Rabbi for the Extremely Online. Founder @myTechTribe. TED Res. Social @Chabad. Views mine, not employer's. Rabbi as a Service (RaaS)
Brooklyn, Before It Was Cool
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Mazel Tov!
Last night we brought balance to the Lightstone family: our fourth girl, following our older four boys!
Baby Girl Lightstone is cute and amazing and we're so happy for her to join the family.
Mommy and baby are good.
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"Why are there Jewish-only ambulances in the United States?"
Of course, there aren't... there are Jewish run EMTs, such as Hatzolah, that help everyone in need.
The people pushing this narrative are asking bad faith.
But let's unpack why these services exist in the first place.
🧵⤵️
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As couple got married today in Crown Heights. Because no one could come to their wedding, they instead drove around the neighborhood and asked everyone to sing and dance with them from their homes.
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Without a doubt, the best way to dismiss an Antisemite.
"You think you're the real Jews? Great. Start following the Bible. Put on some tzitzis."
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What to do:
Put up a bigger mezuzah, put your menorah where all can see, tell the Starbucks barista your Jewish name when ordering a coffee.
Be vigilant, yes, but never ever be afraid.
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Speaking as a rabbi, we do.
It's one of the foundations of Jewish faith: chabad.org/library/article_c…
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There's an explicitly Antisemitic group that meets near my house every Tuesday.
It's called "crownheightsbitesback"
They're active on Instagram and have been increasingly belligerent over the past few months.
The deal in the odious antisemitic trope of the Jewish landlord, and trade in the dangerous lie that Jews living in Brooklyn (let alone a historically Jewish neighborhood like Crown Heights) are somehow engaged in a settler-colonialist project.
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Congratulations to this troll, who appears to be the first person in history to be completely ghosted by every Lubavitcher on the streets ever.
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On D-Day, Hal was given the option of changing his dog tags, to hide the fact that he was Jewish.
Instead he put a star of David and Bronx, New York on his flack jacket.
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My son (9) asked me if there was any news from Israel today.
I asked him why.
He and a group of other kids, 7-12 years old go with a few older yeshivah students to help Russian Jews in south Brooklyn shake the lulav.
On the subway platform a man approached him and began to yell
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If you see a group of Chabad kids asking people to do a mitzvah, say something nice to them - even if it's not your thing. They really are all kids, who put themselves out there to help other Jews in ways most adults wouldn't. It takes a lot.
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𝐌𝐚𝐳𝐞𝐥 𝐓𝐨𝐯!
We were blessed this morning with a baby girl. After four boys, we figured anything doing, is worth doing twice. So our Rochel now had a baby sister!
Her name is Zelda Dina Golda Leah,
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What happens when a Chabad Rabbi finds out his Uber driver's maternal grandmother is Jewish.
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A yeshivah student walking down Kingsotn ave is aggressively pushed over.
via @CHInfoNews
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I disagree.
This is someone who comes from a Yiddish speaking context. As well, more Jews speak Yiddish than Hebrew as a primary language in New York city.
This isn't a comment on other beliefs of OP or the elections. But there are many ways to vociferously criticize someone's POV without taking a swipe at a real part of this city.y.
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This week marks the 33rd anniversary of the Crown Heights riots.
It's one of those moments that altered the trajectory of New York City's history, and exposed glaring errors in how violence against Jews is treated - and perhaps more damningly, how the media (still) fails to understand it.
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Except the fact that the photo was taken (by someone I know) in March 2022 - AI wasn't that good then (even if we pretend it's that good now)
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Jewish life doesn't shut down because of Coronavirus.
We go to shul - at the Eastern Wall of our living rooms.
We go to the study hall - at our kitchen tables.
We go to yeshivah - on Zoom, Vimeo, and Periscope.
We do it because that is the greatest expression of Jewish life.
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Important reminder that every Trader Joe's around the country sells great Chalav Yisroel Kosher feta cheese!
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The great Rabbi Yossi Serebryanski is the Chabad Rabbi at the University of Denver. The students made encampments, and when the University wanted to put up barricades, Rabbi S. suggested putting up tables, for dialogue.
Indeed, he's used them - to engage everyone in conversation, and help Jewish students do mitzvot.
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I somehow think Judaism would be so much healthier on this website if we all stopped tweeting about Antisemitism and started tweeting about, you know, Judaism.
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Deeply disappointed in your words congressman.
That you couldn't be bothered to condemn the people who marched on my neighborhood on Thursday, and are doing so again, with openly genocidal chants ("we don't want two states, we want 48") and justification of violence ("when people are occupied, resistance is justified") - the very least would be even a pittance of concern... especially as this post comes NOW, not when any right-wing Ben Gvir supporters are on the streets, but when Antisemites that are EXPLICITLY casting all Chasidic Jews in Crown Heights as landlords complicit in the "occupation" of Brooklyn is beyond the pale.
In truth this isn't something no... It's part of the critical and total lack of empathy on the part of not just you, congressman, but those who act in tandem, such as @NYJewishAgenda (@phylisajoy) ... It's part of a systemic and repugnant desire to dehumanize Jews in Brooklyn that look different... The same indifference that allowed the rioters in 1991 to pogrom on the streets of Crown Heights...
Due better. Give a damn about us.
I condemn all of the violence that took place in Brooklyn outside of Ben-Gvir’s visit to Chabad World Headquarters. Violence is never the answer— whether by counter protesters in Brooklyn or by settlers in the West Bank. Attacking a lone female bystander and spewing antisemitic hatred are both cowardly and unacceptable acts.
The bill I introduced earlier today aims to prevent violence in the West Bank, but it is up to all of us to keep such violence off our streets here at home. Ben-Gvir, Israel’s inciter-in-chief, spent his trip provoking violence wherever he went. I pray that all level headed leaders can come together to reject this violence and make clear that Ben-Gvir is not welcome here.
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Yes, indeed. We Jews are always going to our Hanukah markets. There we enjoy our Hanukah gingerbread and bratwurst.
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Mazel tov!
New Lightstone just dropped.
She was born at 9:41pm
Mommy and baby (and siblings) are well
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.@realDonaldTrump Mr. President Elect, are you going to talk about this perhaps? Would be great. Thanks.
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Walking down Eastern Parkway yesterday on my way to shul, my daughter needed to tie her shoe, so I bent down to help her.
A guy, dressed in an @AlliedUniversal uniform had his phone out filming - either FaceTime or live streaming, I couldn't tell.
"Look at that Rabbi. He's going to kidnap that girl. He's going to take her to the Diddy tunnels. With the mattresses. Under the synagogue."
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All of these alpha male daily routine guys seem to live alone and don't have any kids.
Show me your routine when you're a family of 10.
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Missing from this tweet: Mentioning Jews.
Statement on International Holocaust Remembrance Day: whitehouse.gov/the-press-off…
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My man here was *NOT* ready for a complete High Holiday speech on the entire nature of human conflict 😂
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No Jew should feel alone on Rosh Hashanah.
Message me if you're looking for a Holiday meal or chance to hear the shofar and I'll try and help!
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I want to share why this rhetoric is so dangerous... why ignoring what's going on right now, giving a pass to genocidal rhetoric against Jews, is deeply deeply dangerous.
This isn't about bad what happened on Thursday night ... it's the systemic practice of painting Jews in Crown Heights as an alien, zionist entity.
Tonight's protest is a deliberate attempt to pit our Caribbean neighbors against us... using the timeless antisemitism of Crown Heights.
Deeply disappointed in your words congressman.
That you couldn't be bothered to condemn the people who marched on my neighborhood on Thursday, and are doing so again, with openly genocidal chants ("we don't want two states, we want 48") and justification of violence ("when people are occupied, resistance is justified") - the very least would be even a pittance of concern... especially as this post comes NOW, not when any right-wing Ben Gvir supporters are on the streets, but when Antisemites that are EXPLICITLY casting all Chasidic Jews in Crown Heights as landlords complicit in the "occupation" of Brooklyn is beyond the pale.
In truth this isn't something no... It's part of the critical and total lack of empathy on the part of not just you, congressman, but those who act in tandem, such as @NYJewishAgenda (@phylisajoy) ... It's part of a systemic and repugnant desire to dehumanize Jews in Brooklyn that look different... The same indifference that allowed the rioters in 1991 to pogrom on the streets of Crown Heights...
Due better. Give a damn about us.
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30.6 million. Fewer than 2008.
google.com/amp/variety.com/2…
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Crazy fact... The first Hebrew dictionary was published by Menachem ben Saruk who lived from 920-970 CE
... Meanwhile the first English dictionary wasn't published until the 17th century.
Modern Standard Arabic only dates to the end of the 19th century...
It's almost as if language evolves and TikTok brained comments have nothing to do with history or society.
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Definitely that's the uglier aspect of the war... Not the fact that it was fought to, you know, have the right to own other human beings.
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Nobody can figure this out.
Assumption is it's viral marketing for the launch of a local kosher variety of Chili & Lime chips.
The chips are INCREDIBLY popular - and so the logic would be: Why Schlep for an average chili lime chip, when you can get this new amazing version here.
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How Do You Do, Fellow Yids?
Travis Garland, 31, booked tonight on charges of criminal trespassing & assault for entering Gordon Jewish Community Center dressed in a Rabbi disguise Mon night. He insisted on seeing a Rabbi. Security got him off the property. Detectives continuing to examine his background.
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It's amazing how all the violence against visibly Orthodox Jews in 2019 literally doesn't exist. My friends' father in law got a rock to the face, a kosher grocery store was shot up and a chanukah party ended with a machete to the head of a Chasid.
And yet...
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Pretty embarrassing that a guy with an LA Talent agency is better qualified to recognize something so basic and clear that an entire freaking Ethnic Studies Faculty lacked the moral decency and basic clarity to recognize...
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Because Jews from the Levant and MENA, about 50% of Israelis today, apparently didn't eat anything at all.
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When the reached the next station, the group all switched train cars as the man continued to yell that he was glad they were leaving.
... And thus my son's question. He wanted know why the man chose to yell at him - a 9 year old from Brooklyn.
*sigh*
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Wanted to wish you a very happy and meaningful Passover - a true exodus from all that binds us and deep inner - and outer - liberation!
#roseanne
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Important words from my colleagues at @Chabad at @columbia.
Jews stand strong and proud.
This is the way:
"In times like these, we’re reminded of the enduring spirit of our people, a spirit that has persisted through the generations, including ours—the current link in an unbroken chain since Sinai.
We, too, must move forward with the same pride and confidence in our identity as Jews. Each step we take in faith has the potential to part the waters of adversity.
For those who are on campus, we stand strong in our commitment to celebrating the redemption of our people during Passover right here at Chabad at Columbia University."
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Things heard at the March:
Why are the speakers so right wing?
Why are the speakers so left wing?
Why are the speakers religious?
Why aren't the speakers religious?
Why are there many Chabadniks?
Why aren't there more Chabadniks?
We can fairly say: At least the Jews showed up
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The amount of low-key Antisemitism that goes on in local level politics and gets an absolute pass with at most an eye roll from neighbors, electeds, and the occasional journalist is absolutely shocking.
I've experienced it personally... And it's really time for it to stop.
If I did not love Crown Heights, I would have left the Community Board a long time ago
ULURP/Land Use Committee - September meeting.
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Sorry to learn of the passing of Charlie Buttons... a beloved figure in Crown Heights but known around the world.
Charlie was a unique figure - part 'court jester,' part savant - he would visit every joyous gathering in Crown Heights - engagements, weddings, bris milahs, and other social functions.
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Not a week goes by without an incident it seems of a Jewish person being beaten without cause in the streets of Crown Heights. Yet it's continually ignored.
Another violent assault tonight in Crown Heights in front of 829 Empire Boulevard at Schenectady Avenue. I ask again, what is going wrong with Crown Heights that innocents are beaten in the streets? Is there an atmosphere that is encouraging violence?!
collive.com/show_news.rtx?id…
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Yes, it's definitely because everyone in Israel is running away to their indigenous homeland of Crown Heights... Not because people booked tickets to fly out before the Jewish New Year.
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Me: "One of the presidents died over Shabbos."
6 Year Old: "Was it or he or a she?"
Me: "There hasn't been a she president yet."
6 Year old: "Why?"
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If it wasn't clear:
Thank G-d my son is 100% fine.
Just some questions from a thoughtful kid on his end.
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Massive gathering of Black Hebrew Israelites by Grand Army Plaza.
"Hey Jacob, it's time to wake up. I've got good news for you, we are the Real Jews"
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I'm old enough to have covered the Mumbai terror attack on this website.
One of the key differences? Antisemitic replies didn't happen then. At least not in my mentions.
And yes, they're just as bad on Butterfly App.
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This photo, btw, was taken during that 2am meeting *exactly* 60 years ago - on September 3, 1964!
I wrote about that encounter:
chabad.org/news/article_cdo/…
During her interview on @PiersMorgan Candace Owen @RealCandaceO referred to what she termed "radical Judaism" and characterized the iconic Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Schneerson, as someone who "preached Jewish supremacism and hatred of all non-Jews." These words are a sickening and manifestly inaccurate description of a revered holy man who was respected and beloved by people of all faiths.
Rabbi Schneerson preached a message of unadulterated love, tolerance, respect, and universal justice for all of humanity. My father considered him a spiritual mentor and sought his advice on diverse issues of morality and ethics. He once visited the Rebbe at 2 o’clock in the morning! As Americans, we need to distance ourselves from the troubling rise in antisemitism. We need unity in our country, not divisiveness. That's what Rabbi Schneerson stood for.
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Video of the people and video testimonials from people who witnessed say otherwise.
EYEWITNESS VIDEO! Multiple people say on the record in this video that as the Hasidic couple started leaving the airplane, @FlyFrontier staff applauded, exchanged high fives and one allegedly said “a job well done to those Jews.” Att @PeteButtigieg @FAANews @SenatorCantwell
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A Chabad emissary in the Boston area was held up at gunpoint while on his phone.
When he realized he was being abducted, he managed to fight off the attacker. He was stabbed multiple times.
The suspect and weapons were apprehended.
The rabbi is in stable condition.
🚨 Chabad Rabbi Stabbed Outside of Boston’s Shaloh House Jewish Day School
Rabbi Shlomo Noginski in stable condition, public asked to pray and increase good deeds in his merit.
chabad.org/news/article_cdo/…
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Yes Glenn, the school - next to the bakery, sports center and butcher, is obviously a legitimate military target.
8. Crater and damage near a school in Gedera, verified by @nemoanno. (Location: 31.802099, 34.787821)
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I'm glad to see New York State law is finally catching up with Halacha in banning religious exemptions to vaccinations.
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TL;DR
Vaccinate your kids!
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Hey look, it's a Crown Heights based collective resisting the state and providing food, clothing,and political education to our neighbors.... I wonder what else they have to say.
Oh... Wait....
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Rabbi Yaakov Raskin
