12/15/05

Get a head start on the Gelt-giving season and reap instant rewards. Chabad has teamed up with American Express to grant you Double Reward Points when donating to Chabad during the Chanukah season.

If you're an American Express cardholder, you're just a click away from giving - and getting. Your contribution will enable Chabad to bring the message of Chanukah to thousands of men, women & children in our community, through our various Holiday festivities & programs. We know you're proud of what we do - please, be our partner! We're counting on your support to make our Chanukah celebrations a reality!

Click here to make your contribution to Chabad through American Express. Not an AMEX cardholder? You can still give too, click here to make your donation. Act quickly to take advantage of this opportunity to receive a tax deduction before year's end.

May G‑d reward you handsomely for your kindness and may the coming days of Chanukah bring much light into your life!

Best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom & a Happy Chanukah,
Rabbi Zalman Wolowik

Kiddush
The Kiddush at Chabad this week is sponsored by Lawrence & Tammy Rosenstein in honor of their son, Yossi's Bar Mitzvah. If you'd like to sponsor the Kiddush at a future date, in honor or in memory of a family member or friend, please contact Dr. Muller at 516-569-0169.

Dec. 15: Farbrengen for Men
The month of Kislev is replete with Chassidic celebrations, and what's a celebration without a farbrengen! Men are invited to join us once again for a Farbrengen, this time celebrating the wedding anniversary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe & Rebbetzin OBM. See you at Chabad on December 15, the 14th of Kislev, 8:15 pm!

Dec. 19: Farbrengen Dinner
The 19th of Kislev holds a special spot on the Chasidic calendar. On this day, the founder of Chabad Chasidism, R' Shneur Zalman of Liadi, also referred to in Yiddish as the “Alter Rebbe” or as the Baal HaTanya, author of the classic mystical work, The Tanya, was released from prison in the year 1798. More than a personal liberation, this was a watershed event in the history of Chassidism, heralding a new era in the revelation of the "inner soul" of Torah. This day has since become known as the New Year of Chassidism.

We celebrate this miraculous release that allowed for the future of the Chabad movement on Monday evening, December 19, at 8:15pm at the Chabad Center , 74 Maple Avenue , Cedarhurst with the biggest Farbrengen Dinner of the year. This year, Rabbi Moshe Herson, Chabad emissary and Dean of Rabbinical College of America will lead the celebration for men and women, along with Chassidic music & a festive dinner. For more information and to RSVP, visit our website or call (516) 295-2478.

At Chabad, we're gearing up for yet another fabulous Chanukah for the entire community Lucky children of the Five Towns get to visit the annual Chanukah Wonderland and the family can experience the beautiful lighting of the Ice Menorah and Menorah of Freedom.

Chabad's Chanukah Wonderland will open its doors to the entire community for the Chanukah season, December 25 - January 2. At the "Funhouse," conveniently located in the Maple Plaza, 588 Central Avenue (next to David's Famous Pizza), children and adults experience Chanukah through an intriguing hands-on olive press demonstration, creative crafts corner, and a hi-tech computer center. Yehuda Hamaccabi greets the children and guides them through building menorahs and dreidles in Legoland and enjoying a meaningful movie in the Chanukah theater.

The holiday spirit and fun does not end there! The entire community is welcome to enjoy an awesome spectacle on Monday, December 26 at the Chabad Center, 74 Maple Ave. Come and watch the sculpting of the “Coolest” Menorah - the largest Ice Menorah in New York, beginning at 3:00 pm. The Ice Menorah will be lit at 6:30 pm by Mr. Aaron Fischman and family.

Throughout the Holiday, Chabad will hold Public Menorah Lightings of an 18 foot Menorah every evening in Cedarhurst Park; complete with gifts and treats, live music, hot latkes, and more. Dignitaries and community leaders will attend the ceremony and will assist in kindling the largest Menorah in the Five Towns, "The Menorah of Freedom". Public Menorah Lightings will be held at the following times: Dec. 25, 6:00 PM - Mr. Uri Ottensoser ~ Dec. 26, 6:00 PM - Mr. Lloyd Keilson; ~ Dec. 27, 6:00 PM - Rabbi Moshe Weinberger, Cong. Aish Kodesh ~ Dec. 28, 6:00 PM - Rabbi Shaul Chill, Young Israel of Far Rockaway ~ Dec. 29, 6:00 PM - Mr. Ben Brafman ? Dec. 30, 3:00 PM - Dr. Binyomin Muller ~ Dec. 31, 6:00 PM - Rabbi Zalman Wolowik, Chabad of the Five Towns ~ January 1, 6:00 PM - Rabbi Pesach Schmerling, Chabad of Far Rockaway.

For more information contact us at 516-295-2478 or visit our website. Also online, check out the photo album to view pictures from last year's Chanukah festivities.