How can history be revised with such impunity? Anyone familiar with the development of Judaism in America knows that almost immediately after he arrived in the U.S. in March 1940, the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe proclaimed he’d come here to demonstrate that “America is not different” – that even in America one could live as a traditional Jew.
And so, as virtually his first order of business in America, the Rebbe founded the first Lubavitcher yeshiva on these shores. That very same day he also established Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, the educational arm of Chabad, thereby sowing the seeds of Torah-true education in America. The next day, he formally launched Chabad-Lubavitch outreach activities in the U.S.
Time To Give Chabad Its Due
Lately, I’ve been reading some very strange things in various Jewish media outlets about the history of kiruv (outreach) in America. I’ve had to read some of these articles several times over just to be certain my eyes weren’t deceiving me.
How can history be revised with such impunity? Anyone familiar with the development of Judaism in America knows that almost immediately after he arrived in the U.S. in March 1940, the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe proclaimed he’d come here to demonstrate that “America is not different” – that even in America one could live as a traditional Jew.
And so, as virtually his first order of business in America, the Rebbe founded the first Lubavitcher yeshiva on these shores. That very same day he also established Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, the educational arm of Chabad, thereby sowing the seeds of Torah-true education in America. The next day, he formally launched Chabad-Lubavitch outreach activities in the U.S.
I can’t even count the number of times I’ve seen an article in which this or that organization claims to be the “first and oldest outreach organization,” and in which Chabad’s pioneering activity is slighted, if it’s mentioned at all. Thus in a May 4 op-ed column in this newspaper, Rabbi Meir Goldberg stated that “Kiruv in its early stages was performed mostly by the Torah Umesorah day school movement and NCSY, with their emphasis on reaching children and teens. Eventually, they were joined by Chabad…”
Do those who make such assertions really not know that Chabad had been doing kiruv work among American Jews in general, and American Jewish youth on campus in particular, for years before the need for such outreach was acknowledged by others in the Orthodox community? Torah Umesorah did not even come into existence until 1944, NCSY a decade later.
Chabad as a movement is more than 250 years old. Its entire foundation is ahavas Yisrael – love of fellow Jews. Casting oneself aside for the sake of another is natural to every Chabadnik. Chabad’s goal has always been to reach every Jew without regard to background, affiliation, or level of observance. It was, therefore, only natural that Chabad would immediately launch outreach activities to young and old in America.
Chabad has never used the term “kiruv rechokim” (reaching out to the distant), as do all other outreach organizations, because according to Chabad philosophy there is no such thing as a “rachok” (distant) Jew. All Jews have a “chelek Eloka mima’al mamosh,” an integral part of the divine within them. That makes all Jews – scholar or simpleton, religious or secular – equals.
If one is intellectually honest, one has to acknowledge Chabad’s pioneering role in kiruv. Not only was Chabad the first, it continues to set the standard – with more than 3,500 Chabad centers around the world reaching out to any and every Jew, and with many more individual Chabadniks dedicated to outreach.
How true is the observation that “There are two things you can find all over the globe – Chabad and Coca-Cola” (and in that order). In the most remote locales, in the most out-of-the-way places, there is a Chabad Center with a Chabad shliach and shlucha and their family, giving of themselves and forgoing personal comfort and convenience to help other Jews.
As a matter of fact, many (if not most) of today’s non-Chabad kiruv rabbis (and rebbetzins) are themselves beneficiaries of the Chabad outreach network. I could list key outreach professionals, editors of major outreach publishing houses, heads of kashrus agencies, etc., who are products of Chabad-Lubavitch shlichus. Because I take seriously the precept of loving my fellow Jew, I won’t put them on the spot by naming names – though it truly is a shande (disgrace) that many of them seem to be embarrassed that it was Chabad that introduced them to Torah-true Judaism.
But whether they wish to admit it or not, it was Chabad that mikareved them. Just as it was Chabad – with its now ubiquitous Chabad Houses – that came up with the idea of offering Jewish students a home away from home on college campuses. Just as it was Chabad that established the first yeshivas for baalei teshuvah (Hadar Hatorah for men and Machon Chanah for women) in the early 1960’s. (Non-Chabad baal teshuvah yeshivas followed years later – Ohr Somayach, for example, did not come into existence until 1970, and Aish HaTorah was founded in 1974.)
Back in the 1950’s, Chabad’s outreach efforts (the Rebbe referred to it as “Uforatztah” or “Hafatzas Hamayonos Chutzah” – spreading the wellsprings of chassidus to the farthest corners of the earth) were scorned by the rest of the haredi world.
Chabad was roundly rebuked for its alleged “bitul Torah” – for spending time reaching out to others rather than studying Torah. There are enough Responsa by enough Litvish gedolim to attest to the anti-kiruv atmosphere of the day.
Eventually, others in the Orthodox community realized that kiruv was not only acceptable and desirable but indeed an obligation for every Torah-true Jew. Responsa from gedolim like Rav Moshe Feinstein and others appeared calling for setting aside time for outreach, for kiruv.
Today, we see a variety of Jewish outreach movements in the U.S. and other countries. This is a good thing – and it can only be attributable to Chabad’s pioneering example. Unfortunately, we have also seen jealousy and rivalry exhibited toward Chabad by some other Jewish outreach groups, and this is not a good thing.
Why do we not look back and learn a lesson from the ahavas Yisrael that Chabad always displayed? Rabbi Yisrael Jacobson, a prominent Chabad leader, assisted in the establishment of many non-Chabad educational institutions. When Yeshiva Torah Vodaath was in dire need – on the verge of bankruptcy – and the banks were going to repossess the school’s building, an urgent appeal for help was made in the press. The Rebbe called Reb Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz and donated hundreds of thousands of dollars – equivalent to millions today – to resolve the problem.
My sister was executive secretary to Dr. Joseph Kaminetzky at Torah Umesorah in the 1960’s when Olomeinu, the children’s monthly magazine (founded to compete with the Talks and Tales children’s magazine published by Chabad since 1942) was in danger of shutting down due to financial problems. The Rebbe called Dr. Kaminetzky and donated the amount of money needed to save Olomeinu.
When Torah-observant Jews fight and denigrate each other, especially while engaged in such a sacred task as kiruv, does it not set the worst example for those very Jews in need of being brought closer to their faith?
How prescient was the previous Rebbe, who forecast in the 1940’s: “First the Orthodox, haredi, and yeshivish Jews will mock us [Chabad] for our outreach activities, and then they will fight us. Eventually they will join us [in outreach work]. At the end, they will claim that they were the pioneers who established the concept of Kiruv-Outreach.”
It’s time to stop trying to revise history. If someone has a problem with anything about Chabad, why not discuss it with a Chabadnik? Why not talk it out intelligently? This author, for one, is happy to discuss any matter with any serious individual seeking to learn about Chabad.
May we merit to see achdus (unity) in the entire Jewish community, and may this lead to the final Redemption through the righteous Moshiach.
Chana
Thank you!!! I was wondering when a response of this kind would be forthcoming!! I read an article in the Jewish Press, the subsequent letters, and then the clarification/apology from the original author which was no better then the original article. So thank you for standing up for the kovod of our Rebbe!
Boruch ben Tzvi HaKohaine Hoffinger
B“H
Dear Rabbi Kalmanson,
Very interesting and informative.
People like ‘Rabbi’ Meir Goldberg has the title of ‘Rabbi’ or ‘Teacher.’ What is he teaching us, to lie?
When his children and students start to lie, and (G-d forbid) worse, what will this ‘rabbi’ tell them? ”It’s not nice to lie, plus it might lead to worse ‘averos.’ It also removes us, somewhat, from the schechina. Anyone who’s experienced the schechina would hate to be far from it. It’s like going from a sunny, beautiful day into the darkness and gloom.
We all have negative emotions: jealousy, anger, pride. To put them in print is certainly going too far.
Boruch Hoffinger
Thanks....
May Hashem bless the author for his righteous and most neccessary words. And may the promise; “words that stem from the heart will enter the heart” arouse in the readers, the desired results.
Thanks!
just trying to understand
Does Achdus consist of asking for honor? We don’t need the world to know who started it. What’s the difference who started? As long as Jews are coming closer to Yiddishkeit it doesn’t matter.
bentzy
wow what a article its about time someone addresed this important issue
Lubavitcher
Kol Hakavod for setting the record straight in so forthright and public a manner.
Moshe
Well said!! But it won’t change a thing. Unfortunatly the Litvisheh velt could care less and the divide is only growing wider.
thank you
finally! Rabbi Kalmanson, please write a similar piece for the Mishpacha Magazine which is notorious for pretending Chabad does not exist when they cover Litvishe Avreichim doing Kiruv.
Joe Can
Kol Hakavod to Rabbi Kalmanson.
A well written article…
conc
We should all thank the Jewish Press for carrying such a concise/powerful/truthful/revealing message. Then we need to thank this Shaliach. VERY well written, message appreciated.
Heres hoping it reaches many others who need to see it.
Its just that he didnt leave contact information for that offer to ask questions and we hope and pray that the people who ask, get to ask someone like this Shaliach.
Thanks
very well put
Moshe Klein
Right on Rabbi Kalmanson!!!!!!
finally...
kol hakovod-this article says so much that has been on my mind for so long…
Couldn-t have said it better
Well said Rabbi Kalmanson.
We need more Chabad representatives to speak up to the rest of the frum world and set the record straight on this issue.
Although in Chabad we do seem to have a “complex” about recognizing and acknowledging other frum organizations’ achievements in this field, the bottom line is that the Frierdiker Rebbe and the Rebbe were pioneers in this area.
(For those who are interested,there was a great article about this very issue a few years ago in the Neshei Newsletter. I believe it was coauthored by Rabbi Geisinsky and Rabbi Eliezrie.)
bunk yud 1
go rabbi k a past counselor at camp chabad
viewer
Excellent article, with intelligent arguments and much-needed CORRECT information regarding the history of hafotzoh.
Chossid
All valid points, obviously. (I’m pretty sure I read something on the same topic in the Neshei Newsletter)
However, I’ve heard the Rebbe saying that the Rebbeim, as leaders of Klal Yisroel, were more interested in getting the job done than being the ones taking the credit.
For example, many major breakthroughs in relieving the Jewish plight in Europe which were instigated and seen through by the previous Rebbeim, but credit was given to other Gedolim.
Menashe
I’ve met the Rabbi Goldberg he quoted in person and can confidently say he is a a very good and caring yid from Lakewood. Such nonsense comes from plain ignorance and nothing more. There isn’t a shred of anything against Chabad in his body.
Miryam Swerdlov
RABBI KALMENSON, THAT WAS TERRIFIC. kol hakovod. Just because a lie is repeated many times, does not make it a truth. And the world is allowing this falsehood to go on. Even we are sometimes embarassed to stand up for ourselves. LUBAVITCHERS. BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE. OUR REBBE has single-handedly changed the world. Whether people want to admit it or not, everyone knows that. A woman affiliated with a verrrrrrrry, shall we say, not pro Chabad school in Flatbush told me, shshshshshsh, don’t tell anyone, but most of the people here that were ever in trouble, have a secret dollar from the Rebbe in the back of their wallet………..
yankydoodle
well said. it is good to see someone take the time to set the facts straight.
i love the way mrs. .... put it
very well put !!!
chabadnik
how true. when i read the article in the jewish press, i felt my blood boil. however, i did’nt feel knowladgable enough to refute it. a big yasher koiach to the auther.
A proud lubavitcher
Beautifully written! Thank you for making such a kiddush lubavitch! Moshiach Now!
nickname
Nice article, but since when are we so hung up over taking credit? You know how they say, the best shluchim are those you never read about in the paper or on COL…same goes for this matter. Seeking credit in my opinion denotes some arrogance, lets just stay in the background the way we always used to.
well done
shkoiach, strong but dignified.
lizman
thanks rabbi k
hey and all this from a meshichist i love it
Chabadnik living in Litvish area
Beautifully done! For those who say “what’s the differencee who did it first?” the response is–it does make a difference! We are not standing up for our own Kovod but for the Rebbe’s Kovod and to do Hafotzas Hamaayonos it’s important for the Velt to know that Lubavitch didn’t just jump on the bandwagon along the way, but rather it was the other way around!! Just wait, in a little while they’ll say that some other movement started the passion toward Moshiach and Lubavitch joined along!! Well imitation is the best compliment but when the world tries so hard to knock Lubavitch we have to expose the historical facts! Maybe some ppl should write to the Jewish Press to commend them for allowing the other side of the story to come through.
to just trying to understand and chossid
it could be that your about not looking for honer,but this article is not talking about that- when pueple start to mock and make fun of chabad for what and the way their doing it’s inportentfor them to relize this!
shmuel
Great article, just one question:
Where do you get it from that Olomeinu was founded to compete with Talks and Tales?
hi
To all those people who ask “since when do we care about kavod?”
You have to realize one thing; it is not your kavod do disregard.
It is your Rebbe’s kavod.
And it is your obligation to defend it to the best of your ability.
Period.
Smai
Article well wirtten. However, I believe to have seen a correction issued by Rabbi Goldberg on his slight for Chabad and he elaborated that it was not intentional, rather he was talking about a whole different kind of kiruv, one that is uncomparable to that of Chabad’s. Never to forget: the bRebbe always promoted Ahavas Yisroel, that doesnt mean we are’t to stand up for the Rebbe’s kavod, but also not to degrade it by being overly arrogant or putting others down at that expense. In now way am I refering to Rabbi K’s article, but to all of us in Chabad as a whole.
Ados
Dear Smai
he also wrote that there is a difference between shlichus and kiruv
realy?
Monsey resident
yes, yes, yes and yes! I work with many people who argue that they started “Kiruv” and ignore all the years of work Chabad has invested in ahavas yisroel while they practised elitism in their yeshivahs. Thank you Rabbi Kalmanson for giving me an article to share.
another classmate
Boruch “Hakohein” Hoffinger,
I am curious as to two things about your response. Why do u always have to mention that you are a Kohein? Are you that insecure that you need to make mention of your kehuna to validate the garbage that you spew? I know plenty of Kohanim, including my relatives who live lives of piety and they do not shove their kehuna in everyone’s face every time they open their mouths to say something.
My other question,
Did u notice that you are the only one in this articles comments that makes mention of a name, and commits loshon horah, and rechilus? (Do u know the Halochos of the two?)
person around litfishers
very nice but you shouod of added some thing about russsia all these mesnagdim say “thanks to rav shach’s encouagement [this is waht they say i’m not calling him a rav at all] thousands of yidden were mekareiv” what balony
Meir Goldberg
Hello my Chabad friends. I’m the evil Meir Goldberg that most of you are angry at. As I wrote in the Jewish Press, the original wording of the article, implying that Chabad wasn’t first was a mistake and I apologize for that. As I wrote, I was focusing on non Chabad Kiruv. The difference between kiruv and Shlichus is one that Chabad makes not non Chabad people. I wasn’t trying to make machlokes or be insulting with that term. BTW, Menashe, who are you? Have we met before?