Traveling with Lulav and Esrog to the United States

Dear Friend,

RE: Traveling with Lulav and Esrog to the United States.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Department of Homeland Security) have made inspectors at border posts between Canada and the United States aware of the upcoming Succos Holiday. They have kindly arranged that there will be agricultural specialists available throughout the Yom Tov traveling period. It is recommended that travelers use the Champlain Border (Lacolle), as this border post will have more inspectors available.

People who are traveling with Lulav and Esrog will be requested to hand these items for examination at all border posts. Once these items have been inspected and are free of pests and/or diseases, they will be released. Members of border inspection are sensitive to the handling of these items and will ensure at all times that the passenger opens, unwraps and rewraps the Lulav and Esrog.

We take this opportunity of wishing you and your families a good Yom Tov.

Yours Sincerely,
Rabbi S. Emanuel
Executive Director

Rosh Hashana Greetings As we Herald in 5769

Rosh Hashana Greetings as We Herald in 5769!

As communities all over the world usher in the New Year, we take the time to reflect on the past and focus on the future. As we look around us turmoil affects the world in all areas be it with violence, or with financial markets, everything around us seems to be collapsing and we get confused and sometimes are shaken in our beliefs as to what is truly happening in the world out there. In all aspects of our lives we wish we had clarity as to what will happen in the future. We all daven for our individual needs and collectively hope that we will merit another year of health and success in all areas. But whilst this confusion reigns around us, we must take stock of ourselves as individuals and focus on that which is important; focus on family; on self; and focus on our obligations towards the One Above. In order to achieve this we need look no further than our Torah which was accepted in unity. We committed ourselves then and this commitment stands now just as a commitment of a bride to a groom, that we would live by its edicts and follow all its content as our basic constitution of daily life.

Now more than ever, we should be looking to the Torah because it is only the torah that can and will give us the answers. "Hafach Bah VihaFach Ba Dikula Ba", as it is written in Ethics of our Fathers, "Turn it over, Turn it over, Because everything is in it." There is nothing that is not answered and nothing that is not explained in our Torah and all of its commentaries. It is up to us to grab onto it and latch onto its ideas.

Finally, let's take this period of time and focus on each holiday, Shabbat, and each day and base our daily lives on Torah and its basic concepts, thereby giving us Emunah, the belief and confidence for a much brighter future.

Shana Tova to you and your dear families.

Community Gives Back to Zsivo's Shul

Honoring the Veteran Dayan, RAbbi Yechial Meir HaKohen Katz, the well known Rav who has dedicated himself to everyone in the communtiy and who forms a pivotal leadership role with Tomchei Shabbos, hundreds of people came out to celebrate the donation of a Sefer Torah to his Shul situated on Wilderton corner Barclay, in Outremont.

As roads were closed off through the kind cooperation of the local police force, torches of fire held by young children led the procession of live music and dancing as everyone participated in

this unique opportunity, of watching a Sefer Torah being inducted into a Shul. Leaving the house of the well known Mr. Joseph Weil, who has been in the forefront of communal work in Montreal, the procession made its way through the streets until many Torahs from the shul itself were brought out to greet the new Sefer Torah which would join them in the shul's Aron Kadosh, on a permanent basis.

Montreal Crowd Escorting Sefer Torah

*URGENT* Bone Marrow Drive in Montreal

Members of the Community are asked to come out in force to a bone marrow drive taking place this Thursday June 19th from 2:00 - 8:00pm, at the YMWHA on Westbury.

This is in order to try to assist two members of our community, Rabbi Eliezer Wenger, a well known educator and community activist, who has always been available to assist anyone in the Community of Montreal, and Mr. Isaac Rossdeutcher, a well known member of the community.

As it is well known, Saving one life is Saving the world, and the community here has an opportunity to save two worlds. Please take the time to show up and be tested.

Posters and flyers have been posted in different institutions and synagogues in Montreal, please see them for more information.

Shas Completed as Dirshu Montreal Celebrates!

Dirshu (meaning seek out or explain), the International Organization run by world renowned Philanthrapist and Asken, Reb Dovid Hofstadter, celebrated their completion of Shas, the entire Talmud, on Tuesday night for the first time in Montreal. Members of the community who spend nights learning various tractates with their partners and taking tests on a weekly or monthly basis gathered at this landmark event celebrated at the Don Berman Teacher Seminary of the Bais Yaakov. Members of the kollel paid tribute to their families for giving them the opportunity to further their studies, and a special tribute to Dovid Hofstadter for making learning of Torah all over the world exciting and rewarding.

Dovid Hofstadter was presented with a plaque for his selfless dedication and a new round of Talmud Learning has already commenced. The Montreal branch of Dirshu is run so efficiently by three well known dedicated individuals, Rabbi Boruch Abramowitz, Rabbi Shimon Moskowitz and Rabbi Yossi Abramchik, who spend nights ensuring those in the Kollel are taken care of.

Fertility Clinic for Jewish community opens at the Royal Victoria

Thursday, the 15^th of May, will be a day to be remembered in the history of the Montreal Jewish Community. The Royal Victoria fertility clinic has commenced operating a clinic which will serve the needs of those in the Jewish community who require their services. Special trained personnel in the community have been spending the last few months, training in the laboratory in the Royal Victoria, and have become familiar with the Halachic requirements required to operate in such a facility.

At a small ceremony with Doctors, and lab technicians in attendance, Dr. Holzer thanked all those involved in this operation. The head of the department, Dr. Tan as well as Dr. Nicky Dean, who is the chief embryologist were present. Dr. Tan gave moving words of thanks to Dr. Holzer and his entire team and thanked him for the harmonious way in which they work together in order to achieve their goals with the patients.

Thanks to a donation from the Donald Berman Foundation and the kind courtesy extended by Mr. David Muller, who attended the event, this clinic is able to get off the ground.

The Halachic procedures of this project will be controlled and governed by the Chief Rabbi of Montreal, Rabbi Yonason Binyamin Weiss, an expert in all areas of medicine, including fertility, and who all the doctors praised for his input and Halachic guidance throughout the entire process.

As put by Dr. Holzer at the beginning of the event, the motto of the clinic in the Royal Victoria is, ‘Let’s be fruitful and multiply.’

Rabbi Saul Emanuel mentioned in his words of thanks to all those involved, that it is our hope that through the fruits of all of the efforts of this clinic, they will be successful in assisting those in need.

Skverer Rebbe to visit Montreal

The Skverer Rebbe with an entourage of Chassidim, will be visiting and gracing the Montreal Community with his presence for a week commencing Thursday May 7th. The Skverer community has long existed in Montreqal and is headed up by the world renown Dayan Rabbi Yochanan Wosner. During this visit the Skverer Rebbe will appear at at a communal event in Hebrew Academy on Thursday the 8th of May. Over Shabbos, hundreds of Chassidim are expected to travel in from NY to share the celebrations with the Skverer Rebbe.

Rabbi Weiss Visits Academy Taryag - Arizal School

Fresh after a visit carried out at Hebrew Academy School. where Rabbi Weiss spoke to the student body, the Academy Taryag School, had the honor of hosting the chief Rabbi of the Beth Din during a short visit at their school situated on Bourret in Montreal, on Monday May the 5th.

During the visit Rabbi Weiss spoke to the children of the Taryag Academy and explained to them the importance of this period of the year - Sefirat Haomer, in which the 24,000 students of the great sage, Rabbi Akiva, died. Explaining the importance of the concept of Viahavta Lirayacha Kamocha, loving your friend as you love yourself, Rabbi Weiss encouraged the children to concentrate on their relationships between each other. Rabbi Weiss added that the children are the foundation for future generations and what they learn and study now will be a basis in the building of the next generation.

People Flock to Kosherize their Keilim (Utensils) at Annual Vaad Kashering

As the doors opened at 2:00 p.m. in the tent where Kosherization takes place at the Vaad Ha'ir each year, lines of people waited to have their items Kosherized under the supervision of members of the Vaad Harabbonim who ensured that these items were suitable for Kosherization. Simultaneously, the Vaad's Kashrus hotline was clogged with people calling constantly regarding Pesach products and Pesach questions. The Kosherization closed at 8:00 p.m.

Kollel Torah Mitzion Hosts Rabbi Weiss for Pesach Lecture

Kollel Torah Mitzion hosted an evening of learning at its center situated in Hebrew Academy in Cote St Luc. At this night of learning, Rabbi Lisner gave a detailed shiur about the fundamentals of not eating chametz over the Pesach period. Quoting various sources, Rav Lisner interested the audience with various points of information emanating from the Talmud and Halacha and quotes various opinions about what is considered to be the minimum amount for someone to have transgressed eating chametz over Pesach.

After Rav Lisner's lecture, he introduced the chief Rabbi of the Beth Din of Montral, Rav Yonason Binyomin Weiss, to address the crowd. During Rabbi Weiss' lecture, in which he discussed various issues pertaining to the Hagadah, he continued to impress upon the audience how important it is for us to create a home which is a safe haven for our children. and homes where shalom bayit (peace in the house) reigns. "There are problems all over the world", said Rabbi Weiss, "And the world is grappling with many different issues, similar to those of the Jewish Community, including the problem of internet." Rabbi Weiss said one can even find sites on methods of suicide. "Although internet can be used as a positive tool, one does not give a tool which is dangerous to a child to play with." As the audience excitedly listened to the Rav, Rabbi Weiss ended his speech stating that the Navi promised that many threats will occur throughout history to our nation, and we have experienced both physical threats, in the sense of pogroms, murders, and most of all the holocaust. There was also a spiritual threat, such as the Spanish Inquisition. "We have been promised", said Rabbi Weiss, "That these threats will not be successful and no matter how large the challenge, our nation of Israel, will always rise up and succeed." And with that he wished the community a spiritually uplifting Pesach holiday, and look forward to the day where we will be greeted to the coming of Mashiach.

Rabbi Weiss Chief Rabbi of Beth Din of Montreal visits Hebrew Academy

Earlier on today, Rav Weiss, the Chief Rabbi of the Beth Din of Montreal visited Hebrew Academy and was taken on a guided tour of the campus by the principle Rabbi Baruch Purton. During his visit, Rabbi Weiss addressed the student body from both the elementary and high school. In introducing Rav Weiss, Rabbi Purton mentioned that there are various communities in Montreal with their individual Rabbi's servicing their individual communities. Rabbi Weiss, said Rabbi Purton, is Montreal's Rabbi servicing all communities and has made himself available for each and every of the 100,000 strong Jewish Community of Montreal.


Rabbi Weiss in speaking to both elementary and high school mentioned that Pesach is a time where children are given the opportunity of asking questions. So too, said Rabbi Weiss, students should not be embarrassed or shy to question anything throughout the year regarding any topic in Judaism, and they should seek out the truth of what is behind each and every mitzvah.


The excitement that exuberated in the school during Rabbi Weiss' visit could be felt by all those attending. After the speeches students had opportunities to privately question Rabbi Weiss and receive his blessings for the future.

Community in Uproar over Child Abuser Fleeing to Canada

In recent days it has been reported that a man by the name Elior Hen, has fled Israel after was revealed that he had been involved in 'gruesome systematic abuse of children'. Claims have surfaced that he may have arrived in Canada and the community is asked to be on the lookout for this individual and to ensure that he surrenders himself to the authorities.

Rabbi Aryeh Posen Inducted to Beth Din of Montreal and Vaad HaRabonim of Montreal

In a small private ceremony which took place Monday night the 31st of March in the offices of the Jewish Community Council of Montreal, Rabbi Aryeh Posen the veteran Dayan of Kollel Kesser Torah was inducted to the Beth Din of Montreal and Vaad HaRabonim of Montreal.

Rabbi Posen comes with years of experience and is well known to the entire community of Montreal. Sought after by members of the entire community who may have questions in regards to Halacha and life's advice, Rabbi Posen, who'se father was a Dayan in the Washington Heights Breuer's community, is well respected throughout the city.

In accepting the position, Rabbi Posen mentioned he was excited to be involved in communal affairs and to be able to be part and parcel of Halachic decision making in Montreal.

Kosher Boxed Drinks become a Luxury in Montreal

For many years children and adults alike were treated to a wide variety of boxed drinks with various flavors under various brand names produced by A. Lassonde & Co. Brands such as Rougemont, Oasis, Fruite, and Allens, as well as many others, were staple drinks used by kids going to school, as part of their daily lunch program. Unfortunately, this has now all changed. With immediate effect, all of these juices will no longer bear MK Kosher certification due to changes in production procedures at this company.

Consumers who have purchased these products with the MK mark can rest assured that these have all been produced under MK certification, however any product not bearing the MK mark on its packaging should not be purchased.

Excitement as Montrealer is Freed

Saul Itzhayek the Montreal business man who has been sitting in an Indian jail for over ten months will be freed tomorrow, according to Indian authorities. Mr. Itzhayek found himself in jail due to claims made by the Indian authorities of visa irregularities, which were unfounded. The Montreal community has greeted this news with great excitement. The Itzhayek family will surely be in a state of great Simcha as Saul arrives in Montreal. Much effort was made to have Saul Itzhayek freed by Mr. Irwin Cotler, as well as Rabbi Whitman in conjunction with other members of the Rabbinical council of Montreal. All of their efforts are truly appreciated, and everyone is rejoicing today at this great news.

Don't Get Caught Talking!

On the first of April 2008, Quebec will join many other cities in North America that ban the use of using a hand held cell phone while driving. Any driver caught using a hand held cell phone will be slapped with a $100 fine, similar to a person being caught without a seat belt. Hand free devices are legal and will not pose any problem whatsoever. The amount of accidents that have occurred whilst people were speaking on hand held devices have resulted on this ban coming about. Although this does not solve all accidents as speaking on a hands free device still distracts a driver, accidents may still occur. Let's hope this reduces the risks substantially.

Voice of the Vaad Hits Market in a few Days

The well known Voice of the Vaad Pesach magazine distributed by the Jewish community council of Montreal each and every Pesach will be available on the market in the next few days. This year, being that Erev Pesach falls on Shabbos, a whole section of this booklet deals with a step by step preparation to be carried out. With a comprehensive guide to Koshering, checking for chometz, set up of the seder, a Sefiras Haomer chart, and a cosmetic guide, as well as much more pertinent information, this voice of the Vaad issue is a step by step handbook for anyone preparing and celebrating Pesach this year. It is a must for any Jewish household. The Voice of the Vaad will be available at outlets, schools, synagogues, and through the Vaad offices as well. This is the only book of its kind and is also published together in French and Hebrew giving all consumers the opportunity of celebrating Pesach according to the letter of the Law.

Enjoy!

Bracing with Laughter

In a recent edition of the VAAD News and Views, the popular sought after monthly newsletter of the VAAD, a humorous article was written pertaining to Kosher certification being given to braces.

For those who did not read up until the end of the article, they may have been unaware that this article was written in the true Purim spirit (without any drink - of course), and was only a joke. In regards to the various calls received, the braces do not need to be kosherized, and the MK insignia will not appear on each individual brace.

Metal does not require a Hechsher and of course we were just kidding. Keep on smiling while the Kosher braces shine!

Council 2008

At a meeting which took place at the 0ffices of the VAAD HA'IR last week, approximately sixteen members of the new council attended, as they were inducted into their new positions. The council of the VAAD consists of representatives of every community who have bee chosen by the various communities to represent them in all issues. Meetings take place on a regular bases and areas of concern to the Jewish Community are raised.

Just recently a committee was established under the leadership of Mr. Nathan Elberg, pertaining to the services the Jewish General Hospital and the awareness of the community as to the services being offered there. Mr. Nathan Elberg and his team prepared a detailed document as to their recommendations which will shortly be followed up upon with the leaders of the hospital. Once this will be finalized, this will be available to the public for their review.

Drink with Caution this Purim

As is the case each and every year when Purim comes, although it is a Mitzvah to drink and be happy there is a limit as to how far one has to go when carrying out this Mitzvah. In recent years there have been numerous tragic accidents due to people driving under the influence as well as school children and Yeshiva boys over indulging thereby causing themselves medical harm. One can certainly have joy and enjoy the Simcha of Purim by having an additional LeChaim, but everything has its limits and it is our responsibility to act as true Torah Jews at all times, and not to act in a way which is unbecoming according to our Torah.

We are urging all Parents, Rabbi's, Educators, and Communal Leaders, to ensure that this Purim turns out to be a joyous one in the true sense of the word. Serving drinks to school children is irresponsible and not in the spirit of this beautiful YomTov. As it states in the Megillah, "And Mordechai left the King with clothes of Royalty", the way we act and the way we conduct ourselves is our dress code and is what the people out there see. This Purim whilst carrying out the Mitzvah, think twice about the importance of the Mitvah and the correct way to carry it out, thereby creating a sanctification of Hashem's name whilst ensuring that we are responsible for our actions.

MK Scoops Slush Puppie!

In another major announcement, the VAAD Hair of Montreal has commenced certifying Slush Puppie in Canada which has resulted in an overwhelming response from the members of the public who will now be able to treat themselves and their children at over seven thousand different locations.

Travelling hours accross the Canadian region will be all the more easier when knowing that you are able to stop at many different locations to pick up that favorite flavor of Slush Puppie which you have always craved for.

Storing Slush Puppie machines are obligated in terms of their contract to only use Slush Puppie flavors in this machine, dedicated totally to Slush Puppie. Any company not adhering to this policy and found to be in contravention of this agreement, automatically loses its right to selling Slush Puppie at that location, and are even subject to legal action.

With MK inspectors now dropping in at some locations to check that it is only Slush Puppie being sold, the public is assured that tight controls are in place, and your favorite flavor is only a few minutes away!

Canada - especially Montreal, has so much slush. Do we not deserve the enjoyment of a Slush Puppie?

Eight Dead Many Wounded in Merkaz HaRav Massacre

The entire Jewish world wakes up this morning Rosh Chodesh Adar Beis 5768 in mourning, as eight Yeshiva Students from the world renowned Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva, situated in Kiryat Moshe, are laid to rest.

On Thursday evening 8:30 p.m. Israel time, as students from the Yeshiva were gathering to celebrate Rosh Chodesh Adar, the most exciting time of the Jewish calendar, a lone Palestinian gunman opened fire killing eight instantly and wounding many others, some critically. It was only a few minutes later after 600 bullets had been fired and after ten minutes of mayhem, that an Israeli off duty police officer shot and killed the terrorist.

As Gemaras and other Sefarim lay blood stained with bullet holes, members of Zaka moved in to clean up the carnage and ensure that the proper respect were given to those who died in this abominable act.

Although it was first thought that a second terrorist was also in the building, security forces later determined this was not the case.

As was mentioned by the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Yaakov Shapira, all of us have lost eight brothers in one day. Members of the community are asked to daven for the recovery of those who remain hospitalized, Naftali Ben Gila, Yonatan Ben Avital, Shimon Ben Tirtza, Nadav Ben Hadas, Reuven Ben Naomi, and Elchanan Ben Zehava.

Although it’s a time of Simcha as we herald in the month of Adar, our hearts are filled with pain at this despicable act. We stand in solidarity with those families broken by the tragedy and support them in their time of sorrow. May the memory of those who were snatched at the prime of their lives, Doron Mehereta, 26, of Ashdod, Ro'i Rote, 18, of Elkanah in Samaria (Shomron), Yonadav Haim Hirschfeld, 19, of Kokhav HaShachar (Shomron), Yochai Lipshitz, 18, of the Old City of Jerusalem, Yonatan Yitzchak Eldar, 16, of Shilo (Shomron), Neriah Cohen, 15, of Jerusalem, Segev Pniel Avichayil, 15, of N'vei Daniel in Gush Etzion, Avraham David Moses, 16, of Efrat, Gush Etzion, remain with us forever.

May Hashem comfort the families amongst the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

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