We Thank All of Our Dinner Hosts

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Marilynn Allen
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2 We Thank All of Our Dinner Hosts Monique Blum Brad & Cheryl Cohen Allen & Sandra Moshi Merri Jean Ross Allan & Lily Schweitzer Bernie & Wendy Sparer Sandra Stein Harold & Roberta Tennen Gerald & Caryl Wiener

3 Chabad of Bel Air Celebrates 24 Years of Spreading Judaism in Bel Air, California Tonight we honor Rabbi Chaim Mentz

4 What is a Jewish Birthday? From The Teachings of The Lubavitcher Rebbe Establishing a "Jewish calendar" was the first mitzvah (commandment) the Jewish nation received from G d. This unique calendar is based on the lunar month, but is occasionally adjusted so that it remains synchronized with the solar year and its seasons. Thus from year to year, a date on the Jewish calendar will fluctuate with respect to other calendar systems, but will always remain in close proximity to its corresponding date on the commonly used Gregorian (solarbased) calendar. For example, if your civil birthday is on March 24th, your Jewish birthday will always be within a few weeks of that date. As individuals we celebrate those dates that have personal significance Your Jewish birthday has dual significance: a) According to Jewish tradition, your mazal (good fortune) is dominant on your birthday. b) As a nation we celebrate those dates when special events that affected our destiny occurred, a.k.a. holidays. As individuals we celebrate those dates that have personal significance and what is more significant than your birth? It is when the Creator said, "Here, I am giving you a body, a soul, and a divine mission. I have absolute trust in your ability to pull through for Me." In 1988, the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory, inaugurated a "Jewish Birthday Campaign." He asked that we all utilize this most special day of our lives to its utmost. A day to recommit to the mission that G d entrusted to us bettering and sanctifying ourselves and the world around us.

5 What s so special about your Jewish birthday? From The Teachings of The Lubavitcher Rebbe First and foremost, a birthday is a day to feel grateful. It's a day for parents to be grateful to G d for the precious gift He granted them. A day for the Jewish nation to be grateful for the addition of a new member of the nation-family. And, of course, it is a day for the birthday celebrant to express gratitude to G d for the gift of life. This is the day when you were given the mandate to change the world. The day when G d entrusted you with the mission to challenge a world that is hostile to spirituality and transform it into G d's private sanctum. And in accomplishing this goal, you, too, were given the ability to achieve incredible spiritual heights heights unimaginable to the soul before it was dispatched from its lofty heavenly abode to inhabit a physical body. Celebrating a birthday is also a demonstration of confidence Celebrating a birthday is thus also a demonstration of confidence. Confidence that you are and will continue to be worthy of G d's trust. No matter the obstacles, you will persevere and live up to G d's expectations of you. This day takes on additional significance if you are above the age of bar or bat mitzvah. The word "mitzvah" means commandments, but is also related to the word "tzaveta," which means "connection." Fulfilling G d's commandments is the vehicle through which we connect to G d. Until bar and bat mitzvah, mitzvot are primarily an educational experience the commandment element kicking in upon adulthood. That means greater responsibility, but an infinitely greater connection, too. Your birthday is also the anniversary of that momentous occasion. Another reason to be grateful... Time is like a spiral. Annually, on the anniversary of any momentous event, we have the ability to tap into the same spiritual energy that originally caused that event (hence the concept of Jewish holidays). When you were born, G d invested within you a soul abounding with talents and qualities. Your mazel was shining and at full strength. That same energy is present once again every year on the anniversary of that date. On this day you have the ability to accomplish that which would perhaps be very difficult on another day. Rosh Hashanah is so special because it is the birthday of humankind it is the day when Adam and Eve were created. Your birthday is your personal Rosh Hashanah utilize it to its utmost!

Shluchim of the Rebbe The Emissary They are a team. Husband and wife. Shliach and Shlucha. They are the emissaries of the Rebbe, the messengers of Chabad. They are the shluchim.

Children aspire to be shluchim, dreaming of manning a Chabad House in faroff exotic lands where strange languages are spoken.

6 Shluchim of the Rebbe The Emissary They are a team. Husband and wife. Shliach and Shlucha. They are the emissaries of the Rebbe, the messengers of Chabad. They are the shluchim. Within the Chabad community, the title shliach evokes respect, perhaps even a tinge of envy. They are the chosen few, the elite. Children aspire to be shluchim, dreaming of manning a Chabad House in faroff exotic lands where strange languages are spoken. The product of childish minds, it is an idealized dream, free of the difficulties and traumas that beset the shliach in real life. There are no trumpet sounded when they arrive in their new home city; no red carpets unrolled in their honor. They have few friends, no relatives, no familiar culture, atmosphere or environment. Many commodities, such as kosher meat, dairy products and other basics, are miles away, but here are certain staples, vitally essential to their mission, which they bring with them by the truckload: Friendliness, affection for all Jews, compassion, tolerance, self-sacrifice, utter devotion and selfless dedication. Rabbi Chaim & Charna Mentz Armed with these, they immediately begin their work of outreach-explaining, shedding light, dispelling myths, countering stereotypes. what does it mean to be a Jew? Rabbi, how can I observe the Shabbat-when my store has its best sales on Saturday? How are mitzvot relevant today, in this community? The shliach of Chabad does not insist; he suggests. He does not criticize; he encourages. He does not preach down at people; he acts as a genuine equal, a friend. And the revolution begins. It takes place without anyone realizing it. A few years fly by, and, out of nowhere, it is a familiar and accepted sight to see families with sukot, observing Shabbat, kosher, etc.

7 Congratulations To Chabad of Bel Air 24 Years of Excellence Happy Birthday Rabbi Mentz Merri Jean Ross Diamond Page

8 Wishing you a very Happy and Healthy Birthday Rabbi! We love you and are so grateful for all that you do! Love, Ted, Michele, Sydney, Alex, Jessica The Kaplan Family Diamond Page

9 A Heartfelt Mazal Tov to Rabbi Mentz & his wonderful family There is no other family that deserves to be recognized more than yours. Your commitment to your family and your Community is truly second to none. May the light of happiness shine upon you always! Love, Rochelle & Richard Maize Gold Page

10 Happy Birthday Rabbi Mentz Thank You for taking care of us in our time of need! From the East Coast Michelle & David Schuster Gold Page

11 Happy Happy 50th Birthday MAZAL TOV! MAZAL TOV! With Gratitude and Love Caryl & Gerry Wiener Silver Page

12 MAZAL TOV HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY To our dear Rabbi Your Dedication ad Hard Work is Priceless With Love The Moshi Family Silver Page

13 MAZAL TOV! And Happy Birthday To Rabbi Chaim Mentz We wish you great success and lots of blessings! Roberta, Harold, Gina, & Paul Tennen Silver Page

14 Happy Birthday Rabbi Good health and happiness for the next 124 years The Herman and Carter families L Chayim Page

15 Happy Birthday Rabbi Mentz Keep up the amazing work you do for everyone in the Bel Air/Beverly Hills area! Sandra Stein L Chayim Page

16 Dear Rabbi Happy Birthday We enjoy spending milestones with you and your family MAZAL TOV! Much Love Barry, Linda, Hillary, Stephan and Melanie The Baum Family L Chayim Page

17 Happy Birthday Rabbi AD MAYAH V ESRIM SHANAH (For 120 Years!) Rochel Sharon Malca L Chayim Page

18 To our beloved Rabbi Our very best wishes on the occasion of your birthday! We wish you continued success in all your endeavors. Keep up the good work that you do. Thank you for always being there in time of need. May you and your family be blessed with good health! Max Cukier Riva & Arie Broda Daniel and Sarah Broda Matt & Hanna Zuravel & Family L Chayim Page

19 Happy 50th Birthday Rabbi Mentz MAZAL TOV Cheryl & Brad Cohen L Chayim Page

20 Happy Birthday To our Rabbi Thank you for all you do for us! The Schweitzer Family L Chayim Page

21 Happy Birthday Rabbi Mentz We wish you many years of success in your work in Bel Air Dina & Fred Leeds L Chayim Page

22 Dear Husband, Tatty Son & Son-in-law May Hashem always bless you with many Happy, Healthy, Successful years. May you continue to bring much Nachas to the Rebbe! The Mentz Family The Spiller Family White Page

23 Rabbi Mentz: Has anyone ever told you what a wonderful person you are? We Hope so! Because you are just amazing. It takes someone rare and remarkable to make the lives of everyone around them nicer and brighter. It takes someone who has a big heart, and a caring soul. You have always been there for us. Happy 50th Melvin & Marlene Haberman White Page

24 Dear Rabbi Mentz We Love You We Love Your Family & We Love What You Do!!! Happy 50th Birthday Love, Janet & Lenny Rosenblatt Amy & Brad Conroy White Page

25 Jerry Blume White Page

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27 Dearest Rabbi Mentz, Thanks G-d for your birth 50 years ago; Thanks to your kind mother for nurturing such a leader; Thanks to your pious father for raising such a mench; Thanks to awesome Chabad for educating your prodigious mind; Thanks to the legendary Rebbe and his predecessors who continue to inspire you; Thanks to Charna for supporting and ever so contributing to your selfless endeavor; Thank you both for endowing our nation with shining emissaries as Levy, Chayala, Chanie, Mendy & Sruly; Thank you for touching our souls, nurturing our minds and transforming our lives; Fariba & Meir Naim Family White Page

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29 Mazal Tov Rabbi Mentz Happy Birthday Eliana & Shlomo Gabbai Printed by: SAN WILSHIRE PRINTING XEROXING COLOR COPIES 8310 WILSHIRE BLVD. (CORNER OF WILSHIRE & SAN VICENTE) BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA TEL: (323) FAX: (323) White Page

CHABAD OF GREAT NECK

CHABAD OF GREAT NECK Founded in 1990 with the guidance and blessing of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Chabad of Great Neck is nurtured and supported by concerned members of the Great Neck and Long Island communities.