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Shluchim and Students Seeking Gracious Hosts

Havdalah at last year’s Pegisha.

Next weekend, Shabbos Parshas Vayeira (November 2nd), over 800 students and 100 Shluchim and Shluchos will be coming to Crown Heights for the largest Pegisha of its kind. Shluchim are still looking for gracious residents who can host students for the weekend, for sleeping (Friday and Motzoei Shabbos) and/or Friday night Shabbos dinner. If you have any space for either boys or girls please email ndd@chabad.edu or call 718-510-8181. Thank you!

As Shluchim on campus, many of my colleagues deal with great mesiras nefesh with a constant uphill battle, inspiring and serving hundreds of Jewish students every week. Around this time each year, though, we are reminded that we’re not alone.

Seeing the unbelievable Hachnosas Orchim with which the residents of Crown Heights open their doors, take care of our students, and put up with all of the tumult that goes along with such an endeavor – especially knowing that this comes so closely on the heels of an already very taxing month of Tishrei – is the greatest reminder that ‘Chassidim Ein Mishpocha,’ that we are part of a family of Chassidim who are true partners in our work.

Indeed, the students who come, year after year, walk away inspired. They are touched by the exposure to a Chassidic community, by the festive meals and classes, by the visits to 770 and the Ohel. But more often than not, what they are most affected by are their hosts. By the thought that families would open their doors to complete strangers, show them such warmth and even lend them their keys!

So before we descend on your homes and lives for a couple of days, I wanted to take this opportunity – on behalf of Chabad on Campus International Foundation and on behalf of each and every one of the Shluchim and Shluchos – to thank you for your hospitality and for the impact you will have on our students’ lives!

I have been asked to reiterate the following point. (Although it may seem superfluous – Ein mezarzin elah lemzurazin): The majority of students you will see on the streets have a long-standing developing relationship with Chabad on their campus. In almost every case, the Shliach and Shlucha have prepared the student, to the extent possible, gently highlighted behaviors that may be out of place in this neighborhood. What these students gain most from the people they meet is the simple and straightforward Ahavas Yisroel that Crown Heights is built upon.

If they are doing something Halachically inappropriate – smoking, taking a picture, or carrying an umbrella on Shabbos, to name but a few possibilities – please remember these people are still on a journey in their Yiddishkeit. Past experience has shown that positive and uplifting experiences help them grow in their Yiddishkeit, while well-intentioned instructions about Hilchos Shabbos or other matters don’t necessarily have the desired effect…

Along the same lines, times have changed drastically in the attitudes that most universities and parents have towards students drinking alcohol. We respectfully remind you to be very careful about serving mashke at all, and especially to anyone under the legal age of 21 (most of the students), to avoid any negative results and possible legal liabilities chas v’sholom.

Again, Thank You! May all of our efforts be met with Hatzlacha, may we achieve our goal of bringing Nachas to the Rebbe, and may we immediately all together celebrate the ultimate kibutz goliyos with the coming of Moshiach Now!

Sincerely,

Rabbi Mendel & Henya Matusof
On behalf of the Chabad on Campus International Shabbaton Organizing Committee

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8 Comments

  • Leah

    Why this week? Many of us are just now getting rid of our tishrei guests. It doesn’t make sense to do it so close together!

  • Campus shliach

    Dear Leah,
    The reason is that the week after is Kinus Hashluchim and the week after that is the weekend before thanksgiving so students won’t travel to ny for that shabbos orthe one after – then finals start…

    Trust me – the Chabad on Campus and the shluchim took your concern into consideration.

    Can you host boys or girls?

  • Leah

    I hear, but why does it have to be in the next few weeks at all?

    I admire those who are able to host all year long. I am not. I had more than 10 guests in my house for over 5 weeks for Tishrei. They did not help out or give even a token gift. I am burned out for a while.

  • host

    just heard a lovely shior on soroh imanu and chachnachus orachim and next week that is what the sedrah is all about i cant imagine Soroh imanu ever saying she was burned out take your strenth from our imos and open your houses………….

  • California campus Shlucha

    Leah you have a valid point, and thats why this article was posted – bec it is so hard to find hosts right now. Between post Tishrei and Simchos, and the numbers of students coming in, growing each year, it is difficult to find hosts.

    I want to thank all the New York hosts who open their homes, not just for us and our students but constantly – the whole year.
    I know its not easy, makng beds, extra laundry, cooking for shabbos, making sure ur house is clean… and everything else guests entail.
    So on behalf of Shluchim everywhere thatnk you for your amazing Hachnosas Orchim.
    This year we have a few students coming for a second time and each of them requested to be placed by their hosts from last year bec they were sssoooooo niceeeeee!!
    We bring the students to the Rebbe’s Shchuna, but it the Crown Heighters that work the magic.
    I can’t tell you how touched I was when one year one of our groups hosts answered the door to welcome our students at 1 am (unfortunately with long flying times and the time difference…) and as she met the girls for the first time, she welcomed each of them with a warm hug!!!
    Once again, Thank you for all that you do.

  • Student

    If it helps, many, myself included, become frum through this experience. While I had be to NYC I had never been to CH, and this shabbaton gave me the opportunity to see and meet frum people within Chabad like me, off campus.