Decades have passed, and here we go again
Yud Shvat 5720 (1960) marked the 10th year of The Rebbe’s Nessius and together with the celebration worldwide, Brazil had a fresh start that would changed its community forever.
Rabbi Hersh Leib Begun together with his wife Rivka OB”M had come to the country months prior on The Rebbe’s Shlichus to bring Yiddishkeit to a place locals dared to call “a desert of Judaism”. The Begun’s were devoted to prove otherwise.
After their wedding on 14 Kislev 5719, where The Rebbe was the Messader Kidushim, the newly married couple committed to join the very few families of Shluchim at the time. They embarked on a mission sent by the Rebbe himself to bring warmth and light to the southern hemisphere.
Coming to the tropical country, they encountered various jews of all walks of life and saw a desperate need to bring to life a vision for a Jewish School. They aimed to provide an authentic Yiddisheeducation with the care and love that Chabad gives.
After writing to The Rebbe, an immediate response was given, for the role of Shlichus altogether, with a special focus on Chinuch.
They waited no time, and within days, in a small house in the old Jewish neighborhood of Bom Retiro, a school started with 6 students, on the exact day of Yud Shvat 5720 The Rabbi and Rebentzin were the teachers of all subjects.
Today we stand after 66 years, and that little house grew to be the well known 12,000 square ft. Campus, housing a Kindergarten, Girl’s Elementary, Middle and High School, a Seminary Program, Boy’s Elementary, Middle School and a Mesivta.
With over 2,000 students throughout this period, students are educated to be happy and proud to be Jewish, having a direct impact on the education of a generation.
The thousands of alumni have warm feelings and sweet memories of these golden days, a formative times for those that now are Shluchim serving their own communities, From Brazil to Sydney, Thailand to Utah, Ukraine, Israel and all over.
“We see with open eyes the difference the School makes in our community, and cannot imagine a life in Brazil without it. The programs and community involvement enhance our day to day lives in this foreign place” – Said one of the Community leaders of S. Paulo.
It is no coincidence that following the secular calendar, the welcome back to the first day of school is being held on the exact day as 66 years prior, Yud Shvat.
Decades have passed and the school only grew, years of dedication and care, times of difficulty and ease, smiles and familiar faces. Though it all, the Shlichus continues and the commitment is only stronger.
“We have seen an incredible amount of The Rebbe’s Brochos in the hard work that we do, and the Hiskashrus to our Nassi is behind every step we take. This day means a lot to us, and a lot to the school, the students and alumni.
Every year we rededicate ourselves, and this year even stronger. Our work is only beginning” – shares Rabbi Moti Begun, director of Lubavitch Schools of Brazil, and the son of Rabbi H”L Begun.
66 Years to the day, students and teachers embrace, as their learning conveys, the generation they engrace.
66 years of impact, as people to themselves connect, and a community of leaders in fact.
66 years growing strong, the days filled with bond, education and dedication we continue on!
