Stollel Tamid

We'll end where we started...

2011-01-06T14:06:00.000-08:00

Shalom friends,

Here's how it is. For a while now we've wanted to end this blog. We came up with a great idea of making a spoof on the Maccabeans video and making a Stollel version to go out with a bang. That, however, is not going to happen because nobody has time for such things. If you want, you can imagine the video in your head. It was going to be a similar set up of the different boxes with different Stollelnicks in each box and a chorus of Tzidkas Azriel singing: 'I throw my peyos in the air sometimes.' Other shots included Gaby in the mikveh (above the shoulders of course), Zev NaNaching in the street, and other bearded, sidelocked, creatures doing things. It also would have incorporated videos from the past 2 1/2 years throughout the video. K. There is the final video.

The blog is not ending as a result of the many people asking me to always post things (though it's certainly a part of it) but rather because the founders of the Kollel Tamid blog felt that the blog had completed it's task and had reached it's end. We opt for the burn out over the fade away.

So this is how it's going to be. With much persistence from alicht2, as well as following the path of Jawbone Valley, we are moving to Twitter. Everyone can follow us over there and any announcements will be made there and sent to all followers. For example, if there is a minyan on a given day, we will send out a tweet: "Happy Minyan: 7:30 in Muss Quiet Room tomorrow morning!" If there is a gathering on a random night: "Gathering in MTA Basement with Rebbe Reichman and friends! 10:30 Tonight!" You get the idea.

Now, as opposed to Jawbone Valley which totally abandoned the blog after the Twitter-shift, the blog will still be up and used only for posts that require an actual blog (i.e. videos of Zev.) When such a post is added to the blog, we'll tweet: "New Video on Blog." The point is, essentially, you never have to check the blog again unless tweeted about because there will be nothing new.

With all that being said, we'll end where we started...

THE STOLLEL
[3.0]

11 Shevat-17 Shevat 5771
January 16-January 22 2010
BEIS FREIDMAN
We will be learning Meseches Bikkurim this year.

THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT STOLLEL 5771:
1) The first day is Sunday. It is the day of ZPomerantz's wedding in Baltimore. Stollel will be open but I assume a bunch of people will be at the wedding.
2) Rabbi Judah Mischel of the Genesis Center will be joining for a guest lecture Monday morning.
3) Rav Avraham Schorr will be saying at the Stollel on Thursday Morning (11 AM).
4) Rebbe Reichman hopes to hold a Tu B'Shvat tish on whatever night that may be (Wednesday, I think)
5) Other speakers include HaRav Roberts of Yeshiva Gedolah (no tape recorders), The Springfielder Rav, and many others.

GENERAL DAILY SCHEDULE

7:00 - Bus to the Mikveh
7:30 - Pre-Shacharis Chassidus
8:00 - Shacharis
9:00 - Breakfast
9:30 - Opening Meseches Bikkurim remarks/Morning Seder
12:00 - Bikkurim Chabura #1
1:00 - Lunch/Break
3:15 - Mincha
3:40 - Mussar Seder
4:00 - Afternoon Seder
6:00 - Dinner
7:00 - 9:00 - Night Seder / Guest Shiur
10:00 - Ma'ariv
11:15 - (Shneur Zalman's) Seder Niggunim
12:07 - Chatzos

It's possible there will be other updates to add to the Stollel schedule so maybe check back to the lower half of this post in a while. Take care.

The Return of the Minyan...THIS THURSDAY

2011-01-04T18:05:00.001-08:00

In case you haven't realized, there have been less crazies around this year then in the past. Some of that has to do with people getting married, some of that has to do with people moving to Eretz Yisrael, some of it simply unexplainable.

But this Thursday, Rosh Chodesh Shevat, they all come back to town...

The return of the
(REALLY) HAPPY MINYAN
feat.
REBBI REICHMAN
SETH MICHAEL RAPPS
A.P. HALEVI
REFAEL LEIZER LEICHT
MIKE S-HN
YOSSELE NEUMAN
TULI SKAIST
THE STOKE BRIGADE
COUCH YID
maybe MOSHE LORENZO
and of course everyone else!

JOIN US THIS THURSDAY. OLD SCHOOL OR NEW SCHOOL. ALL ARE INVITED.
TIME: TBD
LOCATION: MUSS (not so) QUIET ROOM
B.Y.O.I.

Things to know about...

2010-12-28T11:03:00.001-08:00

Things to know about in the order which they will happen...

1) TONIGHT (Tuesday)
Something at Moonbaz's. Not sure what. Know it includes beer and a rabbi from Israel. If you're reading about this here you probably know more then I.

2) The President's Return
THIS SHABBOS IN TEANECK
You thought you knew him...but that was before Sulam Ya'akov. BAH BAH BAH!

3) Wedding to a Girl!
January 16th, 2011 - 2 PM - Somewhere in Baltimore
ZPom and Penina Yaffa
(may or may not feature a guest appearance by Bouncing Moshe from Spanish Harlem)

Chaim Yissachar UPDATE

2010-12-20T20:49:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, Chaim Feigenbaum is being treated for Leukemia at Sloan Kettering.

Chaim will need blood and or platelet transfusions over the course of the next several months and blood bank is being set up for donations that will specifically be used for him.

Chaim's blood type is A+. Anyone with A+, A-, O+ or O- is a match for him. For platelet donations blood type does not need to match.

Anyone that does not have a matching blood type for him, can still donate to the general ChaiLifeline blood bank to be for other Jewish patients which is a huge kiddush Hashem.

If you are available to donate, please reply to Esti at ChaiLifeline
ERosenbaum@Chailifeline.org
or text or call 646-530-3507

Just tell her that you want to donate for Chaim (Marc) Feigenbaum and she will get back to you and let you know all the details.

Thank you and tizku l'mitzvot!

If anyone as any questions about this or anything else relating to Chaim , you can email Alisa Weinberg atweinberg@gmail.com

Live from Kibbutz Moshiach (Part 2)

2010-12-16T21:02:00.000-08:00

Not much going on these days and I spend most of my time in Kibbutz Moshiach so that's the source of most of these posts.

There I was, sitting at my table in the kibbutz and trying to study, when all of a sudden I heard screaming across the hall from HaRav Shmuel's room. It didn't sound like regular old screaming. It was a screaming that sounded familiar, a little too familiar these days...

A gutten Shabbos to one and all.
Chopstix's thing Motzei Shabbos. 8 PM in נאות דשא
1/3 of Tzavei, 1/3 of Ta Shma, and an Albert expected to play

Live from Kibbutz Moshiach

2010-12-14T21:24:00.000-08:00

The Progression of a Chopstick...

2010-12-09T20:06:00.000-08:00

The Progression of a Chopstick...
2000 and something until the Present

As a young man with grand entrepreneurial ideas and dreams...

In his days on the high sea/Lipa days...

At his first Tzavei gig...

In his weird "dress-up" stage...

His "gangster" days...

His professional Baseball days...

His days at the racetracks...

His streetball days at 'The Cage'...

In his creepy 5c days...

And now they say he's engaged to be married. We didn't have live cameras at the proposal but we got a photograph. He went with the 'marry me or else' proposal...

Mazel Toff to ShiaZ & Rebbetzin Miriam Stavsky, the entire Stollel Community, and all of Israel on this wondrous occasion!

Celebratory Gathering:
Motzei Shabbos VaYechi, Dec. 18th 8 P.M.
Shomrei Torah: 19-10 Morlot Avenue in Fairlawn, NJ
All are invited.

Marriage to a girl to take place bi'ezras Hashem in Eretz Yisrael on the 8th of Adar II. More details to follow.

§
For those interested in catching a good show, there will be a different reunion concert/l'chaim featuring 1/3 of Tzavei and 1/2 of 2/3 of Tzavei this Motzei Shabbos in Woodmere. Call me for more details (but don't really.)

Chanukah Torah Class and Tefillah Group...

2010-12-07T06:47:00.000-08:00

This Wednesday night R' MTW will be giving a Torah Class in the merit of the refuah shleima of our dear chazzan, R' Chaim Yissachar ben Chaya Mushkit somewhere in Glunck. Ma'ariv and Tehillim to precede or follow (or perhaps precede and follow...tsss) Details can be found in the form of Adam Friedman or maybe later on this blog.

Tefillos/Learning for the Chazzan...

2010-12-05T00:26:00.000-08:00

For those who have not heard, our beloved chazzan, R' Chaim Feigenbaum, had not been feeling well for a bit and was recently diagnosed with Leukemia. The doctors are hopeful about the treatments but it certainly a long and heavy run for him. Chaim is a fighter so it's just a matter of time until he's back on his feet but we pray and learn in his merit that it should be as soon as possible (lest R' MTW have to serve as chazzan at the new minyan...yeesh.)

He is currently receiving treatments at Sloan Kettering and despite being a grown man with children he has managed to sneak on to the Pediatrics floor where he hopes to hold court and become the rebbe of the kinder.

To sign up for praying or learning click on the links below.

Bi'zechus refuah shleima

Chaim Yissachar ben Chaya Mushkit

bisoch sha'ar cholei Yisrael

In this time of nissim and yeshuos may the Ribono Shel Olam answer all our tefillos and bring a yeshua bi'karov.

PSALMS
MISHNAYOS

Chanukah Schedule...

2010-12-01T06:59:00.001-08:00

This post will be updated throughout Chanukah as
different events and happenings come to fruition.

1) Shacharis service will begin on the first day of Chanukah - Thursday Morning 7:15 A.M. in the Muss Quiet Room. BYOI. We'll figure out other days as they come about.

Tonight...Tuesday Erev Chanukah

2010-11-30T07:17:00.000-08:00

The Rav will be speaking in Muss classrooms at aprox. 10:30. All are invited.

Looking Ahead...

2010-11-22T20:07:00.001-08:00

With Chanukah right around the corner, the proper preparations are underway.
Chanukah falls out Thursday, Dec. 2 - Thursday, Dec. 9.
A couple of things to consider:

1) Minyan - we don't want to have every day (or do we?) and Friday, Shabbos and Sundays are usually out so we should determine on which days we will have a special minyan. Maybe the first day (Thursday), then on Monday (5th day of Chanukah) and then Zos? Should we do more? Comment below. To be determined.

2) 5c wants to host some sort of gathering. To be determined.

3) Shabbos Chanukah is questionable. People do different things. Also to be determined.

4) Surprise event. To be determined.

Basically I was getting tired of seeing the previous Raz post and wanted to ask about the deal for a minyan on Chanukah and so i made this whole long post of nothing. Comment below if you have ideas for Chanukah.

This should get some* in the mood...

*-some being the three people in the video

Dovi F. noted that this video of Zev's brother might be good for other people to get in the mood.

Raz's North American Tour...

2010-11-16T09:41:00.000-08:00

If you know anybody who would be interested in any of these gatherings and lives in those areas spread the word...

Mechon Hadar. 190 Amsterdam at 69th St.
Monday Nov. 15th 9 Pm
Contact: Avram Sand
sand@mechonhadar.org

Rubin Shul, 185th and Amsterdam.
Tuesday Nov.16th 1030 pm.
Washington Heights
Contact: Adam Friedman
adamz.friedman@gmail.com

Highland Park, NJ, Home of the Silvers, 292N. 5th Ave.
Wednesday Nov.17th 8pm
Contact: R' Moshe Silver
tikkun.olam@hotmail.com

Sharon MA. Home of the Lapins, 30 Ames Ct
Thursday Nov. 18th
Contact: Sabrina Burger
sabrinac@hotmail.com

Riverdale, NY Home of the Kranzlers, 4640 Delafield Ave.
Motzaei Shabbat Nov. 20th 8 p.m.
Contact : Tuli Skaist
tuliskaist@gmail.com

Carlebach Shul, 305 West 79th, NY NY
Sunday Nov. 21st 11am
Contact: R' Naftali Citron
rabbi@carlebachshul.org

NYU's Bronfman Center 7 East 10th Street.
Sunday Nov 21 730 p.m.
Contact: – Rebecca Schrag
rebecca.schrag@gmail.com

Raz on Tuesday night...

2010-11-15T10:12:00.000-08:00

Tell your friends, tell your family...

In case you some how missed this one...

2010-11-09T16:59:00.001-08:00

I have copies if anyone is interested, sometimes in my pocket, sometimes in Morg 507. I'm selling them for $10-15. You can decide the price.

Minyan Tomorrow...

2010-11-07T15:38:00.000-08:00

There will G-d willing be a minyan tomorrow.
TIME: 7 A.M.
PLACE: Muss Quiet Room
BRING: Prayer Books, Shawls, and Instruments

It could be we'll just do a slower Shacharis and Hallel and then team up with the 7:40 below us for laining but maybe not. We'll see.

Enjoy this video from the East in honor of Rosh Chodesh:

A gut chodesh!

Minyan Anyone?

2010-11-06T18:25:00.000-07:00

Monday morning Rosh Ḣodesh minyan anyone?
I assume around 7 o'clock start time. Comment if you're in. Don't be lazy.

A gutten chodesh!

A few matters...

2010-11-03T09:56:00.000-07:00

Many people have asked me to post various things in the past week or two. I was a little busy (still am) but here are some things people should know about:

1) This past Monday night there was a gathering in 5c featuring the Radziner rebbe from Eretz Yisrael. You already missed this one. Reb Hirsch Meilech came. See dark phone picture below.

2) Got two emails about this one today (Tuesday)...

GUEST SHIUR AT Y.U.

"WHAT THE CARLEBACH MINYAN DOES TO DAVENING, BIRCAS HATORAH DOES TO LEARNING GEMARA" [Ed. note - no idea what that means.]

Based upon the Ramcha"l sefer about how to learn gemara, Yeshivas Bircas HaTorah, over the past 20 years, has developed, used, and taught a proven method of how to approach learning Gemara. How to analyze and appreciate its wisdom, and most importantly- how to make learning exciting and self inspiring.

The co-Rosh yeshiva, Rabbi Tagger, will be coming to YU this Wed. Nov. 3rd. (today) to present a shiur in the yeshiva's exciting and interactive way in which they learn.
Come see for yourself why people are buzzing about Bircas HaTorah.

Where: Y.U. in the Gleuck building on the 3rd floor.
When: 10:20pm Wed. Nov. 3rd

Additionally this is what our very own Adam Gidding has to say about Bircas HaTorah...

"Bircas is a gevalt place to learn, especially if you want a chill environment in the old city, but amazing gemara skills building, they have a unique style that is very amazing which helped me tremendously. I was there over the summer for about a month, awesome/extremely extremely learned rabbeim, amazing location, perfect for a guy looking to learn for a bit after college or in the middle. I wasn't expecting anything crazy when I went in, turns out its very pashut times in there. Feel free to get in touch w me if you have any more q's"

3) Some also wished for this video to go up. This is living proof that if you do too much accounting you will eventually snap.

4) Raz is coming to town.

He will be in YU on November 16th, i believe a Tuesday night, and will be playing at 10:30 in Rubin Shul. It will be a pre-Chanuka gathering with a suggested (read: demanded) donation of $10. More to follow on that one.

5) When Raz is in, there was an interest to have a Shabbos somewhere, probably Teaneck, with him and us. Comment if you're interested. It would be the Shabbos on the 20th of November.

6) If Shabbos with Raz doesn't happen I also received this email...

The entire stollel, including stollel families are invited, and invited to invite for a big Shabbos in Delaware at the community of Elliot Margules. Only catch is that it's a "shul-shabbaton" and they really really need numbers by that monday, the 15th. It will fo sho be really awesome for all the chevra, and the Delaware community would really really benefit from what would surely be their unparalleled contribution to an extraordinary Shabbos.

So that's what's going on. Sup diller.

Weekend with Reb Shlomo...

2010-10-26T09:08:00.000-07:00

Don’t feel like writing it all out but here are highlights from the Reb Shlomo Weekend…

Gaby and I headed downtown to Tzidkas Azriel’s house for Shabbos on the West Side. Friday night found us at the Carlebach Shul for a heady 3-hour kabbalas Shabbos led by Reb Yehuda Green. The Azriel’s didn’t wait for us and so we showed up a little late. Sabba Azriel spoke with Gaby in Hebrew for most of the seudah. Shabbos morning Tzidkas and I made our way to The Shtiebel on 84th Street while Gaby headed to lengthier Carlebach option. Mincha/Shalosh Seudos was back at Carlebach with guests R’ Avraham Sutton, R’ Shalom Brodt, Rav Citron, and some other rebbes (and rebbetzins.) All colors and flavors were present – felt a little bit like being back at the Machlis’ shalosh seudos. After havdalah some guy in a light blue turtleneck, cowboy hat, and long hair asked us what we do. We told him we go to Y.U. He paused - ‘Oh...I hear they do weird stuff over there.’ And so even after an Egalitarian service at the Carlebach shul Y.U. is still treif. What can I tell you.

While the West Side Institutional housed the big ($) concert for the Monsey and Brooklyn chevra, we were tipped off about a secret gathering back upstairs in the shul where the old timers reminisced and sang well into the night. The gathering was led by one of Reb Shlomo’s right-hand men, R’ Itzik Eisenstadt, the “treasurer of the niggunim.” Stories, niggunim, and machloksin in nusach were abundant. At 4 something Gaby and I finally made it back to the Morg.

The festivities began Sunday night in the Heights at 7 P.M. It looked like it was going to be one of the smallest Reb Shlomo Hilula’s in YU history, but as usual, as the night progressed more and more people trickled in. Despite the numerous obstacles in getting this year’s hilula together, it turned out to be a truly special night. Enjoy this video of some of Sunday nights festivities.

Tonight...

2010-10-24T01:29:00.000-07:00

JOIN REBBE REICHMAN
and many others for the

6th ANNUAL Y.U. HILULA FOR
REB SHLOMO
SUNDAY NIGHT
RUBIN SHUL (or maybe Morg Beis)
7:00 P.M. (or maybe 10:30 P.M.)
Lots of tunes and food.

SPONSORED BY GABY

From the Offices of Rabbi Citron (via the U of P)

2010-10-19T20:02:00.000-07:00

HaRav Naftali Citron asked that this be posted on our little blog:

Sunday morning, October 24th, the commemoration continues with A day of Ishbitz - Carlebach Conference - in-depth learning at the JCC in Manhattan (334 Amsterdam Ave). "Ishbitz" was one of Rabbi Carlebach's favorite Chassidic philosophies that also influenced a broad spectrum of Jewish movements from ultra-orthodox to Jewish Renewal. Rabbi Mordechai Yosef Leiner (1801 - 1854), the Mei HaShiloach, founded the “Ishbitz” school that challenged the status quo with his revolutionary ideas about the limits of free choice and shed a new light on the parameters of halacha (Jewish Law). Hosted by Rabbi Naftali Citron, leading teachers of “Ishbitz” Chassidism including Rabbi Sholom Brodt, Dr Morris Faierstein, Dr. Shaul Magid, Rabbi Nossen and Rebbetzin Channah Schafer, Avraham Sutton, Dr. Sharon Flato, Rabbi Ysoscher Katz.

Info: www.carlebachshul.org info@carlebachshul.org. $50 pre-registration, $60 at the door (lunch available for purchase)

Tonight...Cheshvan 11

2010-10-18T10:20:00.000-07:00

Join us tonight for the annual gathering in honor of the yahrtzeit of
Rochel Imeinu
and the
Meor Einayim

Tonight. Morg 5 Lounge. 11:15ish

My Sefardi Day...

2010-10-12T21:18:00.000-07:00

So many Sefardi things happened to me today.

1) I received the following treat in my email from a certain

It is a video of my friend, Justin Diller, being Sefardi in his new habitat.

~

2) At lunch today with Gershon Albert I had spicy foods atop bagels and ate them al pi sod. Again, Sefardi in nature.

3) As I mentioned last week, tonight was the opening night for Pizmonim club. This was an extremely Sefardi night-activity for pale ol’ me.

~
4) And lastly, my cousin got engaged to our good ol’ Sefardi yeshiva-mate

Dahniel from Canada
Mazel Toff to Them!

With all of these Sefardic coincidences happening in one day, I think I’m starting to see the emet more and more.

~

Other things to note:

1) This Shabbos, there will be a Shabbos with Rebbe Reichman at Rav Wolfson. If you’re interested tell Gideon. Bus leaves from YU at 2 on Friday and returns Motzei Shabbos.

2) This coming Monday night, all are invited to Morg 507, where we will have our annual 11 Cheshvan gathering for the Chernoblyer and Rochel Imeinu. I’m not sure how this developed but some have been known to drink a lot at this gathering, so people should bring their own beverages. Sponsors are welcome. All males invited. It usually lasts until the next morning so stop by any time.

3) I know there is something else but I can’t remember. I’ll add it if I remember. It might have to do with Zev Rocklin.

K. Zeigezundt.

A few things...

2010-10-06T19:41:00.000-07:00

1) Tomorrow Night (Thursday Night) in Rubin Shul

Rosh Chodesh Mar Cheshvan Mesibah

with Rebbe Reichman
featuring Rav Naftali Citron of the Carlebach Shul
(NOTE: Amongst the common folk, the Stollel is known to be made up of a bunch of kabbalists. That is why Rav Citron assumed we would know what he was talking about when he came to talk to the Frollel. Tomorrow nights session will likely be toned down for the common YU folk so don't let your prior experiences scare you off.)

2)
We are looking to make a minyan for Rosh Chodesh on Friday morning. It would begin at 6:20ish with sunrise at 6:50ish. Hallel will take a bit plus kerias hatorah and mussaf .
We will be finished before those who need to go places or to a 9 o'clock class.
PLEASE COMMENT BELOW IF YOU ARE INTERESTED
We want to make sure we have a quaram.

3) How do people tie up their beards? Those people who fold it under and tuck it in, how does it not fall out?

4)
Was just waiting for the elevator when a Sefardi gentleman walked over to put up a sign. I've seen these signs around over the past couple days and they have peeked my interest. They are signs from the YU Hazzanut Club. Their opening event is this Tuesday night at 10:30 PM in the Sefardi Beit (in Morg). I asked him what is going to go down at this event. He said someone will speak briefly and then it will just be guys singing pizmonim. I said that is a great idea. He asked me if I am Sefardi. I said not yet. He said, 'Soon you will realize the emet.' I said, 'I have already realized the emet but I have an prior family tradition.'

I post this for a few reasons. I don't think they're looking for volunteers (though I cant imagine many people will come out for the Hazzanut club) but
1) I think it would be hilarious if a ton of white kids showed up to this event,
2) We can learn Sefardi pizmonim,
and 3) I'm likely to forget about this by Tuesday so if someone could remind that I was interested in attending this on Tuesday I'd appreciate it.

5) I just found out this way to see who makes a link to our blog over here. Never knew about THIS BLOG. Has anybody seen or heard from him?

6) Someone asked me to post this a while ago. I told them we're not an athletic bunch but would post nonetheless:

Attention Yeshiva University Students!
Want to play ball?
Did you have an amazing experience your year in Israel and want to let
others have similar experiences?
Now you can!
On October 10th at 3 pm Torah Letzion will be having a 3 on 3 basketball
tournament.
Price: Each team price is $225.
- The location is the Richard Rodda Community Center located at 250
Colonial Court in Teaneck, NJ.
-To sign up, call Yoni Bardash at 201-575-6710 or Corey Fuchs 201-914-8842

~
Shabbat Shalom and a Gut Chodesh.

And we're back...

2010-10-04T16:24:00.001-07:00

Welcome back to all our oversea returnees. We missed you over the holidays. We're sorry you had to come back but are happy to see you.

Over the second days of Yom Tov, I was privileged to be in Montreal, Canada. There were numerous highlights of this trip:

1) I got to talk a whole bunch with the chazzan of the shul I was at who was an older Lubavitcher and he shared with me stories about the many Simchas Torah's (and time in general) he had spent by the Rebbe. He threw me off a little when he said that we need techias ha'meisim so that the Rebbe should come back already.

2) There is a nice sized Breslov community there that i was unaware of. Beautiful mikveh, beautiful sukkah, delicious kugel.

3) I was also privileged to meet and speak with an older Jew, now in his Nineties but who was in his Twenties while in the Warsaw Ghetto. He told me he saw and met the Piaseczner, the Gerrer Rebbe, and R' Menachem Zemba among others. I asked him if he had any particular memories about any of them and he told me he remembered that the Aish Kodesh used to go around on Shabbos with some of his chassidim and encourage those store owners who had their shops open to close them. He told me about the Yamim Noraim and about Sukkos in Warsaw as well as in Majdanek and Auschwitz where he spent a number of years. It was one of those conversations one is likely to remember forever.

4) On the way back into America, our car was randomly selected to be searched and we had to get out, go inside the police area, and fill out those sheets they give you on the plane for customs while they searched the car. I didn't know how strict they would be about smuggling citrons across the border and was afraid they would take my Esrog if I left it in the car. Sukkos was over but I need it for Tu B'Shvat and was not willing to lose it so I put it in my pocket and went inside. Once inside, I then feared that they would make us empty our pockets and discover my holy lemon. I was quite nervous as I filled out the sheet with my esrog place snuggly in my pocket and I even thought the gentile might either notice the extra concern on my face or how I was nervously filling out the paper work. But I prayed and was answered and as our car was cleared my citron crossed over on to American soil.

5) I was sent to Montreal by Yeshiva University as part of their Torah Tours program. As part of this "tour," two ladies from our downtown sister school were part of our "team" of five. After three days, with no mention of the subject, our group was walking back from lunch when the following conversation more or less took place out of nowhere:

Girl: "So Josh...what's the Stollel?"
Me: "I don't know."
(A pause.)
Girl: "I heard it is like kind of a derech."
Me: "Nope. It was more like a kollel in Stokar's basement."
Other Girl: "So like, how many of you are there?"
Me: "That's hilarious. You just made the blog."
Girl: "You do the blog?"
Me: "Sometimes."
Other Girl: "I once saw like a video of 72nd drive."

End of conversation.
~

Things to look forward to in the near future:

1) The creation of Zev Rocklin's blog (for his new apartment he just moved into)
2) Rosh Chodesh gathering with Rebbe Reichman - Thursday Night
3) The Nitra Raffle

4) Shabbos at Ash's for anybody who wants to go.
~

K. A great man once blessed: May the Canker Sore's of Mar Cheshvan heal quickly, but not too quickly. If that great man wants to come to Y.U. at all, I have an empty bed in my room until Gaby comes back, which although he says will be later this week, could be in months from now.

~
See the 84th Picture (and all the others...they're great)
CLICK HERE
~

Missing the overseas team. Send pictures of Diller.

Stollel 5770 Flashback:
One year ago yesterday - Rav Harari reading stories of the Kedushas Levi at the hilulah with R' Reichman in the Annex.

UPDATE: Chol HaMoed Day 2

2010-09-27T12:09:00.001-07:00

The Annual
Simchas Beis HaSohneiva
has been rained out.

PLEASE FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO DO

If you can't find anything else to do while you sit indoors, waiting for this rain to clear, you can watch this.

A gut moed! May we be zoche to sunnier days (soon)!

A Gut Moed...

2010-09-26T08:00:00.001-07:00

Things going on during Sukkos:

(comment below if you have any other leads...)

- Last night (Motzei Shabbos) was simchas beis ha'shoeiva by Rav Schorr (Flatbush) and Rav Wachsman (Monsey). I believe Rav Schorr is having again on Monday night. Rav Zev was spotted in Stutchin.

- I believe Monday night is the annual Simchas Beis HaSohneiva in Queens. See Sohn for more details.

Pictures from Simchas Beis HaSohneiva 5770

~

Because 1) R' Reichman's shteller is under construction, 2) Everyone is in Eretz Yisrael, and 3) because nobody else wants to house the crazies there is no official minyan taking place this Sukkos. This morning I prayed at R' Taubes' shul and it's a very good pace for those who are in the NJ area and looking for a little bit of a slower quaram. They start at 7:30, don't have instruments, or 2 hour Mussafs, but they are in no rush to finish and are slower then the average local shtibel.

~
K. We miss everyone. Especially this guy.

Nice hat. Looks like Ash was right all along. You do have kids.

From the Offices of Jawbone Valley...

2010-09-20T15:05:00.000-07:00

YOU'RE INVITED

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Welcome Back and See You Later...

2010-09-16T21:23:00.000-07:00

Welcome back to all of our Uman returnees. From what I heard from Gaby it sounds like all had a good time. Sorry to those who missed their returning flights.

Gaby's wearing the Blue skullcap (easily spotted at 1:00-1:04.)

The Na Nach movement has certainly developed over the years. Na Nachers used to wear ties.

~
Some random guy in the YU caf told me he recognized me but couldn't place from where.
I said, 'Ok.'
Later he told me it was from Stollel blog.
I said, 'Oh, okay.'
I got the hotdog special for $5.75.
~
Hi Diller.
~
I think we'll probably be on blog vacation until Sukkos where we will resume to post any gatherings or prayer groups that may be going on. Special thanks to all who continuously came out to the selichot minyan in YU. May our prayers be answered.
~
Double R' Machlis lineup with guest appearances by those guys (maybe those guys can send us a video message or some pictures.)

Wishing one and all a gemar chasima tovah!

Selihot Update...

2010-09-12T18:24:00.000-07:00

This just in...
SELICHOS TONIGHT!
(And all week - not necessarily including Thursday Night)
ROOM 101!
AT 12:50 A.M.!
UNBELIEVABLE!

UPDATES: Beis HaKevaros, Selichos...

2010-09-07T12:07:00.000-07:00

K. So it seems like the trip is more or less canceled as an "official trip." People realized it's too crazy (for them) and that they have what to do on erev Rosh Hashana. Regarding selichos, I think the best is just to join the Glueck minyan tonight for those who are interested (though if there are people around who want to make in 101 that will also be good.) I (josh weinberg) still hope to go on the trip - I'm just not sure at what hours, what capacity, and from where I will be departing. If anyone is interested in joining in some version, you can call me or email me.

Things to Note: Elul Updates...

2010-09-05T18:48:00.001-07:00

Certainly,
A GREAT DAY FOR ALL OF ISRAEL
Mazal Toff to Reb Zechariah Ahron on his engagement to Rebbetzin Peninah Yafah.
May you be zoche to all great things and one day live in Rwanda.

We'd like to thank the great people at (R') Machlis Presents for all that they do every week, to congratulate them on a great year of R' Judah sponsored videos, and for this outstanding Rosh Hashana 5771 video. The rebbe is in his element.

We wish a tzeischem li'shalom to all of our members heading east for the holidays, both those who will merit to sit in the lap of their mother in Eretz Yisrael and to those who are heading to the Ukraine (Pres. Srulii Rapps, Gaby, Noach, Yehoshua Machlis, Moshe Lorenzo and the Lorenzo Brothers, and many more.)

My roomate left today for Uman.

He was so nervous as he was packing his one bag. His intense nervousness was making me nervous which in turn was making me nauseous. He wasn't sure if he was packing too much, taking too many seforim which were going to way his bag down. He took his small Likutei Moharan out of his bag and put it back on his shelf, the logic being that they would probably have a few Likkutei Moharan's to go around in Uman. He zipped up his bag, paused, and then exclaimed:

"But how can you not bring Rebbe Nachman to Rebbe Nachman," taking the sefer back off the shelf and stuffing it back into his bag.

Erev Rosh Hashana Announcements

Night Selichos - It's the long one. We did it by R' Zev in Englewood last year. Their shul is under construction and unavailable. Anyone have any other ideas? Or first, is anyone interested? At the Friedmans for those in Teaneck?

FIRST TIME EVENT: Vasikin/Kevarim Trip - With Stollel Mid-East surrounded by kivrei tzaddikim in Yerushalayim, and Stollel Ukraine hitting up the tzaddikim of Eastern Europe, we at Stollel N.A. felt left out and so as mentioned at (Sunday night) selichos, plans are underway for the first Stollel erev Rosh Hashana trip to kevarim of the tzaddikim in our neck of the woods. We have to work out travel patterns, driver/s, and schedule in order to make it work but hopefully we'll be able to visit: The Rebbe (shlit"a), R' Shlomo'le and R' Naftali Bobover, R' Avraham Pam, R' Yaakov Yosef, R' Yaakov Kamentezky, R' Moshe Soloveitchik, R' Shlomo Heiman, the rebbetzin of the Chafetz Chaim, and maybe more. Comment below if you're interested in being involved.

And finally...this.

Haddasah Epstein with her new Israeli look.
You might remember her when she looked like this...

We'll work out details for Aseres Yimei Teshuva selichos if we make it to the Aseres Yimei Teshuva. Also in the works: Adam Peretz is offering a tour of Brooklyn as he searches for the perfect Esrog. More good things to come. Until then, a kesiva vi'chasima tovah and a shana tovah u'mesuka to one and all.

Selichos Updates...

2010-09-05T11:08:00.000-07:00

SELICHOS TONIGHT
(and tomorrow night - after that...TBD)
12:50A.M.
Room 101

Selichos will be said bi'nachas, perhaps a niggun or two, scream if you'd like.

Hessed Opportunity: Jew in Need...

2010-09-02T10:51:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: THANKS TO THOSE WHO VOLUNTEERED (i.e. Witty) BUT IT HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF...TIZKU LI'MITZVOTH!

Dear Stollel Eretz Yisrael,

Here is the deal: Benny Rofeh (sefardi guy from YU) has an apartment in the Germany Colony. He was living there last year while attending Israelight. He left a bunch of stuff in the refrigerator and freezer and returned to America before the Summer to finish up semicha this year in YU. Just this week his family who lives in LA got a call from the Israeli police because neighbors called the cops because they thought there was a dead body in the apartment. Nobody was living there so the cops climbed through a fire escape to find that the place reeked and there was no power.

Bi'kitzur there was some issue with their auotomatic account for paying of electricity and the company cut the power and all the meat spoiled over the last couple months. The place stinks. The neighbors refuse to sleep in the building. His one relative in Israel, his married sister, just arrived in America for the Yomim Tovim yesterday, so he is stuck because he doesnt know anyone in Israel he can trust who is crazy enough to do it. I said I know some guys. He said he'd be willing to pay for guy/guys to go over there and just clean it out and throw it out, maybe light some scented candles. I said he wouldn't have to pay.

Can Anyone Help?

It would be a nice pre-Rosh Hashana gathering. This also sounds like a job for Witty. Chopstix...spread the word to him.

Comment, Call, or Email me for more details...

Selichos Updates...

2010-09-01T21:51:00.000-07:00

Address: The Frollel - 1626 Buckingham Road, Teaneck NJ

Additionally, people should know that...
1) We have about 20 selichos but try to bring
2) The beis midrash will open at 11 P.M.
3) There will be a small women's section for wives (since many have asked)

UPDATES...Dillers, Ties, and Shofars

2010-08-30T21:35:00.000-07:00

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.

~

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.

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...

2010-08-23T22:49:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-23T07:07:00.000-07:00

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...

2010-08-19T17:07:00.000-07:00

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...

2010-08-15T19:41:00.000-07:00

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...

2010-08-12T20:02:00.001-07:00

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

Extreme Machlis Makeover

2010-08-04T23:05:00.000-07:00

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!

3 things to Note...

2010-07-27T03:22:00.000-07:00

1) This Shabbos...

join Rabbi Mischel as he returns to the Beis Ha'Shver to inspire the Staten Island community!

2) NCSY Stollel Updates: 2 things to note...
a) New video out featuring music by a certain someone...

b) We have a daily blog where parents can see updates and pictures of their children. Erev Shabbos some of the bachurim went to Tevaria for water sports on the Kinneret. I didn't go so I didn't have any pictures of the event. I then remembered, 'Wait, I do have pictures of watersports on the Kinneret and so I posted it.'
SEE HERE

3) Gaby - can you call me. I have a 201 number so it is like a local call (201.645.1515). Or email me (jweinberg55@gmail.com). Or I can call you if you give me your number.

Amazing...

2010-07-26T05:09:00.000-07:00

After the reference from the rebbe, I came across this full video. Really amazing for a number of reasons.

Shabbos Nachamu...

2010-07-23T02:23:00.000-07:00

Three things to note...

1) Shabbos Nachamu is about getting nechama and so in an attempt to offer comfort I will post a joke that I found online by accident. I laugh every time I read it, but I need your help figuring out why. I'm not sure if the joke is actually funny or I laugh because I imagine how hard Sruli will laugh when he reads it. I think it's the latter.

Here it is:

Who can forget how herring saved the entire Jewish population of Albania? It was over 500 years ago when Zog, the King of Albania, decreed that -- although some of his best friends were Jewish -- all adult Jewish males in Albania would have to have their foreskins reattached. The head Rabbi of Albania, knowing the King's claim that he could solve any riddle, made an offer: he would tell the King a riddle, and if the King could not answer it, the decree would be revoked. The King agreed. The Rabbi asked that famous Jewish riddle: "What is purple, hangs on a wall, and whistles?"

The King retired to his chambers for six days and six nights, but he could not solve the riddle. Finally, in exasperation, he summoned the rabbi and admitted: "I cannot answer the question. What IS purple, hangs on a wall, and whistles?"

The rabbi replied: "A herring, of course."

"A herring?!" shouted the King. "A herring isn't purple!"

"Nu, so this one was painted purple." replied the rabbi.

"But a herring doesn't hang on the wall!" said the King.

"Nu, so someone hung THIS one on a wall."

"But herrings can't whistle!"

"So nu, then it didn't whistle." proclaimed the rabbi.

Unable to defeat the logic, the King revoked the decree.

~
If that did not give you sufficient nechama see the below picture.

2) NCSY Stollel is in Sefed for Shabbat. Last night the fellas went to the Canada Center for all sorts of activities. A number of "specialty staff" remained back in Sefed, tired from the days earlier activities. Myself, Witty, G.I.D., and Chopstix were sitting on a curb eating chumus and rugelach. Rabbi Benovitz pulled up and said, "Why am I not surprised at all to find you guys here?" We offered him some chumus. He laughed and started to drive away and then poked his head out the window and said: "Ashreichem."

Also, some women today asked me if I knew where "The Holy Tzfat Cheese" factory was. I didn't have the heart to tell her that it doesn't exist.

3) This really deserves its own post but for the sake of my laziness, I will not post it separately.

FROM THE OFFICES OF TANUT

I have posted numerous times about Tanut's friend, the Russian Jew. First it was tzitzis, then it was Shavuos Stollel, but this time it's the real deal...

This Thursday he will be getting a bris. Sound crazy? Yes. Anyhow, Tanut asked me to post because he wants to get any chevra (wherever you are...) that is still around to come together for a post bris gathering. The bris is at 8AM in a doctors office in Englewood and then the gathering at Ahavath Torah at 9:30-10:00 AM. Obviously, there will be bagels and lox, doughnuts, mashke, and all sorts of things. Tanut also noted that his friend doesn't have so many Jewish articles so if people could bring things - a book, a yarmulka, a sefer, a picture, a siddur, anything Jewish that would also be helpful.

Anyone interested should contact Tanut via email or phone (718.702.9420)

Tizku LiMitzvoth!

Mazal Toff Stollel...

2010-07-15T12:39:00.000-07:00

+

+

Mazal Toff Chaim on this great simkha! Iy"h by all of your family members!

SAVE THE DATE...

2010-07-08T14:49:00.001-07:00

L'chvod our dearest chevre,

No matter where you are on Tu B'av, know that you are with us. The biggest mazal tovs to our holy chassanim and kallos, and may we all soon merit the ultimate union speedily in our days.

Much love,
A&N

A Great Day for All of Israel...

2010-07-01T14:52:00.000-07:00

After many of the Stollelnicks graduated this past May, many others were inspired to graduate as well.

Mazal Tov to our captain and our leader on his recent graduation!

Heading North...

2010-06-30T11:02:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of posts of late. Since Peretz's wedding I've kind of been on the run. From Yeshivat Shalabim to Jerusalem to Ramat Bet Shemesh to Meiron and now finally to Beis Meir...

The Stollel (E.Y. department) headed North on Sunday w/ HaRav's Mendel and Maz. Stop off points included:

1) Chabakuk (and his newly renovated mikveh)
2) Rebbe Shimon
3) R' Yochanan HaSandler
4) R' Tarfon
5) R' Yehuda bar Ilai
6) Hillel HaZakein vi'talmidav
and much more...

I made this simple video along the way. It's mostly landscapes out the car window on the way up. The kavanah behind it stems from an Archie comic I once read. Archie and Reggie were on the beach and they brought along a video camera in order to videotape whatever goes on at the beach (if you know what i'm sayin'). Why did they do this? Because come the winter months when the gang was stuck indoors, they would pull out these videos and recapture that sense of summer.

If ever a person finds themselves outside of Eretz Yisrael but are longing to be inside Eretz Yisrael, they can always pull up the video and on some level recapture that sense of the Land. You can put this one away for a rainy day.

Sheva Berachos: Change of Location...

2010-06-20T05:02:00.000-07:00

NOTE:

CHANGE OF LOCATION

SHEVA BERACHOS FOR
אדם פרץ & אליענה ברכה פומרנץ
has been moved to the MTA Batcave.

Please tell R' H. Reichman, Yosef Newman, or Gershon Albert if you plan on attending.

A Great Day for All of Israel...

2010-06-18T05:03:00.000-07:00

It's a bird. It's a plane. It's...

Michael and Ayelet Hoenig's
very own human!

Mazel Toff to the Hoening's on the birth of their firstborn child
(Note that he has already begun doing birkas kohanim)

The bris I believe will iy"h be this Tuesday in Teaneck.

May you merit having many more happy, healthy, and holy children!

From the Heights to Jerusalem...You're Invited

2010-06-17T01:22:00.000-07:00

בשם סטול ישראל

Tonight
Thurs. June 17/Tammuz 5
Ramat Rachel in Yerushalayim
5:30: Stuff
6:30: Chuppah
7:30-Morning: More Stuff

B.Y.O.S.

Special Wedding Lineup:

And many many more...
~
And with this we part for now...

A Great Day for All of Israel...

2010-06-10T02:44:00.000-07:00

בשם סטול ישראל

Mazal Tov with blessings from Jerusalem and beyond!

SAVE THE DATE - Melaveh Malka 06/19/10

2010-06-03T06:07:00.000-07:00

You are cordially invited to the Melaveh Malka event of the year!

June 19th, Motzei Shabbos Parshat Chukas
in Fairlawn NJ

Featuring:
Rabbi Judah Mischel
of Congregation Bnei Heichala, Ramat Bet Shemesh Israel
and ba'al michaber Vetageilna.blogspot.com

There will be great music, food and a very special chevra...

Please help spread the word & invite your friends - everyone is welcome! Try to spread the word to those who were at Stollel Shavuos and have them in turn spread the word...

If you are interested or you know someone who is interested but won't remember to RSVP, you can RSVP for yourself and others by emailing:
cherylwigodmemorial@gmail.com
~

BE"H Rav Judah will be joining them for Shabbos at Cong. Ahavas Achim as well; if you'd like to spend Shabbos in Fairlawn, please contact judah.mischel@gmail.com.

Hope to see everyone there!

The truth is, that even if you are not interested in seeing Rav Judah, there is a good chance that you will still get to see this guy...

SAVE THE DATE 06/22/10

2010-06-01T14:16:00.000-07:00

Rebbe Reichman is making sheva berachos on Tuesday, June 22 in Rubin Shul around 6:30 for Adam Peretz and Eliana Bracha. Some were quoted as saying: "It's gonna be really high beH Yis'." The chevra is asked to bring instruments. There has also been a request that chevra please call Rebbe Reichman and offer to help him throw this farbrengen. His number is 646.345.4784.

Week in Review...

2010-05-28T04:41:00.000-07:00

Mazal Tov to all of our Graduates!

May you be zocheh one day to don these outfits again as you are sworn into the United States Supreme Court.

This weeks Torah class has been sponsored in your honor!

A number of people have told me to watch this video because they stole our idea.

It has one million hits but i really don't think it was funny. If people understood who Moshe Levi was, we would also probably have a million hits. We are living in an upside down world.
~
Also, a few Shabbosim ago when we were in Beit El, we stayed at the high school there, Bnei Tzvi. They have all these pictures of their graduating classes and I took some pictures of look-a-likes. I couldn't post them then because i didnt know how to get them off my phone. But this week i figured out how to do it. I showed them to one person and he didnt hear any of my calls.

See if you can guess who is who. (The third one is a combination of two people - one Stollelnick and one not - though they were both at Stollel Purim. It's a long shot.)
1

2

3

~

Finally, anyone who is coming to the big wedding in the Mid East, please bring two bags so you can carry books back for me. Sounds selfish? It is.

K. A gutten Shabbos to one and all!

From the Offices of the President (via a forwarded email)...

2010-05-24T14:09:00.000-07:00

New Shiur from the Stochiner Rav, HaRav Mottel Zilber shlita!

The Rav will be speaking in English!

When: Sunday, May 30th at 8pm

Where: Yeshivas Ohr HaChaim 141-61 71st Ave, Kew Gardens Hills NY

For any additional information please call (818) 430-4342 or email JMR1500@aol.com

Making the Most of my Time...

2010-05-22T14:30:00.000-07:00

~

Also, in cleaning up my computer and making space I came across some of these videos which I never used or posted for some reason...

1) 4 o'something in the morning on a Thursday night in the Muss Beis Midrash with Gaby and the Kedushas HaBris Club.

2) Tying Techniques with Moshe Chaim

3) I hope this is not illegal...but it is hilarious

Heard Shavuos was great. Hope everyone is well. Send me videos from graduation.
Zeigezundt.

Rabbi Machlis, Yerushalayim, and Shavuos...

2010-05-16T01:49:00.000-07:00

My feet and thighs are still throbbing days later from all the walking around but as a certain rabbi pointed out, “Walking is what Yerushalayim is all about,” סובו ציון והקיפוה.

My adventure began Tuesday night with a trip into Yerushalayim to attend Rabbi/Professor Mordechai Machlis’ Torah class. I didn’t get off at the tachana because I figured staying on the bus would get me closer to his home. When I finally did get off I was unsure of where I was and so I just kept walking until I found a place I recognized. It wasn’t until I neared Kikar Shabbos that I realized I had been walking the wrong way. I arrived about twenty minutes early to the Torah class and so I waited outside in the courtyard area. When the rabbi finally arrived I entered with him, his son, and daughter. He had been coming from a special tefillah service that had taken place at Mercaz HaRav.

The rabbi had gone to the back of the house and so I spoke to the rebbetzin while she cooked. She asked me how Moishe was and asked what he was still doing in America. We spoke about Lag BiOmer at Sawn Lake and she had already heard about it. I had also been sent on a mission to return a certain “Call the Shabbos a delight” sign and so I told her I came bearing gifts from RBS. She told me I should just hang it back on the wall where it had originally been and so I did. The rabbi returned and the Torah class began. I noticed that about midway through the class he looked up and noticed that the sign had mysteriously returned but didn't mention anything. The class continued on as per usual and at the end of the class he asked me if I could do him a favor. He tried to explain, as he took the sign of the wall, that there are different opinions in the commentators as to why one does not make a beracha on mishloah manot, but one reason is because maybe the person who you send it to may not accept you mishloah manot. Somehow that turned into a request that I return the sign to its rightful owner. When I tired to tell him that the owner had accepted the mishloah manot but now wished to give it to the rav as a matanah, he wouldn’t hear it and kept telling me, “This sign has no place in this home, this sign has no place in this home.” He said I should give it back to the owner as mishloah manot for Shavuot. We had a kosher seudah with pita’s from Eretz Yisrael and soup from Jerusalem in honor of Yom Yerushalayim and then prayed the evening service.

I left Maalot Daphna a little after 12 and headed to my next destination, the Old City of Jerusalem. I went derech Yaffo and found that it was surprisingly quiet at that hour.

I stayed there for a while until Mercaz HaRav finally came dancing through at a late hour. With a little bit of time until Vasikin I went to the inside tunnel entrance and conveniently found a chair in a corner. I put my head against the wall and tried to fall asleep. As I nearly drifted away, I felt someone pinch my cheek. “Sorry to wake you but I had to say hello,” said Shirel Danielli. It was great to see him and we spoke for a while until he went off to say Tehillim with the rest of his yeshiva, Mercaz HaRav. The dawn began to break and we prayed the morning service with the sounds of tefillah and hallel coming from all directions.

I stayed there for a while after and then started to make my way back towards Beit HaRav where Shlomo Katz was to lead a service for the yeshiva.

K...in shorthand, other highlights from the day include:

1) Excellent hallel service with Shlomo Katz

2) Rav Simcha's East Jerusalem walking tour

3) Praying Mincha at the Kotel HaKattan - a first for me.

4) Bumped into Elisha on my way out of the Old City and got to speak to him for a little bit.

5) Got a new sefer and skullcap on my way back to Shmuel HaNavi to catch a bus

The rest of the day you can see in our special Stollel Edition: Yom Yerushalayim video. I don’t know if these videos are going to be the new derech of reporting such lofty events but it certainly is possible.

Enjoy the Frollel Shabuot experience. I’m sure it will be grand.

A Torah thought I was thinking of the other day to part ways. Interestingly it is about Rabbi Machlis, Jersualem, and Shavuot…

I was reviewing a passage in the Talmud Kiddushin that teaches that when the nations of the world heard Hakadosh Baruch Hu say the first two dibros, “Anochi Hashem” and “Lo Yihiyeh Lecha,” they said that He was saying these dibros for his own honor, that He wanted everyone to only focus on Him – you should have only one G-d and that you should not have two G-d’s etc. However, once they heard that one of the dibros was “kabeid es avicha vi’es imecha” they retracted their original sentiments since they saw that He also has commandments centered around others as well

Aside from the simple understanding of the Gemara itself, I realized that the implication of the Gemara is that at the time of mattan Torah, specifically at the time when the first two dibros were heard around the world mi’pi ha’gevurah, an experience that Chazal tell us caused the neshamos of Klal Yisrael to fly out of their bodies and cling to their heavenly source, the nations of the world survived and were unfazed. How could it be that at such an awesome experience, only Klal Yisrael had such a drastic reaction?

I remember talking to Rav Machlis last summer one Shabbos and he was telling me that though he had met a lot of great rabbis and had studied under great rabbis throughout his life, the ones who he personally held highest were those who had extreme levels of sensitivity to others. He described a scene he witnessed when he was in Torah ViDath, that a certain man who had an issue that when he spoke a lot of spit would often come out of his mouth, came to speak to Rav Pam. Rav Machlis remembered watching Rav Pam talk to this man, face to face, as this guy would basically spit all over Rav Pam’s face. He said that Rav Pam would never back up or lift his hand to wipe of the spit from his face lest he come to insult the man and hurt his feelings. He would just stand there and talk to him as if everything were normal. Rav Machlis told me another story he had experienced with Rav Moshe, also which showed his extreme sensitivity to others. These were the people who he held with highest esteem, not necessarily for their genius in Torah knowledge and study, but for their sensitivity.

The teaching is famously said from Rav Kook, though I have heard similar teachings in the name of other great people, that when the Gemara says that those who see Yerushalayim bi’churbana will be zocheh to see it bi’vinyana - it’s not that only that those who experienced it's churban will live to see it rebuilt but that only a person with the sensitivity and the eyes to recognize and feel Yerushalayim in it’s destroyed state will recognize the greatness when it is rebuilt. Everyone will see it be rebuilt, but those who never learned or worked on the sensitivity will be confused as to why everyone is crying and celebrating over another building in Yerushalayim. They’ll be in the center of everything, they’ll see it all happening, but they just won’t get it.

To my understanding, it’s the same thing with all areas of kedusha. A person has to learn and work on their sensitivity in all areas holy. A person who is sensitive to Shabbos and the kedushas ha’zman can have the highest and most elevated experience while another person experiencing a Yom Tov will be bored to death. The same is true with Torah and tefillah and Eretz Yisrael and everything. If you are working on trying to “get it” and you are sensitive to it than you can feel it even if everyone else around you doesn’t. Everyone is doing the same thing, they’re all sitting at the same seder, or in a shul on Shabbos, or learning the same sefer, but if you create the prior context and create the background then you can tap into it.

Every Jew at his core essence is sensitive to all areas of kedusha. When you come from tachas ha’kisei ha’kavod, kedusha is the only existence you know. If a person sometimes meets a Jew who seemingly doesn’t “get it” or is bored with it all, it’s not that they don't have the keilim to be sensitive to it but its that they just never learned or they covered it up. The Rosh Frollel likes to note that words kefirah and kofer are first seen in the Torah in the context of the tar that was used to cover up the teivah. When a Jew espouses teachings of kefirah, whatever level it may be, they are just covering up that inner sensitivity. He has put layer on top of layer of cover up on and so it's hard for them to feel sensitive towards that which should be their natural pull.

Standing at the foot of Har Sinai, Am Yisrael was cleansed from all kefirah, all coverings, everything that had built up in Mitzrayim and since the beginning of time. When they heard the voice of Hakadosh Baruch Hu declaring the first two dibros, their now pristine neshamos flew out of their bodies to connect to their source. The level of connectivity at Har Sinai was so high and pure.

The nations of the world, however, who never had that internal sensitivity and certainly were not cleansed from their zuhama, heard the same dibros and could only react by saying, “This G-d is self-centered.” They totally missed the point. They were there but just couldn’t see it and couldn’t feel it. They experienced the same kol, the same revelation, but had no sensitivity towards its greatness.

There's more to say but we'll stop here and bless all that we merit to work towards the highest levels of sensitivity on all planes of existence - within our relationships with our Creator, in relationships between one another, and even to be sensitive to ourselves and our own needs.

A gut Yom Tov to one and all. Send my regards to the doctors talking parrot.

My Big Debut!

2010-05-14T04:33:00.000-07:00

Watch this weeks Torah class from Professor/Rabbi Machlis from Jerusalem.

Hard to read message on my notebook at 3:10-3:20. May require blowing up to full screen.

Shabbat Shalom and a Guten Chodesh!

Rosh Chodesh Sivan - Happy Minyan

2010-05-13T10:22:00.000-07:00

Do you sometimes pray with a minyan? Are you sometimes happy? Well tomorrow combine both of those things with the

HAPPY MINYAN

Where: Quiet/Loud Room in Muss Lounge
Time: Not Sure
Speak to Adam Peretz or Moshe Chaim for more details.

A gut chodesh!

Come Receive the Torah with the Frollel!

2010-05-11T06:14:00.001-07:00

It's that time of year again. Not gonna be in Eretz Yisrael? Don't want to go to the WSI and eat hotdogs and hamburgers? Why not try the Frollel. A warm atmosphere. A nice bunch of guys. What could be so bad?

The 2nd Annual Frollel Shavuos
at Beis Friedman
1626 Buckingham Road in Teaneck, NJ
(Enter on the Side)

Tentative Schedule of Events

First Night

Mincha 7:45 P.M.

Learning begins at 11:30pm

[Note: Rav MTW will be giving a shiur at 11pm for Teaneck men and women in the upstairs of Frollel - the topic is "Torah Dictates the Reality of the World" - all Frollel members are invited]

Optional Shiurim throughout the Night
12:30am - 1:15am - Rav MTW - Above and Beyond All Seder / Seeing Beyond the Surface

2:15am - 3:00am - Rav Dovid'l Weinberg - Pshat, Remez, Drash and Sod

Earliest Tallis: 4:36

Neitz: 5:34

Akdamus - President Sruli Rapps

2nd Night

Mincha 7:45pm

2nd Day

Shacharis: 8:30 AM

Megillas Rus - President Sruli Rapps

Drasha - HaRav Moshe Gershon HaKohen

7PM - Mincha followed by Neilas HaChag

Come for none, part, or all of the Frollel experience! Bring your friends! Bring your family!
~

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Are any of the people who are planning on attending Frollel Shavuos familiar with the Torah readings of Re'eh, Yitro, or Pinhas? Maybe it was your bar-mitzvah sedreh or maybe you had to prepare it for an NCSY shabbaton, etc...
Thank you,
Sruli

Dust off your Shofar and Save the Date...

2010-05-06T16:30:00.000-07:00

Chevriya Kadisha:

I beleive it was the Kotzker ztz"l who said that INVITATIONS were the cause of the famous incidient of Kamtza Bar-Kamtza, which was the cause of the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash. As Invitations can be filled with much bilbul, I figured a Stollel post is the best way to spread the word. Therefore, it is OUR greatest kavod to invite all of Am Yisroel to our Chassuna, ה׳ תמוז בּירושלים עה״ק הבא עלינו לטובה.

Please just RSVP to elandadwedding@gmail.com

Lechaim and Mazel tov to all the holy Zivugim and our holy nation. ה׳
ית׳ should bless us all to continue in sharing many simchas together!
Much Love,

Adam Peretz Halevi & Eliana Bracha

Checking In (Part 2)...

2010-05-05T14:56:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow will be my two-week mark since arriving on this ancient soil. I figured I'd check in and tell you whats been going on around here. I'm going to write in short hand because it's a little late.
~
The truth is, I don't get lonely or miss anybody because everybody is already here!
(I laugh every time I see this one)

Things that have changed since my day:

1) Same amount of hock, less amount of bahock.

2) Only the ladies in blue can use the elevator.

3) Real silverware and plates instead of paper and plastic.

Advantages of being a madrich:

1) I have a window in my shower.

2) I get to wake people up in the morning and choose the music. I'm very gentle.

3) I get to use Dicky's special coffee machine.

Usually I wake up third floor, but the other day I had a little extra time so I made my way down to the second floor. I woke up the kids in 203 and asked the kid in the corner if he realized that Diller once slept in this bed. He said: 'Who's Diller?' and so I left.

The guy next to me in the beis keeps asking people if they want to learn about kelipos.

For most hours, though not so much in the morning, I usually hang out in one of the back classrooms which is empty all day. I have a giant plastic cup which I fill with ice and then water from the water machine and it can last me an entire afternoon.

(I included a regular cup in the picture so you can understand my jumbo-cup proportionately)

I find that it's much easier to focus in Eretz Yisrael and so I sometimes get frustrated (not openly) with the youngens who seem to waste much time. But then I recall my days spent here as a bachur and find myself easily relating. I keep recalling a teaching from R' Zusha who would say: "I don't long to receive my reward in olam ha'bah for that avodah I did when I knew the truth and greatness of Hashem Yisbarach but I long to receive reward for that which I served Hashem before knowing, with simple emunah, based solely on that which I received." I know that I am far from "knowing His truth and His greatness" but on some level its and experience to look back and recognize the beauty of the simplicity of a shana-aleph mentality.

In other news...

צדיק בא לעיר

~
K, we'll end with a little trivia:
1) What is the imagery on all four stain glasses?
2) Each dorm is dirah followed by a certain place in Eretz Yisrael. What place is the madrich room?
3) Who is the current administrator of alumni affairs?
4) What is the real name of the makolet?

Also, Alicht can you email me.

Until next time...

ואמרתם כה לחי, רבי שמעון בר יוחאי

2010-05-02T08:14:00.001-07:00

It's been a long day. We didn't leave Beit El until well into the night and so by the time we returned to the yeshiva, the night was well underway. I jumped in a cab, headed to Ramat Beit Shemesh, were the buses were leaving from outside the bakery. 'Women in the back,' was the call of the night and so I was comfortably seated next to a hasidic fellow and a bunch of the children from the Yehiva. "Is it true there is unlimited free beer?" the children kept asking. I told them, "I don't know. Go to sleep."

The entire country was up in flames as we drove up North and the smell of bonfire was taken in with every deep breath. I fell asleep on the way up and was awoken as we pulled up to the "biggest Jewish party" of the year. The cacophony of sounds, blends of Yechi HaMelech and Na Nach was enough to give you goosepimples (reference anybody?) I received a complimentary Chai Rottel shoko and mezonos-roll and proceeded up the hill and through the shakedown. It was late, somewhere in the late 3's maybe early 4's, and so I knew I had to move fast.

K...I'm kind of tired so I'm not gonna write anymore. I'll just tell you highlights (plus I made you a video at the end):

1) Kever of Hillel HaZakein and his students...very good
2) Big bon-fire out back...very good
3) Petel from the tap...gets me every time
4) Entrance to the tzion area (I didn't feel like pushing all the way in this time)
5) Lost my skullcap that I've had since highschool - I hope it goes to a good cause
6) Shacharis is always great up there (R' Willig pointed out to me interestingly that Lag BaOmer can fall on erev Shabbos or motzei Shabbos but never on Shabbos...can you imagine if everybody had to get a Torah to lain. That's how you know the Ribono Shel Olam was maskim to this holiday)*
7) It took me a very long time to finally find out how to get to the bus back to RBS

With heavenly assistance it all worked out and a good time was had by all. I had my camera in my bag and pulled it out as the night was winding down and took some video's and pictures. Put together a little somethin' somethin'. A little taste of the North...

Let me know how Swan Lake went.

Until next time...

*The original text of this post said that 'it can never fall on Monday, Thursday, or Shabbos.' R' Chaim Soloveitchik told me at Mincha today that he read the latest post and that its not true. Lag BaOmer can fall on Thursday, though it hasn't happened in about twelve years. Interestingly, what this means for a misnagid is that perhaps the Ribono Shel Olam was not maskim.

בר יוחאי נמשחת אשריך

2010-04-29T12:53:00.000-07:00

Shalom Friends!

With the help of Heaven I will be heading North this Motzei Shabbat Kodesh to take part of a Jewish gathering in Meiron. It's times like this when our list (to the left) "BiShem Stoll Yisrael" will be helpful and I will hopefully pray for one and all. I hope you will pray for me too. If anyone has specific names of those in need of tefillos please comment below and I will attempt to create certain kabbalistic intentions in their merit. If one feels, for some reason, uncomfortable posting in a public forum but wants to do send an email (jweinberg55@gmail) I'll hopefully check before Shabbat.

Enjoy Swan Lake!

Shabbos at the Luzzatto's in Swan Lake...

2010-04-27T14:27:00.000-07:00

This Shabbat, Parshat Emor, there will be a gathering at the Luzzatto's residence in the Swan Lake in honor of the great day of Shabbat and in honor of the great day of Lag LiOmer.

If someone could make a spreadsheet on Google Docs and post it in the comments section so that people can note if they plan on attending this grand event and what they can bring, that would be excellent.

SPREAD SHEET HERE

Checking In...

2010-04-26T09:35:00.000-07:00

Not enough to post about yet.
Lots of exciting things going on.
Beit El for Shabbos.
More to follow.
Rivkah sends her best.

All the 4 times 4's You Can Dream Of...

2010-04-19T16:44:00.001-07:00

~
What do you get when you add
THIS + THIS + PROBABLY THIS + THIS + THIS ?

SCROLL DOWN FOR ANSWER

If you guessed Shabbos and Motzei Shabbos in Sacket Lake for Lag BiOmer at Ramchal's house in the woods then you guessed correct!

Shabbos - Parshas Emor
Ramchal's House at Sacket Lake
Motzei Shabbos Bonfire and Stuff

Ruining Zev's Lag Bi'Omer Plans and other Happenings...

2010-04-18T09:52:00.000-07:00

It's true. I'm heading east. With the help of heaven I will be heading to Zion this Wednesday to join the ranks of some of the great leaders of the nation of Israel, amongst them the dedicated, the loyal, and of course, the holiest of the holiest (00:20), as I attempt to be a madrich at a fine Torah institution.

I hope to join up with the entire Stollel come June 17th time in Jerusalem (if not earlier.) The blog will continue until then. Stollel-America events will continue to be posted. Perhaps a post or two about happenings in the Holy Land as we head towards other Israeli events: Yom Yerushalayim, Lag BiOmer by R' Shimon, Shavuos, AP HaLevi's wedding, and then on to NCSY Stollel Round 2.

This reminds me:

HaRav Reuven Boshnack has invited the Stollel to spend this Shabbos with him, his family, and some other in Brooklyn. Shabbos activities include fun, fun, and more fun. They have Shabbosim every few weeks where they like to bring a chevra together. I know a few people me told me they were busy this Shabbos, but for those who are interested let me know and I can give you more info.

Also, this Tuesday: Multiple Yom Ha'Atzmaut concerts to attend. Catch some Stollel members performing at the Y.U. festival but the better show will likely be at T.A.B.C. in Teaneck, where Tzavei, the gangsters for life, are set to play their final North American show.

That's all for now. We'll check in from the other side.

And We're Back...

2010-04-10T20:56:00.000-07:00

STOLLEL WINS FIRST EVER

STOLLEL

v.s.

PROJECT RECHARGE

SOFTBALL GAME
~

In a real nail-biter, Stollel ousted the Project Recharge 15-14 this Friday in the first ever Stollel v.s. Recharge softball game, a game which will likely become a yearly tradition for the two camps.

"It was a great game. They really tried their best, and hey, they almost had us," said Stollel captain, Shneur Zalman Baran, who hit a grandslam in the games final inning to clinch the Stollel victory.

Team Manager and left-fielder, Sruli Rapps, was seen after the game signing autographs for the local children who came out to watch the game and steal keys. "I like dem sidelocks," said Tanifa Baker, a local fan of Rapps from P.S. 165.

We caught up with Justin "Thriller" Diller, the Stollel MVP, after the game for a few words. "Listen. They're still young and plus, we had Sohn," said Diller about the Friday event. "They put up a good fight and who knows, maybe next year they'll come out on top. The important part is that everybody had a good time."

And a good time they did have.

A Pause for Station Identification...

2010-03-18T17:40:00.000-07:00

As Chodesh Nissan is upon us, I have determined that the only way to appropriately attempt to clean out and prepare my soul and mind for Pesach is to just stay away from the world of blogging, the world of Youtube, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace...

And so we at Kollel Tamid, surely to the chagrin of our loyal auditors, pause for station identification and take a temporary (who knows - maybe permanent) break from these things. Join The Stollel Challenge as we try, for just 13 days, to stay away from all of the aforementioned websites and obstacles to our daily living. Somehow, this has actually become a difficult test for us but perhaps with the joined efforts of the Stollel community we will be able to accomplish this together.

Wishing one and all a chag kasher vi'sameiach. May we merit to join together and rejoice in Jerusalem way before the 14th of Nissan and may our collective efforts be pleasing in the eyes of the Creator.

Tehillim for R' Mosky Shlit"a

2010-03-18T08:31:00.000-07:00

Dear everyone,

For those of you that may not know, Michael Moskowitz (Mordechai Azrial ben Devorah) recently had to go to the hospital again due to complications from a serious surgery he had in the beginning of March involving the removal of his colon. I think it would be good to start up a תהילים project for his sake so that he should have a refuah shlema and make a full recovery.
Everyone that would like to participate should send me their name so that they could be added to the list below. Please invite other people to send me an email ASAP so that those people can be added to the list as well. It is a likely possibility that Mike will be in the hospital through next week and maybe even through Pesach. I would like to have this project completed by next Shabbat (Shabbat HaGadol). I thought email was a good choice of communication because people can forward messages quickly (not everyone has a Facebook account, Twitter, etc.). *** Many people organize these projects in different ways so if you think there's a better way please send me a message and I will make the changes. ***

~~~~~For your convenience you can even recite your chosen Perek from a great website with hebrew/english translation: http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt2601.htm.

The list so far:
Kevin Seidler: 1-10
Josh Kirschenbaum: 11-21
Eric Cohn: 22-32
Michael Cohn: 33-43
Kenny Eisman: 44-54
Adam Feldstein: 55-65
Justin Richter: 66-76
Sam Sroka: 77-87

___

WE'LL START ANOTHER LIST. FOR THOSE WHO CAN SAY

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

Only in Muss, Only with R' Simon

2010-03-17T20:24:00.000-07:00

The kinderlach from the school with no walls came to visit the shiur on Rosh Chodesh Nissan. The Rebbe said a ma'amar and then we ended with a traditional rikkud.

TO HERE THE MA'AMAR - CLICK HERE

A Gut Chodesh!

Happy Minyan - Rosh Chodesh Nissan 5770

2010-03-15T20:43:00.001-07:00

For all you late night bloggers...

There will be a
HAPPY MINYAN
Tomorrow Morning
Rosh Chodesh Nissan
6:30 A.M. in Second Floor Muss Lounge Quiet Room

For those who don't want to be too happy - there is the One Main Minyan in Glunk. Free breakfast only for those who participate.

TO SEE THE ORIGINAL PICTURE OF THE MATZAH MAN DANCING
CLICK HERE. IT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND!

What We've Been Up To...

2010-03-14T21:36:00.001-07:00

I came back to the apt. last night to very loud music. I thought it was coming from 5c but upon closer inspection it was coming from our neighbors, 5D. Loud Spanish music is something we don't stand for at 5c.

P.S. Did everyone out there miss the Behar post? 2 Comments as of Sunday night for a post put up before Shabbos?! I just might quit this job.

Mezonossssss...

2010-03-11T20:27:00.000-08:00

And I thought shiur-assistants got paid for doing nothing.

It's not pashut times around Y.U. as students fill out applications with hope to cash in on one of the highest paying Yeshiva University "jobs," the Presidential Fellow.

Our dear friend, Rabbi Eric Behar, has applied to be a part of this program and when he came to me with some videos that he had been filming around Y.U. we came up with this as part of his application...

A guten Shabbos to one and all...

A Medical Day...

2010-03-10T07:36:00.000-08:00

תניא דבי ר' ישמעאל אומר (שמות כא) ורפא ירפא מכאן שניתן רשות לרופא לרפאות
–בבא קמא פה א

Step 1 of my medical day has been completed. There was a heavy Stollel representation this morning in the Morg Lounge, some there for Garritanya's free bagels and others to give blood to be genetically tested by NYU.

I returned to the Morg Lounge at around 1:15 and noted:
"It's a good thing they are not genetically testing for lap-tops."
(I awarded myself "Joke-of-the-day" for that one)

Step 2 of my medical day consists of a trip to the office of the Ba'al HaFrollel

where he will with the help of heaven remove two of my thirty two wisest teeth. I have been asking rebbeim and friends as to what is the proper religious approach to having wisdom teeth removed. Please comment below if you have an idea and I will hopefully check the blog to see what the Stollelnicks think before heading over to the procedure.

Essentially this is what we have come up with so far: The reason two teeth need to be removed today is really because of one tooth. HaRav Friedman will be set to remove tooth #1 (א) and tooth #32 (לב) but the root of the problem is really the #32. It has been growing in sideways-ish and is now touching his neighbor #31.

Thus, it seems that the root of this problem is a crooked לב.

As the Stollel is a collective body, with your permission, I hope to represent us today as we remove all sense of excessive self importance, the אנכיות, and crookedness from our hearts, our לב. May it be His will that the doctor is successful in accomplishing this mission.

By the way - I realize we never posted anything about Stollel 5770 and so because of the Dr. Frollel connection this will be a good opportunity to give a little something. The picture he is holding was (most of) the Stollel Team 5770).

CLICK THE PICTURE FOR A BIGGER VERSION
~

And here are the President's closing words from Stollel 5770, filmed live from the Friedmans Toy closet.

To see The President's parting words in 5769 and to see how far his peyos have come CLICK HERE

To see another funny picture of peyos CLICK HERE

To hear a Yiddish Dvar Torah by the President - Go to Glueck 518 at 4:05 Today.

Just a Suggestion...

2010-03-09T11:11:00.000-08:00

I've noticed of late that there has been an increase in the amount of Stollel simchas, may they only continue. Most of these simchas have been in the realm of engagements and shidduchim.

This led me to conclude one of two things:

1) It is just coincidental that many Stollelnicks are getting engaged (unlikely)
or
2) People realize the greatness of the Stollel and desire to marry Stollelnicks in an attempt to create Stollel Center's across the globe (likely)

This brings me to my main point. Since a Stollelnick is a hot commodity these days it only makes sense that you get genetically tested to find out if you are a carrier for any of the common Jewish diseases. Most people are not carriers and even if you are - being a carrier doesn't mean anything unless you marry someone else who is a carrier.

NYU, my alma mater, is offering free genetic testing in the Morg Lounge today and Wednesday at 9:30 AM- 1:00 PM. It takes two minutes to do but the results can take up to three months to get back and the last thing you want is to find out something once you're already dating someone. Especially for those leaving the country next year, it may make sense to do this now while the opportunity is right next door.

The NYU service is free and all you need to bring is your Medical Insurance information and to fill out a quick form. It's much easier than going all the way downtown to a hospital and worrying about it another time.

If you don't do it now and you want to do it eventually, you'll have to wait until a year from now. I think they probably do this testing this time of year in case they can't find any Christian children for Pesach needs. This way they have all these little tubes of Jewish blood for the matzah's and wine. It's not the same as Christian blood but I think you are yotzei either way.

Yehudis bas Chana Gittel

2010-03-08T21:00:00.000-08:00

Dear Freinds,

My mom is having surgery tomorrow morning from 7-11 AM.

Once again her name is Yehudis bas Chana Gittel
(you can sign up for tehillim by clicking the link I will post updates on the tehillim spreadsheet.)

Thanks in advance for all your tefillos.

Yosef Newman

Something strange is happening...

2010-03-06T20:31:00.000-08:00

In case you didn't see this yet...
let it load and watch it

Next Shabbos - Parshas HaChodesh

2010-03-05T10:30:00.001-08:00

What do...

Josh Weinberg's heathen birthday

A tent

The King Messiah

Canada

...have in common?

Do you give up?

If you guessed:

A Shabbaton at the Ohel with Haska's sheliach from Montreal

then you guessed right!

~

Next Shabbos. At the Ohel. All are invited. Bring Snacks.

Tefillos Needed...

2010-03-04T09:49:00.000-08:00

Bed Oded's grandfather is having surgery Monday so please have

Shaul Yechezkel ben Rachel

in mind in your prayers.

---

Also, please continue to have in mind Reb Yosef Neuman's mother
Yehudis bas Chana Gittel
(and if possible, sign up for Tehillim by clicking on her name above)

Mazal Tov Stollel...

2010-03-03T12:15:00.000-08:00

With the help of heaven, the newest member of Stollel Yom Rishon was born today. Her parents will G-d willing be prophesying her name tomorrow. All are invited.

Thursday - 8:30 Shacharis Rubin Shul
Shir Shel Yom and Kiddush to follow Aleinu

UPDATE: Aderes Emunah has been named.
Rumor has it that Haddasa Epstein, the new big sister, approves.

Tefillos Needed...

2010-03-01T20:17:00.000-08:00

From Yosef Neuman -

My mother was recently diagnosed with uterine cancer. Baruch Hashem they caught it in the very early stages. She is scheduled for surgery for next Tuesday, March 9th. I want to try and get tehillim to be said for the next 2 weeks. If you are able to take a few minutes out of your day I am attaching a link.

Kul Tov and Thank You in advance for all your tefillos.

Her name is
Yehudis bas Chana Gittel

May we only share simchos with one another and see the coming of moshiach bmehira.

Yosef Raphael Newman

Purim 5770 Follow Up

2010-03-01T12:12:00.001-08:00

Thanks to one and all for making this years Furim event what it was. There is a lot of food still around and since everyone chipped in for everything it's as much yours as it is ours. If you want to come eat it, please come by. If not, we will eat it for the next month.

May He grant us the ability to continue our journey together into the month of redemption and into the rest of the year.
מיחייב איניש לבסומי בפוריא עד דחד גדיא

Purim 5770

2010-02-27T20:53:00.000-08:00

A few notes:

1. Seudah to begin at 2:30ish

2. Please bring your own wine

3. If you are one to pray Mincha, pray beforehand

4. Food should ideally be dropped off earlier in the day so we can heat stuff up. If you live in the Heights and are bringing food it would be great if you heated up stuff first and then brought it to us.

Thats all for now. A Gut Purim to one and all!

BEHIND THE SCENES: The 9th of Adar

2010-02-24T23:06:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I think I do this more for myself then my stated noble intentions.

AP HaLevi was by my house this past Shabbos and being that he had just returned from holy soil overseas, he came bearing all sorts of holy goodies. Some got seforim, others mikveh water, but I was zocheh to receive his extra copy of the newest Na Nach CD – Purim Edition, of which he had accidentally bought two.

We listened to an excellent track, one that mixed classic trance with classic Purim - and it got me thinking. Since the initial first night rikud on Rosh Chodesh Adar outside the new Glueck beis midrash there hadn’t been much Adar spirit in the air of Washington Heights. With Purim just seven days away it was apparent that something had to be done.

I decided we would bring a giant speaker to Y.U. and position it in Garritanya’s room, conveniently located at the end of the hall in Morg facing Amsterdam Avenue and blast this new Purim Na Nach into the street in an attempt to bring great joy to the whole city.

Next, we needed to assemble a group of the biggest crazies that Y.U. has to offer to come and dance when the music would be played. The only way to do that would be to build up unfounded hype that something grand was going to take place in the street at that time. I put up signs, of course with the YU emblem attached, that there would be “A Gathering” on Tuesday on the corner of 186th Street at 12:15 . Everyone should just wait there and then react when something happened.

The big day came and I started to have my doubts if the Na Nach music was going to cut it. Hype had built up. What was going to happen at 12:15 everyone wanted to know? Some expected circus animals, others a Na Nach truck. I sat patiently in the room, the shades closed, the speaker in position. I locked the door. I set up the camera to catch the action and then at the right moment began to play the music.

At first nobody knew what to do. Everyone stood there looking up at Morg uncertain where the (not quite loud enough) music was coming from.

When the Na Nach track ended, I made a game-time decision to go to Purim Tish which came through at a much louder volume. The rikud began to grow and grow. I attempted to switch to another song but when one switches from one song to another on an iPod there is a brief moment of silence in the process. In that moment, I heard someone knocking on the door.

“Security. Open Up. It’s security. Open the door.”

Security had been notified that there was loud music blasting into the street from one of the rooms in Morg. I knew they were here to stop me and take me away, maybe even send me to Siberia, and so there were two things I could do at this point:

1) I could open the door and try to explain to the Amalekite rent-a-cops what exactly was going on in our month of Adar and why this music was necessary.

OR

2) I could not open the door and not explain it to them.

I chose route 2. I realized, however, that they would sooner or later get a key and make there way into the room. Garritanya was outside in the circle and I was cornered. I put the camera down, still running, and began to think of where I could hide so that when they inevitably breached the bolted door I would not be found.

First I tried to squeeze into the small closets that Morg provides. Not happening. I’m a small fellow but not that small. And then it struck me. It was a move I must have made up in my early years at Camp Mesorah, and later used at Reishit during morning wake-up. What does one do when they don’t want to be bothered by their counselor/division head/madrich while rounds are being made for Shacharis? You curl up into the smallest ball you can, and crawl to the end of the bed, partially hanging off, so that it looks like blanket is just rolled up on the edge of the bed.

I stayed there, heart beat pounding, breathing fast, waiting for the Amalekites to break through and try to steal Purim. Keep in mind: There was absolutely no reason to do this. Had I merely opened the door and explained to them that the music was over and we were sorry if it caused a disturbance, they probably would have left. But this way was much more exciting.

From the darkness under the Lubavitch blanket, I heard the rikkud getting stronger outside. I sang along quietly under my blanket, waiting for what I knew was bound to happen. And then they broke through.

I think it was two of them, maybe three. They had walkie-talkies and were speaking Spanish. ‘Don’t breathe too heavily,’ I thought. ‘They might see the blanket moving.’

“Where is he?” one said to the other.
“This is very funny,” said the other one.

I felt them looking around the room. They approached the speaker by the window.

“You think it could be a bomb or something?” one said to the other as he looked at the speaker.

‘Are you serious?!’ I thought. ‘Aside from the fact that it is clearly a giant speaker and not a bomb, the last thing I need right now is for them to go and call the bomb squad and have them come with their sniffing dogs to find me under this blanket.’

They started talking into their radios in Spanish.

They left for a while, though in my mind I began to dream up crazy scenarios, thinking that they were still standing in the room, silently, waiting for me to make a wrong move and come out of hiding. And so I waited under the blankets. I had managed to make a little air opening for myself so I could get some oxygen. Lying still and covered for twenty minutes can get kind of hot and uncomfortable.

When I heard them come in again, I realized I had missed my opportunity to escape and that nobody had been in the room all along. They figured that whoever was involved in this must be outside dancing and after a brief discussion they decided that they would wait for him to come back in the hallway rather then surprise him in his room.

Garritanya returned and a brief discussion ensued outside. Garritanya, himself, was unsure how I was able to leave and lock the door behind me since I didn’t have a key. He came into the room with them, now accompanied by the assistant Head of Housing. I laid still.

Garritanya apologized and said that he realized that it had been loud but it was just a few minutes, a stunt for the month of Adar. The name ‘Josh’ came up but a last name had not been mentioned. They questioned him about this Josh person.

You never really know a person until they are put under pressure and asked to talk about someone else in a situation that they think is “behind-their-back.” Garritanya shined in his moment, as any true Lubavitcher would.

“What’s Josh’s last name?” asked the security guard.
“Why do you need to know his last name?” replied Garritanya.
“So you’re not going to give us his last name?”
“Not until you tell me what is going to happen.”
“Ok, so you’re not going to give us his last name.”
“No, not until I know what you need it for.”
“Okay, that’s all I need to know,” said the security guard.

In the mean time they continued to search the room. They looked in the closet that I had first tried to get into and then even in the compartment above the closets, as if I would have been able to somehow manage to hoist myself up into a 2 x 2 ft. box seven feet off the ground.

Garritanya took charge now.

“Okay, so you have my name, you know where I live, is there anything else you need from me right now?”
“I guess not.”
“Okay, then have a nice day.”

The entourage left the room. I heard the door click. I popped out from under the covers.
“Hello.”

We both lost it. Garritanya had been uncertain as to how I had escaped but still left my camera, shoes, phone, glasses and jacket all behind.

We sat there whispering for a few moments, leaving enough time to make sure that nobody was still outside. We checked the hallways. The coast was clear.

I thanked him for his commitment, packed up my things, and headed out. I tried to think of something holy as I exited the building, like someone escaping from the grips of Amalekites, but all that came to my Western mind was the end of Shawshank or Ocean’s Eleven, as if I had just pulled of the greatest scheme, though in reality I had just hid from a bunch of YU security guards.

I walked into the street, a free man, still shaking a little, but one step closer to the great and awesome day of Purim.

A Great Day for All of Israel...

2010-02-23T20:45:00.000-08:00

Mazal Tov to the Stollel and all of Israel on the engagement of our namesake...

Reb Yoni Stokar
and
Rebbetzin Chavie Lieber

May you be zoche to house the Stollel in your own home in the land of Israel for many years to come.
~

The 9th of Adar - זמן קהילה לכל

2010-02-22T10:02:00.001-08:00

If you consider yourself a Stollelnick/Project Rechargian/Jewish Male then...

Gather on the corner of 186th street (Corner next to the Library)

Tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 12:15 P.M.

Wait...until something happens. Then react.

That is all I can say.

Spread the Word.

Slight Change in Plans...

2010-02-21T14:34:00.000-08:00

So you're still all invited, but now you have to tell us that you're coming.

Due to peer pressure stemming from fear that Purim is going to be too hefker (if there is such a thing) and that we will end up with 400 deli rolls and no seats, we've decided to make the following
RSVP PAGE
just so we know what we need to get in terms of tables, chairs, and to make sure there is sufficient food at the feast...

If you don't want to make anything/can't make anything/can't convince your girlfriend/kallah/wife/mother to make something, you can still come. You could also donate money ($10-15) which we'll use towards other things that we're going to buy anyways.

Don't Be Fadoped - Purim in Stutchin

2010-02-18T15:47:00.001-08:00

R' Zev delivers excellent Torah from the Rebbe of Stutchin on Inyanei Purim.
The sheets handed out are also on YU Torah.
Enjoy!

You're Invited...

2010-02-17T22:50:00.001-08:00

לך כנוס את כל היהודים

You are cordially invited
to a gala Purim gathering...

Where: 495 West 186th Street - Apt. 5C
When: Next Sunday, the First day of the Holiday of פורים
How do I gain access: Bring one cooked dish* and as much wine as you want
Can I bring a friend: You can bring the whole world
What time will it begin: I'm not sure
Anything else I should know: Also not sure. I will update as things become more clear.

*-It's always weird to collect money from people for these things and then go buy food with that money. Rather then do that, if everyone brings one or two cooked dishes (ex. a kugel, some chicken, a deli-roll...) then we will have more then enough foods.

Happy Minyan - Rosh Adar Update

2010-02-16T23:20:00.000-08:00

Happy Minyan - Rosh Chodesh Adar 5770

Jewish Stollel Wedding Recap - אשרי העם שככה לו

2010-02-15T12:07:00.000-08:00

As I sat waiting for my flight to arrive to take me from O'Hare International Airport in Chicago back to JFK, I noticed a good chaver of mine checking in in the distance. I waved to Max and he made his way over to where my parents and I were sitting.

We sat there talking and it was then when he asked me if I could do him a favor. He told me that he had a friend, newly religious, who was to get married in a little less then a month. The chassan's family was not really religious, and the chassan himself was concerned that there wouldn't be the level of yiddishe simcha and dancing that he so wanted on his day of marriage. He had asked Max that if he knew anyone who could come to add to the simcha he should invite them. And so Max asked me if I would come.

From that moment on I knew this was a job for the Stollel.

I told Max to get back to me closer to the wedding and I would post it on Stollel blog in an attempt to gather some of the Stollelnicks together for this Yiddishe Simcha, despite the fact that nobody knew either the chassan or kallah.

The responses came fast and furious. "Down," said the Cheese Choker in response to the posed question: "Anybody down?" TzidkasAzriel said, "Down" soon after. Gaby, DSchwartz, and others followed. Rides to the Rose Castle were being arranged and the Stollel was quick in action.

As we arrived, we found out that the chassan was Sefardishe Yid and so there was no official chassan's tisch. The badekin took place right after the shmorg.

The badekin was a great success and TzidkasAzriel was on the scene to capture the post-badekin interview.

The notorious G.I.D. was spotted spitting hot fire as we waited by the chuppah.

The righteous members of Project Recharge found ways to occupy themselves while we waited.

Because nobody knew either the chassan or kallah we were learning all about them as the morning progressed.

And then it happened.

Nobody expected it.

We then knew the level of righteousness of the chassan as he accepted upon himself the greatest tikkun on behalf of all of Israel, the tikkun of Big Bird.

The wedding procession continued in a traditional manner.

We danced the chassan and kallah to the yichud room singing tunes of redemption and rebuilding.

~

The Stollel is not known for sitting around and twiddling thumbs and so despite the fact that chassan and kallah had been danced to the yichud room, the Stollel rikud continued into the main hall.

The band was taken aback, confused as to how the chassan and kallah could have been here so soon. They soon realized it was just a bunch of neo-hassidim and joined in.

(Something to keep in mind: Nobody on either side knew who any of these sidelocked, scraggly bearded, horn-blowing individuals were.)

We managed to find some empty seats and sat down to begin the festive meal.

The glass elevator began to rise and the band began to play. The band-leader roared:

"For the first time..."

And nobody knows really knows what happened next.

(Note: Possibly the fastest coerced chassan on the shoulders pick-up featuring Corey Fuchs)

The Stollel lined up to show off their moves, first before the chassan, then before the chassan and kallah.

The band continued by playing the song of the day. After all, today was Rosh Hodesh Adar.

And so the wedding came to a close.

While we could have used Pinchas ben Elazar to finish the simcha by eliminating the Bnos Moav, the Stollelnicks packed up into their wagons, another wedding under their belt, and drove off into the sunset.

A good time to be a Yid...

2010-02-14T20:48:00.000-08:00

It's Coming...
~-~
In the derech of our great teacher and rabbi, we at the Stollel also take a look back at Feburary 2009 of last year to see how far we have come.
(There are some excellent posts there...Tu Bshvat, Raz, before Tzavei was Tzavei, Adar Happy Minyanim and much more)
STOLLEL FEBRUARY 2009 ARCHIVES
~
Also:
I have been informed that there is a
HAPPY MINYAN

tomorrow. 8:30. Schottenstein.
~
A gutten chodesh to one and all...

Jewish Wedding Update - Still Rosh Chodesh Adar

2010-02-10T09:56:00.000-08:00

UPDATE:
This is going to be great.
- There are various cars leaving from the Heights for this great simha. If you are in the Heights and need a ride, let me know.
- The members of Project Recharge will be leading a tour of NYC public transportation and will be hiking their way to the Rose Castle. To join them see Adam Friedman or Dani Kaye.
- There are rumored to be various vehicles departing from Queens Headquarters as well.

Anyone who can should make an effort to come. It's going to be a strictly Yiddishe wedding where the sole goal is bring simha to the chatan and kallah on their joyous day.

*Guest Stars*
Moshe Chaim
Gaby
Moshe Lorenzo
Yummy
2/3 of Tzavei
Zev Rocklin
Project Recharge
Thriller
Tanut
Roovain
K/S
Dovid'l Weinberg
Zlou and his daughter, Shoshanalou
and many more...
~

As per our new blogging format, I just received the following email from the person who has requested the presence of the Stollel at the aforementioned Yiddishe Wedding...

i really just recieved an email from the chosson that contained the following message:

"(2) it also seems that the probability of me having very, very few family & friends is growing due to weather. so it's possible that there will be a some empty seats that friends you bring can fill in terms of actually eating."

im sending this to you guys so you can see how hes really not expecting much of anything at his wedding. i cant even begin to imagine what it would mean to have a wedding without family or friends there. we need the entire stollel. like mamash no joke. ill help sponsor peoples transportation if money is an issue, but we need everybody. if we could coordinate transportation so then that would be great, since i have a few people on the side that i asked who want to travel together. the chupah starts at 12:15.

i think it would be really nice if the guys could even be there by the time the chupah ends so they can dance benzi and rakefet over to the yichud room too. they can then have some of the potentially open seats, and then to commence with G-d willing tons and tons of dancing. thanks again for all your help.

Tizku lemitzvot!

What better way to begin the Hodesh of Adar...
Please only comment below if you are planning on going or if you have ideas/plans regarding transportation etc.

Matzah Baking with Rebbe Reichman

2010-02-08T16:09:00.000-08:00

It seems that the new format for posting on this blog is that I merely post messages that are sent to me (via text, email, word of mouth...) that seem relevant to the Stollel.

I recieved the following text message this morning...

matzah baking with rebbe reichman tomorrow.
bus leaving at 2. maybe post it.
gabby said big tikkun.

And so it will be. Matzah Baking trip with the Rebbe tomorrow. That's all I know.

Jewish Wedding - Rosh Chodesh Adar

2010-02-07T11:57:00.000-08:00

I received (basically) the following e-mail...

I have a friend who needs some help. hes an out of towner who is new to the whole orthodox judaism thing, and hes getting married to a different friend of mine in a week.

the problem is that he is not expecting many guys to be coming and he is worried that his wedding will be lacking the intense ruach that he so desperately wants at this momentous simcha!

thats where i need your's and stollels help. we need guys who have the ability to harness tremendous amounts of ruach. we need shofarot, we need dancing and singing and simcha all around. essentially, we need the stollel.

it will be in true crashers style, whoever gets hungry can feel free to eat off my plate:)

The wedding is next Sunday - Rosh Chodesh Adar - 12:30 chuppah at Rose Castle

Anybody down?

Yes, No, Maybe So...

2010-02-06T19:29:00.000-08:00

Are we making a minyan for the recitation of Esther's scroll?
If yes we should divide the perakim.
I will take a chapter.
I would take the first chapter but I don't know if that is too selfish.