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Chabad Shul of Potomac - 11621 Seven Locks Road Potomac, MD 20854-3201 USA Rabbi Mendel Bluming

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Rabbi Mendel Bluming | Blog of Rabbi Mendel Bluming

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Question to Rabbi Menachem M Bluming: We haven't officially named our firstborn daughter yet. We have a problem. I always wanted to name her after my grandmother. But my wife doesn't like that name. She wants some other name which is nice, but I think it lacks any real meaning for the family.

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by Rivka Chaya Berman - LUBAVITCH HEADQUARTERS

With a long days practicing law as a government attorney, Jill Gerstenfield of Rockville, MD, could not envision waking up at six a.m. for the rabbi's daily Talmud class. But the tractate of Sotah fascinated Gerstenfield, who attended a Georgetown University class on Jewish and American Law. "I started to read about Sotah," the Temple-era response to a woman suspected of adultery, "and several cases involving U.S. law and establishing paternity and found the area fascinating."

Her local Chabad representative, Rabbi Menachem Bluming of Chabad of Potomac recommended Gerstenfield to JNet, a new Rohr Foundation project emanating from Merkos L'inyonei Chinuch, the educational arm of Chabad-Lubavitch. JNet, the Jewish Learning Network, pairs Jews who want to learn more about Judaism with Jews who want to teach or study by phone for a half-hour a week. JNet offers phone cards to eliminate long distance fees, learning materials via email, and expert guidance for questions along the way.

Now 526 learning pairs strong, JNet's name is also indicative of its place among the network of Chabad centers. "JNet extends the reach of Chabad houses," said program coordinator Rabbi Yossi Refson. Following a six-month pilot program period, JNet was rolled out as a resource at this year's International Conference of Shluchim. "This program adds another layer to the educational outreach work of Chabad-Lubavitch," explained Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, Vice Chairman of Merkos. "It creates an opportunity for traditional Beit-Midrash style Torah study for anyone, anywhere, and at their convenience."

"There's something special about not being part of a group but having your own personal study partner," said Rabbi Boruch Klar of Lubavitch of Essex County, NJ. There are other perks, according to Gerstenfield: "I can be in my bathrobe, lounge with book in front of me, writing notes in my Talmud in the privacy of my own home."

A growing number of parents of young children, people with physical challenges, overbooked minions, and those intimidated by the thought of entering a synagogue turn to JNet for a dose of personalized Jewish learning by phone each week. So far, JNet participants are between 18 and 70, and the male to female participant ratio is 55:45, but that fluctuates by the week. David Goldman, a pharmaceutical company executive, schedules his JNet time before commuting home. Amy Gordon, a graduate of SUNY Binghamton, has caught up with her JNet teacher, Rochel Kugel, in the car.

The flexibility of the program also appeals to JNet teachers. As a school music teacher in Brooklyn, NY, as a mother of two daughters, ages two and six months, ,b>Hindel Levitin finds it "a little hard" to envision committing to study in person when there are so many other demands on her time. But she squeezes JNet teaching in while the babies nap, before teaching begins.

Levitin's JNet student, Leah Lawrence of Meridian, ID, discovered the program on the web. "We deliver" was the tagline that caught Lawrence's eye. Recently displaced from her Louisiana home by Hurricane Katrina, Lawrence moved with her family to Idaho to be closer to her grown daughter. Lawrence enjoys "speaking to other women and finding how Judaism relates to a woman's life." Just a month into JNet learning, Lawrence already considers Levitin a friend. "If I have a question, I have Hindel's email address and phone number."

Fashioning friends out of strangers requires emotional dexterity. Rabbi Yehuda Dukes, JNet's chavruta coordinator, interviews all who inquire through the organization's attractive, easy-to-use website (www.JNet.org) or call JNet's hotline at (718)467-4400. The information is fed into the database and matches are made, with care. Compatibility is based on similarities in age range, educational background, occupation, interests, and gut instinct. The process can feel like arranging a marriage, but "without the lifetime commitment," Rabbi Dukes said.

Not only does JNet match pairs, it stays in touch with both parties: a lesson learned from the pilot program. Study relationships "need constant maintenance," said Rabbi Refson. Missed messages, learning questions, and the need for re-matches are handled during the course of JNet's follow up calls.

Teaching a fellow Jew about Judaism is the mother's milk of Chabad Lubavitch Chassidim. Volunteer coordinator Rabbi Mendel Silberstein calls lists of community members from Pittsburgh to LA to Toronto. Cold calling has its perils but many are excited by the idea of being able to fulfill the Lubavitcher Rebbe's dictum, "if you know the letter Aleph, teach Aleph." Others need more encouragement. Rabbi Mendel Silberstein tells them, "You are not teaching a classroom full of people, it's just a conversation over the phone with a friend."

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Torah Study Gains Popularity With New Program

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With a long days practicing law as a government attorney, Jill Gerstenfield of Rockville, MD, could not envision waking up at six a.m. for the rabbi's daily Talmud class. But the tractate of Sotah fascinated Gerstenfield, who attended a Georgetown University class on Jewish and American Law.

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New JLI Course Explores Best Practices

Rohr Jewish Learning Institute

by Dovid Zaklikowski - Brooklyn, NY

A parenting course that looks to Jewish values that have stood the test of time may surprise participants as it cuts the sacrosanct "what are my rights" centered perspective down to size. In its place, The Art of Parenting course will consider the question Judaism teaches us to ask: "What is my obligation?"

"A parent does not have a right to be respected, but it is a responsibility for a child to respect the parent," explains Rabbi Naftali Silberberg, editor-in-chief of the new course curriculum. The course will look at the differences that raising children with a sense of entitlement vs. a sense of responsibility makes to the children, the family and society.

Beginning this week at some 357 locations worldwide in seven languages, the six-session course explores Jewish teachings and parenting values as practiced by Jewish parents for thousands of years, and their relevance to today's parenting.

"Jews have a very successful parenting record of tens of generations who successfully transmitted their ideas and values, even though it was under very difficult circumstances," says Silberberg.

Developed by the JLI team in consultation with educational experts, talmudic scholars, psychologists and parents, The Art of Parenting will examine issues of self-esteem, reward and discipline, and questions such as: "How do we keep our children safe, while encouraging their independence? When should we motivate them by incentive, and when by establishing firm consequences? And how do we build their self-esteem to prepare them mentally and emotionally for the long road ahead?" from a distinctly Jewish perspective.

Dr. Frank W. Gaskill, founding partner at Southeast Psych in Charlotte, North Carolina whose practice is devoted to helping families parent successfully, says: "Just because you are a parent does not mean you know how to develop confident, moral, and loving children. Finding the warm and authoritative parent zone is the key. The Art of Parenting offers families a way forward for children to grow into fully developed, moral adults."

Participants may receive credits for the course from the American Psychological Association, the American Council for Continuing Medical Education, the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, and the he National Board for Certified Counselors.

To join the course in your area, go to myjli.com.

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Learning Parenting To Raise Healthy Children

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A parenting course that looks to Jewish values that have stood the test of time may surprise participants as it cuts the sacrosanct "what are my rights" centered perspective down to size. In its place, The Art of Parenting course will consider the question Judaism teaches us to ask: "What is my obligation?"

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Page by page, line by line, letter by letter, Richard Epstein has spent the past eight years meticulously handwriting the words of God. Using a turkey feather quill and kosher animal skin parchment as his pen and paper, he masterfully created a Torah scroll for the Chabad Shul of Potomac. Running his own private practice in general psychiatry by day, Epstein, 74, devoted his nights and weekends to crafting his holy work. On Sunday, Epstein will complete his sanctified journey by penning the final of the scroll's more than 300,000 letters at a dedication ceremony at the Chabad center.

"In Deuteronomy 31:19, God says, 'Write for yourself this song.' That means, every Jew should write a Torah scroll," says Epstein. "It is a great honor and responsibility to inscribe the Torah.

"The first Torah scribe in the world was Moses himself," he continues. "Every time I sat down to write, I became engrossed in the work. I feel a strong sense of awe, as I am so moved by the beauty of the Hebrew letters. I am doing God's work. It is one of the most amazing tasks I've ever done in my life."

Living until the dawn of the 21st century a primarily secular life, the Brooklyn-born psychiatrist always felt a strong connection with the Torah, he says. He discovered Potomac's Chabad center 15 years ago and began studying the Torah with Rabbi Mendel Bluming. Throughout his studies, he immersed himself in the medieval commentary of Rashi and realized that he wanted to become a scribe.

"Rashi's teachings opened up a new world and meaning of the Torah for me," says Epstein. "After studying with Bluming, I wanted to contribute. I realized our synagogue needed a new Torah, and I knew writing the Torah would bring me closer to God."

Discussing his personal admiration for Epstein, Bluming says he was inspired by his longtime study partner's decision to take on the time-consuming task of writing a Torah.

"Dr. Epstein was one of the first people I met when I came to Potomac in 2000, and we began to study together regularly," says Bluming. "I was struck by his earnestness and genuine thirst for Torah knowledge and observance. His connection to learning the Torah inspired him, ultimately leading to inscribing his own Torah scroll."

Embarking on the new adventure, Epstein first had to perfect his knowledge of Hebrew scripture. He became an apprentice to a sofer [scribe] and studied the intricate laws detailing the stylizing of the Hebrew letters and the specific spellings of certain words. After practicing the art of writing the unique script of religious literature, Epstein began his side career as a scribe by working on a Megillah, since God's name is not included in the text. (According to Jewish law, the name of God is so holy, that mistakes made in its formulation can render an entire text - or sections of text - invalid for ritual use.)

Epstein then moved on to writing about a dozen parchment scrolls for placement in mezuzahs to prepare for writing God's name in print. Finally, he was ready to tackle the much larger project of writing a complete Torah scroll.

"I became so absorbed in my work," says Epstein. "Before I start writing, I say a prayer and give money to tzedakah [charity]. Then, I would say each word and each letter out loud as I wrote. After each line, I would read the line both forward and backward to ensure there were no mistakes. At this point, it would take me between 12 and 15 minutes to complete one, single line."

With 42 lines per page, Epstein uses a numbered celluloid strip to keep his place. In addition, he often writes the name of God in the text beforehand. If a scribe makes a mistake on God's name, the parchment is buried in the ground, because according to Jewish law, God's name cannot be thrown away. In today's hi-tech society, several computers checked the work for accuracy. In addition, the Torah was proofread four times by hand to guarantee perfection.

Epstein's act of inscribing the Torah quickly became a communitywide event at the Chabad Shul of Potomac. Throughout the past eight years, Epstein displayed each completed page of the Torah to the synagogue. He wanted the public to feel immersed in the process. In addition, Epstein has allowed some members of the community to fill in some letters of the Torah and to dedicate Torah portions.

"I feel as if I am an ambassador to helping people fulfil the mitzvah of writing the Torah," says Epstein. "As I hold the quill with members as they inscribe their letter, I watch people connect to the Torah on a new level. This is our community's Torah. I am just a regular congregant with a day job. I hope that will inspire others to fulfill mitzvot."

Once Epstein finally fills in the last letter, the synagogue will parade its brand new scroll down the streets. Joining the procession, neighboring synagogues Beth Sholom Congregation and Talmud Torah and Young Israel Ezras Israel of Potomac will bring out their own Torahs. After the parade, the synagogue will provide refreshments and a presentation on the scribal arts.

"This has been a truly transformative eight year journey for our community," says Bluming. "The extent of community excitement and involvement from day one is incredible. I never imagined how much of an impact this would have on us. Dr. Epstein has inspired many in our community to re-examine their bucket lists and expand their horizons. This is something that I want my children and the children of our community to witness and remember forever."

In celebration of the completion of the long journey, Epstein will read from his new scroll at morning prayer services on Monday. As a scribe, he plans to continue writing mezuzah scrolls and playing an active role in the Jewish community.

"Every mitzvah is a challenge and an opportunity," says Epstein. "God provides the Jewish people the 613 mitzvot to enhance their lives. I feel as if the Torah wrote me rather than I wrote it. I'm deeply grateful that God provided me this opportunity to bring his divine light into the world with this mitzvah."
Sunday's Torah Completion and Celebration will takes place at 2-4 p.m. at the Chabad center, 11621 Seven Locks Rd.

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Page by page, line by line, letter by letter, Richard Epstein has spent the past eight years meticulously handwriting the words of God. Using a turkey feather quill and kosher animal skin parchment as his pen and paper, he masterfully created a Torah scroll for the Chabad Shul of Potomac.

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If someone came to me and said, "I'll give you ten thousand dollars to buy your son/daughter," what do you think I would say? Would I sell one of my children for ten thousand dollars? No way! So what if they offered a hundred thousand? I wouldn't do it, right?

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Biography

Bruce R. Mendelsohn ("The Hired Pen")

A digital marketing and social media consultant and coach with quantifiable successes conceiving and implementing memorable marketing communications, public/media relations, messaging and branding campaigns, Bruce Mendelsohn is CEO of The Hired Pen. Helping clients in higher education, nonprofits, businesses and the U.S. government, Mr. Mendelsohn has earned national recognition as a Top 100 Branding Expert to Follow on Twitter and a Constant Contact "All Star."

Mr. Mendelsohn's public relations credentials include writing, successfully pitching and being interviewed for stories in national, regional and trade media outlets on TV, radio, newspapers and online. Content developed for The Hired Pen's clients has appeared in People Magazine, CNN's Wolf Blitzer Presents, The Situation Room, and Headline News, ABC Nightly News, CBS Evening News, FOX News, AP, The New York Times, The Boston , Boston Business Journal, HotChalk Education Network and others.

Mr. Mendelsohn's professional accomplishments include:

Researching, crafting and presenting a report to the U.S. Congress that influenced creation of a national plan to transform Federal detention management operations

650% enrollment growth in a new engineering leadership program for undergraduate students at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Promoting the beloved national crime-fighting icon, McGruff The Crime Dog by raising hundreds of thousands of dollars through creative brand licensing partnerships with major national corporations

Planning and implementing the $80 million campaign to build the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, D.C.

Developing content for stories that appeared in major national media and trade publications, on TV, radio, newspapers and online.

A former U.S. Army officer with service in Korea and Germany, Mr. Mendelsohn graduated from Vassar College and earned a Master's Degree in Systems Management (Organizational Behavior) from the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business.

Mr. Mendelsohn is an elected official in Auburn, Massachusetts, where he serves on the Public Library Board of Trustees. He also serves on the Board of The Rensselaerville Institute. Mr. Mendelsohn was a civilian first responder at the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, and is a member of the Stop the Bleeding Coalition. Mr. Mendelsohn has completed 18 marathons (including Boston 2014) and is an award-winning triathlete. He lives in Central Massachusetts.
C ontact Mr. Mendelsohn at bruce.mendelsohn90@gmail.com
Testimonials from Satisfied Clients

"You delivered outstanding writing and editing skills on very short notice to help Ascend Analytics complete our RFP for the New York Power Authority. You conveyed a highly complex topic in layman's terms, using active and engaging language. I think your greatest strength is that you understand the commercial element to writing for marketing purposes, and you brought that understanding to us when we needed it most." Dr. Gary Dorris, President, Ascend Analytics; www.ascendanalytics.com

"Thanks for your work on the Annual Report. Your writing provides strong images about the library and engages the reader with the services we offer, our continuing efforts to bring more resources and our concern with the physical space patrons use. You bring an important strength to the Board of Trustees." Matt Toth, Chairman, Auburn [MA] Public Library Board of Trustees

"You're a great source and I appreciate your help." (Michele Canty, Night Police Reporter, York (PA) Daily Record)

"I trust you Bruce, I hope you know this. You have guided me well since we began working together. This, I am very appreciative for. Bruce, I most definitely want to stay close to you. I really admire your style, but most important to me, how dedicated you have become to me and my business. I sincerely mean this. It is obvious in your willingness to work with me (even at the last minute) and tips you send." (Kim Harmon, Owner, Harmon Home Health Care)

"Bruce's creativity has proven very effective in our synagogue's marketing efforts. His writing is engaging and original and working with him is a pleasure. He understands what drives our clientele and respects our audience's intelligence and experience. His brilliant marketing pieces have resulted in an 80% increase in membership and/or philanthropic support for our organization." (Rabbi Mendel Bluming, Potomac, Maryland)

"Thanks for the good work, Bruce. Please feel free to use me as a reference." (Mark Bilotta, President, Colleges of Worcester Consortium)

"This is very creative and exactly in the direction I was thinking. I really appreciate your quick turnaround on this and your expertise. There is no way I could have come up with something as good as this so I'm certainly extremely grateful for your help. Excellence in this will help us get more men to events, which means we can affect more lives. I have no doubt that this work will help us impact over 1000 more men in 2008 than we would have without your support. I can't thank you enough for your help with this." "I can't tell you how much we have appreciated your work, and this promises to be another home run. Thanks again for your time and input; it is invaluable to us." (George Young; National Seminar Director; Resource Development; www.fathers.com)

"I constantly say what a great job you've done, and we are certainly pleased with your work promoting MassPLASTICS. Although we have many people who would do this per diem for less, you have the research, knowledge, and experience. Count on me for a stellar reference." (David McKeehan, CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce)

"I really like it Bruce! It is a new style (from what I am used to) and it is very intriguing upbeat humorous interesting and inviting. Great job." (Rabbi Mendel Bluming, Chabad Synagogue of Potomac, MD)

Thanks, Bruce! You're the best when it comes to communication and follow-up - literally. (M. Kathleen Brown, Partner, Bloch and Brown Associates)

Further References
Craig W. Floyd, Chariman and CEO,
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
(.pdf files)
Senior Team Leader Joseph L. Garcia,
United States - Correction Special Operations Group , CEO,
Law Enforcement Assistance Connection, Inc.
Chief Charles Ramsey,
Washington, DC, Metropolitan Police Department

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Biography Bruce R. Mendelsohn ("The Hired Pen") A digital marketing and social media consultant and coach with quantifiable successes conceiving and implementing memorable marketing communications, public/media relations, messaging and branding campaigns, Bruce Mendelsohn is CEO of The Hired Pen. Helping clients in higher education, nonprofits, businesses and the U.S.

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Chabad Shul Of Potomac in Potomac, Maryland (MD) - NonProfitFacts.com

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NonProfitFacts.com " Maryland " Chabad Shul Of Potomac

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When you are engaged to be married there are two types of doubting you may have regarding if you have found the right one. One is an alarm bell that should not be ignored! The other is a sign that you have made the right choice...

The saintly Kabbalist Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Schneersohn wrote a letter to his recently engaged son (printed in Likkutei Levi Yitzchok Igros Kodesh p202), explaining that engagement and doubt go hand in hand. The union of soulmates is such a lofty and super-rational event that the mind cannot possibly grasp it. Something is at work that is beyond our understanding and therefore there is always an element of doubt.

This doubt is not an indication that you have done something stupid. On the contrary, it means that you have touched a level that lies beyond the confines of the human mind. Finding your soulmate is such a miracle, our logic cannot process that it is really possible, that it is really true, that I have found the one for me. This wonder is a kind of positive uncertainty - Is this for real? I don't believe this is happening to me!

So the fact that you feel unsure may be a good sign, indicating that you have been touched by the hand of G-d, and are left in wonder that it could really be so good.

Menachem Mendel Bluming, Rabbi Moss and Chabad.org

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Can A Doubting Heart Get Married? - Mendel Bluming - Medium

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When you are engaged to be married there are two types of doubting you may have regarding if you have found the right one. One is an alarm bell that should not be ignored! The other is a sign that...

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As Yom Kippur approaches one must make amends for having offending others. G-d will not forgive a person until they ask their offended friend for forgiveness (Mishna Yoma 8:9).

But what if that person was offended by something that I totally did not mean? They are talking emotions and intentions into my words! Am I responsible for their feelings?!

When we say, "I am sorry," we are making a statement about ourselves - I am remorseful, I regret my actions, and I hope not to repeat them.

But an apology is not just about you and your feelings. It is about the person you hurt. You don't apologize just to absolve yourself from guilt, but more to acknowledge that you are the cause of someone else's pain, and take responsibility for it.

This means that even if you are completely in the right and really did nothing wrong, even if the other person misinterpreted your words or actions, even if you did nothing to regret, nevertheless if someone else is hurting you need to apologize for that.

Only G-d knows who is right and who is wrong in your case. But we all know who is hurting. So we need to be big enough to apologize.

But beware. If you say, "I am sorry for any pain you felt," it will come across as empty words, as if he has a problem. You need to arouse true feelings of empathy for them, and real regret for your part in what happened by putting yourself in their shoes. Shanah tovah!

Rabbi Moss Menachem Mendel Bluming and Chabad.org ST�(�իÄ

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Is Your Mistaken Perception My Responsibility?! - Mendel Bluming - Medium

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As Yom Kippur approaches one must make amends for having offending others. G-d will not forgive a person until they ask their offended friend for forgiveness (Mishna Yoma 8:9). But what if that person was offended by something that I totally did not mean? They are talking emotions and intentions into my words!

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Question to Rabbi Menachem M Bluming: We haven't officially named our firstborn daughter yet. We have a problem. I always wanted to name her after my grandmother. But my wife doesn't like that name. She wants some other name which is nice, but I think it lacks any real meaning for the family. Doesn't it say somewhere that the father has the right to choose the firstborn's name?

I'm not sure you want to know the answer to that.

There is indeed a custom in some communities of alternating the right to name a child between the parents. According to one Ashkenazi custom, the mother names the firstborn child, the father the second and so on. But some Sefardi communities have the father choosing the name for the first son, and then the mother the second son, while all daughters are named by the mother.

In your case, following either system, your wife gets to name this child.

But there is a different approach. These systems were only enacted to avoid intractable arguments between parents. That's not the ideal way to name a child. It is far better that both agree on a name together rather than one having to reluctantly concede to the other's wish.

The need for consensus is indicated in the writings of Kabbalah, which state, "When a father and mother give a name to their child, they are given a prophecy to choose the right name to fit the soul of the child." This implies that the prophecy comes when there is agreement between the parents, and both are happy with the name.

This is just the first of many disagreements you will have with your wife in parenting your child. Inevitably there will be times when you will want to do things one way, and your wife will have a different approach. You could alternate the decision making, so one day you get your way and the kids are allowed to drink Coke, and the next day your wife is in charge and they only get water. One day bed time is optional and the next it is strictly enforced.

But think what this will do to your child. She needs parents who are united and working as a team, with one voice and one standard. When there are cracks in the parents' unity, kids slip between those cracks.

Consider your child's needs before your own, and give her a name that is meaningful, comfortable, and acceptable to you both. May this be the first of many harmonious compromises you make for your children.

Menachem Mendel Bluming, Rabbi Moss and Chabad.org

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Question to Rabbi Menachem M Bluming: We haven't officially named our firstborn daughter yet. We have a problem. I always wanted to name her after my grandmother. But my wife doesn't like that name. She wants some other name which is nice, but I think it lacks any real meaning for the family.

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Rabbi Mendel Bluming | Blog of Rabbi Mendel Bluming

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Question to Rabbi Menachem M Bluming: We haven't officially named our firstborn daughter yet. We have a problem. I always wanted to name her after my grandmother. But my wife doesn't like that name. She wants some other name which is nice, but I think it lacks any real meaning for the family.

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Kinzaa: Menachem Bluming's infographic resume

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