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Gaming Questions

Each year for Shabbat 360, there’s a theme and a t-shirt, and for 5786/2026 the theme was X-Box 360 with the X transposed into an Alef and game covers as centerpieces with Hebrew lettering and thought-provoking gaming questions. (see the … Read the rest

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Rubin Family Tea-Flavors Costume – Purim 2026

Purim 5786/2026 is part of the 250 years since the American Revolution, and which is why we went with “A Revolutionary Purim” as a theme.

When thinking of a family costume along the lines of the American Revolution and Colonial … Read the rest

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The Iranian Children’s Airlift

Now and then you meet a person who is a face of a story you read or heard about. This past weekend I was down in Great Neck/Roslyn celebrating the Bar-Mitzvah of the son of alumnus, and I met the … Read the rest

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“We Need to Make a Revolution in Albany!”

On this Shabbos before Purim 2026, as we look forward to “A Revolutionary Purim” theme at UAlbany this 2026 (as part of the 250-year commemoration) wanted to share this 1972 memory I heard from Mr. Feivel-Phil Chandler (who, along with … Read the rest

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The Kshot Story

Long before Glasnost or Perestroika, when the former Soviet Union was in its full Communist glory, Rabbi Dr. Alter Bentzion Metzger visited there along with an American Rabbinic delegation. (It’s been many years since I heard this from him, but … Read the rest

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Remembering Rabbi Alter Benzion Metzger

The legendary Rabbi Dr. Alter Benzion Metzger passed away at age 92. May his memory be a blessing.

He was a professor at YU’s Stern College for women. He was an author and scholar. At weekday farbrengens he would simultaneously … Read the rest

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The Howling Wind, Below Zero Temps, Swirling Snow Shabbos Minyan at UAlbany – February 2026

This Shabbat Yitro, first weekend of February 2026, of the so-called “Spring Semester” got incredibly cold. There was a light snow on Friday Night and in middle of the night howling winds set in, swirling the snow around, and making … Read the rest

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Parsha Yitro, the Superbowl, & the Camping Theme

This Shabbat dinner at Hillel (we alternate Friday Nights at Jewish UAlbany between Hillel and Chabad) has a camping theme. A paper-fire as a campfire centerpiece, and related camping decor on the tables and around Campus Center 375 where Hillel … Read the rest

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Hakhel Halftime: Superbowl LX (2026) Lessons & Messages

See below for insights, lessons and messages about the Superbowl LX (2026) match up of New England Patriots vs. the Seattle Seahawks, prepared by Rabbi Mendel with help from Shabbos House student and alumni sports enthusiasts… in no particular order:… Read the rest

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Ran Gvili – the Last Oct 7 Hostage

The IDF finding and recovering Ran Gvili, the last October 7th hostage, bringing him home to his family and people for burial in Israel – it’s a big deal for Israelis, for all who followed this long 800+ day saga.… Read the rest

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