Community News

The latest community stories, each synthesized from multiple sources with added background and context.

5786 Remembered: COLlive Honors the Year’s Departed
community
32.535 min•19 days ago

5786 Remembered: COLlive Honors the Year’s Departed

COLlive commemorates those who passed in 5786 (2025–2026), compiling obituaries and levaya updates ahead of Yom Kippur to honor Shluchim, educators and community leaders from around the world; the list, though not exhaustive, preserves the memories and legacies of individuals who enriched Jewish life.

More Community Stories

Morristown Bochurim Honor Menahel with Hebrew Shas
community3 months ago

Morristown Bochurim Honor Menahel with Hebrew Shas

During a Chag Hasiyum at Tomchei Temimim Morristown, bochurim surprised their menahel Rabbi Chaim Schapiro by presenting him a complete Hebrew ArtScroll Shas as a token of appreciation for his dedication; the event marked the completion of Mivtza Torah, with awards to bochurim excelling in Halacha B’Iyun under Rabbi Aharon Dovid Gancz, led by Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Sholom Spalter and Rabbi Mendy Herson, and recognizing those who ran the yeshiva’s Mivtzoim Office and Maareches Haaros.

Cheder Chabad Florida Wins Permanent Campus After Two-Year Legal Journey
community3 months ago

Cheder Chabad Florida Wins Permanent Campus After Two-Year Legal Journey

After eviction and a lis pendens stalled its move, Cheder Chabad of Florida secured a confidential settlement that preserves its contract to buy a 10-acre, 65,000-square-foot campus off a South Florida highway. With the tenant vacating this summer, the school is set to close on its permanent home for the next school year, thanks to strong community support, though a substantial down payment remains to be raised to complete closing.

Renowned Chabad Rov Shneur Zalman Feldman Passes at 42
community3 months ago

Renowned Chabad Rov Shneur Zalman Feldman Passes at 42

Rabbi Shneur Zalman Feldman of Kfar Chabad, a rov and mechanech who served as Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim in Rishon LeZion, died after a long illness at age 42. He led halacha courses, helped launch Kfar Chabad’s branch of Machon Halacha Chabad, and later was a mashiv in Netanya’s Tomchei Temimim. He is survived by his wife Miriam and eight young children, as well as his parents. The levaya departed from his parents’ home in Kfar Chabad, with kevura in Tzfas. Baruch dayan ha’emet.

Madison Philanthropy Leader Michael Johnson Dies at 50, Leaving Lasting Impact
community4 months ago

Madison Philanthropy Leader Michael Johnson Dies at 50, Leaving Lasting Impact

Michael Johnson, longtime Madison nonprofit leader and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County, has died at 50. The Chicago native built BGCDC into a major community force, raising more than $50 million, expanding programs, attracting celebrities to fundraisers, and guiding civic initiatives—from supporting Tony Robinson’s family to advocating for Vel Phillips’ Capitol statue and launching the Dane County COVID Emergency Fund. He briefly led United Way of Greater Cincinnati before returning to BGCDC, earning numerous state and national honors, and mentoring a generation of community leaders. Taylor Jackson was named interim CEO as the organization processes the loss; Johnson leaves wife Toya, son Michael Jr., and two daughters, with funeral plans to be announced.

Crown Heights Lubavitcher Rabbi Boruch Brikman, 87, Remembered for Quiet Chesed
community4 months ago

Crown Heights Lubavitcher Rabbi Boruch Brikman, 87, Remembered for Quiet Chesed

Rabbi Boruch Brikman, 87, longtime Crown Heights resident and patriarch of a large Lubavitch family, died after a lifetime of quiet acts of chesed. He served on the Oholei Torah board and is survived by his wife Chaya Brikman and children Sara Chana Posner, Mendel Brikman, and Yosef Brikman; he was predeceased by his son Chaim Brikman. The levaya will pass by 770 at 12:00 PM on Sunday with kevura at 1:00 PM; Shiva details will be announced.

Retro Roots, Rivalries: A Melee Showdown Lives at a Richmond Bar
community6 months ago

Retro Roots, Rivalries: A Melee Showdown Lives at a Richmond Bar

At Abbey Tavern in San Francisco’s Inner Richmond, a weekly “Super Smash Bros. Melee” tournament draws up to 50 players who compete on vintage GameCube/Wii setups. Entrants pay a small entry fee and a venue fee, the event runs from 5:30 PM to midnight and is volunteer-run, with matches streamed on Twitch. The scene blends social camaraderie with high-level competition, as players travel from nearby and farther away to refine their skill and chase tournament glory, all while Nintendo’s IP remains respectfully navigated.

Pittsburgh Shines as Keaton and Tomlins Honored at Ireland Funds Gala
community7 months ago

Pittsburgh Shines as Keaton and Tomlins Honored at Ireland Funds Gala

At The Ireland Funds Pittsburgh Gala celebrating the organization’s 50th anniversary, actor Michael Keaton received the 2026 Daniel M. Rooney Ambassador’s Award and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and fashion designer Kiya Tomlin were honored with the Patricia Rooney Community Impact Award. The event, held at Acrisure Stadium, blended Irish charm with Hollywood flair and highlighted the honorees’ deep ties to Pittsburgh and their extensive community work through philanthropy and local initiatives.