Rabbi Fishel's Blog - Chabad of Naples

Almost six months into the war, and it’s time to go back.

Friday, March 29, 2024 - 12:16 PM

Dear Friends,

Almost six months into the war, and it’s time to go back.

The last time I visited was just weeks after the war broke out, with a delegation of Chabad rabbis. I promised I’d come back soon. Now, on Sunday, G-d willing, together with members of our community, I’ll be on a flight to Israel again. We will go to volunteer, bear witness, connect, and bring comfort to our family in Israel in midst of war.

It’ll be an intense trip, with visits to sites from the earliest days of our history and roots in the land, to sites of deep pain and struggle from the present. Through it all though, we will see our bright future as a passionate nation that holds together in the most difficult times in order to build for better days ahead.

The purpose of the trip is clear: To give the people of Israel a big hug and say to them “You are not alone”, we, in the USA and Naples, are with you in your pain! With 134 hostages still in captivity and our soldiers confronting the enemy, our extended Jewish family remain under fire.

Before we go, on Shabbat, we will read this week’s Torah portion, in which G-d commands us to keep an eternal flame burning in the Holy Temple. The Talmud details that the flame kept burning even on Shabbat, and even when the Jews were in a state of turmoil.

True passion burns in the good times and the bad—during the peaceful Shabbat-like days, and during agony and war. Our last group trip to Israel was full of dancing and excitement in times of relative calm, and this time, it will also be filled with passion, love, and faith in G-d that He will once again pull us through, into peaceful Shabbat-like days.

I don’t want to show up empty-handed. While there on the ground, we will identify the most critical needs so we can provide actual support and uplift them in body and in spirit.

I invite you to participate in this Mitzvah by making a generous contribution to the Israel Emergency Fund, PLEASE CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION.

You can also donate through your DAF or mail a check to: Chabad Naples 1789 Mandarin Rd. Naples, FL 34102.

I conclude with a prayer: May He who makes peace on High make peace for us and for all Israel, Amen.

With deep gratitude and warmest blessings,

Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos

PS - I plan to send periodic updates while in Israel as well as report to you upon my return.

It's a big day... and an important day

Friday, March 22, 2024 - 1:27 PM

Dear Friends,

This Sunday (beginning with Saturday night) is PURIM!

Purim celebrates our miraculous survival throughout history. It also celebrates our innate connection to our peoplehood, to each other, and to God.

So it's a big day... and an important day. This year perhaps more than ever before in our lifetimes. Celebrate it! Don't let it be just another day. Capitalize on its energy to thank God for the miracle of Am Yisrael Chai, while asking Him to continue blessing and protecting our people everywhere.

Here's the way to spend the day: Spend it with the family. Dress the kids and grandkids in costumes. Drive 'em around town delivering food gifts to friends and family.

Plan on being at Chabad Naples to hear the Megillah, on Sunday at 11:15am. Click here to register your family for the Seussica Purim Family Celebration. Make it a day your family will remember and look forward to each year!

There are four special Mitzvahs, Commandments we perform today:

1. HEAR the reading of the Megillat Esther (story of Purim) on Purim night and again the next day.

2. SEND Mishloach Manot (food packages containing at least two ready-to eat items) to at least one friend.

3. GIVE Matanot La’evyonim (charity to the poor) to at least two needy people or put money into charity boxes. You can Donate Here and indicate that it’s for Purim charity and we’ll distribute it to the needy on Purim.

4. EAT a Purim feast during Purim day with family and friends. You can join our Community Purim Celebration, or have your own festive meal.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe of righteous memory would often encourage added Simcha, joy, which can break all boundaries and limitations. In the merit of our collective added joy, may it bring much needed peace in Israel and the world over and salvation and deliverance to the hostages and to the many who need it at this time. Amen!

We look forward to seeing the entire community, as we celebrate our grand Purim celebration this Sunday at 12:00pm.

Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos

From First Purim to Flourishing Future

Thursday, March 21, 2024 - 12:15 PM

First purim.JPG Dear Friends,

Purim was one of the very first events that we held in Naples.

It was our first opportunity to bond with the community in a real way and to begin to embrace each other with love and happiness.

Purim reminds us of when we began our journey with this beautiful community: it was much simpler but the foundation for the love and happiness we now enjoy.

When Ettie Zaklos and I arrived here Mendel was only a little boy and soon he will be 20 years old:)

How little we really understood when we first came here: at times success seemed insurmountable. We didn’t know anyone, the place was new, but we followed the message of Purim and continued with our dream.

We believed G-d is always working behind the scenes and if we did our part we would see our dreams unfold and become reality.

Today, just as with the Purim story, we see the miracle. We look with joy upon what we have established here in Naples together: a beautiful Chabad campus, a vibrant community, a hugely successful Naples Preschool of the Arts, and a center of love and light.

In these challenging days, we must try to keep our eyes focused on better times and keeping the miracle alive.

In your own life today you can absorb this message -- come & hear the story at Chabad Naples-- are you ready for it? It's one of the happiest festivals!

Connect with the past so it can guide us all for the future.

On a simple note it is the happiest day of the year, so let’s celebrate! There's a HUGE Purim Party planned tomorrow, Tuesday, March 7th at 5:30 pm.

Make your reservations now - space is limited! www.chabadnaples.com/purim See you there

Rabbi Fishel & Ettie