, died in a terrorist explosion on a Tel Aviv beach].”

Goldstein speculated that Medavie Blue Cross could be confusing Holon with Hebron, which is located in the West Bank. Both place names begin with the letter H, have two syllables, and end in “o-n.”

A mix-up of the names, he suggested, would be a more plausible explanation for what happened, but would still require a reversal of the decision.

Lord Reading’s Rudick said he was not aware at this point of any other lawyer who has similarly been turned down under the Medavie Blue Cross group plan for life insurance because of a perceived risk in visiting Israel. The committee looking into the matter was struck at Lord Reading’s last board meeting on Oct. 15.

“We should hear something by the end of this month or the beginning of next to at least ascertain what the facts are and what course of action is being recommended,” Rudick said. “This is the first time we’ve heard of a situation like that. Is this an ‘Israel problem’ or more than that? I don’t know.

“Some of us mused aloud about whether there would be a similar problem if other lawyers travelled to, say, Afghanistan. We are definitely looking into this – no question.”

From Our Comments-- Anonymous said...As an advisor that sells individual life insurance policies, I believe that Mr. Goldtein would be approved Standard, without any exclusions. If he would like more information he can contact me at dschlesinger@bellnet.ca
From Our Comments-- Anonymous said...I recently bought a Life insurance policy, and the insurance company approved me but with a rating which would increase my premiums with over 25% of the standard, and the reason they gave was because I travel to Israel 3 to 5 times every year, my broker (who by the way is Yisroel Sandel of the Delsan Group) and I were shocked, he notified the insurance company that we take this as a personal insult against the Jewish community of whom a vast majority travel often to Israel, and if this decision is not reversed they should be prepared to lose the high volume of business which is constantly flowing their way through him, it took the insurance company only one day to come back and apologize letting us know that the rating was just because they consider Gaza and the west bank as a war zone and unsafe, and because I am going so many times a year to Israel they assumed that I am visiting all areas in Israel, I had to sign for them that I was not going to these 2 places and that I have no plans to go there in the near future, and they reversed their decision approving me standard which is their best rating for the type of policy I bought.
November 5, 2009 5:10 PM

You Are Invited

2009-11-05T05:15:00.002-11:00

Thank you.

Lionel Perez

City Councillor Elect, District Darlington

CDN-NDG Borough

Mitzvah Tantz Pics and Video

2009-11-05T02:42:00.002-11:00

צאנז 3 from bhol on Vimeo.

Source for the Minhag? From our Comments.

2009-11-05T02:23:00.002-11:00

: Shalom Aleikhem Rabbotai,
Thank you for the excellent question. The custom of riding on horses on the occasion of the mitzvah of rejoicing with the chatan has its source in Tosafot to Sukkah 45a, s.v. "mi'yad". Tosafot mention that gentlemen engage in battle on horses, and that one is not liable for killing someone else's horse or damaging his garments during those festivities, since there is an implicit social contract of mutual forgiveness. [N.B. Tosafot conspicuously avoid any mention of exonerating a person for wounding a fellow during those exercises. It seems to me that Tosafot are positing that nobody actually is wounded during the "battle", and that this Tosafot is a support to R. Shlomo Yosef Zevin's thesis in his Li'or Hahalakhah (2nd edition, pp. 318-335) that one is not allowed to wound his fellow even with the other person's permission, since "haneshamah lakh vihaguf pa'alakh" - the human life and corporeal entity belong to HaKadosh Barukh Hu, Who has commanded that people live and be healthy and not let themselves be harmed.] Kol tuv, lichaim ulishalom.
Gratefully,
Shalom Spira
sspira@yu.edu

Important News From Refuah V'chessed PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR CHASUNAH UPDATES AS THIS WILL REMAIN PINNED ON TOP

2009-11-04T13:31:00.011-11:00

(Click on image to enlarge)

Beginning Nov 5, parents and siblings of babies under 6 months old, and actual children between six months five years old are eligible for vaccination. On November 9th, pregnant women are eligible, and on the 16th anyone less that 18 years old with a chronic medical conditionwill be allowed. On the 23rd, adults with chronic medical conditions will be allowed, and on Dec. 7 everyone else may come. Those with a home address on Hutchison (Plateau side) Jeanne Mance, Esplanade,Waverly, until Nov 15 at 4625 de Lorimier. From the 16th - Palais des Congres 1001 rue Jean Paul Riopelle. Those that live on Hutchison (Outremont- DeVimy-Westbury) to Rue Decarie- Place Alexis Nihon 1500 ave Atwater.

PLEASE NOTE- YOU MUST BRING MEDICARE CARDS WITH YOU.

Clip from the Chasuna--Mitzvah Tantz Photos

2009-11-04T13:06:00.007-11:00

צאנז from bhol on Vimeo.

Still More Pics

2009-11-04T12:32:00.000-11:00

More Pics

2009-11-04T06:55:00.004-11:00

The Mesivta Rov dancing with his people

Update from our man in Netanya

2009-11-04T06:25:00.004-11:00

Update from our man in Netanya

2009-11-04T05:53:00.008-11:00

The mesader kidushin was Rav Shmuel Wosner. The first six brachos were recited by the Seagate Rav, Rav Meisels the kallahs grandfather. Bracha achrita went to the Zhviller Rebbe.

2009-11-04T03:48:00.001-11:00

From JOCC

2009-11-04T02:04:00.002-11:00

Rabbi Menachem Feig of JOCC reports that he has been contacted by the police commander from Station 24 with the following request. There has recently been a big increase in car break-ins in the Outremont area. There is someone going around with a lithium battery detector and breaking in to those cars. The police commander requested poeple not to leave anything in their cars. There is a major investigation underway and it is extremely to report any break-ins so the police know which streets to targetand what the number of reported thefts is.

Refua Vchessed- People Helping People

2009-11-03T11:37:00.006-11:00

Sources at Hatzalah tell us of a major breakthrough- after meetings conducted by R Aron Friedlander and Aron Schmelczer of Refuah V'chessed, they have made it possible for Hatzalah members to obtain the H1N1 vaccine TOMORROW between 8-8. A list will iyH be posted with times and places for the wider public.

From His Tzava'a on his Yahrzeit

2009-11-03T09:32:00.001-11:00

“Therefore, I request of all the talmidim who know that they benefited from me, whether it be in Torah, or in Yiras Hashem, or in middos, that they be kind towards me and learn for the elevation of my neshamah – even one Mishnah, or mussar thought. This will have made it all worth it, for I, too, dedicated myself completely for the sake of your success in learning, and if I will be able to act and to advocate on your behalf, I will do so, bli neder.

I pray that I will merit to stand before Hakadosh Baruch Hu in a state of teshuva sheleima.

Yours,
The one who parts from you, with love,

Elazar Menachem Man Shach.”

May his memory be an inspiration and a blessing.

Comment Worth Repeating

2009-11-03T06:47:00.000-11:00

Lets just celebrate Tzvi Gold's recovery and the fact that he's being honored. Great award choice YGMH. He deserves to be recognized for his hard work and dedication. I have worked with him on a few occasions and he is really such a pleasure to deal with.

Blogging Live From The Simcha

2009-11-03T04:35:00.004-11:00

Over the next few days, we hope to bring you periodic updates from the simcha of R Unsdorfer in Eretz Yisroel.

Pictures- Kiryat Sanz prepares for the simcha.

Evening of Thanksgiving and Support

2009-11-03T01:31:00.005-11:00

On November 29. 2009. Yeshiva Gedola will hold its 39th ANNUAL DINNER at theBeth Ora Synagogue. This year we are making a special banquet of praise to G-D for the recovery of our dear friend and integral staff member MR. ZVI GOLD. Zvi has devoted over 25 years of dedicated service to our Yeshiva and the community at large. We are most grateful and thankful to have him back at the Yeshiva. We hope and pray toG-D for his continued good health, together with his wife and family.

Since the Yeshiva's inception thirty-nine years ago, it has, with the help of G-D impacted significantly the Montreal Jewish community. We take pride in our role as a solidifying force behind growth of Yiddishkeit and the tremendous surge of Torah study in our city. Most notable is the steady growth of B'nei Torah and community leaders who, as a result of the fine education they received in the Yeshiva, are major components of their respective communities.

In conjunction with the DINNER we will print the traditional AD JOURNAL. We are confident that you will respond generously and take part in this exciting event

Hachnassas Orchim Opportunity

2009-11-02T17:25:00.006-11:00

The request of the Viznitz organizing committee is still active. (pictured; the Rov arrives in New York).
If you can host chassidim that are coming to spend parshas Toldos with Rav Mendel Hager, for sleeping only, please contact the Vaad.

2009-11-02T16:32:00.003-11:00

The New Jersey gubernatorial election has attracted widespread attention, with the U.S. President vocally endorsing incumbent Jon Corzine, a Democrat. The Lakewood Vaad has likewise endorsed Mr. Corzine.
However, one of Lakewood's most dynamic rabbanim, Rav Simcha Bunim Cohen, has said that his grandfather, Rav Avigdor Miller, would certainly have come out against the governor, who is pro-toeivah marriages. He encouraged his tzibbur to vote for the Republican challenger, Chris Christie, who is pro-life and anti-toeivah marriage.
The Lakewood Rosh Yeshiva today wrote a letter to the tzibbur explaining that he had discussed the issue with Rav Aron Leib Steinman, who has likewise directed the tzibbur to back the Vaad- candidate.

L'kovod the Yahrzeit

2009-11-02T12:50:00.000-11:00

2009-11-02T06:33:00.007-11:00

Bchadrei Charedim and other charedi news sites are reporting that the Satmar Rebbe, Rav Aron Teitelbaum, will be traveling to Eretz Yisroel for the chasuna in Kiryat Sanz. They report that he is coming as a close personal friend and chavrusa of the mechutan, Rav Unsdorfer, with whom he learns on his bi-annual vacations.
Sources close to the simcha tell us that the reports are untrue, and that the Satmar Rebbe will NOT be going.

Comment from the Winner

2009-11-02T03:38:00.003-11:00

Lionel Perez has left a new comment on your post "Our Man Lionel":

I want to first of all thank Hashem Isborach
for bestowing upon me the bracha of being put in a position to assist the tzibbur. May I be worthy of his expectations and only be a source of Kiddush Hashem.

I want to take this opportunity to extend a true hakaros hatov to the entire community for all their support and for coming out to vote. This could not have been possible without you!

I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all my friends and neighbours that helped me yesterday without which I could not have run a successful election day.

Last but not least, I want to thank my wife Faigie for her support and understanding during these past several weeks. I also want to thank my children for understanding that Daddy was a little busy... Bli neder things will get back to a little more normal.

Toda raba

Lionel Perez

Our Man Lionel

2009-11-01T17:38:00.006-11:00

THE WINNER!!!!!

Lionel Perez, who was supported by the rosh yeshiva, Rav Glustein, Rabbi Dovid Cohen of Lubavitch, Rav Dovid Merling of Agudah and many others, has BH won by a landslide, approximately 700 votes!
MESSAGE FROM LIONEL PEREZ, CITY COUNCILOR: Chasdei Hashem. The simcha felt is one that I know is shared by the whole community. Todah raba for everyone's effort in coming out to vote.

ELECTION RESULTS- UPDATES BELOW

2009-11-01T15:29:00.018-11:00

So far, an early lead is shown for Team Tremblay,(40 percent) who seems significantly ahead of both Harel (32 percent) and Bergeron (24 percent.) Michael Appelbaum seems to have the lead in the CDN race, with the city council count still underway.

We will keep you posted!
(pictured at Tremblay Headquarters, Reb Shea Werczberger with Rabbi Menachem Feig and Yoel Mittleman.)

Our man at Tremblay headquarters reports that : The mood here at the headquarters in Outremont is upbeat but still nervous of the outcome in the Joseph Beaubien district where Celine Forget- no friend to our tzibbur- is presented as a candidate.
UPDATE: Our man Lionel is confident, but still uncertain.

UPDATE: The gap between the mayor and Louise Harel is closing slightly. It seems like one of the city councilors backed by Tosh is in, with the other trailing very slightly. Our man Lionel is still leading in most polls, BH.

UPDATE: The mayor endorsed by the kehilla in Tosh lost but the 2 city councilors won 1 won by 5 votes and the other by 1 vote.

UPDATE: LCN news just declared Gerald Tremblay re- elected for a 3rd term as mayor

UPDATE: CJAD and Radio Canada have both declared Tremblay the mayor. Tremblay's handlers refuse to declare victory, however, seeing it as too close to call.

UPDATE: Michael Appelbaum seems to have won in CDN-NDG.

UPDATE: In Outremont, the candidate backed by the kehilla, Louise Moffat has been declared winner.

UPDATE: Mayor Marie Cinq Mars has been declared the winner in Outremont.

Update from Netanya

2009-11-01T12:39:00.003-11:00

Motzoei Shabbos in Kiryat Sanz. The Rebbe walks home from shul with his son, the chassan, and the mechutan, Rav Yaakov Elya Unsdorfer.

At the kiddush, the Rebbe spoke emotionally about an accident the chassan sustained as a young child, when he fell from a high story window to the ground, and, bchasdei Hashem, emerged relatively unscathed. The chassidim joined in the expression of gratitude, singing Chasdei Hashem Ki Lo Samnu throughout Shabbos.

A Telling Story

2009-11-01T08:20:00.002-11:00

A chashuve member of the community, Mr. Eliezer Shoop, phoned the Y to cancel his membership. As he was a 'gold' member, with a costly and prestigious membership package, he received a phone call from Y officials wondering why he was canceling.

He explained that it was because of the Shabbos violations.

"But why would you cancel," came the surprised reply, "the Rabbis said it's okay?!?!"

From An Outremont Blog- Reasons to Vote

2009-11-01T06:41:00.010-11:00

dimanche 1 novembre 2009 GÉRALD TREMBLAY ET LA CONGRÉGATION HASSIDIQUE HORS LA LOI

Nous vous avons annoncé dans notre dernière chronique que mercredi soir dernier, le maire Tremblay et les conseillers d'Outremont Louis Piquette et Claude B. Piquette se sont rendus en catimini à la synagogue de la Congrégation Amour pour Israël (coin Van Horne et Durocher) pour faire le plein de votes hassidiques. Ce matin, la journaliste Valérie Dufour de ruefrontenac.com, (le journal en ligne des journalistes en lock-out du Journal de Montréal) dévoile que la congrégation de cette synagogue est HORS LA LOI! Oui, messieurs, dames...HORS LA LOI! Plus ça change, plus c'est pareil. À lire absolument avant d'aller voter!

Briefly translated, this is an accusation by a rabidly anti-chassidic Outremont blogger that the mayor's recent visit to win votes with chassidic voters, was held in the new Vizhnitz shul, Ahavas Yisroel, which the blogger accuses of being open against the law.

The post ends off with the charge to go vote to prevent this 'type' of occurrence.
Whether founded or not, biased or not, it bears contemplation before we head to the polls.

2009-11-01T03:55:00.003-11:00

The Lubavitcher shliach in Napierville, Quebec redeems a bechor, a local Jew that has grown close to the Yeshiva, Ohr Menachem.

Get Out There And Vote

2009-10-31T17:41:00.004-11:00

With the mayoral race extremely tight, each and every vote is important. Rabbi Menachem Feig, of the JOCC Outremont, reminds us that this may be the closest election yet and we should do our part to elect Union Montreal and its representatives.

In Cote-des-Neiges-N.D.G.- rabbanim have encourages us to vote for our friend, Lionel Perez for city council.

Voters need to bring a piece of photo ID with them, either a driver’s licence, a passport, or a medicare card.

Avos Ubanim- New Season Begins

2009-10-31T14:10:00.002-11:00

Anyone Know If This Is True???

2009-10-30T09:25:00.001-11:00

It is my understanding that there will be a meeting on Nov. 10 to elect a new board at the Y. Any member can attend as long as you call before. If all the orthodox Y members would attend, we can make serious changes in the make up of the board- from a commenter

Y Statement- 'Dialogue with Rabbis'

2009-10-30T02:55:00.001-11:00

October 28, 2009 — The YM-YWHA Montreal Jewish Community Centres (JCC) welcome the dialogue with Montreal’s rabbinical leadership regarding the issue of Shabbat opening. As a result of lengthy discussions with Rabbis and consultation with a broad range of interested parties we have arrived at a common understanding that makes the JCC more accessible to our community while also enhancing our capacity to offer a broad spectrum of Jewish learning opportunities on Shabbat and throughout the week.   The JCC’s gyms, pool and weight room will be open from 7:30 a.m. on Saturdays, beginning on October 31, 2009. The cardio-aerobic equipment that runs on electricity will not be available for use on Shabbat. A working group will begin to consider and formulate a range of programmes for Jewish learning that we will implement shortly. These developments reflect the JCC’s commitment to children, youth and families and our partnership with rabbinical leadership only enhances our capacity for this outreach.   This collaboration with our Rabbis on Jewish programming is a clear indication of our community’s unique and cohesive nature. The JCC looks forward to continuing this collaboration to the benefit of all members of our community.

For further information, please contact Michael Crelinsten, Executive Director, YM-YWHA Montreal Jewish Community Centres, at 514–737–6551.

From a Reader- Report from the Y Rally

2009-10-30T02:22:00.000-11:00

There were about 40-50 people attending. Rabbi Dovid Rothschild said Tehilim for about 15 minutes including the kapitl Mizmor Shir L'Yom HaShabbos, which he emphasized was appropriate for the occasion. Then Rabbi Moshe Werner spoke, and mentioned that we were there not to condemn but to stand up for Kedushas Shabbos. He said that the executives of the Y are obviously ignorant of the significance of Shabbos for the Jewish people.

Rabbi Rothschild said that these rally's for Shabbos will continue with the next one taking place, be'ezras Hashem this coming Sunday at 2:30. Also, he asked anyone who lives near the Y to come there on Shabbos, and wish Good Shabbos to the people walking into the building. He also mentioned that we should strengthen our Shmiras Shabbos, and invite not-yet observant Yidden to our Shabbos tables.

Simcha at Kollel Avreichim

2009-10-29T16:43:00.001-11:00

Three years of hard work were celebrated Thursday night when a large tzibbur from Kollel Avreichim made a siyum on mesechta Shabbos. The crowd at the event was addressed by the Rosh Kollel, Rav Aron Tabak, and the guest speaker, Rav Eliyahu Chaim Finkelstein.

A delectable meal was prepared R Yitzchok Eisdorfer b'nidvas libo, in the zechus of the lomdei Torah and mesaymim.

Gazette; Avoid Emergency Room Unless Necessary

2009-10-29T11:38:00.001-11:00

Montreal’s two pediatric hospitals are reporting a fever of swine flu “psychosis” that’s driving the emergency room traffic beyond capacity.

Nearly three quarters of about 650 children presenting at Ste. Justine and the Montreal Children’s hospitals have mild flu-symptoms. Each hospital is staffed to treat 180 children a day.

Expect to wait between four to eight hours if your child is not gravely ill, the hospitals say. These children should visit their family doctor or local health clinic so the ER is free to care for the severely ill or injured.

Recommendations in the Quebec auto-guide about taking a two-year-old child to the ER if presenting with a fever should be amended to children under three months of age, say Harley Eisman, head of emergency at the Montreal Children’s and Michael Arsenault, head of ER services at Ste. Justine.

Do go to the ER if your child or teenager has one of the following:

trouble breathing, is hyperventilating, is choking and has white or bluish lips;

vomiting following an injury;

fever over 39 C and is under three months of age;

fever and is difficult to wake up or is very sleepy;

diarrhea, vomiting and has no tears, very dry mouth, has not urinated at least two to three times over the last 24 hours

From A Distinguished Reader

2009-10-29T06:48:00.000-11:00

Please inform everyone on your blog that there will be a rally TONIGHT (Thursday), b'ezras Hashem, in front of the YMHA on Westbury at 6:30 pm to protest the compromise decision to open up the Y for swimming, exercising, and weight-training on Shabbos. We will be saying Tehilim together, and hopefully, there will be a speaker. The rally is being organized by Rabbi Dovid Rothschild. This is a last ditch effort to stop public chillul Shabbos, before they begin opening up starting this coming Shabbos. Let us show the Y that the rabbis who made the compromise do not speak for the vast majority of Jews in Montreal. Most of the secular Jews I have spoken to are also against the Y opening up on Shabbos as well!

Let it not be said that we didn't try.

RCC Statement on Y

2009-10-29T04:50:00.000-11:00

In light of the many media reports and statements that have been circulated regarding the YM-YWHA- JCC of Montreal’s intention to open on Shabbat, the Rabbinical Council of Canada (Montreal) would like to clarify its position on this matter.
This past summer, the Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees of the JCC voted to proceed with the opening of facilities on Shabbat. The RCC and its Rabbis continue to object to the JCC’s decision.
The RCC commends the individual Rabbis who have engaged the JCC’s leadership in discussion to respect and minimize the extent of Chillul Shabbos (desecration of Shabbat). The RCC also recognizes the JCC’s effort in taking a step forward by keeping the cardio centre, with its electrical equipment, closed on Shabbat. The Y has also stated that no Jewish employee will be required to work on Shabbat, the registration desk will be closed, the restaurant will be closed and there will be no activity that requires recorded music.
The RCC has committed itself, with the full and willing acceptance of the JCC leadership, to be involved, with the JCC, in enhancing Jewish programming and transmitting the values and traditions of our sacred heritage.
We take this opportunity to call upon Montreal Jewry to strengthen its bond with the sacred day of Shabbat, for it is G-d’s command “zachor ve shamor” to remember it and to protect it.
For further clarification, please contact Rabbi Asher Jacobson, President of the RCC
514-482-3366.

2009-10-28T12:02:00.000-11:00

Rabbi Friedlander of Refuah V'chessed has urged us to make our readers aware of the dangers of traveling uninsured. In this busy simcha season, before you hit the highway, make sure that you and yours and covered in the event that- lo alainu- hospitalization will be necessary.

Rabbi Friedlander and his staff are presently working to assist several individuals that, unfortunately, did not have the foresight to make the arrangements. Please don;t let this happen to you. Contact your agent or David Schlesinger, Grunfeld Insurance Agencies Ltd. Financial Security Adviser, (514) 273-9000, OR Platinum Travel Services at (514) 777-1211.

MK at Kosherfest

2009-10-28T08:58:00.000-11:00

The MK booth at Kosherfest has been a magnet for both food manufacturers and purchasers interested in Montreal products.

Among the kashrus personalities that stopped by were Rabbi Sholom Fishbane, the chairman of ACKO and Rabbi Glick of Hisachdus.

The Jewish Press on Agri's New Owner

2009-10-28T05:28:00.000-11:00

In the months since Agriprocessors - formerly America's largest kosher meatpacking plant - declared bankruptcy in the wake of allegations of unethical and illegal business practices, speculation has abounded: Who will fill the gap in the kosher meat market? Will meat prices go up? Will an Orthodox Jew buy the Postville, Iowa plant?

Close to a year later, answers are finally emerging. Montreal-based Hershey Friedman, a well-known businessman and philanthropist - who, among numerous other ventures, sponsored the publication of the popular Oz Vehadar Shas - took over the plant in August, renaming it Agri Star Meat & Poultry.

In a recent interview with The Jewish Press, Friedman discussed his reasons for buying the plant and his plans for its future.

The Jewish Press: What's your background?

Friedman: I was born and raised in Montreal. My father came from Czechoslovakia and my mother came from Hungary. Both went through the war and in 1949 moved to Montreal where my father established himself as one of the Jewish community's leading businessmen.

When I was only about 10 years old, my father was seriously injured in a car accident. He remained a paraplegic for the remaining 23 years of his life.

As a young boy my elementary school education was in the Satmar cheder in Montreal. After my bar mitzvah, I went to litvishe yeshivas - Ner Yisroel in Baltimore and then Bais Shraga in Monsey.

In 1967 I returned to Montreal, joining our family business in order to help my mother run it and enable my two brothers to continue learning in yeshiva. In 1975 I married Raisy Stuhl in Montreal and today we have six wonderful children, five of whom are married and have their own children. All of my married children are part of my business.

JP: Why did you buy the Postville plant, considering all the controversies surrounding it?

That's a very interesting question. Let me give you a little background. In Canada there is only one kosher milk provider. As a result of this monopoly, the price of milk products is extremely expensive - nearly double the price in the United States. While the difference in price doesn't really affect average and well-to-do people, it makes a real difference to large families that are not well off.

We cannot afford this type of problem with glatt kosher meat in America. If you only have one glatt kosher meat supplier, within a couple of years you'll end up paying double what you're paying today.

Now, as a Canadian, what have I got to do with it? I'm very involved with klal Yisrael worldwide and it just didn't make sense to sit idly by and watch a monopoly develop. Buying and reinvigorating Agriprocessors's plant was the best opportunity to try maintaining two glatt kosher producers in America.

HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE

Support Lionel Perez

2009-10-28T02:23:00.000-11:00

The community Rabbanim and askanim have overwhelmingly come out in support of our friend Lionel Perez, who is running for the city council in the Cote des Neiges- Darlington district. For over two decades, the seat was held by Saulie Zajdel, who never missed an opportunity to help the tzibbur.

Now, Lionel, who is eminently qualified; bright, efficient, and a proven and effective askan.

Voting is always important, but all the more so in this crucial election, says Rabbi Menachem Feig of JOCC- Outremont. In the past, such election have been decided on less than a hundred votes. We need to show hakaras hatov to the mayor- whose chief rival for the mayoralty, Louise Harel, stands for many of the things that we are against, and help our mosdos by supporting Lionel Perez, of Union Montreal, this Sunday.

Chinuch Atzmai Event

2009-10-28T00:29:00.000-11:00

As in previous years, a large crowd filled the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Friedman in support of Chinuch Atzmai. Several years ago, Montreal 'twinned' with the town of Chadera, and the funds generated went to Project Chadera.

The guest speaker was Rav Yochanan Zweig of Florida, a noted Rosh Yeshiva and speaker.

Gathering at the home of R' Yitzchok Stern

2009-10-27T11:20:00.001-11:00

The home of Reb Yitzchok Stern was a venue for a very emotional gathering on behalf of a heimeshe yungerman suffering from ALS (Lou Gherigs) disease, l"a. The yungerman recently made a siyum haShas, and a letter from him was read by participants, including HaRav Hatzaddik Reb Shaya Yaakov shlit'a.

New shopping experience uptown

2009-10-27T02:50:00.000-11:00

THE SHTEEBLE in conversation with Reb Yonasan Fisher, the new owner of One-Stop Kosher, formerly Mendy's.

TheShteeble; What sort of changes will you be implementing?
YF: It's not a question of changes, we intend- beH- to revolutionize the entire store, from a to z. You can see the enhanced selection and layout, we are committed to freshness and service, we intend to overhaul the takeout, offering daily fresh delicious fleishige takeout etc. We also intend to offer prices that will be competitive, even with 'downtown' prices.

TS:will you allow customers to use bills?

YF; Look, we know its not optimal, but its hard to change the way things are done here. We will try to make it beneficial, through rewards etc, for those that pay immediately.

TS; What about other local grocers, how will this affect them?

YF; I can only say that I've been overwhelmed by the graciousness of everyone,I met with Reb Yankev Duvid Friedman who told me that he enjoyed a wonderful relationship with Mendy, and he is sure that it will continue. Both Simi Wenger of Lipa's and Bentzy from Benzty's came up here to offer me advice and help.

We are very excited about this opportunity, and plan to earn the trust of the community.

Moderator's note- Readers are invited to submit questions in the comments section and they will be answered, bl"n.

Tosher Rebbe leaves for Florida

2009-10-26T15:30:00.000-11:00

The Rebbe left to Florida today for a stay of several months. The link is an article from the Florida Sentinel referring to neighborhood controversy after last year's visit.

Yetzias tzaddik oseh roshem.

click here

Rav Grossman departs Montreal

2009-10-26T12:37:00.000-11:00

After spending a few days here raising funds, Rav Yitzchok Dovid Grossman of Migdal Haemek left Montreal this afternoon. A local askan reports that, although the Rov had a heavy schedule of meetings and events, and his own institutions are struggling, he nonetheless dropped everything in order to make time for local individuals and families in need of chizuk.

He willingly accompanied this askan to the homes of several families undergoing nisyonos and spoke to them about emunah and simcha, even though it was at the expense of his own time.

Rov Returns to Montreal

2009-10-26T11:02:00.000-11:00

After a visit to Eretz Yisroel for a family simcha and a stop in Zurich to visit his parents in law, the av beis din returned home today.

SIMCHA IN TOSH

2009-10-26T04:45:00.001-11:00

The Tosh community and chassidim celebrated the simchas hatnayim for the Rebbe's granddaughter. The kallah is a daughter of the Rebbe's son in law, Rav Avrohom Katz, Rav of Mishkenos La'avir Yaakov in Monsey. The chassan is a son of Rav Yeshaya Rubin, of Kerestir-Boro Park.

KIDDUSH HASHEM- FROM DES MOINES REGISTER

2009-10-26T03:42:00.000-11:00

A Postville meat plant has joined with others in donating to victims of a downtown fire.

Agri Star Meat and Poultry Chief Executive Hershey Friedman said his company, the former Agriprocessors Inc., is giving a donation to the Postville Response Coalition for rental housing assistance.

The company's donation will cover the cost of renting five apartments or houses for three months.

Officials said the fire started around 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Postville Bakery and Restaurant. The blaze displaced 18 residents.

Friedman said Tuesday some of those left homeless by the fire worked for Agri Star. He said that had little to do with his company's action.

The American Red Cross also is assisting victims, and Postville residents have donated items.

BORUCH DAYAN EMES

2009-10-26T02:05:00.000-11:00

BURICH DAYAN EMES the levaya of MRS. NEUMAN, wife of R' SHULEM NEUMAN will go out from 114 Place Andre Ouellette, at 11:45am. Kevrua is in Tosh.

BESUROS TOVOS.

H1N1 Q AND A

2009-10-26T00:45:00.000-11:00

With the approval in Canada of H1N1 vaccine and the imminent launch of mass vaccination efforts in the provinces and territories, Canadians may have questions. Here are some answers:

Q: How many shots of H1N1 vaccine will I need?

A: Anyone 10 and older needs only one shot.

Q: How many will my children need?

A: Children six months to nine years need two half-dose shots, given at least 21 days apart. Infants under six months of age cannot be vaccinated.

Q: I don't like needles and I see in the U.S. that people are getting a vaccine that is sprayed up their nostrils. Can I get the nasal spray vaccine in Canada?

A: No. The company that makes that vaccine, MedImmune, only recently applied for a licence to sell their seasonal flu vaccine in Canada. That application is still in the licensure process, so they cannot sell any flu vaccine in this country yet. In any case, Canada is only buying H1N1 vaccine from one supplier, GlaxoSmithKline. GSK's vaccine is injectable.

Q: Will there be enough vaccine for everyone?

A: Canada ordered 50.4 million doses of vaccine, enough to give 75 per cent of the country two doses. The order was placed when it wasn't yet known that one dose would suffice. That order should be more than enough to protect everyone in Canada who wants to be vaccinated.

Q: Can I get the shot right away or do I need to get in line behind people who are at higher risk?

A: In the early days of the rollout, supplies may be limited and authorities will ask in big centres that people identified as "at high risk" come to the front of the line. The federal government expects about four million doses to be in the possession of the provinces and territories by the end of this week, and two to 3.5 million more each week after that.

Q: Who is at high risk?

A: The World Health Organization has recommended health-care workers have priority access to the vaccine. Canada drew up a priority list that includes health-care workers, pregnant women, young children, people living in remote communities and adults with chronic conditions.

Q: I'm hearing a Canadian study says getting a seasonal flu shot could increase my risk of catching swine flu. Is that true?

A: At this point, no one knows. The study hasn't been published and researchers in several other countries haven't seen the same thing when they look at their data. To be on the safe side, most provinces and territories aren't offering seasonal flu shots until after they give pandemic vaccine. Some are making an exception for people 65 and older, who are at high risk from seasonal flu but lower risk of H1N1 infection.

Q: Can I get a seasonal flu shot this year? Can I get it at the same time as I get the H1N1 shot?

A: The timing of seasonal flu shot programs varies by province and territory. But the Public Health Agency of Canada says it's OK to get both at the same time, if they are given in different arms.

Q: I am allergic to eggs. Can I get a flu shot?

A: The vaccine Canada is buying is produced in eggs. People with egg allergies are generally told not to take flu shots. But Canada's chief public health officer, Dr. David Butler-Jones, says the egg residue left in the vaccine after purification is small and that people with egg allergies who want to get an H1N1 shot can do so. He says, though, they should do it in a setting where they'll be cared for if they develop a reaction to the vaccine.

Q: Will I have to pay for an H1N1 shot?

A: No, your tax dollars already have. The federal, provincial and territorial governments are footing the bill for this program.

CHABAD IN OLD MONTREAL

2009-10-25T15:48:00.000-11:00

FROM COL: Chabad Opens in Old Montreal

Temporarily located in the Gault Hotel, the fledgling Chabad of Old Montreal center will seek to gain ground, New Shliach Rabbi Nissi Gansbourg says.

Montreal currently has well over 20 Chabad centres, ranging from the simple Chabad in NDG to the grandiose Montreal Torah Centre, but one that opened up four months ago can boast that it is the first to fill the spiritual needs of the Jews of Old Montreal.

Temporarily located in a rented conference room in the Gault Hotel, a luxurious boutique hotel at 449 St. Helen St. between McGill and St. Pierre streets and south of Notre Dame, the fledgling Chabad of Old Montreal centre will seek to gain ground in an area seeing burgeoning growth and development, Chabad emissary Rabbi Nissi Gansbourg said.

“How many Jews are here? We’re not so sure,” Rabbi Gansbourg said. “But there are many Jews who work in the area and who probably live in the area, too.

“It was felt that there was definite need for a ‘Jewish address’ here.”

Rabbi Gansbourg, who is 25, acknowledged that there is something “a little bit alien” about an observant Jew and a Chabad centre being located in such an apparently incongruous setting.

Although born in New York, Rabbi Gansbourg grew up in the predominantly Lubavitch area around Westbury and Kent avenues, and the majority of Chabad centres are located in areas of the city with much more significant numbers of Jews: the west-end, the West Island, Chomedey and “upper” downtown.

In Old Montreal, by contrast, there isn’t a kosher restaurant to be seen – although there was one about 25 years ago on nearby St. Pierre Street – and the vast majority of area inhabitants are neither Jewish nor anglophone.

Sill, Rabbi Gansbourg is undaunted. He plans for the centre to attract Jews who work and live in Old Montreal and “lower downtown,” Jewish tourists visiting the city, as well as Jews who live on Nun’s Island, only 10 minutes away by car.

Rabbi Gansbourg lives on St. Jean Street, around the corner from the centre, with his wife, Chanie, who helps him run the centre, and their young daughter Mushka.

With a cobbled-together list of Jewish names and addresses from the area, he has had a minyan davening with him every Friday night and Saturday morning at the hotel, while the search continues for more permanent premises. The High Holidays and Sukkot were also celebrated, albeit without a sukkah, but “we waved the lulav,” Rabbi Gansbourg said.

He said the centre receives financial support from individual contributors.

Even though Chabad of Old Montreal’s activities have thus far been devoted mainly to Shabbat and holiday observance, eventual plans call for adult education classes, counselling, a “mitzvah campaign,” study groups and Shabbatons, according to its website.

The site states that it “is dedicated to serving all Jews, whether they are working, touring or living here, with ahavat Yisroel – an unconditional love and concern for every Jew, regardless of background and affiliation.”

“I think I can safely say that there are Jews we have already touched,” Rabbi Gansbourg said, pointing to one man “who hadn’t put on tfillin for 20 years.” Another man, “about 60… told me that he hadn’t davened since he was seven.

“These are people we have touched who otherwise would not have been,” Rabbi Gansbourg said.

The late Luavitcher rebbe, Menachem Schneerson, put it simply, Rabbi Gansbourg said: “ ‘Every Jewish person counts.’

“There is a mission, a purpose,” Rabbi Gansbourg said.

For more details on Chabad of Old Montreal, visit chabadoldmontreal.com

AVREICHIM BUILDING REOPENS

2009-10-25T13:51:00.001-11:00

KIRYAS TOSH: After extensive renovations, Tosh's magnificent Avreichim Beis Medrash has no been re-opened. The sounds of Torah and tefillah are now once again heard there from early in the morning until late at night.

AT YALDEI DINNER- GERTNER ACCOMPANIED BY SHEARIM ORCHESTRAS AND ZIMRA CHOIR

2009-10-25T13:04:00.001-11:00

FROM OUR COMMENTS

2009-10-25T03:43:00.001-11:00

Anonymous said...

Whats the story with H1N1 vaccine? Can we get answers from R Friedlander etc on how to proceed with that vaccine? Pregnant women? Can they ask a doctor and let us all know, perhaps thru this blog?

To which Reb Mattis Friedlander replied : H1 N1 vaccination will be available next month, we will post the date time place when available Its very important for pregnant woman, Children, elderly, and adults with medical problems, (Diebities, cancer,ECT,)

Aron Friedlander
REFUAH V'CHESED PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE
514 - 357 - 2167 x

Moderator's note- this was sent in by a commenter: http://www.montrealgazette.com/health/Second+wave+H1N1+shores/2140847/story.html

SIMCHA AT THE MESIVTA

2009-10-24T16:18:00.000-11:00

MOTZOEI SHABBOS NOACH: A large crowd came to wish mazel tov to the Rov of Mesivta, Rav Yaakov Elya Unsdorfer, who will iyH be traveling to Eretz Yisroel this week for the wedding of his daughter. The chassan is the youngest son of the Klausenberger Rebbe of Netanya,where the chasunah will be held.The melave malka was an opportunity to share in the simcha for the many that will not be making the trip.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM REFUA V'CHESED

2009-10-23T07:46:00.000-11:00

REFUAH V'CHESED
PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE
514 - 357 - 2167 x 3

RAV GROSSMAN AT YESHIVA GEDOLA

2009-10-23T05:12:00.000-11:00

One of this generation's most dynamic and inspiring Torah personalities, Rav Yitzchok Dovid Grossman of Migdal Ha'emek, addressed the student body of the Yeshiva Gedola this morning after davening. He was introduced by the Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Moshe Mendel Glustein.

The visit was arranged by the yeshiva's talented new executive director, Rabbi Meir Lipa Rosner.

VAAD RELEASES STATEMENT ON Y

2009-10-23T05:00:00.000-11:00

BETH DIN OF
MONTREAL P.Q.
RABBI Y.B. WEISS
Chief Rabbi
RABBI J. KAUFMAN RABBI D. BANON
RABBI W.B. LERNER RABBI Y. C. WENGER RABBI B. BELL RABBI A. POSEN

OCTOBER 21, 2009 3 CHESHVAN 5770

SHABBOS SANCTITY CANNOT BE COMPROMISED

IN LIGHT OF REPORTS THAT THE “Y” ADMINISTRATION HAS REACHED A DECISION OF COMPROMISE, AND IS TO BREAK WITH A MILLENNIUM OF TRADITION BY OPENING SOME AREAS OF THE “Y” ON SHABBOS:

WE STRONGLY DECLARE THAT SHABBOS IS NOT OPEN TO COMPROMISE.

THE MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE INSTRUCTED US TO PROTECT AND SAFEGUARD THE HOLIEST OF DAYS, AND NEITHER WE NOR ANY OTHER HUMAN BEING HAS THE POWER TO COMPROMISE.

WITH PAIN IN OUR HEARTS,

VAAD HARABBONIM OF MONTREAL

NEW SHIUR AT KOLLEL

2009-10-23T04:34:00.000-11:00

This Sunday night, the Mishnayos shiur iyun, delivered by Rav Dan Krancer, will begin Mesechta Kilayim. The shiur is given three nights a week, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, at the new Kollel Kesser Torah building on Bates. The shiur is from 10:00 until 10:25 pm.

YALDEI RECEIVES C HECK FROM TD BANK

2009-10-23T03:12:00.000-11:00

Errol Castelino, District Vice President along with John Evangelidis, Branch Manager, Bernard and Hutchinson, presenting check of ten thousand dollars to Rabbi Menachem Leifer and Ben Baer.

SHLOM BANAYICH- NOACH

2009-10-23T02:52:00.000-11:00

To download weekly parshah sheet from Kollel Avreichim, please cut and paste in to your browser.

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=f72d9c7619&view=att&th=1248190beb91caff&attid=0.1&disp=attd&realattid=f_g14z1sab0&zw

NEW MIKVAH IN LAVAL

2009-10-22T13:59:00.000-11:00

FROM COL: Laval's only Mikvah burned down 8 years ago, and since then, there hasn't been another.

The suburb in Quebec, which had been declining in Jewish population for about 20 years, experienced growth in the late 1980's through Francophone Sephardic influx.

Currently 4,000 Jews live there, with 4 orthodox synagogues serving them.

"Life without a Mikvah was a hardship," says Rabbi David Raphael Banon, spiritual leader of Centre Communautaire Sépharade de Chomedey, a congregation founded in 1993.

Rav Banon found the community very receptive when he announced building plans for a state-of-the-art men's and women's Mikvah at 675 Du Sablon, Chomedey.

Two locals- Vidal Israel and Yitzchak Bitton - happily covered the costs, with an additional donation from Rav David Pinto, a known French rabbi who visits Laval.

The inauguration that took place in the summer was well attended by locals and Montreal's two Chief Rabbis - Ashkenazic Rabbi Yonasan Binyomin Weiss and Sephardic Rabbi David Sabbah.

2009-10-22T11:51:00.000-11:00

B’nai Brith Canada has voiced its disagreement with MP Irwin Cotler ’s call for setting up an independent commission of inquiry into Operation Cast Lead in response to the United Nations Human Rights Council-mandated Goldstone Report. The Mount Royal MP made the recommendation to the Jerusalem Post yesterday.

"We have to strongly disagree with Mr. Cotler on this issue. Setting up a commission of inquiry into the events in Gaza will only give credence to Goldstone’s blatantly biased report. We are surprised that Irwin Cotler has fallen into the UNHRC’s anti-Israel trap, and are equally astonished that, as a Canadian Parliamentarian, he is calling on a sovereign state to do something that is so obviously against its interests," said Frank Diamant of Bnai Brith

PARSHAS NOACH- RABBI KEILSON

2009-10-22T11:47:00.000-11:00

By Rabbi Dov Keilson

Rav Shlomo Freifeld, zatzal, the legendary
founder and rosh yeshiva of Sh’or Yoshuv, requested
that a piece of his home dining room table
be buried with him after he would leave this world.
He had hosted many guests at that table, and he
wanted to take the zchus of that chesed and hachnosas
orchim with him to his final resting place. (On a
personal note: I was zocheh to be at Rav Freifeld’s
kevurah in Eretz Yisrael on Chol Hamoed Sukkos of
5750/1989, and I vividly remember hearing about
this at the time. The entire experience left an indelible
impression on me.)
This gives us a glimpse of the powerful influence
that our deeds have on the world around us. The
particular chiddush that we are learning here is that this
influence not only applies to people - it even affects the
inanimate objects around us. The entire world is affected
by our deeds, whether we see the effects or not.
The Beis Halevi speaks about this principle
with regard to our parsha. He points out two extremely
telling instances where we see this point brought out in
a very strong way: Rashi teaches us that during the Mabul,
the ground was saturated with water to a depth of
three tefachim (about 9-12 inches). The reason for this
was that the ground itself had become so terribly affected
by humanity’s sins that it needed to be completely
dissolved!
(Be’er Yosef [Pg. 20] makes a fascinating point,
based on the Gemara in Zevachim 113: The Mabul did
not reach Eretz Yisrael at all. The Gemara explains that
the land’s inhabitants died from the hot air discharged
by the boiling waters that filled the rest of the world.
Yet the sins of the generation could not adversely affect
the soil of Eretz Yisrael, because of the land’s inherent
holiness. Although the people there needed to die because
of their misdeeds, the land itself did not need to
be eradicated.)
Rashi also teaches us that even the animals of
the generation of the Mabul were mixing with other
species. The animals didn’t do this because they decided
to go down an abnormal path. Rather, the sins of
that generation’s humans were so great and immoral,
that they actually impacted the way the animals themselves
behaved!
The Beis Halevi adds that we see this concept
powerfully brought out in the Gemara, Taanis 11a. The
Gemara there teaches us that the beams of one’s house
will testify about a person after he leaves this world. The
walls of a person’s home were deeply affected by his
deeds, and they will give testimony on how he lived his
life. When he was behind closed doors, out of the public
eye, how did he act? Did he speak respectfully to his
spouse and children? Or did he perhaps degrade them
and use mean words? Did he bring items into his home
which were truly incompatible with the holy status of a
Jewish sanctuary? Was Torah studied there? Did peace
reign, or was Lashon Hara commonly spoken? The
walls themselves are saturated with a person’s life and
they have absorbed all of his deeds.
If this is true in a negative sense, how much
more so is it true regarding the reward for good deeds!
Who can imagine the positive effect that one word of
Torah, or one beracha, has on the entire universe?
I heard the following story from my close
yedid, Rav Daniel Kalish, shlita. He heard it from
Rav Nachman Bulman, zatzal, who heard it from the
one it happened to. Rav Bulman noted that a certain
elderly Jew was extremely careful with regard to refraining
from Lashon Hara. Rav Bulman asked him
to share his secret. The man told him that the
Chofetz Chaim once visited his town when he was a
young child. The Chofetz Chaim was speaking in the
shul, while his coat hung on a hook. This Jew was a
child at the time and was playing around near the
coat with his friend. As a joke, he took the Chofetz
Chaim’s coat and put it on for one minute. He told
Rav Bulman, that from that day on, he could never
say Lashon Hara again…The coat was saturated with
the holiness of the Chofetz Chaim and his great care
not to speak ill of others. Apparently, wearing this
coat had a powerful effect on this Yid.
As Yidden, our deeds are especially powerful.
Never underestimate the greatness and the eternal influence
of even one deed…Besiyata diShmaya.

BELOVED SON OF VIZHNITZ REBBE TO VISIT

2009-10-22T06:19:00.000-11:00

The Rov of Kiryat Vizhnitz in Bnei Brak, Reb Mendel Hager, is slated to visit Montreal parshas Toldos. He will spend Shabbos in the uptown community, with tefillos in Zibo and Mesivta and a botteh and shalosh seudos aT the Young Israel.

The Rov will stay at the home of Reb Pinky Stein.

A PRINCIPLED VOICE

2009-10-22T02:26:00.000-11:00

In an email sent by Rabbi S. Aisenstark to Rabbi Poupko, he asks the questions on all our minds:

How can you be assured that no one will use the garage, the elevator, buy from the machines, carry entrance identification, and a myriad of other things I can't even think of at the moment? Who is going to be the mashgiach? Would you eat in a restaurant if you know the mashgiach eats treif? You say you speak in the name of "local Rabbis". Did you include anybody east of Decarie, where the majority of Rabbis live? Your hechsher reminds me of a compromise of being 'half kosher'. I know that you will most definitely laugh at me and say something like "Where does that Am Haaretz get the chutzpa to criticize?" I am only writing to ask you to be honest enoiugh to say that you are speaking for 4 or 5 Rabbis, out of hundreds.Which halachic authority gave you the right to speak for us, to negotiate for us and to make deals for us?

VAAD TO ISSUE STATEMENT ON Y

2009-10-21T12:28:00.000-11:00

In the wake of Rabbi Poupko's widely publicized acceptance of the Y compromise, the Vaad Hair will be issuing a strongly worded statement titled "SHABBOS SANCTITY CANNOT BE COMPROMISED.' We have obtained it and share it here.

THOUGH CERTAIN RABBIS CLAIM TO SPEAK IN THE NAME OF MONTREAL ORTHODOX JEWRY...WE VEHEMENTLY DECLARE THAT SHABBOS IS NOT OPEN TO COMPROMISE.

THE MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE INSTRUCTED US TO PROTECT AND SAFEGUARD THE HOLIEST OF DAYS, AND NEITHER WE NOR ANY OTHER HUMAN BEING HAS THE POWER TO COMPROMISE.

COMPROMISE???

2009-10-21T05:20:00.000-11:00

The Suburban reports that officials at the Ben Weider Jewish Community Centre - Snowdon Y - in Montreal have reached an agreement with local rabbonim regarding the decision to open the Y on Shabbosos.

Starting in late October, the Y will be opening 1 p.m. on Shabbos. The later opening was decided on, so as not to interfere with Shabbos services. There will also be no exchange of money, no organized classes, and the front desk and restaurant will be closed.

The decision, reached by a clear majority of the board this past summer, pleased many who wanted to work out on Shabbos, but displeased those who felt the Y should continue its longstanding tradition as a Montreal Jewish community institution of not opening on Shabbos. Most JCCs in North America open on Saturdays.

In recent weeks, local rabbonim engaged in negotiations with the Y.

The decision reached this week was that no electricity would be turned on or off on Shabbos.

“The Y will be open on Shabbos for Jewish programming, the basketball court and the swimming pool will be open, but in terms of the cardio room, where the real Sabbath violations occur, that will be closed off,” said Rabbi Reuben Poupko of Côte St. Luc’s Beth Israel Beth Aaron Synagogue. “I think it’s a compromise most people can live with.”

Rabbi Poupko was one of several rabbis involved in the extensive negotiations.

“I’m sure there will be people who aren’t happy the Y is open at all, and many people will be unhappy that the cardio room is closed, but to me it’s the solution that maintains the sanctity of Shabbos and the unity of the community.”

Asked if all the rabbis involved are satisfied with the accord, the rabbi said “there are various degrees of satisfaction, but I believe the overwhelming consensus is that” this is the best solution.

2009-10-20T15:53:00.000-11:00

In a meeting organized by Rabbi Menachem Feig of the JOCC, Mayor Gerald Tremblay met with Jewish community leaders this morning. After introductory remarks by Mechie Rosenberg, the mayor heard from each of the askanim present about their community needs.

The participants in the meeting expressed their warm support for the mayor in the upcoming election.

SCHACH PICK-UP NEAR LUBAVITCHER YESHIVA

2009-10-20T12:35:00.001-11:00

SIMCHA AT THE MESIVTA

2009-10-20T11:05:00.000-11:00

Rav Yaakov Elya Unsdorfer, a brother-in-law of the present Sanz-Klausenberger Rebbe of Netanya, is iyH marrying off his daughter to the Rebbe's youngest son. The chasunah is slated to take place in Netanya, and though a large contingent from his shul, Mesivta, is planning to attend, there are many that cannot make the trip.

This motzoei Shabbos, parshas Noach, the presidium of Mesivta invites the wider community to a gala melave malka in honor of the simcha, for all those who would wish to participate and share their good wishes with the Rov.

The event will be at the Mesivta.