This week marks the 60th anniversary of the ascension of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, to the global leadership of Chabad. In that time, the organization has grown from a small hassidic group into a global powerhouse of Jewish outreach. But 15 years after our great rebbe's passing, and with Chabad firing on all cylinders, it faces a major decision as to its future. It will either continue to focus on horizontal expansion - opening more Chabad Houses and sending out more rabbi-emissaries - or it will begin focusing on vertical expansion.
No Holds Barred: The future of Chabad
This week marks the 60th anniversary of the ascension of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, to the global leadership of Chabad. In that time, the organization has grown from a small hassidic group into a global powerhouse of Jewish outreach. But 15 years after our great rebbe’s passing, and with Chabad firing on all cylinders, it faces a major decision as to its future. It will either continue to focus on horizontal expansion – opening more Chabad Houses and sending out more rabbi-emissaries – or it will begin focusing on vertical expansion.
By vertical I mean affecting the world media, governments, the broader culture and the non-Jewish world – areas where Chabad has had little to no influence.
Very few Jews have been untouched by Chabad. Whether you’ve put on tefillin on the street or attended a Chabad House Friday-night dinner, you have had some interaction with the warm and dedicated people of Chabad who have, over the past half century, breathed new life into a once-dying people. But for all that, Chabad remains utterly unknown to the vast majority of Earth’s inhabitants. With the exception of the tragedy in Mumbai, Chabad appears in the news mainly through its own press releases.
In a world crying out for spiritual direction, this is a great shame. What Chabad offers is not merely a supermarket of Jewish observance. It also encompasses a system of deep spiritual thought with outstanding applications to modern challenges. The organization has mastered one of modern parents’ greatest dilemmas – how to inspire youth to selfless communal involvement. From their early teens, Chabad youth are volunteering huge amounts of personal time to strangers. Rather than spending Jewish holidays in the comfort of family, young men and women travel the world to assist Chabad emissaries in staging Passover Seders and High Holy Day services. Why is the secret of such successful youth motivation not being exported?
Low birthrates are decimating Western countries. The New York Times Magazine devoted a cover story last summer to “Disappearing Europe,” exposing how the deplorably low birthrate in France, Russia, Britain and Scandinavia means that the people of Europe are quite literally disappearing, the principal reason being the high cost of modern living. But Chabad continues proudly with large families, insisting that scarce resources be put into raising kids rather than buying Prada handbags.
LAST YEAR, greed nearly destroyed the American economy, and an overindulgence in materialism continues to suffocate the American spirit. Our society seems to love things more than it loves people, with men and women spending more time at shopping malls than at the family dinner table. So why isn’t Chabad publishing treatises on how parents can learn to love having children more than prospering careers?
And how often do we see Chabad men stringing women along for years without marrying them? Chabad men and women look forward eagerly to the commitment of marriage. So where is the advice for a world in which the culture of womanizing and increasing female commitment-phobia leads to so many lonely singles?
Chabad uniquely raises women who are strong-willed but uniquely feminine and nurturing. That’s saying a lot in a culture where the original feminist dream of women being taken seriously for their minds has sadly ended in the exploitation of female sexuality to sell cars and beer.
Chabad has answers to so many of these modern dilemmas. Yet it continues to be known only for the most practical outreach rather than its formidable wisdom. Want to buy a mezuza? Go to Chabad. But want a more spiritual life? Deepak Choprah is your man.
While Christian evangelicals have taken over the airwaves, attempting to convince us that the solution to the disintegration of marriage is opposition to gays, Chabad continues to operate shofar factories and erect Hanukka menoras. These things are profoundly important, but not to the exclusion of promoting Chabad as a profound collection of ideas that can rehabilitate one’s family and rejuvenate one’s spiritual life.
Even Chabad’s greatest admirers praise it for its outstanding work rather than its outstanding wisdom. But possessed of the gem of hassidic thought, should Chabad be known as the most incredible place to have Shabbat dinner in Venice rather than for the practical philosophy people turn to when they seek a more elevated life?
THE SAME is true with politics. True, Chabad is not a political movement, nor should it be. But should Chabad really have no say when it comes to school choice, the tuition crisis and how not one dollar of religious parents’ hard-earned tax money can go to even the secular departments of parochial schools? And does Chabad really have nothing to say about the genocide in Sudan?
Part of the problem has been the failure on the part of modern Chabad to create, with some exceptions, notable writers and thinkers, which is curious given the rebbe’s towering reputation as an intellectual. The movement has become focused on creating fund-raisers rather than orators, builders rather than writers, outreach professionals as opposed to philosophers, and rabbis who know how to put together a minyan as opposed to keeping a marriage together.
Both are, of course, extremely important. But a movement that focuses only on horizontal expansion risks becoming ossified in more-of-the same predictability. Innovative thinkers and charismatic teachers will not arise in Chabad so long as there is thought-conformity in the movement. Yes, Chabad is an halachic movement, and it is to be expected that its intellectuals always conform to the norms of Jewish law. But a thinker must also be allowed broad leeway in challenging conventional norms rather than fearing ostracization for doing so. After all, the rebbe himself was arguably the most broad-minded hassidic rabbi of all time.
Sixty years later, let’s embrace his example.
impressed....
extremely well written….
Shmuly Goldman
The Rebbe over many years to many Rabbis and Shluchim emphasized that the role of a Chabad leader, and probably of any Jewish leader is to focus their energy on Jews and things Jewish.
I take exception to the notion that Chabad does not promote the wisdon of Chassidus. “Yofutzu Maynosecha Chutzah” cerainly refers to ideas and the promotion and the teaching of these ideas are very much intrinsic to the Chabad mission. Sudan is not.
Not to say that Sudan is not an issue, but is it a Chabad issue? If focusing on Sudan serves the mission, then focus on Sudan, but remember the mission and let’s not get caught up in global politics.
The Rebbe once told a Rabbi in South Africa who was focused on abolishing Apatheid to the extent that the government wanted to expel him “when you see two houses burning, one is your and one is your neighbors, where do you rush to first? The Jewish house is still burning, first ensure that your house is safe, then focus on other fires”.
Citizen of the World
Well said Shmuley. We have so much to offer the world in general. It is more than time that we realise what a gift to the world the teachings of Torah – and especially Chassidus – are.
DallesJew
I know the comments will come in fast n furious lol – but that said I kinda agree with the gist of his message. Nothing wrong with trying to move forward in a turbulent world.
I’d like to see some of these suggestions implemented – it can only further the greatness of Chabad/Lubavitch as we know it today.
Kudos to the author!
bz
Rabbi Boteach is the future of Chabad?
I don’t think so!
Mendy
I thins this article is just justefying a path that Rabbi Boteach has chosen for himself, and has left chabad becuase of.
I agree that it is importent to think openly, but as chassidim our thoughts and ideas all have to be based on the Rebbe’s teaching… and there are enough sichos on enough topics to find out what the Rebbe holds on just about any topic.
AWARE
well written.
u seem to have an interesting take with the horizontal and vertical analogy. However, I think your mistaken.
I think this is how chabad conquers the world. The Rebbe could have taken your suggested approach yrs ago, but didn’t. Rome wasn’t built in a day. That may be our motto too. slowly we are accomplishing everything the Rebbe envisioned. More then anyone else could have envisioned. We must be on the right path. (apart from all the inner politics
That being said – You make many good points at what we have to offer. Yet I think people ARE aware of all this. Maybe not in a global sense yet. but we’ll get there.
Really?
People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. Maybe see how you can implement what the Rebbe taught you in your life before telling others what to do that stem from a lack of Kedushah in your own life.
Drinking Chaluv Akum is Metamtem Halev Vehamoach.
sydney 88
“But a thinker must also be allowed broad leeway in challenging conventional norms rather than fearing ostracization for doing so”
does this sound like someone familiar. smuley boteach was ostracised for being such a thinker
Shimon Cohen
The Rebbe spent over 40 yrs. guiding us, never giving us rest, making us realize that to change the world, Chabad Houses, mitzva tanks, ect. are the only way to go.
The Rebbe dealt with many a world leader, but never demanded this from us…..
If only we all would do what we’ve been given to do!!
If there are any of us who can have good influence in any given area “secular” area we know that we should do so and shluchim have done so (drug rehab. programs in Calif., Friendship Circle,getting elected to school boards, through the Rebbe’s urging, etc.). But when our children go in shlichus, it’s to Chabad Houses, not political action committes (although if they have the chance and ability to do something in these other areas they will, of course)
Ultimately we are talking about the dilution or destruction of the unique shlichus all of us were given.
Excuse me, Shmueli, but you could not follow that that path without pretty much becoming distant from anash.
Please think about it.
someonecallsmeEliezer
As a previous post here states, when your house is burning along with others, you should extinguish your own first. I believe over 70% of world Jewry did not hear kiddush last Shabbos.
is that what growing vertically means?
I really thought that you were going to say that since not everybody is going to go on shlichus, we should start focusing on teaching ourselves and our kids to grow in chasidishkeit , davening bearichus, learning etc
Rivkah Schulman
I think you have a valid point in that promoting Jewish life and values requires exposure and education on various fronts and through various mediums. However, it can be tricky to successfully utilize the fronts and mediums that exist since they are founded and operate on principals and within structural systems based upon antithetical values. We then risk the twisting and corrupting, or even the loss, of the vary message that needs to be conveyed because the medium undermines the message. That is why Chabad houses are the safest, most reliabe medium – they are the sanctuary where the meaning of Jewish life can be taught and lived. Our Nossi had no problem reaching Jews and returning to them their lost heritage in any and every way possible, but without any compromises and without watering down the fine wine! May we continue to follow his leadership and innovate new ways and paths to reach fellow Jews and non-Jews – to bring holiness into all aspects of life and to all corners of the world.
Shimon Lessoff
The above article is food for thought and the previous notes have given some insight into the authors main focus – strategies for Chabad. I would like to deal with two other points.
1) I am offended by the statement “Chabad … breathed new life into a once-dying people.” The eternality of the Jewish people is a promise from G-d. We serve G-d, we do not replace Him. The Friediker Rebbe once said “America is Nisht Underish” Some things don’t change, can never change. The Jewish people is eternal, G-d’s relationship to the Jewish people is eternal. Thank G-d we merit to participate in this relationship. We cannot take credit for it.
2) In Ha-yom-yom (20 Iyar) the Rebbe states, “self aggrandizement and disrespect of others can cause us to lose everything.” I do believe that the Torah and the Rebbe hold answers to the worlds problems. I do not believe that just because I am a Chabadnik who tries to understand and follow the Torah and the Rebbe that I necessarily can single handedly solve my own or everybody else’s problems.
Sincerely
Shimon Lessoff
Shlucha in suburbia
To those who criticize the writer and not the content.A fundamental principle of ahavath yisroel and human relations in general is, don”t make personal attacks against the writer especially when you don’t know him, rather focus on the issues not the person. Because every individual has a right to express their opinions on life especially when their intention is to highlight issues they feel strongly about.Denigrating the writer just makes your voice so much weaker.
Mrs. Y. Weber
B“H
I think Chabad IS affecting more and more of the great intellectual thinkers and philosophers of our time, via the campus Chabad houses. It isn’t just students who are brought closer to Yiddishkeit at these Chabad Houses, but university personnel as well, including many professors!
Also, on campus, some of these Chabad House students are the world’s FUTURE intellectual, political, and philosophical leaders. Chabad is very much in touch with this. For example, JLI has a wonderful program that nurtures many of these ”cream of the crop“ Jewish university students, called the Sinai Scholars Society.
Speaking of JLI, they also have a Teen division, offering courses that inspire and influence Jewish youth even before college. (I saw a story on crownheights.info or shmais recently, about a group of JLI Teens students on their way home from class, who stopped and successfully rescued someone who was trying to commit suicide, C”V, all in the name of the Torah’s mandate to preserve life, which they had just been learning about that evening.)
And don’t forget the hundreds of Chabad House after-school Talmid Torah programs, which no-doubt influences the even younger future leaders of society!
These Jewish leaders will (and do) surely influence and even inspire their non-Jewish colleagues along the way, since colleagues’ qualities often rub off on each other; may this always be for the good, please Hashem.
Chabad “outreach” IS reaching up, as well as out, by continuing to do what it already does best.
HALF_BAKED_HOSID
To those who criticize the writer and not the content.A fundamental principle of ahavath yisroel and human relations in general is, don”t make personal attacks against the writer especially when you don’t know him, rather focus on the issues not the person. Because every individual has a right to express their opinions on life especially when their intention is to highlight issues they feel strongly about.Denigrating the writer just makes your voice so much weaker.
only weak ppl get personal
if you cannot refute the TOICHEN than attack the Messenger )the message is valid)
sinas chinum is NOT chasidic nor Chabad’s-way
anash of Melbourne
From: anash@stop-press.com.au
To: anash@stop-press.com.au
Subject: Message to Anash from Yudi New & Menachem Vorchheimer – Petition
Subject: Message to Anash from Yudi New & menachem Vorchheimer – Petition
Dear All,
This is directed at members of Anash and people who daven (or used to daven) at Yeshivah Shule. Our apologies if you have received this email and do not consider that the issues raised impact upon you in any way.
As you may be aware, we are running a petition directed to Rabbi Telsner and the Yeshivah Executive calling for the removal of the Yechi sign affixed to the back of Yeshivah Shule. We are aware that given the track record of the Executive, it is unlikely that they will respond to this petition, yet we believe it is important that they get a feel of the level of opinion that exists concerning the ongoing presence of the sign in the shule.
By this initiative, we certainly do not seek to persuade anybody as to how they should feel about the philosophy which stands behind the Yechi sign or, chas vashalom, provoke disharmony.
We believe that the sign is divisive and our aim is to restore Achdus to our Chabad community and, potentially, restore some pride and dignity to Yeshivah Shule and Chabad in Melbourne. Recent developments (the Asarah B’taives incident and response) have brought this issue back into focus.
From the outset, we have respectfully informed Rabbi Telsner and the Executive that we are running this petition and that we would like an opportunity to present the results to them. We have asked them to recognise that currently there is no other way for people to voice their opinion on this issue or generally.
Accordingly, we attach to this email a copy of a blank petition form for you to print off and sign (include name).
Upon signing you can either scan and email to one of the addresses below, or contact us via email and we will arrange to collect.
We can be contacted via email on yudhum@tpg.com.au or menachemv@axisc.com.au
We recognise that this is an emotive issue and people have strong opinions each way. Please do not feel under any pressure to sign our petition or join the group. Once again, our aim is to restore unity.
Please feel free to pass this on to others to whom it may be relevant.
Once again, apologies to anyone who may be offended by receiving this message.
Regards
Yudi New and Menachem Vorchheimer
(As I have in the past facilitated the mass distribution of messages, invitations, (both personal and public) announcements, notices etc , I believe that a refusal to post the above letter,
would be discriminatory. Please refer to my disclaimer below – Emmanuel)
Disclaimer: Advertisements, notices, job offers, accommodation requests etc, do not carry my endorsement.
Readers must make their own enquiries relating to any/all contents within this email.
Should you wish to refer anyone to join this list, please contact:- natdiv@yahoo.com
Shmeryl
“Part of the problem has been the failure on the part of modern Chabad to create, with some exceptions, notable writers and thinkers, which is curious given the rebbe’s towering reputation as an intellectual. The movement has become focused on creating fund-raisers rather than orators”
Who received the main kibudim/aliyahs on Yud Shevat etc. at your shul? Those with money, yichus or otherwise the Rov.
Not the intellectuals
Yeshivah Executive
Yeshivah Executive Don’t give into blackmail.
tell them to leave the Shul