From The Desk of Rabbi Yehuda - Chabad Lubavitch of Westport

Totally In Love!

Friday, May 15, 2026 - 10:00 AM

Weddings are the paradigm of joy and commitment.

Last week, Kibbutz Nahal Oz, a community decimated on October 7th hosted the first wedding since that calamitous day.

The venue for this wedding was deliberate. The grooms family has deep roots at this Kibbutz and the bride — a nursing student at the Assuta hospital— suggested holding it there.

“We chose to hold such a special day, our wedding, and start our life together in a place where just a moment ago a terrorist organization wanted to destroy everyone. Where they tried to kill us and annihilate us, we have to bring life and renewal”, said the groom.

The Jewish ethos is one of endurance, love, joy and commitment. Challenges aside, we are here to tell the tale precisely as a result of this enduring, unyielding and ever-present reverence for life and living.

It comes as no surprise therefore —that the metaphor used for the great revelation of receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai —is that of a wedding. The Jewish nation wedded to Gd — the Torah as the Ketubah, the marriage contract. The Jewish nation continually producing offspring through acts of goodness — mitzvot. The acts of both perfecting the world at large and ourselves as individuals and doing so with joy!

Choosing Nahal Oz for the wedding. How courageous. How absolutely Jewish. Joy and commitment — life and renewal”.

Next week— Friday May 22– we celebrate the anniversary and re-enactment of the Giving of the Torah once again. We read the Ten Commandments as it’s recorded in Torah, lovingly and painstakingly transmitted generation to generation. Whilst it took place 3338 years ago — we commit ourselves once again to celebrate our Heritage with joyous abandon!

With best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Yehuda & Dina Kantor

P.S. Join us for a Shavuot celebration with a delicious dairy buffet dinner for all — here, and for some Torah Ted talks on Thursday night — here.

Coming Full Cirle

Friday, May 8, 2026 - 10:00 AM

Jewish life and history has long been described as an illustrious chain. Each link intertwined with a preceding link stretching back and standing witness to events and moments that continue to inform and inspire.

Earlier this week, uniquely, at an otherwise standard IDF ceremony — reserve soldier Uriel Dreyfus was promoted to Lt. colonel. What stood out was that Uriel is a descendant of Alfred Dreyfus, who was famously and falsely accused of treason in the French army. Anti antisemitism at its best that ripped apart both French society and the worldwide Jewish community at the end of the 19th century. Ultimately he was acquitted and promoted but the damage was done and “ The Dreyfus Affair” will go go down in infamy.

Skip forward 125 years and Uriel his progeny was promoted in the IDF. “When I entered the gates of the IDF as a young soldier I carried this memory with me” said Uriel at the ceremony.

Not too dissimilar to each of us who carry the memory of our forebears with us — informing, affecting and hopefully inspiring our lives. Those

links in the chain.

The week we read the Parshas Behar and Bechukotai. Behar means The Mountain. The origin of the laws — the Torah —that was gifted to us over 3300 years ago. The event that forever changed the world and charted the course for the “illustrious chain”, that we are all linked to.

The Torah as the anchor with each of us celebrating and observing our Heritage and our identity — link by link stretching backwards and illuminating the forward — Dor L’dor!!

With best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Yehuda & Dina Kantor

P.S. SHAVUOT— the Festival when we received the Torah. Join us in Festive Celebration — Here.

Count Your Blessings!

Friday, May 1, 2026 - 10:00 AM

“Happiness is a journey not a destination”!

So true. Yet how does one journey the path of happiness? After all, it’s not as easy as clicking a switch or waving a wand — happiness requires conscious effort.

Not effort to be happy, rather, effort to allow space for happiness to emerge.

Currently we are in the days of the counting of the Omer. The Omer was a barley offering that brought up in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem on the second day of Passover. From that point and onwards — we count daily a complete 49 days till we reach the 50th day —at which time another sacrifice was offered. This sacrifice was one of wheat.

Today, we don’t have the Temple so we don’t actually offer this offering yet we still count each day and the symbolism is more pertinent than ever.

You see, barley is the first grain to ripen. The offering signifies the beginning of the new season of blessing. A new crop. A new gift.

Gratitude. Thankfulness. No enjoyment from the new crop without a profuse thank you to the source of this blessing. An offering of self and of crop — thank you Hashem.

Gratitude is a huge component in fostering happiness. No expectations. No demands. Gratitude. The recognition of blessing and fortune.

Back to the Omer. We are counting our blessings quite literally. Our lives fuller each day. A conscious meditation. Happiness.

So is that where the expression — “count your blessings come from”? No. But it’s where whoever came up with the expression got it from.

Where else if not from the Torah?

In life one can talk of the “troubled times” or one can focus on the blessings. The choice is clear and the resultant path is exactly what constitutes the journey.

I for one wish to proclaim with enthusiasm — thank you Hashem for all the blessings you have bestowed upon me, my family, my community and my People. I continue to count my blessings!!

With best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom,

Happily Ever After!

Friday, April 24, 2026 - 10:00 AM

Every good story finishes with the words, “and they lived happily ever after”.

What is “after”?

Well, that depends on what the before was and where our values lie.

I thought of this as I saw a moving photo of Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu wearing the Tefillin of fallen lone soldier Sean Carmeli earlier this week on Yom Hazikaron.

“When I put on his tefillin, I feel the profound connection between the generations… between a quiet prayer and an act of self-sacrifice beyond compare,” he wrote, adding that he offered “a silent prayer… in memory of all our fallen, and for the future of our people.

After. Utterly meaningless without having a profound before and an enduring eternal tomorrow.

After. Continuity. Dor L’dor. Eternity.

Judaism is all about the after. We’ve been handed the amazing and transcendent Heritage that stretches back almost 4000 years and experienced with dedication, devotion and self sacrifice throughout the millennia in order to create the today which ensures an after.

After is in our hands whether we can quantify it or not. We’ve been graced with the opportunity and honor to create an “after” for our families, communities, future generations — we are the products of the after that preceded us!

Sean Carmeli was an American lone soldier. He electively joined the IDF defending the “after”, ultimately giving his very life — may his memory be for a blessing and continue inspiring.

After. What a powerful word not for its relativism rather for its ability to link the past with the future.

At the end of the day that’s what Am Yisrael has been doing for millennia — creating the “after”, today!

With best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Yehuda & Dina Kantor

P.S. Hear the story amazing connection with Sean Carmeli Tefillin and Camp Gan Israel. Powerful!

P.P.S. Are you a golfer? Join our Golf Outing it’s a great time and a great cause— Here. Or support the event — here.

P.P.P.S. The name of one of this weeks Parsha is “Acharie “ which means after. It tells of laws given after the passing of the two sons of Aaron. Here’s a link to read more about the Parsha to connect with the timelessness of Torah .

Time Out!

Friday, April 17, 2026 - 10:00 AM

It’s the new normal. Lately I’ve been chatting with bots.

Sometimes I don’t even know it’s a bot. So much for my sixth sense …

It seems so realistic until it isn’t. Admittedly it could be helpful yet It’s simply not like chatting with a real person.

Like, can a bot gossip?

Strange proof you may be thinking. Yet a quick perusal of this week’s Torah portion will illuminate this example.

You see, the Torah relates of a particular skin ailment that results from gossiping and chatting about others — the consequence of which the afflicted person requiring being quarantining outside the living area. ( thankfully this no longer happens).

It’s not quarantine in the medical sense as it wasn’t a medical ailment it was one of a spiritual nature. It was quarantine for the benefit of sitting alone and reflecting on behavior. Sort of like time-out. Quite progressive if you think about it.

It suddenly occurs to me, bots also don’t have time-out. How could they? They can't self reflect…

At the end of the day, human behavior is one that can stumble and at the same time it can repair and rebuild. Human are, well let’s just say human and that means we aren’t perfect and that’s just fine because that’s what life is all about and that’s the way Gd designed us. Yet it’s not the way Gd encourages us to remain.

We are here to live. To live is to be human. To be human is to work on perfecting. Our selves, our surroundings —and by extension the entire world.

Turns out, bots can be quite helpful but they can’t gossip and that is a problem!

Precisely!

Friday, April 10, 2026 - 10:00 AM

Passover concluded last night. Eight days of celebrating “Jewish Nationhood” with family and friends themed on where the Jewish nation originated and the Divine and deliberate nature of our journey ever since.

This Pesach was different however. With Israel at war, hunkering down in shelters for large periods of time at unearthly hours, sifting through the pain and challenge to extract the light and the miracles —provided an added challenge.

Yet that’s precisely what the essence and energy of Passover is all about. Freedom is earned. Light is extracted. Faith is nurtured. Trust is fostered and Hope serving as the eternal foundational belief sustaining us is imbued in our soul.

Yet on the concluding day of Pesach we add one more ingredient to the basket of our existence — the belief in a Messianic era. No war, no jealousy — peace and tranquility the norm —with our pursuits focusing on a higher level of living. The rat race in the rear view mirror and maximum appreciation and discernment of a higher, transcendent power, all the focus. What a glorious ending to Pesach!

What’s the secret of Jewish endurance and survival?

Whilst it may take volumes of books to wade through all the theories and ruminations that have been suggested — just experiencing one Passover and living it year round, answers it in the most unequivocal way with all arrows pointing undoubtedly to a bright and vibrant future — Am Yisrael Chai!

With best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom,

The Whole Picture!

Friday, March 13, 2026 - 10:00 AM

Much of our lives are viewed in snapshots that we string together.

Whilst snapshots inform us of a specific moment it doesn’t tells the complete story. It can even distort the bigger picture in favor of a specific moment.

The same is true with societies and people. Certainly the Jewish nation. One Nation. One People. One Land. One Gd.

This oneness comprised of many parts. The responsibility resting on the shoulders of each of us regardless of where we reside, our age, our stage or our affiliations for that matter.

Back to snapshots. The Jewish nation viewed in such a manner is an erroneous picture. The complete picture is one of eternity. The tomorrow is always part of the picture. It’s the essence of the Nation of Israel and the Biblical promise to our Matriarchs and Patriarchs.

This idea is reflected in the dual Parshas that we read in Synagogue this Shabbos. The individual and the collective, both vital and integral. We finish reading the book of Exodus — and we collectively proclaim the word “Chazak — Strength”! Endings can be traumatic but not so in Judaism as it merely represents the beginning of the next stage!

As we live through a very miraculous and challenging period of time — coming from Purim and preparing for Passover — let’s recall the glorious history of the Jewish nation and recognize that each of us are an integral piece of the equally glorious future. Chazak!

With best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom & with prayerful wishes to our brethren in Israel,

Rabbi Yehuda & Dina Kantor

P.S. Our brethren in Israel need to make Passover yet they’re in shelters at all times of the day. LET’S ENSURE they have the funds to do so

Click here to help out those who need help making Passover and bring joy to them and more joy to yourself at the same time!

Faith-Full!!!

Friday, March 6, 2026 - 10:00 AM

Miracles are unfolding for Israel and the world as the dually named war with Iran continues.

For Israel and the Nation of Israel, the maniacal and evil intentions, constantly touted by Iran and executed by their proxies, has been a tremendous source of worry and fear — and has exacted a very high price!

Yet despite this overhang that has been constant, Israel has flourished. Israel has become the beacon of light for the world in so many ways. How can a besieged nation, surrounded by lesser than friends flourish? That too is miraculous— yet not the entire story.

Earlier this week, one of the monstrous ballistic missiles sent by Iran — with the intention of inflicting death and destruction on innocent civilians in the heart of Israel —struck in Beit Shemesh. There were 9 fatalities and multiple injuries. A community devastated.

Reading through some of the real life stories I was moved to tears and at the same time inspired beyond.

Tamar and Yitzchak Biton lost three of their four children in the Beit Shemesh horrific attack. Amidst the excruciating pain as she sat Shiva in a hotel in Jerusalem as their house has been destroyed she says “she has been able to maintain her faith because she works to cultivate it every day.

“Faith isn’t built in a day,” she said. “Faith is a gift from God, and faith is what gives you the ability to stand in front of these challenges, these experiences, in front of these waves.”

Faith. The staple ingredient that has ensured the success of Jewish life for millennia. The very ingredient that ensured the miracle of Purim both by Queen Esther, Mordechai and the Jewish nation of that time.

Faith: the struggle of which we read in this weeks Torah portion as some of the Jews create the golden calf. Perceivably yet erroneously Moses return from upon the mountain was delayed and some lost faith in his return — resulting in the smashing of the Tablets ( read up here if it’s not familiar).

Faith: the hallmark of the Yehudi. A gift from Gd, one that requires constant nurturing and has its ups and its downs.

Faith, it’s not built in a day but it ensures that what is built will live into perpetuity!

Almighty Gd in Heaven, grant respite to Your People Israel. Grant peace and security to those who live in your holy land and may your “roar” continue to the lead us as we continue to follow your ways, nurture our faith and proclaim, “Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad”!

With best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Yehuda & Dina Kantor

It's The Truth

Friday, February 27, 2026 - 10:00 AM

It may not sound so unique to hear the words Am Yisrael Chai expressed in the Israeli Knesset— unless it’s expressed by the Prime Minister of 1.4 “Billion” Indians.

The address by the PM of India this past week in the Knesset is nothing short of remarkable and one well worth listening to.

His opening words— “It is a privilege and an honour for me to stand before this distinguished House. I do so as the Prime Minister of India, and also as a representative of one ancient civilization addressing another. I bring with me the greetings of 1.4 billion Indians, and a message of friendship, respect, and partnership….”

“In India, there is great admiration for Israel’s resolve, courage, and achievements. Long before we related to each other as modern States, we were linked by ties that go back more than two thousand years. The Book of Esther refers to India as Hodu. The Talmud records trade with India in ancient times…..”

Personally, I’m not one that gets excited when someone extols the virtues of the Jewish nation and our rich Divine history — as rare as it is. After all, we need to be secure and proud enough of the truth. We need to be inspired enough to continue the unique charge of the Jewish nation, gifted with the Divine mission and responsibility to be a Light Unto the Nations — on our own steam.

Yet the timing of this — standing on the eve of Purim, a Festival that is fully and wholly dedicated to celebrating Jewish identity, commitment to our Heritage and selfless leadership — highlights and underscores the very positive and empowering message of Purim and the Megillah.

All too often, Jewish life is defined by the challenges that we face; the rise of antisemitism and the like whilst the positive, inspiring and empowering elements of being Jewish under emphasized, under appreciated and under practiced.

Purim is the Holiday that fixes all that. It introduces joy, fun, identity and experience. The Megillah doesn’t gloss over the rabid antisemitism that exists yet it doesn’t stop mid story. It highlights the conscious decisions of the Jews of that era to double down on their commitment made at Mt Sinai to dedicate their lives as proscribed in the Torah. It highlights the heroism of different figures of that era — Esther and Mordechai and many others. Mostly, it models for us and illuminates for us a clear path for how we should respond to our challenges — “in those days, in our times”.

We have an illustrious past that’s for sure — the future will be just as illustrious no doubt — that however, is in our hands!!

Am Yisrael Chai!!

With best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom & with an extra push to you and your family to attend a Purim celebration,

Rabbi Yehuda & Dina Kantor

Be Happy!

Friday, February 20, 2026 - 10:00 AM

Children by nature are happy — unless they’re not, that is…

Adults by nature however, well, that’s somewhat more complex..

Or is it?

Earlier this week we ushered in the new Jewish month of Adar. Much is said about this month. To begin with it’s a month of good fortune. It has always been so — evidenced by the Festival of Purim.

The theme of the month is “Joy”. The Talmud tells us that it’s a time we need to increase in joy.

Easier said than done! Entire industries are built on making people feel better — with limited success one could say— based on the levels of depression that exists out there.

So, what’s the actual expectation of this statement?

Looking at the fuller Talmudic statement gives us insight. “Just as when we enter the month of Av we decrease in joy - so too when Adar enters we increase in joy“.

Presto. Somehow when it comes to being less happy we know how to do it —precisely this same way —we need to be joyous.

Sadness and happiness are predicated on what we allow our minds to reflect on. We can focus on our life’s challenges or conversely on the blessings. Our moods result and derive from this very choice.

Stress and angst are real. Life does have obstacles and road blocks — yet the counter side overwhelmingly outweighs all of this. When we drown out the noise and distraction we discover that our blessings are there in such abundance — yet sadly, we rush them by all too often!

Not so when the month of Adar arrives. We are instructed to slow down. Think of our blessings. Think of all the Divine blessings that had to have happened to those who preceded us that affords us the current blessings we have today …

You know and I know they are too numerous to fathom and for that we ought to get up and dance with joy and appreciation.

Happy Adar & Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Yehuda & Dina Kantor

The Real Deal

Friday, February 13, 2026 - 10:00 AM

I recently read about the Israeli bobsled team competing in the Winter Olympics.

It’s the first time Israel has such a team — spearheaded by an observant kippah wearing captain and comprised of a diverse group including another first — a Druze sportsman representing Israel.

At first I thought it was someone’s humor. After all, snow is hardly common in Israel and what chances are there that in the Winter Olympics there’s a bobsled called “Shul Runnings”?

Yet I kid you not. It’s a real team and it’s already achieved great things just by qualifying and standing tall and proud. Yet it doesn’t stop there.

A passage from Genesis is displayed on the side of their bobsled quoting the passage where our Forefather Jacob had a revelation in a dream — upon a waking he says, “behold there is Gd in this place”.. A reference to the prevalence of Hashem in all settings and places.

One of the greatest misconceptions regarding Judaism is that there are times and places designated for Jewish experience. The truth is, anywhere and anytime one can bring the higher level of Gd consciousness and connection to the Divine into this world via the Torah and Mitzvot.

In fact, specifically in the mundane one elevates Holiness. One needn’t go to synagogue to experience Judaism. Rather, Judaism should be found in our homes, our workplace even in the bobsled.

Blessings to the bobsled team and yes, continue to bring more Gdliness into this world in every which way!!

With best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Yehuda & Dina Kantor

Forever Connected!

Friday, February 6, 2026 - 10:00 AM

“I want to dedicate my side of this trophy to the fifteen Jewish people we lost on Bondi Beach a month and a half ago — Am Yisrael Chai” Israeli tennis star Guy Sasson upon winning the Double Quad Final at the Australian Open last week.

A personal victory not quite so personal.

Why?

“And you shall be for me a Nation of Ministers and a Holy Nation…” G-d to Moses instructing him to relay this message as the Jewish nation encamped by Mt Sinai…

A nation — one people— tasked a mission. We didn’t ask for it but we don’t know life without it and I’ve yet to meet a Jewish individual that would trade it in.

“I know, I know. We are your chosen people. But, once in a while couldn’t You choose someone else?” Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof.

A nation with a sense of humor too…yet when asked by G-d whether we agreed to receive the Torah we eagerly responded yes — yet before asking for the enclosed details.

Famous refusenik Natan Sharansky spent nine years in the gulag. Close to half of them in solitary confinement. Yet he never broke. His oppressors, the Soviet Union, broke. He understood the profound concept of the Jewish family better than anyone. “The moment you feel yourself deeply connected you are never alone. In all my years of imprisonment I never felt alone [because I knew I was a Jew].

When a widow shared how lonely she felt with the Lubavitcher Rebbe, he shared a powerful message of hope and the essential truth: We're never alone, because G-d is always with us.

Clearly Moses delivered G-d’s message effectively. It’s not only been heard it’s been practiced. Each of us interconnected ambassadors for G-d to the world and our Jewish people— both those physically alive today and those that preceded us!

What?

This week we read of the giving of Torah at Mount Sinai. It’s all in there. The blueprint. Our interface. The interconnect portal to the past, the present, the future, to humanity, to our souls to eternity -- Am Yisrael Chai!

With best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Yehuda & Dina Kantor

P.S. Here's a torah thought from Rabbi Yehuda Kantor -- Live it, Love it, Learn it!

Westport Journal: Former Soviet dissident speaks in Westport on freedom, identity and Israel at Chabad event

First or Last?

Friday, January 30, 2026 - 10:00 AM

5, 4, 3,2,1….. and with that the iconic clock in Hostage Square was turned off.

843 days of trauma, prayer, campaigning and soul searching for the entire Nation of Israel, ending with the final return of Ran Gvili.

The first to go in the last one out. Ran didn’t need to rush into danger on that fateful day — he was on medical leave waiting for surgery yet he couldn’t stand by whilst his friends were all battling and his nation was under attack.

His selfless dedication cost him his life and his name will eternally be etched into all of our minds and hearts into perpetuity.

This week we read of the our ancestors exodus from Egypt. Not but a few days later the oppressor nation regrets allowing the exodus and rushes with the full cavalry to recapture the emancipated people. In front of them is a body of water — the Sea of Reeds and behind them clouds of dust and war cries from the elite of the Egyptian army.

Anxiety levels soared. Despondency set it for some, adrenaline for others — the situation bleak. Until —one solitary individual jumped into the obstructing Sea. His name was Nachshon. He trailblazed, refusing to see the obstruction as a danger. If G-d instructed to move forward then that’s what the plan of action was going to be.

Seems simple and also seems futile. Yet subsequent to his selfless move — G-d splits the Sea of Reeds and the entire nation miraculously crosses the Sea as simultaneously the pursuing army drowns in that very same sea.

A miracle to be sure but a vital lesson to each of us. Miracles don’t happen unless we put our best foot forward… Miracles will happen, let’s be clear. Just examine your life and your lifetime and you’ll see an abundance of real indisputable miracles — yet it always takes someone to put their best foot forward.

Ran Gvili personified the Nachshon move. The first in, the last out. Thousands of others did so too. No, hundreds of thousands of others did so too. Perhaps it was millions worldwide who in their own manner jumped into the proverbial sea.

Judaism hasn't merely survived throughout the ages — it’s thrived due to the Nachshon / Ran doctrine and inspiration. It’s the ethos of Jewish life.

Earlier this week was the anniversary of the inauguration of leadership of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. It wasn’t a job that he wanted and it took a full year for him to acquiesce and ascend to the position. In his first address he emphasized this very point. The collective responsibility of each of us to put our best foot forward yet he didn’t stop there.

You see throughout his life he uniquely emphasized the benefits that result from living like this. The recognition of purpose and maximization of our lives. Sometimes it comes at a cost of comfort or a sacrifice of some other physical element yet at the end of the day, happiness, fulfillment and peace of mind don’t result from physical abundance they result from living a deep, meaningful and purposeful life.

Ran Gvili is a modern day Maccabee and Hero. We are fortunate to have had such good examples — now it’s up to us to put our own best foot forward!

The Heartbeat of Jewish Nation is Beating Wildly

Tuesday, January 27, 2026 - 10:00 AM

The heartbeat of the Jewish nation is beating wildly. Ran Gvili “the first one in — the last one out” is on his way home.

The last hostage from the terrible October 7th catastrophe finally found.

My emotions swing wildly across the full spectrum of emotions.

Ron, isn’t alive. This isn’t a surprise. It’s his body that has put the entire Jewish nation on pause. Healing, moving on impossible, as long as the last hostage is yet in captivity. Today ends a 843 day ordeal.

I feel a deep sense of connection with the whole Am Yisrael today. A personal sense of relief with Ron’s family. A deeper connection with Ran himself although it’s only his body that returns home.

Bittersweet.

The Israeli PM start the Knesset session with a blessing of thanks as he dons his Kippa and recites the Shehecheyanu.

A blessing of thanks. That too I need process. It’s a powerful moment. My mind wanders back 843 days. That brutal day. The worst massacre by far since the Holocaust.

Yet then there’s the abundance of miracles that has ensued. A broad embrace from on high. Gd loves his people that’s clear. “Gd chooses HIs people Israel with love”.

So why let it all happen?

The unanswerable question. They’ve asked this question for millennia. Every answer more inadequate than the next…. Yet today isn’t a day for questions. What good are questions —they just leave me in a semi dazed state.

No. Ram Gvili deserves better …

I scroll further to read more about Ran, the efforts to locate his body — the reaction of his family.

It’s here that I find my direction. The unit that finds Ran, sing the Ani Maamim. The ultimate prayer of faith. Tears flow freely. Kaddish is recited. It’s now the soul pounding.

The unit carrying the body of Ran chant Psalm 121 — “he neither sleeps nor does he slumber” - no he doesn’t and he also doesn’t divulge the reason for so much pain and suffering…

Ani Maamin— I believe. It’s one of the 13 fundamental principles of faith. No matter how bad or hopeless it seems.

And then the penny drops. It’s the faith and the courage to believe ,that brought Ran home. It’s the sanctity of life that is the cornerstone of Judaism that ensured that Ran is coming home. It’s the blessings of thanks that we direct heavenward that ensured the Ron is coming home.

First in last out — the Jewish ethos. Welcome home Ran, I for one will draw from your inspiration and double down on my commitment to ensure that Am Yisrael Chai!!

P.S. An extra mitzvah today in Ran’s honor will ensure that his life continues into perpetuity!

Life or Living!

Friday, January 23, 2026 - 10:00 AM

The comings and the goings!

So goes life…

Everyone scuttling around. Each person a microcosm of life. Ups and downs, exhilaration, depression, endurance, boredom, contentment, to name it — all contributing to the fullness of life.

Yet…

That hardly describes life and purpose. Each personal coming and going containing a purpose. Sometimes known sometimes concealed — the way we deal with our reality in our hands. Understanding that each moment contains a unique opportunity, a crucial starting point.

This week’s Parsha speaks of the Jews exodus from Egypt. The decisions our ancestors to endure and plow forward - showing great results for millennia.

Fast forward to today… although we think of it as an evolving or perhaps devolving period of time — the Rebbe, when taking over leadership of the Chabad movement in 1951 was clear in his mission statement, directive and inspiration. This generation — just post Holocaust —would have a lot of rebuilding to do. The state of the Jewish world requiring all hands on deck.

Incredibly and miraculously the larger Jewish community in the USA and the world over has certainly rebuilt. Jewish institutions, Jewish eduction, pride, pursuit and dedication stronger than ever despite the challenges involved

Yet…

So much more to do. Just to maintain requires strength taking a step forward yet more — the base however, oh, so strong.

We read of the exodus and yearn for the ultimate exodus yet till which time we double down to ensure that our purpose and opportunities are maxed to the fullest paving the way for generations to come!

With best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom,