FREEBORN, MN — Freeborn, Minn., doesn't stick out as a thriving metropolis by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, the southern Minnesota town, population 304, can't even lay claim to a grocery store, post office or school. But that doesn't seem to trouble Mayor Mark Rubin, currently serving his third year in the post.
Minn.’s Summer Growth Owed to Lubavitch Yeshiva
FREEBORN, MN — Freeborn, Minn., doesn’t stick out as a thriving metropolis by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, the southern Minnesota town, population 304, can’t even lay claim to a grocery store, post office or school. But that doesn’t seem to trouble Mayor Mark Rubin, currently serving his third year in the post.
Don’t get him wrong, the convenience of local shopping instead of the 20 mile shlep west to buy milk would prove a boon. But he has other things to perk up his day, such as the seven weeks a year the town swells to a population of more than 450, a 50 percent growth rate. During the summer, Chabad-Lubavitch high school students take over Freeborn’s former high school to set up their yeshivat kayitz, or “summer yeshiva.”
Rubin, who by his own estimate is the only Jewish resident in town, remarks that the locals are “honored and delighted” at their teenage visitors. He adds that the senior citizens, rather than finding the seasonal excess noise a nuisance, enjoy hearing the youthful sounds of the boys swimming in the lake or playing sports in the afternoons.
For their part, the students are touched that the mayor is so enamored with the yeshiva that he regularly volunteers to mow the school’s lawn.
a bochur in minnesota
tank you very much mark rubin for giving us a very good summer
Yossi
i was there the first year!!!
Chaim & Kaila
The author for this article is just simply brilliant! The journalistic perspective, integrity and professionalizing encompass every word. Lev Cotlar is by far one of journalisms greatest gift to mankind! Keep it up!
a kid
i was there last year who ever was there should know the finger wave