Happening at Chabad בלוג - מה חדש?

    Chabad this week launched a new "Lunch and Learn" group - a midday Torah class, accompanied by a hearty Kosher lunch and animated round table discussions. The lecture was given by Levi Lesches and everyone present participated in the discussions which included topics ranging from evolution to Jewish philosophy. A big thank you goes to Andrew Bales, who hosted the class in his office. If you would like to join the class, which will be held every Thursday by Andrew's office at 12:00 PM (in English) - please RSVP by Thursday morning to allow us to prepare lunch adequately.

    This coming Thursday will be Gimel Tamuz, which is the fifteenth Yahrzeit (anniversary of passing) of the Chabad Rabbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, may his merit protect us. The Rebbe led the Chabad movement from 1950 (the passing of the previous Chabad Rebbe) onwards, and dedicated his life to teaching and inspiring a generation in the path of Judaism, particularly the teachings of Chassidut (Jewish philosophy which reveals the inner dimension of the Torah, and the intrinsic connection between the Jewish soul and G-d). The Rebbe constantly placed special emphasis on the Mitzvah of Ahavat Yisrael (love of our fellow Jew), Jewish education, and about the importance of each and every good deed and action we perform. In the spirit of these he pioneered the Chabad outreach programs, from its humble beginning in a synagogue in Brooklyn, to the worldwide network of Chabad centers we have today. It is customary to visit the Rebbe's grave site on the day of his Yahrzeit, to strengthen our commitment to follow his teachings, and to do our utmost to bring about his life's goal, the coming of the Messiah. As such, Rabbi Menachem Hartman will be going to New York this Sunday for a week in honor of Gimmel Tamuz.
    This Shabbat we will be saying goodbye to a dear friends and active members of our community, Maxim and Claire, who will be returning this coming week to France. As the saying goes, Jews never really part, and especially with modern conveniences such as Facebook we trust Maxim and Claire will continue to be with us. We wish them much success and only the best in them future endeavors.

The Monday minyan this week had a strong attendance for a third week running, which in Hebrew is known as a Chazakah (a good precedent) and in Australianese is called a hat-trick.  G-d willing it will be be the beginning of a steady minyan on Monday's, and in due time other weekdays as well. After the minyan, a decision was reached by public consensus to set the time for Shachrit for seven thirty AM.

This Shabbat, we will be missing Mendy, who is in Macau to supervise the Kashruth for a wedding which is taking place there this coming week. We're looking forward to having him back on Tuesday, and while on the subject of weddings, we would like to wish a large and hearty Mazal Tov to a very dear friend of our community, Chaim Moshe Telsner who became engaged earlier this week to Rochel Raices of Skokie, IL. And we would like to wish hearty Mazal Tov to Shnaz Laufer who will be getting married this coming Tuesday. We wish them only happiness and joy, and hope they will come and visit Vietnam sometime soon.

A welcome goes to Benzion Butman who this week arrived in South East Asia, for the purpose of establishing a Chabad presence in Cambodia in the near future.

Shavuot was celebrated at Chabad this past Friday and Shabbat with the reading of the Ten Commandments, and enjoying ice cream and cheesecake. Thursday night Chabad was full to capacity, with an unusual large crowd enjoying the Yom Tov dinner. In line with the tradition to stay awake through the night of Shavuot to study torah, the meal was followed with a class by the Rabbi about the Ten Commandments.

Friday morning, we read the Ten Commandments in the synagouge, followed by a heavenly dairy meal, which was prepared by Zora our Swiss chef. A special thanks to Itzik and Avi Shpak for their amazing blintzes. In the afternoon the children came to Chabad to make ice cream, an activity which by the time it was finished had the adult participant’s outnumbering the children.

We would also like to welcome back Andrew Bales and family, who have been away in the US to attend his sisters wedding.

This week the focus at the Chabad house was the upcoming festival of Shavuot, the festival of the giving of the Torah (for more info about Shavuot click here ).Our student Rabbi's Mendy and Levi got some first-hand farming experience, going to Cu Chi to supervise the process for Kosher milk, for the festive dairy meal which is customary to eat on Shavuot. On Wednesday, members of the community volunteered and helped Smadar, our New Hebrew school teacher, in decorating the Chabad house with flowers and greenery. We decorate the Synagogue to commemorate how Mt. Sinai blossomed when G-d gave the Torah, despite being in midst of one of the worlds driest deserts. Chabad's kitchen also whizzed and whirred, with all manners of cheeses, cakes and other pastries being prepared for the festival. Special thanks goes out to Zora, who was at Chabad the whole day, preparing cheeses and pastries as only the Swiss know how.

We will be celebrating Shavuot at Chabad at 6:00 PM Thursday night, followed by the holiday meal. Friday morning is the reading of the Ten Commandments, a time when G-d gives anew the Torah to his chosen nation. We will be reading at Chabad at 11:30 AM, followed by cheesecake and other dairy desserts, with a second reading at 5:00 PM for those unable to make it in the morning. Yizkor will be Shabbat day @ 11:30 AM.

Chag Sameach and Shabbat Shalom.

This week the menu at the Chabad Houses restaurant has been spiced up. In addition to the grilled fish specialty, Chabad is now serving felafel and burgers. Besides for being the only 100% kosher eatery in Vietnam, the restaurant is now also the only location for authentic Israeli felafel. Felafel, a famous Middle Eastern cuisine has been added to the menu thanks to the generous help and guidance of local businessman and restaurateur, Mr. Avi Shpak. The restaurant which is located inside the Chabad House on Le Loi st. is opened daily from 6pm - 9pm and if you have never been you are welcome to try!

The latest addition to the Chabad staff arrived this morning. Student Rabbi, Levi Lesches is joining Mendy to enhance the programs at Chabad and to offer private lessons in Judaism. Levi was born in Sydney, Australia where he grew up and studied in rabbinical colleges across the united states. Levi will be staying in Vietnam until August.

Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom and hope to see you tonight at Chabad at 6pm.

     On Monday night, the Tu Tri Restaurant in Binh Thanh District was the host of the biggest Lag Baomer celebrations in Vietnam's history. Close to 50 men, women and children of the Jewish community in HCMC celebrated Lag Baomer which marks the yahrtzeit (anniversary of his passing) of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai.
 
    Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, who lived in the 2nd century of the Common Era, was the first to publicly teach the mystical dimension of the Torah known as the "Kabbalah," and is the author of the basic work of Kabbalah, the Zohar. On the day of his passing, Rabbi Shimon instructed his disciples to mark the date as "the day of my joy."

   The festivities which included a large bonfire, lively music, a fire eating show and Felafel, continued late into the night.

Today, Friday, May 8, corresponding to the Hebrew date, the 14th day of the month of Iyar, is called Pesach Sheini - The 2nd Passover. The 2nd Passover came to be when the year following the Exodus, the Jews were instructed to commemorate Passover by making a sacrifice and eating matzah. There were, however, certain persons who had become ritually impure through contact with a dead body, and could not, therefore, prepare the Passover offering on that day. They requested that they should be given a second chance on a later day to bring the offering, once they were again pure, which they were subsequently granted. The "Second Passover" was established to remind us that its is never too late and never a "lost cause".

This Monday evening, May 11, we celebrate the festival of Lag BaOmer celebrating the anniversary of the passing of the great sage and mystic Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, author of the Zohar. It also commemorates another event. In the weeks between Passover and Shavuot, a plague raged amongst the disciples of the great sage Rabbi Akiva. On Lag BaOmer the dying ceased. We celebrate this day with friends, a bonfire, music and entertainment for the whole family, which is exactly how we will be celebrating here in HCMC.  Please join us this Monday evening, May 11, at 'Tu Tri' restaurant, 1121 Binh Quoi, P.28 from 5:30pm. 100,000VND admission includes a felafel dinner and flaming entertainment!

This past Monday morning Chabad wished farewell to Chaim Moshe Telsner and Shnaz Laufer, two student Rabbis that came to assist with the Passover celebrations in HCMC. Shnaz, who has spent a lot of the Jewish festivals in HCMC will be getting married next month in Manchester, England. Andy Bales and family also left HCMC on Monday to the US, to attend his sisters wedding. Andy, who wanted to start his trip on a good note, gathered 10 Jews from HCMC and surrounding areas in order to pray and read the Torah on Monday morning. We would like to thank Andy for his efforts and wish him Mazal Tov and a safe trip!

It was a quiet week at Chabad Vietnam, this week we will say good bye to Snaz who is leaving us to prepare for his wedding in two months time.

Stay tuned as we make some adjustments to our Chabad restaurant.

We look forward to seeing you on Shabbat; have a great week and Shabbat shalom.

With the week long holiday of Passover in the past and getting back to business as usual, and welcoming back those who have left Vietnam for Passover to celebrate with their respected families.

Sunday we celebrated Rabbi Menachem’s birthday, with a small get together, wishing him much success, many have take upon themselves good resolutions as a gift to the rabbi; we would like to wish him good luck in all his endeavors.

We would like to wish Sharon good luck and success in all he does, as this week he has departed Vietnam to continue in his studies.

We would also like to thank Avremi and Naftoly for their work here in Vietnam and the Passover Seder they held in Hanoi, and we hold like to wish them too much success in their studies. 

The week long celebration of Passover has finally come to an end. The holiday of Pesach finished last night in style, when community members gathered for a meal called "Seudat Moshiach". The meal continued late into the night with everyone singing, eating Matzah, drinking wine and hearing inspiring Jewish thought.

Tonight, Friday night at Chabad will be back to usual, except for the Jewish spirit that the yeshiva students will add to the Shabbat prayer and dinner. We are looking forward to seeing you!

Shabbat Shalom!

The Chabad House has been abuzz with preparations for Passover. The festival of freedom begins this Wednesday night with the Seder, traditionally celebrated together with friends and family. Chabad worldwide is holding over a thousand public Seders for tens of thousands of Jews around the globe. Chabad is hosting a Seder in Hanoi as well as in Ho Chi Minh City and to help with the preparations four student Rabbis have come from New York, among them veterans Chaim Moshe Telsner and newly engaged Shnaz Laufer. Our 2 student Rabbis, Sharon Weiss and Mendy Ajzenszmidt are in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, preparing the Seder for the Jewish Community.

In other news, we would like to say farewell to Meital Glazer, our dear Hebrew school teacher. Meital has been part of the Chabad staff for the past 6 months and will be sorely missed. Meital will be here for the Seder before she leaves to spend the second half of Pesach with her family in Israel. We wish her good luck in her future endeavors!

On Sunday an exciting event for children and parents took place. Children became professional Matzah bakers as they dressed in their baker hats and aprons. The children learned the requirements in order to make kosher Matzah, meaning from the time the flour and water mix until the Matzah comes out of the oven we have only 18 minutes otherwise the dough will rise render it Chametz or unfit for Pesach/Passover.

The children had a great time and enjoyed some nice hot Matzah right out of the oven. The children were then able to make crafts to be used at the Seder such as a wine bottle cover and Elijah’s cup.

Pesach starts on the evening of April 8 until April 16. Pesach supplies such as Wine and Matzah are available from Chabad. There will be Pesach Seders held in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi as well as Phnom Penh, Cambodia. 

We welcome back our dear Rabbi Menachem who visited Israel for a few days. Rabbi Menachem attended the wedding of his niece and picked up much needed Jewish supplies for the communities needs such as Matzot for Pesach which is approaching. Menachem was accompanied by one of our community members, Andrew Bales, who will relate some of his and the Rabbis' experiences from last Friday night at the western wall, this Friday night at Chabad in HCMC.

On Shabbat morning service at 11am we will be reading a special Torah portion called Hachodesh (Exodus 12:1-20) which recounts G‑d's historic communication to Moses in Egypt on the first of Nissan, two weeks before the Exodus, regarding the establishment of a Jewish (lunar) calendar, the Paschal Offering, Matzoh, bitter herbs, and the Seder.

The special Hachodesh haftorah (Ezekiel 45:18-46:15) is a prophecy regarding the Paschal Offering that will be brought in the Third Holy Temple.

Anyone who walked into the Chabad House on Tuesday between the hours of 4:00 pm and 2:00 am would know and understand the true joy of Purim! "Purim in Persia" was an amazing success. The culmination of weeks of planning and preparing bore fruits to a party that will not be forgotten so soon!

The sound of the children enjoying a specially prepared carnival to the theme of Purim could be heard as many community members entered into the Chabad House. The walls decorated like the inside of a Persian palace set the atmosphere. After the carnival the Megillah (the scroll of Esther, which is a first-hand account of the events of Purim, written by the heroes themselves - Esther and Mordechai) was read. The "Graggers" traditionally used to stomp out the name of the villain who plotted to kill the Jews 'could be heard in the Ben Thanh Market' remarked a local vendor.

Following the reading, the sushi and drinking bars opened, dolling out great food and drinks for all. The festivities continued with a costume contest for the children who were all dressed up so nicely! The adult costume competition was a close call between our very own student Rabbi Sharon, French students Claire and Maxime, who are studying here in HCMC and our local members Zora and Rotem. The expert judges had to make a tough decision but in the end it was Mario and Luigi that stole their hearts! Good job Zora and Rotem!

The purim spirit continued way into the night with singing, dancing and drinking and then some more! Once again, thank you to all those that contributed to make the party the success it was.

Have a Happy and Safe week!

Chabad has been abuzz with preparations for one of the most joyous and exciting holidays in the Jewish calendar. Many hours of tireless effort and planning are bearing fruits for the ultimate Purim party that Ho Chi Minh City has ever seen. Dubbed "Purim in Persia" as the party theme is set to where the story of Purim took place some 2,300 years ago, in the period between the first and second temples.

Purim commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in Ancient Persia from Haman's plot "to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day." The celebrations will take place begin this year on Monday, March 9 at 6:30pm at Chabad. "Purim in Persia" will be on Tuesday, March 10 at 4pm for children and families and 5pm for the main program. Part of the celebrations is dressing up -an allusion to G‑d's hand in the Purim miracle, which was disguised by natural events, therefore there will be a costume competition with great prizes! For more about Purim click here.

This Shabbat is called Shabbat Zachor, the Shabbat of Remembrance, when we read in the Torah about how the Amalekites attacked us out of senseless hatred. The Torah exhorts us to never forget this evil, and to "eradicate the memory of Amalek." Since Haman was a descendant of Amalek, we do this before Purim. This special reading is once-a-year, so please make an extra effort to be there for it this Saturday morning for services at 10am.