January 2019
It’s the Twentieth!
In January of 2000, the first Solon Chabad newsletter was printed. For the next 19 years, each month, a newsletter was published.
As we enter the twentieth year, it’s time to take a pause and reflect.
When the first newsletter appeared, we were still in the basement of the Solon Professional Building on Aurora Road. What a journey!
This is an opportune time to thank G‑d for all the blessings and thank all of you for joining us on this wonderful and exciting undertaking.
Looking forward to many more years of fun together!
February 2019
60 Days of Good Luck
Super Bowl Sunday is a day of celebration across the United States and no matter who wins, it will lead us straight into two months of happiness.
The joyous holiday of Purim is always in the month of Adar, and therefore the whole month is considered a month of happiness and good luck.
This year is a Jewish leap year, which means that an extra month is added to our calendar.
Which month is added? Of course, the most joyous month! So we end up with two Adars.
Adar begins this week – looking forward to sixty days of good Mazel and happiness!
March 2019
Spaceship Beresheet
Israel is very proud to be the fourth nation to send a spaceship to the moon. Following the superpowers of America, China and Russia, this is truly an amazing accomplishment.
The spacecraft was manufactured in Israel, but when it came time to launch it, they needed to send it from Cape Canaveral in Florida. A spaceship is nice, but to send it to outer space, a good launching pad is a must.
Every Jew is G‑d’s spacecraft in this world. To make sure it accomplishes its mission, you need a good launching base – a solid Jewish education.
April 2019
Feeling Safe in Israel
When you read the news about Israel, it sounds pretty scary. Missiles, bombs, sirens, terrorist attacks…
But when you are actually walking the streets of Israel, you feel totally safe. Business is booming and the country is flourishing. If you wouldn’t hear the news, you would never know that you are living in a place that is under attack.
As the Rebbe already said in 1991 to Michael Siegal, who was then the Chairman of Israel Bonds in America, “Israel is one of the surest places on the globe.”
May 2019
California Shooting
I'm sure you have heard of the tragic attack on Chabad in Poway, California this week.
Rabbi Goldstein, who lost an index finger in this attack, spoke to the press as he walked out of the hospital, with both hands in casts.
In the spirit of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who taught us to always turn pain into growth, he made a plea to the Jewish community to show solidarity to his community by gathering this Shabbos in Synagogues all over the world.
Join us this week as we dedicate the Shabbat morning service to the Jews in Poway.
June 2019
The Holiday with No Luck!
75% of American Jews celebrate the holiday of Passover in one form or another. A similar percentage celebrates Chanukah. 59% fast on Yom Kippur. But how many Jews celebrate Shavuot?
Some holidays have more Mazel (luck) than others. For some reason, Shavuot, the holiday when G‑d gave the Ten Commandments to the Jewish people, received the short end of the stick.
The Rebbe embarked on a campaign to change the attitude towards Shavuot and Chabad all over the world invites young children to be present when the Ten Commandments will be read from the Torah on Sunday, June 9th. See you there!
July 2019
Silver Anniversary
On July 6th, we commemorate 25 years since the passing of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, leader of the Chabad movement.
The word silver, in hebrew is Kesef, which is the root of the word “Kisufin” – Longing.
Personally, as one who had the merit to be in the Rebbe’s presence every day for six years, such a day awakens deep longing for the Rebbe.
The Rebbe’s love, selflessness & dedication to the Jewish people was tangible. When you were in his presence you felt elevated.
25 years later, the Rebbe lives on in the heart and action of everyone that walks in his footsteps.
August 2019
The Saddest Day
A Jew is always expected to be joyous. Serving G‑d with joy is the secret for Jewish survival. Optimism became the hallmark of Jewish people.
But is there any time that a Jew is allowed to be sad, or lament their lot in life? Is there a day that you are permitted to feel bad for yourself?
August 11th is Tisha B’av, and Jews the world over get together to mourn the loss of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. This is the day set aside to mourn all the communal as well as private calamities.
The rest of the year, only joy!
September 2019
Lungs of the Planet
The Amazon Rainforest is burning and the whole world is on fire; outraged by the loss of oxygen that is being caused on this planet.
The Baal Shem Tov, founder of the Chassidic movement, taught us that everything that happens has a message for us.
The Torah is the spiritual oxygen of the world and a compass for morality. Every society that lives by its laws, is a moral and giving society.
While the world is fighting for the limited physical oxygen, Judaism is offering an unlimited amount of spiritual oxygen.
Let’s take a deep breath!
October 2019
Avinu Malkenu
In Israel, the public cannot come to an agreement who should be the leader of the country. In the United States, the public is also divided about their leadership.
This coming week, on Rosh Hashana, we will enjoy a rare moment of unity when Jews all over the world will come together to blow the shofar, announcing that G‑d is Avinu Malkenu, our Father and our King.
Once a year, we recognize that the ultimate leader of all leaders, is
G‑d. We pray that His Leadership should be with kindness and mercy.
Shana Tova
November 2019
It’s All About Who
Mort Mandel, who passed away this month, was one of the greatest Jewish philanthropist of our generation. He authored a book named, "It's All About Who You Hire and How they Lead" telling his secrets for success.
The basis of his conviction is that a single individual has the power to change the world.
This is the very foundation of Chabad philosophy; that every individual has the power to change the world - one Mitzvah at a time.
Don’t look around you to find leaders – just look in the mirror!
December 2019
Cyber Monday
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the two most important shopping days of the year!
In 2018, Cyber Monday sales hit $7.9 billion in the US and Black Friday's reached $6.2 billion, - both breaking records.
It’s interesting to note that the Saturday in between was skipped. One explanation is that people like to shop while they are at work, but really it’s Divine Providence.
Perhaps, G‑d wants to hint to us that Shabbat is not a shopping day. It’s a day of spiritual recharge; a day to light candles, have Shabbat dinner and attend Services.
Looking forward to seeing you on Shabbos!