Birchas Hachama in Uruguay
Over 500 people gathered in Montevideo, Uruguay for a Birchas Hachama ceremony organized by Shliach Rabbi Eliezer Shemtov. The crowd was surprised by a plane flying overhead with the message, ‘Thank G-d for the creation.’ Full Story
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Picture of the Day
Rabbi Shmuley Boteach and Matisyahu were spotted at the Birchas Hachama ceremony at the Jewish Learning Center Chabad in Miami Beach, FL. Rabbi Yisroel Frankforter, head of the Miami Semicha Program, led the service. Photos
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Shliach, Litvak Rare Merger
The rare event of Birchas Hachama, one of the unique blessings recited only once in 28 years, took on another historic dimension in Odessa, Ukraine. Full Story
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NPR Reports From Maryland
150 people attended the Birchas Hachama ceremony at Chabad of Upper Montgomery County, Maryland. NPR national radio reporter Barbara Bradley Hagerty and Gaithersburg Council Member Ryan Spegal were there too. “Did this either in 1953 or 1981. Anybody?” asked Rabbi Sholom Raichik. Audio
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Birchas Hachama on the Coast
Over 40 people joined The Center for Judaism on the northwest coast of the Pacific Ocean (White Rock Beach) for a Birchas Hachama ceremony led by Rabbi Falik Schtroks. Community members braved the strong winds and came out to the beach for this special Bracha. Photos
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Stephen Colbert Plugs Chabad
American comedian Stephen Colbert has pulled out an ad in the New York Times by Chabad of Midtown Manhattan during his satirical television program “The Colbert Report.” The full page advertisement called on Jews to participate in Birchas Hachama last week. Video
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Mountaintop Birchas Hachama
Guests of the KMR Pesach program in Banff, Alberta, Canada, came together for Birchas Hachama in the spectacular snow-covered Canadian Rockies. Spotted: Rabbis Manis Friedman, Mashpia Simcha Werner, Monsey Rosh Yeshiva Mendel Polter and LA Shliach Josh Gordon. Photos
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Sunlight Treats Ontario Prayer
When members of Chabad Markham stepped outside for Birchas Hachama, there was a slight disappointment with the sun hiding behind the clouds. Rabbi Avraham Plotkin told them never to lose faith in Hashem. Full Story
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Birchas Hachama in Kansas
The sun was out in full force Wednesday morning in Lawrence, Kansas, with not a cloud in sight. This was especially important for those attending a service in South Park led by Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel. Video
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Albany Seals Time Capsule
A “Jewish Time-Capsule” was encrypted inside a brick pillar to be opened at the next Birchas Hachamah on April 8, 2037 in Albany. “We are transmitting our experiences from one generation to the next,” said Shliach Rabbi Yisroel Rubin. Full Story
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Birchas Hachama in Pittsburgh
Hundreds patiently waited until the sun peeked out from behind the clouds for Birchas Hachama at Congregation Kesser Torah in Pittsburgh. Rabbi Yisroel Rosenfeld, Head Shliach of W. Pennsylvania and head of the local Vaad Harabomin and Rabbi Daniel Wasserman of Shaare Torah led the ceremony. Video
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Birchas Hachama at Naval Base
Washington DC chapter of American Friends of Lubavitch held a Birchas Hachama ceremony in the United States Naval Observatory (USNO). Shliach Rabbi Levi Shemtov led the ceremony which began with Shacharis, and was concluded by a tour in one of the oldest scientific agencies in the country. Photos
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Blessing at Borough Hall
From the steps of Borough Hall in Brooklyn, to the rooftop of the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Jews gathered across the city Wednesday morning for Birchas Hachama, NY1’s Shazia Khan reports. Video
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Birchas Hachama in The Congo
In the Democratic Republic of The Congo, Rabbi Shlomo Bentolila led a group on two speedboats out of the Yacht Club of Kinshasa to an island in the Congo River, where they preformed Birchas Hachama. Photos
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LA: Joint Birchas Hachama
8 California Shluchim from the eastern sections of Los Angeles held a joint Birchas Hachama ceremony. The brocho was said under a brilliantly bright sunrise, and a beautiful blue sky with not one cloud in the sky — despite weather forecasts of heavy clouds and rain. Full Story
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Birchas Hachama in Hawaii
Scores of Hawaii residents from all walks of life gathered at Ala Moana Beach Park to perform the rarest event on the Jewish calendar: Birchas Hachama. “The world has changed drastically since the last time this blessing on the sun was recited,” says Rabbi Itchel Krasnjansky. Full Story, Video
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Birchas Hachama: Bellingham
On sunny days, Western University’s campus comes alive with students trying to spend time outside reading textbooks, catching up with friends or playing Frisbee. The idea of taking some time to stop and truly appreciate the sun itself is far from most students’ minds. Full Story
Paris: Rainy Birchas Hachama
French Lubavitchers gathered on a rainy and gloomy Wednesday for a Birchas Hachama at a Paris square named after French writer Armand Carrel. Head Shliach Rabbi Shmuel Azimov and many others celebrated this rare and unique occasion with much excitement. Photos
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Birchas Hachama at High Point
Members of Chabad of Bel Air, CA, rose early Wednesday morning to participate in an “inspirational service” and a rare one too – Birchas Hachama. Shliach Rabbi Chaim Mentz and 100 people showed up at a lookout park, considered the highest point in Los Angeles. Photos
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Birchas Hachama: Atlantic City
Residents of Atlantic county, NJ, and members of Chabad at the Shore observed a rare Jewish practice of Birchas Hachama, Blessing of the Sun, South Jersey news channel reported. Shliach Rabbi Avrohom Rapoport led the ceremony. Video
Birchas Hachama: Postville, IA
Postville’s Jewish community gathered Wednesday, Erev Pesach, for a Birchas Hachama ceremony. The Iowa town which was in the headlines for everything but good news, also prayed for better days. Former manager of Agriprocessors Sholom Rubashkin and Rabbi Yosef Rosenfeld of Tzfas was among them. Photos
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Birchas Hachama in Air Balloons
Rabbi Shea Hecht and his son Rabbi Hanoch Hecht ascended Wednesday in hot air balloons to perform the Birchas Hachama. Members of the Jewish community of Rhinebeck, NY, watched as the rabbis took to the air at the James Beard Park in Rhinbeck. Photos
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Birchas Hachama in Boro Park
A modest crowd appeared for a Birchas Hachama ceremony at the Bais Eliyahu Ahavat Achim Shul in Borough Park, Brooklyn. Founded in Rabbi Eliyahu Yachil Simpson‘s home, the shul was visited by the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe. It is headed today by Rabbi Avraham Rosenfeld. Photos
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Birchas Hachamah: Munster, IN
More than 30 people gathered during Birchas Hachamah on the bridge at Centennial Park Wednesday in Munster, Indiana. Every 28 years the sun returns to the exact location they existed when God created them. Jews pause to honor God’s power over creation,” Shliach Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov explained. Video
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Birchas Hachama in Oxnard, CA
Rabbi Dov Muchnik and Rabbi Yakov Latowicz had reason to be concerned: their combined blessing of the sun ceremony to take place on the Ventura Pier, which at 9 am Wednesday still was slick in places from early-morning showers. Full Story
Birchas Hachama at the Ohel
Chassidim and bochurim joined Wednesday a Birchas Hachama ceremony conducted near the Rebbe’s gravesite located at Montefiore Cemetery in Queens, NY. The Chazzan was Gabai Rabbi Zev Katz. Rabbi Yisroel Friedman and Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky were among the participants. Photos
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Birchas Hachama in Tucson, AZ
As nice turnout in Tucson, AZ, as residents woke early to attend a Birchas Hachama ceremony at the Young Israel-Chabad congregation. “You will be telling your children and grandchildren were you were on this day,” Shliach Rabbi Yossie Shemtov told the participants, as police and neighbors stood by. Photos
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Birchas Hachama: Kfar Chabad
Hours before the New York ceremony, thousands gathered in front of the 770 building in the Israeli village of Kfar Chabad for Birchas Hachama. The event was broadcast live to over 100 Chabad Houses and shuls in the country. Photos
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Birchas Hachama on the Beach
Looking out on the Pelican Beach Park, Rabbi Zvi Konikov and members of Chabad of the Space & Treasure Coasts recited Birchas Hachama with great excitement at 7:05 am sharp. They then enjoyed a delicious breakfast before moving on to Pesach preparations. Photos, Video
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Birchas Hachama in the Snow
Light snow and cold temperature greeted Lubavitchers in Montreal, Canada, as they stood Wednesday morning in front of the Lubavitch Yeshiva Shul to recite the Birchas Hachama. They were addressed by Rabbi Moshe Eliyahu Gerlitzky, Rabbi Yosef Minkowitz and Rabbi Berel Bell. Photos
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Senator at Birchas Hachama
Senator Joseph Lieberman and many others joined in the Birchas Hachamah in Stamford, CT. As the gathering on the shore of Long Island Sound waited for the sun to appear from behind the clouds, Shliach Rabbi Yisrael Deren addressed the assembled followed by a siyum delivered by Rabbi Levi Mendelow. Photos
Central Birchas Hachama at 770
Thousands have gathered Wednesday morning outside Lubavitch World Headquarters 770 in Brooklyn, NY, to take part in the rare Mitzvah of Birchas Hachama, recited once in 28 years. Men, women and children stood on Eastern Parkway, as Rabbi Shmuel Butman led the ceremony. Photos
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Birchas Hachama in Five Towns
A Birchas Hachama ceremony took place Wednesday, organized by Chabad of the Five Towns in Long Island. Shliach Rabbi Zalman Wolowik led the prayers in Cedarhurst. Photos
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Birchas Hachama: Miami Beach
The Lubavitch community in North Miami Beach, FL, participated Wednesday in a Birchas Hachama ceremony, as the sun gradually came out. Their Rabbi Yossi Marlow led the prayers, children recited the 12 Pesukim and the Tekia orchestra were on hand too. Photos
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Birchas Hachama in Philly
As the women stood off to one side, the men – nearly all wearing traditional fringed prayer shawls known as tefillin, and leather prayer boxes on their foreheads – bowed and prayed in the early morning darkness, starting about 6 a.m. Rabbi Abraham Shemtov conducted the ceremony on the roof of the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. Full Story
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Weather Cuts Birchas Hachama
A cloudy forecast in Los Angeles could put a damper on the celebration of Birchas Hachama Wednesday. “God split the sea on Passover, so I’m sure he can split the clouds,” said Rabbi Chaim Cunin, chief executive for Chabad of California. Full Story
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3200 Kids Join Sun Contest
With only a few hours left, efforts are being made to include as many children as possible in a Birchas Hachama contest. 3,200 boys and girls so far joined from across the globe, COLlive was told. Full Story
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Breakfast Under the Sun
Schottenstein Chabad Center in Columbus, OH, is hosting “Breakfast under the Sun,” on the Ohio State University’s Oval area Wednesday morning marking Birchas Hachama. Rabbi Zalman Deitsch: “Many do not know what this celebration entails.” Full Story
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For Jews, Another 28 Years
Midtown Manhattan Shliach Rabbi Yehoshua Metzger was a 15-year-old boy in 1981 when the Birchas Hachama took place. Speaking with the New York Times, he recalls “staying up all night the night before because we were so scared we’d sleep in and miss it.” Full Story
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New Zealand First to Bless
New Zealand’s Jews will be the first in the world to recite Birchas Hachama. Shliach Rabbi Mendel Goldstein of Canterbury told JTA that Chabad is coordinating several ceremonies across the island nation at 8 a.m. local time Wednesday. Full Story
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Birchas Hachama for Kids
A private effort by a member of the Crown Heights Kollel is targeting boys and girls to spark their interest in the rare Mitzvah of Birchas Hachama with a grand raffle. Full Story
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Birchas Hachama for Dummies
The rare Mitzvah of Birchas Hachama – a mystery to many young and old – is eloquently explained by Rabbi Menachem Glitzenshtein, rabbi of the Israeli village Maale Efrayim. Recommended for children by Rabbi Hershel Lustig, Principal of Oholei Torah elementary school, COLlive has subtitled the video lecture. Video
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Birchas Hachama Will be at Ohel
A Birchas Hachama ceremony will be conducted at the Rebbe’s Ohel in Cambria Heights, Queens. Men, women and children are all welcome to join on Wednesday, 14 Nissan 5769. Full Story
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‘No Signs at Birchas Hachama’
Unity at last? Following a controversial article on COLlive, it seems like the Gaboim of 770 are making a gesture towards compromise. “We don’t want to intimidate; there won’t be signs of any kind,” Zalman Lipskier told COLlive. Rabbi Avraham Osdoba will be invited to the podium at Birchas Hachama. Full Story
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Shimshon Stock Petitions
At the Birchas Hachama ceremony in 1981, moments before the Lubavitcher Rebbe entered, the late Shimshon Stock makes a loud plea to Chassidim to donate to his C.S.S.Y charitable organization. His wife Martha’s yahrtzeit is tomorrow, the 8th of Nissan. Video
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Birchas Hachama Sells Well
A once in 28 years bestseller: the Birchas Hachama booklet has sold over 11,000 copies in anticipation of the rare occasion next week Thursday, April 8. “Shluchim are ordering mass amounts,” Kehot store manager Avraham Holtzberg told COLlive. Full Story
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Birchas Hachama Unity Fails
Efforts to organize a large Birchas Hachama ceremony in front of 770 next week was turned down due to Crown Heights dynamics. A plan for a unity event for 10,000 people was met with fierce objection by Gabai Zalmen Lipskier. “This event is for everybody, and we’re going to say Yechi,” he told COLlive. Full Story
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Curiosity Plays a Sunny Role
Chabad Center of Northwest New Jersey will be holding a “Birchas Hachama” prayer next week. “Because this celebration is something so unique, it gets people’s curiosity up and it’s really something special,” said Shliach Rabbi Mordechai Baumgarten. Full Story
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Birchas Hachama on Beach
Rabbi Eli Goodman, Director of the Bach Jewish Center in Long Beach, NY, has filmed a video invitation to his members to join him for Birchas Hachama. Video
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Birchas Hachama Gone Wrong
The April 8, 1897 issue of the New York Times reported about a “Hebrew Festival Marred” when a rabbi of the East Side synagogue gathered to preform the ‘Birkas hachama,’ and was arrested for lacking a permit to gather a large crowd. The policeman could not understand what it meant. Full Story
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Packed House Reviews Sun Laws
Every seat in Kolel Menachem was taken on Thursday, when more than 100 men came to review the Halachos of Birchas Hachama, organized by Yagdil Torah. “What is the source for the mitzvah of Birchas Hachama?” was a question fielded by Rabbi Zalman Moshe Abrahams among other thoughtful questions. More
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Once-In-A-Generation Video
Mrs. Shulee Gansburg and Rabbi J.J. Hecht speak to the TV cameras, 1981News reports dating back to 1981 of the Birchas Hachama – Blessing of the Sun ceremony at 770 Eastern Parkway are included in the much-anticipated DVD by JEM of the special once in 28 years Mitzvah which is upcoming shortly. Video
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No Sun Illusion for Girls
Astronomy maven Rabbi Yoseph Losh lectured today to the High School students at Bais Rivkah in Crown Heights about the once in 28 years Mitzvah Birkat Hachama (Blessing of the Sun) that will be said this year on Erev Pesach. “There are many misconceptions on the topic,” Losh said after being introduced by principal Mrs. Shaindel Teichtel. Photos
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Prepping for Birchas HaChama
Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch sent out an array of materials and resources today for the upcoming once every twenty-eight year occurance, Birchas HaChama on April 8, 2009 – 14 Nisan 5769. Prepared for Shluchim and Chabad Houses, they include marketing materials and educational resources for both children and adults. Full Story
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Col has the best news around
hmmm, lets see:
COL owns the first, most popular and money making Lubavitch website in Hebrew. I think they’re around for 8 years…
COL launched a few months ago a Hebrew magazine in Israel, printing more copies then Kfar Chabad and Bais Moshiach.
COL and a NY investor launched an English Lubavitch site COLlive.com in September and is already far head of the rest – in quality, quantity and profit.
Is that isn’t leaders, then what is?
Great choice for main pic of Birkat Hachama! Rabbi Konikov’s pics from Satellite Beach look absolutely stunning!
what a major kiddush hashem – as others read your website too
the rebbe would be very proud