Chabad of Brunswick, Maine

“Sometimes the difference between distance and closeness is who takes the first step.”

Today is the first day of the Hebrew month of Elul. It is the final month of the year and the month preceding Rosh Hashanah.
There is a beautiful parable about the month of Elul that describes a king who comes out to the field and makes himself available to all his subjects, giving them the opportunity to come and ask for whatever it is they may need.
G-d is the King in this parable, making Himself more accessible to us during this time of year. The invitation is open to us, but it is up to us to approach Him.
As we enter this month and prepare ourselves for the new year, let’s take that step and approach G-d. And may all our prayers be answered.

Please light Shabbat candles at 7:27pm

TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY TO ORDER!

NY Style Pop-Up Kosher Deli is coming to Brunswick!

Craving a real NY-style deli sandwich? Don’t miss your chance to stock up on all your favorites! Pastrami, corned beef, knishes, coleslaw, babka and more!

Pickup this Sunday | 12:00–2:00 PM
12 Pleasant St, Brunswick

Orders close TOMORROW!

Order now: jewishbrunswick.com/deli

“The hand that opens for another becomes open enough to receive blessings of its own.”

This week’s Torah portion discusses the mitzvah of tzedakah - charity. The Torah tells us that when we act generously toward another person, G-d blesses us in return.
But the Chassidic understanding goes much deeper. In Tanya, the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, explains that our acts of kindness below awaken the Divine attribute of kindness Above. When we open our hands and hearts to another person, we open channels for G-d’s blessings to flow into the world.
This is not a transaction, as if we are giving in order to receive. Rather, our actions below mirror the way G-d relates to us Above. When we become a source of kindness and blessing for someone else, we create a vessel to receive G-d’s kindness in our own lives.

Please light Shabbat candles at 7:38pm

“Comfort is the courage to trust that the story is bigger than the chapter you’re in.”

This Shabbat, the one following the fast of Tisha B’Av, is known as Shabbat Nachamu, the Shabbat of Comfort. The Haftarah read each year on this Shabbat contains Isaiah’s prophecies of the ultimate redemption. Immediately after the saddest day of the year, while the pain is still fresh, G-d offers us comfort. G-d knows the entire story; we are only familiar with the chapter we are living right now. The sequence of comfort immediately following the pain reminds us that there is a bigger story and a higher purpose behind it all. We find comfort when we trust the plan and recognize that even the lowest moments, though beyond our understanding, are there for a reason greater than we can comprehend.

Please light Shabbat candles at 7:54pm

Tonight begins Tisha B’Av, the saddest day on the Jewish calendar.

On Tisha B’Av, we mourn the destruction of both Holy Temples in Jerusalem and the many tragedies our people have experienced throughout our history.

It is a day of fasting, prayer, reflection, and remembering what we have lost, while still holding on to our hope for a brighter future.

In Southern Maine, the fast begins on Wednesday evening at 8:20 PM and concludes on Thursday at 8:48 PM. During this time, we refrain from eating and drinking as we observe this solemn day.

Please join us on Wednesday, July 22, at 8:45 PM as we gather on Zoom to read Eicha (the Book of Lamentations) together.

To receive the Zoom link, please email [email protected] or call or text the Chabad Center at 207-370-4522.

May this be the last Tisha B’Av observed in mourning. May we merit the rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdash with the coming of Moshiach, speedily in our days, and may these days of sorrow be transformed into days of joy, happiness, and abundant blessings. Amen.

“Exile begins when we stop seeing G-d. Redemption begins when we see He never left.”

This Thursday is Tisha Bav, a fast day mourning the destruction of the holy temple and the beginning of this exile that has stretched on for over 2 millennia.
Although, at times, exile can feel like G-d has abandoned us, the truth is, it is the concealment of G-d. If G-d is indeed here, and hidden, it is in our power to reveal him. Every good deed, every mitzvah that we do peels away at another layer of spiritual concealment.
May we strip away at all these layers even before Tisha Bav comes around and reveal G-d in His entirety, so that we can celebrate the final redemption together, in Jerusalem.

Please light Shabbat candles at 8:00Pm

Another wonderful morning at the Freeport Farmers’ Market!

New this week: Gluten-Free Challah Rolls!

We also have all your favorites:

* Plain Challah
* Everything Bagel Challah
* Cinnamon Sugar Challah
* Sesame-Topped Challah
* Chocolate Babka

Stop by and pick up a fresh loaf for Shabbat. We look forward to seeing you!

The new Jewish Community Calendar for the Jewish New Year 5787 is in the works!

Our beautiful, full color Jewish Community Calendar for the 5787 Jewish New Year (September 2026 – September 2027) will be mailed free of charge to around 5,000 households and businesses throughout the state of Maine.

Advertise your business or organization, commemorate birthdays, anniversaries, yahrzeits, or other special occasions, and support the important work of Chabad of Brunswick at the same time!

To view advertising opportunities or reserve your space, visit JewishBrunswick.com/calendar, reply to this email, or call 207-370-4522.

The deadline to participate is Monday, July 20, 2026.