Over 16 years, COLlive has become a platform for sharing insights and stories, in addition to news and photos. In honor of Tishrei, we present 5 reflections on experiences with the Rebbe during Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and Simchas Torah, alongside images from JEM. Full Story, Photos
After Mezuzah Ripped Off Dorm, Jewish Students Affix Dozens of New Ones
A Jewish student at Harvard found that her Mezuzah had been torn off her dorm room in an antisemitic act of vandalism. The response by Jewish students was to add more light. Full Story
Misreading the Frum Divorce Crisis
From the COLlive inbox: “Bad news makes noise. You will always hear about the couple who got divorced over those who got married, especially when they divorced so soon.” Full Story
There’s Nothing To Be Ashamed Of
Op-Ed by Shloma Hecht, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson: "Crown Heights has very limited inventory – and very high demand. While the housing crisis is a great challenge, families who bought townhouses two or three decades ago for $100-200k now find themselves in an extremely fortunate position." Full Story
My Son Took Psychedelics. Here’s What Happened Since
Illustration photo: Roberto Ourgant/Unsplash
From the COLlive inbox: A Crown Heights father writes about his son Yossi who began taking psychedelics alongside some prominent people, and describes where that led him. Full Story
Crown Heights Elections Has Everything But Character
From the COLlive inbox: “I spoke in person with a number of the candidates for Vaad Hakohol. Yet, not a word has been said about the matter most important; the ruchnius character of our community.” Full Story
‘Something Big For Gimmel Tammuz’
From the COLlive inbox: "Around 6 years ago, I was farbrenging with my former Mashpia and friends at 770. A nice frum yid joined us and asked a question that left us baffled and shocked." Full Story
What Today’s Youth Are Actually Intuned To
Response op-ed by Rochi Schtroks: “How do we deal with the fact that the word Kabolas Ol seems to have a negative connotation with some of today's youth?” Full Story
Beyond the Options of Tough Love or Gentle Parenting
Response op-ed by Danit Schusterman: "The line 'Because I said so' no longer works, not for this generation. Today's kids need more, and we have the luxury and responsibility to give them more." Full Story
Bochurim Shouldn’t Need to Depend on ‘Podcast Chassidus’
Author of CTeen-Yeshiva op-ed responds: “Why do our youth need to turn to their favorite podcast platform for them to see the richness and relevance of Toras Ha’Chassidus?” Full Story
CTeen, “the System,” and a Rule in Bava Kama…
From the COLlive inbox: A Chabad bochur saw the many Jewish teens roaming excitedly around Crown Heights. Then he went back into Yeshiva and saw a contrasting scenario, wondering what can be done about it. Full Story
Responsible Approach Needed for Dealing With 770
Op-ed by Crown Heights activist Yaacov Behrman: “Do we need this in our tumultuous world now? The Chillul Hashem, more blood libels, the daily disturbances in 770, and internal fighting?!” Full Story
Face It, 770 Won’t Be Expanded Anytime Soon
Response to Rabbi Gershon Avtzon: "Lubavitch has grown over the years, while 770 stayed exactly the same. That's exactly why an expansion - especially after this week's events - is not possible and not probable." Full Story
Practical Hachlata for Hei Teves From the Rebbe’s Advice
From the COLlive Inbox: As the world is celebrating hei teives, perhaps the most auspicious day in our dor hashvii calendar, I would like to bring up a nekuda which the Rebbe brings, on how to bring the inspiration of this special day throughout the year. Full Story
My Daughters Shouldn’t Be Pressured to Wear Leggings
From the COLlive inbox: “How can we as parents support and inspire our young daughters to stand strong in the face of so many of their friends?” Full Story
It’s Time For An Illogical Response
From the COLlive inbox: “For many of us Chassidim, this is a new experience. We don't know what to do/think/feel about a tragedy on such a large scale.” Full Story
Before We All Leave WhatsApp Because of the Channels Feature
Photo by Dimitri Karastelev on Unsplash
From the COLlive inbox: "Educators and parents are very concerned about the new Channels feature on WhatsApp, turning it into another social media platform. Simply getting everyone to leave WhatsApp may not be the ultimate solution to the concerns we face." Full Story
Dr. Howard Kaye, 71, OBM
Dr. Howard Kaye, the beloved husband of Lori Gilbert-Kaye, who was murdered in the shooting attack at Chabad of Poway in April 2019, passed away. Full Story
The Top Stories of 5783 on COLlive.com
The 20 most-read articles on COLlive.com of 5783: Full Story
The Most Commented Op-Eds on COLlive in 5783
The op-eds that garnered the most conversation on COLlive.com in 5783: The growing problem at Simchas Beis Hashoeva, posing at the Ohel, our post-Gimmel Tammuz reality and an issue faced by many of our newlywed couples. Full Story
Why Exactly Am I Here on Rosh Hashana?
Photo: Ashton Mullins/Unsplash
Article by Rabbi Shimon Posner: “King Charles III might not quite evoke the divine. Maybe because corporeal majesty doesn't cut it when trying to reach beyond the stars. Coronation depends on people, and that’s what we do on Rosh Hashana.” Full Story
To the Silent Sufferer, Living With a Mental Tornado
Photo by Finn on Unsplash
From the COLlive inbox: "At some point, it dawns on us that this is not normal, and we are not actually the problem. We scour Google for a diagnosis until we land on one that sounds too familiar. Then we mistakingly tell our spouse we think we know what's wrong..." Full Story
Some Sobering Perspective Before Going Back to School
From the COLlive inbox: "The system" sounds like a rigid, loveless behemoth that pushes everyone into cookie-cutter shapes, forcing everyone to either shape up or ship out. A little perspective is needed. Full Story
Is it Time to Talk About Tznius and Beards?
Op-Ed By Rabbi Gershon Avtzon: "As we begin preparing for Rosh Hashana, the time for reaccepting upon ourselves the kingship of Hashem, it is appropriate to speak about two very important and sensitive topics: Tznius and Beards." Full Story
The Awesome Role of Today’s Educators
Op-Ed by Rabbi Gershon Avtzon of Cincinnati: "An educator asked me the following question: 'Why is it that so many of today’s youth are turned off from Yiddishkeit because of something relatively small that a teacher says or does?'" Full Story
