Tu B'Shevat - The New Year for Trees

Tu B'Shevat, the 15th of Shevat on the Jewish calendar this year is celebrated on Shabbat, January 26th, 2013. This day marks the beginning of the "New Year for Trees". The earliest-blooming trees in the land of Israel begin to bloom, thus ending their long winter sleep and begin to bear fruit. Eating fruit is the way we mark the day of Tu B'Shevat, such as grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates.

Mitt Romney - Go to the Wall For Israel

Does Israel look to get a better ally in Mitt Romney than Obama? This summer Mitt Romney visited Israel, he was met with nothing more than a casual shrug of the shoulders by most. Most people didn't know how to take him, or his bashing of Obama. Has the ties changed? On Romney's official website, it states, " as for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Mitt Romney’s policy will differ sharply from President Obama’s. As president, Mitt Romney will recommit America to the goal of a democratic, prosperous Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with the Jewish state of Israel." Hasn't this already been tried? Is it working? Some would say yes, and some no. Looking at the countless attacks on Israeli borders, it would appear the answer is no. Prager University: The Middle East Problem by Dennis Prager attempts to explain the conflict in a 5:59 second YouTube video. In this video he reveals that what is wanted by Israel's opposers is their complete annihilation. What Israel wants it to be left alone. If their opposers would drop their assault, Israel would not need to continue to defend themselves and, as Dennis says, would be partying tomorrow. In a nutshell, it's really just that simple. Why can't a little state the size of El Salvador, that calls itself Israel, be allowed to exist. Thank you Dennis Prager, for putting it out there in its most understandable way. If you would like to view the Prager video, here's is a direct link. Prager University: The Middle East Problem So, my question to Mitt Romney is this...Can you get them to finally leave Israel alone? Rony Havive

Husbands & Fathers in our Community Need Emergency Kidney Transplants

Re-posted in order to help these families: These men, husbands and fathers in our community- are suffering from failed kidneys and need emergency transplants. • 1 in 6 patients does not survive dialysis treatment • Kidney donation is %100 permitted and encouraged by all Rabbonim • Donating does not disturb your future health or lifestyle A simple blood test can tell us if you are the lifesaving match they need. Can they depend on you to live into the new year? Please contact us today to set up a blood test. 646-805-8405 ahavaschesed1@gmail.com chesedcenter.org Please contact the above agency if you can help these families in need. Together, we can help these people survive.

U.S. government against fines for Russia over Chabad manuscripts

The United States Justice Department denied in a filing in U.S. District Court in Washington that putting sanctions on Russia in this case would not serve foreign policy interests and would be against to U.S. law, The Associated Press reported. After other efforts failed in recovering more than 25,000 pages of Chabad-owned original sacred texts, Chabad sued the Russian government in 2004. The texts had been transported from Poland to Moscow by the Red Army at the end of World War II in 1945 along with the movement's library, which was seized by Bolshevik revolutionaries in 1917. Chief Judge Royce Lambert, U.S. District Court, in 2010 ordered the Russian government to turn over the records to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow or directly to Chabad. Judge Royce Lambert ruled that they were being held illegally by the Russian State Library and the Russian military archive. Russia states that Chabad should file a lawsuit in Russian courts, and that the U.S. lawsuit means nothing, since Russia is outside of their jurisdiction. If the U.S. wants to assist Chabad in this matter, they should do so within diplomatic channels and not in U.S. courts. Russia considers the texts a part of its national heritage. Consequently, Russia has halted the loan of Russian artwork for exhibit in the United States for fear that they will be seized. Justice Department has over-ruled Chief Judge Royce Lambert saying the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act prevents the U.S. from leveling the fines, according to the AP. Interestingly enough, the Soviet Union ruled in 1991 that the texts should be turned over to Chabad, but Russia ignored the judgment after the collapse of the Soviet empire. Rony Havive Chabad

Rony Havive - Don't forget Chabad Telethon September 9th, 2012 from 8 to 11 p.m. on KTLA5.

Rony Havive - Don't forget Chabad Telethon September 9th, 2012 from 8 to 11 p.m. on KTLA5. Visit http://www.tolife.com/ for more details. This is an important even, so don't forget. Funds generated by the Telethon support a range of Chabad's efforts, which include: Education, Summer Camps, Youth Programs, children with special needs, Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation, Community Outreach, Crisis Intervention, AskMoses.com and many others.

Thoughts on Judaism by Rony Havive

Judaism - And The Western World

One of the world's oldest living religions is Judaism. Judaism was the first religion based on monotheism, the belief in one God.

The origins of Judaism can be traced as far back as Abraham and has its spiritual and ethical principles embodied chiefly in the Bible's Old Testament and the Talmud. Judaism is the first religion based on ethical monotheism.

The development of Christianity and Islam was highly influenced by Judaism. Thus, had a major influence on Western civilization. Christianity, the eventually dominant religious faith of the West, was in large part a child of the Hebrew religion. When we speak of the Judeo-Christian heritage of Western civilization, we refer not only to the concept of monotheism, but also to ideas of law, morality, and social justice that have become important parts of Western culture. Given that fact, the major Western religions found their roots in Judaism.

Welcome Home Gilad Shalit

Gilad Shalit, an Israel Defense Forces soldier, returned home to the many friends, relatives and supporters waiting to greet him upon his return. Shalit returned to his home in the northern town of Mitzpe Hila on Tuesday afternoon, hours after he was reunited with his parents and brother for the first time since he was abducted and taken to Gaza in June 2006.

A parade of people were singing "Heveinu Shalom Aleichim" and marching with flags as the 25-year-old Shalit was driven up to his house for the first time in five years. Supporters who lined the street threw flowers at the IDF vehicle which transported the Shalit family to their home. This is a happy day indeed.