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ב"ה

Shul Bulletin

Urgent Message From Rubashkin Children

Bs"d

This has been a tremendous nisayon for our entire family, every single day. We are so grateful to all of you for all you have done and what we have accomplished in this fight for our father's life. 

There is one last legal mechanism that can free our beloved father and reunite our family. It is called ahabeas corpus petition in which one argues any constitutional rights that were denied; it's also known as a "2255". 

We have been researching and interviewing many lawyers and thank G-d we have a great legal team in place that's ready to take this to the finish line, with G-d's help. They have won an impressive amount of habeas petitions and we feel very confident that they are our emissaries from G-d to bring about the ultimate great news we are all so desperately waiting for. 

The deadline to file this petition is in 5 months and we have barely started yet (there is a massive amount of work) because we don’t have funds to move forward. We desperately need to raise the funds to pay for this legal team as we’re running out of time. 

We know everyone has already helped out so much but this is basically our last chance in the legal arena. If every person reading this email can help out with $18 (or any number you can) together we can make this a reality. 

To make a donation you can: 
1) Go to www.justiceforsholom.org/donate 
2) Email your pledge to [email protected] with a phone number to call you back 
3) Call or text 615-378-7461 and someone from will call you back BEH to receive the credit card info 
4) Mail check to Klal Yisroel Fund, 53 Olympia Lane, Monsey, NY 10952 
Please pass this on to your contacts! 

On this holy day of Lag Baomer may this unprecedented unity and Ahavas Yisroel bring about the ultimate and final redemption for us all! 

With deep gratitude, 
Roza Hindy, Getzel, Shmuly, Meir Simcha, Mushka, Yossi, Moshe, Mendel, Menucha Rochel and Uziel Rubashkin

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

PS. More info on this effort:

CRITICAL DEADLINE IN THE RUBASHKIN CASE APPROACHING 
Legal Team Assembled for Next Stage in Sholom Rubashkin’s Fight for Justice 

Sentenced to a draconian 27 years behind bars, Sholom Rubashkin’s case, which began in 2008, has had international support from hundreds of former Department of Justice officials, federal judges, law professors, congressmen, and senators, as well as tens of thousands of citizens across the country. He now faces one last chance to fight for justice and freedom from the US Courts by filing a post-conviction motion, known as a Section 2255. 

The clock is ticking for Sholom Rubashkin whose mandatory filing deadline for the Section 2255 is October 1, 2013. Jim Wyrsch and J.R. Hobbs of the prestigious Wyrsch Hobbs Mirakian law firm in Kansas City will be spearheading this effort. Together, Wyrsch and Hobbs have successfully litigated numerous post-conviction cases in the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, including Section 2255 motions. They will be joined by sentencing guru Professor Douglas Berman who is a nationally recognized authority on criminal law and sentencing. 

Regarding Rubashkin’s case, Professor Doug Berman said, "2255 actions are not only the only way, but often the very best way, to unearth and document flaws in the prosecution and sentencing of a defendant in a high-profile case. The best lawyers have a terrific track record of getting death sentences reversed through habeas appeals and Mr. Rubashkin is serving a functional death sentence." 

Leah Rubashkin, Sholom’s wife, says, “I am hopeful that the funds can be pulled together to retain this incredible power team as soon as possible, especially considering the quickly approaching deadline. Today is Sholom Rubashkin’s 1336th day in prison. Our entire family is davening heart and soul, along with so many of Klal Yisroel, to be reunited with Sholom Mordechai right away!” 

For more information on Sholom Rubashkin's case, please visit www.justiceforsholom.org.

Announcements

  • For the Kol Yakov Yehuda newsletter click here
  • Please say Tehillim for Shmuel Choni ben Leah, Rochel Bas Simcha Chaya, Devorah Miriam bas Sarah and for Rachamim Oscar ben Rochel.

Shabbos Schedule

  • Shiur Chassidus with Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
  • Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:16 pm
  • Last Time To Read Shema: 9:28 am
  • Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
  • Shacharis: 10:00 am
  • Kol Yakov Yehuda: 10:15 am 
  • Mesibos Shabbos for Girls: 3:30 pm in Shul
  • Shiur in Pirkei Avos by Rabbi Raichik: 6:15 pm 
  • Mincha: 7:15 pm - Pirkei Avos - Perek 2
  • Shabbos Ends: 8:19 pm

Sholom Zochor

 Rabbi & Mrs. Shmueli Pinson
Invite the community to a Sholom Zochor
at 102 S Mansfield Ave (corner 1st St)

Kiddush Sponsors

  • Dr. & Mrs. Ze'ev Rav-Noy for the yahrtzeit of Dr. Ze'ev Rav-Noy’s brother Baruch ben Yehudah Mordechai ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Rabbi & Rebbitzen Shimon Raichik for the yahrtzeit of Rebbitzen Chana Leeba Raichik’s father Yaakov ben Menachm Mendel Hilel ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
    Also for the yahrtzeit of Rebbitzen Chana Leeba Raichik’s mother Rivka bas Yisroel Noach ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Rafael Gutierrez in honor of the birth of their daughter Soro Rochel. May they have much nachas from her and may she grow up to Torah, to Chupa and to Maasim Tovim.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Reuven Horwitz for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Reuven Horwitz’s father David ben Yitzchok ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Dovid Kagan in honor of Mr. Dovid Kagan’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Yitzchok Michael in honor of Mr. Yitzchok Michael’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Avrohom Plotkin in honor of Mr. Avrohom Plotkin’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus. 
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Gershon Schusterman for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Gershon Schusterman's mother Henya Chasha Bas Zusman ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Berl Sroka for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Mindy Sroka’s mother Shaindel bas Moshe Yitzchok ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
    Also in honor of Chaim Dovid Sroka’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

The kiddush for the early minyan is sponsored by:

  • Rabbi & Mrs. Yecheskel Raeburn in honor of the birth and bris of their son Shmuel. May they have much nachas from him and may he grow up to Torah, to Chupa and to Maasim Tovim.

Women's Shabbos Shiur & Farbrengen

 At the home of Mrs.  Yocheved Lezak
423 N Fuller Ave.
6:00 pm
Speaker: Rabbi Levi Kramer

Mazal Tov To

  • Rabbi & Mrs. Shmueli Pinson on the birth of their son. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Nochum Pinson and to the entire Pinson family.

Upcoming Birthdays:

  • Yisroel Aryeh Leib Habibian - 6 Iyar
  • Mr. Avrohom Plotkin - 8 Iyar
  • Mr. Dovid Kagan - 9 Iyar
  • Sholom Dovber Berkowitz - 9 Iyar
  • Shmuel Dovid Yehoshua Perl - 11 Iyar
  • Chaim Dovid Sroka - 12 Iyar
  • Mr. Yitzchok Michael - 12 Iyar 

Upcoming Yahrtzeits:

  • David ben Yitzchok (Mr. Reuven Eliyahu Horwitz’s father) - 6 Iyar
  • Yaakov ben Menachm Mendel Hilel (Mrs. Chana Leeba Raichik’s father) - 6 Iyar
  • Yisroel ben Shneur Zalman Halevy (Rabbi Mendel Duchman’s father) - 6 Iyar
  • Henya Chasha Bas Zusman (Rabbi Gershon Schusterman' mother) - 7 Iyar 
  • Baruch ben Yehudah Mordechai (Dr. Ze'ev Rav-Noy’s brother) - 8 Iyar 
  • Shaindel bas Moshe Yitzchok (Mrs. Mindy Sroka’s mother) - 8 Iyar
  • Rivka bas Yisroel Noach (Mrs. Chana Leeba Raichik’s mother) - 9 Iyar
  • Ber ben Isroel (Mr. Mottel Polityko’s grandfather) - 11 Iyar

Devar Torah:

Niggunim in the life of a Chosid

Niggunim have always accompanied us throughout our history. A Chassidishe Niggun gets to the bottom of what very few have been able to fully describe and recognize about the true depth and power of niggunim. A niggun has the ability to awaken and illuminate the neshama bringing out its hidden depths. This occurs through singing niggunim with attention.

What makes Jewish niggunim different that all other forms of music? Niggunim contain a fire of kedusha. A higher beauty of kedusha rests upon a niggun. This is what is flowing within them, something that has been passed through our tradition for thousands of years.

Nigunim take up an important place in the Torah. Both ‘shir’ sung using the voice and ‘zimra’ played using instruments are mentioned throughout Tanach, Gemara, the Geonim, Rishonim and Achronim up to and including Kabbalah and Chassidus. Niggunim span from the early beginnings of the 8th generation of Yuval the “Father of all who hold harps and wind instruments” to the Shirah by the Yam Suf. They accompanied us through the desert, the generations of Devorah and David HaMelech who composed Tehillim beginning with; “To the choirmaster”. From the Levi’im who would sing niggunim in the Beis Hamikdash with their voices and their instruments until this very day niggunim have a central role in our connection to Hashem, His Torah as well as to each other.

The Previous Rebbe, in many places throughout his Sichos explains the different aspects of niggunim. In one place he says that a niggun expresses a person’s very life. An example of this is the niggun of Shamil (see below*). In another place he speaks about how a niggun awakens the neshama and penetrates one’s avodas Hashem.

On 3rd day of Sukkos 1966 the Rebbe quoted the Previous Rebbe’s saying that the tongue is the pen of the heart while a niggun is the pen of the soul. It expresses the soul of the one who composed it and reaches the soul of the one who is singing it.

On parshas Baaloscha 1967 the Rebbe said to begin the niggun of gimel tenuos from the Baal Shem Tov. During the singing there were people speaking in the background. The Rebbe said it is known that by singing a niggun, one connects with a deeper hiskashrus to the Rabbeim than through their Torah. It is like the he is standing in front of you.

The Previous Rebbe explains that at times when a chosid sings a niggun he is transported back to the moment that the niggun was sung together with the Rebbe. In 1906, on Acharon Shel Pesach, the Rebbe Rashab asked the Razah to sing the niggun of the Tzemach Tzedek that the Tzemach Tzedek sang in 1865, at the Moshiach seudah of Acharon Shel Pesach. At the seudah the Tzemach Tzedek said to his older son R Baruch Shalom that if you will sing the Moshiach Seudah niggunim the way the Zeideh (the Alter Rebbe) would, you should visualize the holy image of the Zeideh and the Shver (the Mittler Rebbe). Later the Razah said that that understanding in both nigleh and Chassidus arouses a character trait that is appropriate to that understanding. It is only afterwards that one can refine that trait. With regard to a niggun however, the arousal itself refines.

On Shvei shel Pesach 5707, the Previous Rebbe explained that a niggun has the power to pull a person out of where he is and bring him to Teshuva.

* From 1955-1963 the Rebbe would teach niggunim in the wee hours of the morning on Simchas Torah after Hakafos. Over these years he taught niggunim (A CD of these niggunim along with explanations is available at Chabad-Atara’s as well as other Jewish bookstores). In 1958 he told over a story in the name of Chassidim. Chassidim tell a story of a man named Shamil, a leader of assorted tribes that lived in Russia’s Caucasian Mountains over a century ago. The Russian army attacked these tribes, intending to deprive them of their freedom. Unable to vanquish the valiant warriors in battle, the Russian army leaders proposed a false peace treaty, and thus succeeded in getting them to lay down their arms. Immediately afterwards, the Russians lured the Caucasian leader, Shamil, away from his stronghold and imprisoned him.

Staring out of the window of his small narrow cell, Shamil reflected on his days of liberty in the past. In his current exile and helplessness, he bewailed his plight and yearned for his previous position of freedom and fortune. He consoled himself, however, with the hope that he would eventually be released from his imprisonment and return to his previous position with even more power and glory. It is the above thought that he expressed in this melancholy, yearning melody.

The Moral: The soul descends to this world from the heavens above, clothed in the earthly body of a human being. The soul's physical vestments here are really its prison cell, for it constantly longs for spiritual, heavenly fulfillments. The soul strives to free itself from the "exile" of the human body and its earthly pleasures by directing its physical being into the illuminated and living paths of Torah and Mitzvos.

Announcements

  • Kol Yakov Yehuda is back in full force this shabbos...and welcomes back all its Mispallelim. 
  • The Lechaim of Yerachmial Kuzecki and Naomi Gruber will IY"H take place on Monday, 2nd day of Rosh Chodesh Iyar/April 23, at 409 N Alta Vista Blvd. 7:30 pm.
  • We will IY"H be having a Mivtzoim booth at the Israeli Festival this year. Please join us next Sunday, Iyar 7/April 29, anytime from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm at Rancho Park. Together we will make the Rebbe proud and bring Moshiach Now! 
  • Please say Tehillim for Shmuel Choni ben Leah, Rochel Bas Simcha Chaya, Devorah Miriam bas Sarah and for Rachamim Oscar ben Rochel.

Shabbos Schedule

  • Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:11 pm
  • Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim: 8:15 am
  • Followed by a Shiur Chassidus with Rabbi Raichik
  • Tehillim Club: 9:00 am 
  • Last Time To Read Shema: 9:32 am
  • Early Minyan Shacharis: 10:00 am
  • Shacharis: 10:15 am
  • Kol Yakov Yehuda: 10:30 am 
  • Mesibos Shabbos for Girls: 3:30 pm in Shul
  • Shiur in Pirkei Avos by Rabbi Raichik: 6:10 pm 
  • Mincha: 7:10 pm - Pirkei Avos - Perek 1
  • Shabbos Ends: 8:14 pm
  • Molad of Chodesh Iyar: Shabbos, Nisan 29/April 21, 10:17 am + 3 chalakim 
  • Rosh Chodesh Iyar: Sunday & Monday, 1/April 22 & 23

Sholom Zochor

Rabbi and Mrs. Yechezkel Raeburn
Invite the community to a Sholom Zochor 
at 263 S Mansfield Ave.

Kiddush Sponsors

  • Mr. & Mrs. Milton Goodman in honor of Mrs. Frances Goodman’s birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Davidoff in honor of Mr. Moshe Davidoff’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
    Also in honor of their son Ephraim’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Goldman in honor of Rabbi Mendel Goldman’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Chaim Elya Kreitenberg in honor of Mr. Chaim Elya Kreitenberg’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Zalman Roth in honor of Mr. Zalman Roth’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Wolowik in honor of Rabbi Yosef Wolowik's birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

The kiddush for the early minyan is sponsored by:

  • Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Goldman in honor of Rabbi Mendel Goldman’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus. 

Women's Shabbos Shiur & Farbrengen

 At the home of Mrs. Ruchama Thaler
418 N Martel Ave.
6:00 pm
Speaker: Mrs. Chana Rachel Schusterman

Mazal Tov To

  • Yerachmiel Kuzecki and Naomi Gruber on their engagement.
  • Rabbi and Mrs. Yechezkel Raeburn on the birth of a son.
  • Mr. and Mrs. Rafael Gutierrez on the birth of a daughter.

Upcoming Birthdays:

  • Mr. Efraim Lezak - 29 Nisan
  • Chaim Vogel - 30 Nisan
  • Rabbi Mendel Goldman - 1 Iyar
  • Ephraim Davidoff - 3 Iyar
  • Mr. David Rafael Gutierrez - 4 Iyar
  • Mr. Moshe Davidoff - 4 Iyar
  • Rabbi Asher Habibian - 5 Iyar
  • Rabbi Sholom D. Langsam - 5 Iyar
  • Rabbi Ami Pykovski - 5 Iyar
  • Mr. Zalman Roth - 5 Iyar
  • Aryeh Hoffman - 5 Iyar

Devar Torah

This week is Parshas Shemini. The parsha discusses the laws of Kashrus. The laws of kashrus discuss which animals, fish and birds are kosher. Kashrus in general has various categories and many subjects. Although it is not technological, it is quite technical.

The Rebbe once said that after Pesach we should continue with aspects of Pesach throughout the year. So too, with regard to kashrus, we should carry over a Pesach perspective towards kashrus in that it should be kept with greater care.

Before Pesach, I spoke to a young man about growing up in Los Angeles. He responded by saying; “There wasn’t even one pizza shop or bakery? How could you live?” Somehow we survived without a pizza shop (I’m not sure if we could consider that a miracle). We need to remember that restaurants and stores that have a hechsher are according to the standards of the Rav HaMachshir or the Hashgacha. Even if it has the best Mashgiach we need to know that the Mashgiach goes according to the hechsher. This is true for catering as well. One may have a very high standard in their home. Taking a lesson from the customs of Pesach in that many are extremely careful about anything that comes from outside their home, so too, we need to be very aware of the differences between our standard at home and the establishments that we frequent.

When buying products for Pesach, even at stores with a hechsher, we know to check each and every label to be sure that it didn’t get moved or mixed up with the non-Pesach products. The products can often look similar. We can take a lesson for the rest of the year to have a similar care to be certain that the products are labeled as pas Yisroel and cholov Yisroel. This is because the store may be allowed to carry products that are not pas or cholov Yisroel.

On Pesach, we are very careful not to let a non-Jew cook without our being present. So too, throughout the year we need to be careful that people who come to clean should not cook for themselves in our kitchens. Updated appliances today usually do not have pilots, rather, they have automated ignition. This presents a problem with regard to bishul akum. If we are not careful, we may get into a situation that requires our entire kitchen be re-kashered. Especially if we are leaving the home for hours, there would be no way to know or stop them from using our kitchen. Some say; “I know my Maria, she would never do that.” You should know that Maria is the same as everyone else. When you leave the house there is a question if your house is kosher. The only option is to have a neighbor make unannounced visits, or to pop in and out throughout the day. If you are going away on vacation and you gave a key to your cleaning help to clean your house, then it is even more important. These halachos apply across the board to everyone, no matter what the reason that we leave the home. There is no difference with regard to halacha.

The Rebbe spoke in a sicha that when the calendar is the same as this year then Parshas Shmini is special. This is because we read Parshas Shmini eight times in Shul (between Mincha on Shabbos, Mondays, Thursdays and Shabbos). They saying goes; “shmini shmona shmeina”, which means, ‘when Parshas Shmini is read eight times it is abundant with blessing.’ It should be an abundant year filled with blessings in physical and spiritual for everyone. Most importantly, we should be zocheh to the most abundant blessing, the arrival of Moshiach, with the harp of Moshiach made up of eight strings.

Announcements

  • Please bring matza, wine, grape juice and any other food that you are going to want to have for Seudas Moshiach to shul before mincha on Friday afternoon. Everything will be kept in the Rabbi’s office. Note: No refrigeration. 
  • Please say Tehillim for Shmuel Choni ben Leah, Rochel Bas Simcha Chaya, Devorah Miriam bas Sarah and for Rachamim Oscar ben Rochel.

Schedule

For all the laws and customs regarding Pesach please see 
the Chabad Chodesh

Thursday - Nisan 20/April 12

  • Don’t forget to make an Eiruv Tavshilin 
  • Light Yom Tov Candles (No Shehecheyanu): 7:05 pm  
    Our custom is that men stay up during the night studying Torah

Friday - Nisan 21/April 13 
Shevii Shel Pesach

  • Last Time to Read Shema: 9:38 am 
  • Shacharis: 10:15 am
  • Mincha: 7:05 pm
  • Light Shabbos & Yom Tov Candles from pre-existing flame (No Shehecheyanu): 7:06 pm

Shabbos - Nisan 22/April 14  
Acharon Shel Pesach

  • Last Time to Read Shema: 9:38 am 
  • Shacharis: 10:15 am
  • Yiskor: 12:30 pm
  • Mincha: 5:30 pm  
    Followed by Moshiach Seudah
  • Women’s Moshiach Seuda at the Raichik home - 6724 Beverly Blvd: 6:15 pm. 
  • Yom Tov Ends: 8:09 pm  
    After Pesach, give the Rav about an hour to repurchase the Chametz before eating or using.

Mazal Tov To

  • Rabbi & Rebbitzen Shimon Raichik on the birth of their grenddaughter Rivka Raichik to Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Noach Raichik.

Upcoming Birthdays:

  • Mr. Isser Goldstein - 22 Nisan
  • Rabbi Yitzchok Arnold - 22 Nisan
  • Rabbi Yosef Wolowik - 25 Nisan
  • Shmuel Wolowik - 26 Nisan
  • Mr. Chaim Elya Kreitenberg - 26 Nisan
  • Yosef Itzchack Gutierrez - 28 Nisan
  • Rabbi Reuven Eliezer Nathanson - 28 Nisan

Upcoming Yahrtzeits:

  • Leah bas Yosef (Mr. Reuven Eliyahu Horwitz’s mother) - 22 Nisan
  • Paz Feivel ben Dovid Shusterman - 23 Nisan
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