The Secret of Chabad — People Helping People

People Helping People — THE SECRET OF CHABAD

“HELP

EVERY JEW, SPIRITUALLY

AND

PHYSICALLY, WITH

WHATEVER

THEY NEED.”

One day, my phone rang.

“Is this Chabad?” “Yes,” I replied. “Hello my name is ____. I was driving on the 101 and stopped to secure my surfboard on the roof rack by the side of the road, when a car hit me. I just woke up and I am now in the local hospital”. “Are you okay?” “Yes, I think so, but they are keeping me for evaluation. The problem is I don’t have my Tefillin or a prayerbook…and I’m starving.” “I’ll be right over.” Getting to the hospital I was informed that no one is allowed in due to COVID restrictions. I smiled and showed the nurse my Cottage Chaplains badge and she let me right in.

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER JEW HELPED.

He didn’t need to know who I was; he simply called Chabad. It dawned on me that this is exactly what the Rebbe envisioned, and I am so thankful to be part of that vision.

IT ALL STARTED SEVENTY YEARS AGO.

On a cold evening in Brooklyn, about a hundred Chassidim packed into a small shul. That night, the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, formally accepted the role of leadership of the Chabad movement.

I wonder how many of the Chassidim there realized just how consequential that night was going to be.

For them, a Rebbe was someone who would guide them, inspire them, and lead the movement, which was still reeling from the devastating losses of the Holocaust.

THE REBBE’S VISION, HOWEVER, WAS FAR GREATER.

Seventy years later, looking at the thousands of shluchim and shluchot (Chabad emissaries) serving at Chabad Houses around the world, I think it’s fair to say that almost every single Jew has come into contact with a Chabad House, in one way or another. When people ask me for the secret of Chabad’s success, I don’t hesitate to answer: “It’s all the Rebbe’s vision.”

He sent Chassidim to establish Chabad Houses around the world, with the message of “help every Jew, spiritually and physically, with whatever they need.”

THINK ABOUT IT:

Typically, when you establish a community or a shul, it’s natural to prioritize your time and resources to ensure the growth of the community and shul.

But the Rebbe made it clear that a Chabad House must run differently. If a Jew needs our help, even if he or she will never step foot inside or be involved with our Chabad House, we need to help.

If we have the opportunity to do a mitzvah with a fellow Jew, even if we might never see them again, we grab the opportunity.

WHY? BECAUSE TO G-D, EVERY JEW IS PRECIOUS AND EVERY MITZVAH IS DEAR.

Just like the Rebbe, we need to care deeply for every single Jew. Even those whose dress, political alignment or worldviews look nothing like ours. Not only is it the right thing to do, it will be a source for blessings in our lives.

Like Linda, who sat alone as Rosh Hashanah drew near. A pandemic forced her to celebrate all by herself, or so she thought. Until a surprising knock on the door. A Chabad volunteer came to deliver challah, holiday cheer, and inspirational reading material to get her through the holiday. Linda’s heart warmed as she felt care and love from her community. Linda entered the Holy Days with new faith and excitement for the coming year.

And like Josh, who recently moved to town, and was looking to connect with the young Jewish community of SB. Chanukah was about to begin, and without his usual family reunions, and his usual group of friends, Josh felt like he needed to act. Chabad of S.B. had Chanukah packages and menorah to distribute, and Josh jumped at the opportunity. What better way to get into the holiday mood than to help out and bring cheer to others, and of course meet some new friends.

Purim, Passover, Shavuot… all have similar themes and stories. At Chabad, the pandemic did not stop the love, the devotion, and community outreach that Chabad stands for. It may have looked a bit different, taken us on different twists and turns, but we never let it stop us.

For every holiday, volunteers cooked, packed and brought packages of food, timely reading material and lots of cheer to hundreds in our community.

For over a year, Chabad volunteers made homemade challot for the Jewish residents at Maravilla, who love and enjoy the homemade delicacy!

“Olam Chesed Yibaneh”, the world is built with kindness [Psalms 89:3]. While we look forward to getting “back to normal,” Chabad of S. Barbara has understood that when we come together to reach out to others, to volunteer time and do acts of chesed — kindness, we truly make a difference in the lives of others locally, and in the world at large.

Because nothing makes a parent happier than others showing care for His children “OLAM

CHESED

YIBANEH,” THE WORLD

IS BUILT WITH

KINDNESS.

[PSALMS 89:3]

Chabad of S. Barbara is dedicated to serving all Jews throughout S. Barbara County with unconditional love, respect and concern. Chabad is committed to promoting Jewish knowledge, awareness and practice, strengthening Jewish identity and affording every Jew the opportunity to experience the joy and vibrancy of his or her Jewish heritage. Chabad is devoted to providing exemplary educational, religious, and social services for young and old alike, regardless of background or affiliation. Chabad pledges to fulfill the mandate of the Lubavitcher Rebbe by increasing in acts of goodness and kindness for all humankind; thus preparing the world for the ultimate redemption.

Chabad of S. Barbara

6407 Stow Canyon Road Goleta, CA 93117 sbchabad.org 805.683.1544 Rabbi Mendel Loschak rabbimendel@sbchabad.org