A Classical Kumzitz to Remember - Yoel Dovid Goldstein

A beautiful kumzitz medley with a heartwarming mix of songs, A Classical Kumzitz to Remember will touch your heart and have you singing along with the talented Yoel Dovid Goldstein. In addition to featuring six nostalgic favorites, A Classical Kumzitz to Remember also introduces an all new original composition by Yoel Dovid.

Songs
Gam Ki Eilech - Tomid B’Simcha (MBD), composed by MBD
Lernin - A Toast to Life (Yaakov Shwekey), composed by Hershi Weinberger
B’cha Batchu - all new, composed by Yoel Dovid Goldstein
Refoeinu - L’Tova (Lipa Schmeltzer), composed by Lipa Schmeltzer
Shimu - Shabbos Yerushalayim (Miami Boys Choir), composed by Yerachmiel Begun
Kol Hanechalim - L’Yachada Shemei (Naftali Kempeh), composed by Naftali Kempeh
Happy Days - Miracles (MBD), composed by Yossi Green

Credits
Conducted by Efraim Berkowitz
Produced by Chaim Blumenthal
Live sound by Double U Sound
Audio by Hershy Pavel
Video by Motty Engel
Video editing by Platinum Edit

Historic Bipartisan “CATV” Launched in Washington

 Historic Bipartisan 

“Caucus for the Advancement of Torah Values” 

Launched in Washington

Today, the inauguration of the “Torah Caucus of the United States Congress” shows the vitality of American democracy. The fact that, less than a century after the Jewish people were almost obliterated, here in Washington, lawmakers are coming together to advance Torah and its ideals is nothing short of remarkable. This development is great for the Jewish people, but it is also great for America!” 

Those were the powerful, poignant words of Rav Dovid Hofstedter, Nasi of Dirshu, at a historic and momentous event in Washington earlier this month in which the Torah Caucus was launched. The Torah Caucus, short for its full name, “Caucus for the Advancement of Torah Values,” promises to be a great force in ensuring the preservation of Torah values for the Jewish community and beyond. It is a bipartisan, new caucus that has pledged to advocate on behalf of Torah values in the corridors of American power and beyond.

The bipartisan group of lawmakers at the inaugural event, included congressional stalwarts such as Congresswoman Kat Cammack of Florida (R), Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania (R), Congressman Henry Cuellar of Texas (D), Congressman Don Bacon of Nebraska (R), Congressman Brian Steil of Wisconsin (R), and Congressman Dan Mueser of Pennsylvania (R). 

In his remarks as co-chair of the Torah Caucus, Congressman Don Bacon, a true friend of the Jewish community and an obvious ohev Yisroel, said, “The purpose of this caucus is to pledge our friendship to our Jewish brothers and sisters. This is not only about friendship to Israel but to pledge that through this caucus we resolve to fight anti-Semitism from wherever it comes, both the right and the left.

“I want to highlight something else that deeply inspired me,” continued Rep. Bacon. “I have learned such a profound lesson from Rabbi Hofstedter’s background. Both he and his wife are children of Holocaust survivors who suffered so much. What has he done with that? He has taken inspiration from his parents and that generation and resolved to restore Jewish scholarship. He has taken an event of unspeakable evil and decided not to just sit complacently but to do something so that some good would be able to emerge…”

Rav Hofstedter concluded by saying, “Let us embrace the mandate and mission of the caucus of Torah values and promote freedom of religion and all of the deep-rooted values that have made this country so great!” 

Click here to view more pictures and a video of the inauguration of The Torah Caucus!

Click here for more

Shimmy is Too Young to Die! Give him the Chance to Live!

Shimmy is too young to die! 

One treatment can save his life! 

Please give him the chance to live!

www.TheChesedFund.com/Shimmy'sHeart

I can’t do it alone.

I’m writing you with a bleeding, broken heart, hoping and praying that my words—which come straight from the heart—will penetrate yours.

My name is Gitty, and I’m Shimmy’s mommy. Shimmy is only 1½, and he was born with a rare congenital heart defect. The doctors told us that he’d be lucky if he made it through the night... But he did, and many nights afterward.

My husband and I resolved that, no matter what, we wouldn’t lose hope. We’d keep praying and give everything we have to let our baby live!

We used every penny of our savings and borrowed money from family and friends to cover the cost of open-heart surgery. Unfortunately, the surgery was only partly successful, and his situation rapidly deteriorated. Shimmy is now paralyzed on the left side of his body and in critical condition. Only an expensive, life-saving surgery in Boston can save his life. 

I’m turning to you personally with the tearful cry of a mother who’s done everything she can and given her all to save her baby’s life. I never imagined that I’d turn to strangers for help, but my child’s life is worth everything! The costs of the surgery and treatment are enormous, and while we’ve raised the majority, we’re still $100,000 short.

$100,000 will decide if Shimmy undergoes surgery.

$100,000 that can save my baby’s life.

Please open your hands and your heart to save Shimmy’s heart! I won’t be able to live with myself knowing that Shimmy didn’t receive the treatment he desperately needed simply because we couldn’t afford it.

I can’t afford to lose him! I don’t want him to remain paralyzed for the rest of his life!

We aren’t asking for luxuries, only for life for our child!

Partner with us in saving Shimmy!

www.TheChesedFund.com/Shimmy'sHeart

Man Wrestles Bear Saving his Dog

Daytona Beach, Florida. January 19, 2022.

"Walt saved his dogs from a bear attack. Everyone is doing well including the bear who got away."

Online Program: Mastering Hilchos Bein Adam L’Chaveiro

How Bnei Torah are Gaining Mastery of Hilchos Bein Adam L’Chaveiro in This Online Program

If my friend deeply upsets me, do I have to speak to him about it?

My acquaintance didn’t come to my simcha, so now I don’t feel like coming to his – is that considered taking revenge?

My cousin just lost his job and is in need for charity but my best friend is in a much more desperate situation – who do I help more?

Is it sheker to write the time of my wedding one hour before it will really start?

Can I give my secular relative food even though I know that he won’t make a bracha?

When we think of relevant Halachos, our minds generally turn to Shabbos, Brachos, Prayer, Kashrus and so on.  Halachos relating to Bein Adam Lechaveiro might be looked upon as being straightforward and easy to understand.  Rav Yitzchak Berkovits shlit’a, Rosh Yeshiva of Aish HaTorah, and Rosh Kollel of the Jerusalem Kollel and of Linas Hatzedek says that this is a mistake.  The laws of Bein Adam L’chaveiro are just as intricate and involved as those of all areas of Torah, and they are in fact more relevant to our daily lives than anything else.

Says Rav Berkovits: “The majority of positive mitzvos that are applicable today when there's no Beis HaMikdash, are Bein Adam L'Chaveiro - between man and man… People think … [that] basically means be a good person. Surprise! They're not just using your seichel and deciding what a nice thing to do is. Until you learn the halachos of Bein Adam L’Chaveiro you don't have a clue as how to behave with other people.”

Now, his close student, and well-known educator Rabbi Yehonasan Gefen, has undertaken the task of translating Bein Adam L’Chaveiro Hebrew sheets of Kollel Linas HaTzedek created by Rav Berkovits into English. Prior to creating this Hilchos Bein Adam L’Chaveiro program (www.HilchosBeinAdamLChaveiro.com), Rabbi Gefen has done the same with Hilchos Shabbos sheets adding numerous cases and opinions of poskim which turned into ‘The Kinyan Hilchos Shabbos’ online program’ drawing talmidim from around the world.

He has now focused his efforts in teaching Bein Adam L’chaveiro in a similar fashion. The program is using the highly successful curriculum of Kollel Linas Hatzedek as a basis for its learning program and this will be part of what students are provided. Kollel Linas Hatzedek is a division of the Center for Jewish Values, a premier international Bein Adam L'Chaveiro resource, whom we thank for giving us permission to use its curriculum.

Here is what some of his students had to say about Rabbi Gefen’s Hilchos Shabbos Program: “The material [that Rabbi Gefen’s programs cover] starts from Gemara and Rishonim and brings it down to the Halacha l'Maaseh. It's great. I feel like I know what's going on. The kids also see what the father is doing and it sets the tone for what's important in the family" says Dr. Eric Leibowitz who is a dentist in Brooklyn, New York.

“Rabbi Gefen ran his program for our Kollel in Johannesburg. We achieved tremendous clarity … both in sugyas and in psak which is what you want when you learn halacha.” Says Rabbi Micha Kaplan who is an avrech in the Maharsha Community Kollel in Johannesburg and the Menahel of the Maharsha Boys High School.

Shlomo Gross who is originally from London and is a lawyer in Yerushalayim shares his experience: “For people like me who are working full-time, this program was ideal. [It] transported my learning to a completely different level.”

Over five hundred past and present participants in our programs come from six continents and range from working Bnei Torah to full-time Kollel avreichim from Yerushalayim and Lakewood, as well as people who are still developing their Gemara skills,” says Rabbi Dr. Yakov Pesah, co-founder and director of the Hilchos Shabbos and Bein Adam L’Chaveiro programs and also a musmach of Rabbi Berkovits. “Our vision is to enable Bnei Torah to learn sugyos and halacha in a structured way and make it doable for any motivated person.”

Topics that are covered in this program include v’ahavta l’recha kemocha, honesty, onaas dvarim (hurtful words), dan lekaf zcus (judging favorably), lifnei iver, tzedaka, halachos of relating to secular Jews, lashon hara, kibud av v’em, returning lost objects, and many other topics.

The program includes a live Zoom shiur once a week and a discussion forum for pilpul chaveirim. In addition, Rabbi Gefen is available for any questions by phone and email. To solidify the material, participants can take tests. Anyone who undertakes the course, will receive a Certificate of Completion signed by Rav Berkovits.

Rabbi Berkovits adds: “The only way that one can really mekayem the mitzvas of bein adam l’chaveiro is to learn them first. And the study of them - learning the sugyos - is absolutely fascinating. Come learn them with us. Come know how to behave. Come appreciate Ribono Shel Olam's beautiful mishpatim. And then become a v'halachto b'drachav. Become like Ribono Shel Olam himself the way he describes Himself in the Torah with all the wonderful middos, keeping the halachos according to the yesodos that the Torah gives us.”

The first shiur of the new cycle of the Hilchos Bein Adam L’Chaveiro program is on January 26th. For more information, tuition, and to apply go to:

www.HilchosBeinAdamLChaveiro.com

Michoel Streicher & Gilad Potolsky - Music Video

Don’t Let Binyamin R"L Die!

TheChesedFund.com

Six weeks ago, who would have believed that my little Binyamin would be hovering on the brink of life and death?

I’m still waiting to awaken from this nightmare and return to the normal, simply, carefree existence that we lived until now.

But until I do, we’ll have to continue fighting to save Binyamin, fighting this battle that’s so much stronger than us. A battle so overwhelming that I’m forced to sit down and write you this letter from the bottom of my heart…

My name is Estie, and I’m Binyamin’s mommy.

My husband and I waited eagerly and prayed tearfully for Binyamin, our firstborn, for many years. Several months ago, we celebrated his upsherin, shedding tears of joy as he proudly donned a yarmulke and tzitzis for the first time.

And now, we’re on the verge of losing him!

A month ago, Binyamin complained that his head hurt. We didn’t think much of it. I gave him a drink and kiss and told him that he’d feel better soon.

But he didn’t. Over the next few days, he complained often, and then he started to vomit.

I took him to the doctor, still assuming that it was a bad virus, although a little voice in my head warned of something worse.

The doctor sent us for standard blood tests, which were followed by more comprehensive testing that caused our hearts to pound in terror. After dozens of checks and scans, we received the chilling, shattering diagnosis.

 Binyamin has a brain tumor.

There was no time to lose, and Binyamin was rushed into surgery for hours. He remained in the operating room for what felt like an eternity, at the end of which the surgeons emerged wearing grave expressions.

They told us that there is but one treatment that can save his life, and this surgery is available in only one place in the world—Vienna.

“Every hour is crucial,” we were warned. “Your son needs this surgery immediately.”

It was at this point that I felt that it was just too much to bear. My beautiful, precious Binyamin is ill. Not just ill, but dying. And now we needed to make emergency arrangements to fly him to Austria for surgery.

A surgery that we can’t afford.

We’re struggling financially. We haven’t even managed to cover our rent in several months.

 It’s been ages since I’ve bought even the simplest treat or yogurt for the kids.

New clothes for the winter? We can’t dream of it.

How are we supposed to come up with the astronomic sum to cover air travel to Vienna? Accommodations and food when we arrive? Medicines and treatments that won’t be covered by health insurance? A babysitter in Vienna for my toddler and infant during the long days when we’re in the hospital?

But how can I let money stand in the way of my child’s life?

How can I balk at the thought of begging you all to help if it will save Binyamin?!

We can’t let Binyamin die because we can’t afford the surgery that can save his life!

I’ll do everything in my power, give everything I have, to save him.

This is why I’m turning to you now and begging you to help save my Binyamin!

This surgery is his only chance to live. Don’t let us lose him! Join us in saving his life!

Please.

Don’t let Binyamin die!

Please donate bly clicking on TheChesedFund.com

Get Ready: Jewish Music's Most Memorable Evening Ever!

Sunday February 27, 2022 - The Tilles Center - Long Island, New York

Buy Your Tickets NOW!

For More Information 347.304.0180

Motty Ilowitz Emotional Chupah Gramen

Motty Ilowitz singing in gramen at a chuppah of an orphan, a chasan standing at the chuppa without his dear father z"l.

Accompanied by the Shira choir & Beri Karpen orchestra.

Ki Keil Melech - Eitan Katz - Single

This Nigun was composed while visiting my dear friend Moti Kest ז״ל.

Moti was a pillar of Chesed to his community, a loving son, husband, father, and grandfather to his beloved family, and a friend like no other to those who were zoche to know him.

I'll never forget how, even in his sick and weak state, he picked up the bongo and started playing along as we sang this Nigun. May this Nigun bring comfort and happiness to those in need.

Credits
Produced, Arranged & Performed by Eitan Katz

Musicians:
Jeremy Brown - Violin
Yoshie Fruchter - Bass
C Lanzbom - Lead Classical Guitar
Shaya Lieber - Percussion

Additional singing by:
Heshy Deutsch
Yehuda Horowitz
Ben Lutz
Sruli Prero

Mixed & Mastered by C Lanzbom @ Sherwood Ridge Studio

Adam | Moshav | TYH Nation

Adam Eitz Hasadeh,

The rebirth of trees is really a mashal for the rebirth of each individual person. Like a tree while still fully immersed in the cold season, we can sense the sliver of light, the beckoning call of our Pintele Yid assuring us of a brighter future. Rebbe Nachman teaches of a 100 year old tree, and comments that although this tree has been through its share of winters, each year it comes roaring back, as the leaves begin to grow on its worn branches. The day of Tu B’shvat reminds us that this quality is found inside of every member of our holy nation.

Farbrengable Studios
Song Composed by The Blumstein Brothers
Produced & Arranged by Mendy Portnoy
Bouzouki - Duvid Swersky
Drums - Avi Avidani
Percussion - Chemy Soibelman
Bass - Danny Shnaiderman
Guitars - Yair Meizlish
Keys - Mendy Portnoy
Backing vocals- Mendy Portnoy
Lyric video - MATISHRIKI Studio
Design - Yakov Josephy
Mixed by Mendy Portnoy & Yaron Safer
Mastered by Yaron Safer

5 Kolos - EP Album Preview - R' Shloime Taussig

R’ Shloime Taussig presents: The first Chasidic EP album "5 Kolos"

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As an artist that has released three albums as well as six popular singles, R’ Shloime Taussig continues to be at the forefront of innovation in contemporary music as he launches a new EP album.

EPs or as they’re known in Hebrew mini-albums, have in recent years become a trend that’s gaining momentum on the international music scene, but has not yet been adopted in the world of frum Jewish music. With this album, R’ Shloime Taussig is launching "5 Kolos" - the first EP album in the chassidic music genre. Each of the 5 tracks on the album had been meticulously selected and no effort was spared in ensuring that each track on this groundbreaking album was produced to musical perfection for the ultimate listening experience.

In charge of musical production, arrangements and vocal production, were the amazingly talented duo Eli Klein & Yitzy Berry who also composed the entire lineup of songs. The children’s choir "Chassidimlach" lent their sweet voices to the project taking the smooth, rich blend of vocals to the next level.