Page 8 THE NEWS May, 1986
LUBAVITCH OF N. C.
Thoughts From The
Lubavitcher Rebbe
Lag B’omer
It Was An Evening OS Contrast: Blitz, Serenity
By Rabbi Yossi Groner
The festival of Lag B ’omer,
which occurs during this
month, celebrates the Yahrzeit
of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai
of whom his teacher Rabbi
Akiva said: “Only I £ind your
Creator appreciate your
powers.”
The powers of Rabbi
Shimon Bar Yochai, his
saintliness and strength of
character were inestimable,
but one pgirticular episode has
wide ranging significance for
each of us:
Rabbi Shimon was forced to
hide in a cave for twelve years,
then again for an additional
year, because of his insistence
on perpetuating Judaism
despite the harsh decrees of
the Roman rulers of Israel.
When he was finally able to
leave the cave, one of the first
things he asked was, “Is there
anything that needs rectify
ing?” He was told of a bother
some circuitous path that
kohanim (priests) had to use
because the boundaries of a
grave-site had been lost at
that place [and kohanim are
prohibited from stepping over
human bones, which would im
part tuma (impurity) to them].
Rabbi Shimon immediately
began to rectify the situation
— and succeeded. He did not
seek a momentous project of
global import “worthy” of his
attention; any stress or dis
comfort suffered by his fellow-
man affected Rabbi Shimon
deeply, and he spent time and
effort to put the problem
right.
The above incident does not
seem to be an outstanding
highlight in the life of Rabbi
Shimon Bar Yochai; yet the
lesson for us is invaluable. One
of the greatest of Israel’s
sages through history, author
of the Zohar, had just spent
thirteen years in a sandy cave,
suffering intense bodily afflic
tions. What is his first act
upon reaching freedom? — to
inquire if there is anything to
rectify. And not to be satisfied
with the lip-service of mere in
quiry but to take immediate
down-to-earth action to cor
rect and repsiir the fault.
No one can compare them
selves to Rabbi Shimon: but
the story is part of Torah and
Torah is the lesson and guide
to life: it follows that each of
us can act in a similar spirit,
particularly since the great
Rabbi Shimon has “broken
through” and shown us the
way. If doing a material favor
to another — no more than
merely saving him the bother
of a round-about path — is so
important, how much more
merit is there in showing our
brothers the correct spiritual
path, saving them from cir
cuitous routes, from “going
the wrong (and long) way
around.”
ARE YOU READY
FOR CAMP GAN ISRAEL?
The best camp in
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That's what they call
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It provides Jewish
boys and girls of all
ages with a combination
of a true Torah spirit and
the very best in summer
recreational activities.
Every camp counselor
is specially trained to care
for the personal welfare
and safety of each camper
in the spirit of Judaism.
Camp Gan Israel helps
ensure that each boy and girl
spends a summer to remember
enjoying a wide range of
activities in a Jewish atmosphere
• Swimming
• Baseball
• Soccer
• Basketball
• Held Races
• Bowling
• Miniature Golf
• Rollerskating
• Carowinds
• Discovery Place
• Movies
• Arcades
• Arts & Crafts
• Culture
• Discussion Groups
• Songs
• Shabbatons
• Riverbank Zoo
• Hebrew Studies
• Jewish Education
• Petting Farm
• Horseback Riding
• Shabbos Parties
JUNE 15 - 27
MONDAY - FRIDAY
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HOT NUTRITIOUS LUNCHES ARE SERVED
FOR MORE INFORMATION WRITE OR CALL
LUBAVITCH OF NORTH CAROUNA
6500 NEVl'HALL ROAD. CHARLGTTE. NC 28226
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DOOR TO DOOR TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE
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Molly Resnick remembers
the time she was searching for
purpose in life. It was at a suc
cessful point in her life, being
a producer for NBC-TV. She
met everybody on the “Who’s
Who” list.
Leading an exciting life does
not necessarily produce a
meaningful life. So Molly ask
ed for time off and left for the
open wide world. While visit
ing Rio de Janiero, she dis
covered her own roots through
Lubavitch in Rio.
On April 1, Ms. Resnick
came to Charlotte to share her
story, and the story of other
women like her.
This was a special project
sponsored by Lubavitch of
North Carolina in honor of the
National Week of the Jewish
Woman. The program was ar
ranged by Mariashi Groner.
The audience at the Adams
Mark Hotel was treated to a
touching slide show produced
by Molly Resnick. The show
revealed the inner feelings of
Chassidic women living in to
day’s world. The women rang
ed from a professional New
York fashion designer to a
Lubavitch high school girl.
They described their com
mitments to Judaism and how
it affected their life styles. The
designer said that the big test
came soon after her decision to
observe the Shabbat. She had
received a call from one of her
clients, Diana Ross, who was
scheduling an appointment for
Friday night. The designer ex
plained that due to her com
mitment to the Sabbath, she
would be unable to take her.
Ross’s reaction was full of
admiration.
The evening was also reserv
ed for a deep lecture on the
serenity of the Shabbos. The
discussion was led by Fruma
Rosenberg, founder of Jewish
Women’s University in Pitts
burgh, Pa. She also codirects
the Chabad House there.
Fruma shared her thoughts on
the experience of observing
Shabbos. She believes in tak
ing one step at a time.
Mariashi Groner
“Shabbos is a time for the
family to unite,” Fruma said.
“You get totally involved in
the experience and nothing
can interfere.”
The atmosphere was one of
learning and discussion. The
spirit was very positive and
enjoyable to the over 75 par
ticipants. Delicious cakes and
fruits were served before and
after the program.
^^Purim Blast’* Still Resounds
Purim is the most joyous
time of the year, and so it was
in Charlotte on March 16 when
a tremendous Purim blast oc
curred at the Children's
Theatre. The blast lasted
about three hours and the af
fects are still felt today.
Over 350 children and
adults crowded in the
Children’s Theatre to cele
brate this joyous holiday.
There were such things as
face-painting, helium balloons
and Hamantaschen. Steaming
hot potato knishes with gen
uine sour pickles and hot dogs
really added to the spirit of the
day.
The major part of the blast
occurred when “Chaim the
Magician” took the stage with
his Chassidic band. The crowd
responded with lots of en
thusiasm to his wonderful
Purim songs. Many were seen
dancing on stage and in their
seats. “Chaim the Magician”
really had the crowd on the
edge of their seats with his
originjil Purim tricks. The
group was led by Chaim
Fogelman, Yosef Lipsker and
Aharon Groner all from
Brooklyn, N.Y.
A splendid puppet show was
presented by the Lynch Pup-
petheatre which held the au
dience captivated with their
lovely story.
The event attracted children
from as far away as Raleigh,
Winston-Salem, Boone and
Columbia.
Mariashi Groner presented
prizes to the winner of the
Purim Basket contest. The
beautiful basket was display
ed in the lobby for all to see.
Each child received a free
Purim kit which contained
delicious goodies and a packet
of coins which enabled them to
observe the Purim holiday in
the most beautiful manner.
Rebecca Spang:enthal receives
first prize in Purim Blast Basket
Contest from Mariashi and Rabbi
Yossi Groner.
The children enjoyed having
their faces painted.
(Back, L to R): Tami, Elliot & Karen Bernat; (front, L To R): Chanit,
Erela & Luba Kleinman.
Children and parents dancing as the Chassidic band played.