WATCH: An Inspiring Speech by Philanthropist and Successful Entrepreneur Rabbi Chaim Piekarski at the Or HaChasidus Dinner. This is the speech you must see before Yud-Tes Kislev—it will illuminate everything in a new light.

Ahead of Chanukah, Congressional leaders gathered for a bipartisan Pre-Chanukah event at the U.S. Capitol which featured a unique menorah crafted from the remnants of a rocket launched into Israel by Hamas, with a plaque bearing the prophetic words from Yeshayahu: “And they shall beat their swords into plowshares.”

The annual Yud Tes Kislev seuda and farbrengen with Harav Yosef Heller will take place Thursday evening in the Crown Heights Kolel and is open to all Kolel alumni.

The story of a car driver who became rich was retold by the Rebbe at a farbrengen, offering a lesson for all chassidim. Here’s why it’s especially relevant today.

In a film shown at the Kinus Tzeirei Hashluchim, Yankel Schanowitz, a young Shliach in Manhattan, stumbles upon a collection of albums featuring photos of Shluchim and sets on a quest to uncover the story behind them, leading him to interview personalities involved in making the Sefer Hashluchim.

From the Anash.org Inbox: I would like to share my thoughts on why everyone should take a mesechta for Chalukas Hashas on Yud Tes Kislev. Besides being established and promoted by our Rebbeim, there is an often-overlooked aspect that makes Chalukas Hashas uniquely effective in promoting limud Gemara.

Following the success of last year’s car menorah parade initiative, organizer Rabbi Yoel Vogel invites Anash in Crown Heights to answer the Rebbe’s call for Pirsumei Nisah and Chanukah Mivtzoim by participating in one of the five parades during Chanukah next week.

The Day-to-Day Halachah Guide for Chanukah by Rabbi Yosef Braun, including halachos and customs for Hey Teves Asarah B’Teves, was released by the Crown Heights Beis Din. Download it on Anash.org. 

A grand and uplifting Bar Mitzvah celebration took place at the Kosel for 26 Bar Mitzvah boys from families affected by acts of terror. The boys were gifted high-quality kosher tefillin, and met with Israel’s President Isaac Herzog and Chief Rabbi of Migdal HaEmek Rabbi Yitzchak Dovid Grossman.

Following incredible feedback on A Journey Through Tishrei, Menachem Mendel of Kitah Daled Chicago continued on to publish a second volume of his “Yom Tov Journeys” series on Chanukah and Purim. His goal and motto remain to make learning fun and enjoyable for kids.

Live at 8:30: This week’s Project Chana Woman’s Power Hour will continue the new series on kisui Rosh with Mrs. Faigy Yusewitz, feature Rabbi Nissan Zibell on Kashrus standards when eating out, and Rabbi Yosef Braun on getting non-Jewish help on Shabbos.

A delegation from Crown Heights’ Ohel Nosson community embarked on a mission of physical and spiritual support for IDF soldiers. The visit, led by Ezer L’Chayal, included visits to military posts and assembly areas, where they distributed thermal clothing, personal gear, heaters, and solar lighting systems.

Watch: A specially produced tribute film chronicles the 20th anniversary of Or Hachasidus, highlighting its founding and impact across Jewish communities.

Dr. Gershom Taub, a member of the Lubavitcher community of Chicago who was known to cherish davening, passed away in Pittsburgh on Monday night, 16 Kislev. Levaya and shiva in Chicago.

Members of the Lubavitcher Chevre Kadisha of Montreal gathered at the Tzeirei Hadas Shul for davening and selichos, before heading to the Chabad cemetery in Laval, Quebec, following the ancient minhag to designate one day a year to seek forgiveness from the dead.

Ahead of Yud Tes Kislev, the second issue of the Bnei Heichala publication has been released, featuring 160 pages of interesting quality content on Chassidus thought and practice, Lubavitch history, contemporary issues, inspiration, and guidance. The publication is available in yeshivos and seforim stores.

On Monday, Lubavitcher members of the Houston Chevra Kadisha led by head shliach Rabbi Shimon Lazaroff dedicated a Lubavitch Chelka at the Beth Jacob Cemetery in Houston, Texas, by marking the perimeter, reciting special tefilos, and giving tzedaka.

A special Pre-Chanukah program was hosted jointly between Chabad of Melbourne CBD and Caulfield Shul last week at Australia’s Capital Hill Parliament House with live music by The Chevera Choir and members of parliament as guest of honor.

A seudah and farbrengen were held at 770 on Yud Daled Kislev in honor of the Rebbe’s chasunah. During the event, a chosson celebrating his Sheva Brachos recited Birkas Hamazon. This was followed by joyous, wedding-like dancing accompanied by live music, which continued well into the night.

A large crowd gathered for Or Hachasidus’ gala dinner on Sunday night, celebrating 20 years of the organization’s work to spread Chassidus, and honoring visionaries who helped make it happen.