Yeshivat Rambam has just announced that R. Shmuel Silber, rav of Suburban Orthodox Congregation, is their new rosh yeshiva.]]>Stop on by, why don't ya?
]]>The damage does not look to be extensive, and is localized towards the back of the building; the exterior and eating area towards the front of the restaurant looked fine, although there was some glass being replaced (which may indicate a break-in/arson). The restaurant is closed as of now, no word on when it will be re-opening.
]]>Yeshivat Rambam has just announced that R. Shmuel Silber, rav of Suburban Orthodox Congregation, is their new rosh yeshiva.]]>You can also view the results of last year's survey, as well as completed surveys for other communities around the US, such as Cleveland, Boston and Philadelphia.
Incidentally, last year, in one of the towns surveyed, there was some controversy as to the appropriateness of these surveys; some rabbonim went so far as to decry them as lashon hara. My personal opinion is that not only are these surveys l'toeles, making them permissible (perhaps even compulsory), but in addition, using data generated in a statistical manner, from a large group of people, is the best way (other than, of course, divine revelation, which is, sadly, in short supply these days) for an uninformed person to form as valid an opinion as possible without direct experience. The statistical process ensures that even if a single individual answers irresponsibly, their results don't skew the overall outcome. Contrast this to the real world, where anyone with the necessary means and free time can shout their opinion from the rooftops and influence people in a less than valid way. A rabbi agrees with me.
]]>Today, the Star-K sent out an email stating that R. Heinemann stands by his ruling:
June 5, 2008Regarding Star-K certified Sabbath Mode ovens
Rav Heinemann, shlita, stands by his Psak that it is permissible to raise and lower temperatures on Yom Tov on ovens equipped with that particular Sabbath Mode feature. Please see Star-K website at http://www.star-k.org/consumer.htm , or call our office for details about your particular model. Star-K will, in the next few days, post an audio presentation from Rav Heinemann explaining his views.
For those who wish to refrain from placing their ovens in Sabbath Mode and still use their oven on Yom Tov, please be aware of the possible serious "Michshol" on many models. Opening the oven door will immediately shut off the heating elements, an act clearly forbidden on Yom Tov. Thus, even if you don't raise or lower the temperature, it is still important to keep the oven in Sabbath Mode.
Star-K Certification
Below is R. Heinemann's original teshuva on Sabbath Mode ovens, which can also be found on the Star-K's website, along with additional information regarding Sabbath Mode appliances:
]]>From the YR email list:
Yeshivat Rambam is pleased to welcome Rabbi Ari Lerner as our new Executive Director. Rabbi Lerner brings with him a wealth of experience as a highly talented financial administrator with a penchant toward innovative and growth-oriented fundraising. His excitement and vision for the future of Yeshivat Rambam is a perfect fit for our school. Rabbi Lerner, his wife Shoshana and 7 children (Be'H), are members of Suburban Orthodox Congregation. B'ruchim HaBa'im.]]>
At the meeting:
- details of the changes include the formation of the Executive Management Team, hiring a Rosh Yeshiva and an Executive Director.
- Executive Director will be responsible for finances, business, fund raising, marketing, building. Position not yet filled.
- Rosh Yeshiva also not yet filled.
- Executive Management Team includes Dr. Shloush, R. Lubetski, R. Wagner, the Rosh Yeshiva, Executive Director. Focus will be on consistency of message from the school, creating a warm, caring atmosphere and be proactive in responding to problems/questions.
- Hired a school nurse. Nurse will be on site four days a week and on call, available to BHU campus as well.
- Student First - this is the name for the focus on the "whole child." Focus on three areas: social/emotional, religious and academic.
- The school is pursuing professional and qualified rabbeim to fill out the limudei kodesh staff for all grades.
- Homework clinic, along with after school activities in science, art, dancing, exercise, adventure sports.
- Elementary school will be split into two floors: General studies will be upstairs, Judaic studies downstairs. Boys will have one in the morning (same everyday, not switching as it is now), girls will have the opposite, so they will be on different floors all day.
- Curriculum will stay the same, Tal Am will be further implemented. Teachers will receive training in separate gender education (something to do with Goucher College).
- Each grade will have a Mechnech and Mechanechet, a religious role model, available for questions, discussion (sounds like a guidance counselor/rebbe/mashgiach).
- The faculty-to-student ratio will remain low. Splitting the campuses actually allowed for teachers to teach more periods of the same class, which reduces their daily prep time, giving them more time to focus on a single lesson. This also allows the school to offer more academic choices to the students. As a example, the 11th/12th grade will have six science subjects to choose from next year, where as this year, they had only four.
- By all accounts, the plan is working so far. Enrollment is up for next year.
Krispy Kreme (KKD) was trading up nine cents on the news.
A. No. Otherwise a �sandwich� would be called a �hillel� since he predated the famed Earl by over a millennium. Seriously, though, Hillel had it right. He wrapped (�korech�) his matza around some marror and some korban Pesach. Clearly, his matza was soft and flexible. The Mishna�s marror was lettuce. Thus, he basically took a lafa and put on some lettuce and roast lamb, wrapped it up, and chowed down. We commemorate this by eating horseradish on a cracker and saying �This is what Hillel did�, on the very night that we ostensibly preserve and transmit our collective memory.
From AddeRabbi�s Pesach FAQ.
]]>Many people have remarked to me that they think Subway will have a tough time competing with other local delis like Accents and The Knish Shop. While I agree that they will face competition, from what I've seen Subway does have some unique aspects to it that set it apart:
As such, I think there's plenty of room for a kosher Subway in the local market.
In the interests of full disclosure, I'd like to make it clear that I've received no compensation from Subway (other than the free samples I got last night). I like the food and I like the fact that mainstream American franchises are going kosher. I had kosher Cinnabon and Subway this week; I think it's a signal of where things are going, and I hope it continues.
A one-day stay at Steffi's Place is $109 per person; they also have a Thursday-Sunday Shabbos package which is $325 per person (keep in mind this includes all meals). For reservations, visit their website.
