JWC Hakhel Luncheon and Torah Institute Sponsors
By Betty Nelander
Palm Beach Daily News
Saturday, January 9, 2016
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Hakhel tradition — The Palm Beach Jewish Women’s Circlehosted a luncheon Sunday at The Chesterfield that was designed to be spiritually uplifting.
The event celebrated the biblical year of Hakhel, or the gathering of Jews once in a seven-year cycle, to promote unity. Explained teacher Hindel Levitin of Chabad of Northern Palm Beach Island: “Whenever a man, woman or child gets together with friends or neighbors for a celebration or any purpose and then shares some words of [the] Torah, an inspiring story, sings a Jewish song together, puts a few pennies into a Tzedakah (charity-box), that also is a Hakhel experience.”
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Torah Institute gains sponsors — Gary and Terri Schottenstein of Palm Beach and Columbus, Ohio, have announced the sponsorship of the Palm Beach Torah Institute, an integral part of The Chabad House.
“We are privileged to help sustain this treasure in our town, and look forward to seeing it flourish,” Gary Schottenstein said. “We are following our faith and upbringing, which has been instilled by our grandparents and parents, and giving in honor of our children and grandchildren.”
Said Rabbi Zalman Levitin, “Mr. Schottenstein’s backing will provide an opportunity for the depth and beauty of the Torah and its life lessons to reach much further, changing lives for the better and blessing us all.”
The next program, at 7 p.m. Thursday, will be, “Do we need religion to be good people?” Shimona Tzukernik, an authority on Kabbalah as it applies to daily life, will host the program at The Brazilian Court Pavilion, 301 Australian Ave. Deli wraps and salads will be served.
The institute brings Jewish education to the community. No prior knowledge is required. Chabad House classes, including Caffeine for the Soul, Palm Beach Rosh Chodesh Society, Torah studies and lecture events, are included under the Torah Institute umbrella.
Register for the Thursday event at palmbeachjewish.com/torah