Roving Rabbis Spread Jewish Awareness

Washington — The Moscow-Pullman area had a special visit by two young roving rabbis last month.

“It’s not very common to have a rabbi come through this area,” one of the rabbis, Zalman Popack said. “You can see that people are very surprised to see a rabbi here.”

Popack, 24, came from Colorado, and Shimon Sabol, 23, came from New York, to bring Jewish awareness and tradition to Jewish people living in southeast Washington. Popack and Sabol are affiliated with the Chabad Lubavitch, which is a worldwide organization led by late Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. The goal of the organization is to introduce the Jewish experience to every Jew wherever they may be.

During the summer months, Chabad rabbinical students visit remote communities around the world to spread the message about Jewish tradition. Sabol said the leader, Schneerson, had a philosophy that every Jew counts no matter where they are.

“We visit small communities where there’s Jews who are not yet affiliated with a Jewish community,” Sabol said. “We also make ourselves available for anyone who would like to talk.”

Sabol said their mission is to talk to people who are Jewish from birth.

“If they were born into this faith, they should take part in it … at least get a taste of Judaism,” he said.

The conversation topics with individuals and families the roving rabbis meet with can range from childhood, to growing up to marriage or even divorce, Popack said.

“We’ll talk about any questions that they may have to receive a Jewish perspective, a Jewish view,” Sabol said.

Sabol said many people they meet with don’t even know they are Jewish. He said there are 613 Jewish commandments, and it might be hard for people to obey all of them.

During their stop on the Palouse they were able to meet with about 10 families and individuals.

Moscow resident Tyler Vollendorf, who met with the two young rabbis, said he didn’t expect to see roving rabbis in Moscow.

Vollendorf said he was glad for the opportunity he had to talk to them. He said talking to Popack and Sabol encouraged him “to try a little harder.”

Popack said one good act of kindness can make a difference in the world.

“Take on a good act,” he said.

The two roving rabbis headed to the nearest synagogue located in Spokane on Monday night for a special prayer service for the anniversary of the Holy Temple destruction, which happened 2,000 years ago.

Prior to visiting the Moscow-Pullman area, Popack and Sabol were in Walla Walla, where they met with anywhere from 30 to 40 families.