Dear Friend,
This isn’t a fwd’d email about some or another story of anti-semitism in Europe. It’s a personal story, happening today, literally, that touches me deeply, and if you read the next few lines I think it will touch you as well.
Malmo, Sweden is Europe’s hotbed of militant anti-Semitism and when President Obama sent his special envoy on Anti Semtisim, Mrs. Hannah Rosenthal, to Sweden she met with my dear colleague Rabbi Shneur Kesselman - who has been dubbed by the Atlantic Magazine as probably “the most persecuted Jew in Europe.” She left the meeting very concerned hearing what his family are going through. READ MORE BELOW >
Can you feel Chanukah in the air?
Community:
- Please be sure to come on out and look for our exciting booth at ChanukahFest next Sunday, Dec. 6! An amazing day, including a free concert by 8th Day and fireworks!
- In our neighborhood: on Tuesday, Dec. 8, we have the Post Oak Menorah lighting - Chanukah on Fire! in cooperation with the Uptown district and sponsored by Post Oak Bank! We need volunteers - please let us know if you can join the team! - www.chabaduptown.org/fire
- Community Chanukah Shabbat Dinner on Friday, Dec. 11, Sixth night of Chanukah - RSVP required (be sure to indicate "Chanukah" in note field)
Young Professionals:
- Get in the Chanukah mode next week for December "Greek" First Fridays - Enjoy an authentic
Greek Shabbat dinner with other Young Jewish Professionals at this month's YJP First Fridays Dinner & Cocktails! - FACEBOOK - YJP Houston Presents: Chanukah in the Sky - Join Houston Young Jewish Professionals in their 20s and 30s for an elegant evening of Chanukah delicacies, music, drinks, and stunning views of the city from the private rooftop lounge at the new Skyhouse at River Oaks. See who else is coming here. GAIN ACCESS: Here.
Mazel tov Yigal and Lauren Rappeport upon their wedding and welcome back to Houston! We will host the customary Sheva brachot on Friday night and Shabbat day. Please let us know if you plan to join so we know how many to expect.
Shabbos Parshas Vayishlach
Friday, November 27
Candle Lighting at 5:04 pm
Services at 6:30 pm
followed by Shabbos dinner & Sheva brochos | RSVP
Shabbos, November 28
Chassidus at 9:00 am
Services at 10 am
Followed by Shabbos Kiddush & Farbrengen
Mincha at 5:05 pm
Maariv, Havdalla & Shabbos Ends at 6:00 pm
Living Torah
Have a good Shabbos!
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & YouTube @youngchabad!
Dear Friend,
This isn’t a fwd’d email about some or another story of anti-semitism in Europe. It’s a personal story, happening today, literally, that touches me deeply, and if you read the next few lines I think it will touch you as well.
Malmo, Sweden is Europe’s hotbed of militant anti-Semitism and when President Obama sent his special envoy on Anti Semtisim, Mrs. Hannah Rosenthal, to Sweden she met with my dear colleague Rabbi Shneur Kesselman - who has been dubbed by the Atlantic Magazine as probably “the most persecuted Jew in Europe.” She left the meeting very concerned hearing what his family are going through.
Shneur & and his wife Raizel & their 4 children have been the victims of over 200 anti-Semitic incidents in the 11 years of their service to the Jewish community in Malmö, Sweden. Nevertheless they remain steadfast in their position, providing a lifeline of Yiddishkeit to the 1500 Jewish residents of Malmö - who otherwise would be left with no spiritual leadership.
In the wake of the attacks in Paris, and the growing militant population in Malmö, the Kesselmans need to relocate to a residence in close proximity to the Shul:
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This avoids the treacherous 20 minute distance to Shul (during which most of the attacks have happened).
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Once they own a property they can fully secure it with all necessary security installations, on advice of local, Israeli and USE security consultants (including bullet proof windows, video surveillance, better access control, etc).
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This will establish a safe and secure space for their vital services to the communityincludingShabbat and Holiday Meals, Classes, Events for all ages and backgrounds, and of course awarm home for any Jew seeking encouragement, friendship and positive Jewish experiences.
The plight of these brave fellow Jews has been brought to my attention, & it would mean a great deal to me if you were able to join me in helping them.
A property suitable for all these needs has recently become available and with contributions from significant donors, as well as loans, the lions sum of the costs has been reached and now it’s $360,000.00 which remains to be covered. However, the Kesselmans need to come up with the money by the end of this week!
Malmö is a community with minimal funds, so a group of friends of Rabbi Shneur & Raizel Kesselman, have joined together to help them come up with these funds, before this crucial opportunity is lost.
I am a close friend of the Kesselmans, and I hope today you will be as well.
Today they are holding a matching fundraising campaign in which every dollar donated is worth double!!
(i.e. $100 = $200, $600 = $1200, $1800 = $3600 etc.)
This cause is very urgent & hopefully the goal can be reached, however the campaign is ALL OR NOTHING, and if the goal of $180,000.00 isn’t reached before the end of the campaign period then everything is returned.
CLICK HERE to join the UptownTeam Houston, friends of Rabbi Shneur and Raizel Kesselman
Please, join me & donate whatever you are able to give to this vital and crucial cause. Then it would be a great help if you would share this with your friends & on your social media.
Wishing you all the best & may we hear good news.
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie - and the UptownTeam Houston friends of Malmo's Rabbi Shneur
