“Committed More Than Ever”: The Alef In Conversation with Rabbi Yisroel Deren

A powerful conversation with Rabbi Yisroel Deren reveals how the Rebbe fundamentally transformed our understanding of Moshiach from a mere escape from galus to a positive future worth actively pursuing.

“Instead of Moshiach being an escape from Galus, it’s Moshiach as an aspiration,” Head Shliach of Connecticut, Rabbi Yisroel Deren, explains, illuminating the shift in perspective that the Rebbe introduced to Chabad chassidim and the wider Jewish world.

Hosted by Rabbi Levik Gourarie, Director of The Alef at Merkos 302, the discussion explores the concept of “mesiras nefesh” reimagined as accessing our unlimited potential, the distinction between Geulah and Moshiach, and the remarkable devotion of today’s generation, who never physically met the Rebbe yet demonstrate extraordinary devotion and commitment.

When asked about the most important step we can take today, Rabbi Deren’s answer is refreshingly simple: “Be happy… realize that we have a Rebbe who’s watching us every single moment and is with us at every moment. Everything you’re going to do, the Rebbe is with you doing it.”

“Our mission is to make the Rebbe’s teachings on Moshiach accessible to every Jew, said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Executive Director of Merkos 302, “Through projects like The Alef, we’re empowering our community to not just learn about Geulah, but to actively live with a Moshiach perspective in our daily lives.”

“The Alef Podcasts allow shluchim and anyone who teaches about Moshiach to hear from their colleagues on how to understand, teach, and share Geulah concepts in today’s day and age,” said Rabbi Shloime Naparstek, director of the Moshiach Office at Merkos 302.

The podcast is produced alongside The Alef Lessons (TheAlef.Co), a groundbreaking publication from The Moshiach Office at Merkos 302. The Alef Lessons complement the themes covered in the podcast by providing Shluchim, Chassidim, and educators with accessible resources to teach about Moshiach and Geulah. Its curriculum brings these profound concepts to life through engaging materials designed for various age groups and knowledge levels.

Tune in for a conversation that illuminates how the Rebbe’s revolutionary approach to Moshiach continues to inspire the Chabad community and beyond, thirty years after Gimmel Tammuz.