Atlanta Celebrates With the Rosh

Shluchim, Rabbonim, Anash and community members across the state of Georgia gathered on Tuesday night at Congregation Beth Jacob’s Heritage Hall to celebrate Yud Tes Kislev, yartzeit of the Maggid of Mezritch and day of liberation of the Alter Rebbe, founder of Chabad-Lubavitch.

Rabbi Ezra Schochet, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Ohr Elchonon Chabad in Los Angeles delivered the keynote address and led the Farbrengen following the formal program of the evening.

Rabbi Schochet encouraged the 350 men and women in attendance to challenge themselves to see “good” as what Tanya explains is good. That “good” is synonymous with Hashem and Torah not merely our own subjective feelings of goodness.

Rabbi Ephraim Silverman of Chabad of Cobb opened the evening with the theme of Yud Tes Kislev; Rabbi Ilan Feldman, Senior Rov of Congregation Beth Jacob gave divrei brocha and spoke of the honor of hosting the esteemed Rabbi Schochet.

Rabbi Shmuel Khoshkerman, of Congregation Ner Hamizrach and author of “Minchat Shmuel” spoke about the uniqueness of Shluchan Aruch Harav; Rabbi Yossi New, Head Shliach of Georgia, spoke of living with the synthesis of Nigleh and Chassidus.

Robert Krigelman, who traveled along with Rabbi Shaul Perlstein of Chabad of Chattanooga, said, “the event was inspiring and uplifting and well worth the 2 hour drive.”

Throughout the festive meal catered by Eli Brafman of E.B. Catering, Chasidic Niggunim were played by Rabbi Jake Czuper accompanied by Avremel Chazanow and Aaron Holder. Kehot Seforim in English and Hebrew were available for purchase. The event was coordinated by the Atlanta farbrengen committee headed by Rabbi Zalman Lipskier of Chabad @Emory.