Proud to be in the Rebbe's Army
In 1940, the previous Rebbe of Chabad, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak, arrived to the shores of these blessed United States. On the docks of Manhattan he made the, now infamous, declaration: “America is no different” than the shtetels of Europe. Here too, he proclaimed, Judaism will flourish.
And true to his word, within just a few short years, he began a modern day revolution. Tens of Jewish Day Schools were opened, trained shochtim (ritual slaughterers) were sent across the country, hundreds of new Jewish publications and educational material in English were printed, sold, and circulated – the list goes on and on.
It was on this day (on the 10th of Shvat) in the year 1950, on a Saturday morning, that the saintly Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak returned his soul to his maker. And exactly one year later, on this date in 1951, his son-in-law, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneersohn, our beloved Rebbe, took his place.
At the very first public gathering he held he set forth his mission: perpetuate, exponentially broaden, and ultimately complete the work of his father-in-law.
And so the work began. The Rebbe dispatched his ‘army’ to Kinshasa, Odessa, Knoxville, Casablanca, and – yes - Pleasanton; ensuring that every single Jew feels at home with their tradition and every Jewish child can read the Alef Beit. The Rebbe’s dream seemed like “mission impossible” but he never shied away from challenge. He knew that the Soul of Jewry is thirsty for authenticity and sent his people to the front lines to quench that thirst.
What Moses was to the Jews in Egypt, the Rebbe was to me and millions of others. He teaches me, inspires me, and works me hard to refine my character. Yes, he’s passed on, but sixty one years later his teachings are as alive today as in the 1951. He taught - by example - that we must never run away from challenge. He never promised it would be easy, but sixty one years ago he assured us that we would succeed.
And my wife Fruma and I are honored to a be part of his army.
L’Chaim Rebbe! I hope we’re making you proud and fulfilling your mandate – to unite the Jewish People under one G‑d with one Torah and together as one family return the our homeland Israel with the Moshiach (the righteous Messiah).
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Raleigh Resnick
