A New Beginning

By Rabbi Shneur Z. Wolowik


Ten years ago, the Chabad movement stood at the threshold of a momentous test: how to continue after the Rebbe's passing.  I doubt whether there was a single Chossid who did not feel that their world had come to a crashing halt.


How would the Chabad movement continue to thrive without the presence of the Rebbe who for so many years inspired, led and directed his Chasidim in literally all aspects of their lives?  If one had a problem with marriage, health or livelihood the Rebbe was the address to turn to.  If one needed a shot of Chassidic inspiration, a Shabbat farbrengen with the Rebbe, in his synagogue in Brooklyn, would do the trick.


But on that summer's day ten years ago it seemed like the sun had set on the world of Chabad and in many ways indeed it had. But at the same time a new dawn was approaching. One that nobody could have foretold.


In the last ten years alone Chabad has witnessed growth that has outpaced the entire previous 40 years. Chabad institutions have opened at a rate of 1 every 10 days. Enrollment in Chabad schools has surpassed that of its competitors, leaving many "experts" scratching their heads in disbelief. 

 

What is it about Chabad that continues to inspire young married couples to leave the spiritual comfort of Crown Heights to move to far flung places around the globe and become Chabad emissaries?  What legacy did the Rebbe leave that motivates Chabad followers to stand on street corners in triple-digit temperatures waiting for the encounter with a fellow Jew to encourage them to do just one good deed? 

 

What teachings did the Rebbe teach that inspire the Yeshiva student to travel to Russia and the Far East during their Passover break to conduct a seder for a Jew they have never met rather then return home to spend the holiday with their families?


The answer is the Rebbe's own selfless love and dedication to every single Jew.


Indeed it was the Rebbe who would stand for sometimes 8-9 hours every Sunday, distributing charity while giving blessings, advice and comfort to thousands. When the Rebbe was asked by a well meaning Chosid: "how do you stand for hours without showing signs of fatigue?" The Rebbe replied: "When you are counting diamonds you don't get tired."


This has been the Rebbe's legacy to his followers and the world: his deep love of every Jew regardless of background and affiliation. And it is this profound sense of mission to help another Jew that has kept Chabad alive and well.


Indeed in the last year alone the Five Towns has benefited from this legacy.  Two new youth education centers have opened, Chabad Hebrew School and Camp Gan Israel, serving the Jewish Communities in the Five Towns and surrounding areas.  These add to the existing educational programs and centers of Chabad of the Five Towns.


Without a doubt, the last ten years have been difficult without the physical presence of the Rebbe. But the Rebbe's love and care for every Jew continues to live on through the work of his Chasidim and Emissaries and it is this energy that has allowed Chabad to shine.


In commemoration of the tenth yartzeit of our beloved Rebbe, Chabad of the Five Towns held farbrengens and a dinner to honor the Rebbe’s legacy.  A farbrengen is a meaningful and inspirational gathering, complete with Chassidic song, stories and enriching ideas.   Rebbetzin Chaya Teldon honored the participants of the women’s farbrengen with an uplifiting and informative presentation, in which she portrayed the 3rd of tammuz as a “high energy day.”  The men’s farbrengen was held simultaneously at the Chabad Center, where scores of men joined in Chassidic song, empowering discussions and enjoyed an intriguing video presentation illustrating the significance of the day of passing of a Jewish leader and implementing his legacy into our daily lives. 

 

Nearly one thousand people participated in a tribute dinner as all 23 Chabad Centers on the Island joined together at the Huntington Town House to observe the Yartzeit of the Rebbe.  Following a mini-academic conference, world renowned author and lecturer, Rabbi Yosef Y. Jacobson inspired the crowd to carry on the Rebbe’s legacy and to encourage all of mankind to make the world a better place by doing acts of goodness and kindness, thus hastening the redemption. 

 

Chabad also coordinated a trip to the ohel, the Rebbe’s resting place in Queens where thousands travel to seek the Rebbe’s blessing.  The tradition of praying at the resting place of the righteous is an integral part of Jewish life.  The Lubavitcher Rebbe’s resting place has become a focal point for personal prayer for thousands of people.   Chabadniks, non Chbadniks and non-Jews continue to mourn the loss of these great figures and to pray for the coming of the Messiah to usher in better times. 

 

Rabbi Shneur Z. Wolowik is Director of the Jean Fischman Chabad Center of the Five Towns.  He can be reached at 516-295-2478 or [email protected].