|
|
updated
8/23/07 |
Freshmen Move-In
8/23-24/07 |
Hillel, along with Chapel
House, organized volunteers to help freshmen students and their families
move-in to Indian and State Quads on Thursday and Friday. In addition, a
number of students active in the Jewish community also serve in Residential
Life and helped the move-in process move along smoothly.
Being that Dutch Kosher
Dining won't be open until Sunday Night, Shabbos House offers dinner on
Thursday night, and brought over some kosher lunches to Indian Quad for
those who requested it. |
Mazal Tov Yishai and
Rachael
8/22/07 |
Mazal Tov to alumni Yishai
and Rachael Cohen on the birth of a daughter (on 8/22 their anniversary!)
whom they named Eden Shalhevet at Torah Reading in Cong. Shomray Torah on
Thurs 8/23. Both Rachael and Yishai work locally at JERNY, and its Israel
Resource Center. |
Greenbergs Visit
8/20-22/07 |
Raizy's sister and family,
Rabbi Schneor and Estie Greenberg of Commerce Michigan, spent two days here
with us before the end of summer. Each of our families have 5 kids (thank
G-d) so we had a mini day-camp between the two families. Together we spent
time at Indian Ladder Farms and at the Washington County Fair, north-east of
Saratoga. |
|
|
updated
8/20/07 |
Freshmen Weekend
- 10 years
8/19/07 |
At the core of our first
freshmen class at Shabbos House (Fall 1997) were Shaun Zeitlin, Fred Lotwin,
Dan Marzouk and Ed Levin. These guys stayed involved and were at the heart
of our community for all their years here and continue to remain our close
friends. Shaun and Ed were up in the area for the weekend, so they came by
(loaded with bags from the Kosher Price Chopper) for an old-times sake BBQ
before they headed back to Metro NY. Good times, good times... |
Mushkie & Chani home
8/20/07 |
After three fabulous weeks
at the Jewish Girls Retreat / Bat-Mitzvah overnight camp in Troy NY, our two
oldest (Mushky and Chani) are now back home with the family. We missed them.
They had a great time, and came back with pottery, artwork, new songs and
dances, and much more. |
Montreal, Altamont Fair,
Lake Vanare etc..
|
As the summer nears its
end, and the new semester is just around the corner, we took a few getaway
trips. On Monday and Tuesday we drove up to Montreal, first stopping at Parc
Safari above the border where the kids (Moshe, Sara and Bassie) had a
wonderful time, then visiting Mendel's grandmother who lives in Montreal. On
Wednesday we spent a morning at the Altamont Fair, seeing the animals, shows
and exhibits. For the last two days of the week (Wed night through Friday
morning) Mendel's parents watched the kids, while Mendel and Raizy had a
quiet, refreshing and relaxing getaway to Lake Vanare, near Lake George. For
the last Shabbat before freshmen weekend, we went to Mendel's parents in the
Albany community. |
|
Last Cozy-Shabbat,
Another Cozy Minyan |
For the last "Cozy-Shabbat"
of the summer, we had another miracle Minyan, even on Shabbat morning,
thanks to 2 visiting Yeshiva guests, students who were in town etc..
Thanks to the gradaute
and summer school students, those in town in jobs and all who participated
in the "Cozy-Shabbat" series this summer. We have never had such a
"Cozy-Shabbat" run like this year, with the most summer weekends at Shabbos
House that we can ever remember. |
|
|
updated
8/8/07 |
Tragic Passing of Tom
Nathan
8/7/07 |
Mendel and Raizy and the
Shabbos House extended family extends our condolences to Mrs. Hope Nathan, a
dear personal friend and long-time Albany communal pillar on the tragic,
untimely passing of her beloved husband Mr. Tom Nathan. Tom was killed by a
car which pinned him to the wall of a storefront while visiting in Lawrence
NY. Tom was a beloved person, a quiet, dignified man who performed many acts
of kindness, in his sincere and genuine way, with respect and tolerance of
others, with patience and understanding. A real mentsch - in every sense of
the word. Tom's untimely passing is a great loss for all who knew him, and
indeed the entire community. The funeral will be on Thursday 8/8/07 1pm at
Beth Emeth 100 Academy Road. |
|
Getting There |
As the summer slips by
we're trying to get as much accomplished (both Shabbos House-wise and
personal/family-wise) in time for the new year. Still loads left to
do! We are almost completely transitioned to the new super-fast computer
gift of the Class of 2007, which should make life easier in the long-haul.
|
Cozy-Minyan
8/3-4/07 |
Four Yeshiva students from
Brooklyn were vacationing high up in the Adirondacks when they realized they
needed a place for Shabbos. So they ended up joining us for Cozy Shabbat,
and made our Minyan when we least expected to have one. |
Alumni Reunion in NY II
8/1/07 |
No, we didn't plan a 2nd
reunion. But two alumni couples living in Israel were back in the States
this week visiting family, so we decided to make a one-day trip down to NY
to meet them. After all, this opportunity doesn't come knocking everyday,
and since time is a little more flexible during the summer, we decided to
make the trip.
Ben Lieb ('04) is
married to Sarah, an English-speaking Israeli, whom we were delighted to
meet in Manhattan. Our timing didn't exactly work out as planned to meet in
a cafe near Grand Central Station (Even after several years in Israel Ben is
still quite a maven on the New York Kosher Restaurant scene) and the traffic
and parking situation there was crazy, so we ended up meeting on a street
corner (literally) and catching up for about 20 minutes. Ben even returned a
book he still had that belonged to the Hillel Office (CC 320) hopefully
someone will make use of it again. Ben is studying advanced Talmudical
stuff, and Sarah who knows her way around the Israeli scene works several
jobs to keep them going.
Gregg (now Rabbi
Benyamin) and Shara Gilbert (both '99) live in Efrat Israel, with their two
children Yosef Aryeh and Miriam. Rabbi Benyamin works in Jerusalem for a
respected organization that helps underprivileged kids in the north of
Israel, and Shara is a certified Kallah teacher in Efrat. We drove out to
his parents home on Long Island and spent a wonderful evening of memories,
catching-up, discussing issues, having a good time. It was great spending
time with them and their kids. |
|
|
updated
7/28/07 |
Cozy-Shabbat
7/27-28/07 |
Another beautiful
Cozy-Shabbat. Special guests included Craig Brimmer ('05) and Jessica
Rosengarten ('08), a navy student and friend here for a summer class, summer
and graduate school students and some of their visiting friends. We were
close (very close - at 9) for Minyans on both Friday Night and Shabbos
Morning, but nevertheless enjoyed a spirited prayer with interactive Torah
discussion in place of the Torah Reading. |
Giant Start
7/28/07
Baseball in Israel |
The NY Giants opened their
training camp, which brings people and life to the otherwise quiet summer
scene at UAlbany. The Dutch parking lot fills up again. University Drive has
streams of cars. You see blue Giant Jerseys everywhere, even at our Shabbos
Lunch.
Talking about sports,
here's an interesting UAlbany Jewish tidbit: Lukas Brenowitz, an alumni of
UAlbany, active at Shabbos House and with Tagar in the late 90's, was
studying for his masters in Israel at Tel-Aviv University when he was
drafted for Israel's first professional baseball league. |
Tisha B'Av
7/24/07 |
While we did not hold an
Eicha service at Shabbos House, we had a small pre-fast and break-fast meal
here for students and those around up here, and most of us drove to Shpomray
Torah (Shteeble) for the services. Somehow after the morning services our
day filled up quick with errands, and then food-prep at the day's end. We
had doctor visits for the kids and then stopped off at a farmer's market in
Delmar, where we met and purchased from two Jewish farmers - 2 out of 10
vendors is not a bad ratio for Jewish farmers! |
|
Hospital Visits |
Unfortunately, this week
has seen a spike in out-of-town Jewish families brought to Albany Medical
Center from the Catskills for emergency or intensive care treatment. Raizy
and other community families prepared Kosher meals for the families of the
patients. May they all have a complete and speedy recovery. |
|
|
updated
7/16/07 |
Start to the Nine Days
7/15-16/07 |
The Nine Days in the Hebrew
month of Menachem Av lead up to Tisha B'Av (the 9th Day of Av) which is the
saddest day on the Jewish calendar, commemorating the destruction of
Jerusalem's Temple and the start of our national Jewish exile.
We're always looking for
spots of joy to transform these days of semi-mourning and darkness into joy
and light. On the first day we celebrated the Bris of the Laber Family
(close friends of our children) and we look forward to a Siyum (conclusion
of Talmud tractate) and BBQ at the Albany JCC this Wednesday evening.
|
|
Up the windy road to
Tannersville |
After the reunion, on our
way back to Albany, we had to return the key to the Chabad Loft to
Tannersville NY, adjacent to Hunter Mountain (off 87 Exits 20-21). What a
narrow, windy road twisting up the mountain! The kids said it felt like the
Scrambler ride at amusement parks. |
Alumni NYC Reunion
7/15/07 |
Pictures and details are
now online from the NYC
Summer Alumni Reunion 2007 - Although many alumni friends had
conflicts and could not make it, we were delighted to spend the afternoon
(ended up being 1-5pm) with close to seventy alumni spanning more than ten
years at Shabbos House and UAlbany. The event was held at the Chabad Loft
(thanks for the space) and the buffet lunch was catered by Raizy. It was a
great opportunity to catch-up and spend some time together. The vibe and
atmosphere was very special. Thanks to all who made it. |
Fluke Minyan
7/13/07 |
We had no plans to, and
didn't expect it, but we had a Minyan on Friday Night! And we had to add
another table for Cozy Shabbat! We had balloons to celebrate the recent
engagement of Josh Sisskind ('07) and Kimi Wolk ('07) and then we went
around the table and asked people in what they were "engaged"...
|
|
|
updated
7/10/07 |
|
Pictures Online |
It's hard to keep up! We
finally posted our photos from recent alumni weddings
Roni &
Hadassah Kotel,
Motti and Ilana
Wein, Mendel's sister's wedding
Mendy & Devorah
Leah Mathless, Raizy's youngest brother
Mendel Galperins Bar-Mitzvah,
our Camp Visiting
Day Trip to the Catskills and even a quick visit with
Sheryl's dog Zoey.
|
|
|
updated
7/9/07 |
WC Online
7/9/07 |
The Spring Summer 2007
"What's Cooking?" update newsletter has been mailed to students, alumni and
their families more than 3 weeks ago. Some zip-codes are still getting it
now. It's also online now in PDF format to download and view/print on your
home computer. See our "What's Cooking"
newsletter index page. |
Visiting Day in the
Catskills
7/8/07 |
Camp Visiting Day
is a long-time
family tradition for us. We first went to Camp Emunah (one of the oldest
Jewish summer camps) on Route 52 between Ellenville and Woodbourne where
Raizy's mother works in the camp office all summer and her father comes up
from Brooklyn on weekends. Mushkie and Chani stayed there with aunts Sara
and Mushky Galperin while we took Rabbi Galperin and drove further west on
the 52 to Camp Gan Israel in Parksville, where Mendel spent many summers as
a kid. On our return to Camp Emunah we met up with Danyel Goldberg who is
studying at the ILTSP/E - a summer study program for college students.
|
Shabbos Sheva Brachos
@ SH
7/6-7/07 |
It was an honor and
pleasure to host the Shabbos weekend Sheva Brachos for newlywed alumni Motti
Max Wein ('06) and Ilana (Nathan) (Masters '07) for a festive Friday Night
and Shabbat Lunch Sheva Brachos, very nicely attended considering the summer
months. In addition to summer and graduate school students it was nice to
welcome back Mr. Robert Wein (Motti's father) and Aaron Wein (Motti's
brother), and Ariel and Ita who drove back up to Albany especially for the
Sheva Brachos. We also welcome our neighbors the Horowits and professor Dr.
Seth and Michele and son Rafael Chaiken who enhanced the evening. We had a
timely Minyan for both night and day! |
|
|
updated
7/5/07 |
|
July 4th
|
The weekend was gorgeous -
sunny, cool and breezy. July 4th itself was nasty, drizzling all day with
heavier rain in the evening. Instead of a BBQ, we had quite a feast indoors
with a few students and 320'ers who came over to eat and enjoy company. We
debated about going downtown to see the fireworks in such weather, but in
the end we drove down and parked in pot-hole, puddle-ridden dark parking lot
in the shadow of an old industrial building north of Clinton Ave - where we
actually had a very good view. |
Day-Camp Begins
7/2/07 |
Little Bassie is kind of
upset to see her four older siblings head off to Gan Israel Day-Camp each
morning, but they're happy to be with friends and enjoy activities, trips
and swimming. One day this week (in honor of July 4th) they visited Albany's
historic Schuyler Mansion (dates back to 1700's), made their own candles,
and buttons. It also gives an opportunity for Raizy and Mendel to get stuff
done at home. |
Motti & Ilana's Wedding
7/1/07 |
We left the kids with
Mendel's parents and drove down to North Woodmere NY for the wonderful
wedding of Motti (Max) Wein ('06) and Ilana Nathan (Masters '07). Mendel
officiated, and the UAlbany and some other friends danced up a storm all
night. We wish Motti and Ilana much happiness together and all the best in
establishing their new home in Kew Garden Hills NY. We look forward to their
coming up to Albany for their final Sheva Brachos at Shabbos House on Friday
Night and Shabbos. |
|
Credit-Card Acceptance |
Thanks to alumni
initiative, and an excellent rate through our provider at BPS, Shabbos House
now accepts Visa, Mastercard and American Express for one-time or recurring
contributions. At this time card-numbers etc have to be submitted by mail or
over the phone - but we are looking into a website system as well.
|
|
|
updated
6/27/07 |
|
Building Meetings |
During the last two weeks
of June a series of meetings were held to try and further the new,
bigger and better Shabbos House building project, which is now in a zoning
approval stalemate. We look forward to informing the extended Shabbos House
family of any progress as it becomes available. |
Week-Trip to NY & CT
6/19-26 |
Tues June 19th through Tues
June 26th we were off an a week-long trip to NY and CT:
- Tues 6/19: Mendel
Galperin (Raizy's youngest brother's)
Bar-Mitzvah celebration
- Wed 6/20: Chani
(Simon - of Delmar/Albany) and Moshe Sandhaus Wedding
- Thurs 6/21 - Shabbos
6/23: Chabad on Campus Family Conference in Stamford CT
- Sunday 6/24: Devorah
Leah (Rubin - Mendel's sister)
wedding to Mendy Mathless
- Monday 6/25: Sheva
Brachos Dinner for Mendy & Devorah Leah in Great Neck NY
- Tues 6/26: Back at
home, in our own beds, unpacking suitcases, going through mail &
paperwork!
|
WC Spring 07 Mailed
6/22 |
The Spring/Summer 2007
edition of the "What's Cooking" at Shabbos
House newsletter was mailed and should be in homes of students and
alumni (if we have your earthly address) by the end of June or early July.
There's quite a few photos in this edition, plus quotes, by the numbers,
quotes from UAlbany Officer-in-Charge Provost Susan Herbst and graduating
students. It also announces that Shabbos House is now accepting Credit Card
contributions - thanks to alumni interest. |
|
Fish-Bowl Update |
At the Hillel Booth at this
year's carnival we won six fish. Four of them lasted until Passover, and two
of them lasted all the way past Graduation and our Chicago trip. Thanks to
Mike S. for taking care of them while we were traveling. Now we're down to
one remaining fish. The kids have been very good about taking care of them
and we're thinking of going down to the pet-store and getting a few more.
We'll see. |
|
|
updated
6/15/07 |
3rd Cozy Shabbat
6/16-17 |
The coziest Shabbat yet
this summer. Great conversations, "going around the table" and a few rounds
of Apples to Apples. Good, relaxed times.
|
WC Spring07 off to print
6/11/07 |
The Spring /Summer edition of the
"What's
Cooking at Shabbos House" newsletter is at the printer and should be mailed
out around the 19th of June. This edition has plenty of semester photos,
lists the semester sponsors, displays Torah Tuesday covers and several
Table-Cards, and more!
|
|
Last Week of School for Kids |
This week is the last week this year for
our kids at the Maimonides School in Albany. They had a great year of
learning, and now is that time of year for year-end BBQ's, moving-up
ceremonies and graduations. Being teachers as well at the Maimonides School,
this is an important time of year in many respects.
Moving-Up Day means that
Sara will be going to Kindergarten, Mushkie to 5th grade... Time flies!
Little Bassie is still too young (will be two at the end of the summer) to
attend school, but she's getting ready!
|
|
Garden Update |
This is the 2nd year of The
Garden at Shabbos House. Thanks to Heshy Fried for the inspiration, that yes
we can do it! We planted 11 tomato plants of various varieties (8 of which
are in that empty circle in middle of the yard) a row of each of the
following: eggplants, peppers, sweet bi-color corn, red-cabbage, and celery.
Hopefully all this work will yield some fruit, we can't wait to enjoy it in
July, August and September. Plus we planted sunflowers, some lilies and
other flowers. It's actually an enjoyable workout and a great hands-on
educational opportunity for the kids.
|
2nd Cozy Shabbat
6/8-9/07 |
This Shabbos we were
pleased to welcome several neighbors - in addition to summer school and
graduate school students. It was our largest "Cozy-Shabbat" of the season,
but small enough to all sit around connected tables, hear a few words from
everyone around the table. Great atmosphere.
|
|
|
updated
6/6/07 |
Kotel Wedding
6/3/07 |
Mazal Tov to
Roni ('05) and
Hadassah (Friedman) Kotel on their marriage, Sunday June 3 in New Hempstead
NY (near Monsey). It was a beautiful wedding, lots of energy, dancing and
rejoicing. Rabbi Mendel officiated, alumnus Yishai Cohen sang under the Chuppah, and their Albany friends did a lot of dancing. Pictures soon... |
First Cozy Shabbat
6/1-2/07 |
Cozy Shabbat is a special
time at Shabbos House, for students taking summer classes, working at
internships or here for work. The first Cozy Shabbat this season was 15
students plus family. It's also a good time for Raizy to test new recipes
(some brought back from the Shavuot Holiday in Chicago).
|
|
Garden @ SH |
Last year Heshy Fried
planted the garden for us out back, and we enjoyed fresh-picked cherry
tomatoes and eggplants all summer. This year we got ambitious, and planted
11 tomato plants, plus eggplant and peppers, zucchini, celery and red
cabbage. Even a row of corn! Besides a few of last year's perennial
flowering plants came back up this year, so our backyard looks a lot
prettier. |
Chicago Road-Trip
5/21-5/28 |
Family Road-Trip to
Chicago! On the day following UAlbany's graduation we took all the
kids and drove out to Chicago to celebrate the holiday of Shavuos with Rabbi
Moshe and Elkie (Raizy's sister) Wolf as well as the Upshernish
(first-haircutting and third birthday) of their son Mendel. Along the way we
did a quick stop at Niagara Falls, and then slept a few hours at Raizy's
sister in Detroit. On the way back we stopped for Kosher Pizza in Cleveland
and then at the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning NY arriving at home in
Albany on Memorial Day.
|
Graduation Weekend
5/18-20 |
It was a pleasure
celebrating this important milestone and farewell weekend with the families
of students who have become such close friends over their years at UAlbany.
Different families came over for Friday Night, Shabbat Day and Shabbat
evening meals, with most coming over for the
Family Open House BBQ
all Sunday afternoon. Best wishes and congratulations to the
Graduates and their families.
|
Grad Party
5/13/07 |
This special event is an
important time at Shabbos House, recognizing the achievements and
contributions of the senior class to the UAlbany Jewish community and the
atmosphere and celebrations at Shabbos House. See
The Grad Party 2007
page for some photos and a list of special awardees and the Class
Photo - which made it (in full color) to the front page of Albany NY's
Jewish World Newspaper.
|
Kids at the Tulip Festival
5/13/07 |
While Raizy was busy
cooking up a storm, and Mendel was still working on personalized letters to
all graduating seniors (and graduate students..) Mendel's parents, Bubbe and
Zeide Rubin took all the kids to Albany's annual Tulip Festival in
Washington Park. It was a great treat for the kids to see all the colorful
tulips, the many vendors and thousands of people in the park. Moshe and
Chani came home with stuffed animals they put together at one crafts-vendor.
|
Prof Librescu Memorial
5/12/07 |
This week will mark one
month since the Virginia-Tech tragedy and the death of Professor Liviu
Librescu, the Holocaust survivor and eminent engineering researcher who died
while protecting his students. NCFJE (the National Committee for the
Furtherance of Jewish Education) and the Northstar grant sponsored at
campuses all across the country on the legacy of Professor Librescu. At
first we contacted a number of UAlbany professors, but some didn't get back
and others had scheduling and other conflicts, so we thought of Shachar Luz
(also an engineer, also originally from Israel) who delivered a very
well-received talk with three (actually four) messages on the Librescu
Legacy. See here for the talk. |
Finals Week Shabbos
5/11-12/07 |
The last Shabbos of the
year with most students still around. |
Lag B'Omer Drum Circle
5/5/07 |
In celebration of Lag B'Omer (when live
music is permissible according to Jewish Law during the Omer span between
Passover and Shavuot) a mystical, joyous Jewish holiday of unity, Shabbos
House hosted a drum-circle led by physician and drum enthusiast Dr. Michael
Scher, and by expert and amateur drummers alike, with a great vibe and
rhythm in the house. We borrowed and rented quote a number of hand-drums so
that whoever wanted got a hand at it. Great stress-reliever! Delicious
finger-foods were served including cakes, cookies, pastries, fruits,
garlic-potato knishes, egg-rolls and more.
|
Hillel Awards Dinner
5/4/07 |
The last Hillel Dinner of the year is
traditionally the weekend before Reading Day and Final Week. There were
humorous awards on decorated paper-plates given by the Hillel student board
outgoing President Steve Linder and Josh Sisskind and incoming Hillel
student President Emily Feller. More serious awards were presented to
several outstanding student leaders (of all classes) by Aviva Snyder,
director of UAlbany Hillel.
|
|
|
updated
4/23/07 |
Mendel's sister engaged
4/23/07 |
Rabbi Mendel's sister
Devorah Leah Rubin is engaged to Mendy Mathless of New Haven CT. The L'chaim
celebration will be Wednesday Night 4/25 at the Lubavitch Yeshiva on Crown
Street corner Albany Ave in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn.
Alumni in the NY area who remember her - are most welcome to come for the
engagement party/celebration. It's very exciting and we're all very happy
for her. |
Fountain Day
4/22 |
This year's theme was
Pirates - and you could not ask for better weather. Everyone we spoke to had
a great time. Raizy and Mendel were indoors - at the computer- readying an
80-page Tribute Journal for print, in time for the Maimonides School dinner
upcoming on Monday April 30th... |
Shabbos VTech
4/20-21 |
In solidarity with the
students of Virginia Tech, the tablecloths on Friday Night were maroon and
orange and Rabbi Mendel spoke about Professor Liviu Librescu who was killed
trying to protect his students. It was good to take out the couches and not
have to tarp them. Nice crowd on Friday Night, though not overcrowded, there
was plenty of room and of course, plenty of good food and atmosphere.
|
Spring, Finally!
|
It's finally Spring.
Gorgeous weather, warm, sunny, a little breeze. It's been a strange season
overall - with a warm December, mild January, brutal February and cold that
persisted through March. At Shabbos House our blueberry bushes are budding,
the day-lilies are pushing up in the front, and it's time to clean up the
yard, plant our garden again - once we have some time. |
|
|
updated
4/18/07 |
|
Link to Minyan Poll |
Guys - our Shabbay Day
Minyan has been struggling. There are five weekends to the end of the
semester, and we're asking friends to pitch in for one Shabbat or two.
Please check this
UAlbany Shabbat Day Minyan Poll Page and click on the weekends you
think you can make it. Thanks a lot!! |
|
Condolences to the Schreiber Family |
R' Pinchas
Schreiber's (director of Shabbos House 1992-1996) mother
Sora Ita bas Zev, a"h, passed away this morning (Shabbos)
around 4am. The funeral
will start out at Gutterman's in Rockville Center, NY on Monday at noon and
then proceed to the cemetery in Farmingdale (New Montefiore).
His brothers and sisters will be sitting shiva at
his parent's home in Baldwin (1052 Northern
Blvd). R' Pinchas will be returning to West
Hartford to sit Shiva. Our condolences to R' Pinchas and
the Schreiber family. May they only know many Simchas and joyous occasions |
|
Mushky's 10th |
Happy Birthday Mushky! We
celebrated with family on Thursday Night, and had a special Treasures Cake
(thank you Sheryl and Allyson) on Shabbat Lunch, plus a Dvar Torah by Mushky
on Treasures in the Jewish tradition. Double-digits!!! |
|
|
updated
4/11/07 |
From
our FACEBOOK POST
4/11/07 |
We posted this note on
Facebook and messaged this to the Shabbos House Facebook group, so we
figured we'd post this mini-update here as well.
PASSOVER UALBANY 2007 at Shabbos House
was incredible - thanks to all who came by for one or more of the 4 (5!)
festive meals we celebrated at the end of Passover, to those who helped with
preparations, spirit (the table sing-offs were great) and special thanks to
everyone for sharing as we went around the tables during both dinners.
(More Passover Details to be posted soon...)
DRUM CIRCLE Save the date for Sat Night May 5th 9pm - Lag B'Omer..
we're having a Hi-Def Havdalah, fancy deserts and a Drum Circle at Shabbos
House. Bring your hand-drum or we have quite a few to share..
GRAD PARTY Sunday May 13th is the annual Grad Party - Farewell to the
Class of 2007 at Shabbos House. Class of 2007 is one great class and we'll
miss them!
---
TWO SUMMER PROGRAMS Shabbos House is affiliated with two exciting
summer program opportunities that we wanted to be sure you knew of..
ILTSP is a 5-week study program (last week in June thru July) in the
Catskill Mountains (where Rabbi Mendel used to teach for 7 summers) where
you earn between $1500-$2000 for study. Only open to those without a formal
full-time prior Jewish education, the program has a high staff-student
ratio, features a spectrum of Jewish learning, text-based and experential,
and great faculty. The program is non-pressuring, warm and supportive. It's
a great crash course. Apply online
www.ILTSP.org
ISRAELINKS is a Chabad on Campus Post-Birthright Israel Program - an
intense, in-depth touring, study and hands-on program in Tzfat, Jerusalem
and all around Israel. Only $299 (plus they help you apply for a Federation
grant to cover air-travel). Registration is closing soon, so apply ASAP if
you are interested.
www.JewishSummerBreak.com
To all who were home or away for Passover 2007 - hope you enjoyed wonderful
times with family and friends, and good luck on the rest of the semester
ahead.
Best wishes,
Mendel and Raizy
|
|
|
updated
4/2/07 |
1st Seder Tonight!
4/2/07 |
Our best wishes for a
wonderful and meaningful Passover Holiday to all our friends, students and
alumni wherever they may be - with family, friends, at home or away. Our
best to your families as well.
To those who won't be at
a Passover Seder - please check out the simple instructions for a <10-minute
Seder on the Passover
UAlbany 2007 page. |
|
Erev Pesach Checklist |
Yes, after a thorough
house-cleaning, we cleaned both cars (long overdue!), koshered the kitchen
for Passover, did the night-time search for Chametz (what teamwork! even
Bassie was enthusiastic about helping find the 10 pieces), and ate our last
Chametz foods outside on the deck. |
Cozy Shabbat
3/30-31 |
Cozy Shabbat happens over
breaks, when Friday Nights become much smaller, with 10-30 students instead
of the usual packed house. We all get around 3-4 connected tables (kind of
like a Torah Tuesdays set-up) and its is a much cozier atmosphere. Not that
we don't like when everyone comes over - on the contrary - we love having a
packed house, such a lively, diverse group of friends, and a great sense of
Jewish campus community, there's no replacing that vibe and atmosphere, but
there's also a special, different kind of atmosphere on Cozy Shabbat @
Shabbos House on weekends during break.
This weekend was
extra-special as we had the pleasure to host alumni Dan ('01) and Atara
('02) Marzouk for Shabbat, with their two sweet 4-year old twins, Noach and
Binyamin.
Being just before
Passover, with the carpets already steamed and rooms cleaned, we ate the
full Shabbat meal inside, but ate our Challah outside on the deck.
|
|
|
updated
3/29/07 |
|
Thanks for Supp. Funding |
Being that we did not
originally budget for Passover (due to the extended break) the L'chaim group
applied for Supplemental Funding from Student Association, especially
important this year that students will be back for a day or two of Passover
and even Kosher Dutch Dining will not be open. We are grateful to Student
Association for recognizing this need and sponsoring approximately one-third
of the food-costs. Thanks to it there was a big Kosher Price Chopper
shopping on Thursday 3/29. |
Just in Time for Matzah
3/29/07 |
After pain building for a
week, Mendel finally relented and went to the dentist - where he got his
wisdom tooth removed - just in time to eat lots of crunchy Shumrah Matzah at
the first Seder, Monday Night 4/2. For those who called the house and he
sounded a little off - that's why. |
|
BareBones Seder Question |
Most students are headed
home to their families for the Passover Seders, but a few called or IM to
say that they will be traveling over break and won't be near a Seder and
don't plan on having time for one, either. On our
UAlbany Passover 2007 page,
in addition to info on our end of Passover meals etc, I posted the very
basics necessary for a bare-bones Seder - just the bare minimum, which
anyone can do, in 5-10 minutes. If you can't get to a Seder - at least do
these very important Mitzvahs for the Seder Night! |
|
Cleaning for Pesach |
Originally, because of the
extended Passover break, we weren't thinking of doing the 7th and 8th days
of Passover as usual. But then we heard that the dorms open on Sunday (the
6th day of Passover) and a number of students plan to head back on Sunday or
Monday (classes resume on Tuesday, the 8th day of Passover) - so we decided
to "make" Pesach.
We did a full-blown
house-cleaning - the bookshelves are neat, the carpet has been
professionally steamed, every nook and cranny has been purged of dried up
cheerios, macaroni, half-pretzels and gum. We even found a number of large
whole cookies! We threw out broken toys, and sorted and organized the rest.
In the end, we're pleased we had to clean for Passover, we got an extreme
home-makover! |
|
New Kitchen Floor |
Someone asked if it is our
custom to put a new kitchen floor every Passover. No, not quite. This
kitchen floor was old when we came here in 1997, and it's time. Thanks to
Mrs. J. T. for sponsoring this upgrade. |
Full-House Torah
Tuesdays
3/27/07 |
For the last Tuesday before
Passover, the topic was "Seder Song Symbolism" and the dairy dinner was
bagel pizzas (farewell to the bagels), roasted potatoes and salad, with a
little dairy ice-cream at the end. The first learning (the 5:30) was very
full this week, while the 2nd learning was much quieter and small. It was
most gratifying when students asked to take home the packet to discuss at
their Seders (similar to last year's interest in using "The Four Sons -
Remixed" at their home Seders). |
|
|
updated
3/24/07 |
|
Relay for Life UAlbany |
Hillel and AEPi were two of
the Jewish groups that set-up teams in this year's Relay for Life benefiting
the American Cancer Society at the UAlbany SEFCU Arena (formerly the RACC).
The Rubins came by for a short time after Shabbat before the Luminaria
ceremony, but the kids were overtired and had to head back home.
|
Shabbat
3/23-24/07 |
University at Albany Hillel
hosted cadets from West Point for a Shabbat Weekend. They attended the
Friday Night Hillel dinner in full uniform, came to Shabbat Lunch at Shabbos
House, and were part of the Relay for Life at the SEFCU Arena. West Point
isn't Albany, but our students enjoyed the time with the cadets, and there
were great conversations, exchanges and good times had by all.
Shabbat afternoons are
becoming longer again, so we had a nice Shalosh Seudos (or Seudah Shlishit)
at the end of Shabbos, complete with two types of herring - the old
traditional Shalosh Seudos staple.
|
|
|
updated
3/20/07 |
Haggadah
Collection @ Torah Tues
3/20/07 |
For Torah Tuesdays, Rabbi
Israel Rubin (founder of Shabbos House and regional director for Capital
Chabad) presented a spectrum of 100 titles from his extensive Haggadah
collection. Going from decorative to special needs, a tour around the world
to scholarly - Rabbi Rubin showcased the creativity, personal input and
local color which the thousands of Haggadah editions signify. All present
received a free, signed copy of "The Albany Haggadah" Rabbi Rubin's
scholarly work on the all-night Seder in Bnei Brak mentioned in the Haggada.
|
JWC Cups
3/19/07 |
UAlbany's Jewish Women's
Connection learned about Esther, Miriam and Cups of Blessing, designed
decoupage cups for the Passover Seder, and browsed and bought Sanibel's
handcrafted jewelry. Even with midterms, the virus going around and the snow
that fell toward evening, people did come out! |
Simcha the Comic-Book
Rabbi
3/18/07 |
We were fortunate to have
Rabbi Simcha Weinstein, author of "Up, Up and Oy Vey" come speak to us about
his research into the Jewish background of comic-book heros and their
creators. Rabbi Simcha is fast-paced, witty and humorous, and those who came
to the Bagel Brunch will never see Superheros in the same light again. For
those who missed him- you can get his book at
www.rabbisimcha.com
or at better bookstores. |
|
|
updated
3/17/07 |
The Snowy Super Shabbos
3/16-17/07 |
The snow came down hard and heavy Friday
afternoon and evening, the winds were strong and the inches kept
accumulating. Despite all that a pretty full house came to celebrate
"Super
Shabbat" at Shabbos House. Rabbi Levy Kaplan, our guest Rabbi and cantor led
a authentic cantorial service, with gusto and dynamo never before heard at
Shabbos House. And he concluded a prayer to the tune of G-d Bless America,
to which the congregation responded with "PlayBall!" instead of Amen!
In keeping with the Super-Shabbat
spirit - nearly all the foods served on Friday Night began with the letter
"S". Shredded Cabbage with Sesame Seeds, Salmon Roll, Split-Pea Soup and
Sweet 'n Sour Chicken. Dessert was Sprinkle Cookies and beverages included
Sparkling Cider, Saratoga Spring Water...
Rabbi Kaplan spoke during the meal (see
T.O. for Torah page) and then followed up at the Oneg/Farbrengen with
stories and songs. He did a professional Torah Reading on Shabbat morning,
along with a cantorial Shacharit service. In keeping with the Super-Shabbat
theme there were Subs/Heros for Lunch - along with Cholent, of course. Some
stayed on after lunch - to avoid going out in the snow, study with Rabbi
Kaplan or discuss ILTSP with him. Just before the end of Shabbos we had
Shalosh Seudos (thanks to daylight savings time).
What a Super-Shabbat it
was! Thanks to the many superhero students who overcame the snowy challenge
and made it over to celebrate Shabbos in the deep snow! |
|
|
updated
3/12/07 |
|
Purim Pics now online |
Sorry for the delay.
Finally several pages of
Purim @ UAlbany 2007 Pictures are now online. Browse around to see
all of the exciting Purim weekend 2007. |
Clocks Change
3/11/07 |
The change comes earlier
this year, Spring Forward into Daylight Savings Time in March. Jewishly this
means a number of things, too, primarily that Friday Night prayers change to
7pm and Shabbat Dinners will be at 8pm for the remainder of the year.
|
Semi-Formal
3/10/07 |
Once again - sponsored by
the Hillel Student Group at the Appel Inn in Altamont NY, with the food
catered by Raizy and a great time had by all. Welcome back to the Alumni who
came up for the occasion... |
|
Mazal Tov Great Danes! |
Thanks to a comeback
against Vermont in the very last seconds of the game, UAlbany goes to the
Big Dance for the 2nd time, joining in the NCAA March Madness Tournament. Go
Great Danes!
Of course, a profound
lesson in the power of each and every moment, never let a second go to
waste! |
Shabbat Day with Albany
Mesivta
3/10/07 |
Thanks to the visiting
Bar-Mitzvah Boys of the Albany Mesivta / Maimonides High School we had an
on-time Minyan (first time, long time) and they did a great job relieving
Rabbi Mendel and dividing up the Torah Reading. Somehow this week we were
missing many regulars (midterms? getaways? last winter cold?) so having the
boys worked out great, otherwise we would have come up short. |
Hillel Hunger Banquet
Shabbat
3/9/07 |
The post-Purim weekend was
a special Hillel Dinner & Hunger Banquet concluding the event-filled Global
Awareness Week coordinated by Hille Tzedek Fellow Kimi Wolk. Each table was
designated poor, middle-class or affluent and was served accordingly. There
were strips of paper with text sources of poverty an charity for people to
read and share. |
|
|
updated
3/9/07 |
|
Passover Update |
UAlbany Spring Break falls this year
during most of Passover with classes resuming on the last day of the
holiday. Originally we planned to be away all of the holiday. Some students
told us they will be back up here starting Sunday when the dorms reopen, and
we are now considering doing the Passover Holiday Meals from Sunday night
thru Tuesday afternoon - the last two days of Passover. f you will be up
here and are interested please email
us so we can get some idea.
|
GAW
3/4-3/9/07 |
All this week 3/4 thru 3/9 Kimi Wolk
(Hillel Tzedek Fellow) along with Elliot Cowen and Aviva Snyder of UAlbany
Hillel Staff (as well as the involved student groups) coordinated "Global
Awareness Week" a vast array of programming, discussion, sessions and
activities with a spectrum of campus groups focusing on Global social-action
needs such as hunger and health, genocide and intolerance, and the ongoing
situation in Darfur. It culminates with a Hunger Banquet / Shabbat Dinner in
Campus Center on Friday Night 3/9.
|
NJ Trip
3/8/07 |
On Wednesday 3/8 Raizy and Mendel traveled
down to NJ to pay a shiva call to alumnus Revi Hay ('04) on the untimely
passing of her mother after a lengthy and difficult illness. While there we
also met Stacey Shoshana Lotwin ('01) with her baby boy Menachem who came to
visit Revi from Queens. We went down in a rented cargo van to pick up 350
pounds of Shmurah Matzah from a warehouse in Rahway NJ - which turned out to
be a lengthy ordeal, plus a huge traffic standstill on the NYS Thruway - and
we ended up getting home at 11:30pm that night.
|
|
Overdue Purim Update |
Yes, people have been asking about Purim
Pages and Purim Pictures online, sorry that we have not gotten to it yet,
but we hope to put it all up this coming week. Somehow this week following
Purim Weekend filled up quickly with To-Do Lists! There's lots of great
photos, and people have already been posting fun and costumed photos to
their Facebook profiles.
|
|
|
updated
2/22/07 |
|
Getting Costumes Together |
This an exciting annual
ritual: brainstorming and then putting together a new family Purim outfit.
This year's costume isn't as original and unique as last year's "Shabbos
Table" but it is a great theme and very appropriate for this Purim 2007. We
look forward to a colorful Masquerade on Purim Night Sat 3/3... |
Outing to Glens Falls and Shushan
2/21/07 |
On Wednesday 2/21 we took a
day-trip with the kids up to Glens Falls (50 miles north) to visit The
Chapman Museum (a superb tour inside a 1860-1890's house) and the Hyde
Collection (Spanish mansion and classic Art Museum with 500 year old
paintings, and ARTfull Afternoons downstairs, which the kids appreciated
more). Then we took the long scenic route to the little town of Shushan NY
in Washington County near the Vermont border for a pre-Purim experience.
Lots of driving, and lots of fun.
|
|
|
updated
2/20/07 |
|
Kids under the weather |
'Tis the season for colds,
and there's a quick virus that went around our kids school. Our kids got it
in rapid succession, so it's been lingering in the house. Everyone has the
sniffles so we haven't taken much advantage of the snow activity aside for
an hour of sledding in the middle of the storm. Usually during a snowstorm
and afterwards the temps rise a little, but it's been in the teens and lower
(especially with the windchill factor) for much of the time since the storm.
|
|
Purim Planning |
Even over break - the
UAlbany Purim celebrations are being worked on. L'chaim Board is getting the
activity tables finalized, we're doing a lot of shopping and planning and
ordering. This year is the first year for the Carnival event, and we're
bringing back Wings Over Shushan on Sunday - Purim Day due to popular
demand. The Friday Night pre-Purim dinner is going to have an Italian-theme
just for fun. See the Purim
2007 page for detailed info. And don't forget to bring a costume
back up! |
Cozy Shabbat
3/16-17 |
Though most students left
for break, we had 25 people around the table for a cozy Friday Night. In our
summer cozy Shabbat tradition we went around the table and everyone said
something short from their week. Most spoke of their snow-related
experiences. On Shabbat morning a few made the big trek in the snow downtown
to hear the special Torah Reading of Shekalim, since we did not have a
minyan. |
Whoa! Plenty of
Snow
3/14-15 |
When it was all over on
Thursday - we had plenty of snow-cover. Maybe just shy of 2 feet, and the
wind drifts were much higher in places. UAlbany had Snow-Day for Wed
(Valentine's Day) and classes resumed at 11:45 on Thursday. Our kids at
Maimonides (like school-kids throughout the region) had both Wednesday and
Thursday off, with school on Friday, and then all of President's Week off.
We did some sledding,
right here. And our fair share of shoveling! Thankfully we also had some
plow help, otherwise we'd never get out of here. All the snow is still piled
up, huge banks along roadways, though its beginning to recede and they say
next week will be warmer somewhat. |
|
|
2/14/07 |
Snow!
2/14/07 |
It's finally here - the
first big snow of the season. They're predicting 15-30 inches. As of
Wednesday morning there's probably 4-5 inches out there and everything is
quiet. It's still coming down steady. Last night the President's Office sent
out an email canceling all UAlbany classes today. That doesn't happen often.
The prediction is for snow to continue all day today and even tonight, with
some wintry mix, too. |
Yours Truly!
2/13/07 |
4th in our Spring 2007
Torah Tuesdays series, "Yours Truly!" was a class on Torah texts on Truth in
Relationships with selections of Torah, Talmud, Tanya and a healthy sampling
of stories - especially the parables told by Zeide Reb Moshe Rubin, our
little Moshe's namesake. Special thanks to all the participants, whose input
(in both learning times 5:30 and 7:30) made it a great discussion. |
Raizy's 30th..
2/12/07 |
We are very grateful for
all of the thoughtfulness and friendship of great friends at Raizy's
Birthday party withy a Girls Night Out at Shabbos House. The colorful
scrapbook, the bracelet (inscribed 30 going on 25..), the hour massage, the
MACY's gift-card - but above all - the thoughtfulness and close friendships!
Everyone enjoyed
"Unwrapping the Strength Inside" game with stimulating and entertaining
questions that ended with chocolate truffles. All took part in reciting the
new chapters of Psalms corresponding to Raizy's new birthday and little Sara
passed around coins and a Pushka for everyone to give Tzedakah. At the end
Mendel's sister Rivky led everyone in dancing and hoola-hoop hoopla. Thanks
to Wendy and Jessica for the delicious chocolate-pecan and blueberry pies,
to Ilana and Emily R. for the flower bouquets. There were also franks in
blanks, petit fours, lots of chocolates, veggies and dips and more.
|
Raizy's NY Conference
2/9-12/07 |
This weekend was Raizy's
conference in Brooklyn, together with hundreds (thousands!) of fellow Chabad
Shluchos (doing community work from Alaska to Zaire and all points in
between). Being that we're still newlyweds, our whole family went along. It
was a great time to spend with Raizy's family, as her sisters and most of
the brothers-in-law) came in from Chicago, Michigan and Texas. We're glad
the guys made a good Minyan back home, and thanks to Aviva and UAlbany
Hillel for arranging Shabbat Lunch. |
Mendel's Birthday
Farbrengen
2/8/07 |
This farbrengen was a
little advertised special, thanks to all who came over on Thursday Night for
a traditional Chassidic farbrengen (close-knit gathering) celebrating
Mendel's 34th (Hebrew date) birthday. Warm feelings and joyous songs were
shared. Rabbi Israel Rubin, Mendel's father, brought a framed letter from
Mendel's diary written 17-18 years ago, that seemed very pertinent today.
|
|
|
1/28/07 |
Pre-Superbowl Tefillin
1/28/07 |
Our weekly Sunday Minyan marches on!
Thanks to visiting alumnus Adam Kofinas, resident engineer Shachar Luz, Avi
K. of AEPi downstate, and a team of seasoned Minyan veterans, we had a great
Minyan, and many Tefillin-Wraps. Following the Bagel Brunch, a number of
students left to Collins Circle on the Hillel Snow-Tubing Trip to Jiminy
Peak.
As Superbowl Sunday is just around the
corner, we filmed our first YouTube video with comments on connections
between Football and Tefillin for Tefillin-Touchdowns. See the film on
YouTube, with this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OzHlZj2CEg
For a first try, it's not bad. We have to do something better about
the background sound next time. If you were filmed and are not included, don't take it
personal, the background sound was too loud during your clip. |
Cholent Bar
1/27/07 |
The Cholent Bar returned -
to celebrate the birthdays of visiting alumnus Adam Kofinas, and senior
Wendy Miller at Shabbos Lunch. The Cholent Tasters Paradise featured 4
different crockpots ranging from vegetarian to Sephardic Adaphina (with
chickpeas, lamb and cumin) to the all American Hotdog Cholent with red
potatoes. And of course, a regular Cholent. |
Mendel's January
Birthday
1/24/207 |
Rabbi Mendel's Hebrew
birthday (which we celebrate isn't until the 21st of Shevat...) but now with
Facebook we got dozens of messages, emails and calls with well-wishes on
January 24th. Thanks for all the wonderful wishes and we look forward to
another wonderful year celebrating together with so many friends. The Hebrew
birthday falls on the Friday of Raizy's convention, so we might make
something on Thursday Night. |
1st Torah Tuesdays
Spring 2007
1/23/07 |
Torah Tuesdays Spring 2007 is
already underway. Topic was: Halacha Trace, following the Halachic
development process from its origin in the Torah verse down to through the
Talmud and commentaries all the way to Halacha and the Code of Jewish Law.
The first dairy dinner featured lasagna, a creamy dairy veggie soup and
other goodies. We're on for nearly every Tuesday in the academic calendar.
|
|
|
1/21/07 |
SPA for Body and Soul
1/21/07 |
12 Students accompanied
Aviva Snyder (Hillel) and Raizy Rubin (Shabbos House) to a "Spa for Body and
Soul" event at the Comfort Suites in Clifton Park. The luncheon event
(catered by Shabbos House) was co-sponsored by area Chabad Womens Groups,
Hadassah, UKF-NENY and other groups. Check out our
SPA for Body & Soul
page for event info, the featured speaker Sarah Karmely and pictures
of UAlbany students.
|
Exact Minyan
1/21/07 |
The Sunday Minyan tradition
continues, but not all our "regulars" are back yet. Today we had exactly
ten, so we just made it. There was an extra-special Brunch honoring this
dedication.
|
1st Shabbos Back
1/19-20/07 |
Great to see everyone
again! Special welcome back to the large contingent of birthright Israel
students who went to Israel this Winter Break with Aviva and Elliot of
Hillel. Also a warm welcome to the Albany Law School and RPI students who
came for a Shabbat celebration.
|
|
WC Fall '06 Update |
The "What's Cooking?" Fall
'06 Fall & Winter 2006 newsletter update has been mailed to home of students
and alumni that we have earthly addresses for. Most students didn't get a
chance to see it since it arrived home after the start of the Spring '07
semester. To view it online
see it in PDF format here.
|
|
|
1/15/07 |
Iced-In
1/15/07 |
This morning brought
freezing rain and wintry mix over Albany. Lucky for us there's no school
today for the kids. Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, so regular classes
were cancelled, but there was a "Meet Hillel Day" (the Hillel Rabbi of the
Talmud) planned with extra-curricular activities. But the icy weather nixed
that, so we're home for a late start to the day, and evidence of kids crafts
and activities everywhere! |
|
Mailing Newsletter |
On Sunday night we packed
up the newsletters for mailing, but they won't go out until Tuesday, so most
students won't be home when it comes. We'll have extra copies here, in the
meantime parents and alumni can get it, and students can see it when they go
home for President's Week which isn't too far off.
|
Mini-Pre-Semester
Shabbos
1/12-13/07 |
Hardly anyone was back for
the pre-semester Shabbat, so we had a mini-Shabbat with about 10 besides
family on Friday Night, and 5 on Shabbos Day. Nice, cozy, relaxing and
quiet. But we can't wait to see everyone this coming weekend for the first
Shabbat back! |
|
|
updated
1/10/07 |
Snow Today
1/10/07 |
Contrary to the earlier
entry below, this morning it is snowing. Nothing major, probably less than
an inch, but it's white out there and the cars and driveway are covered.
It's still coming down now - 7am. Thought we'd keep all the students on
Winter Break posted on this development. If there's enough snow later, we'll
post a picture. |
The Kids
|
Bassie had a little lip/gum
procedure at the dentist, but she's doing OK now. She walks very steady,
started saying a few words. Like Moshe, she loves cereal and milk. Sara has
the cutest haircut and she loves it. She's in her 2nd year of Nursery and
now enjoys play-dates with friends. Moshe is writing a biography in school
on a beanie-baby, plus he reads now fairly well, so we're getting lots of
beginner books. He's still trying to choose a topic for his birthday
learning night in March. Chani still has the most homework. And she's up the
latest every night, reading and listening to Mendel's stories on the
voice-recorder. Mushkie was the hostess for the local Bat-Mitzvah Club
(girls club of learning and activities) meeting and she's the featured
speaker at next month's event. |
|
"What's Cooking" Fall
2006 |
The "What's Cooking?"
update newsletter is now at the printer, 8-pages this time, instead of the
4-pages we've been doing. Our timing may be a little off, it may reach your
homes just around the time you're headed back to Albany for Spring 2007.
Either way, it's for your folks too, and they can save it for when you go
home next for President's Week Break. Plus Alumni aren't blessed as we are
with a generous 4-weeks off, so they're there to get it. |
|
|
updated
1/6/07 |
|
Weather !? |
Strange thing. We heard it
snowed in Jerusalem this past week, but here in Albany all we had was a
light dusting last week. This Shabbat was remarkably warm, great pleasant
Spring weather. It reached 70 degrees on Shabbos midday before it rained and
cooled off! |
A Shabbos Away
1/5-6/07 |
We spent one Shabbat in the
Albany Jewish community by Mendel's parents. The kids had a great time
playing with school friends in the neighborhood and it was good for us to
get a break. It was also a nice quiet time to spend with family.
|
|
|
updated
1/1/2007 |
Gov Spitzer's Inauguration
1/1/07 |
This kept us busy all New
Years Day! The whole family went to the Inaugural Ceremonies (held outside
the Capitol) and we had a great time at the Children's Program sponsored by
Museums across the State, part of the Celebrate New York festivities in the
Empire State Plaza Concourse. At the end, our family had the rare
opportunity to have a
photo with
Governor Spitzer on "Day One" Inaugural Day!
|
New Years Eve Sheva Brachos
12/31/06 |
Sunday, December 31st, was
also the Tenth of Tevet which is an important Jewish Fast Day commemorating
the Siege surrounding Jerusalem which eventually led to its destruction. To
Break the Fast we had a lovely Sheva Brachos dinner celebrating the recent
marriage of Chaim ('02) and Stephanie Spilman, so Raizy cooked up a storm
all day and we had a wonderful time celebrating together.
|
Even quieter Shabbos
12/29-30/06 |
We weren't sure if we would
be here for Shabbos or not, until the last minute, but we did end up at home
and posted than online on Friday. We had two guests aside for our family and
that made for a very quiet and restful Shabbat. On Shabbos morning Rabbi
Mendel and Shachar walked downtown and back (for lunch at Shabbos House) to
daven with a minyan and hear the Torah Reading.
|
Chaim Spilman Wedding
12/28/06 |
It was a special joy to
take part in
Chaim
Spilman's ('02) wedding to Stephanie - Sara Maya (Baskin) of
Arizona. It was held at Anthony's Pier 9 in New Windsor NY, Mendel's parents
watched all the kids for the night. Rabbi Mendel officiated at the wedding
and we had a wonderful time meeting the families, dancing, celebrating and
catching up with the alumni present. May we always share many joyous
occasions!!! |
|
|
updated
12/23/06 |
The Quiet Shabbos
12/22-23 |
Finals are over, dorms are
closed, most everyone is gone for Winter Break. We had a very quiet,
relaxing Shabbos with 12 students on Friday Night, plus our family and
Raizy's sister Nechama Dina Hendel (see box below). Our Mushkie was away at
the Jewish Girls Winter Retreat on Silver Bay in Lake George. Shabbos Day
was even smaller. No Minyan of course, but we actually had 5 praying
together, including Professor Herman Salomon, and a slightly larger crowd
for lunch. |
Monsey-Brooklyn-Albany
Thursday
12/21/06 |
In less than 12 hours on
Thursday, Raizy and Mendel (thanks to Allie and Marissa for watching the
kids at home) traveled to Monsey, to Crown Heights and back to Albany. First
we celebrated at the Morgenbesser-Porat Wedding in Monsey, the Rubins are
long, long-time family friends of the Morgenbesser's in Albany. Following
the wedding we drove down to Brooklyn for a L'chaim engagement party of
Raizy's cousin Shternie Gottlieb to Avremel Sugar. Then we stopped off to
visit Raizy's grandfather and headed back to Albany - arriving at 3:30am.
Nechama Dina (Galperin)
Hendel came back with us to Albany for Shabbos. Her husband Rabbi Sholom Ber
Hendel is sitting Shiva in Israel after the tragic loss of his 13 year old
brother Levi in a traffic accident. A group of young Chabad yeshiva students
were traveling with doughnuts and Menorahs visiting Israeli army bases, when
this terrible tragedy occurred - 3 boys died. Our condolences to the
families.
|
|
Rubin Actors & Actresses |
We were very proud of the
Rubin Kids performances at the Maimonides Chanukah student performances this
year. Sara's Nursery class performed a cheerleading Chanukah song with
hand-motions. Moshe was the milkman in his class play titled "Lots of
Latkes". He wore an oversized old vest, flannel shirt and a big old black
cap. Chani did some of the artwork which was projected as a background to
Moshe's play. And Chani also acted as the Biblical Calev (or Caleb) who was
one of Joshua's two spies into Canaan, later to become the Land of Israel.
Mushkie was the main actress in "Out of the Depths" a play her class wrote
based on the historical novel by Rabbi Dr. Marcus Lehman. All the kids knew
their lines very well and were confident and expressive on stage. We were
very proud! |
|
Farewell - Have a Great
Winter Break |
Our best wishes to all for
an enjoyable, relaxing, productive winter break. To those traveling to
Israel on birthright or various group trips - soak it in and absorb the
total experience. To those going abroad for a semester, be in touch, send us
photos, blogs etc, and best wishes for a quality enriching experience. Gping
home? Have a good time with family, friends, relax a little, or get a little
work in.
We will be here for much
of the break, short as it is! We have paperwork to catch-up on, lists to
update, and a winter newsletter to create and mail. Mendel will also be
working on a new set of Torah Tuesday texts for the coming semester, and
Raizy has a few catering jobs. We also look forward to celebrating Chaim
Spilman's ('02) wedding on Thursday before New Years, and his Sheva Brachos
here on December 31st. This is also an important time for us to spend
quality, memorable time with the kids. |
|
|
updated
12/17/06 |
"8 Crazy Lights" Chanukah Event @ CC
12/17/06 |
Great event,
many students came out (even in Finals Week) and plenty of doughnuts and
Latkes went. Check out the
8 Crazy Lights page
for links to pages with pictures of the
Latke Eating Contest and Winner Michael Isaacson (50 Latkes in 5
minutes), the
Great Latke Condiment Debate and of course, the
Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Celebration. Two great hours to
remember! Happy Chanukah to all! |
Bar-Mitzvah at Chanukah Minyan
12/17/06 |
The Sunday Morning Minyan
is still working out at Shabbos House, though this week we had exactly ten
men, exactly a minyan, including Professor Herman Salomon who came for the
special Chanukah service and Monyeh Zhvinikavsky who helps with the
post-Shabbat clean-up at Shabbos House on Sundays. The Torah isn't usually
read on Sundays unless it's Rosh Chodesh, a Holiday or in this case
Chanukah. And it turns out that although Monyeh goes to shul fairly often,
he never had an aliyah before in his life! So we gave him an aliyah and
turned it into a better late than never Bar-Mitzvah celebration! Mazal Tov
Monyeh!!! |
|
|
updated
12/16/2006 |
Mazal Tov Adam & Allie
12/15/06
Finals Week Chanukah Shabbat
12/15/06 |
Adam Kofinas (Dec '06)
proposed to Alexandra Newman ('07) on Friday afternoon! Mazal Tov on thier
Simcha, it is indeed the Simcha of the whole UAlbany Jewish community, as we
are all extended family!
We
had the great honor of hosting their Simcha with an especially charged and
uplifting Friday Night Shabbat and Chanukah Dinner followed by an Oneg of
Toasts and Songs.
Though it was Finals
Week, the house was full. In honor of Chanukah Raizy fried homestyle Latkes
for everyone, in addition to all the other food. There were lots of varied
pastries for dessert in honor of the engagement, as well as sparkling
grape-juice for a communal L'chaim to the engaged couple and their future
together. At the Oneg Rabbi Mendel passed around a unique Etrog L'chaim and
many students took the opportunity to wish and bless Adam and Allie, and
thank them for all the welcome, warmth and assistance they provided for
others at UAlbany... What a night! And then people got up and danced!
|
Website and Email OK
12/15/06 |
Thanks to our good friends
at
www.pcAmerica.com
we're now back on track with email and web running fine. Your computer may
still detect a trojan when browsing our site, but it's gone. We are now in
the process of reloading the entire site so that detection will no longer be
triggered. |
|
|
updated
12/14/06 |
|
Website & Email Issues |
Sorry friends if you have
been having trouble getting online here or emailing us the past few days.
Our friends who graciously host this site are sorting out all the issues and
we hope to have it all resolved soon. Thanks a lot! In the meantime you can
reach us at this alternate address:
shabboshouse@hotmail.com |
|
|
updated
12/13/06 |
Midnight Breakfast
12/12/06 |
On the night following the
last day of classes of the Fall '06 semester, and the approach of the hectic
finals season, we had
Midnight Breakfast at Shabbos House
for a relaxing and
enjoyable two light hours of ice cream & waffles, bagels & shmears, cereal
and milk and a slew of silly Chanukah movies. |
|
|
updated
12/11/06 |
Mazal Tov December Grads
12/10/06 |
Congratulations and Mazal
Tov to Adam Kofinas, Dana Gianella, Ariana Kaplan, Mike Strum, Zalmy
Schapiro, Jeff Lasker, Charles Fishbaum, and all our friends who graduate
this December. The Strums spent Shabbos with the Jewish community on campus
(at Hillel on Friday Night, and at Shabbos House for Shabbos Day), the
extended Fishbaum family came by for a late Brunch on Sunday following the
ceremonies. We met and wishes Mazal Tov to Adam Kofinas' family on Motzai
Shabbos. |
Sunday Minyan OK
12/10/06 |
Gil Abada's father is
saying Kaddish and needed a minyan while up here visiting Gil. Thankfully it
worked out well from a Sephardic flavor minyan led by Mr. Abada to a great
brunch spread including french-toast. Two Minyaneers will be studying in
Israel next semester: Gil Abada in Tel Aviv University and Josh Rehr in
Hebrew University in Jerusalem. We wish them well! |
Yud-Tes Kislev
12/9-10/06 |
This is a most auspicious
day on the Chabad Chassidic calendar, the 19th of Kislev. A special communal
farbrengen was held at the Maimonides School on Partridge Street - and a few
students came out with us to join in the warmth and energy of a good Yud-Tes
Kislev farbrengen. On Sunday following the brunch, a few of us sat around
and explored the history and background behind the Alter Rebbe's Czarist
imprisonment and the subsequent joy of his release. |
Shabbos Vayishlach
12/8-9/06 |
The last Hillel dinner of
the Fall 2006 semester. Aviva formally welcomed Elliot Cowan, Hillel's new
engagement associate. A new flavor of chicken debuted from the Kosher
Kitchen chefs and it was well-received. The Maimonides Bnos Chaya High
School girls were at Shabbos House for this weekend. |
The T-Shirts are in!
12/8/06 |
A limited number of "8
Crazy Lights" tshirts are now available at cost for $5 per shirt. All
Latke-Eating Contestants get one free, as does the L'chaim board. We're one
week away from this exciting Chanukah event on Sunday of Finals Week.
|
|
|
updated
12/8/06 |
Unity Dinner
12/7/06 |
We (Rubins) all went as a
family to the Unity Dinner in the Campus Center Ballroom for a little while.
The kids feasted on the fresh jelly-doughnuts from the New Mount Pleasant
Bakery, and got an early taste of Latkes. Bassie insisted on dragging away a
mounted balloon stand, that's when we went home, just in time for bed.
|
No Menorahs?
12/7/06 |
This afternoon I (Mendel)
went around to the Quad Dining Halls to bring the Chanukah Holiday packets.
First stop was Indian Quad. The manager asked for the Menorah, because when
Chanukah falls in season we also have a 5' Menorah display. I explained that
it isn't Chanukah yet, and when Chanukah begins it will already be Finals
Week with less students coming down everyday. The manager just said, "That's
a shame." I had a similar response at State Quad, and I heard that Alumni
Quad wanted theirs too.
So after putting out all
the packets I went back home, had Raizy help figure out which Menorah tops
go with which bottoms, and Moshe helped me bring around a Menorah to each
Quad. While we didn't put out the bulbs yet, at least each Quad has their
Menorah. It was refreshing to know that there's a real interest in having
the Menorahs out. That's holiday music to my ears! |
|
|
updated
12/6/06 |
|
Pre-Chanukah Table
12/6/06 |
While Chanukah is still two
weeks away, semester's end and finals season is just about upon us, and we
wanted to start getting the word out and reminding folks of this bright,
luminous time ahead. So we had a
pre-Chanukah table at the Campus Center. Some paperwork didn't pan
out as planned, so while we started off upstairs in the CC lobby (where
tabling belongs) we ended up downstairs by Dreidels - because of a
misunderstanding. Either way, many students stopped by to say hello, grab a
packet or sign-up for the Latke-Eating contest!
"8 Crazy Lights" on Sunday
of Finals Week is the big Chanukah event this year, to be held in the Campus
Center Commons. See the
"8 Crazy Lights" page
for event info, details and a reason why these lights are indeed crazy... A
Happy Chanukah to one and all, and best wishes with papers, reviews and
finals... |
|
|
