Chabad Tokyo Japan » News and blog

Kosher Certification on Japanese Products

Rabbi Binyomin Edery — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:18:08 +0000

Rabbi Edery's Kosher Supervision authority, are some of the many things Chabad of Japan has established in the realm of Kashrut. Recently Rabbi Edery and Muto san have been to Fukuoka, for the kosher supervision of Nori - seaweed. As you can see in the picture, the nori is taken out of the water in middle of night in order to retain its superb quality. The nori growers believe that once the sun ''touches'' the nori, it negatively affects the quality. Rabbi Edery checks a Bonito fish factory from which Katsuoboshi is made. Katshuoboshi is the ''secret'' Japanese ingredient that is used in many Japanese dishes, and gives it that unique Japanese flavor, like in Miso soup. The Bonito fish is first smoked, then dried for a long period of time, becomes hard like a rock and then ''scraped'' into any food recipe. (Similar to the Native Americans and the Buffalo) Special thanks to Muto san for his tireless efforts in making Kosher food available in Japan.

First Time in History: Public Menorah Lighting in the Heart of Tokyo

Rabbi Binyomin Edery — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 14:54:23 +0000

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Chanuka All Over Japan

From Chanuka 5772

This Chanuka, Chabad of Japan organized many Chanuka activities. The Public Menorah Lighting near King Falafel was a great success, and many people participated throughout the evening. Celebrating and publicizing our gratitude for G-d's miracles then and now. Many passerbys also stopped, asked and joined in. The Edery children visited Jewish soldiers and military personell on the Yokosuka US Naval Base, lit with them menorah and brought them Chanuka foods, and happiness. Special thanks to John McBroom for offering his help on many occasions, and for his sincerity and generosity. Many people joined for the Chanuka Party that were held every evening at the Chabad House. Thank you Bernie McLiesh for your help and efficiency.

Preparations for the Ressurection of the Dead Jewish Cemetery in Nagasaki, Japan

Rabbi Binyomin Edery — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 01:52:02 +0000

Rabbi Edery knew of a Jewish Community that once lived in Nagasaki. With Mr. Muto's help they located the Jewish Cemetery, and this week went to see it. The graves date back 250 years ago, and have inscriptions in Hebrew, some translated to English. It was amazing to see traditional symbols such as a hands inscribed on the grave, referring to the priestly blessing, which meant that a Cohen- priest was buried there. Some of the family names on the graves were, Goldman, Grunberg, Kaplan, There are over 30 graves in a separate cemetery surrounded by a low concrete wall, and the entrance has an inscription that says ''Bet Olam'' House of Eternity, referring to the Jewish belief, that after one passes on, only the body ceases to exist but the soul remains and lives eternally. Rabbi Edery made special prayers in their memory and hopefully we will merit the coming of Moshiach now and the resurrection of the dead.

Chabad of Asia Women’s conference in Cochin, India

Rabbi Binyomin Edery — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 01:57:11 +0000

Last week Rabbi Edery's wife, Efrat took part in the annual ''Chabad of Asia Women's Conference''. Chabad of Cochin, India, Rabbi Zalman and Sheindy Berenstein hosted the event. To date there are 14 Chabad Houses in India from the most Northern point to the Southern point, such as Vattakanal, Hampi, Kudli Beach, Puna, Varanasi, Delhi, Pushkar, Goa, Daramsala, Kasol. Each Chabad House does all that they can to help the people who come. It was truly an incredible experience seeing from up close the devotion, love and self sacrifice these emissaries have. The Chabad Houses are a light house for the many travelers and locals, they serve kosher meals on a daily basis to hundreds of travelers, and during the Holidays the festive meals and services can amount to over 500 people. In Cochin, there were once two flourishing Jewish Communities, the larger one, known as the ''Dark Jews'' date back to the time of the destruction of King Solomon's Temple. The smaller community, known as the ''white Jews'' came from Spain for business, around 400 years ago. There are about 8 beautiful Syangouges, in Ernakulam, where the dark Jews lived. Today only a handful remain, and only one synagouge is opened and hardly used. The remaining white Jews still pray in the only one Synagouge that they established 400 years ago, and Rabbi Zalman serves as their Rabbi and mentor.

We thank all who bless our new baby, Nissim

Rabbi Binyomin Edery — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:48:47 +0000

This week Rabbi Binyomin Edery made another trip to Tohoku. He brought clothes to people who were affected by the Tsunami and are still living in caravans, temporary housing organized by the government. During the clothes distribution, the people of the affected cities had a surprise prepared for the Rabbi. A beautiful traditional new baby gift. Every family wrote a wish and blessing in honor of the new baby, Nissim Ariel Edery that was born 3 months ago. They thanked Rabbi for all his efforts made since the Tsunami struck them. Rabbi Edery explained to the people the reason for the baby's name. Nissim means ''miracles''. We are thankful to G-d that he was born healthy and for us it was a miracle after all the radiation scare. Also, as a prayer to G-d for Japan for more miracles. The people of Iwanuma said, that for them it was a miracle that Rabbi Edery came and helped so much in the most difficult time in their life, it gave them much strength and hope. Rabbi Edery coordinated donation of irrigation system from a Israeli company to farmers in the Tohoku area and also discussed other Chabad Japan's aid operation in the future. We thank Iwase san who donated many boxes of clothes. May Hashem bless all the people who have been affected by the earthquake and tsunami and May He hasten their full recovery.

Visit to Consular Sugihara’s Memorial Museum

Rabbi Binyomin Edery — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 16:03:05 +0000

Today Rabbi Binyomin Edery and Muto san visited Consular Sugihara's Memorial Museum in Yaotsu town of Gifu. They saw replicas of visas he issued and his desk. We saw pictures and many other things. It was very special experience for them.

Mazal Tov! Brit 350 Km from Tokyo

Rabbi Binyomin Edery — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:16:33 +0000

This week Rabbi Edery traveled to Yaotsu city in Gifu, 350 km from Tokyo, to organize a brit for a newborn baby boy. It was very moving to see the grandparent, family and guests who came to celebrate this important mitzvah, and were especially happy to see the Rabbi drive all the way from Tokyo with his children in honor of the Brit. Mazal Tov to the Kabati on the birth of their new baby, may you bring him up to Torah, Huppa and good deeds. In the 1960's the Lubavitcher Rebbe asked to open a vocational school in Kfar Chabad, Israel. Rabbi Moshe Edery (Rabbi Binyomin's uncle) ran the school for many years and received many blessings and directives regarding this school. Interestingly, the father of the baby boy is a graduate of this school in Kfar Chabad, and remembered with great love the special care and dedication of the teachers. The town of Yaotsu is famous as it is the birthplace of the Consul Sugihara, who helped many Jews escape Nazi Europe during World War two. There is a Holocaust Museum in this city in his honor.

Kids enjoyed agriculture

Rabbi Binyomin Edery — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:41:35 +0000

The Chabad Tokyo kids, aged from two to eleven, set out for their hands on another agriculture learning experience. This time, not only ”mikan” or tangerine, but also "daikon" or Japanese white radish. They worked with interest and fun, and after all the long hours of work and driving, they enjoyed eating their harvest.

Torah is Sweet As Honey, Levi Yitzchak’s first Cheder Visit

Rabbi Binyomin Edery — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 09:01:41 +0000

The first day a child is taken to the Cheder (Jewish boys school) it is customary to make it a very memorable event. Here are some of the customs that are done, that trace back to the times of the Talmud, 2,500 years ago. The child is wrapped in a Talit (prayer shawl), as he is taken from his house to the cheder, so as not to see things that are not kosher, as it is a holy day. Once in the classroom, the teacher (Rebbi) gives the child from a honey cake, with holy verses inscribed on it. He also eats an egg with verses from the Tanach written on it. The Rebbi smears honey on the Hebrew Aleph Bet, and the child says each letter and licks the honey. The guests throw candies on the child and say that it is from the Angel Michael. Coins for charity and baggies (sweets) are distributed among the students of the class, then Tzedaka is given and blessings are said on the food. Last week Rabbi Edery took 3 year old Levi Yitzchak to the Or Menchem Yeshiva, where Rabbi Yitzchak Fuchs, renowned educator and teacher of grade 1, graciously welcomed the guests from Tokyo and did all the beautiful traditions with Levi Yitzchak leaving a very strong impression on him.

Sukkot 5772 – 2011

Rabbi Binyomin Edery — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 07:24:27 +0000

We had a great Sukkot. Many guests visited Chabad House and ate and celebrated together in a big Sukka in its garden. Rabbi Edery traveled with Sukka Mobile for "Peopel Hoping", all over Japan. In the picture is a group of Jews from Nagoya and nearby cities, who got together with their families to eat and bless in the Sukka Mobile.