The first time I met the Lubavitcher Rebbe of Queens College, he was raising money for the victims of the tsunami in Thailand. I walked past his table and asked him, why are you raising money for Thailand, the government is not exactly the biggest supporter of Israel and they are not the most friendly country to Jews?
In this week’s parsha a group of daughters called Bnot Sluvchad approach Moshe with a request. Their father had passed away and they will not receive an inheritance in the land of Israel. They wish to be a part of the land of Israel. Moshe considers their question and returns to them with a positive answer.
What I want to focus in on is the fact that the Bnot Sluvchad were comfortable enough to come to Moshe with their request in the first place. They felt that they would get a response. That they were not alone in their struggle and that Moshe would listen. Moshe provided a safe space for them to air their grievances, for all Jews to come and speak with him about their problems.
The next day I saw the Lubavitcher Rebbe of Queens College, Rabbi Shaul Wertheimer. This time he approached me. He said to me that I asked a good question yesterday and he did some research. He was not sure about the government of Thailand's policies, but what he does know is there are five Chabad houses in Thailand and hundreds of thousands of Jews who visit each year. That is who he was raising the money for.
I liked his answer. What I liked even more is that he listened to my question and internalized it. This is a very rare trait to find in people especially leaders. Since that day he has been my Rebbe. He has provided me with unending wisdom, advice and Cholent. He helped me set up this weekly e-mail and he is a stellar example of a Jew who has devoted his entire life, every second of his time, every ounce of his energy, to helping others.
College is a confusing time, for anyone. Chabad of Queens College provided a safe space for me to ask questions and have conversations I might not have had if they did not exist. For this I am eternally grateful to the Chabad of Queens College and to Rabbi & Rebbetzin Wertheimer.
You have an opportunity to participate in the amazing work that Chabad of Queens College does. Like the Bnot Sluvchad desiring a share in the land of Israel , you can take action and do something meaningful, something eternal. By purchasing a single raffle ticket you connect yourself with all the mitzvot and chessed (Kindness) that Chabad of Queens College does the entire year. Please invest in Chabad. I am grateful they invested in me.
http://www.qchabad.org/
In this week’s parsha a group of daughters called Bnot Sluvchad approach Moshe with a request. Their father had passed away and they will not receive an inheritance in the land of Israel. They wish to be a part of the land of Israel. Moshe considers their question and returns to them with a positive answer.
What I want to focus in on is the fact that the Bnot Sluvchad were comfortable enough to come to Moshe with their request in the first place. They felt that they would get a response. That they were not alone in their struggle and that Moshe would listen. Moshe provided a safe space for them to air their grievances, for all Jews to come and speak with him about their problems.
The next day I saw the Lubavitcher Rebbe of Queens College, Rabbi Shaul Wertheimer. This time he approached me. He said to me that I asked a good question yesterday and he did some research. He was not sure about the government of Thailand's policies, but what he does know is there are five Chabad houses in Thailand and hundreds of thousands of Jews who visit each year. That is who he was raising the money for.
I liked his answer. What I liked even more is that he listened to my question and internalized it. This is a very rare trait to find in people especially leaders. Since that day he has been my Rebbe. He has provided me with unending wisdom, advice and Cholent. He helped me set up this weekly e-mail and he is a stellar example of a Jew who has devoted his entire life, every second of his time, every ounce of his energy, to helping others.
College is a confusing time, for anyone. Chabad of Queens College provided a safe space for me to ask questions and have conversations I might not have had if they did not exist. For this I am eternally grateful to the Chabad of Queens College and to Rabbi & Rebbetzin Wertheimer.
You have an opportunity to participate in the amazing work that Chabad of Queens College does. Like the Bnot Sluvchad desiring a share in the land of Israel , you can take action and do something meaningful, something eternal. By purchasing a single raffle ticket you connect yourself with all the mitzvot and chessed (Kindness) that Chabad of Queens College does the entire year. Please invest in Chabad. I am grateful they invested in me.
http://www.qchabad.org/
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