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‍A mashup of thoughts, ideas, news, and stories about this unique outpost of Jewish life in the West. Remote Jewish communities are as old as time, but this remote Jewish community is young, vibrant, and growing. Our saga draws on age-old Jewish values, quintessential Western grit, and the idealistic fire of four Chabad Families. Curious, complex, and committed, they model the highs and lows of being human, the relevance of being Jewish, and simmering, lasting courage to persevere.
A Quarterly Publication of Chabad Lubavitch of Montana

Jews of the West

The Island Effect

"I grew up in Deerfield, Illinois, in a Reform Jewish household with strong Jewish values. Every Friday night, we gathered as a family to celebrate Shabbos. That rhythm gave me a sense of belonging early on. Being athletic and physically fit was also important."

Interview with Doran Zimmerman by Elie Benhiyoun

On Being Human

A city boy in the wilderness

My entire childhood and into adulthood, I was a quintessential city kid. Sure, I traveled the world and experienced rural living; I traversed Seminole, Oklahoma, and Saginaw, Michigan, but at my core, I couldn’t understand how anyone could live in the boondocks, away from the city experience.

By Rabbi Chaim Bruk

Dear Friends,

We are in the thick of Elul, with the vibe of Teshuva penetrating our hearts and souls. It reminds us that the Shofar blast is coming soon and that we have only a few days to prepare for the High Holy Days.

A vivid memory from my childhood was entering 770 Eastern Parkway, the shul of my mentor, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson of blessed memory, just before the Mincha service on Erev Yom Kippur, and seeing hundreds of trays, cans, buckets, aluminum pans, and hands -- all seeking Tzedakah for their causes or for themselves. We, the kids, placed coins, my dad placed dollar bills, and some people placed larger bills -- giving lots of Tzedakah before the Day of Atonement, when G-d will seal our fate for the upcoming year. It was also exhilarating to watch the Rebbe enter the shul and place Tzedakah i many of the collection baskets, too.

The logic is simple: Be kind, so G-d will be kind to me. Be merciful, so G-d will be merciful to me. Be forgiving, so G-d will be forgiving to me. We can't expect G-d to do for us what we aren't willing to do for others.

As we enter the final days of 5785, let us resolve to make Tzedakah part and parcel of each day of 5786 by placing a coin or dollar in the Tzedakah box each morning before we pray.
‍
In the words of Shlomo Carleback:

Return again, return again
Return to the land of your soul
Return to who you are
Return to what you are
Return to where you were

May you and yours be blessed with a happy, healthy, and sweet New Year!

Shana Tova U'Mesukah!
Rabbi Chaim Bruk

Rose Apple Tart

An original recipe by Rivky Markossian.

This Rose Apple Tart is my go-to dessert for Rosh Hashanah— it’s a beautiful way to showcase the signature Rosh Hashanah symbol, the apple, while keeping things simple. Despite its elevated look, it’s surprisingly easy to make and always adds a festive touch to the holiday table.

Ingredients

Pie Crust

  • 1/3 cup coconut oil
  • 1/3 cup of sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of Salt
  • 1 cup of flour

Filling

  • 3 large apples (Pink Lady and/or Granny Smith)
  • 1/2 cup cinnamon sugar (adjust cinnamon to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 3 tablespoons apricot jam

‍

Instructions

Mix all the pie crust ingredients in order, blending well after each addition. Let the dough rest for at least 30 minutes in the fridge before pressing it directly into a tart pan. Poke holes all over with a fork, cover with parchment paper, add baking weights or dried beans, and blind bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. Remove the weights and bake for another 5 minutes.

Thinly slice the apples and fan them out. Mix 1 tablespoon of flour with half the cinnamon sugar and sprinkle over the crust. Arrange the apple slices in a rose shape, tightly from the outer edge inward, as they will shrink during baking. Brush the apples with maple syrup and sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon sugar.

Bake uncovered at 350°F for about 40 minutes. While still warm, brush the apples with apricot jam for a beautiful glaze.

Happy baking!

Only in Montana

‍Strengthening the Montana Jewish Community by promoting Jewish pride, study, and celebration

Established with the generosity of the Rohr Family

Chabad-Lubavitch of Montana
Publisher

Rabbi Chaim Bruk
Editor-in-Chief

Elie Benhiyoun
Managing Editor

Rivky Markossian
Associate Editor
‍
Mrs. Chavie Bruk
Contributing Columnist

Dafne Zivan
Illustrator

gromybrand.com
Design & Production

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