Posted to Chanukah on

Op-Ed: Reaching Out and Reaching In

by Shmuly Rothman

Illustration Photo

Am I the only one who knows a Lubavitch kid gone “their own way”?

This is not about why it happens, nor will I be offering a solution. I will tell you what made the Menorah in our home shine brighter than ever before.

I received a call yesterday evening from a young lady who has become a friend of our family. You know her story. She grew up in a Lubavitch home…she is no longer frum.

My mind was on Chanukah, and I asked her if she would join us via skype when we light our Menorah. She excitedly agreed. My wife set up the laptop while I prepared the Menorah. My kids thought it was the coolest thing.

Our friend was overjoyed to partake in our Chanukah celebration. The look on her face spoke volumes. She knew it was Chanukah.

Would she have lit a Menorah on her own? I can’t tell you. What I do know is she was glowing as my kids and I sang and danced to Haneiros Halalu.

Bring home a guest tonight. Reach out and reach in to the Neshama of one of our “own” and light up their life.

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8 Comments

  • WOW !!!

    short sweet and beautiful!!!! this story really touches…. we should all bring do this…

  • You see what you want to see

    It isn’t the “yearning” of the neshama or the “pintele yid” that you all love to talk about so much. If it was, they would do whatever it is on their own. Instead, it’s the nostalgia, the emotional time and place one returns to when experiencing things (in this case, jewish things) that bring them back to a better time.

  • is this what the Rebbe wanted?!

    It’s not tzinus. The influence on the kids. Oy!

    Throw them out of CH.

    <End sarcasm>

    Hatzlachah rabbah! Keep inspiring your kids and others!

  • The Young Lady in The Story

    That experience truly made my night!
    @number4:
    I do not have memories from home of Chanuka like this. There was no better time upon which to look back and remember. Chanuka night #1 of this year – that is the better time. If I was ever in a happy place, it is now. I am a miracle and for the first time, I came to understand (albeit via skype) that we are all miracles.
    Thank you Rabbi Shmuly and your family!

  • M.B.B.R.S.M. and S.C.M.S.G.R.M.

    To the young lady in the story:
    I love you. We love you.
    And we loved having you join us for our Chanukah party tonight!