NJ Legislature Declares 3 Tammuz ‘Day of Good Deeds’

On Monday, in a joint resolution, the NJ State Senate and Assembly unanimously declared July 1, 2014 as a “Day of Good Deeds” throughout the Garden State. This date was chosen to coincide with Hebrew date commemorating the 20th anniversary of the passing of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Scheerson, the most influential Jewish leader in modern history.

Senator Donald Norcross, who sponsored the resolution, remarked how the resolution comes just a few hours after the news broke of the tragic murder of 3 innocent young boys in Israel, and asked that “we take the message of the Rebbe to live in universal brotherhood as a response to this tragedy”.

Rabbi Avi Richler, the executive director of Chabad of Gloucester County, who coordinated the efforts together with Senator Norcross, accepted the resolution on behalf of the 52 Chabad centers of NJ. In his remarks to the Senate, he quoted the Rebbe in calling upon every human being to increase in acts of goodness and kindness to make this world a better place.

“This resolution is truly a testament to the Rebbe’s continued inspiration to the entire world” Richler said after the session noting that the resolution highlights the Rebbe’s efforts to achieve “unity among people of all backgrounds” for “the Rebbe saw the infinite potential of every human being in making a positive difference every day of their lives”.

Similar proclamations were recently made in Connecticut and Missouri, and Gov. Bill Haslam of Tennessee, Gov. Pat McCrory of North Carolina and Gov. John P. de Jongh Jr. of the U.S. Virgin Islands have also taken note of July 1 as a special day in history, encouraging good deeds throughout their home states and more.