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 each and 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.
Op-Ed: Open Letter to the residents of Crown Heights
Next weekend, Shabbos Parsha Lech Lecha, over 800 students and 100 Shluchim and Shluchos will be coming bez”h to Crown Heights for the largest Pegisha of its kind in history.
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 each and 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 Farbrengens and meals, by the visits to 770 and the Ohel. But as often as not, what they are most affected by are their hosts. By the thought that families would so open their doors to complete strangers, show them such warmth, even –in most instances – lend them their keys!
That expression of Chassidus lived, in a practical sense, makes the biggest impact. Seeing the smiles on so many greeting faces, knowing that people will stop and offer them help on the street when they’re walking around looking confused, the feeling of being welcomed. It makes them realize that their Rabbi and Rebbetzin don’t exist in a vacuum; that they’re not just who they are because “it’s their job”, but that this is truly a way of life open to everyone.
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. To thank you for taking us in. And to thank you for the impact you will have on our students’ lives.
A note about the date: Had there been any option, we would have avoided having the Pegisha at such a busy time. So many people have already been overextended by Tishrei. The Shluchim and Shluchos themselves have served thousands of meals each in the past month, and would like nothing better than to leave this for a quieter time of year. Unfortunately, after looking carefully through EVERY possible alternative, this was the only weekend in the year that could be made to work. We apologize for the inconvenience.
At the same time, I have been asked to make the following request:
The students you will see on the streets, in almost all case, have a long-standing developing relationship with the Shluchim and Shluchos on their campus. In almost every case, the Shliach and Shlucha have prepared the student to the extent possible, highlighted behaviors that are acceptable or are not, etc. 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 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 path towards Frumkeit. Past experience has shown that positive and uplifting experiences help them grow in their Yiddishkeit while well-intentioned instructions about Hilchos Shabbos – or anything else for that matter – have sometimes had long-lasting negative effects.
Along the same lines, times have changed drastically in the attitudes most campuses have towards alcohol. We respectfully ask that people be very careful about serving mashke at all, and especially to underage students, as there have at times been negative results in the past.
Again, Thank You! May all of our efforts be met with Hatzlacha, may they achieve their goal of bringing Nachas to the Rebbe, and may we immediately all together celebrate the ultimate kibutz goliyos with the coming of Moshiach Now!
Rabbi Moshe Bleich on behalf of the Chabad on Campus International Shabbaton Organizing Committee.
This Op-Ed reflects the views of its author. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CrownHeights.info nor of its Editors.
A reader that wishes to make his or her voice heard on any topic of their desire is welcome to submit his or her Op-Ed to News@CrownHeights.info.
yechiel
Good stuff!
A chutzpa!
Go bring your chilul shabes and chilul hakoydesh into any other frum neighrborhood and see what would happen
a chutzpa…we should have to put up with being photographed on shabbos!!
APPLAUSE!!
Very well said! If you get the inspiration to “educate” visitors who are not yet Frum, think again. And instead, try “educating” your fellow Lubavitchers about the way THEY dress & behave.
NO??? That’s out of line? I think it’s more appropriate to speak to our own than try and disrupt the great work these Shluchim are doing. Oh, but it’s much easier to confront people who will be so insulted you’ll never see them again than speaking to your family members or friends, isn’t it!
When we see these young people we should do something we don’t usually do: smile & say Good Shabbos!
sara
Not everyone has recovered from Tishrei yet – we have one guest that is staying until Hei Marcheshvan.
Great Expectations
This is also an excellent opportunity for the residents of Crown Heights to be reminded that we are all the Rebbe’s shluchim, all the times, and to act appropriately.
As someone who had at one time had no exposure to jewish orthodoxy, I can tell you that during my first trip to Brooklyn, it was as shocking to me to see girls dressed in skin-tight short skirts as it was to get a dirty look for the jeans I was wearing myself. The difference is that I did not know any better. Baruch Hashem, I was blessed to meet people of excellent character that showed how to act with proper tznius and ahavas yisroel, and every jew searching for their roots deserves that opportunity.
Our speech, actions and APPEARANCE all reflect upon our community and Chabad chassidus as a whole, so let’s extend ourselves to be the example we were taught by our Rebbe to be.
Overworked in CH
Don’t take this wrong, you should have hatzlocha rabba with your weekend. But 2 shabbosim right after a very full Tishrei? I had people call me to ask for places before my own out of town family was out the door. Then I got another call from someone else. Before you start banging on our doors to let your mechorovim stay with us in CH, couldn’t you think about our stamina, our food bills and our stength before you schedule this? Since you obviously need our community help to make this a success, since you are telling us how to treat your kids, why couldn’t you have considered the timing of this shabbaton in regards to our community and what we just went thru during Yom Tov? I am thinking of just saying NO More, although at another time I would have been delighted to help. Please think about us, we have feelings also!
To A CHUTZPA.
“Go bring your chilul shabes and chilul hakoydesh into any other frum neighrborhood and see what would happen”
Sick Comment, which is why we are so successful in making thousands of successful shiomre torah umitzvois and they are not.
What would the Rebbe’s opinion be? How would the Rebbe react to a student taking a picture of him on shabbos? You think the Rebbe would react the way the other communities would.
Shame on you! You opinions obviously comes from a deeper hurt within yourself (maybe you wish that you were on shlichus ), so sad.
To A Chutzpa!
That is exactly the difference between us and the “other” frum neighborhoods.
Being tolerant of another individual is not the same as condoning their behavior. It is being mature about the differences in personalities, and paths to Yiddishkeit.
As Chassidim of our Rebbe, we have been taught to be Mekarev with love. Displaying Ahavas Chinum, even to someone who does not (yet) share our values, can go a long way in having a positive effect.
love your fellow Jew
Maybe if people were purely positive and uplifting to people of Crown Heights, instead of confrontational, there would be some changes in the way people dress and act.
Proud of you
Beautifully written. Thank you for allowing us to share in your shlichus. May you go from strength to strength and continue to inspire us all.
UXP325
I DIDNT RECOVER FROM TIOSHREI YET. WE ARE THINKING OF ASKING THE HANHOLEH OF YESHIVAS IN ISRAEL NOT TO SEND KIDS ANYMORE, I THINK IT DOES MORE DAMAGE THEN GOOD FOR ALL OF US.
HOWEVER WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HOST STUDENTS, WE CAN ACCOMDATE 6 STUDENTS WHOM CAN WE CALL?.
I MAKE A POINT TO ALWAYS SAY HELLO AND SHABBAT SHALOM TO THSES KIDS EVERY YEAR, I THINK WE SHOULD ALL OPEN OUR HEARTS TO THIS.
To Overworked in CH
You said it so well on behalf of all us tired, overwhelmed & broke hosts. I’m still paying for outrageous Tishrei food bills & still dealing with the mounds of laundry. I still have people here.
I want a free vacation in Israel.Maybe someone can pay for my flights also.
Good luck with the Shabbaton, but please count me out!! Not right now, and the Kinus is coming up in a few weeks. So we start all over again :))
mendy
there is a difference between them carrying umbrellas, smoking ect. to taking pictures , which should certainly NOT be tolorated. Even if a GOY were taking pictures, which is mutar, they would also be asked to stop. To ask people not to comment on their dress ect. is one thing. to ask them to allow pictures is a total chutzpah!
happy
just take the letter for what it is and TRY to be nice for one weekend.
Tzirl
Sing along everyone, it’s an old Uncle Moishy song
Hachnosas Orchim it means inviting guests
Hachnosas Orchim is friendship at its best
Hachnosas Orchim is something we should do
Hachnosas Orchim invite your fellow Jew.
Remember increase in acts of kindness, Moshiach is on the way.
Girl
Maybe everyone who is complaining about the timing should think about the Shluchim who no doubt spent months planning this event IN ADDITION to all of their Tishrei responsibilities. The Rebbe never went on vacation. What makes you think that you can?
know thy self and others
i agree with love your fellow jew
i know people whom ive been connected to and they started to change just by
being accepted for where they were at,
TO: UXP325
We can your your gracious hosting…
Call the office – 718-510-8181
sara
Girl, are you single or are you a struggling family on a budget? It’s not fair to judge other people and what they can and can’t handle.
And yes, the shluchim will be here in less than 3 1/2 weeks.
Tishrei, a college Shabbaton, and the shluchim are too much for my plate.
Don’t judge me unless you are willing to make beds, cook meals, and fund the operation. Oh, and give my kids personal attention when I can’t.
abc
To mendy:
Your comment by far is the best.
We can have guest in our neighborhood and accept them for their dress (I am sure they will get a crash course in how to dress or not to dress here).
But picture taking of course is unacceptable. They will surely get a crash course in Halacha before they come here into our neighborhood. Carrying umbrellas caused an uproar last time there was a pegisha for them.
So lets all keep quiet, or if you can invite them…. and lets all be zoche to meet in yerushalyim now with moshiach amen!!!!!!
WWTRD
To answer the question WWTRD. I cant say for sure ,but if a student stood in the Shvill ,say when the Rebbe was coming in for Kabolas Shabbos and snapped a picture ,Im pretty sure the Rebbe wouldn’t just ignore it. I imagine (and I may be wrong ) that The Rebbe would smile and gently remind him that its Shabbos.
A FORMER STUDENT
To all the people in CH I want to tell you that this Shabbos and what the Shluchim do is just incredible. A few years ago I was just like all of the students who you will see walking through CH. After being convinced by a friend to join her for a “cool, cultural experience” i agreed to spend Shabbos in CH . The warmth and love of my host family, and the feeling of love and acceptance that
i got led me on my path to Frumkeit! I will be glad to host students in my home this Shabbos!So thank you,to all those who open your hearts and homes
the rebbe did when took a picture
I was there when a litvisher bocher took a picture of the rebbe at a close distance on a weekday. The rebbe asked him if he learned tanya. When he said no, the rebbe asked anouther bochur who was standing there to start a sheir in tanya with him.
chosid
being a chosid is about sacrifice if you dont give at least a little then what are you sacrificing. if your a chosid then your one even in crown hieghts and our part is to let people into our homes when we dont necessarily want to. and thats our small part of being shluchim no matter were we are.
Bissel seichel
A chutzpa,
Theres a known story of the rebbe who told the woman carrying her purse on shabbos “if you leave your purse here and dont carry, your son will be saved”
Dig the story up, theres also known story of the rebbe covering his face from a goy taking a pic of him on shabbos.
On Campus Myself
I agree that the timing of this conference may not be ideal. We are ALL tired after the hectic month of Tishrei, believe me.That said, please keep in mind that we aren’s asking you to feed them the 20 plus meals you probbaly fed your Tishrei guests. You are not expected to do their laundry and if you cannot host them for meals, I am sure there are families who will happily do so. Just please give them a clean, comfortable room and a positive experience. These aren’t people who are coming to sit on your heads, but coming to sok in what life in a frum neighborhood is like. The Rebbe said the people of Crown heights are shluchim in Crown heights. I think the Rebbe meant that when fremde people come we are dugma chayas and people full of Ahavas Yisroel.It is good and fine to have friends, relatives and strangers come for Tishrei, but there is a huge difference between the ‘shlichus’ of Tishrei and the shlichus of being miskarev an impressionsble, curious jewish college student.
Thank you Crown heightsers in advance for your warm hospitality!
Housing Committee for Shabbaton
ATTENTION to POTENTIAL HOSTS!
If you have place to host students next week please call us at 718-510-8181.
We still need places and are honored if you could help us.
Shabbaton Housing Committee!
IF YOU CAN HOST STUDENTS…
Please email us at shchunahosts@chabad.edu
We still need space!
Thank You VERY MUCH!
Yossi
As far as the difference between CH and other frum neighborhoods (in response to “a chutzpa”):
That is EXACTLY the difference between us and other groups. We tolerate “outsiders”. CH is NOT Meah Shearim, which is why Chabad is at the forefront of being mekarev yiden.
Perhaps this is why the Rebbe stayed in CH and did not follow the rest to Boro Park etc. Perhaps it was to create a community where we would be able function differently then the rest and welcome others, where they would be unwelcome elsewhere.
yowz
tolerance is the right way….but it comes with its price
jj
it would be important to remind everyone that being this pegisha will be happening around a very hyped presidential election – that the residents of ch respect chabads neutrality in politics, and not ruin a few years of hard work that the shliach put into being mekarev these students – by preaching to him that obama is a muslim etc. and ranting about all your political beliefs (which probably dont match the political beliefs of your average jewish college teen)
only with PURE ahavas yisrael will succeed in being mekarev these (as well as our own) youth, and bring moshiach.
proud lubavitcher girl :)
This is why I’m so proud to be a Lubavitcher… and to all those people who have a bad word to say, bite your tongues for one weekend. It enver killed anyone. These Shluchim are amazing and I aspire to be just like them one day!
A Proud Farmer
I am sick and tired of being lectured by theses shluchim who think they are superior.
They think they know the best about EVERYTHING, incuding but not limited to our tolerance of Barack Obama.
Everyone who works for living is somehow a Farmer. How distasfull and shameful.
Its about time SHluchim learn to be mentchlich to others who have not chosen their way of making a living.
No one important
If you can host a couple of students, that’s fabulous and if it’s too much for you now, that’s completely understandable….but enough with the negativity and bashing. No wonder Moshiach isn’t here yet.
campus shlucha
certainly students can be told about photos, etc!
there is a way for something to be said and a way for it not to be said….
i would love to thank publicly the hosts who are graciously hosting these students! ‘wish i knew all their names..
for going out of their way when we are all so ready for a ‘vacation’.. (or just a normal pace of life :)
High Expectations
When I mentioned tznius dress, I was referring to residents of Crown Heights (unfortunately), not the visitors. I am not “passing judgment” on any one, but I am not blind, and neither are the students that will be coming. Setting a good example is a every Lubavitcher can contribute positively, whether or not we are personally hosting guests or meals.
And yashar koach to those that are hosting guests, and those that have throught Tishrei and the whole year.
mvh
Wait a minute, what is wrong with BEING photographed on Shabbos? TAKING photos is chilul shabbos, but being in the picture isn’t. If you’re going about your shabbosdike business and someone who doesn’t know better takes your photo, what difference does it make to you? And if a goy takes your photo, al achas kamo vechamo – I don’t understand what objection anybody could possibly have!
McBama
What a bitter community…
lighten up| G-d loves you!
Peace out.
PLEASE DONT TALK ABOUT POLITICS
Please, please don’t talk about politics. Most of the students are Obama supporters. It is not our job to talk about politics and to be the shluchim of rish limbaugh and michael savage. Calling Obama a muslim WILL turn a kid away from yidishikeit and will NEVER change his mind about his candidtae.
fans of shluchei adoneinu
shluchim, shluchos vert nisht nispoel
ch’ers can trade places with you for one weekend and these comments will change.
Campus Shlucha
To all of you who have written so far, thank you for your kind and inspiring words and I am truely sorry for those of you who have a ‘bad taste in your mouth’.
and to PROUD FARMER- “shluchim make a living”? we are dependend on FARMERS like you!! so thank you very much for your hard work!
And GO MOISHE BLEICH!!!!
Shliach in the US
To A proud Farmer:
You obviously did not read the article, so why dont you go back and read it.
1) No one is lecturing you.
2) No one called you a farmer, other than yourself.
3) Rabbi M.B def did not use that word, since among Shluchim he is known as the biggest “farmer supporter” (used your words for emphasize).
4) NO one bashed OBama, rather the person who posted said that please do NOT bash Obama to students, since most of them do support Obama.
All in all, this is a great letter and I think it will acomplish what it needs to acomplish. Last year students were very offended by the way some locales spoke to them about umbrellas etc.
Everyone knows that C.H is the best place to bring these kids, dont forget most Shluchim are from C.H.
We apreciate all you do for us bigashmiyus ubrichniyus!!!!!
Z.Z
CHer on campus
think about the campus shluchim themselves! you’re complaining about tishrei? shluchim often have dozens if not hundreds of students by them every shabbos! I realize that many shluchim have help, but it’s still not easy.
when i see all the students come to CH for the pegisha i have so much naches from them and from the CHers who open their homes and tables to college students whom they’ve never met.
remember: whether your shlichus is to go out on campus or live in CH it’s not on your terms. it’s on the Rebbe’s.
Everyone needs to take a deep breath
As a fomer Liberal college student who is now a CHer, let me say I agree with JJ.
I do not like Obama, trust me, but I can see how if the locals start using the “n” word or call him an Israel hater, or criticize those who vote for him or whatever…it will do much more damage than good…and shluchim will be left with the bill and having to clean the mess.
REMEBER, by this point the election will be over, the next pres will be chosen, and that is it. These students, like you, will have already voted…so what is the point in insulting them on what they did in the past? What is the point in trying to convince them to change something they can not change…their vote.
By insulting Obama, democrats, or those who vote for Obama you will, TRUST ME, make it that much more difficult for these students to move forward with proper Judiasm….remember I dont like Obama either, but I was in theses students shoes in 2000 during Gore/Bush.
These students will feel a hypocrisy and being lied too as a Shliach will be preaching how Chabad is all open, etc…but instead they will hear condemnation in the “capital city” Maybe they will vote Republican one day, but they will not keep shabbos under these conditions.
Trust me, for one weekend, just let Obama and politics go. For one weekend, just let these students enjoy their trip and make them feel good. For one weekend let us forget about U.S. governmental/Israeli secular govt politics.
Remember, for many of them this is their first visit EVER to any sort of Orthodox community, let alone a Chasidic one.
ALSO, if a student tells you he is involved with a group like AISH HA TORAH or Ohr Sameach, please just keep your mouth shut as well. I and friends were turned off to Chabad originally over this issue when attacked about how terrible these places are.
I BEG OF THE PEOPLE OF CROWN HEIGHTS TO SHOW RESTRAINT FOR ONE WEEKEND
sara
Ch’er on Capus – yes, I know you’e a shalich and host people constantly, but I’m not ! I work in an office for a living !
I need a little space and time for myself; if you want US to host you, did you maybe think to ask US which Shabbos would be best for US ?
To Sarah
sara, which shabbos would be best? the week b4 or the week after the kinus? or maybe chanukah or how about the weekend ur kids are off from school. then there is thanksgiving when the students wont come. believe me, the organizers thought about this, and for this year, this is the best option.
We can all appreciate how hard Tishrei was, we were there as well – hosting, cleaning, cooking, shopping over and over again. If you cant host, then dont but please dont be negative. also remember, this is for one shabbos meal and most of the days theyll be out of the house. for our group we have planned in the itinerary breakfast and lunch as a group, not at the hosts. what we want from the hosts is simply a good expirience with a genuine frum family. the students arent looking for fancy food and expensive furniture, they just want friendliness and conversations.
Thank you for all that you do, we really appreciate it.
I have relatives that were told to stay in CH as that is theyre shlichus, we dont think we’re superior and we dont think youre farmers.
Crown Heitzer
To Sara,
Read the article, the Rabbi wrote that this was the ONLY Shabbos that was able to work.
If its too hard for you, do not host. I will host 5 students!!
What did you want them to do, take a vote in CH which is the best Shabbos?
Politically Correctiveness
Let me get this straight:
It’s raining heavily on shabbos. I’m going to shul with my guest. He’s carrying an umbrella. I don’t say a word! He offers to share it with me. I shake my head and tell him I enjoy the rain. He thinks I’ve got a loose screw and chassidim are nutty.
Alternative:
I tell him an umbrella is prohibited on shabbos. Now he’s turned off from yiddiskiet!
At the table he asks if I’ll vote for Obama. I tell the shaliach told me not to discuss this “hot” issue. Or, that chassidim are spiritual and have no clue about what’s going on in the world. Now he knows I’m squirrelly.
Alternative:
I tell him I’m voting for McCain and we agree to disagree. But that will turn him off from yiddishkeit!
He’s smoling on shabbos. I can’t tell him to stop smoking because it’s shabbos – that would turn him off! But i can tell him to stop smoking because it increses air pollution, depletes the ozone layer, and increases the strain on our health care resources – THAT’S OKAY!
Are you shluchim out of touch of reality; over protectetive of your mekuravim; think CH’ers are a bunch of idiots.
And as far as mashkeh –
If I share a few l’chiams with your students, by the time we finish the bottle your student will say, “I swear to drunk that I’m not g-d.”
Emes
I love the comment: We tolerate outsiders.
To the exclusion of insiders.
We can’t tolerate each other!
Puzzled
Woah! What is going on here? Has everyone turned bitter and mean? I live in Crown Heights and love living here, and sometimes the neighborhood becomes overwhelmed with guests, but really, isn’t that what we are all about? Why so much bashing? Shluchim versus CH”S???? WHat’s going on? Aren’t we all in this effort together — some of us in the field working, and some of us helping out by living in the center of the action and supporting it from here — financially if we can, or some of us don’t do it financially but provide support in other ways — sending our kids to help the Shluchim, taking in guests and welcoming them, being the example of a community that the Shluchim can comfortably bring these people to,even shopping for a friend/Shliach that needs something sent to them, or even just being a listening ear.
I’m really puzzled by these posts. Why are so many people being so bitter — aren’t we all, in one way or another, trying to be Chassidim, and accomplish what the Rebbe left for us to accomplish?
Shluchim and Shluchos — keep us your great work — Kol Hakavod to you, I don’t really know how you do it — without finances, without enough help, without local CHinuch for your kids, you’re amazing!!
And fellow Crown Heighters, Kol Hakavod to you for the amazing Hachnosas Orchim I’ve witnessed over this Tishrei to the thousands of guests that moved in, and Kol hakavod to all of you that continue to have guests week after week (I say you, not me, because I have a tiny place and have not taken in so many guests, but I’ve seen what other houses look like.)
I’m in awe of everyone — and let’s keep up the good work — and the united front — for the sake of what we are all trying to accomplish — for the sake of our kids — and for our own selves.
A good day to all!
Curiouser
The shluchim tell us, This is the only shabbos that would work.
Mitzad what?
Can you give us a hint why it MUST be this shabbos and not a later one?