UPDATES...Dillers, Ties, and Shofars

Justin Diller - yes, the Justin Diller - asked that the following be posteded:

If anyone is traveling to Israel in the near future and has room to bring some of his seforim to him that would be a huge help.

He can be reached in Israel at 054-718-1332 or if you don't want to call Israel email me (jweinberg55@gmail.com) and I'll let him know. Additionally, you could let him know by posting on his website.

In return for this favor, Diller has provided us with an Adam Friedman look-a-like from the Shuk:

He thinks it's better then the Gidding look-a-like from Beit El but I disagree.

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Additionally, we at Stollel: N. America would love to have some updates of what is going on in the Middle East. Please send pictures and videos, especially of Moshe Chaim and R' Dr. Epshtein. With Y.U. well underway many people have noticed the missing mashgiach and are left with only his tie, hanging on the bulletin board in R' Simon's Beis Midrash.

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Finally, I overheard the following conversation recently between someone who has been at YU for a while and someone who is new. They were talking about shofar and Rosh Hashana and then the elder of the two said:

"And then sometimes around Y.U. you'll see people blowing shofar for no reason at all. That has nothing to do with Rosh Hashana. Like I remember before Purim there was a bunch of guys dancing and Rabbi Cohen was there and some of them were blowing shofars. I don't really understand it."

It's that time of year...

When: Motzei Shabbat before Rosh Hashana (i.e. the first selichos)
Where: The Friedman Residence (i.e. the Frollel)
What: Selichos
Cost: FREE!
Time: 12 A.M.
Who Will Speak Beforehand: The Rosh Stollel
Who Will Lead Selichos: The Lead Singer of Omek Hadavar, Haim Feigenbaum
How Long Will It Last: Probably long...not sure
Who Is Invited: You Are and all of your friends (yes, even the anonymous commentators who went to Shalavim)

I think it is a bring your own selichos event though I'm not certain. What was the protocol last year?

Additionally, as we began last year, for those who are remaining in Babylon we will be having a minyan for selichos for all other selichos nights in Room 101 at Hatzot. It will be slower and louder then the main beis minyan but will somehow finish around the same time.

Special Chaburah: R' Peretz Auerbach

Special Chaburah Tonight

Rav Peretz Auerbach
Master of the Kabbalah and Breslov Chassidus

Rabbi Peretz Auerbach made aliyah many years ago and learned from many masters until he became an accomplished scholar in all areas if Torah. Today he is one of the key figures in Breslov outreach.

8PM Monday Night at the Resident of the Dean of Student Life at the U of P
If interested call or text him at 914.439.9377

And so it begins...

A great day for all of Israel...

Mazel Tov Stollel!
(The truth is R' Tzvi Dovid is really #2. Others made the move first.)

Two Callings in the month of Elul...

Of late, I have received messages from two separate individuals, each seeking the assistance of the Stollel/Recharge team. In the spirit of the month of Elul when one extends themselves to perform extra acts of hesed, lets see if we can help these guys out...

Re: Send in the Stollel

1) A wedding operation that needs chizuk, similar to THIS ONE. If you missed the first one, don't miss this one! The email read:

We need their help!
Rachel and Ricky's wedding
August 22nd
1 P.M. Reception
2 P.M. Chupah
1223 coney island ave
"Sasson vesimcha hall"
There will be tables for the stollel.

2) A second email i received went something like this...

...I want to give you some more information about the Hachnasas Sefer Torah in Sunnyside Queens that will take place on Sunday, August 29th at 10:30 am.

Like I explained, we have a small community of about 20 members, most which are over the age of 65. The shul bought the sefer Torah with some of its old money, but unfortunately we don't have the youth in the community to give this Torah the proper kavod and respect that it deserves for a Hachnasa. I was hoping you would be able to gather a few bachurim that are energetic and excited about a hachnasa and have them join us in Sunnyside on that day A"H. Also the shul is looking for one or two bachorim to help with a Barbeque after the Hachanasa, which the shul would be willing to pay for. Regarding the music which you mentioned - I am pretty sure the shul would be happy to have music, but I would have to ask the Rav what he thinks The only thing is, is that the shul does have a budget for this event, so we may not be able to give the guys the amount they would usually charge for their music. G-d willing we will be in touch about all of this. Thank you so much for offering your help!

Essentially for this one we need two things: 1) People to go to Queens to make freilich and then 2) if anyone wants to play music at the event, that would also be nice. I'd offer Tzavei but 2/3 of Tzavei won't be in the Americas on the above date. They will G-d willing be in Eretz Israel with this guy (not the one in the hat)...

(D.F. I believe you have some pictures to send me...)

2 Years and Counting...

Tangentially, has anyone seen what happened to the last two years of my life?
Two years and counting. A gut chodesh.

Extreme Machlis Makeover

Yesterday on NCSY Stollel was Yom Hessed. One of the options as arranged by Witty was to do Extreme Machlis House Makeover. There were many broken things around the house (bookshelves, windows, doors, etc.) as well as lots of stuff going on outside in the back (mattresses, old couches, onions, drinks, etc.) The bachurim went to straighten up and some of the construction began. They hired a construction guy to run the operation. NCSY covered some of the costs but there is still much to be covered.

Therefore, if anyone is interested in contributing to the cause you can either email me (jweinberg55@gmail.com) if you want to do it privately or if you want to encourage others to do the same, in accordance with some commentaries, comment below that you would like to donate "X" amount.

Tizku Li'Mitzvoth!