‘Lamternchik’ Project Comes to Florida

With nearly 300 Anash couples participating, Florida will become the fourth pilot city of the Lamternchik (lamplighter) project.

On numerous occasions the Rebbe directed Chassidim to each have their own group of people with whom they maintain contact, and have an ongoing positive influence, “and even better — ten Jews, an eidah kedosha.” (Shabbos Parshas Tetzaveh, 5752)

Vaad Or Vechom Hahiskashrus together with senior Shluchim and Askanim on the ground, have collaborated to advance the Lamternchik project, which provides a systematic way for Anash to develop relationships with families with whom they are trying to bring into their “minyan”, thereby facilitating them and their families with constant, ongoing involvement in the Rebbe’s work, strengthening their Hiskashrus.

“I’ve known Eli* for a long time,” says Dan Bayer* a Chicago resident and co worker of Eli’s. “But this was the first time we got to know the other side of Eli, his family life, orthodox lifestyle and all. It has made a big impression on my family.  They [Eli and his wife] came over to our home with a beautiful gift and spoke about how all Jews are one big family. It is something really different from what my family sees on TV and Facebook. Our spouses really hit it off together and I hope they’ll come again sometime in the future. It’s almost like we have our very own rabbi!”

Before the Yomim Toivim, five or six times a year, each member of the Lamternchik project receives a kit that includes comprehensive guides and a beautiful gift to give to the families they will visit in their homes. Members will also be able to tap into the many resources Vaad Or Vechom Hahiskashrus is developing, such as web tools, handbooks, conferences, etc.

“What I find most amazing about this project is that it is an international effort,” says Zalmi Lapinski of Buenos Aires, Argentina. “Truly in the spirit of Shnas Hakhel. You have Chassidim from here, from London, Chicago, and now South Florida all part of this program, in addition to similar programs in Israel, France and Russia.”

With a generous grant from Keren Meroimim, the project launched on Yud Aleph Nissan 5776 in Argentina, and has since added a new city to its roster before each campaign (London for Shavuos, Chicago for the Three Weeks,) with Florida joining the upcoming Rosh Hashana campaign which will focus on mivtza neshek.

*identities have been changed.

To sign up or find out more information, email info@lamternchik.com, or contact your city’s coordinator:

Buenos Aires

Rabbi Zalmen Lipinski 11 3101 2692

Chicago

Rabbi Moshe Markowitz  845 263 7963

South Florida

Rabbi Yossi Denburg (Coral Springs) 754 368 0633

Rabbi Mendy Lieberman (North Miami) 917 721 1162

Rabbi Shmuel Rainitz (Walnut Creek) 347 681 9981

London

Rabbi Sholom Ber Sudak (Stamford Hill) 07969 724108

Rabbi Getzel Itzinger (Golders Green) 07768 007447

Rabbi Yossi Baitz (Golders Green) 07947 600599