YAMLive.com - the YAMMER hotspot

Pic of the Morning: Simcha...make me eggs!

2012-01-29T11:48:00.000-05:00

Miami's newest luxury condo will allow you to ride right to your condo

2012-01-29T01:55:00.000-05:00

The elevator will whisks residents to their condos while they are still in the driver’s seat.

A rendering of the 57-story condo planned for Sunny Isle Beach. The building features glass elevators that whisk drivers with the cars directly to their homes.

The planned $560 million tower will rise in Sunny Isles Beach as part of a collaboration between Germany-based Porsche Design Group and a local developer, Gil Dezer. It likely will be the world’s first condominium complex with elevators that will take residents directly to their units while they are sitting in their cars. You won’t have to leave your car until you are in front of your apartment.

Here is how it will work: After the resident pulls over and switches off the engine, a robotic arm that works much like an automatic plank will scoop up the car and put it into the elevator. Once at the desired floor, the same robotic arm will park the car, leaving the resident nearly in front of his front door.

The elevators will give residents and their guests unparalleled views of the city or of the ocean during their high-speed ride, expected to last 45 to 90 seconds.

What this is really doing is taking two technologies that have existed for centuries and putting them together. It’s taking the robotic arm and it’s putting it in an elevator.

The building, to named Porsche Design Tower, was approved unanimously last week by the Sunny Isles Beach City Commission.

The cylindrical building will be erected on 2.2 acres of land at 18555 Collins Avenue. The 57-story luxury tower will have 132 units. Smaller units will be allocated two parking spaces and larger ones will have four, with 284 robotic parking spaces in total. There will be three elevators.

Residents will be able to see their cars from their living rooms.

Units will range from 3,800 to 9,500 square feet and could cost up to $9 million.

Truck Driver Destroys 25,000 Bottles Of Beer In 5 Seconds

2012-01-29T01:32:00.002-05:00

Ottawa Students Feed the Homeless

2012-01-27T01:26:00.003-05:00

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE FULL ARTICLE

Pilot on Boeing 757 dies of heart attack mid-flight

2012-01-26T12:28:00.000-05:00

A pilot onboard a plane flying from Bangkok to Novosibirsk in western Siberia died from a heart attack, transportation prosecutors said Friday.

Sergei Golev, 44, suffered the attack in the cockpit and died despite all attempts at resuscitation - even a cardiologist, who was among passengers on the flight, failed to revive him

Fortunately the 239 passengers onboard the UTair Boeing 757 landed safely in Novosibirsk despite Golev's death.

A pilot onboard a plane flying from Bangkok to Novosibirsk in western Siberia died from a heart attack, transportation prosecutors said Friday.

Sergei Golev, 44, suffered the attack in the cockpit and died despite all attempts at resuscitation - even a cardiologist, who was among passengers on the flight, failed to revive him.

Fortunately the 239 passengers onboard the UTair Boeing 757 landed safely in Novosibirsk despite Golev's death.

From the Video archives: Yossi Agulnik the "Vekker"

2012-01-25T14:41:00.002-05:00

Why didn't the Rebbe ever go to Israel?

2012-01-25T11:56:00.000-05:00

The following is a Yechidus with the Rebbe that ranking officer in the
IDF, Lt. General Ron Pekar, who served in the air force. He
transcribed the audience in his private diary

"Are you worried," asked the officer..."about living as a Jew here in
Brooklyn, in a non-Jewish environment?"

"As a soldier you are surely aware," answered the Rebbe, "that during
the time of combat there is no chance to reflect on your fear. You
must fight with courage and sincerity, regardless of how you feel.
Similarly, when I am immersed in my work, even if the extraneous
conditions are unfriendly, I have faith and trust in G-d, because He
alone controls what takes place here on earth, and is looking out for
the interests of every Jew."

"But," persisted the Israeli, "why don't you move to Israel? Your
revered stature and dynamic manner will certainly influence the
political and religious scene. Aware that many people questioned you
regarding this, I have heard several different replies, but, the
replies are unsatisfactory, and for me the question remains."
The Rebbe answered, "Living in Israel and enduring the
responsibilities that would come with it, my influence on world Jewry
would be restricted. Inevitably, my controversial position on issues
would limit my capability of communicating with Jews, both outside of
Israel, in Moscow, for example, and in Israel; in fact, even this
conversation would be impossible in Tel Aviv. I find this place the
most conducive for my work."

That's it! I am fed up with those Jews on the plane...

2012-01-24T23:00:00.000-05:00

2012-01-24T11:21:00.002-05:00

Sudoku, Brain Games May Help Prevent Alzheimer’s

Worried about Alzheimer’s disease? You may want to finish that game of Sudoku before you read this.

Researchers behind a study in this week’s Archives of Neurology say they have a found a link between “brain-stimulating activities” and levels of protein thought to cause Alzheimer’s disease.

“Your lifestyle over the course of your lifetime may be critical in the development of Alzheimer’s disease,” University of California-Berkeley researcher and study author Dr. Susan Landau said.

The Alzhemier’s Association said the study “contains some valuable new data regarding the possible relationship between modifiable lifestyle risk factors and the brain changes that are indicative of Alzheimer’s disease.”

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and memory loss in adults, particularly those above the age of 60. It is thought to be caused by an accumulation of a particular protein called amyloid in the brain. Most normal people have a small amount of this protein in their brain, and it is thought that the accumulation over one’s lifetime that may result in the disease.

The researchers of this study interviewed 65 healthy people about their reading, writing, and game playing habits throughout their lives starting at age 6. These same adults went through a special brain scanner that can detect amyloid.

They found that people who did more reading, writing, and game playing over the course of their lifetime have less of this brain protein, which may mean lower chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

New Shluchim to Russia - Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuly Shtiefel

2012-01-23T14:21:00.002-05:00

Read Shmuly's announcement below:

Dear Friends ,שיחי'

I would like to inform you that my wife, our three children and I will be IY”H moving out on Shlichus to Lipetsk, Russia. Lipetsk is a city located approximately 300 miles south of Moscow. It has a population of approximately 500,000 people, about 4,000 of which are Jewish.

There is an existing community infrastructure in Lipetsk, with a nice Chabad House in the center of the city. This will be our base from which to do outreach. There is room for lots of growth in the building, although currently most of the space in the Chabad House is being rented out to offset the costs of maintaining the building.

We are excited about the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead in Lipetsk. We are confident that with the Rebbe's Brachos we will succeed in advancing Yidishkeit where Judaism was once banned. We hope you will join us in our Shlichus to spread Torah and Mitzvos to every single Jew in all corners of the world. Help us help others.

-Rabbi Shmuly Shtiefel

Happy 6th birthday Yamlive!!!

2012-01-23T01:48:00.000-05:00

Where is our long lost pal?

2012-01-23T00:32:00.000-05:00

Diver survives tiger shark attack thanks to his camera

2012-01-22T23:29:00.001-05:00

This is the terrifying moment a daring diver looked into the jaws of one of the world's most dangerous animals.
Forced to fend-off the tiger shark with just his camera the adventurer came perilously close to the wrong kind of snap.

Conservationalist Russell Easton was photographing the 12ft beast in the Bahamas when he got the close-up he was not expecting.

The professional underwater photographer and diver says: 'I was looking through the view finder of the camera when I suddenly saw this huge mouth and teeth.
The 42-year-old professional underwater photographer and diver says: 'I was looking through the view finder of the camera when I suddenly saw this huge mouth and teeth.

'It is only because of the camera I was not bitten. Sharks bite because that is how they find out what something is - they use their mouth as we use our hands - and it had its mouth wide open, about to bite me.
“In that moment I managed to get one shot of the inside of its mouth. Thankfully sharks are attracted to cameras and bit that instead, giving me vital seconds to swim away.'

Caption please.

2012-01-22T03:41:00.000-05:00

If you make a mistake don't give up!

2012-01-22T03:33:00.000-05:00

Gershon making nutty chews?

2012-01-20T16:41:00.000-05:00

2012-01-20T16:40:00.000-05:00

New Study: Sleep Locks In Bad Memories, Emotions

Sleeping after a traumatic event might lock in bad memories and emotions, a new study has found.

Researchers from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst asked more than 100 healthy adults to rate their emotional responses to a series of images, some depicting unsettling scenes. Twelve hours later, they rated the images again. The difference: Half of the subjects slept during the break; the other half did not.

“Not only did sleep protect the memory, but it also protected the emotional reaction,” said Rebecca Spencer, a neuroscientist at UMass Amherst and co-author of the study that was published in the Journal of Neuroscience.

Study subjects who stayed awake for 12 hours had a weaker emotional response to the unsettling images the second time around, suggesting sleep serves to preserve and even amplify negative emotions. Their memories were also weaker than those of their well-rested counterparts, as they struggled to remember whether they had seen the images before.

“It’s true that ’sleeping on it’ is usually a good thing to do,” said Spencer, citing evidence that sleep boosts memory and other cognitive functions. “It’s just when something truly traumatic or out of the ordinary happens that you might want to stay awake.”

Spencer said people often find it difficult to sleep after a traumatic event...

Top Ten Signs It's Too Cold on the Upper West Side:

2012-01-20T16:38:00.002-05:00

10. The social scene outside of the OZ shul only lasts for an hour
9. With all the hats, you accidentally hit on a married woman
8. You shokel fervently during davening primarily to keep you body temperature up.
7. DarcheiNoam/Hadar Minyan goers are forced to wear socks under their sandals.
6. The blech is on, but you aren't cooking any meals
5. Everyone is staring at one girl in shul - primarily because she is wearing opened toed shoes
4. Gabbai requests congregants not to say Mashiv haruach
3. Rabbi feels it is OK to shake a woman's hand because both are wearing gloves
2. Charedim in Beit Shemesh suddenly consider UWS a tznius place
1. You want cold - try picking up an upper west sider anytime

Rabbi Benny's weekly message n' Dvar

2012-01-20T14:57:00.002-05:00

Do you ever wonder which Biblical personality relates to you the most?
Take this weeks Torah portion for example; Vaeira, Moses'
confrontation with Pharaoh and ten plagues. There are so many
personalities to choose from, that it sometimes seems difficult just
making the story relevant to ourselves.

Am I Moses? Do I possess leadership qualities? Am I a loving shepherd,
who dedicates his/her very life to those who follow, demanding justice
and freedom from oppression.

Am I perhaps Aharon, the brother of Moses? Do I choose to follow the
leader around, serving him faithfully? Offering my support and
dedication to the mission, but yet, not being the one fully
responsible for whatever outcome will be.
Perhaps the Jewish slaves? Do I relate more with the victim who is
oppressed day in and day out without the hope or dream of better days?
Do I depend heavily on those who choose to be the Moses' in order to
better my life, or do I go out and make it happen?

How about Pharaoh (G-d forbid)? Do I see the world around me as my
personal property to do with it as I wish!? Is G-d but a long-lost
ancient idea of Bubbies and Zeidies, abandoned in the ashes of
historical beliefs and traditions, while the here and now that I
choose to live with is myself, the Nile and the Egypt around me?
Perhaps, the Torah mentions all of these personalities because they
each play a role in the small world called 'me'. Within me I can
experience moments of righteous leadership, commitment and dedication,
vulnerability and enslavement or even self centered and selfish
confidence without leaving space for G-d.
If that is the case, then this week's Torah portion surely is giving
us a message. It may just be telling us the exact route that must be
taken if we wish to leave our exile and be free from our enslavement
to the Pharaoh.

Of course, Moses must take charge, Aharon must assist faithfully to
his brother, the Jews must prepare for a grand-slam exodus out of
Egypt and Pharaoh together with his cronies had better prepare for
what's coming... Because with the help of G-d, even miracles can
happen and we can break free from our physical, emotional and
spiritual bondage that limits us to what we can truly become.
So go ahead, read the Torah portion and find the message that speaks
to you, empowers you and helps you finally break free of your Egypt.

Man dials 911 for iPhone 'emergency'

2012-01-19T19:05:00.000-05:00

Forget waiting in line at the Genius Bar. An Illinois man fed up with his malfunctioning iPhone decided it was an emergency situation and called 911 five times to complain about it. Police traced the calls to the home of Michael Alan Skopec, 48, who was arrested late last night after he “refused to comply with orders from deputies,” according to a spokesperson from the Kendall County Sherriff’s Office. He was given a misdemeanor charge for obstructing a peace officer. Not surprisingly, deputies reported that he was intoxicated when they arrived at his house. He was released from jail on his own recognizance.

Yaalili Live in Ottawa!

2012-01-19T00:38:00.002-05:00

Mazel tov Shuchat's

2012-01-18T10:55:00.000-05:00

YAMLIVE.com would like to wish a hearty Mazel Tov to Rabbi & Mrs. Sholom Ber Shuchat - Crown Heights, Farmland - on the birth of a daughter.

May the newborn be a source of Nachas to her parents, grandparents, relatives & Klal Yisroel.

One week left...Yamlive's 6th birthday!

2012-01-18T01:39:00.003-05:00

A gallery: Rabbi Berger

2012-01-18T01:22:00.001-05:00

Happy birthday Yossi Rodin

2012-01-17T21:41:00.000-05:00

Are we Heimans?

2012-01-17T14:44:00.000-05:00

As you may know, ever since the early days of Yamlive, we decided to add a link and contact information for Heimans Bus Service on our site to be a help for all those Yammers who would take that weird bus service to NYC and Montreal. Our editors actually noticed that when people search for "Heimans" on Google, our Yamlive site comes up in the early results. In fact when there was a Heimans Bus crash a while back, we got hundreds of unique visitors coming to see our site to find out what happened to only find out that just the contact information was there. But what's even more weird is, last week we got an email that reads the following:

"I need two return tickets to NY, when are you going?"

So we turn to you Mr. & Mrs. Heiman for a commission please, thank you very much!

Goodyear's Weekly Torah class doubles in size!

2012-01-16T19:13:00.002-05:00

2012-01-16T18:14:00.000-05:00

Man has asthma attack After $44 Million Hospital Bill

A Bronx man says he nearly had an asthma attack after opening his mail to find a $44 million medical bill from a local hospital.

Unemployed doorman Alexis Rodriguez, 28, received the astronomical bill after receiving successful treatment for pneumonia at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital last week, The New York Daily News reports.

“I almost had an asthma attack,” said Rodriguez, who apparently is not the only patient to receive an outsized bill. The firm responsible for the botched billing, PHY Services, was reportedly inundated with complaints and has since apologized.

“If you are calling with respect the billing statement for services provided at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital, please disregard the statement,” said a recording for concerned callers, “you will be receiving a new statement shortly.”

PHY is blaming the mistake on a “system error” that resulted in the bill’s invoice number being mistakenly placed in the “amount due” field.

As for Rodriguez, he owes no more than $300 for outpatient services.

Why is the Hatzalah Ambulance parked Outside 770? Why not in a secure garage?

2012-01-16T11:22:00.001-05:00

Why would someone want to see an ambulance every day? Why would we want to be reminded of sick people? Anyone who has been rushed to the hospital in an ambulance will never forget the misery of the ride.

But the Rebbe, with his passion for finding the positive in everything, saw it very differently. The Rebbe emphasized the importance of preventive medicine. The Rebbe encouraged doctors to dedicate themselves to preventing illness, rather than waiting until people are sick and then treating them.

The Rebbe explained that when a person knows there are competent doctors available, it gives the person a certain serenity and peace that prevents illness.

Similarly, the Rebbe explained that seeing the ambulance regularly will remind people to be preemptive with their health and take steps to staying healthy.

"Hopefully, like this, they will never have to see a doctor in the case of emergency!"

FUNNY: The way TSA was mean't to be!

2012-01-15T22:03:00.001-05:00

Video: Redneck water skiing

2012-01-15T01:34:00.003-05:00

Cruise ship sinks off Italy coast

2012-01-14T23:28:00.000-05:00

Up to 70 cruise ship passengers were still missing and three were confirmed dead tonight, following the capsizing of a cruise liner off the coast of Italy.

As divers spent the day searching the seas around the Costa Concodia, which overturned after hitting rocks just two hours after setting sail on a seven-day cruise, the boat's captain Francesco Schettino was being quizzed by police.

Survivors of the disaster tonight told of a 'chaotic evacuation' after the the ship started to list, with some crew members even telling holidaymakers to return to their cabins.

Captain Schettino today told maritime investigators that charts showed he was in waters deep enough to navigate, but reports emerged that the boat was four miles off course when it ran aground.

How to Reserve Your Seat Next to The Rebbe

2012-01-13T14:10:00.001-05:00

Great news in Los Cabos, NEW location for Chabad Center!

2012-01-13T13:34:00.004-05:00

Shalom to all,

Watching our new location at the Gali Plaza develop and begin looking like a real Jewish Center is such a beautiful sight to behold. Every day, more and more gets done and the dream of a new home for our community becomes more of a reality.

In fact, we hope that early next week, we will be able to move into the new home, leaving our fond memories of our stay at the Puerto Paraiso shopping mall behind and opening this new chapter of the Jewish community of Los Cabos' history.

Alas, we are moving on and opening our new Center in the Gali Plaza, right where the Cruise ship visiting passengers dock. The new Center is thanks to the generosity of Don Jose Galicot, who has been committed to the growth and success of our community since its inception seven years ago.

-Rabbi Benny

Woman Injured in Hospital Told to Call 911

2012-01-13T13:31:00.001-05:00

Elderly Woman Injured in Hospital Told to Call Ambulance

A hospital would seem the safest place to get hurt, but that assumption proved false for 82-year-old Doreen Wallace of Niagara Falls, Ontario.
When Wallace fell and broke her hip earlier this month in the lobby of the Greater Niagara General Hospital, she assumed she would be quickly taken care of, but that was not the case, according to the Toronto Star.

Instead, she was told to call an ambulance.
“It was horrible. It really was,” Wallace told the Star. “Everybody who walked through the door stopped and stared at me.”

Wallace had been leaving the hospital after visiting her ailing husband when she fell. As she lay face down on a metal grate with a cut arm and broken hip, two nurses from the emergency room reportedly refused to help until paramedics arrived.

Pic of the day

2012-01-12T20:51:00.000-05:00

Seen here is Yammer Chaim Cowen (Left) YAM 5767 at his brothers Lchaim in Pittsburgh this week

Are you to high on that stuff? Call these guys (Advertisement)

2012-01-12T17:57:00.002-05:00

New Shluchim Defy the Odds

2012-01-11T11:39:00.003-05:00

When Rabbi Mendy and Lifshy Ajzenszmidt, the new Shluchim to Hong Kong's Lantau Island asked to hold an event in the Discovery Bay development, they were given restrictions at first.

By COLlive reporter

When Rabbi Mendy and Lifshy Ajzenszmidt, the new Shluchim to Lantau Island, the largest island in Hong Kong, approached the Discovery Bay management to arrange a Giant Menora lighting, the management was very skeptical if such an event could draw a crowd.

As a compromise they allowed for the Menora to be lit, but would only stay up for the night of the lighting and not for the duration of Chanukah.

When friends and supporters of Chabad of Lantau heard of their efforts to light the first public Menora in Lantau Island, funds were pledged to ensure its success. Baruch Hashem it was, with close to 200 people in attendance. The crowd was entertained by a magician and international electric violinist, Avi Pilcer.

After the Menora lighting, the management approached the Shluchim very surprised by the large turnout and told them that they look forward to adding Chanuka to their calendar of events.

Besides for the public lighting, a new club called Kid Space was launched at a party on the last night of Chanuka. Kid Space teaches children about Yiddeshkeit through creative and fun filled activities.

The children made sand art Menoras, decorated their own clocks, and played fun Chanuka games. The party concluded with dinner, homemade donuts, and of course, lighting the Menora.

As the Hong Kong International airport is located in Lantau Island, the Shluchim also visited the El Al security staff to bring them the taste of Chanuka with homemade sufganiyot.

Chabad of Lantau is a branch of Chabad of Hong Kong and was established by Rabbi Mordechai Avtzon, Head Shliach to China.

These dudes take things in their own hands!

2012-01-11T11:38:00.000-05:00

- Submitted by Hudi

250 people at Chabad Los Cabos Menorah Lighting

2012-01-10T20:19:00.001-05:00

Last year's Menorah Lighting in Cabo

MORE PHOTOS & UPDATES COMING SOON

After 5 Years: Prus and Maness reunite!!

2012-01-10T00:51:00.003-05:00

They used to hang out allot in Ottawa, but in the last couple of years our friend Ari Prus started a new job and lost touch of his buddy Moshe. Little did Ari know that Moshie was teaching at the Or Menachem School next door to him, like really next door. Moshe told us "We see each other very often, one thing I didn't know that would see each other again, as often as we did in the Ottawa days"

2012-01-09T20:40:00.000-05:00

Rugelach Recall in Monsey

Monsey, NY - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says a New York company is recalling its rugelach (ROO-ga-lah) pastry because some ingredients labels may have omitted eggs.

Bloch’s Best Inc. of Monsey, N.Y., is recalling a batch of its Laromme Vanilla Rugelach distributed in 14 oz. round containers between Nov. 2 and Dec. 22, 2011. The pastry was distributed in stores in Massachusetts, Maryland and New Jersey.

The FDA says the company traces the problem to a change in the product’s packaging, which omitted the presence of eggs as an ingredient. That can be problematic for people with allergies, and one illness has been reported.

The pastry was distributed under UPC 87062500954-8.

Health departments in some states, including Rhode Island, have issued public advisories about the recall.

Water fight in the Knesset

2012-01-09T12:40:00.002-05:00

Israeli politicians often pour cold water on each other’s ideas, but rarely on each other.

Anastassia Michaeli, a hawkish Israeli lawmaker, got so angry during a routine parliamentary debate today that she took a glass of water, tossed it at Labor Party backbencher Raleb Majadele and said “shame on you” before

Moon rises in Goodyear this evening

2012-01-08T20:59:00.003-05:00

Berel Zak's welcome at Oholei Torah

2012-01-08T15:04:00.000-05:00

Berel was browsing through his old school where he taught last year - while at the Shluchim convention, he didn't feel at home until he heard this

Prison Bus With 16 Inmates Overturns on NYS Thruway

2012-01-06T12:05:00.000-05:00

A New York City Department of Correction bus carrying 16 prisoners to a medium-security state prison crashed Wednesday on the New York State Thruway.

Authorities said all the prisoners were secured and there was no evidence they had caused the crash in an escape attempt.

The injured prisoners were taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern. Officials said none appeared to be seriously hurt.

The inmates were "appropriately handcuffed" at the hospital, and were treated in a separate area from the regular emergency room, spokeswoman Deborah Marshall said. None were likely to be admitted.

The bus overturned in Rockland County near Ramapo, between exits 14A and 14B on the northbound side.

State police Capt. Evelyn Mallard said the bus apparently had been cut off by another vehicle.

Three DOC workers were also on board the bus. The prisoners were being returned to Ulster Correctional facility after being in New York City for court appearances, officials said.

Chopper footage showed prisoners being loaded onto ambulances, while uninjured prisoners waited outside the overturned bus, handcuffed to each other.

Traffic was backed up for several miles.

Copyright Associated Press / NBC New York

Rabbi Benny's weekly message n' Dvar

2012-01-06T11:59:00.004-05:00

In theme, Genesis is quite different than its succeeding book of
Exodus. The first discusses the history and preceding narrative,
leading up to the birth of the Jewish people. In Genesis, the detailed
accounts of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob's life journeys are centered
around a family of righteous and chosen people. Not a nation, just a
family. In fact, when Jacob travels to Egypt to meet up with Joseph
and set up his home in Goshen, they are but 70 souls.

Exodus however is the account of the actual birth of the Jewish people. It begins
with the rapid growth of the 'family' into a nation, their fall into
bondage and terrible suffering, and ultimately culminates with the
birth of the chosen nation of Israel at Mt. Sinai. Perhaps then,
Genesis is our past, our history leading up to who we are as a people.
Each individual person has his 'Genesis', his small beginning, that
fledgling seed that over time, develops, sprouts and grows into the
character and nature of who he is as a person... Each individuals
'Exodus' then could be translated into his/her self-redemption and
emergence into his/her mature, cultivated self.

Could it be that thefinal message of Genesis and history is that as we prepare to blossom
and emerge, on the threshold of our present reality, we must remember
'Vayechi,' to 'live' with those innocent and humble beginnings. If we
only live with the here and now, abandoning the past which brought us
to exactly where we are, then we have sadly lost the very value that
the present holds. Our entire identity is all due to the past
experiences and environments that we have been exposed to. Thus, as we
grow in life, physically, emotionally and spiritually, we must
remember to 'live' with our Genesis'.

We must allow the positive
occurrences of our past to propel us to be better people in the
future.

Shabbat Shalom,
Benny

A Yammer get's married

2012-01-05T13:09:00.000-05:00

Another Yammer got married, his name is Sruly Estrin from Pittsburgh (YAM 5767)

Binyan Addei Ad

Berel Zak's twins putting on Tefilin with a Jew

2012-01-05T01:38:00.002-05:00

Has anyone seen this dude?

2012-01-05T00:40:00.000-05:00

LAST SEEN: HANGING OUT OF WINDOW AT 812 KIRKWOOD

Love this!

2012-01-04T12:24:00.001-05:00

Mazel Tov Shtiefel's

2012-01-04T12:06:00.000-05:00

YAMLive.com would like to wish a hearty Mazel Tov to Shmuli & Sara Shtiefel - Crown Heights - on the birth of a daughter.

May the newborn be a source of Nachas to her parents, grandparents, relatives & Klal Yisroel.

Chabad of Goodyear/SouthWest Valley goes public

2012-01-03T19:26:00.000-05:00

CLICK HERE TO SEE ARTICLE

Man tries to pay for vacuum cleaner, microwave at WALMART with $1 million bill...

2012-01-03T14:58:00.000-05:00

A Lexington man is accused trying to use a fake $1 million bill to pay for his purchases at a Walmart.

Michael Anthony Fuller, 53, of 3 Parker St., walked into the Walmart on Lowes Boulevard in Lexington on Nov. 17. He shopped for a while, picking up a vacuum cleaner, a microwave oven and other merchandise, totaling $476, an arrest warrant says.

When he got to the register, Fuller gave the cashier the phony bill, saying that it was real.

Store staff called police.

Fuller was later charged with attempting to obtain property by false pretense and uttering a forged instrument, both felonies, court records show.

A warrant says of the fake million-dollar bill: "There is no such thing."

The largest bill in circulation is a $100 bill. In 1969, federal officials discontinued the use of $500, $1,000, $5,000 and $10,000 bills because of lack of public use.

The largest note ever printed was the $100,000 bill, which featured President Woodrow Wilson. The bills, which were not available to the public, were printed from Dec. 18, 1934, through Jan. 9, 1935, and were used for transactions between Federal Reserve banks.

Fuller was being held Friday night in the Davidson County Jail with bond set at $17,500. He is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.

Lexington police Sgt. Shannon Sharpe said the case is unusual.

"It is kind of strange," Sharpe said.

Yammers hit them slopes

2012-01-03T00:11:00.001-05:00

A clan of yammers hit the slopes at Snow Mountain, PA for a day getaway. Arranged by the Hon. Benny Schmidt, joined by Hudi, Laiby, Laz aka "Texas", Meir Lieb - they all had a fabolus time up there.

Question of the Day

2012-01-02T13:43:00.000-05:00

How much does it cost to advertise on Times Square ?

NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- It is a signature of America's marketing and financial prowess, a world-famous tourist attraction and one of the country's most coveted marketing communications venues: Times Square. Awesomely bright and shamelessly gaudy, its billboards towering above the Broadway and

But how much do they cost and are they worth it?

Consider this: While 30-second Super Bowl commercials cost $2.6 million each and reach 80 million people, the One Times Square tower draws 211 million pairs of eyeballs when the New Year's Eve ball drops, according to the president of Sherwood Outdoor, Brian Turner. "We like to think of [the Super Bowl] as just a tailgating party," he said.

$325,000 a month

Like many involved in the buying and selling of Times Square ad space, Mr. Turner is circumspect about the daily financial details. He wouldn't comment on advertising prices at One and Two Times Square but industry estimates peg the monthly rates for the 11 spaces on the two landmarks at $200,000 to $350,000 each.

According to media sellers, the rental prices for ad real estate varies widely depending, in part, on size and -- like everything else in Manhattan -- location. Electronics giant LG is said to be paying $165,000 per month for its corner-wrapping placement space above Planet Hollywood at 45th street and Broadway. The Mountain Dew sign just below it goes for $175,000 a month. Washington Mutual's six-story-high three-dimensional display of a giant beanstalk section topped by a castle costs $165,000 a month.

Of course, those prices cover only the rental space and not the price of the physical sign or its supporting technology -- costs that regularly rise into the millions for the customized, weatherproof, high-definition LED sign displays that have become so popular. At 135 feet long and 26 feet wide, the J.P. Morgan Chase sign at the base of the Reuters building at 42nd Street and 7th Avenue, for example, was a $10.3 million investment. It boasts 10 times the resolution of the average TV set.

CONTINUE READING

This Hotel will be built by 2015

2012-01-01T12:59:00.000-05:00

Formerly known as the Black City because of oil-related pollution, capital Baku has now cashed in on its natural resources to transform its medieval houses and Soviet-era apartments. The skyline of the city has become crowded with striking buildings, from the TV Tower to the almost-complete Flame Towers.

Pic of the Day - Los Angeles, CA

2011-12-30T19:33:00.002-05:00

Morgy and Zak had lunch today

Sunset with zak in Malibu, CA

2011-12-29T00:10:00.002-05:00

2011-12-29T00:06:00.000-05:00

Man Who Donated $350 Million Doesn’t Own Home, Car,Wears $15 Watch!

The donor whose $350 million gift will be critical in building Cornell University’s new high-tech graduate school on Roosevelt Island is Atlantic Philanthropies, whose founder, Charles F. Feeney, is a Cornell alumnus who made billions of dollars through the Duty Free Shoppers Group.

Mr. Feeney, 80, has spent much of the last three decades giving away his fortune, with large gifts to universities all over the world and an unusual degree of anonymity. Cornell officials revealed in 2007 that he had given some $600 million to the university over the years, yet nothing on its Ithaca campus — where he graduated from the School of Hotel Management in 1956 — bears Mr. Feeney’s name.

The $350 million gift, the largest in the university’s history, was announced on Friday, but the donor was not named. Officials at Atlantic Philanthropies confirmed on Monday evening that it was Mr. Feeney, a native of Elizabeth, N.J., who is known for his frugality — he flies coach, owns neither a home nor a car, and wears a $15 watch — as well as his philanthropic generosity, particularly to medical research.

The statement echoed what Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said hours earlier at a news conference officially crowning Cornell, with its partner, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, the winner of an intense international competition to build the new graduate school.“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” Mr. Feeney said in a statement released by Atlantic Philanthropies, “to create economic and educational opportunity on a transformational scale.

“Today will be remembered as a defining moment,” Mr. Bloomberg said, making official what had been apparent since Cornell’s chief rival, Stanford University, withdrew its bid for the campus on Friday. “In a word, this project is going to be transformative.”

Barber is late

2011-12-26T18:43:00.000-05:00

200 @ Goodyear Chanukah event

2011-12-25T20:29:00.000-05:00

Big Menorah Lighting in Los Cabos tonight!

2011-12-25T20:16:00.002-05:00

Teen burglar breaking into a house through the chimney gets stuck for 10 hours

2011-12-25T12:28:00.000-05:00

If Santa knows whether you've been bad or good, he knows 17-year-old Renaldo Jack is part of the former group. The Atlanta-area teen was charged with burglary after trying to break into a Norcross home through the chimney.

He got stuck, and was trapped for nearly half a day. The teen’s cries for help were finally heard, and he was rescued by firefighters around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Gwinnett County police said Jack had been stuck in the chimney since 3 a.m. Tuesday.
Jack was also charged with providing false information to a police officer after he gave a fake name to a policeman who recognised him from a prior arrest.

Firefighters freed him by lowering a rope from the top of the chimney.
He was then led down a ladder off the roof of the house.

Jack was none too happy to be arrested. When a local news crew tried to get a shot of the teen in the back of a patrol car, he violently kicked the vehicle’s window.
His mug shot shows Jack covered in soot.

Mendy Ajzenszmidt's Menorah Lighting draws HUGE Crowd!

2011-12-23T02:49:00.001-05:00

Yammer Mendy Ajzenszmidt brings a big crowd of Jews at his Chabad House Menorah lighting called "Magical Chanukah"

2011-12-23T00:49:00.002-05:00

Study: Americans Are the Most Generous People in the World

Americans: the most generous people in the world. In this season of giving, that’s no idle gloat.

According to a new study, the United States tops a massive global charity survey, rising from fifth place in 2010.

The “World Giving Index,” based on 150,000 interviews with citizens of 153 nations, ranks the U.S. highest on a scale that weighed monetary donations, volunteer work and willingness to help out a stranger.

“In spite of economic hardships and uncertainty in the future, the American spirit is caring and strong, as these survey findings clearly show,” said David Venne, interim CEO of CAFAmerica, the Virginia-based charities consultant that released the results of the index.

Ireland placed second, followed by Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Canada, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Laos.

At the bottom of the list: China, Russia and India.

The survey, relying on data from the Gallup polling organization, asked whether people had donated money (two-thirds of Americans), volunteered their time (43 percent) or helped a stranger in the preceding month (73 percent).

The survey’s authors noted that charitable behavior is not correlated with wealth. Of the 20 countries that the World Bank ranks richest by gross domestic product, only five made it into the top 20 of the index.

This is the second year the index has been published by British-based Charities Aid Foundation. Compared with 2010, monetary donations fell, but more people reported volunteering and helping strangers.

LOL

2011-12-22T01:18:00.001-05:00

Los Angeles, CA - Yamlive Chairman lights up!

2011-12-21T13:32:00.002-05:00

Goodyear's 9 Foot Menorah is up!

2011-12-20T15:32:00.000-05:00

Uncovered?

2011-12-19T19:04:00.002-05:00

Not your every day headline

2011-12-19T19:03:00.000-05:00

6 cops hurt after crashing their cars together

Six cops suffered minor injuries today when two police cars smashed into each other in Brooklyn.

Around 3 p.m., a marked NYPD vehicle was heading south on Milford Street in East New York when it collided with an unmarked car headed east on Belmont Avenue.

The impact pushed the unmarked car into the front door of a laundromat as the marked car swung around 180 degrees.

“They crashed in the middle of the street and went up on to the sidewalk,” said a 12-year-old girl who witnessed the crash as she was headed home from school.

“Lots of people came running to help,” the girl said.

Two injured officers were taken to Kings County Hospital, and four were taken to Jamaica Hospital.

Today: Yarhrzeit of Yossi Rodin's father

2011-12-18T16:13:00.000-05:00

Today marks the Yartzeit of Yossi Rodin's father R' Chaim efraim yitzchok Ben eliyahu. This special day will be marked by the Ottawa Jewish Community and family members with a special Farbrengen of Chizuk and inspiration this coming Shabbos in Ottawa. He was a man that was very adamant about yeshiva education and was a real Chossid of the Rebbe, namely in the Mivtzoim of the Rebbe.

Yossi Rodin related the following:

"One of my fondest memories are every Sunday making the rounds of the old age homes visiting the jewish residents and bringing them a little yidishkeit. No matter the weather or how he was feeling. Also, a couple of days before he passed away on yud tes kislev, we had a farbrengin in my house that Ill never forget. Everyone from the community came, no matter their feelings about Chabad or Lubavitch. Everyone came, and my father got up slowly, and proudly, and sang yechi. And no one said a word"

If you would like to contribute in his memory, please email us at Yamlive@Gmail.com

Chabad of Los Cabos moving into new facility!

2011-12-18T02:12:00.003-05:00

We've also closed on our new Synagogue location starting in January...
Don Jose Galicot has generously assisted us in securing a beautifully,
centrally located new space in the Gali plaza. We are extremely
grateful for his kindness and generosity and bless him with long,
happy years filled with health, wealth, happiness and the strength to
continue sharing his goodness with all those around him.
G-d willing,

We will begin construction of the new space next week and
are extending the opportunity and great Mitzvah to all community
members and beyond to help us with the financial burden that is upon
us.

Dedicate a room to a loved one, sponsor a part of the building costs
in honor or memory of someone special. The entire community will
certainly benefit and appreciate it, but more significantly, you will
have accomplished the tremendous Mitzvah of supporting a Torah
institution which is bound to continue spreading Torah and G-dliness
to our corner of the world and beyond. Here is our paypal link for
donations. If you wish to donate in any other way, contact the myself
or Sonia for more payment options. We thank you from the get-go for
your kindness and generosity.

Bull on a road trip!

2011-12-18T01:18:00.001-05:00

Front page!

2011-12-17T22:24:00.000-05:00

Breaking News: 770 evacuated!

2011-12-16T11:14:00.002-05:00

Breaking news: an unidentified package was found this morning at one of the entrances to 770.

Police are currently closing of the area for investigation.

A number of police and fire vehicles have arrived on the scene, and police are evacuating people from the downstairs Shul.

- COLive / 770live

Shteef (Left) checking things out

770 downstairs..empty!

Text & Ride bus driver

2011-12-15T22:40:00.001-05:00

To much powerade!

2011-12-15T01:33:00.000-05:00

Let there be Light .. in Goodyear

2011-12-14T18:45:00.004-05:00

Why didn't Matis just say the truth and admit his beard itched...

2011-12-14T06:55:00.000-05:00

... i'd have been fully understanding

Riders Take Horses Into Safeway grocery store

2011-12-14T01:06:00.000-05:00

Mrs. Izah Suissa, OBM - Sholom Ber Shuchat's Grandmother

2011-12-13T19:03:00.003-05:00

Mrs. Izah Suissa, matriarch of a Lubavitch family, passed away on Tuesday.

Mrs. Izah Suissa, matriarch of a large Lubavitch family with many children and grandchildren on Shlichus, passed away Tuesday morning, 17th Kislev, 5772.

Originally from Morroco, Mrs. Suissa and her husband Machluf moved to Dimona, Israel in 1967, and served as the Rebbe's representatives to the city until they moved to Jerusalem in the late 80's, and an official Shliach was sent there.

** She has 25 couples (descendants of her) on shlichus / chinuch / hafotzas hamaayanos covering north america, south america, Israel and Europe.

Hurricane predictors admit they can't predict -- quitting!

2011-12-13T15:40:00.000-05:00

OTTAWA — Two top U.S. hurricane forecasters, famous across Deep South hurricane country, are quitting the practice of making a seasonal forecast in December because it doesn’t work.

William Gray and Phil Klotzbach say a look back shows their past 20 years of forecasts had no predictive value.

The two scientists from Colorado State University will still discuss different probabilities of hurricane seasons in December. But the shift signals how far humans are, even with supercomputers, from truly knowing what our weather will do in the long run.

Colorado State has been known for decades for forecasts of how many named storms and hurricanes can be expected each official hurricane season (which runs from June to November.)

Last week, the pair made this announcement:

“We are discontinuing our early December quantitative hurricane forecast for the next year … Our early December Atlantic basin seasonal hurricane forecasts of the last 20 years have not shown real-time forecast skill even though the hindcast studies on which they were based had considerable skill.”

The two will still make the traditional forecasts closer to hurricane season.

An earlier version of this story incorrectly said they were stopping all forecasts.

-The Ottawa Citizen

Now printing..

2011-12-13T12:43:00.000-05:00

Scary..

2011-12-13T00:36:00.001-05:00

Ford recalls 129,000 cars amid fears their wheels may fall off

Car maker Ford has recalled nearly 129,000 of its Mercury Milan and top-selling Ford Fusion amid concerns their 17-inch steel wheels may fall off - while the vehicle is moving.

In some vehicles from model years 2010 and 2011, the wheel studs may fracture and make the car shake.

If ignored, the wheels may fall off a moving car, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a posting on its website.

Come get canned in Goodyear!

2011-12-12T14:42:00.001-05:00

YamliveHealth: 5 ways to get rid of a flu!

2011-12-12T00:59:00.000-05:00

We’ve all been there: seated next to a snotting, sneezing, coughing person with no escape route available, worried that the next day we’ll be the one hacking. But the truth is, catching an illness can’t always be blamed on the obvious offenders.

Though you can pick up germs just about anywhere (disturbingly, viruses can linger on surfaces such as ATMs and checkout-aisle pens for 48 hours), actually coming down with a cold or flu is a complex process — one that you can outsmart by following these stay-healthy tips.

Wash, Rinse, Repeat

“The number one thing you can do to protect yourself from a cold or flu is to wash your hands thoroughly and frequently,” says microbiologist Andrew Pekosz, Ph.D., of Johns Hopkins University.

Lather up with running water and soap (antibacterial soaps are no better than the regular stuff) and scrub your palms, between your fingers, and the backs of your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds. In a pinch, you can use hand sanitizer that’s at least 60 percent alcohol, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Moisturize Your Air

Turns out, very humid air might be toxic to flu viruses. Scientists aren’t quite sure why, but one possibility is that droplets that contain the virus shrink quickly in arid environments, allowing them to float around longer; in moist air those same droplets might remain heavy and fall to the floor faster, says Ted Myatt, Sc.D., an environmental scientist in Boston. Invest in a humidifier that keeps the humidity level between 40 and 60 percent.

Skip That Second (and Third) Drink

Alcohol can impair your white blood cells’ ability to combat viruses for up to 24 hours after you overindulge, according to a study in BMC Immunology. Keep your imbibing to a reasonable one drink per day during cold and flu season, says Pekosz.

Don’t Rely on C

Yes, you read that right: Though it’s been touted as a cold fighter for decades, vitamin C has never been proven to fend off a cold or flu. And multiple studies show it does zilch to speed up recovery if you’re already sick.

Sleep More

People who routinely get fewer than seven hours of shut-eye a night triple their risk of developing a cold compared with those who doze for eight or more hours, according to the Archives of Internal Medicine. When sleep-deprived, your body may produce too many cytokines, the proteins that trigger cold symptoms when you’re sick.

Taste the Rainbow

Immune-boosting antioxidants in brightly colored fruits and veggies battle the free radicals that dampen your natural defenses, says Josh Miller, D.O., an internist at the Cleveland Clinic. Eat plenty of fare such as red beans and berries (the brighter the hue, the higher the antioxidant count) and drink green tea.

Would love to meet this guy!!!

2011-12-10T21:42:00.000-05:00

Rabbi Benny's weekly message n' Dvar

2011-12-09T18:01:00.003-05:00

Shalom a todos,

Chanuka is coming up quick. If you are not yet feeling the Chanuka
spirit in the air, then this is the part of our website that you want
to be spending time at. It's our Chanuka Mega site on
www.jewishcabo.com. Everything you need to know about the upcoming holiday.
***
As most people already know, in another three weeks we will be
relocating our Synagogue location from the Puerto Paraiso shopping
mall to the Plaza Gali on the other side of the Marina.
We are currently looking for help with regards to building the center.

Every donation that's given will go towards the construction of this
new Jewish Center in Cabo.

With our new location, we will have the ability to cater to the needs
of the Jewish cruise ship passengers. We are all excited and positive
about this new location and will certainly make it a beautiful and
attractive center for our Jewish community.
We also encourage you to help us in our effort with a donation. you
can dedicate a part of the Shul in someone's honor or to the memory of a loved one. G-d willing next week, we will be coming out with our
list of dedication opportunities and what's going to be needed in our
new center.

The Mitzvah is tremendous, as such a contribution is going to help
touch and change the lives of thousands Jewish tourists and locals who pass through Cabo annually.

Where is Waldo? At the Shluchim Banquet

2011-12-09T12:35:00.000-05:00

Mass TV-Throwing Ritual in Jerusalem

2011-12-08T18:25:00.000-05:00

Jerusalem - A public ceremony to rid off household television screens was held today under the direction of Rabbi Amnon Yitzhak.

The rabbi opened the ceremony to protest against the incitement of Charedim in the media, and then began the ritual of smashing hundreds of television sets into big trash bins, in front of the Israeli Broadcasting Authorities offices in Jerusalem.

Meir sticks a Moshiach flag on Obama's motorcade :)

2011-12-08T11:23:00.002-05:00

Pic of the day - Sunshine Pharmacy

2011-12-07T23:49:00.000-05:00

Crown Heights residents don't get a discount??

Pic of the Day - Los Angeles, CA

2011-12-07T11:26:00.002-05:00

Tons of Yammers we're a t a wedding last night in LA. More PIX coming!!!

New engagement!

2011-12-06T12:18:00.002-05:00

I thought Arizona is warmer than NYC!!

2011-12-06T11:34:00.000-05:00

Mazel tov Kopfstein's

2011-12-05T11:32:00.003-05:00

Yamlive News Service & Yamlive.com would like to wish a hearty Mazel Tov to Yanky & Sarah Kopfstein - N. Miami Beach, FL - on the birth of a daughter.

May the newborn be a source of Nachas to her parents, grandparents, relatives & Klal Yisroel.

2011-12-05T07:18:00.000-05:00

Man to Eat Over 100 Chanukah Donuts for Tzedakah

For the third year in a row Elie Klein is putting his gluttony to good use by raising Chanukah gelt for charity. The 31-year-old Beit Shemesh man is collecting donations for dozens of organizations by going on a donut binge.

“What started as a gentlemen’s bet two years ago regarding which one of my neighbors could eat more sufganiyot [jelly-filled donuts] between Rosh Hodesh Kislev and the end of Chanukah, has turned into a beloved annual fundraising campaign,” he said. “Friends, family and complete strangers have been pledging generous dollar and shekel amounts to their favorite Jewish causes/charities for every sufganiya that I eat.”

But doctors don’t recommend eating too many of the calorie-rich foods, a fact that doesn’t deter Klein. He says plenty of people raise money running marathons and cycling but his fundraiser grabs people’s attention. He should know, as Klein works for a PR firm.

Last year’s campaign was such a success that this year he has raised the bar even further.

“I consumed 70 donuts and raised NIS 32,788.60 for 44 causes and charities around the world,” he said. “This year, I have made a pledge to eat no less than 100 sufganiyot during the campaign. We should have no problem reaching NIS 45,000 by the end of Chanukah.”

Yanky in crown heights

2011-12-04T14:26:00.000-05:00

He was here last week for his sisters Lchaim

Happy birthday Vince & Tiffy (5 Kislev)

2011-12-04T12:27:00.000-05:00