Shlichus Birthright
Agudas Chassidei Chabad, the international umbrella group that has been charged by the Rebbe to oversee global Chabad-Lubavitch activities, has launched a new program to help finance qualified young couples who wish to embark on Shlichus – a lifetime commitment to serve the spiritual needs of Jewish communities wherever they may be. The new program is made possible by an initial $1 million grant from Ronald O. Perelman, Chairman and CEO of McAndrews and Forbes Holdings and a long-time partner in the initiatives of Chabad-Lubavitch.

This was announced by Rabbi Avrohom Shemtov Chairman of Agudas Chassidei Chabad. “In recent years the interest among young Chasidim to choose a life career of shlichus has grown exponentially,” said Rabbi Shemtov.

Matching Grants Fund Established to support new Shluchim

Shlichus Birthright

Agudas Chassidei Chabad, the international umbrella group that has been charged by the Rebbe to oversee global Chabad-Lubavitch activities, has launched a new program to help finance qualified young couples who wish to embark on Shlichus – a lifetime commitment to serve the spiritual needs of Jewish communities wherever they may be. The new program is made possible by an initial $1 million grant from Ronald O. Perelman, Chairman and CEO of McAndrews and Forbes Holdings and a long-time partner in the initiatives of Chabad-Lubavitch.

This was announced by Rabbi Avrohom Shemtov Chairman of Agudas Chassidei Chabad. “In recent years the interest among young Chasidim to choose a life career of shlichus has grown exponentially,” said Rabbi Shemtov.

Shlichus is a lifetime commitment whereby young couples choose a destination and agree to spend their entire lives in the service of that particular community or campus. There are currently some 3,000 Chabad centers in 45 states and over 70 countries worldwide.

Such young couples are expected to be self-funding during their first two years, by which time it is expected that the local community will have begun to support them on a going forward basis. “Not every young couple has the family means or other resources to carry them during their initial two years,” said, Rabbi Shemtov. “At the same time, Shlichus should be the birthright of every couple, and no one should be frustrated in their desire to go on Shlichus because of economic hardship. Hence the need for this new fund.”

Candidates for grants will include both Shluchim seeking to start centers in entirely new territories, as well as second-tier Shluchim who will be joining existing emissaries whose needs have grown.

A committee of six Shluchim representing different generations has been formed to develop the criteria and review the applicants and their circumstances.

Deserving candidates will be awarded $50,000 for their first two years provided they, or the community they will be going to, can match the grant with an equivalent amount.

Mr. Ronald Perelman, who made an initial gift of one million dollars to launch this initiative, is National Chairman of the American Friends of Lubavitch and a long-time partner in the Rebbe’s vision of spreading Jewish light anywhere and everywhere.

ShlichusBirthright.com

One Comment

  • ???

    Agudas Chassidei Chabad, the international umbrella group that has been charged by the Rebbe to oversee global Chabad-Lubavitch activities

    can anyone explain the meaning of "oversee"