Chicago, IL — Over the past thirty years Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois has grown from a one-man operation in a small Chicago apartment to a legion of more than thirty institutions with fifty full time couples providing services for tens of thousands throughout the state.
Video and more pictures in the Extended Article.
Chabad of Illinois Celebrates Thirty Years
Chicago, IL — Over the past thirty years Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois has grown from a one-man operation in a small Chicago apartment to a legion of more than thirty institutions with fifty full time couples providing services for tens of thousands throughout the state.
Video and more pictures in the Extended Article.
And so it is time to rejoice; and Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois throws a first class celebration.
The evening began with a prayer by Rabbi Yossi Schanowitz and Mr. Morton Skolnik of Chabad of Highland Park.
Rabbi Baruch Epstein of Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois’ regional headquarters introduced Dinner Chairman Mr. Mike Cherry who presented the “Founders Award” to Mr. and Mrs. Kalmen Glustoff, original members of Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois. The Glustoffs were welcomed to the podium with a video treat from the “M Generation” recorded live at their Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois Lag B’Omer Festival appearance.
As the Glustoffs stepped down from accepting their crystal tribute, the lights dimmed and “Illuminate Illinois” a 12 minute video celebration splashed across the multiple 25’ screens in the hall. Celebrating the past, present and future of Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois, the video captured the enthusiasm of each of the thirty Chabad centers throughout the state. Each shliach and mossad was featured in this glimpse into their wonderful work.
Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, vice-Chairman of Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch wowed the audience with stories of Chabad’s growth around the world. The assembled were spellbound as Rabbi Kotlarsky rattled off his travel itinerary to celebrate openings of Chabad centers throughout the FSU, Eastern Europe, Africa and towns and cities throughout the world.
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Levy, from Chabad of Northbrook accepted the Lamplighter Award with their trademark grace and dignity and spoke of their love for Chabad. Then a special treat; The Syndham Choir from the Levy’s hometown of Johannesburg, South Africa appeared on the screens for a song dedicated to the Levys, great supporters and admirers of the choir.
With the crowd enjoying the prime rib and admiring the souvenir cherry wood clocks with the Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois logo, President Bush appeared on the video screen. It was the President’s remarks honoring the heroism of Professor Liviu Librescu, the hero of Virginia Tech. The Fox news clip describing the Professor’s heroic savior of his students at the cost of his own life brought the room to a hushed ambiance. A choir from the Seymour J. Abrams Cheder Lubavitch sang an original composition memorializing the Professor as well as the candle lighting campaign begun in his honor.
Rabbi Danny Cohen, Chabad of Chevron, came especially for the evening held the crowd speechless as he retold of learning of the murder of Professor Librescu, father of his army buddy, Aryeh Librescu. Rabbi Cohen immediately called his old Tzahal friend and after offering condolences took the lead in arraigning proper Jewish burial through the combined efforts of Chabad of Virginia and Lubavitch World Headquarters. With the crowd overwhelmed with a combination of tears and pride at this great coming together of Jewish assistance Mr. Aryeh Librescu ascended the podium and accepted a memorial tribute in honor of his father. As Aryeh concluded his description of his father’s life and heroism he ended with his appreciation for having been brought to this event and his wish that the next time he will visit for a simcha.
Rabbi Daniel Moscowitz, Director of Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois, was called to address the crowd who erupted in applause and celebration for his thirty years on the job. Rabbi Moscowitz expressed his gratitude to the shluchim, supporters and beneficiaries of Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois and most of all to the Rebbe for making all of this possible.
Rabbi Moscowitz made a roll call of all the Shluchim in Illinois who rose to accept the recognition due to each of them.
A video message from Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois was then played thanking the honorees and Chabad for all their important work in the community. Rabbi Moscowitz then introduced Mr. Larry Wahlstrom, president of Jewel of Illinois. Although not Jewish himself, Mr. Wahlstrom has been a most important benefactor of the Jewish community as his chain of grocery stores provide a wonderful array of kosher products and services at their local stores. Mr. Wahlstrom was humble and appreciative in receiving the Community Service Award.
So with thirty years of experience, the Shluchim in Illinois begin to chart the course for even more success in reaching out to each and every one.
Part 1
Part 2
levi
shalom- ur involved again?
confused
i think there is a 100 year confusion chabad is in IL from the time of the rebbe RASHAB in 1875
Bnei Ruven History
Bnei Ruven: Chicago Beginnings
Congregation Bnei Ruven’s roots reach back into the very beginnings of Jewish life in Chicago. Bnei Ruven, founded 1895 in the Maxwell Street area, was the second Chabad synagogue established in Chicago. (The first was Congregation Anshei Lubavitch, established 1875, only four years after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Other Chabad shuls in Chicago have been Tzemach Tzedek (Humboldt Park), Nusach Ari (Albany Park), and Agudas Chabad (Uptown).)
Connections
Chicago Chabad chassidim and their rabbinic leaders have maintained close contact with the Rebbe RaShab (Rabbi Sholom Dov-Ber Schneerson), and his successor, the previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson (who personally visited Chicago in the spring of 1930 and again in 1942.) Bikur Chicago, an anthology of his inspirational speeches, including advice and directives on how to help Yiddishkeit thrive in this important city, is available in English translation. By the time of the Rebbe’s second visit, Chicago had grown to be the second largest city inthe United States, with the second largest Jewish population: 290,000.
Bnei Ruven in West Rogers Park
Bnei Ruven, originally located in a modest house on south Paulina Street, relocated to the West Side and later moved to the then new and fashionable West Rogers Park area, where its building earned an award for innovative architectural design. Under the charismatic leadership of Rabbi Herschel Shusterman, z”l, and his wife Chava (Evelyn), may she merit long and happy years, Bnei Ruven developed into the foremost Orthodox shul of Chicago. Attracting the interest and participation of a wide and varied segment of the Chicago Jewish population, Bnei Ruven offered a large array of classes for children and adults, an active women’s group, a free loan fund, and much more, including Bnei Ruven’s famous, uplifting dancing and festivities on Simchas Torah night.
Bnei Ruven Today
Today, Bnei Ruven’s leaders, Rabbi and Mrs. Baruch and Chanie Hertz, continue to serve the Chicago Jewish community through meaningful programs, classes on all levels, one-on-one counseling; guest speakers and symposia; an evening study kollel; multiple daily minyanim; a full-service synagogue; a stunning mikvah; and caring concern for every Jew. Chabad at Park Place, a do wntown Chabad House in the Lakeview neighborhood, is another way in which the Hertzes reach out to Chicago Jews with classes, holiday events, and Friday night dinners, and the intellectually stimulating Jewish Learning Institute.
Chicagonik
I believe during that roll call they ‘forgot’ to mention some Shluchim’s names
Chaim Yankel
Yes. Lubavitch has been in Chicago in Chicago for more than 100 years.
30 years ago (actually I think its 31) Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Hecht a’h shliach of the Friediker Rebbe and the Rebbe together with Rabbi Daniel Moscowitz established the Mosod Lubavitch Chabad of IL. As a result the first Chabad house in Chicago was established at Northwestern University (now led by Rabbi D.H. Klein) and numerous Lubavitch mosdos were established including Camp Gan Israel, Cheder and more.
To Confused
B“H
You are correct that there is a long history of Lubavitchers in Chicago & that is why the Friedike Rebbe came to Chicago twice. Thirty years ago was when the first time an official Chabad organization was started with the Rebbe’s brochos and instructions for Chicago; and with the direction and blessings of Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Hecht ob”m & Rabbi Tzvi Shusterman ob’m.
Check out the video for more information.
Ruby Harris
A groise y’yasher Koyach!!!!!
Emanuel Zoberman
The story goes that there was a young high school graduate from Vancouver who became interested in Judaism and went to learn and live in Israel. There he became a Gerer Chosid.
When he returned to Vancouver from Israel years later it was the early 1980s. He decided to be part of the growing momentum of Chabad houses and open a Gerer “Chagas” house. He contacted the Gerer Rebbe for his brocho.
The Gerer Rebbe said in no uncertain terms not to undertake such an endeavor as he couldn’t gurantee succees. The Gerer Rebbe said that when the Lubavitcher Rebbe fishes, he uses a net.
In my mind, no Torah organization of this or any type is supposed to succeed on such a scale. And yet the opposite is the case. It is nothing short of a miracle brought about soley because of the special abilities, powers and unending concern of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, the Prophet of our Generation.
An incredible milestone, Rabbi Moscowitz. May you go from strength to strength.
yehda
leibel look great