Rabbi Fishel's Blog

Contemplation, Inspiration, Celebration 

After spending last weekend at the Annual International Conference of Chabad Rabbis, surrounded by my colleagues and dearest friends from all over the world, needless to say I was and am still caught up in a medley of emotions and thoughts and ideas.  Contemplation.  

Touching base with dearest friends from Hanoi, Vietnam, Malmo, Sweden, Boulder, Colorado, Jerusalem, Israel and Turkey -- the off-schedule moments, the hallway conversations and reunions simply blow me away. I felt a different energy; an open honesty about the challenges, successes and (perceived) failures of Shlichus, an intimate appreciation for the real life blessings and the hopes to make tomorrow even brighter. With the conference preceding Thanksgiving, it makes us even more thankful for being able to give. I realize that we are far more blessed in the opportunities to give than in our opportunities to take: giving means we make a difference and everyone can apply this to his or her life --  it doesn’t matter how knowledgeable or how experienced you are, you are capable of giving, by adding just one mitzvah to your daily life. Inspiration. 

When I meet people I tell them I deal in diamonds, precious and priceless gems -- that’s what my teacher the Rebbe OBM taught me:  we are one family and every human being is precious.  

As we celebrate this Shabbat, let us dedicate to ourselves and our families the great gift of family.  Special memories are the greatest gift we can give each other and our children. Celebration. 

Hopefully you're enjoying the long weekend ... perhaps you can come by for Shabbat celebration tomorrow. 

Have a wonderful Shabbat!
Rabbi Fishel & Ettie

Dear Friends,

There are times when there are no words, they simply fail us; and last Tuesday was such a day.  When I heard the news of the attack and murder of our brothers in the synagogue in Israel, words failed me -- my heart ached.  I cried, I prayed for the precious souls who died and for their dear families.  I just davened. 

This weekend I join with thousands of Chabad rabbis and lay leaders from all over the world in an energizing and uplifting convention.  One of the first friends I reconnected with was Menachem Traxler who lives in Jerusalem.  I simply gave him a big hug and said, "We are with you."  

I studied in Jerusalem one summer while he ended up going there to live and do amazing work running a soup kitchen, counseling widows and orphans. He confessed things are really tough now, but when he asked when I was coming to Israel to show support,  it made me stop and think.  The idea is very appealing but only if I go with my extended family, the precious Naples community.  We are needed to show support -- so how about it!  

I know March 2016 is far out, but a special trip like this requires some planning. Chabad Naples is known for doing things in a first-class way, and we would strive to create a unique five-star trip with unique access to all points of geographical and political interest in Israel. Here is a chance to see Israel as you have never seen it before. So, are you with us? Are you ready to help show support?  Please let me know!  Send me an e-mail or tell me if you would be interested in a trip. like this.

This will be a special Shabbat as I Farbreng with my Chabad friends from Turkey, Oslo, Finland, Malmo/Sweden, and many others. At the same time, I know at Chabad of Naples my Naples family will also be devoting time in their prayers together at the beautiful Shabbat service to remember the souls of those whose lives were so senselessly taken in Jerusalem.    

This week as we prayed for the dear families of the terrorist attack we felt the unity of how we are responsible and our lives are intertwined. As the Guest Speaker of the Gala Banquet, Yuli-Yoel Edelstein, Speaker of the Israeli Knesset pays tribute to the victims, our usually buoyant spirit will not ignore the pain and tragedy of what we as a family and a nation have endured over the last few weeks.  

Wishing a Shabbat of comfort to the families in Har Nof, Yanuh Jat, and to all of us.