How a Young Chasidish Boy Taught me a Lesson in Ahavas Yisroel

“If they don't have a problem with me, I don't have a problem with them.”

As the days of sferia come to an end I look back and notice so many discussions and articles covering the nitty gritty details of shaving, not shaving, laundry, music, concerts, etc. What strikes me as peculiar, and, quite sad, is the equal number of topics spewing animosity at others who don't necessarily behave or see things the same way as we do. Now, from what I remember of my yeshiva days, Yimei Sefira was about Ahavas Yisroel, and the tragedy that befell the talmidim of Rabbi Akiva for not respecting one another. It's not uncommon today to practice all the halochos, but forget the purpose behind it. Here is a short story that taught me a great lesson, I'd like to share it with my readers.

My Reflections on Yom Hazikaron, Yom Haatzmot and Reinventing our Past

I wonder how many people reading this know who Mickey Marcus or Moshe Segal are, or have even ever heard their names mentioned. If you went to Sdei Chemed or had my father, Rabbi Eli Teitelbaum A"H, as a Rebbi, you probably do. That is because my father told over many stories of great men who fought for Eretz Yisrael. I can't say for sure, but I assume he chose these two individuals, because they were Americans who traveled to Israel just to fight for other Jews and Eretz Yisrael. Maybe he picked the stories of Moshe Segal because he risked his life just to sound the shofar every Yom Kippur at the Western Wall, while the British had made it a criminal act. I hope one day I'll upload my father’s stories so people can enjoy them, but for now, I wish to just write about the wonderful, positive impact these stories had on my upbringing, and how unfortunately things have now changed.

Autism Awareness, Camp S'dei Chemed Style!

The Autism Society has labeled April as National Autism Awareness Month. The United States recognizes April as a special opportunity for everyone to educate the public about autism and issues within the autism community. They say there is no cure for autism but I'm not convinced that's true. In might not be found in the sciences or medical field but it exist in how we treat one another. Before even the diagnoses of autism, 2000 years ago Chazal chose this same time of the year, the days of Sefira, as "treating your fellow man awareness time". But awareness for us religious Jews goes beyond wearing a ribbon or a bumper sticker. For us it means something completely different its about changing ourselves not the child with Autism.

The Color-War Dilema. Dvar Torah Parshas Vayeishev

A D'var Torah from my father Rabbi Eli Teitelbaum OB"M.

Some win. Some lose. Yet overall, it’s the exciting contest that finishes off the summer with a bang in all camps.

It brings out lots of hidden talent that would otherwise lie dormant. It’s an outlet that reveals what many of us can accomplish when we concentrate our efforts, energy and desires towards a challenging goal. The accomplishments are enormous. And when learning itself becomes a contest, and there are points to be earned for each Mishnah or Halacha studied, the hidden talents suddenly emerge and burst forth like a powerfully erupting volcano, whose mighty strength one never knew existed. Color War, even though no more than a childish game, seems to muster our innermost strength and powers and reveals our real potential if we give it all we have.

Yet, in accordance with a kind of Murphy’s law, the greater the Torah accomplishment, the more reason for the Soton to join the fun. You may not have noticed him, but that’s only because of his clever camouflage. But you needn't worry! He’s there all right, laughing hysterically at our blindness and inability to detect his clever masquerade. But where is he, you ask? Let me help you find him...

Breaking the mold in Jewish Education

"It is critical that we recognize the wisdom of Shlomo Hamelech, “Chanoch le'naar al pi darko” – train a child according to his way. Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch

Having a summer camp for girls, doesn't just last through the summer, and so recently I found myself driving some high school aged girls to a camp wedding. As the chatting began I heard my wife ask one of the girls how school was going. The girl’s response was overwhelmingly positive. She praised the teachers, praised the assignments; she had nothing negative to say. Impressed with what I was hearing, I turned to my wife and mentioned that in light of this incredible response, we know where our daughters will be attending school some day!

Rabbi Boruch Chait inspiring our teenagers with music.

When my wife questioned the second girl, the response was almost exactly the opposite. The teachers didn't know what they were talking about, the curriculum was stupid and so on. At that point I again looked at my wife and said, “...and that's one school our daughter won’t be attending.” My wife then shocked me by letting me know that they are both in the same school.  I responded how some teachers were just so much better than others. Again I was wrong when she informed me they were both in the same class!

So what was going on here? These were two great kids. Different personalities, yet both excel at what they do. What's seems so contradictory is really quite simple, in parsha's toldos Rav Hirsch enlightens us to a major malfunction in the educational system. Yes, the school and teachers were doing an excellent job, but only for one part of the students.

Why, I love Sdei Chemed

The girl who signed this letter was our top iddos award winner for 2011. So sad that her school never saw that part of her. We did, and maybe that's why she loves us for it.

Dear Elisheva,

        Just want to thank you so much for giving me the best summer of my entire life. I know everyone tells you this but, I can't begin or even tell you how amazing it was for me! This camp is perfect, the staff, all the trips we had, and inspirational places we went to. I listened to all the speeches we had and wanted to gain from all of them. The things we did were just so much fun!