Rabbi Chanan Chernitsky

This Shabbat, November 7, opens the week that follows — a week of remembrance. In the days after Shabbat, we recall Kristallnacht, when in November 1938 the Nazis destroyed, looted, and killed Jews, marking the beginning of what would become the Holocaust. And on Wednesday, November 11, Canada remembers the soldiers who died in war. This Shabbat's portion is called the Life of Sarah — yet it opens with her death, and then tells of Isaac marrying Rebecca. Why call it her life? Sarah longed all her life for a child who would carry forward the values she and Abraham lived by, and she only had Isaac at ninety. Her true joy was realized only after her passing, when Isaac married Rebecca, a kind and pious woman, and together they built the family that became the foundation of the Jewish nation. Physically Sarah was gone, but the meaning of her life lived on in what came after her. That is what remembrance really is. Canadian soldiers fought to protect a country based on freedom and tolerance, and to stop oppression and cruelty. To remember those who died is to remember the cause they gave their lives for. And it is all the more so for us. Millions of Jews gave their lives through the ages so that Jewish life would continue — a life of Torah, kosher, Shabbat, and mitzvot. We honour their memory by making sure the way of life they sacrificed for continues ever stronger. In that way, though they have physically died, the spiritual meaning of their lives continues to live on. A life doesn't end when a person dies. It continues in the values carried forward by those who come after. Candle lighting in St. John's is at 4:18 pm Shabbat ends at 5:23 pm Shabbat Shalom!

This week I'm traveling to New York for the International Conference of Chabad Shluchim. I will be visiting the resting place of the Lubavitcher Rebbe in NY. The Rebbe cares deeply about every single person. Though he is no longer with us physically, he is still here with us — and in many ways, even more than before. His resting place, called the Ohel, is a special place of prayer, and people from all over the world come there to pray and leave written prayer requests. This is an ancient Jewish custom: we pray at the resting places of righteous people, asking G-d to hear our prayers in their merit. If you, or someone you love, needs healing, strength, comfort, or help with anything at all — a health concern, a family matter, a job, a child, or anything on your heart — please send me a private message with your name and your mother's name, ideally the Hebrew names, along with what you'd like prayed for. Everything you share will be kept private. It will only be used as a prayer request, and nothing will be shared publicly.

If you are a teacher in Junior High or High school in NL and would like to have a Holocaust survivor speak to your students this school year, please reach out! I'll take care of all the arrangements.

Check out my last interview, this time with Dr. Tony Fang: open.spotify.com/episode/2T7… If you would like to be interviewed for the show, please send me a note!

This week's Parsha is Vayeyro. Lot's wife becomes a pillar of salt, clinging to a city of taking. Sharing feels like losing, but salt is harsh alone and brings out flavour spread through a meal. Giving enriches a life, it doesn't shrink it. St. John's: Light candles Fri 5:28 PM Shabbat ends 6:32 PM. Shabbat Shalom!

Is there a local place that will print custom acrylic signs ?

🕎 Drive-In Public Menorah Lighting 🕎 Join Chabad of Newfoundland for our annual public Chanukah celebration! 📅 Sunday, December 6, 2026 at 4:00 PM 📍 Viking Building Parking Lot, 136 Crosbie Road, St. John's As in past years, this is a drive-in event — just drive up and enjoy the celebration from the warmth of your car. We are honoured that Her Honour the Honourable Joan Marie Aylward, Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, has confirmed her attendance, together with provincial and municipal politicians. The evening features the official lighting of the menorah, followed by a marching band performance. Complimentary donuts and hot drinks will be served. This is a free event, and everyone is welcome — bring the family, and bring a friend! We look forward to celebrating Chanukah with you! Thank you Tiller Engineering for sponsoring!

We've been working on a new logo for a while. We are also going to order new Yarmulkas as the old ones are almost gone! (Boruch Hashem). What do you think of the design ?

What will remain after you are gone? (Parshas Lech Lecho) Avraham — philosopher, warrior for justice, man of kindness and faith — is remembered by one simple title: Avinu, “our father.” His greatness wasn’t what he achieved. It was what he planted. 🌱 Candle lighting in St. John's is at 5:40 pm Shabbat ends at 6:43 pm Shabbat Shalom!

This past Sunday, our Friendship Circle families spent the day at Get Messy NL — and it was one of those days that reminds you why this work matters. Every child got to make their own stuffed animal: choose it, build it, hold it tight, and take it home. The smiles said everything. For children with special needs, experiences like this arent a given. A hands-on activity in a welcoming space, a room full of friends, the simple joy of making something with your own two hands — these are opportunities our kids too often dont get exposed to. Days like this dont happen on their own. Sunday's event was sponsored by @Marcogroup and we are deeply grateful! This is what community partnership looks like: a local business opening a door that would otherwise stay closed. If your business would like to help create experiences every child deserves, let's talk. #FriendshipCircle #Newfoundland #Inclusion #CommunityPartnership

We are looking for a local matcher for Mr Kraft

When something about someone else really gets under your skin, pause. You may be looking in a mirror. Noah's son Ham saw his father's shame and mocked it; his brothers saw the same scene and covered him. What catches your eye — the flaw, or the fix? This week's Parsha is Noach Candle Lighting in St. John's is at 5:53 pm Shabbat ends 6:55 pm Shabbat Shalom!

Every Sunday, eight kids with special needs walk into Shine Music on Pippy Place — and for one hour, they're musicians, not diagnoses. It's free, it's joyful, and every family from last year came back. We've applied for a $4,800 City grant to keep it going all year. The catch: we need $1,200 (20%) from private donors first, or the grant falls through. It can be split — 4 friends at $300, 12 at $100. Every dollar unlocks four more from the City. Needed before Nov 27. Message me if you can help. 🎶

In the Torah portion this week- Breishis, the impulse to do wrong is called "evil from youth"—it's an outside force, not your true identity. When negative impulses strike, don't battle them. Use the 30-minute pause: delay the urge, let logic step in, and bring out your inner good. Candle lighting in St. John's is at 6:06 pm Shabbat ends at 7:08 pm Shabbat Shalom!

Today we remember the men, women and children murdered in the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack on Israel. We mourn with their families. Behind every name is a whole life. And a family whose pain does not end. Today, do one good deed in memory of those we lost. Help someone who is struggling. Give tzedakah. Do one more mitzvah. We remember. We keep bringing light into the world. Am Yisrael Chai

Do you know any teachers in central and or west coast?

Tonight begins Shmini Atzeret, leading directly into the boundless joy of Simchas Torah right as Shabbat ends! 📜✨ Shmini Atzeret is a unique time—literally meaning "holding back," as Hashem asks us to stay just one more day in His presence. It transitions seamlessly into Simchas Torah, where we celebrate finishing the entire Torah and starting it all over again. On these holy days, we don't just study or pray; we dance. Everyone Can Dance: The Frierdiker Rebbe taught that while not everyone feels ready for the intense prayer of the High Holidays, everyone can dance. Through simple, wholehearted joy, we draw down incredible blessings—both physical and spiritual. Joy Changes Everything: Chassidic tradition teaches that genuine joy breaks all barriers and transforms dark situations into light. The Torah Belongs to You: As Rabbi Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev showed, every single Jew—regardless of background or level of knowledge—has an equal share in the Torah. When one celebrates, we all rejoice. Wishing you and your family a deeply uplifting, joyous, and meaningful Chag Sameach! 🍷📜🎉 Candle lighting tonight in St. John's at 6:20 pm Light candles Saturday night after 7:22 pm Holiday ends Sunday night at 7:20 pm