An evening with Mr. Danny Danon at the Chai Center!

Israel, as always, never rests even for one second and news keep flowing from the small country on a daily business. Sometimes, we wish it wasn’t so but in the meanwhile, we do anything possible in order to stay involved and updated of what’s going on there.

That is the reason we are so excited to have the honorable Mr. Danny Danon with us at the Chai Center. Danon is a leading Likud Member of the Israeli Knesset, a Chairman of the World Likud organization and a member of the Jewish Agency’s Board of Governors. You know they say that Mr. Danon may very well become the next Prime Minister of Israel?

It is a real delight to have Danon who will deliver an exciting foreign policy speech, followed by your questions and a dessert buffet.

So get your notepads ready and storm some serious questions on the way to the Chai Center of Dix Hills. Oh… and put on something nice for a memorable photo op!

Educate Your Children on Their Jewish Heritage at the Kid’s Zone

I’m normally pretty strict with online time, but one website I don’t mind my children visiting is the Kid’s Zone at www.thechaicenter.com. It’s gotten them excited about their Jewish heritage in ways I’ve never been seen before – now, they come to me with ideas and suggestions for activities we can do together to celebrate our religion.

For example, my youngest daughter discovered a simple recipe for chocolate Chanukah coins at the Kid’s Zone – she’s so proud of her creations, I’m not sure she events want to eat them. (I tried one, though, and it was very good!)

At the Kid’s Zone, my kids learn about Judaism without any nagging from me. The website has great rhyming stories, for example, which are a fun way to for kids to learn the stories behind their favorite4 holidays – from Passover to Purim.

The Jewish Woman – Embrace Your Identity with Online Support

Whether you’re baking Challah, preparing a Shabbat dinner, looking to improving your relationship with your daughter, or just trying to understand your identity as a Jewish woman, the recipes, articles, and tips in the women’s section of www.thechaicenter.com will help you on your way.

Cooking a Shabbat feast around a full-time schedule? The Jewish Woman website has several fantastic suggestions on how to prepare a meal even if you get home from work only slightly before sundown. For example, you might bake Challah at a calmer time of the week, like Sundays, or invest in a croc-pot so that your food can cook slowly while you’re at the office.

The Jewish Woman provides helpful articles on relationships and marriage as well. Learn how to deal with a spouse less spiritual than you are, or explore the Jewish perspective on divorce.

If you’re in the mood for something lighter, The Jewish Woman has tons of useful recipes divided by holiday and occasion. Thinking about Passover? There are dozens of gourmet kosher recipes that do not contain leavened bread, from portobello mushroom pizza to chocolate fondue.

Get Ready For Chanukah 2009!

Chanukah is just a week away, are you ready? You've got to be prepared for this joyous time of year. You need a Chanukah Menorah, Candles, Dreidles, Chanukah Gifts, Chanukah Recipes, Stories...Man I can go on and on! Well if you're a bit lost and need some guidance on how about to make the most of Celebrating Chanukah you've got to visit The Chai Centers Chanukah Mega Site! It's got everything you need on Chanukah. Its loaded with How to Guides, Stories, Insights, Recipes, A Kids Section and so much more.

And always remember no matter where life takes us Jews, we are strong and can fight it just like our anscestors did way back then when the Chanukah Miracle happened with the modo - "Yes, We Can!". Check out this cool video expressing this:



For a fun filled Chanukah in Long Island NY check out our online schedule of Chanukah Events here at the Chai Center of Dix Hills NY - http://www.thechaicenter.com

Chanuka 2009 Events at The Chai Center - Jewish Long Island

At the Chai Center, Long Island, NY, we are packed with events every one of the 8 days of Chanukah. Check out our calendar with all the amazing events planned to joyously spend Chanukah 2009.

- FEATURED EVENT -

Wednesday December 16, 2009
6th Night of Chanukah
5:15 PM

Grand Menorah Lighting
& Light up the Night Fire Show

5:15 PM Hebrew School Performance
5:45 PM Grand Menorah Lighting
6:00 PM Light up the Night Fire Show

Friday December 11, 2009 1st Night of Chanukah 6:30 - 7:30 PM Family Friday Night Services Bring the family for an enjoyable and inspirational service, followed by Chanukah refreshments.	Sunday December 13, 2009 2nd Day of Chanukah 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM Chai Scouts Chanukah Program for 2nd-5th grade. Make you own hand crafted Menorah followed by a grand dreidel tournament. *Lunch will be served* RSVP Members$10 Non-Members$12
Sunday December 13, 2009 2nd Day of Chanukah 2:00 - 3:45 PM JUMP FOR JOY with The Chai center! Jumping, Menorah lighting, doughnuts and Chanukah FUN! RSVP required. Members: $13 Non-Members: $15 Adults $2 All Ages Welcome located at: “BOUNCE U”101 Carolyn Blvd., Farmingdale, NY 11735 631-777-JUMP (5867) farmingdale.ny@bounceu.com	Sunday December 13, 2009 3rd Night of Chanukah 5:00 PM Public Menorah Lighting at Stop 'n Shop in Dix Hills Grand Menorah Lighting, Doughnuts and crafts!
Monday December 14, 2009 4th Night of Chanukah 4:00 - 5:15 PM Ages 3-6 Chanukah Story Time Enjoy stories, treats and a kids menorah lighting. *Dinner will be served* Ages 7 & older Join us as we bring Chanukah spirit to the seniors at Sunrise Nursing Home (337 Deer Park Rd. Dix Hills)	Tuesday December 15, 2009 5th Night of Chanukah 4:30 - 5:30 PM Friendship Circle Chanukah Carnival for children with special needs, their families and FC volunteers. Menorah lighting, holiday crafts, fun games and traditional Chanukah foods! RSVP to fcchaicenter@gmail.com
Thursday December 17, 2009 7th Night of Chanukah 7:00 - 8:30 PM GLOW IN THE DARK CHANUKAH TEEN PARTY!Bring your friends and get ready for an awesome time! Chai High & Members free Non-Members $3	Friday December 18, 2009 8th Night of Chanukah 7:00 PM Join us for a Shabbat experience you’ll never forget. $54 family/$48 member family $20 individual/$18 member individual All are welcome. RSVP by Monday Dec. 14th

The Legacy of Mumbai

Almost a year ago, on Wednesday, 29th of November, 2008, ten Pakistani men launched the most violent serious of terrorist attacks that took place in India. Among the targets chosen by the terrorists was the “Nariman House” a local Chabad House that was run buy Rabbi Gavriel “Gabi” Noach and Rivka “Rivky” Holtzberg.

The terrorists moved towards the center that was popular with Israeli travelers who visit India after finishing their mandatory military service. It was about 10:00 PM when Gabi called the Israeli consulate, saying “The situation is not good…” just before the line was cut.

It was only in the morning after that Indian forces arrived to the scene and only a day after that the commando forces began a full-fledged assault on the Chabad House. As the Shabbat started, the terrorists were killed and the siege was over.

Recovery forces found bodies of Gabi and Rivky, Rabbis Bentzion Chroman and Leibish Teitelbaum, Nora Schwartzblatt-Rabinowitz and Yocheved Orpaz. The Holtzbergs' two-year-old child, Moshe, was saved by his Indian nanny.

In total, 179 people were killed and more than 300 wounded in the Mumbai attacks. If you want to learn more about the Mumbai attacks and pay your respects to the victims, visit us at www.theChaiCenter.com where we dedicated a special section of our site to commemorate the Six Holy Souls.

Have a spare minute? Turn it into a Mitzvah Minute!

We know how it is with you guys at work. Half of the time you act like your doing work stuff and then at the other half you just watch YouTube. Well? Isn’t it time you stop fooling around and start doing some important stuff? What? Oh no, we’re not asking you to actually work but we’re just saying that if you have a spare minute, why not make it a Mitzvah Minute?

Yup, there are lots and lots of mitzvahs and if you have a minute you can take a look at our mitzvah navigator for people on the fast lane.

At the Chai Center, we’ve gathered together what we like to think of as the cream of the mitzvah crops and put them online in an easy accessible interface for you guys to learn and enjoy!

We got Kindness Minutes like Honoring Mom and Dad or Shabbat Minutes like Kiddush and Havdalah. We got Household minutes and Holiday minutes and all we need is your undivided attention for… well… a minute…

To get all the juicy mitzvahs, visit our website at www.thechaicenter.com

Join The Ariella Weiss Friendship Circle!

One of the wonderful services we’re so proud of here at the Chai Center is the Friendship Circle program which brings together teenage volunteers and children with special need for hours of fun and friendship.

Our mission at the Friendship Circle is to provide children who have special needs with a full social recreational Judaic experience while teenage volunteers learn the priceless value of giving.

The program includes Friends at Home where dedicated volunteers visit a child at his or her home on a weekly basis. We also believe that every child has the right to a Jewish education at our Hebrew School for Children with Autism & Special Needs.

If you need more information, have a child that would like to become a volunteer of the Friendship Circle or know a child who could benefit from the Friendship Circle, call Sara or Nati at (631) 351-8672, email fcchaicenter@gmail.com or visit www.thechaicenter.com

Defiance - the story of the Jews who fought back

The movie Defiance is an excellent adaptation of Nechama Tec’s book Defiance: The Bielski Partisans. The movie portrays the unbelievable story of three Jewish Russian brothers that during the darkest hours of World War II, saved 1,250 men women and children from the Nazi murderers.

The Bielski brothers escaped to the forests of Eastern Europe in 1942, vowing to avenge the brutal execution of their parents by the Nazis. The brothers sheltered a growing number of refugees, while being on constant move whenever discovered by the Germans.

This group was known as the Bilelski Partisens and Café Chabad of the Chai Center is proud to screen the film after a discussion with Zvi Bielski, the son of Zus’ Bielsky, who will tell us his father’s incredible story of resistance, the story of the Jews who fought back.

The movie starring Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber received wonderful reviews and the screening will take place on Saturday, November 7th at 7:30 PM.

Admission include Movie, Guest Speaker & a Buffet Dinner. Don't forget to RSVP!

Candy, Pizza, Games, Prizes.....CANDYMANIA!

At the ChaiCenter in Long Island, NY, we don't miss out on any fun! Were inviting all Jewish children to join us this Saturday night, October 31 for Candy, Pizza, Games, Prizes and more at no charge!

This year don't bother running around trick or treating - we have a whole bunch of fun, games and CANDY in store for you at CandyMania!

You can RSVP online. Looking forward to seeing you there!

For more information visit our website at www.thechaicenter.com or call us at 631-351-8672.

Help our Tree of Life grow and commemorate an unforgettable personal event

Hello everyone! You’ve probably noticed our Tree of Life, the beautiful piece of art and symbolism that stands prominently on the back wall of our sanctuary.

Tree of Life is a unique way for us to show appreciation and pay our respects to our lovely growing community. We’d like to see our Tree of Life grow and blossom and we need your help.

Now you can commemorate your special, joyous event and make sure that your precious memories will stay forever in our hearts.

Each leaf on the tree and rock at its base is filled with an engraved plaque, ready and waiting to cherish your birthdays, Bar or Bat Mitzvahs, weddings and anniversaries with a permanent dedication.

Now all members can secure their families an engraved leaf from the tree for $360, an engraved acorn above the tree for $1,000, an engraved rock at the tree's base for $2,500 or an engraved Mini-tree for $3,600.

Purchasing a leaf, acorn, rock or mini-tree allows you leave a lasting legacy that will be viewed and read for generations!

Family Dinner & Acrobatic Show in the Sukkah!

Bring the whole family for dinner and show in the Sukkah!

Featuring:
INCREDIBLE ACROBAT SHOW
Hand Standing & Rolling Balance Show
By Amram Linkov
Leading performer of the Moscow State Circus!

Adults: $18/Member $20/Nonmember
Family: $54/Member $60/Nonmember
Children & Hebrew School Students: $10

SPONSOR: $180

RSVP Required. Don't wait - Last year was sold out!

RSVP HERE

SoulQuest - Enlightenment is closer than you think

Sometimes it seems that running from critical questions is the safe and easy way. But questioning the meaning of life is very legitimate and there are even some mighty fine answers.

Every one of us has to deal with the inner self, with the hungry soul that’s always looking for more knowledge. This confrontation with the harsh reality of mortality, whether through aging, a health crisis, or an encounter with death, makes us wonder whether our life has any meaning.

It is during these existential crises that our tradition reaches out to us with solace and comfort, asserting emphatically that while our bodies may die, our soul is eternal, and this world is but one step in its journey.

The Jewish Learning Institute is introducing an exciting new course under the title SoulQuest which promises to take you on a journey through life death and beyond.



The Dix Hill Jewish Chai Center will be hosting the JLI SoulQuest course and we’re very excited. You can visit our website at www.thechaicenter.com and enroll to the next semester because enlightenment is closer than you think.

Matchmaker Matchmaker Make me a Match!

Did you try J-Date and found out that it’s not the place for you? We want to introduce you to a new and refreshing circle of single Jewish people who had enough with internet dating and the random bars.

Our singles are through with just “dating”. They earnestly want to meet someone, their soul mate, and get married. They want to know about the other person even before the first meeting. They want an atmosphere that is personalized and confidential. In a world where there are more people, we have also created a world where we are distant from each other. In this world, more people suffer from loneliness and the frustration of not knowing where to begin to find their soul mate. We are going to make every effort to help you.

All you have to do is fill out the online application and tell us about yourself. All the information is strictly confidential and only viewed by the Rabbi and his assistant, Sharon. Remember that your match is also answering these questions. Send us two recent photos (smile!!!) and two references, not from your bubbie, get a Rabbi if possible.

Requirements? If you are Jewish and single you can join. You can be of any age. You can be at any level of observance and should indicate where you are and what level your match should be. We try to match individuals within a ten-year span from their age. And most of all, we seriously pay attention to who you are looking to meet from the description you sent. Good Luck!

For more information contact Dix Hills Jewish Chai Center. You can visit us online at http://www.thechaicenter.com and fill out the online application there.

Add a Little Class to your Life with the Chai Adult Education Program

It’s always interesting to learn new things about our heritage, Jewish law, about the Torah and about the ins and outs of life. The best thing about it – it’s never late to enrich the mind.

The Chai Center invites you to take part in the Jewish Learning Institute. Everybody loves a good story and the stories of the book of Genesis are the oldest stories in the world, yet they continue to inspire countless retellings and adaptations.

They retain their power because they deal with the most powerful of human motives: the quests for love, purpose, identity, and redemption. They also explore the inner obstacles that threaten these goals: lust, greed, hatred and jealousy.

When you explore these stories, you will identify with characters who grapple with the feelings and dilemmas that are at the heart of the human experience. You will see how their stories are also the stories of YOUR life, reflecting your joy and your pain, your struggles and your victories. And you will learn how the Torah’s eternal values provide insight that helps you respond more thoughtfully as you face critical moments of your own.

Every Monday evening we study the Shulchan Aruch – the Code of Jewish Law with the Torah as our guide. So come on by and check the full schedule of the Chai Adult Education program. We’re positive you’ll find something interesting that will change the way you think.

High Holidays at the Chai Center, for the whole family

The High Holidays are just around the corner and it’s time to secure your place at the Chai Center. We’d like to invite you, or anybody that you know who’s not attending a Synagogue, to celebrate the Holidays at our beautiful Center.

At the Chai Center, we do everything possible to make you feel at home. Whatever your Jewish background or personal outlook maybe, you will feel comfortable with our services. We use a Hebrew/English Prayer book and the service is enjoyable, inspirational and with plenty of commentary, insights, and responsive readings in English with enthusiastic participation of everyone. At the Chai center we also have a special Junior Congregation for children – so everybody can find their place.

You should also get ready for a Holiday Festival & BBQ that will bring fun for the entire family with Challah Baking, Shofar Factory, Petting Zoo, Face Painting and much much more.

And remember, everyone is welcome at the Dix Hills Jewish Chai Center, regardless of one's level of religious observance. Our philosophy is keeping with the Chabad-Lubavitch approach of joy, scholarship and unconditional acceptance and love of every Jew. For more information about our holiday schedule, please visit us online at http://www.thechaicenter.com/ or contact Rabbi Avraham Lehr at 631-351-8672.

Everything you wanted to know about Judaism but were afraid to ask!

We all have many many questions inside us. Some are about our religion, others are about our faith. We ask questions about our actions and our country’s actions. There are questions about our enemies and about friends and family and there are questions we carry with us for years and years and afraid to seek answers for them.

Unanswered questions and thoughts can be a heavy burden. Sometimes we feel ashamed to ask a question because we fear it’s not appropriate. But every question is legitimate, even the hard the ones like questions of gender equality in religion, Jewish law and why so there are so many don’ts, and even “what happens after we die” or “what is G-d?” All of these questions should be asked and each and every one of them has an answer.

The Cahi Center has an extensive questions and answer Knowledge Base with anything you wanted to know about Judaism but were afraid to ask. Questions about G-d and Man, about the Torah and the Physical World, even about Science and Technology. And if you have a question that is not available on our database - you are invited to Ask the Rabbi. Just leave your question with your email address and our knowledgeable Rabbis will get back to you as soon as possible.

For more information, visit www.thechaicenter.com/asktherabbi

Your kids deserve a summer camp experience (and you deserve to go shopping…)

Summer is here and your kids are having a blast. And you? You just run along after them, picking up the toys, driving them around and breaking up the fights. Don’t you think it’s time for you to have a summer vacation?

Well, it’s not too late to enroll your kids at Camp Gan Israel, have some time-off for your self and give your kids an unforgettable summer. Camp Gan Israel is a part of the largest growing network of Jewish day camps in the world and Gan Israel of Dix Hills has a well earned reputation innovative ideas, creative programs, and new activities. Our campers enjoy a wide range of exciting activities and field trips in a fun atmosphere. We welcome campers ages 2-8.
The staff is the real secret to our success. Our experienced, fun-loving counselors are known for their personal connection with each and every child individually.
The campers are imbued with a deep sense of pride in their Jewish heritage through weekly Judaic themes which include exciting activities, stories, songs, games and contests which make the unique experience.

The last session for this summer begins July 27. Hurry up and visit us at www.thechaicenter.com today.

There’s no school like the Chai High School

So you said “Baruch Sheptarani.” Now what? You don’t really want your Bar/Bat Mitzvah kids completely by themselves from now on, do you? The fact that you are not responsible for their wrongdoings doesn’t mean that you are free from guiding them, right?

Students over the Bar/Bat Mitzvah age face the most crucial times of their lives. It’s a time of exploration, where they shape their personality and turn into adults in front of your own eyes. This is the age for students to continue and explore their Jewish heritage, strengthen their identity, make friends, develop a sense of loyalty and responsibility for the Jewish people and the Land of Israel.

The Dix Hill Chai Center now offers Jewish education of higher learning through the Chai High - Hebrew High for children over Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

Here’s a sampling of the diverse course offered at Chai High which include: Love of the Land of Israel, Mutual Responsibility, Making Choices, Heroism, Leadership, Courage, Tikkun Olam, Social Action, Think Jewish, Changing Mortality, Science! Culture! What can Torah contribute that others cannot, Can Ancient Rituals have relevance today, Can reason define good and evil?

And remember, everyone is welcome at the Dix Hills Jewish Chai Center, regardless of one's level of religious observance. For more information about Chai High, please visit us online at www.thechaicenter.com or contact Rabbi Avraham Lehr at 631-351-8672.

Chai High takes place on Thursdays from 7:00 - 8:15 pm.