December 28th, 2008

Annual Chanukah Dinner

On December 28, 100 people enjoyed the annual Chanukah dinner at Shaloh House with music and entertainment by Magic Mark. Jacob Ben-David lit the 8 candles of the Menorah, Rebbecca Rowan won the basketball contest and Shira Almekies was named the Hula-Hoop champion. The new expanded Shul was perfect for hosting the guests.

December 21st, 2008

First Night of Chanukah

Shaloh House welcomed Chanukah this year at South Shore Plaza in Braintree. Despite the first winter blizzard of the season, Rabbi Gurkow and the Shaloh House team greeted Jews at the Mall Menorah with Chanukah music in the background, to remind them to start lighting their candles tonight.

Following the Mall the Shaloh House caravan stopped at the Shalom Tel-Aviv Restaurant in Stoughton to usher in the Chanukah candles there as the owner Jacob treated the group with fresh Sufgoniyot.

Finally they arrived at the Cobb Corner Shell station where they were greeted with freezing rain and cold winds. After a long struggle with the icy lanterns and frozen igniter they prevailed to light both the Shamash and the first candle of Chanukah. The first night of Chanukah did not come easy, but as the Rabbi always says: "If there is a will, there is a way!"

December 13th, 2008

Melavah Malkah

On Saturday night December 13, a Melavah Malkah celebration was held at Shaloh House with guest speaker Rabbi Bukiet from the Chabad Center of Lexington. The ceremony was held in honor of the liberation of the Alter Rebbe, the first Lubavitch Rebbe, from Russian prison in 1798. Rabbi Bukiet traced Chabad's unique approach and influence in the world today to the direction the first Rebbe chose over 200 years ago.

December 4th, 2008

Olive Oil Press

Rabbi Gurkow experiments with the Oil Press as Miriam & Avraham Smirnov look on

On Thursday December 4, Shaloh House held a Olive Oil Press demonstration at the Stoughton Public Library. At the demonstration Rabbi Gurkow showed the audience the process it takes to draw oil out of fresh olives using a old style wooden press with the help of a centrifuge. At the end of the Show, Rabbi Gurkow was successful to produce several drops of oil which miraculously remained lit for Eight days.

The demonstration is a great tool to connect children to the story of Chanukah and to inspire them to light the Chanukah candles.

November 14th - 15th, 2008

A Shabbat To Remember

It was an unforgettable Shabbat on Friday and Saturday November 14th & 15th, with guest speaker and author Rabbi Chaim Dalfin. More than 75 people crossing all segments of Jewish denominations enjoyed the Shabbat atmosphere at Shaloh House Chabad.

After an inspirational Friday night service, all were treated to a catered Friday night meal. Rabbi Mendel Gurkow led the Kidush and Hamotzie as he explained the various traditions of the Shabbat meal. Between courses all joined in motivating Shabbat song, and finally Rabbi Dalfin was introduced.

"Kabbalah: is it relevant?" Rabbi Dalfin captured his audience as he opened before them the secrets of mysticism. His language and delivery so simplified accompanied with stories of the past and personal experiences of the present. "Unlike the Hollywood Kabbalah, there is no quick fix in understanding Kabbalah. It is only through enduring meditation, developing selflessness and a subservience to our creator that one begins to attain an appreciation for it." From the experienced listener to the newcomer, all were intrigued to the very end. And as always such talks take on new levels of interest during the question and answer session.

The same continued the next morning as Rabbi Dalfin continued his teaching on Prayer: Is G-D really listening? "If you listen to your prayer be assured that G-D listens to you." Once again he used his dynamic style to enlighten his listeners to a whole new meaning in prayer. The questions and discussions continued throughout the day until the end of Shabbat.

From the seasoned member to the fist-timer, all were full of praise and compliments to Rabbi Dalfin. It has developed an inspiration for more such events as well as new classes in Kabbalah which will be announced shortly.

Throughout Shabbat there were simultaneous programs and services for children. The entire program was sponsored by an anonymous donor, and was coordinated by the Community Outreach division at Shaloh House directed by Chavah Vorst. The Children’s program was directed by Sara Rahamani and the Shabbat meal was catered by Catering by Motti.

Our next scheduled guest speaker is scheduled at our Melavah Malkah (traditional Saturday night meal) on Saturday night December 13th, with Rabbi Altie Bukiet, Director of Chabad of Lexington, MA, we hope to see you than.

October 19th, 2008

8th Annual Sukkot Brunch

On Sunday October 19, 2008 Shaloh House held its annual Sukkot brunch in the new Shaloh House Sukkah. Everyone enjoyed the food, blessing the Lulav and the explanations and insight by Rabbi Gurkow. This event was at the mid-point of the busy holiday season at Shaloh House, including Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simchat Torah, as always a very busy and inspiring time at Shaloh House. To view pictures of this event, click here.

October 5th, 2008

Dedication Ceremony

On Sunday, October 5th, a Dedication Ceremony was held to honor the many generous donors to the newly constructed classrooms and other new additions to Shaloh House. To view pictures of this event, click here. You can also view pictures of our Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.

September 1st, 2008

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

On Monday September 1, over 200 people joined to celebrate the Ribbon Cutting ceremony of the Shaloh House Chabad building addition. Rabbi Mendel Gurkow called upon Preschool & Kindergarten director, Marilyn Rabinovitz to speak. Ms. Rabinovitz emphasized the family atmosphere at Shaloh House and the honor of being part of this organization. Ruth Freeman, a long time parent and staff member of the Shaloh House Preschool & Kindergarten described her feelings of security and comfort at Shaloh House. For her and her children Shaloh House is home. Leslie Cain Tamarkin, a long time parent and chairperson of many Shaloh House Outreach programs, assured the public that one not needs to be Orthodox or observant to feel a part of the Shaloh House community, "at Shaloh House they teach each child at their level and within their own strengths." Jesse Ebner, a graduate of the Shaloh House Hebrew School and now a senior at Maimonides school thanked Shaloh House and Rabbi Gurkow for giving him the opportunity of appreciating Yidishkeit while other temples refused him. He credited the education at Shaloh House and Rabbi Gurkow for his strong commitment to Yidishkeit and for his drive to study in Yeshivah and join the army in Israel. Naomi Chernin brought greeting from the Bureau of Jewish Education, she thanked Shaloh House for its commitemt and contribution to South Shore Communities, and acknowledged that her own family has benefited from the education at Shaloh House. Mr. Howard Baker, member and parent of Shaloh House, sounded the Shofar marking this day as the first of Elul when the Shofar is sounded every day of the month. Rabbi Gurkow called upon Marilyn Rabinovitz to cut the first ribbon. Mr. Barry Cooperstein, member of the board and past president was honored with cutting the second ribbon. Eleanor Freeman, long time member and volunteer was honored with the 3rd ribbon for her years of volunteer work for Shaloh House. Jennifer Mark, parent and member of the action committee at Shaloh House was honored with the 4th ribbon, and finally Gil and Nami Spack were honored with the 5th and final ribbon. Following the opening everyone entered to tour the new building, all enjoyed the excitement of the new classrooms and the upgrade of the facility. With the new addition already in full use Shaloh House now offer state-of-art classrooms, enlarged Synagogue and new amenities to better serve our community.

To see more pictures of this event, click here.

For more information about our Preschool & Kindergarten, Hebrew School or any other program please call 781 344-6334 or log on www.shalohhouse.com.

August 13th, 2008

Hebrew School Alumni Reunion

Shaloh House Alumni reunites for a Bowling party and dinner at Taam China II on Wednesday August 13th, 2008. Click here to see pictures from this event.