return to jewishmontana.com
Download Latest
View All Issues
‍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

It's Like Jewish yoga

"It was a reawakening. I had nothing else to do. I didn’t have my friends here. I didn’t have my family. It was just me, my wife, and my daughter. All the fat from my life got cut off, so the space for Judaism opened up."

Interview with Simon Dzhaparidze by Elie Benhiyoun

On Being Human

Treat Them Well

Several waiters told us, "Here it’s not like in America; we get a living wage." Yet I still love the idea of voluntary tipping.

By Rabbi Chaim Bruk

Dear Friends,

Chanukah is upon us, and who doesn’t enjoy the light?

Light attracts. Light brightens. Light warms our hearts.

The first public menorah was ignited in 1975 at San Francisco’s Union Square by Rabbi Chaim Yitzchak Drizin—and the rest is history. This led to public menorah installations everywhere, including annual lightings at the White House, the Eiffel Tower, Red Square, Central Park, and the Western Wall. Thousands of menorahs are lit around the world, and it’s not just Chabad anymore.

In Great Falls, Congregation Aitz Chaim places a nine-foot "Diane Kaplan Memorial Chanukiah" at the Civic Center and MAJCO hosts a menorah lighting at the State Capitol in Helena. The Rebbe’s dream of an illuminated Chanukah is now universal.

While many "mainstream" Jewish leaders originally opposed Chabad’s public menorahs—and even joined the opposition in petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that it violated church-state separation (the case was County of Allegheny v. ACLU, and the ACLU lost)—many of those same leaders later had a change of heart.
‍
Towards the end of his life, AJC leader Arthur Hertzberg admitted he’d been on the wrong side of the battle, saying, “We thought you should be a Jew at home and a citizen on the street. The Rebbe thought that by being a Jew on the street you would be a better Jew in your home; he was right, and we were wrong.” And just last year, Abe Foxman—who led the ADL for nearly thirty years—acknowledged that he too had been mistaken, and that the Rebbe was right.
‍
Jews shouldn’t be stopping light; we should always be adding more and more brightness to our dark world. Each menorah in our homes, workplaces, retail shops, airports, parks, universities, and everywhere in between does a great service in lighting up a chaotic world. I’m so grateful that the Rebbe ע“זי took the menorah into the public square.

Wishing you and yours a Freilichen Chanukah!
Rabbi Chaim Bruk

The Plus Size Latke

An original recipe by Rivky Markossian.

This giant one-pan latke brings all the golden, crispy joy of the classic without the hassle. It’s hearty, elegant, and sure to wow your guests.

Ingredients

  • 4 medium russet potatoes
  • 1 small yellow onion
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tbsp matzo meal (or all purpose flour)
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • sour cream
  • baby arugula
  • smoked salmon or gravlax
  • 1/2 cup of oil (for frying)

‍

Instructions

  1. Grate the potatoes and onion on the large holes of a box grater.
  2. Wrap the mixture in a clean towel and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
  3. In a large bowl, mix potatos, onion, eggs, matzo meal, salt, and pepper until combined.
  4. Heat about 1/4 inch of oil in a 10-12 inch skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
  5. Add the potato mixture, pressing it into an even layer.
  6. Cook without moving for 6-7 minutes until golden
  7. Carefully flip onto a plate, return to the pan, and cook the other side until crisp.
  8. Drain on paper Towels, and server immediately with sour cream, baby arugula and smoked salmon.

    Happy Cooking!
    -Rivky

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

Contact the Editor

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.