Beit Juhuro Cultural Education Center for Gorsky Jews

“10 years into my marriage, I felt so much excitement by simply touching my wife after she returned from the Mikveh, even more excitement than kissing and everything else during our early years of marriage” noted Allan.   Allan and Carol Haber, have been teaching about Jewish perspective on intimacy for over 30 years. The Torah laws that kept Jewish husbands and wives together throughout the centuries are often called “Taharat Hamishpaha,” the laws of family purity. Indeed, those who observe these laws often testify that the rituals of Taharat Hamishpaha keep their marriage fresh and thrilling. Mr. Haber recalls growing up: many Americans watched “I love Lucy”. The late 50’s show “I Love Lucy” was the most watched show in the United States at the time and it won five Emmy Awards . The main actors of the show Lucy and Desi, were actually husband and wife in real life too, not just in the TV show. Many American families looked up to them as an example of a perfect American couple...

"Rabbi! So tell me, s hould I learn more Torah??? Isn’t it better to know less, because then I would have to keep less?  Should I learn more Torah and as a result would be forced to change my life even though I am not ready? " - asked one of the students. Gorsky guys are not afraid to ask the tough questions. No wonder they call it Power Up Thursdays, there is always so much energy, questioning, discussing.  Well, Rabbi Nahum is a perfect fit for our guys. He does not shy away from  answers , he does not switch the topic. "Put it in your pocket, and when are you ready, take it out. Learn the information, consider it, debate it, digest it. Besides the fact, what makes you think you are not responsible to observe the commandments just because you don't know all the details?!  if you had the opportunity to find out and you didn’t, y ou are responsible for not knowing and for not observing." Rabbi Nahum continued to stress the importance of sm...

In the world around us, the moral values constantly change. Just 20 years ago same sex relationships were looked down upon and today if someone would speak negatively about gay marriage he will get himself in trouble. The levels of modesty changed a lot as well. Looking at pictures from the Brighton beach boardwalk from 40-50 years ago it becomes very clear how undressed our society became. Rabbi Nahum explained how important it is to have an inner core of values, the values that are able to withstand the test of time and fashion. In our extremely fast changing world we have to be strong and stable in our morals. For this reason it’s essential to incorporate God’s wisdom and ethics in our everyday lives. Our emotions and directions tend to change,  His wisdom does not.  The ancient wisdom was brought down to us by our teacher Moshe (around 1312 B.C.E. ) and later passed down to his student Joshua and so on till the Men of the Great Assembly. “Anshei Knesset HaG...

Young Juhuro, full of energy and enthusiasm, gathered together on Thursday, April 16 to launch a revolutionary educational project- “Power Up Thursdays”. Room was filled with excitement when Rabbi Uri Nahum started his presentation. What we expected to be a Torah class was actually more of an insightful conversation. Rabbi Nahum asked every person in the room what that person would like to learn, what are the topics that are on the students’ minds? This is a very risky move, most rabbis come with a prepared class and teach the topic they know well. Rabbi Nahum is so knowledgeable that he can take this risk. Guys chose to study subject of marriage and ethics.  And so it was… That night we were immersed into the refreshing waters of Torah wisdom. We learned about King Hizzkiya who didn’t want to marry because he saw in prophetic vision that an evil son will come from him. We discovered that prophet Hoshea married a prostitute and then had to divorce her few years later, all by...

It was supposed to be a class about Kabbala and music, with some singing of Sephardic songs and some LeChaims. Instead, it turned into a spontaneous charge of positive energy, accompanied by Lezginka and Chassidic dancing. Rabbi Tamir Zaltsman brought a guitar and taught us about origins of music in Torah, while singing alone beautiful Jewish tunes. He also explained how 5 levels of our soul are effected by music. Very few people are as qualified as Rabbi Tamir to talk about the subject. He is a Torah scholar and a musician as well. We are very lucky that he honored us by conducting this session.   Wonderful, kosher for Passover food and drinks sponsored by David Azayev kept everyone satiated and tipsy. Andrey Davidov brought in his tarbuka (a type of drum, that will make even the shy people move and dance). Rambam Agababayev really made the evening by his amazing and skillful playing. He feels his audience and knows exactly how to make them party. What was unexpected is g...