April 2025
Crunching into Tradition
Over the years, many of you have enjoyed Shmurah Matzah at your Passover Seder. What makes this matzah special?
Shmurah matzah is round and handmade, just like the Matzah the Israelites baked on their way out of Egypt. It's watched like a hawk from harvest to table, ensuring no water touches the grain, flour, or matzah.
Matzah symbolizes faith—reminding us how the Israelites relied on a little Matzah and a lot of G‑d to sustain them in the desert.
So, let’s crunch into tradition and faith!
Happy Passover!
March 2025
Bibas Children
The whole hostage crisis in Israel has been on everyone’s mind for over 500 days, but interestingly, the loss of the Bibas babies took the pain to a whole new level. Jews the world over were touched to the core, feeling as if it was their own family member.
In Judaism, children are our most precious treasure. In the upcoming Purim story, Mordechai gathered thousands of children in Shushan to beseech G‑d on behalf of the Jewish people. This prayer vigil was the turning point of the story and brought about the miracle of Purim. Children are the conduit between us and G‑d.
February 2025
California Fires
The devastating fires in California touched every one of us. The scenes of destruction of full neighborhoods and communities breaks our heart.
The Baal Shem Tov, founder of the Chassidic movement, taught us that everything that happens in the world, has a lesson for us in the service of G‑d.
One of the unique natures of fire is that it can spread very fast. When you do a mitzvah with fiery love, excitement and enthusiasm, it will spread like a wildfire… .
- Rabbi Zushe Greenberg
January 2025
President Carter and the Menorah
In 1973 the Lubavitcher Rebbe introduced a campaign to install outdoor giant menorahs in the most public places to inspire and encourage Jewish pride.
On the fourth night of Chanukah 1979, President Jimmy Carter lit the Shamash on the brand new giant Menorah in Washington, D.C., right across the street of the White House.
It is not a coincidence that 45 years later, at the age of 100, former President Carter passed away on the fourth night of Chanukah! What better way for G‑d to tell us all how important was this act of showing solidarity with the Jewish people and promoting the idea of spreading light in the world.