B”H 5712 LORRAINE ROAD, LAKEWOOD RANCH · 941-752-3030 · … · 2012-04-30 · shaping up to be a phenomenal summer op-portunity for Jewish chil- ... hailing all the way from Montreal,

One reason we cele-brate Lag Ba’Omer is that an e p i d e m i c w h i c h caused the

death of 24,000 of Rabbi Akiva's disciples ceased on that day. Our Sages relate that the epidemic had been caused by the failure of these students to relate to each other respectfully. This is very surprising. After all, was it not Rabbi Akiva who defined the commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself" as "a fundamental principle of the Torah"? How could his disciples have departed from his teachings so drastically that their inter-personal conduct resulted in an epidemic?

Chassidic thought explains that because every person is unique in his nature and thought processes, he has a unique path in the service of G-d, in the study of Torah, and in the fulfillment of mitzvahs. For example, one individual may be motivated by the love of G-d, while another is inspired by the awe of Him. Similarly, each

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M E M O R A B L E M O M E N T S A T C H S C A M P G A N I S R A E L

H A P P I N E S S I S . . .

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Chabad of Bradenton &

Lakewood Ranch is an

organization that provides

social, educational,

recreational, and religious

programming. Chabad is a

place where every Jew,

affiliated or unaffiliated,

observant or non-observant,

can come and feel

comfortable. We believe

that regardless of educational

background or affiliation, it

is the inalienable right of

every Jewish person to learn

and participate in our

heritage, which belongs

to us equally.

B”H 5712 LORRAINE ROAD, LAKEWOOD RANCH · 941-752-3030 · WWW.CHABADOFBRADENTON.COM

C H A B A D N E W S

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of Rabbi Akiva's disciples had his own personal ap-proach to Divine service. Because they were highly developed individuals, each had internalized his own particular approach to the point where it affected every aspect of his personality. Moreover, being men of in-tegrity, they no doubt spoke their minds plainly.

Operating from within his own perspective, each of them perceived any ap-proach different from his own as incomplete, an inade-quate and inferior path. And because Rabbi Akiva empha-sized the commandment to "love your neighbor as your-self," each of his students tried to influence his col-leagues to accept his own approach. Being all intensely involved in their own path of service, however, none of them would change. The tension between them began to escalate as the deep com-mitment every student felt to his own particular approach barred a proper show of re-spect for colleagues who followed a different path.

We can learn several lessons from the story of Rabbi

Akiva's students. First, though they erred by not showing each other due re-spect, the depth of their in-volvement in their service of G-d is noteworthy. A per-son who takes his obligation to serve G-d casually would not have reacted in this man-ner. Their conduct shows us the degree to which our rela-tionship with G-d must have primacy in our lives.

Nonetheless, the deficiency in their course of action - highlighted by the severe punishment they received - must also be recognized. No matter how deeply we are involved in our own service of G-d, we must always be broadminded enough to ap-preciate that someone else may have a different ap-proach. Although, from our perspective, his path may appear inadequate, our per-ception of his inadequacies may stem from our own limitations, and not from his.

Furthermore, even if some-one is indeed underdevel-oped, his deficiencies need not prevent us from looking upon him in a favorable light. For every individual (continued on page 5...)

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Hi! My name is Chaya and I am so excited to be head counselor in Camp Gan Israel this summer. Some of you may know me already from my visits from Montreal to visit Rabbi Mendy, Chanie and the family. I can't wait to come back and this time I will be bringing my friends along too! We are getting ready to have the most amazing summer, filled with exciting games, trips, fun-shops, and much more. We are going to have super dress up days and carnivals, unique art projects, and swimming among many other things. Start getting ready for an amazing summer!

Funshops including wood-working and haircutting and beauty training among other choices of children's activities which will take place bi-weekly. Shabbat parties, challah baking, and a mid-camp Shabbaton are also b e i n g p l a n n e d .

The camp will be held for girls and boys ages 5-12 for four weeks from June 25 until July 20 and will be

P A S S O V E R A T C H A B A D

the Haggaddah. Passover diaries were read through-out the evening showing how the Passover lessons are still relevant today. Children chanted a beauti-ful “Four Questions” provid-ing much the nachas to their parents, grandparents, and all participants.

Thank you to Pinchos & Miriam Rodriquez, Fred & Lois Goldman, Steve & Colleen Shapiro, Jeff & Charity Steckel, Mark Walzer, Kevin & Debbie Rubin, Richard & Lauren

Over 80 guests experienced the true meaning and joy of Passover with Chabad of Bradenton. On Friday eve-ning, April 6, the Chabad House overflowed with warmth, food, prayer, and holiday spirit. Trays of mat-zahs, wines, symbolic Seder plates, and traditional foods graced the tables.

A candle-lighting ceremony ushered in the festivities. This was followed by the Seder, led by Rabbi Mendy and complete with singing, jokes, and insights into

Vallone and the Jewish Fed-eration of Sarasota Manatee for their generous sponsor-ship of the Seder as well as many of our family sponsors who enabled oth-ers to enjoy the Passover S e d e r t h i s y e a r .

On Shabbos, April 14, the Feast of Moshiach, tradition-ally celebrated on the last day of Passover, was held at the home of Rabbi Mendy & C h a n i e B u k i e t . l

Four cups of wine, matzahs, m

daily Judaic segments, and much more. All camp trips have been set up and in-clude trips to MOSI, Mote Martine Aquarium, Bounce U, Chuck E Cheese, Co-quina Beach, Stardust, El-lenton Ice and Sports Com-plex, and more. Swimmimg will take place three times weekly with a certified life-guard at the River Club Pool.

Gan Israel is shaping up to be

a phenomenal summer op-portunity for Jewish chil-dren in Manatee County.

Four excellent counselors, hailing all the way from Montreal, with extensive Judaic and educational ex-perience are coming to C a m p G a n I s r a e l . They are already hard at work preparing to daily

and a delicious buffet dinner were served.

Traditional Jewish songs, as well as Chassidic melodies, were chanted as is the custom at the Feast of Moshiach. Rabbi Mendy Bukiet spoke about the symbolism of each of the four cups and its relevance to our daily lives.

Everyone resolved to add in a specific good deed lending more meaning to this Seder. The warm atmosphere was enjoyed by all and concluded Passover on a high note.

C A M P G A N I S R A E L U P D A T E

located at the Chabad House on 5712 Lorraine Road. Hours will run from 9 am to 3 pm. Extended care is avail-able until 5 pm.

Please contact Chabad at 9 4 1 - 7 5 2 - 3 0 3 0 , [email protected] or visit our all new camp web-site at www.cgibradenton.org for more information and to register.

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M E M O R A B L E M O M E N T S A T C H S

Camp Gan Israel Wish List:

Any help with the camp needs enumerated below would be greatly appreciated!

1. $500 gift card to BJ’s 2. $500 gift card to Walmart

3. $500 gift card to Kosher Kaddy 4. Camp Scholarship Fund Donations

Sponsor a week of camp for one child: $150

Sponsor a full season of camp for a child: $600

5. Art Supplies 6. Sports Equipment

7. Bounce House Contact Chabad at 941-752-3030

for more information.

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Would you like to place an ad or personal greeting in this space?

Advertise in Chabad News. 1/4 page- $36 / 1/8 page - $18 / Business Card - $10

Circulation of this publication goes to hundreds of Jewish homes! Contact Chanie Bukiet at [email protected] or 752-3030 to reserve your space for the June edition by May 15.

We are bombarded on a daily basis with advertisements and hype that tell us that living in a certain neighbor-hood, belonging to a particular country club or buying a specific designer’s handbag, car or dress will assure us of everlasting happiness. Or what about the ads that promise that a perfect body and an unlined face is ‘the’ recipe for happiness? s

If only it were that simple. Unfortu-nately, all these ads do is reinforce the false belief that luxurious homes in up-scale communities on acre plus lots with luxury cars in our driveways are the very things that will improve the quality of our lives and relationships. No one will dispute the fact that it is lovely to wake up every morning in paradise to a beautiful house and land-scaping on a preserve, a lake or a golf course. However, if you believe for one moment that these luxuries in themselves will pave the way to genu-ine happiness, you will be sorely disap-pointed. And unfortunately, more and more people today are searching for happiness and inner peace ‘in all the wrong places’.

Many years ago when I first began to treat the ‘rich and famous’ in my pri-vate practice, I quickly learned that hav-ing the mansion on the water or the private plane did not at all translate into

friend or colleague. Give relation-ships the attention they deserve. We live in a very narcissistic, ‘it’s all about me’ world. So perhaps you might con-sider ‘giving back’ to people in your community or in disadvantaged com-munities around the world who are less fortunate than you are and who would appreciate your time, money or com-mitment to their well-being. For some it might mean writing a check, where for others a hands-on approach works best. d

I can tell you that in the 35 years that I have been a therapist that I have re-ceived as much (if not more) as I have given. I have had the privilege of meet-ing and treating people whom I would have never met in my own personal day to day life. These relationships have taught me the true meaning of compas-sion and empathy. I have also learned to appreciate the sacrifices that my par-ents made for me and the challenges that they faced as parents, partners and providers. I have a perspective on life that I would never have, had I not been fortunate to be so intimately involved in human pain and suffering.

For in the end, I have learned that true happiness is about love and the loving relationships that we create and nur-ture.

being happy. j

My patients were as unhappy and de-pressed about their lives and relation-ships as my Inner City clientele who I treated in Montreal when I finished graduate school at McGill. The only real difference was that my wealthy patients had the resources to ‘escape’ for short periods of time from their problems and their miserable relation-ships, only to return to their cycle of discontent and hopelessness.

Sigmund Freud was right when he said that true happiness is about love and meaningful work. And if you believe this to be true, how much time this month did you spend on nurturing your relationship? Did you put as much energy into it as you did your job or on designing your new home, pool or kitchen? Are you as commit-ted to working out your individual and relationship problems as you are in working out the difficulties that you are having with your contractor or mortgage broker or interior designer? No matter how hard Madison Avenue tries to convince us that buying the ‘right’ kind of house or product will transform our lives, the truth lies else-where.

Begin today to fix the structural prob-lems in your relationship with your spouse, partner, child, grandchild,

H A P P I N E S S I S . . . By Beatty Cohan, MSW, LCSW

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Our prophets relate that G-d tells His people, "And you shall be for Me a land of delight." The Baal Shem Tov explains this metaphor as follows: Just as the earth hides treasures of gold, silver and precious stones, every individual pos-sesses valuable spiritual resources. While this potential is revealed in some and hid-den in others, it is present in all. All we need to do is labor to uncover it. Every individual can, if he applies himself, make radical advances.

Furthermore, we need not wait for mira-cles to inspire us. Our Sages relate that Rabbi Akiva was motivated to begin studying Torah by a simple physical ob-servation. Noticing how a certain rock had been worn away by the sheer con-stancy of dripping water, he understood that Torah (which is likened to water) could refine those aspects of his nature that were as rough as stone.

As was the case with Rabbi Akiva, there are no obstacles to personal growth that cannot be overcome. As our Sages teach, every individual has within himself the potential to ask, "When will my deeds approach the deeds of my forefathers, Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov?"

May our individual efforts to refine and develop ourselves and appreciate the growth of our colleagues speed the com-ing of the era when Mashiach will perfect the entire world with the coming of the Redemption. May this take place in the immediate future.

Rabbi Mendy Bukiet

possesses a potential for growth. We should concentrate our efforts on helping him realize that potential, rather than merely accentuating his need to do so.

Rabbi Akiva's life provides us with an example of how any person can reach greatness regardless of his background and present level of achievement. Rabbi Akiva descended from a family of converts and did not begin to study until the age of forty. Nevertheless, he attained such heights of scholarship that our en-tire knowledge of the Oral Law rests upon his teachings.

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T S E Z A W I E A N D Phone: 941-704-2544

E-mail: [email protected]

Glatt Kosher Catering, Meals-to-Go,

Baked Goods, Birthday Cakes, Rugelach

and much more... Delicious Creations

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O N G O I N G P R O G R A M S All events take place at the Chabad Jewish Center

Talmud Classes Mondays, 7:30-8:30 pm Explore the Talmud and its laws in its original text. No prior knowledge of the Talmud or Hebrew is necessary. Book fee: $45. Torah Studies Saturday, 9:00-9:30 am Participate in a fascinating class on the Torah portion of the week. Discover the mystical meanings and lessons behind ancient stories. Admission is free. Weekly Shabbat Services Friday nights, 7:00, Saturday mornings, 9:30 Enjoy warm, family friendly services at the Chabad Jewish Center. Saturday services are followed by a delicious buffet Kiddush. Havdallah Ceremony & Video Showing Saturday nights, one half hour after Shabbat’s conclusion Join Chabad for a weekly Havdallah Ceremony and Video Demonstration fea-turing “Living Torah,” clips of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s talks, timeless mo-ments, and encounters. Chabad Hebrew School Sunday mornings, 9:30 am-noon Give your child for the experience of a lifetime at Chabad Hebrew School fea-turing an outstanding curriculum, professional and warm teachers, hands-on lessons, an innovative Hebrew reading Aleph Champ program, motivational systems, and more. Learn it. Live it. Love it! Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) Wednesdays, May 2, 9, 11, 23, 30, 7:30-8:45 pm This spring semester, “The Art of Marriage” course shows how to add meaning to your love. Whether you’re in a committed, passionate, and loving relation-ship or not, the principles you’ll learn in The Art of Marriage will help you clarify what is meaningful in a relationship and will teach you how to take yours to the next level. Cost is $75 or $135 per couple. This course is sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee. Women & Wisdom Thursdays, May 3, 17, 24, 31, 7:30-9:00 pm. This course creates a community of women over two semesters of six weeks each to delve into the various prayers and Ethics of Our Fathers. Cost of the course is $85 including course materials. Ladies Lunch & Learn Tuesday, May 8, noon-1:00 pm Join Chanie Bukiet for a monthly Lunch & Learn. Feast on a delicious lunch and sample from a variety of Jewish topics. Free. Sponsor: $100 Falafel with Yoav Sunday, May 13, noon-1:00 pm Come and enjoy a terrific kosher falafel lunch prepared by Yoav Cohen on the second Sunday of every month at noon. Cost: $4 a falafel. Friday Night Live Friday, May 18, 7:45 pm Teens (13-18) are invited to Rabbi Mendy & Chanie’s home for a delicious Shabbat meal in a fun and lively atmosphere. No charge. Reserve by Wednes-day, May 16.

For more information on any of the above ongoing events, call Chabad at 941-752-3030 or e-mail [email protected].

Owner

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PARTNER APPRECIATION

V O L U N T E E R S P O T L I G H T

Issac & Mimy Abitbol Ramon & Sherri Alvarez Ronald & Yardena Cohen-Babcock Daniel Benjamin Ron & Nina Berman William & Beryl Bosher Andrew & Benedicte Burg Rabbi Joseph & Fradel Bukiet Shaiky Bukiet Edward Buyes Victoria Cannon Abby Chasky Wendy Claussen Frea Cohen Martin & Barbara Cohen Shlomo & Orit Cohen Yoav Cohen

Steven & Alyse Cores Jeff & Adrienne Davis Emanuel & Doris DeCoveny Maurice & Ellen Echales Joel & Rosalyn Ehrenpreis Jim & Estrella Engelhardt Marvin & Elaine Fitzer Bob & Sylvia Franklin Max Friedman Yoshiro & Anita Fukunaka Herbert & Joyce Furman Bob & Janet Gold Gavriel & Tzevia Gopin David & Fern Grace Marilyn Heitner Larry & Sandie Ivers David Kasse Taras & Donna Kochno

Lieba Kramer Beverly Levin David & Louise Levy Albert Mayara Merkos L’Inyonei Church David Meyersburg Sanford Milter Ofer & Orna Nissan Merrill & Carol Oltchick Scott & Debbie Pattinson Pinchos & Miriam Rodriguez Brent & Ricki Rubin Kevin & Debbie Rubin Barbara Schur Steve & Colleen Shapiro David & Laya Shugol Sandy & Phyllis Silverman Ted Simon

Joe & Rosalie Slavings Jeff & Charity Steckel Jeffery & Jocelyn Stevens Elliott & Evelyne Stupp The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee Mark & Sara Triton William & Anne Turner Richard & Lauren Vallone Norman & Willie Walter Mark Walzer Robert & Pam Weigert Rubin & Carolyn Weinberger Morris & Paecia Weinstein Tseza Wieand Susan Zalkin Jerry & Judy Zivic

We apologize if anyone’s name was left out inadvertently. It is by no means a result of a lack of appreciation on our part.

Frea Cohen Ron & Yardena Babcock-Cohen Daniel Benjamin Joshua Benjamin Chaim Meir, Mordechai & Shaya Bukiet Ed Buyes Abby Chasky Frea Cohen

Shlomo & Orit Cohen Jay Kelly Taras Kochno David Korman Edwin & Celia Nachlas David Meyersburg Pattinson Family Pinchos & Miriam Rodriguez

Barbara Schur Steve & Colleen Shapiro Jackie Simmons Jeff Steckel Richard & Lauren Vallone Mark Walzer Robert & Pam Weigert Jerry & Judy Zivic

K I D D U S H S P O N S O R S Robert & Pam Weigert

In Honor Of everyone who has welcomed us to the Community.

Pincxhos & Miriam Rodriguez

In Honor Of Miriam’s father.

To sponsor a Kiddush at Chabad, please contact the Chabad office at 752-3030 or [email protected]. C H A B A D D O N O R C A R D S

IHO Tseza Wieand & Daniel Benjamin’s Wedding

Brent & Ricki Rubin

IHO Tseza Wieand & Daniel Benjamin’s Wedding

Steven & Colleen Shapiro

IHO Tseza Wieand & Daniel Benjamin’s Wedding

Elliott & Evelyn Stupp

IHO Colleen Shapiro’s Art & Healing Class

Rubin & Carolyn Weinberger

If there is a special occasion or someone to remember, consider using the Chabad Donor Cards for these passages in time. A minimum donation of $10 is re-quested for each card. To have a card mailed out for you, call the Chabad office at 752-3030. The following cards were sent out in the month of April.

Saturday, May 26: All Night Learning Join Rabbi Mendy & Chanie at 10:00 pm at their home for all night learning and refreshments. Free.

Sunday, May 13: CHS Mother’s Day and Cheesecake Factory Celebration Join the Chabad Hebrew School from 9:30 am - 10:30 am at the Chabad House for a Mother’s Day Celebration and a Pre-Shavuot Cheesecake Factory. Bring family and friends and decorate your own family cheesecake! Honor your mother on this special day with a Mother’s Day Breakfast! Admission is $5 and free to CHS students and their families. Sponsor this event for $180.

C A L E N D A R O F U P C O M I N G E V E N T S For more information, contact Chabad at 941-752-3030, [email protected], or visit www.chabadofbradenton.com.

Thursday, May 10: Lag Ba’Omer Meron Style Join Chabad at the new Chabad land located on 5712 Lorraine Road at 6:00 pm for Lag Ba’Omer Meron This year will boast an 8 foot bonfire with music, kumzitz, drum circle and more for a taste of Meron in Lakewood Ranch. This event will feature traditional Kosher foods for sale and activities for the young and young at heart. Free. Food fees to apply. Sponsor: $250

Tuesday, May 22: Jewish Women’s Circle Event Join this ever growing and energetic group at 7:30 pm at the home of Abby Chasky and enjoy a night out just for women. Meet new friends, socialize, and truly discover the power of the Jewish Woman. Match & Marry: View the documentary Match & Marry depicting traditional trends in dating and marriage. Question and answer session to follow. Refreshments will be served. Admission is $5 for JWC members, $10 for non-members. Sponsor $180.

Sunday, May 20: CHS End Year Celebration and Bake Sale Join the Chabad Hebrew School from 11 am - noon at the Chabad House for an Aleph Champ Award Ceremony, Bake Sale, Refreshments, Torah Dollar Store and more! Proceeds of the Bake Sale go to the Chabad Education Fund. Parent bakers needed on Tuesday, May 1 and May 8 at 7:30 pm at the home of Chanie Bukiet to bake for the BAKE SALE. Sponsor this event for $180.

Monday—Friday, June 25– July 20: Camp Gan Israel BURST into Summer with Camp Gan Israel from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm all week long at the Chabad House! Summer break is right around the corner and Chabad is preparing a fantastic, exciting time for your children, grandchildren and neighbors, featuring funshops, swimming, Shabbat parties, specialty activities, field trips to Bounce U, Ellenton Ice & Sports Complex, AMF Bowling, Mote, MOSI, Stardust, Chuck E Cheese, and MORE!!! Visit www.cgibradenton.org for more info and to register. Extended care available until 5 pm. Hot lunch menu optional.

Sunday, May 27: Shavuot Dairy Fest Join Chabad for a dairy buffet of dinner & desserts at 6:30 pm at the Chabad House. Hear the Ten Commandments, decorate your own Sundae, and enjoy games and excitement for the whole family. RSVP by May 20. Admission is free. Sponsor: $500.