Picture of the Day – California

RUNNING SPRINGS, CA [CHI] — Rabbi Yosef Brod lights the candles and leads a special service in memory of Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Schneerson, the father of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. In 1944, Rabbi Levi Yitzchok died in exile in Russia where he was banished for his unyielding dedication and devotion to the education of Jewish children in the face of Communist persecution, to insuring Matzos for Passover in that bleak and oppressive regime, and self-sacrifice for Torah and Mitzvos.

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“Kiryas Schneerson”, the wonderful 70-acre year-round camp, Shabbaton and retreat center has, over the past three years since its purchase by West Coast Chabad Director Rabbi Boruch Shlomo Cunin has served over 20,000 children and adults, under the dedicated efforts of Don and Rebecca Braham, the Rebbe’s Shluchim and volunteer resident CEO of the project.

Rabbi Yosef Brod, whose father Rabbi Yehezekiel Brod suffered under the Communists while being unwavering in his Torah study and sacrifice for keeping the Mitzvos, provides the spirit of Kiryas Schneerson with his physical and spiritual management of the 70-acre facility and its 80,000 square feet of buildings in assuring its remodeling, maintenance, operation of the kitchen, and providing inspiration, classes and Farbrengens for the numerous Shabbatons and the many dozens of schools, Shuls, and Jewish organizations on the West Coast. His spirituality, soul, and Torah inspiration affects all who come to Kiryas Schneerson.

Rabbi Boruch Shlomo Cunin said, “The Communists tried to destroy Rabbi Levi Yitzchok, the father of our Rebbe, and instead we have forever carried forth his inspiration both in Rabbi Levi Yitzchok’s namesake, ‘Kiryas Schneerson’, and in the hearts, minds, and souls of all those who have participated in its programs. This year we had massive fires in the S. Bernardino mountains, and Rabbi Brod, inspired by The Rebbe, kept the facility open in the face of the flames so the the heroic firefighters could have a place to sleep and be fed.” Rabbi Levi Yitzchok’s “Kiryas Schneerson” received international acclaim for this, and was honored by Governor Schwarzenegger of California. The facility also hosted a group of children from Sderot this summer, providing them with respite and regeneration from the constant terrorist missiles attacking their home city.

“Kiryas Schneerson” is unparalleled in the country, with its year-round camping, nature study,and access to Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, and winter skiing. It is adjacent to the s Bernardino National Forest with its thousands of acres of woodlands and pristine natural assets.