Lag BaOmer

commemo-

rates the pass-

ing of Rabbi

Shimon Bar

Yochai, one of

the foremost

sages of the Talmud and

author of the Zohar, the

primary text of the Kabba-

lah. Rabbi Shimon’s

knowledge extended from

the exoteric, legal realm of

the Torah, to its deepest

mystical secrets. He was

also uniquely able to per-

ceive these two areas of

knowledge not as distinct,

self-contained disciplines,

but as one composite unit,

the legal aspect being the

body and the mystical ele-

ment the soul of one inte-

grated Torah.

This unity within the Torah

which Rabbi Shimon recog­

nized enabled him to per-

ceive the Divine unity with-

in our material world and

have this unity expressed in

actual fact as well as in the

abstract.

He understood Torah

study as all-encompassing,

able to influence every as-

pect of our lives.

Rabbi Shimon was able to

make the spiritual wealth of

the World to Come mani-

fest as material wealth in

this world.

On Lag BaOmer, we seek

to emulate this quality of

Rabbi Shimon’s. On this

day, it is customary for

young yeshivah students to

leave the halls of study and

go out to the fields. The

intent of this custom is ob-

viously not to mark Rabbi

Shimon’s yahrzeit by taking

a vacation from the study

of Torah, but rather, to

bring the yeshivah out into

the fields. Rabbi Shimon

was able to unite the deep-

est mystical elements of the

Torah with the natural ele-

ments of the world. In

emulation of him, children

extend the atmosphere of

the yeshivah to encompass

even the field, an area

seemingly beyond the realm

of Torah.

Rabbi Shimon taught that

the underlying unity of To-

rah and worldliness should

be expressed every day,

not only once a year.

While our ancestors re-

ceived their food from

M E S S A G E F R O M T H E R A B B I

V O L . 1 2 / I S S U E 9 M A Y 2 0 1 5 / I Y A R - S I V A N 5 7 7 5

I N T H I S I S S U E :

P A S S O V E R A T C H A B A D F E A S T O F M O S H I A C H P A S S O V E R I N T H E L A B B A T M I T Z V A H

P R O F I L E

2

C G I U P D A T E

C G I W I S H L I S T

3

Chabad of Bradenton &

Lakewood Ranch is an

organization that provides

social, educational,

recreational, and religious

programming. Chabad is a

place where every Jew,

affiliated or unaffiliated,

observant or non-observant,

can come and feel

comfortable. We believe

that regardless of educational

background or affiliation, it

is the inalienable right of

every Jewish person to learn

and participate in our

heritage, which belongs

to us equally.

B”H

C H A B A D N E W S

J U D A S I M D E C O D E D 5

I N A P P R E C I A T I O N 7

C A L E N D A R O F

E V E N T S 8

heaven, they did not have

to worry about earning a

living. With all their needs

miraculously provided for,

they were able to concen­

trate their energies on spir-

itual growth alone. We, by

contrast, do not enjoy

overt miracles, and must

therefore spend a certain

amount of time involved

with worldly concerns.

Nonetheless, during the

time we study Torah, all of

our cares and worries, all

our concern for material

affairs, should be set aside.

In the Era of the Redemp-

tion, the fusion between

the material and the spiritu-

al will be reflected through-

out the world. And

through spreading Rabbi

Shimon’s teachings, the

coming of the Redemption

can be hastened. May this

take place speedily in our

days.

Please join us as we go out

in the Chabad fields and

celebrate this special day of

Lag BaOmer on Thursday,

May 7.

Rabbi Mendy Bukiet

5712 LORRAINE ROAD, LAKEWOOD RANCH · 941-752-3030 · WWW.CHABADOFBRADENTON.COM

Page 2

PA S S O V E R AT C H A B A D

F E A S T O F M O S H I A C H

Passover games and eve-

ryone's involvement con-

tributed to the interactive

feeling felt throughout the

Seder.

Children chanted a beauti-

ful “Four Questions” provid-

ing much nachas to their

parents and grandparents.

PA S S O V E R I N T H E L A B

Over 110 guests experi-

enced the true meaning

and joy of Passover with

Chabad of Bradenton on

Friday evening, April 3.

The Seder, led by Rabbi

Mendy and complete with

singing, jokes, and insights

into the Haggaddah.

Thank you to

Ron & Ruth Hyatt, Pinchos

& Miriam Rodriquez, and

the Sarasota Manatee Jew-

ish Federation for their

sponsorship of the Seder

as well as many of our

family sponsors who ena-

bled others to enjoy the

Passover Seder this year.

CHS Students enjoyed

Passover in The Lab this

year with an interactive

Mad Science show depict-

ing the ten plagues from

the Passover story.

Students and their fami-

lies enjoyed experiment-

ing with the different

plagues of Egypt.

Upcoming CHS events

include a Mother’s Day

Brunch and End Year

Celebration and Art

Show on Sunday, May 10.

Jewish songs, as well as

Chassidic melodies, were

chanted as is the custom

at the Feast of Moshiach.

Rabbi Mendy Bukiet spoke

about the Moshiach and

its relevance and im-

portance to our daily lives.

On Saturday, April 11, the

Feast of Moshiach, tradi-

tionally celebrated on the

last day of Passover, was

held at The Chabad

House. Four cups of

wine, matzahs, and a light

delicious buffet dinner

were served. Traditional

Everyone resolved to add

in a specific good deed

lending more meaning to

this Seder. The warm,

social atmosphere was

enjoyed by all and con-

cluded Passover on a high

note.

Plans are

underway

for next

year’s fan-

tastic new CHS program;

Hebrew School of The

Arts. Please be sure to

pick up a registration

packet at the office or

visit us on the web for

more information at

chabadofbradenton.com.

You can also contact

Chanie Bukiet at

941-752-3030.

Lila's birthday:

March 18, 2003

Lila’s Hebrew Birthday:

14 Adar 2 -

Favorite Jewish Food:

Homemade Gefilte Fish

Favorite Prayer: Shema

B A T M I T Z V A H

P R O F I L E

Page 3 Page 3 V O L . 1 2 / I S S U E 9

C A M P G A N I S R A E L W I S H L I S T

What specialty camp will it be

this year..?

Art Camp? Sports Camp?

Karate Camp? Science

Camp? Cooking School?

Swimming Camp?

How about field trips?

CGI of Bradenton has it all!

Register today for fantastic

savings!

NEW CAMPER special -

JUST $25 for the first

week!

Refer a new family receive an

additional 5% discount.

Contact Chabad at 752-3030

or cgibradenton.org.

C G I

P R O M O T I O N

We are gearing up for an exciting summer at Chabad’s

Camp Gan Israel. Any help with the camp needs

enumerated below would be greatly appreciated!

1. $500 gift card to BJ’s

2. $500 gift card to Walmart

3. $500 gift card to Kosher Kaddy

4. Camp Scholarship Fund Donations

Sponsor a week of camp for one child: $150

Sponsor a full season of camp for a child: $450

5. Art Supplies

6. Sports Equipment

7. Bounce House / Waterslide

Contact Chabad at 941-752-3030 for more

information or donate online at

www.chabadofbradenton.com/donate and add camp

sponsorship in notes/comments box.

Page 4

Tuesday, May 19

7:30—8:45 pm

The Chabad House

5712 Lorraine Road

$15 per class

941-752-3030

info@chabadofrbadenton.com

www.chabadofbradenton.com

Page 5

S H A V U O T S C H E D U L E O F

S E R V I C E S

Would you like to place an ad or personal

greeting in this space?

Advertise in Chabad News. 1/4 page- $36 * 1/8 page - $18 * Business Card - $10

Circulation of this

publication goes to hundreds of Jewish homes!

Contact Chabad at info@chabadofbradenton.com

or 752-3030 to reserve your space for the

June issue by May 15.

Beginning this Wednesday, May 6, the

Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) will

present Judaism Decoded: The Origins and

Evolution of Jewish Tradition, a new six-

week spring course which will uncover

the unique formula that has sustained

Jewish tradition for millennia.

Rabbi Mendy Bukiet of Chabad of

Bradenton & Lakewood Ranch will con-

duct the six course sessions at 7:30 pm

on Wednesdays, beginning May 6 at The

Chabad House, located at 5712

Lorraine Road.

“Just as science follows the scientific

method, Judaism has its own system to

ensure authenticity remains intact,” ex-

plains Rabbi Zalman Abraham of JLI’s

New York headquarters. “We wanted

to shed light on the mystery that sur-

rounds biblical interpretations. This

really is an eye-opening course.”

With the world changing at a rapid pace,

Judaism Decoded tackles the intricate

questions of whether rabbis can unilat-

erally change Torah, and how Jewish

tradition reacts to new circumstances

and modern-day dilemmas.

Judaism Decoded is “an extraordinarily

sophisticated examination of Talmudic

methodology, tackling the toughest

questions about the nature and legitima-

cy of rabbinic law,” says Dr. Eugene

Kontorovich, a law professor at North-

western University and contributor to

the influential Volokh Conspiracy law blog.

The course, he says, combines “high

academic rigor with fundamental rooting

in Jewish tradition.”

“Judaism encourages us to question,”

adds Rabbi Mendy Bukiet, the local JLI

instructor in Lakewood Ranch “Torah

law is built on a complex source code,

and we’re going to examine it in detail.

But we’re going to reach back even fur-

ther: How do we even know the Torah

is true in the first place?

“This course is going to

address these controver-

sial questions head on. I don’t think any-

one will want to miss this.”

Like all previous JLI programs, Judaism

Decoded is designed to appeal to people

at all levels of Jewish knowledge, includ-

ing those without any prior experience

or background in Jewish learning. All JLI

courses are open to the public, and at-

tendees need not be affiliated with a

particular synagogue, temple, or other

house of worship.

Interested students may call 941-752-

3030 or visit www.myJLI.com for regis-

tration and other course-related infor-

mation. JLI courses are presented in

Lakewood Ranch in conjunction with

Chabad of Bradenton & Lakewood

Ranch and is sponsored by the Sarasota-

Manatee Jewish Federation.

J U D A I S M D E C O D E D — N E W J L I C O U R S E

Saturday, May 23

10:00 pm:

All Night Learning at Rabbi & Chanie’s home.

Refreshments will be served.

Sunday, May 24

9:30 am: Morning Services

6:30 pm: Shavuot Dairy Fest and

Honoring the CHS students

Monday, May 25

9:30 am: Morning Services

11:00 am: Yizkor Services

Page 6 V O L . 1 2 / I S S U E 9

Page 6 V O L . 1 2 / I S S U E 9

O N G O I N G P R O G R A M S All events take place at The Chabad House unless otherwise noted.

Talmud Classes

Mondays, 7:30 - 8:30 pm

Explore the Talmud and its laws in its original text. No prior

knowledge of the Talmud or Hebrew is necessary. Book fee:

$45.

Torah Studies

Saturday mornings, 9:00 - 9:30

Participate in a fascinating class on the Torah portion of the

week. Discover the mystical meanings and lessons behind an-

cient stories. Admission is free.

Weekly Shabbat Services

Friday night, 7:00, Saturday mornings 9:30

Enjoy warm, family friendly services at The Chabad House.

Saturday morning services are followed by a delicious buffet

Kiddush.

Halacha & Havdallah

Saturday, an hour before Shabbat’s Conclusion (sundown)

Join Rabbi Mendy for a class on Code of Jewish Law followed by

Havdallah. Free.

Torah & Tea

Tuesdays, 11:00 am - noon

Join Chanie Bukiet in her home for a weekly dose of delicious

tea and refreshments spiced with thoughts on the weekly Torah

portion and round the table discussions. Free. Sponsor: $25

Prayer Class

Friday, May 1, 11:00 am

Join Rabbi Mendy for a Prayer class on the how to's, why's and

what's of prayer. Free.

Chabad Hebrew School

Sunday mornings, May 3 and 10, 9:30 am - noon

Give your child the experience of a lifetime at CHS featuring an

outstanding curriculum, professional and warm teachers, hands-

on lessons, Ckids motivational system, and an innovative

Hebrew reading Aleph Champ program.

Torah Tots with a Jewish Twist

Monday, May 4, 10:00 - 10:45 am

Join other parents, grandparents, and caregivers as we explore

the child’s world through story, song, cooking, crafts and circle

time. Torah Tots encourages multi-sensory experiences that

stimulate emerging language, motor development, socialization

and bonding between parents and child. Suggested donation of

$6.

Jewish Learning Institute (JLI)

Wednesdays, 7:30 pm - 8:45 pm

Judaism Decoded: The Origins and Evolution of Jewish Tradition

is a remarkable new six-week course from JLI. Just as science

follows the scientific method, Jewish tradition has its own system

to ensure its authenticity remains intact. Judaism Decoded sheds

light in the mysteries surrounding biblical interpretation.

1st Class - May 6th - The Dynamic Duo

2nd Class - May 13th - A Formula for Eternity

3rd Class - May 20th - Rabbis Making Rules

4th Class - May 27th - Debating the Divine

5th Class - June 3rd - Laws that Expire

6th Class - June 10th - Evidence for Sinai

Fee $75 (textbooks included)

Falafel with Yoav

Sunday, May 10, 12:00 - 1:00 pm

Come and enjoy a terrific kosher falafel lunch prepared by Yoav

Cohen. Second Sunday of every month at noon. Cost $5 all you

can eat falafel.

Rosh Chodesh Society (RCS) - "Soulmates"

Tuesday, May 19, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Soulmates - Jewish Secrets to Meaningful Relationships. 7th Ses-

sion - Happily Ever After? - The Challenge of Divorce and What

it Teaches Us About Marriage. This is the last session for this

course. Cost is $18 per class/ $15 textbook. For more info,

please call 941-752-3030 or e-mail

info@chabadofbradenton.com.

For more information on any of the above ongoing events, call Rabbi Mendy Bukiet at 941-752-3030 or e-mail info@chabadofbradenton.com.

K I D D U S H S P O N S O R S

Chabad Golf Club

IHO Chabad

Contact Chabad at 941-752-3030 to sponsor a Kiddush for $150 or a Deluxe Kiddush for $300.

Wendy Claussen

In heartfelt appreciation of the friendship and hospitality extended by the Chabad Community

Page 7 V O L . 1 2 / I S S U E 9

I N A P P R E C I A T I O N

Page 7 V O L . 1 2 / I S S U E 9

PARTNER APPRECIATION

V O L U N T E E R S P O T L I G H T

Isaac & Mimy Abitbol

Mendel Alvarez

Eugene & Linda Ames

Robert & Deborah Azeff

Ronald & Yardena Babcock

Daniel & Tseza Benjamin

David Bittker

Joseph Block

Alan & Annette Boorstein

Don & Allegria Bouquet

Rabbi Joseph & Fradel Bukiet

Andrew & Benedicte Burg

Edward Buyes

Wendy Claussen

Benjamin & Giuliana Cohen

Ester Cohen

Larry & Joan Cohen

Lee & Trudy Cohen

Martin & Barbara Cohen

Shlomo & Orit Cohen

Jeff & Adrienne Davis

Maurice & Ellen Echales

Joel & Rosalyn Ehrenpreis

Leonard & Fanny Elias

Jim & Estrella Engelhardt

Melvin Fingerut

Ned & Joyce Fishman

Marvin & Elaine Fitzer

Michael & Ilene Fox

Steve & Bobbi Frey

Max & Cynthia Friedman

Anita Fukunaka

Robert & Janet Gold

Bonnie Gottlieb

Felix & Jessica Grudsky

Paul & Marsha Halpern

Charles & Carol Hanin

Jacqueline Hanover

Brock & Staci Hollett

Larry & Sandie Ivers

David & Rimma Kasse

Leibel & Mushkie Kessler

Taras & Donna Kochno

Rabbi Gedalia Korf

David Kramer

Lieba Kramer

Joshua & Andrea Kreithen

David & Louise Levy

Maimon & Anna Levy

Vijay & Nina Mahadeo

Michael & Nathaniel Mahadeo

Merkos L’Inyonei Church

David Meyersburg

John Mickelbank

Paul & Doris Morgenstern

Oded & Carli Neeman

Oinchos & Miriam Rodriguez

Brent & Ricki Rubin

John Sackler

Barbara Schur

Steve & Colleen Shapiro

Jackie Simmons

Joe & Rosalie Slavings

Jeff & Charity Steckel

Jack & Susan Steenbarger

Jeffrey & Jocelyn Stevens

The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee

Joshue & Purity Tyrrell

Richard & Lauren Vallone

Anne Virag

Robert & Pam Weigert

Jonas & Barbara Weingarten

Josh & Linda Weinstein

Jerry & Judy Zivic

Mendel Alvarez

Yardena Cohen-Babcock

Ed Buyes

Chaim Meir, Mordechai, and Shaya Bukiet

Ester Cohen

Shlomo & Orit Cohen

Carol Hanin

Liam

Brent & Ricki Rubin

Steve & Colleen Shapiro

Jackie Simmons

Charity Steckel

Richard & Lauren Vallone

Mark Walzer

Steve & Laura Weinshel

Jerry & Judy Zivic

We apologize if anyone’s name was left out inadvertently. It is by no means a result of a lack of appreciation on our part.

D O N O R C A R D S

Alan & Annette Boorstein

Wendy Claussen

Lee & Trudy Cohen

Martin & Barbara Cohen

Maurice & Ellen Echales

Bonnie Gottlieb

David & Rimma Kasse

IHO Chaim Meir’s Bar Mitzvah,

Mazel Tov

Martin & Barbara Cohen

IHO Rabbi Mendy, Chanie and

Family

Bonnie Gottlieb

IHO Joel & Rosalyn Ehrenpreis

on the birth of their grand-

daughter

Jacqueline Hanover

Barbara Schur

IMO Manny DeCoveny

Jacqueline Hanover

IHO Rabbi Mendy & Chanie

Joe & Rosalie Slavings

IMO Barbara Ference

Joshua & Purity Tyrrell

IHO Jeff & Charity Steckel

C A L E N D A R O F U P C O M I N G E V E N T S

Thursday, May 7, 6:00 pm: Lag Ba’Omer Bonfire and Petting Zoo

Enjoy Chabad of Bradenton & Lakewood Ranch's annual Lag Ba’omer Bonfire featuring delicious kosher food, marshmallow roasting, music, pet-

ting zoo and pony rides, and more for all ages on the Chabad grounds. Admission is free but some food fees and pony ride fees to apply.

Sponsor this event for $250. Open to all ages!

Sunday, May 10, 11:00 am: Mother’s Day Breakfast & Graduation

Join CHS for its End of Year Ceremony, Art Show and Mother’s Day Brunch. Come and take pride in your child’s achievements at Chabad

Hebrew School with an Aleph Champ Award ceremony, student and mentor awards, teacher appreciation, and student presentations, fabulous

prizes, a delicious brunch and lots more!

Shavuot Dairy Fest: Sunday, May 24, 6:00 pm

Hear the Ten Commandments and enjoy games and excitement for the whole family. Enjoy a mouth-watering dairy buffet featuring lasagna, pas-

ta’s, cheesecakes, salad, bar, quiches, ice cream, and more. Honor the Chabad Hebrew School students for their accomplishments this year in

learning Torah. RSVP by May 20. Admission is free. Sponsor: $500.

Camp Gan Israel Camp Gan Israel Monday—Friday, June 30– July 18: Camp Gan Israel

BURST into Summer with Camp Gan Israel from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm all week long at The Chabad House! Summer break is right around the

corner and Chabad is preparing a fantastic, exciting time for your children, grandchildren and neighbors, featuring Funshops, swimming, Shabbat

parties, specialty activities, field trips to Lowry Park Zoo, Stardust, South Florida Museum & Planetarium, Bounce Down Under, Chuck-E Cheese,

and MORE!!! Visit www.cgibradenton.org for more info and to register. Extended care available until 5 pm. Hot lunch menu optional.

Tuesday, May 12, 7:30 pm: JWC Cooking Competition

Join the Jewish Women’s Circle for a Cooking Competition open to both men and women at The Chabad House. The competition wil l include a

Kosher Food Presentation with Rabbi Mendy, a Kosher Food tasting, and cooking and competing for fabulous prizes. Reservations required.

Join the Competition or RSVP by contacting Chabad at www.chabadofbradentom.com or 941-752-3030. Fee: $10 per person / Sponsor: $100.

For more information, contact Chabad at 941-752-3030, info@chabadofbradenton.com, or visit www.chabadofbradenton.com.

Wednesday, October 30,

7:30-8:45 pm

$75 per person

$135 per couple

textbooks included

941-752-3030, info@chabadofbradenton.com, myjli.com

5712 Lorraine Road