Sunday July 4, 2010 8:12 AM
At the end of June every year, as the school year ends, a mass exodus out of the city takes place. At precisely this time of the year, one feels that the grass is much greener somewhere else. In spite of the challenging economy, seemingly, almost everyone evacuates the city to their dream bungalows, villas, and summer homes in the Catskills. Though we all assume a somewhat more relaxed lifestyle during the summer months, we do not really change. Our unique Jewish attribute of living lives of halachic exploration, questioning every aspect of our religious experience, accelerates unimpeded. So, if one is in the Catskills, or if his rabbi is there, where should the routine everyday and the very special sheilos (questions in Jewish Law) be directed?Summer Instructions for Torah Observant
As a genuine annual service to the observant community, the Hisachdus Horabbonim, the Chassidishe rabbinic organization headquartered in Williamsburg, issued its list of contact information of qualified rabbis that stand ready to receive and respond to sheilos during the summer months. Literally, an army of Torah respondents has been redeployed and is at its summer battle stations ready to respond to halachic inquiries as well as to explain the meaning of a critical word on your Daf Yomi. This is in conjunction with a number of general guidelines that have been issued by the Hisachdus relating to the proper conduct and religious observances incumbent upon all of us during the entire year, including the summer months. The Hisachdus issues their list of updated directives every year. The list has been developed through long years of hard experience and continually updated. Amongst the items are the following:
A Summer Erev Shabbos
Many camps, bungalow colonies, and hotels begin Shabbos earlier than the standard 18 minutes before shkiah (sunset). In scheduling Friday departure times to the Catskills, or to anywhere else, know when Shabbos begins at your destination. Under no circumstances should anyone begin to travel to camps, bungalow colonies, or hotels late on Friday afternoon. In addition to a long list of ongoing construction projects, highways and roadways are routinely congested at such times. When heavy traffic opens up and begins to move, one might be tempted to speed and drive dangerously to make up lost time, something that must be absolutely avoided at all times. If your drivers license is not in order, suspended, or revoked, your may very well spend Shabbos in jail. In addition, unavoidable delays may encroach on proper Shabbos times and create great difficulty in proper Shabbos observance. Many rabbis recommend that Friday travelers must take with them candles, challos, and a bottle of wine or grape juice. Those traveling to be with Chassidishe Rebbeim in their summer retreats cannot rely on Divine assistance and must also take all precautions and make all necessary preparations.
Kosher Eruvin
Every camp, hotel, and bungalow colony must ensure that its eruv was properly designed and securely installed. An eminent rabbi renown for expertise in Eruvin should be consulted to guarantee that the eruv meets all halachic criteria. A reliable learned individual should be appointed to assume the responsibility of checking the eruv every Friday to ensure that the eruv remains in full and exacting compliance with the instructions of the overseeing rav. The Hisachdus, without charge, will designate such rav upon request.
Kashrus While on Vacation
While on vacation one must maintain the kashrus standards adhered to all year. When shopping while traveling or while on vacation, every food item purchased must be checked for a familiar kashrus certification. If unsure, use your cell phone to call your rabbi, or any rabbi listed here, or a rabbi known to you to be reliable. Kashrus Magazine’s summer issue is highly recommended as a great source of information.
Lakes and Swimming Pools - Strict Guidelines
Swimming pools must be secured to prevent toddlers and young children unauthorized entry. The gate must be safely locked and inaccessible at all times that a supervising responsible adult is not present. When open, an adult preferably with life-saving training should be present and in charge. Every camp or bungalow colony must have one individual designated as responsible to oversee all pool matters. Those swimming in lakes must be accompanied by at least one other person. Swimming pools must have appropriate partitions.
Life Insurance, Summer and All-Year Round
The issue of life insurance for family breadwinners (usually husbands and family caretakers, usually wives) is non-negotiable and applies all year round. The advertisements and flyers seeking contributions to maintain families that have lost a parent sadly abound. One such tragedy is one too many. As our communities keep growing, Baruch Hashem, the actuarial percentages apply consistently. No one is immune. No one is exempt. The cost of term life insurance of $500,000 for a healthy man aged 30 is approximately $20.00 per month. The obligation and necessity for life insurance must be taught at chassan/ kallah classes. Insurance acquired at an earlier age is considerably cheaper; hence the younger one begins the better. This is not only mandatory for a yeshiva rebbi; it is an absolute necessity for every family breadwinner and caretaker, regardless of profession.
Find A Mikveh
In selecting a mikveh during your vacation, ascertain that a qualified rabbi has approved the mikveh. No one should ever use a mikveh without another person present. A lake or a swimming pool does not constitute a kosher mikveh. In the Catskills and summer resorts, the following mikvaos are functioning and are under rabbinical supervision: Bethlehem, New Hampshire 603-869-3336; Ellenville 845-647-4472 and 845-647-6846; Fleischmans 845-254-6349; Liberty 845-292-6677; Monsey 845-371-0211; Monticello 845-794-6757 and 845-794-8470; South Fallsburg 845-436-3333; Swan Lake 845-845-292-5122/3 and 845-292-8031; White Lake 845-583-9702; and Woodridge 845-436-4987 and 845-436-7960.
Behavior at Public Picnic Areas
When using public picnic areas, whether in a park or comfort station on a highway, one is required to always act properly, maintain cleanliness, and not use any public grill. Foods purchased at picnic concessions must also have an acceptable kashrus certification.
Torah Lectures and Shiurim
In order to continually refresh the soul as well as the body, every bungalow colony and hotel must endeavor to arrange and organize Torah lectures,shiurim, and study sessions for men, women, and children. These shiurim should be arranged for Fridays, Shabbos, Sundays, and every weekday.
Sheilos? Stumped? Call the Rabbi!
As many questions arise during the summer months when one is away from home or one’s congregational rabbi may be serving elsewhere in a summer capacity, qualified rabbis are standing by at the ready to welcome and to respond to your inquiries. Do not hesitate to call. The following is the updated list of rabbis by location on call in alphabetical order:
Boro Park:
Rabbi Avrohom Yehoshua Heshel Bick, Mezebusher Rav
718-854-2617, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Rabbi Yechiel Yaakov Miller, Eizenstadter Rav
718-438-7526 and 718-438-6218, 9:00 to 10:15 a.m., 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., and 10:00 p.m. and on
Rabbi Avrohom Chaim Spitzer, Rav of Beis Medrash Ohr Chaim
718-633-7420, 8:00 to 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 6:30 to 7: 45 p.m., and 9:30 to 11:15 p.m.
Rabbi Nachman Yechiel Mechel Steinmetz, Boro Park Skverer Dayan
718-853-3744, 9:00 to 10:30 a.m., 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., and from 10:30 to 11:30 p.m.
Rabbi Sholom Noach Weiss
718-236-2622, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Kerhonkson:
Rabbi Yitzchok Stein, Foltechaner Dayan
845-626-3632, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., and 10:00 to 11:30 p.m.
Kiamesha Lake:
Rabbi Shraga Gedalye Kaufman, Kruleh Dayan
845-794-5150 and cell # 347-538-2783
Liberty:
Rabbi Zvi Ausch, Volkaner Rav
817-237-2112, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., and 10:00 to 11:00 p.m.
Rabbi Yitzchok Isaac Shneibalg, Williamsburg Belzer Rav
845-295-3301, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., 5:30 to7:00 p.m., and 10:00 to 11:30 p.m.
Loch Sheldrake:
Rabbi Avrohom Meir Halberstam, 18th Avenue Satmar Dayan
646-773-0147
Rabbi Dovid Hirsch, Satmar Dayan
845-434-8236
Rabbi Ben Zion Laub, Satmar Dayan
347-645-1314
Rabbi Menachem Zev Stern, Satmar Dayan
845-434-8380
Monroe:
Rabbi Chanoch Henach Ashkenazi, Dayan Yetev Lev
845-782-0751, 8:15 to 9:30 a.m., and 6:20 to 7:30 p.m., and at 845-782-0751, 10:30 to 11:30 p.m.
Rabbi Elyakim Getzel Berkowitz, Senior Kiryas Yoel Dayan
845-783-8715
Rabbi Pisachye Fried, Rav of Chevra Bnei Israel
845-782-8049, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Rabbi Shimon Zev Meisels, Rav Beis Medrash Yismach Moshe
845-782-2533
Rabbi Yoel Morgenstern, Sharmasher Rav
845-781-4172, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Monsey:
Rabbi Binyamin Gruber, Hisachdus Dayan
845-425-7516
Rabbi Avrohom Katz, Rav Khal Mishkanos L’avir Yaakov
845-371-8292, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Rabbi Shimon Katz, Dayan Khal Vayoel Moshe
845-426-2348, 1:00 to 8:15 p.m. and 10:30 to 11:30 p.m.
Rabbi Yitzchok Avrohom Jungreis, Monsey Tosher Dayan
845-356-5141
Rabbi Shraga Feivel Shneibalg, Rav Khal Avreichim
845-425-8977, 2:00 to 7:30 p.m., and 10:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Rabbi Menachem Mayer Weissmandl, Rav Khal Toras Chemed
845-352-1807, 845-425-1364, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., and 10:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Monticello:
Rabbi Yeshaye Gedalye Kaufman, Hisachdus Dayan
845-794-5150
Rabbi Yeshaye Labin, Zidichover Rebbe
845-794-9476
Rabbi Yeshaye Lieberman, Dushinsky Rosh Kollel, 845-796-1069
Rabbi Shmuel Dovid Saks, Dayan Khal Beis Moshe Aaron
845-794-3337
Mount Kisco:
Rabbi Hillel Weinberger, Nitra Dayan
914-244-1425, after 1:00 p.m.
Parksville:
Rabbi Aaron Yeshaye Rosner, Sombotheily Dayan
845-292-6406 and 718-594-5806
Seagate:
Rabbi Pinchas Mordechai Meisels, Seagate Dayan
718-372-0831
Rabbi Yekusiel Yehuda Meisels, Rav Khal Yereim
718-373-1444
South Fallsburg:
Rabbi Boruch Avrohom Friedman, Satmar Dayan
845-436-0263
Rabbi Yirmiyah Friedman, Hisachdus Dayan, Shoproner Camp
845-434-1136, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Rabbi Shlomo Kohn, Ada Rav, Shoproner Camp
Bungalow North 12
Rabbi Yitzchok Halberstam, Tartakover Dayan
347-668-9453
Rabbi Moshe Aryeh Lieberman, Hisachdus Dayan
845-434-4548, after 7:00 p.m.
Rabbi Simcha Aaron Stroli, Viener Dayan
845-434-5705, 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 to 11:00 p.m.
Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum, Nirbator Rav
845-434-9272
Swan Lake:
Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Abraham, Hisachdus Dayan
845-292-9719, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Rabbi Yitzchok Aaron Goldberger, Pupa Rosh Yeshiva
845-292-9733, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Rabbi Aaron Greenwald, Pupa Dayan
845-292-9878, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., and 8:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Rabbi Asher Mann, Hisachdus Dayan
845-292-2664
Rabbi Asher Gedalye Pollack, Brashover Rav
845-292-2204
Rabbi Moshe Menachem Weiss, Boro Park Pupa Dayan, 845-889-4662, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 to 11:00 p.m.
Thompsonville:
Rabbi Avrohom Halberstam, Tartakover Rosh Kollel
845-434-7283
White Lake:
Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Harfenes, Rav Beis Medrash Yisroel Vehazemanim
347-546-6825/6866
Rabbi Akiva Ludmir, Pressburger Rav
845-583-8360
Williamsburg:
Rabbi Moshe Meir Brief, Ibramer Rav
718-388-3951, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Rabbi Yisroel Avrohom Alter Krausz
718-963-0833, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Rabbi Ezriel Meir Chaim Kohn, Sengeorge Rav
718-963-2614, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Rabbi Shmuel Shmelka Friedman, Hisachdus Dayan
718-963-3568, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Rabbi Shlomo Leib Weinberger, Satmar Dayan
718-387-6698, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Rabbi Shlomo Wieder, Hisachdus Dayan
718-388-4639, 10:30 to 11:30 and 9:15 to 10:15 p.m.
Rabbi Klonimus Zev Gross, Weitzener Rav
718-384-6344
Rabbi Menachem Gross, Kaliver Rav
718-388-6873
Rabbi Leibish Friedman, Satmar Dayan, in the Rodney Street Beis Medrash
718-486-3570 from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m.; at 718-388-5703 from 6:00 to 9:15 pm; and at the beis medrash from 9:15 to 10:15 p.m.
Rabbi Yehuda Meshulem Dov Polatchek, Hisachdus Dayan
718-387-1678
Rabbi Yosef Polatchek, Rav Khal Shem MiShimon
718-624-6718
Rabbi Moshe Rosenfeld, Hisachdus Dayan
718-237-2835
Rabbi Yechezkel Teitelbaum, Clymer Street Satmar Rav
7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and 7:30 to 8:15 p.m. in shul, and at 718-963-1564
Woodbourne:
Rabbi Avrohom Zvi Friedman, Galánta Dayan
347-684-3025
Rabbi Yosef Chaim Moskowitz, Shotzer Rav
845-436-8604
Rabbi Moshe Yehuda Shneibalg, Chernowitzer Rav
845-434-2568
Rabbi Yosef Dovid Shneibalg, Chernowitzer Dayan
718-855-7701
Woodridge:
Rabbi Shmuel Dovid Krausz, Udvarer Dayan
Gitty Gardens, Glenwild Road, Bungalow 5/6, 7:00 to 10:30 p.m.
Rabbi Yechezkel Schwartz, Dayan Beis Talmud Le’Hora’ah
845-434-5212 and 917-318-8991
{Rabbi G. Tannenbaum-Machberes}