Travelling Chassidim Strengthen the Connection

Travelling Chassidim Strengthen the Connection

Special Kesher Correspondent

London, 20 Cheshvan 5786 / 11/11/2025

The Global Shabbos Project is a highlight at Kesher, the popular outreach community in Golders Green led by Rabbi Rashi Simon. This annual event offers the opportunity to experience and celebrate in unity with communities all over the world, as well as to find a distinct expression for Kesher.

This year the Travelling Chassidim joined Kesher for an unforgettable, uplifting Shabbos experience.  Chassidim from Stamford Hill and Golders Green, rooted in legendary dynasties such as Belz, Aleksander and Vizhnitz, joined the Kesher Kehillah for a full Shabbat of song, prayer and celebration.

From a Kabbalat Shabbat of song and dance to a new take on Kesher’s famous Friday Night Tisch, Shabbat was off to a rousing and inspirational start.  Following the Davening and Kiddush on Shabbat morning there was an ‘Any Questions’ session, expertly moderated by Rabbi Simon, which gave members a chance to ask, engage, laugh and learn.

Questions ranged from the origin and contribution of Chassidus to the differences among the various Chassidic sects, including choice of apparel and Hebrew pronunciation. By the end of this very entertaining session, we could spot the Spodek from the Shtreimel

As the Shabbos progressed, what seemed at first like different worlds, merged into a diverse but unified shared experience of warmth and dedication, as we cherished the Shabbos together.
We learned about the Chassidic approach to welcoming and treasuring Shabbat, starting with Thursday night cholent tastings, Friday mikveh, statutory To’ameha (food tasting before candle-lighting) and then on to the inspiring melodies: The sound of soul and unity.

At a private residence nearby, the women and girls of Kesher enjoyed Seudah Shelishis with singing and Torah Thoughts, while the men found time (and capacity) to eat another meal at Kesher in the interval between Mincha and Ma'ariv.

The crescendo of our time with the Travelling Chassidim was an uplifting, atmospheric, memorable musical Havdalah. When we danced together, escorting the Shabbos Queen until next week, terms like 'visitors' and 'hosts' had long since been displaced by common purpose and shared destiny. The Travelling Chassidim will always be at home at Kesher!

About The Travelling Chassidim:
The Travelling Chassidim is a group of Chassidic families who travel around Jewish communities, bringing with us classic Chassidic warmth and liveliness - bona fide.
Coupled with the special aura of the holy Shabbos, we form a deep connection with the hosting community, resulting in a Shabbaton that is truly transformational.
The Travelling Chassidim is the brainchild of British-born Rabbi Moshe Royde, of Monsey in New York, USA.

Photo attached: Rabbi Rashi Simon and members of the Kesher Kehilla and The Travelling Chassidim - Photo credit: Kesher Kehilla.

Travel Checklist - Austria

Travel Checklist for Austria

אוסטריה - עם ישראל חי!

https://goo.gl/maps/YC4KegsqBZyLYqB58?g_st=ac

"ערב טוב,

סיימנו נופשה נפלאה🙏

חייב לציין ,שיש בקבוצה אנשים פשוט מלאכים!!

על כל שאלה  ענו בלב ענק,באריכות ובנועם שאין דומה לו.והרבה מעבר לפעם אחת.

ובלי שאני כלל יודע במי מדובר!!

ממש ממש ללמוד מהם ולהתנהג כמותם!!

שתיהיה הנופשה לתועלת,

וב"ה שנה הבאה שוב, בבריאות ושמחה לכולם!"

Kosher food: Kosherlist – Hamadrich Wien

Mizrachi shul

Synagogue of Rabbi Engelmeyer

Meah Shearim

Novellino    +43 1 2128169    https://g.co/kgs/3QfHtZb

Milano Cafe & Gelato https://g.co/kgs/GRBtg6f

Ohel Bakery and Coffee Shop https://www.ohel.at

Pharmacy for Shabbos
Friday night Taborstrasse 16
Shabbos day untere augartenstrasse 13
Schwedenplatz 2

Hatzala 01 9978080
Police 330

Find out about the Kosher Vineyard Tour at: https://www.kosher-vienna.com

Before placing your order for travel, lodging and other orders, check the weather: Weather Forecast | MSN Weather

Travel information for the Tyrol, Austria

Before leaving the house make sure to:

Sew name tags into your clothing 

Apply name labels into your books and other private property 

so that if and when they go AWOL they could be returned to you - before you leave the holiday place. 

Before setting out from home, make sure to pack:

Adaptor for European electric socket, medicine, baby food & formula (e.g. Materna), 

Before setting off by car, consult the website for any traffic delays: https://baustelleninfo.asfinag.at/client/details/2327809/2333532/131972

For Train tickets to St.Anton am Arlberg Bahnhof in Austria, log onto https://shop.oebbtickets.at/en/ticket.

If you booked a journey via the ÖBB online shop or the ÖBB Ticket App, you will have a three-minute grace period immediately after every ticket purchase, to cancel the ticket. To do so, please go to "My booking" and click on "Undo ticket purchase".

For contact details of a taxi - to take you to Vienna or anywehere else - ask in the hotel reception

Warnings: 

1) Talking about hotels or rentals in general, be sure not to pay upfront before verifying that you are dealing with a scammer.  In July 02 2026 someone paid thousands of £££'s for a place in Switzerland and when he arrived, the place was deserted with a sign saying: "This establishment is closed for the summer season".  Another tip: Try to pay with HSBC bank, as they did take action and - despite the fact that the eMail address of the scammer was already closed - managed to recoup the money and return it to the defrauded client.

2) Never try to set up a Mikve on a balcony, certainly not in a flat that is on the first, second or sixth floor . . .  Experts recommend checking the load-bearing capacity before any unusual installations.  Ask yourself the most simple question: Is it even allowed to put a pool on a balcony?  The problem lies in the weight of the water. One cubic meter of water corresponds to 1,000 liters - and weighs around a ton (= 1,000Kg).  Even small pools can therefore add several hundred kilograms to a balcony within a few square meters.  For example, in Switzerland, residential balconies are generally built in accordance with the SIA 261 standard so that they can bear a load of at least 350 kilograms per square meter.  The decisive factors are the size of the balcony, the amount of water and the question of how the pool will be emptied again later.

Please note:

• Please have your photo ID ready on your journey. You need it to prove the validity of your ticket.
• For cross-border journeys with final destination abroad please mind the following: Print the ticket on white A4-format paper in portrait print setting and have ready on your journey your credit card-sized Vorteilscard discount card or its digital version in the ÖBB App.
  Within Austria we will accept your PDF Tickets in digital format (shown on laptop computer, tablet or smartphone).
• Please keep your ticket until you leave the last station.

Nearest airports:

Innsbruck

Munchen

Zurich

Salzburg

For deliveries of lost or delayed luggage on British Airways flights in Austria, call CLS - INFO@CLS-OVERNIGHT.DE 0049 511 51527780

Cheapest airports:

Basel

Geneva

Milano

Minyan at חב"ד: Via Luigi Soderini, 3, 20146 Milano MI, איטליה

Minyan Group on WhatsApp for the area of Tyrol, Austria: 

https://chat.whatsapp.com/GB4ILOt1TKwEM1bOmpc0kB

Zmanim for Anton and Arlberg 

Welcome to the toll shop.  Whether it's a digital vignette or a section toll you're after – here you will find all the products you need to travel worry-free on Austria's motorways and expressways.  More information about the Austrian toll system.  You can find all digital vignettes and section toll products here: https://shop.asfinag.at/en

Be aware that the 14th of August is a national holiday in Austria so most shops will be closed, or only open until noon.

St Anton am Arlberg, Austria 

Minyan Group on WhatsApp for the area of St Anton am Arlberg:  https://chat.whatsapp.com/GVvn2qAS0At35cboITxcKB

Buses are free for registered tourists.

Cable 🚠 cars:

Ask the tourist information desk in Dorf

Swimming facilities

Swimming in the Lake 

Natursee Hoch-Imst, 6460, Austria

https://maps.app.goo.gl/nHjUYNxQ9iLABkPs7

Swimming pool: Wellnesspark, Pettneu am Arlberg 235, c, 6574, Austria

Details here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3xArcQhLCefjAGtZA

Where to buy hotel needs

Pageo

Lidl

Bruggefeldstrasse 15, 6500 Landeck Zentrum

Go to MPREIS MiniM for

Kosher bread - Ask for "Kosher Brot" and they will bring it to you from the freezer, use the link to the order form: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=8S6P5v1fb0K10s7GBsiiGnXCNKLak3xFsQHkKR7RHdFURVFDNzRYV1NFOTEzNU5FQjQyQUtRSktZNS4u&route=shorturl

Kosher Dairy products

Kosher regular Oil, buy the make "BONA" (on the Koscherlist), OU Monini Classic or Olitalia Olive Oil.

MPREIS

 * St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria

They close 18:00Hrs

 * Nauders 257, 6543 Nauders, Austria - https://maps.app.goo.gl/krgRX6gyoAZ8ncn58?g_st=aw

They close 19:30Hrs

 * Dorf 128, 6574 Pettneu am Arlberg, Austria - https://maps.app.goo.gl/sD38Bgk7UTbPEudm7

The pharmacy in St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria has special medicine for those who suffer from high altitude.

Looking for electrical parts or cables? Go to  Grissemann Gesellschaft m.b.H.

Hauptstraße 1506511 Zams

Open daily from 08:00

Tel.: +43 5442 6999450

infopoint@hagebau-grissemann.at

https://www.dergrissemann.at

https://www.hagebau.at/baumarkt/grissemann-gesellschaft-mbh-zams-sn219000

For household items like pots and pans go to the shopping centre in La deck.

Gone fishing at the lake in Lech am Arlberg (a mountain village in the Bludenz district in the westernmost Austrian state of Vorarlberg) a nice walk 

Bergbau Gand

Take the tour of the underground caves - 

See: https://maps.app.goo.gl/icxTsNpWwjv3VioC9.  There is parking on site.

Architecture:

See: Sporthalle BSA - Alpine Ski-WM 2001, LORENZATELIERS - St. Christoph (A)

See: architek[tour] tirol – der architekturführer für tirol — aut. architektur und tirol

Landeck

A nice walk to Landeck - if you start out early morning 

For Shabbos food orders:

https://forms.gle/G5C2znQBa5oHiARv7

In order to receive your order, someone needs to volunteer to receive all the orders to his / her home so that all those who have ordered could come to fetch their order 

Haus Gertrude, 28 Gastigweg,

St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria

https://maps.app.goo.gl/jzMiDKi2nhcgD7PBA

Mincha & Ma'ariv 20:30Hrs

Shabbos morning: Ask ror more details about the Minyan, by WhatsApp on: +13476614853.

Minyan at Family Nuemann, Am Alten Hof 5, St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria

Shacharis: 8:15Hrs

Mincha & Ma'ariv 19:45Hrs

Shabbos morning: Ask

PLEASE: Do NOT drive into the area as the entrance is reserved only for tenants.

For a Minyan, send WhatsApp to: 

+1 (917) 685-9981.

Shabbos Minyan at 20:35Hrs in Penthouse of the Vaya Hotel

St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria

Entrance on the side of the hotel. 

For more details, send WhatsApp to: 

+972 52-807-9990

Eden Rock, St. Anton a. A. Kapelle Pitzi

https://maps.app.goo.gl/zT1zhkSmpNW4yCzW8

St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria

Mincha 20:45Hrs & Ma'ariv 21:30Hrs

For more details about the Minyan: +972 52-607-6030

Gästehaus Kolp

Nassereinergasse 4,

6580 St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria

https://goo.gl/maps/7ufN8cpFh5aczHtS8

For more details about the Minyan: +972 52-607-6030

St Jakober Dorfstraße

St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria

Shacharis (no Safer Torah): 9:00Hrs

For a Minyan, send WhatsApp to: +972 50-283-5132

Klosterle-Danofen

St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria

For a Minyan, send WhatsApp to: +972 54-983-8901

Gampen Lodges

Nassereinerstraße 66, 6580 St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria

For a Minyan, send WhatsApp to: +972 52-607-6030

Friday evening Mincha & Ma'ariv: Ask

Hotel Mountain Spa Residence

St Anton am Arlberg, Austria 

For a Minyan, send WhatsApp to: +972 58-716-5948

Pettnau am Arlberg

Tyrol, Austria

https://maps.app.goo.gl/MAzL7DytwRBs6L1r7.

For a Minyan, send WhatsApp to: +972 58-764-7100.

Fis

Flachau

Tyrol, Austria

For a Minyan, send WhatsApp to: +44 7512 179610

Galtur

Tyrol, Austria

For a Minyan: +32 495 54 44 92

For Shabbos food: +32 495 54 44 92

Kappel

Tyrol, Austria

For a Minyan, send WhatsApp to: +44 7512 179610

Nauders

Tyrol, Austria

Stuben

Tyrol, Austria

For a Minyan, send WhatsApp to: +44 7735 551956

Pux

Tyrol, Austria

For a Minyan: 00 447 968 076-81-2

For a Minyan in the Tyrol, Austria,

Call +1 (917) 685-9981

Serfaus

Tyrol, Austria

For a Minyan: 

Pettnau am Arlberg

Tyrol, Austria

https://maps.app.goo.gl/MAzL7DytwRBs6L1r7.

For a Minyan, send WhatsApp to: +972 58-764-7100.

Rent a chalet in Hochkrimml (Postcode /Zip code 5743) a village at an altitude of 1,700 meters in the Zillertal Arena, located in the Tyrol, Austria.

There is a Minyan in Konigsleiten, the Tyrol, Austria, which is driving distance from Hochkrimml.

Imst

Tyrol, Austria

For a Minyan, send WhatsApp to: +972 58-764-7100.

Where to go in the Tyrol, Austria:

Kaprun is great.  Driving up to te Mountain and at the bottom is the Summer Sledge Maisiflitzer.

Try also:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1bQvaUoVPq2b1KWpWWUG0Jw3HN5K0QSE&usp=sharing

לכו לכיוון מפלי הרוזאנה. הליכה רגלית יפה . אפשר גם להכנס למים.

רוזנגרטן שלכט. מפל. ללא תשלום באימסט.

הודעה חשובה:

פארק המים שבפארק area 47 פארק האקסטרים הגדול באירופה יהיה פתוח לציבור החרדי בהפרדה מלאה ויהיה פתוח היום יוד רביעי לנשים בלבד בין השעות 19:00-21:00 (כניסה מהשעה 18:30) בהזמנה מראש בטלפון במספר +972506842948 מחיר כניסה לאדם 50€ מזומן בלבד

bits and bobs

Bayis Ne-eman 

Activities

(18) LinkedIn about Tefillah

(20) Focus On Nusach APAM | LinkedIn APAM

__________________________________

בזמר יה רבון חיות ברא עם קמץ תחת הבית ולא שמודפס עם שוא - הראשון פירושו חיות והשני תרגומו בן. 

Wien

https://www.google.com/search?q=tempelgasse+3+wien&client=ms-android-motorola-rvo3&sca_esv=e23fa3d6ecc2111f&sxsrf=ADLYWIJcbxPi4y8Ae0eWWl5FCjeX44o9Cw%3A1732577604552&ei=RAlFZ6OvIZ61hbIP7f_LoQU&oq=tempelgasse+3+wien&gs_lp=EhNtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1zZXJwIhJ0ZW1wZWxnYXNzZSAzIHdpZW4yBxAAGIAEGBMyCxAAGIAEGIYDGIoFMggQIRigARjDBDIIECEYoAEYwwQyCBAhGKABGMMEMggQIRigARjDBEjTLlDfFFjxGHABeAGQAQCYAX2gAd4BqgEDMS4xuAEDyAEA-AEBmAIDoAKoAsICChAAGLADGNYEGEfCAgoQIxiABBgnGIoFwgIGEAAYBxgemAMAiAYBkAYIkgcDMS4yoAeoCQ&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp&zx=1732577652878&no_sw_cr=1

https://www.google.com/search?q=lilienbrunngasse+19+1020+wien+austria&oq=lillienbrunngasse+19&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCAgCEAAYDRgeMgYIABBFGDkyCAgBEAAYDRgeMggIAhAAGA0YHtIBCTIwOTQyajBqOagCDrACAQ&client=ms-android-motorola-rvo3&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8&chrome_dse_attribution=1

https://www.google.com/search?q=gro%C3%9Fe+mohrengasse+19+1020+wien&oq=grose+mohrengasse+19+wien&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCAgBEAAYFhgeMgYIABBFGDkyCAgBEAAYFhge0gEJMjAwNTFqMGo5qAIOsAIB&client=ms-android-motorola-rvo3&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8&chrome_dse_attribution=1

https://www.google.com/search?q=grosse+schiffgasse+8&oq=grosse+schiffgasse+8&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIICAEQABgWGB4yCAgCEAAYFhge0gEJMTgyMjRqMGo5qAIOsAIB&client=ms-android-motorola-rvo3&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8&chrome_dse_attribution=1

https://www.google.com/search?q=taborstra%C3%9Fe+48a+1020+wien&client=ms-android-motorola-rvo3&sca_esv=e23fa3d6ecc2111f&sxsrf=ADLYWILbQluHLplsA6JPOApHkm8nEss7pw%3A1732577834269&ei=KgpFZ42PEMOdhbIPkMHaiAY&oq=taborstra%C3%9Fe+48a+wien&gs_lp=EhNtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1zZXJwIhV0YWJvcnN0cmHDn2UgNDhhIHdpZW4qAggAMgYQABgHGB4yCBAAGIAEGKIEMggQABiABBiiBDIIEAAYgAQYogRInkhQtC9Yhj5wAHgCkAEAmAF-oAGsA6oBAzEuM7gBAcgBAPgBAZgCBaAC8gPCAgQQABhHwgIIEAAYBxgKGB7CAgoQIRigARjDBBgKmAMAiAYBkAYIkgcDMi4zoAeqDA&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp

https://www.google.com/search?q=heinestra%C3%9Fe+24+1020+wien&client=ms-android-motorola-rvo3&sca_esv=e23fa3d6ecc2111f&sxsrf=ADLYWII3nozehj67aK-T7SnDULT8caogfg%3A1732577872412&ei=UApFZ93vGMvMhbIP88nbuQ8&oq=heinestra%C3%9Fe+24+1020+wien&gs_lp=EhNtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1zZXJwIhloZWluZXN0cmHDn2UgMjQgMTAyMCB3aWVuMgcQABiABBgTMggQABiABBiiBDIIEAAYgAQYogQyCBAAGIAEGKIESMA8UMkrWPAucAF4AJABAJgBdKABmAKqAQMyLjG4AQPIAQD4AQGYAgOgAvwBwgIKEAAYsAMY1gQYR8ICBhAAGAcYHpgDAIgGAZAGA5IHAzEuMqAH8QY&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp

https://www.google.com/search?q=kleine+sperlgasse+6+wien&oq=kleine+sperlgasse+6+wieb&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCQgBECEYChigATIGCAAQRRg5MgkIARAhGAoYoAEyCQgCECEYChigAdIBCTE5Mzk2ajBqOagCDrACAQ&client=ms-android-motorola-rvo3&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8&chrome_dse_attribution=1#vhid=zephyr:0&vssid=atritem-https://lamehadrin.com/

https://www.google.com/search?q=gro%C3%9Fe+stadtgutgasse+7+1020+wien&oq=grose+stadtgutgasse+7&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCggCEAAYExgWGB4yBggAEEUYOTILCAEQABgNGBMYgAQyCggCEAAYExgWGB7SAQkxMTg1NGowajmoAg-wAgE&client=ms-android-motorola-rvo3&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8&chrome_dse_attribution=1

https://www.google.com/search?gs_ssp=eJzj4tZP1zcsSSs3LLM0MGC0UjWoMDE3SzEwTzS0NExOM0szNbUyqDA0tDAyMzZIM041MkoytrTwEkjMSU1TABNlmal5eYkAnI0T1g&q=alef+alef+vienna&oq=alef+aleg&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqDwgBEC4YDRivARjHARiABDIGCAAQRRg5Mg8IARAuGA0YrwEYxwEYgAQyCQgCEAAYDRiABDIJCAMQABgNGIAEMgkIBBAAGA0YgAQyCQgFEAAYDRiABDIJCAYQABgNGIAEMgkIBxAAGA0YgAQyCQgIEAAYDRiABDIJCAkQABgNGIAEMgkIChAAGA0YgAQyCQgLEAAYDRiABDIJCAwQABgNGIAEMgkIDRAAGA0YgAQyBwgOECEYjwLSAQg1MzEwajBqOagCDrACAQ&client=ms-android-motorola-rvo3&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8&chrome_dse_attribution=1#ebo=0

https://www.google.com/search?q=veahavta+20a+vienna&oq=veahavta+20a+&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCQgBECEYChigATIGCAAQRRg5MgkIARAhGAoYoAEyBwgCECEYjwIyBwgDECEYjwLSAQkxNDAwOGowajmoAg6wAgE&client=ms-android-motorola-rvo3&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8&chrome_dse_attribution=1#ebo=0

https://www.google.com/search?q=mea+shearim+wien&oq=meah+shearim+wi&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCAgCEAAYFhgeMgYIABBFGDkyCAgBEAAYFhgeMggIAhAAGBYYHjINCAMQABiGAxiABBiKBTIHCAQQIRiPAjIHCAUQIRiPAjIHCAYQIRiPAtIBCDk3MzJqMGo5qAIOsAIB&client=ms-android-motorola-rvo3&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8&chrome_dse_attribution=1#ebo=0

https://www.google.com/search?q=prego+wien+43&oq=prego+wien+43&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRigATIHCAQQIRigAdIBCTE0NzkzajBqOagCDrACAQ&client=ms-android-motorola-rvo3&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8&chrome_dse_attribution=1#ebo=0

https://www.google.com/search?q=pillsbury+shefa+wien+markt+24+1020&client=ms-android-motorola-rvo3&sca_esv=e23fa3d6ecc2111f&sxsrf=ADLYWIJz-_TFQ1wPKMicGM6efyNI843wgQ%3A1732578314677&ei=CgxFZ_z8KJW6hbIP1eeT6Q0&oq=pillsbury+shefa+wien+markt+24+1020&gs_lp=EhNtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1zZXJwIiJwaWxsc2J1cnkgc2hlZmEgd2llbiBtYXJrdCAyNCAxMDIwSOSJAVCNDFjif3AAeACQAQCYAYkBoAGvDKoBBDEzLjS4AQPIAQD4AQGYAg-gAuQLwgILEAAYgAQYsAMYogTCAggQABiABBiiBMICBRAhGKABwgIEECEYFZgDAIgGAZAGAZIHBDUuMTCgB5cp&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp#ebo=0

Wedding list 

Add to the wedding list 

Add two cups to the welcome pack 

דברי האוסטראווצא בעל מאיר עיני חכמים

משפחת טאוב:

רב קרייזווירטה היה יוצא ונכנס להרב שפיגלגלאס שהיה גר בבית בעל הבית עשיר בווארשא בשם ווארשאוויאק - ספר "מכתבי תורה" בו מתכתבים שני אריות: דודנו זקננו עם ה"ראגאטשאווער" כמו שמובא בספר ה"ראגאטשאווער" שיצא לאור לאחרונה 

לדף יומי

Air travel behalocho

1. Arrange seats not next to opposite gender - what are the red lines and how to deal with them? Are you allowed to spend the price of a Economy class ticket on an upgrade to first or business class, to avoid being seated in the "wrong" seat in Economy (provided the upgrade allows you to choose where not to sit...)? 

2. Davening standing up in the seat or in the aisle or sitting down? 

3. What is there status of regular meals in El Al, with regards to the vegetables - are they free of תרומות ומעשרות?

4. Request from the meal providers not to add spicy food to the kosher meals as nursing mothers will end up with cranky babies for the rest of the flight!

5. Request from the meal providers not to put fluids (sauces, condiments etc.) in the airline meals

6. Is it allowed to change a baby's nappy in situ, instead of doing it in the designated changing room / area on the aeroplane and thereby spreading bad odours to all the passengers in the surrounding seats and to top it off the baby is doing a junior Pavarotti disturbing the sleep / reading / entertainment of all the neighbours and on top of it all other babies in the vicinity wake up and start joining the choir?

7. Is there a Halachic problem with a paying member of the airport lounge taking a dozen bottles of fizzy drinks from bar when you only need one or two?

Rabbi Aryeh Leyb Lichtenstadt OB"M is buried at the West Ham (end of Gough Road, E15 1SX).  Yahrzeit: 7 Adar. Contact 0044 2037457337 for "Rabosenu - the office for the holy Jewish graves in the United Kingdom".

Please Daven (pray) for these precious people who are sick!

אנא עורו נא התפללו נא:

על חולי עמינו המצפים לרפואה וישועה בתוך שאר חולי ישראל, ובפרט על החולים:

תתפללו על החולים שניזוקו שריפה במלון בקראנס-מונטנה בתאריך 01/01/2026: רבקה בת מארי סופי, ירמי י'מס חיים בן קסאביער האוואוואם, אליסיה בת דליה, דיאנה בת דליה

אברהם בן מינדל

אברהם בן נעמי חנה

אברהם תומר בן מרים (בן חיים צור - סובל מסיסטיק פיבראסיס)

אהרן בן רחל

אהרן בן שרה (יששכרוף)

אלטער יוסף בן יוטא

אליהו יהודה בן נחמה

אליעזר יעקב מאיר בן יענטל

אלכסנדר זיסקינד בן גאלדא יוטא

אסתר יוטא בת פעריל

אשר מרדכי בן אסתר

בן ציון צבי בן קילא דבורה

בנימין בן רות

ברכה בת חיה שרה

בתיה יהודית בת חנה

גאלדא יוטא בת פייגא

גיטל רות בת שרה הענדיל רייצא

דוד יודא בן חיה

זהבה בת שרה

חוה לאה בת אסתר

חיים יוסף בן שפרה גיטל

חיים יושע עוזר בן רבקה גליקל

חיים יעקב בן זיסל

חנה בת אסתר עטיל

יגאל ישראל בן בלומא גיטל (צליק)

יהודה זאב בן אירית

יהונתן בן מרים

יוטא אסתר בת פערל

יוכבד יוטל בת חנה

יוסף אברהם בן רות שרה

יוסף בן מירל

יחזקיהו נחמן בן טאבה

יצחק בן אסתר (ווייסברון)

ישעי'ה בן בתיה

ישראל ברוך בן מרים

ישראל יצחק בן חנה (הרב מהאראדענקע)

יששכר דוב בן מרים

מאיר בן חיה

מאשא רחל בת ליבא

מיטל בל זהבה

מיכאל יעקב בן נופר מרים

מיכל קילא בת ליאורה

מלכה בת זלטא

מלכה ליבא בת טאבה

מרים ברכה בת לאה הינדא טשארנא

מרים חוה בת בילא מלכה

משה בן רבקה שרה

משה זאב בן לאה

ניר בן מרים

נתנאל בן שרה

עקיבא אשר בן ריבה

עקיבא בן מרים

עקיבא בן פערל מרים

פנחס בן מרים (בן חיים צור - סובל מסיסטיק פיבראסיס)

פנחס יוחנן בן בלומה

פערל בת לאה

רות שרה בת חנה

רפאל ישראל בן אסתר פערל

שאול בן טאבה

שלמה בן אסתר

שלמה חיים בן אסתר

שמואל בן רחל געלא

שמואל יוסף בן פייגא חי'ה

שמואל שמעלקא בן יהודית

שמעון בן רייזל

Yocheved bat Sara
Yaakov ben Fortuna
Asher ben Sarah Leah
Mina bat Rivka
Eliezer ben Gitel
Chanoch ben Blimele
Azariah Yonatan Shimon Shmuel ben Leonie
Yonatan Yaakov ben Sara Beila
Yitzchak ben Miriam
Miriam Gittel Rashka bat Chaya Sarah
Zviah Blumah bat Rachel
Esther bat Louisette
Pinchas Reuven ben Michlah Maryasha
Sara bat Chaya Rachel
Rivka bat Metukah
Dovid Hillel ben Aydel
Michael Moshe David ben Miriam
Moshe ben Esther 
Yaakov ben Esther 
Binyomin Noach ben Edna 
Eliezer haCohen ben Gittel 
Daniella Tzila bat Esther 
Yisrael Moshe ben Tsiporah Channah

לזיווג:

אהרן בן פייגא לאה

אסתר בת מאשא

יוחנן בן פערל

יעקב בן פערל

ישעיה בן מלכה

מרדכי אליקים בן פערל

משה בן רינה

צבי בן פערל

רוחמה ילתא בת לאה

להצלחה ולנחת דקדושה מכל יוצאי חלציהם: 

פייגא בת טאבה

פייגא בת חנה פראדל

ישראל שלום בן מאשא

אלכסנדר יום טוב ליפא בן מלכה חיה 

זאב וואלף בן אסתר רחל רבקה

יעקב שמעון בן אסתר

טאלצא קרוינא בת פייגא

יוחנן משה חיים בן אסתר

יצחק יודא בן פייגא

ירמיהו צבי בן אסתר

ישעיה בן טאלצא קרוינא

יוחנן בן טאלצא קרוינא

מנשה בן אסתר

אהרן בן אסתר

נפתלי הערץ בן יפה מרים פרומעט

אילנה בת שמחה

שרה בת אילנה

נא ללמוד משניות ולפעול חסד לעילוי נשמת

חיים חנניה יום טוב אלעזר ליפא בן שאול אלישע

אברהם גוטקינד בן יוחנן

הדסה בת קלונימוס קלמן

יחיאל שמעיה בן רויזא (ווייזער)

שמואל בן משה

לתשובה שלמה

מנשה בן אסתר

חיים יעקב בן שרה לאה

בנימין בן צילה

דוד בן רויזא שרה חיה

מלכה בת פרומעט מרים

דניאל אדם בן גילה

יצחק אליהו בן חוה איטא טויבא

רחל בת מרים

תזכו למצוות

What Can We Do in a Time of War?

Dear Friends,

It says in Lamentations(*): "נהפך לאבל מחולינו"

On the day in our calendar when we are "שמח"

We rejoice with the Torah, it reverted to: "חמס". 

To counter the negative influences of this current war on the Jewish People, we ought to refrain from giving in to the forces of evil.  

Do not follow the news, as you may be negatively affected by the news reports on this conflict:

Remember: נחש = ראשי תיבות: נייעס, חדשות, שמועות

Do listen to Rabbi Shea Fink at דרשה לאור המצב מאת הגר''י פינק (in Yiddish - sorry!).

As the Rebbe of Belz said: 

By becoming hooked up to the news, one causes an increase in the suffering of Jewish People as a whole - as well as to himself.  This is because our pampered generation is in no way equipped to handle with the abhorrent, horrendous and vile updates making their rounds on social media!

We should instead concentrate on the three approaches that our forefather Jacob taught us:

Doron = Give Tzedokoh!

From teenagers, to youth at risk, back to teenagers

Many of the 16-18-year-olds who have been living in cramped hotel rooms with their families after fleeing their homes after October 7^th have been suffering real personal losses and trauma. Overnight, they were transformed from teenagers to youth at risk. They don’t have school, and numb their pain by turning to drugs and alcohol. Enter Lawrence Kasmir, who is generating healthy adrenaline by organising a programme of rock climbing, desert trekking and stargazing. Parents have remarked on a large positive change in their children’s physical and mental state. Anyone wanting to help expand Lawrence’s programme can donate through https://www.charidy.com/hlh/14535 .

Giving charity not only helps those caught up in this conflict - it causes an enormous wave of empathy and compassion up Above.  This is all we need: the Heavens should shower Am Yisroel with blessings of protection, prosperity and happiness - ingredients that have been ruthlessly denied from so many!

Donate | Help a fallen IDF heros family 💔 Yossi Hershkovitz BDE (thechesedfund.com)

The highest form of Tzedokoh

As per the Rambam (=Maimonides) in the Laws of Charity part of his magnum opus - the highest from of charity is to place and keep people in employment.  

In the past weeks, so many people lost their place of work, either due to closure or because workers are afraid to leave their loved ones alone during the constant sirens.

It so happens that many businesses have employed English-speaking Arab workers to man their helpdesks.  These teleworkers service customer service contracts, which have now been terminated on the back of the current conflict.

Why not fill the empty seats with those who lost their livelihood?

More ways to give charity:

There are so many charity organisations, who advocate for important causes and beg us to help them alleviate the suffering of communities and individuals who have been caught up in this melee.

See: Lives Changed Forever 

See: Support for Israeli’s impacted by the war

See: Use Amazon.co.uk to fulfil a Wish!

See: The Tzedek organisation is bending over backwards to help those who are stuck without sleeping accommodations: TxT 00447520667881 if you can help.

See: bit.ly/48Rp6sK for the special offer by RCUK for £10.00 worth of free credit.

See: https://colelchabad.org/donation/?ref=EMT3&listId=014

See: Donate to Zaka Tel-Aviv Fund (zakatelaviv.org)

See: https://giveback.co.il/project/74986

See: ISRAELI SOLDIERS NEED VESTS: Save A Soldier’s Life! - Chesed Today

See: The Sderot Fund: קרן שדרות - The Ofakim Fund - 

See: Donate to Feed Israel, Urgent Request - The Situation in Eretz Yisroel is affecting 10,000's!, Standing Together in Times of Crisis

Reduce Trauma via your Teruma: Emergency Appeal | British Emunah Fund

BABIES, CHILDREN, THE ELDERLY: ZAKA are Working Hard, With Bombs Overhead, to Save The Bodies of the Fallen. Donate here to Protect these Warriors!  https://chesedtoday.com/campaigns/zakaprotect

Support Ohri's family: Israel National Emergency-Fund - One Million for Ohr

See: 1500 Families Are Sitting Shiva and Living In Poverty. Donate Here To Help Them Survive!

See a request from an IDF soldier: Rock the House with Your Kabalat Shabat!   Look up the nearest Shul in your vicinity that is struggling with a Minyan - see: GoDaven

For Part II see this link: https://trybetter.blogspot.com/2023/10/what-can-we-do-in-time-of-war-part-ii.html

Go Forth and Help Each Other Out

With the war on the holy land dragging on, there are tens of thousands of displaced and displeased Jews who lost their work of place and livelihood, literally living off government or NGO handouts.

These people have suffered from being displaced, living in a strange place far away from their homes, with people they do not necessary know and on top of that their place of work is inaccessible.

If they are given a change to become employed, they will regain their confidence and might even find the means to settle down in the place where they were 'exiled' to.

Wishful thinking?  

Ask all the nonagenarians who came over from war-torn Europe as displaced persons - they built their lives up from scratch and went on to create a new world for themselves, for their families, for the Jewish community and for the whole world.

Perhaps we could set up an online hub for businesses and NFP* organisations based outside the holy land, to help these unfortunate people by allowing diaspora-based companies to tap into this pool of very able, talented, innovative, clever, motivated but needy candidates?

If you ever heard of any of the websites below, we might already have solved a major part of this endeavour:

ZehMizeh | The Jewish Freelancing Platform - Post projects, find talent, pay simply.

https://www.upwork.com/

Fiverr | Freelance services marketplace | Find top global talent

Hebrew language website dedicated to find work for the displaced people in the holy land: כולנו דרושים | דרושים IL and: JOBS - Drushim710west

If we could find a couple of voluntary job matchmakers in every country (US, UK, IE, FR etc.) and allow displaced people to log on with their resumé, we could lift the spirits of this motley group of Israelis.

"Yisroel Arevim Zeh baZeh" - Jewish people look after each other - let us put this age-old axiom into practice!

See: https://trybetter.blogspot.com/2024/11/links-to-work-help-with-finding.html

(*) איכה פרק ה' פסוק ט"ו