News

A special celebration was held for the Israeli community in our area in honor of Lag B'Omer. A group of 25 young Israeli men and women gathered at Bais Menachem Monday evening for a Lag B'Omer celebration.

The entire Bais Menachem Family would like to wish Dovi Wachtel, a Shaliach and former student of Bais Menachem, a hearty Mazal Tov on his engagement to Russie Woonteiler of Crown Heights, NY. May the couple merit to celebrate their weddin b'sha'a tova, in a good and auspicious hour, and may they build a true, everlasting Jewish home on the foundations of Torah and Mitzvos.

This year, Bais Menachem ran four Pesach seders in various location, with more than 100 participants in all. In keeping with the Chassidc custom initiated by the founder of Chassidism, Rabbi Yisroel Baal Shem Tov, the last day of pesach brought many members of the community together for Moshiach's Seudah, a meal celebrating the imminent arrival of Moshiach.

On Thursday, April 2, over 125 students of UHI, Temple Israel and Bnai Brith all gathered together to enjoy an afternoon of special Pesach activities. Children had the opportunity to try their hands at baking matzah, under the tutelage of Rabbi Pinni Levitin, had a special "Jewpardy" game with Rabbi Mendy Seewald, made seder pillows with Mrs. Gerri Kaplan, and played capture the Egyptian.

As in years past, the staff and students of Bais Menachem Youth Development Program in Wilkes-Barre brought the joy and unity of Purim to Jews wherever they may be. Teams of young students along with Bais Menachem Shluchim, student mentors, paired up to read the MegillasEsther and distribute ShalachManos near and far.

Last Saturday, Bais Menachem was joined by Congressman Paul Kanjorski at Wilkes-Barre's Public Square for the 5th annual lighting of the Menorah on the 7th night of Chanukah. Representatives of many Jewish community organizations were on hand to participate in this Unite the Lights event dedicated to the memory of Rabbi Gabi and Rivka Holtzberg, HY"D and the Jews killed in the Mumbai Chabad House last month.

On Saturday at 7 pm Congressman Kanjorski will join Bais Menachem in lighting the menorah on Wilkes-Barre's Public Square. The event is part of the global Unite the Lights Campaign which seeks to direct the groundswell of sympathy and solidarity in the aftermath of the Mumbai tragedy, towards a commitment to decisive and concrete acts of goodness and kindness. All are encouraged to intended.

The entire Bais Menachem Family would like to wish Ber and Rivky Heintz a hearty Mazal Tov on the birth of their newborn son. The Shalom Zachor will take place at the home of Uri and Rachel Lea Perlman Friday night, 12/26 at 8 pm. All are invited to attend.

All Bais Menachem alumni are invited to attend a weekend reunion next weekend, January 2-4, 2009. A great program is being planned, so contact the office at 570-970-2480 for details and more information. We hope to see you there!

Join Bais Menachem, the JCC, and the entire Jewish Community for Chanukah Wonderland on Thursday, 12/25 from 12 pm to 5 pm. Featuring the menorah, doughnut making, live entertainment, olive press, arts & crafts, games, food, and fun for the whole family!!

Mrs. Perlman is sitting Shiva in New York at 1568 Carroll St, Brooklyn, NY 11225 through Saturday night, 12/13/08.

Hamokom Yenachem eschem Besoch Shaar Avaylay Tzion VeYerushalayim. May Hashem confort her among the mourners of Tzion and Yerushalayim.

The entire Bais Menachem Family would like to wish Dovid and Becky Brownstein and family, and Pinny and Frumie Levitin and family a hearty Mazal Tov on the births of their newborn sons.