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.

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.

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.

Baseball in Israel

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.

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.

• 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!

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!

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!

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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
 

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

Of course, a profound lesson in the power of each and every moment, never let a second go to waste!

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.

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.

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.

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.
 

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.

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!

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!

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!

Pre-Chanukah Table
12/6/06

"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...

Dr. Setzen spoke during the meal about growing up in South Africa, confronting anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment in his college years there, and about his emigration to Canada and then the US and their move to Albany and their involvement in the community here. Mrs. Setzen encouraged graduating students to find jobs in the area and settle down locally.

Moshe (6 going on 7) piped up and said that he thinks that's a great example, because when the Jewish People left Egypt they also left with presents, the gold and silver (Rechush Gadol) taken from the Egyptians. Now that was one relevant comment from a six year old! Obviously, he was listening in on this learning night, and to his classes in school!

Following dinner (and bringing the couches and chairs back inside) there was a small Farbrengen in honor of Chaf-Cheshvan, the birthday of the Rebbe Rashab, the 5th Lubavitch Rebbe. Stories, a little L'chaim, and singing went on till about midnight.

After a fairly on-time Minyan at Chapel House, Shabbat Day was Kiddush-style at Shabbos House. In honor of the Bar/Bat-Mitzvah anniversaries of Justin Hirsch, Zohar Kastner and Kimi Wolk (it's also Marc Hayut, Sara Schwedelson, and alumnus Steve Kessler) the set-up was a little different with a buffet luncheon, with unusual extras like herring, kichel cracker and dips platters and extra desserts.

We did a kid-swap this week! Mushkie, Chani and Sara went to the Laber's house in Troy for Shabbos, and we got Ezriel Laber who is Moshe's good friend. It was a little quieter in Shabbos House all weekend. Moshe and Azriel played beautifully and independently and even included baby Bassie who kind of felt left out.

Then on the way back home we had a blowout. Luckily we pulled over to the shoulder in time. The tire rubber wasn't merely flat under the wheel, it was off the wheel - on the side of it. We waited on the Thruway for a tow-truck - who was very nice and helpful. Another Albany family was also in Monsey for another occasion and they picked up our kids while we spent the night in Newburgh NY. In the morning we had the tire replaced at Sears, and got back to Albany at noon on Monday.

Following the brunch a great team of students helped us get the Sukkah down, boards away and all. Thank you, thank you to all who helped put Sukkot away - it was truly a great holiday together and we appreciate all the help in making it happen.

One small mishap, when putting the great central board up in the attic, a square of the Shabbos House ceiling came down, hope it is repaired in time for Shabbat!

It took some time to get started at Chapel House on Shabbos Morning, but we got a great Minyan, and the Legums pitched in with the Torah Reading. We blessed the new month (but as usual forgot to announce the Molad) and headed back in time to Shabbos House for Lunch. 8 Tables were set-out at Shabbos House for Lunch which included students regulars, parents and some alumni up here for the weekend for reunions (Class of 1976 and 1981 especially). Later in the afternoon some more Class of 1981 alumni came over.

Backstage after the concert, a group of UAlbany students, Rabbi Mendel & Raizy, a group of HACD students and Albany folks gathered for a Maariv Minyan with Matisyahu and got a few pictures in as well.

But it's also a hectic, crazy time. Hundreds and hundreds of meals to prepare, rooms to set-up and rearrange dozens of times, and the endless search to find room where to put things. The kids need a little space and quality time, too. So while we miss the exciting times together, we're also happy that we have a time to get the place back in order, spend time with the kids and keep the good year going strong.

Putting away a holiday this grand isn't easy. And now its Mid-Term season. People are swamped with work, especially with the holiday pile-up. But thanks to a few people who came over (Mike Nissan, Laura Novello, and Jon Pillischer and Brian Dreyfuss, plus Motti Rubin, the Backman brothers and Rabbi Israel Rubin) we got the tents down and put away, the Schach off and away, and now all that's left is the Sukkah walls.

to be filled in soon...

Now, students go without saying! You guys are all that Shabbos House is about. So we'd like to make a special welcome to guests who are not here all year 'round and join us just for the holiday.

This is the 10th year that Raizy's family - the Galperin's - join us for the entire week of Sukkos and Simchas Torah. We are now beginning our 10th year at Shabbos House and they've been here every year.

Since that first year: Estie got married to Schneur Greenberg and opened Commerce Chabad in Michigan, Chanie married Chaim Lazaroff and moved to Chabad of Houston, Elkie married Moshe Wolf and moved to Skokie where they have a Chabad House and assist in the Cheder School adminsitration, Nechama Dina married Sholom Ber Hendel of Israel and Rivky married Levi Gansburg of Toronto. Nechama Dina and Sholom Ber will be joining us for Simchat Torah weekend!

Shachar Luz is a recent graduate of U-Illinois at Champagne-Urbana, and works as an engineer at MSE Power on Route 155. He now lives at 320 and is a huge help with Minyans, individual study-sessions and many other things. We're very pleased to have his parents join us for the entire week of Sukkot. They came all the way from Chicago. His dad researches for Motorola and his mom is an accomplished educator.

On the first day of Sukkot we were pleased and honored to welcome Professor Rachel Harris of the Judaic Studies Program. On the 2nd day of Sukkot we were pleased to meet Halle Steinberg's mom, who told us of her old Chabad connections with Rabbi Borenstein in Bologna Italy, years back. We were also pleased to meet a Mr. Jordan Rosenfeld a Social Studies teacher from Manhattan.
 

Regardless we are very, very thankful to those students who came over and joyously participated in making the Sukkah! A huge thanks to Rabbi Mendel's brothers: Rabbi Abba Rubin of Saratoga Chabad, Rabbi Yossi of Clifton Park Chabad and Bnos Chaya HS, and Efraim who put drill to screw, hammer to nail and plenty of elbow grease to make it go up!

And the BBQ wings were great, not to mention the burgers and hotdogs.

We ended up davening at Shabbos House instead of Chapel House on Shabbat morning, and had a larger than expected crowd, considering all the students who went home. Minyan was rough at first, but at the end we had more than usual. We even squeezed in a Seudah Shlishit at the close of Shabbos.

Then our insurance man called and said we needed to tinker 'round the house to make sure we make the grade - which is why we have the emergency lights and Exit Signs installed and lit up, and we worked frfor the better part of two days to clear out a ton of junk from the basement, some of it from before our time at Shabbos House. We put up new shelving down there, got new bins, organized and tossed a whole lot of clutter. It was a good incentive to get it done, long overdue - but bad timing in this busy season.

It's also been harder for us to get the Schach this year. We called around and so far no great shakes. Hopefully by next week Wednesday we will have the cover we need for the Sukkah Building BBQ.

9/24/06

On Sunday afternoon, the 2nd day of Rosh Hashanah, we walked back (took us about an hour and fifteen minutes) to Shabbos House for a small ceremony for those students who didn't make it home or locally to synagogue. About 15 or so came over to hear the Shofar (the central Mitzvah of the holiday), say a few selected prayers, and eat a meal of the traditional holiday foods: round, raisin-challah; apple dipped in honey; pomegranate; new, exotic fruits and sweet apple and carrot kugels. Then, as it was getting dark, we walked over to Indian Lake to do the Tashlich waterside prayer. Thanks to all who participated. It was a short, enjoyable, yet meaningful experience.
 

Our best wishes to each and everyone of you for a Shana Tova, a Happy, Healthy and Sweet New Year filled with many blessings. Ksiva vaChasima Tova - may you be inscribed and sealed for a good year!

We feel blessed and are grateful to have so many dear and close friends. We look forward to being in touch in the year ahead, may it be filled with good news and joyous tidings.

Thank you for all you've done for Shabbos House and our family - we treasure your friendship!

Mendel and Raizy, Mushkie, Chani, Moshe, Sara and Bassie.
 

9/1-2/06

We had on-time well-attended Minyans for all 3 prayers, thanks to visiting parents, Motti Wein ('06) up from New York, Matt Freedman ('02) visiting for the weekend, and a Chabad couple observing Shabbos House as they plan to do the same on another University across the country.

It was especially wonderful to welcome the Botbul, Gavronsky and Gossin families of incoming freshmen and the Kastner and Rolnick families of upperclassmen, and celebrate Shabbat together.

On Friday Night we celebrated quite a number of birthdays and at the 3rd Meal of Shabbat over some Pirkei Avot Talk we celebrated John Taylor's birthday, and he reflected on his experience this summer at the Ivy League Torah Study Program in the Catskills.

8/30/06

The training session came over to Shabbos House for lunch. Over fettuccine alfredo and cavatapi pasta with sauce, we did a text study on the lessons and legacy of the late UAlbany President Kermit Hall and his exemplary leadership as reflected in Torah. See more about remembering President Hall, and the PDF file of the Torah texts reflecting President Hall's leadership qualities.

8/28/06

We had a great time on the rides. Little Sara is quite brave, she went on everything from the Tilt-a-whirl to the Scrambler and Roller-Coaster. Plus that park has a lot of character, animals and colorful displays - so even Bassie had a good time pointing things out. (There are a number of Christian holiday displays, so we didn't try everything). Before we left we went down to the waterfront of Lake George, and spread out a blanket and enjoyed a quiet picnic at the waterfront.

8/27/06

Efraim (Fred) and Shoshana (Stacey Wolinetz) of the Class of 2001 had a newborn baby boy and we were lucky that the Lotwin Bris was on the same day as Jason Nadel's ('99) wedding to Roni Grill in Cedarhurst. In one day, thanks to these two joyous occasions we saw more than 30 alumni friends!

Also the same day, we saw Ben Lieb ('04) whom we haven't seen since he left for Israel a year ago, and thankfully we were able to catch up before he leaves for studying in Israel again this week. He came along with us from Brooklyn to Queens for the Lotwin Bris.