Community Blog

High Holidays 5772 - 2011... ( Read More » )

So many of us were appalled by the news of the riots in England this past week and were deeply concerned for the welfare of the Jewish community as well as the many “law abiding” British citizens. Thank G-d things have quieted down there and we pray for those who were affected during the riots.

The location at which the riots began last Saturday, outside the Tottenham police station, reminds me of a significant period of my childhood and of the term “YIDZ” that became nickname for Tottenham Hotspurs, (a British football team).... ( Read More » )

Just hours prior to this past Yom kippur, I received a message on my voice mail from Jeff Naparstek, an individual in our community who I hadn’t yet had the honor to meet. Jeff very much wanted to come to see the shul before Yom Kippur, if it was possible. So, about an hour and half before Kol nidrei, when I was over at the Chabad House, I invited Jeff to join me. We put on tefillin and we began to talk, when I mentioned the Rebbe, his eyes lit up and he excitedly told me that he had been part of the technical crew who filmed the big farbrengen in honor of the Rebbe’s eightieth birthday. He also mentioned that he had received a Tanya from the Rebbe.... ( Read More » )

I always knew that Chabad was a great place to meet new people and form new friendships. However, what happened on Tuesday night at the women circle event took meeting people to a whole new level.

Robin and Lori joined Devora on Tuesday night to learn how to braid and bake challah. As Robin sat down at the crowded table she noticed what she thought was a familiar face. She asked Lori if she recognized her, but Lori did not. So Robin asked Lori what her maiden name was, and when they exchanged their maiden names there wasn’t a women in the room who didn’t hear the gasp and shock, and the “oh my G-d”. Lori and Robin’s parents are first cousins, and the two had not seen each other for fifteen years.... ( Read More » )

It is with pleasure that we share the good news of the birth of a beautiful and healthy baby girl to our dear friends, Marty and Ileana Flics this evening. Both mother and baby are doing well. we wish them a hearty Mazal tov.

As it is customary to name a baby girl at the first Torah reading possible, which was this morning, Monday, Feb. 13. The baby was named "Sarah Chana" at the Torah this morning at the Tenafly Chabad.... ( Read More » )

During the past week, it seemed that every radio station I tuned into reported the “outbreak” of potholes that are appearing all over the roads and the damages they have caused so many vehicles. I started paying more attention to the potholes and was reminded of the teaching of the Baal Shem tov that “everything a Jew sees or hears should serve him as a lesson in his service of his Creator". I realized that there must be a lesson that I can learn from the potholes.

The Cause: Water and Coldness. ... ( Read More » )

When Devora and I bought our house on Long Island, it needed much renovation, countless hours were spent designing, choosing colors, shopping for materials etc. At that time, our daughter Mushka's pre-school class was learning the letter “H”, and the teacher asked the class if anyone knew a word which begins with H. She prompted the children with “it’s somewhere you go when you’re on vacation, it’s a ho…” of course our Mushka knew and proudly called out, “Home Depot”!

At last everything was in place, our house looked fantastic, yet something was still missing. Only when the sounds of our daughters playing, singing and laughing could... ( Read More » )

Our deepest condolences to pur dear friends Dan and Michal Drillich and  family on the passing of Dan's father Shaul Drillich z”l of Bnei Brak, Israel. Dan will be sitting Shiva at his parent’s home in Bnei Brak.

May G-d console the esteemed family, together with all those that mourn Zion and Jerusalem. ... ( Read More » )

Our deepest condolences to the London family on the passing of mom/grandma Mrs. Marilyn London of Norwood, NJ Miriam bas Avrohom Yeshaye, of blessed memory [wife of Martin and mother of Robert, Joseph, Debra Ellison and Daniel]

Marlyn's grandson Aaron is a member of the Chabad teen club.

The funeral took place this past Friday. Shiva will be observed tonight, Jan. 25 from 7 - 9 pm (possibly tomorrow night too) at 715 Blanche Ave, Norwood, NJ Click here for directions.... ( Read More » )

Have you ever asked yourself the important questions? About yourself and your relationships?

Have you ever wondered about your purpose in life? And why life is often such a struggle?... ( Read More » )

On Tuesday night billions around the world tuned in to watch and witness a truly remarkable miracle. 33 miners plunge into two months of darkness 2,000 feet below the surface, disconnected from their source. After 69 days of eternity, the moment they were praying for, had arrived. Their dream became a reality. They would finally see the light of day, the joy of freedom, the hug of their loved ones, and the tears of their children.

Much has and will be written on this incredible story but one thing struck me when I myself first tuned in to the story. The news kept emphasizing that the miners survival was due to the tremendous unity that they displayed. In fact, togetherness is what initially saved the miners when an estimated 700,000... ( Read More » )

Friends, Rabbi Chanina, one of the great Talmudic sages, once commented, "I have learned much from my teachers, I have learned even more from my friends, and most of all, I learned from my students."

Unfortunately, during the past six months I lost a teacher, a friend and a student. My Alef Beis teacher, Reb Ovadia Ben Reb Nachman Zev Obm, or Rabbi Schtroks as we knew him, a Chossid, from the former soviet Union, passed away early this week at the age of 90. Our dear Friend, and founding member of our community, Moshe Chaim Ben Dovid Obm Max Griffel, passed away on May 23rd at the age of 86, (I acknowledge his dear wife Margaret) and a student of mine, Nosson Nota Ben Zalman Yuda Obm passed away on May 2nd in a tragic accident... ( Read More » )

A couple days ago I was introduced to an elderly couple, both holocaust survivors who lost a large part of their family during the war. When I asked the husband if he would like to do the Mitzvah of putting on Tefillin, he refused.

In his native tongue, Yiddish, he began to describe the atrocities of the holocaust and the terrible scenes he had witnessed during those dark days and then he continued, “After the holocaust, I turned to the Ribono Shel Olam (Master of the Universe) and vowed that I will never put on tefillin again in my life”.

His response took me by surprise; I have met many who claimed to lose their faith following the holocaust and those whose faith were strengthened as a result of their survival. Here is... ( Read More » )

On Sunday morning, May 23 (Sivan 10) we learned of the passing of our dear and beloved friend, Dr. Max Griffel, Moshe Chaim Ben Dovid obm at the age of 86.  My heartfelt condolences to his wife, Margaret, brother Myron, sons James & Howard and grandchildren.... ( Read More » )

It is a rare occurrence when one has the opportunity to observe firsthand the inspiring impact of his or her own words on another human being and to bear witness to a deed that resulted directly from those words. This is the case of someone from our own community who was so moved by one of Rabbi Lewis’ sermons on Erev Rosh Hashana that this person proactively set out to follow those words. 

While sitting in a doctor’s office, the Chabad of Old Tappan Community member made the acquaintance of another patient also waiting to be called by the medical staff in the office which was located in a distant town. The banter between the two, although brief, seemed warm and connected. The patient was an 89-year old... ( Read More » )