Yesterday a young man in his 20s who immigrated from Ukraine to Israel had a Bris. When asked what Jewish name he wants to take, he replied, Kfir Ariel, named for the two little Bibas boys. The lions sleep tonight… but a roaring lion has been awakened. The heart wrenching Bibas story has moved people in a powerful way. Join a mighty force for good by going to https://onemitzvah.org/bibas and let the world hear the lion roar.
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This week, Adi, one of the two Israelis that was injured in the Bourbon St. terror attack, returned to Israel to continue his rehab at “home.” At a farewell gathering, his father Haggai was overheard commenting to the Israeli medic that was to accompany them home, “When we have time on the flight, I will tell you what a “Kehillah” is. We are very proud of our “Kehillah” – the New Orleans Jewish community for going above and beyond to embrace these two young men and their families during their challenging time in our city.
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Speaking of proud, tonight Chabad at Tulane is hosting 1,800 Jewish students for Shabbat dinner. 1,800 Jewish young people proudly experiencing their Jewish identity. Hundreds of boys putting on Tefillin before sunset. Hundreds of girls lighting Shabbat candles. 1,800 voices declaring Am Yisrael Chai and Shabbat Shalom. To support the event: http://tulanechabad.org/4293008.
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If you heard that a group of people with Tiki torches were marching in Mississippi, you would probably assume that it was a white supremacist rally or something like that. In fact, this past Sunday, a group of Jews marched in Gulfport with torches honoring the dedication of a new Torah scroll, a first for the Gulf coast Jewish community. A very proud moment indeed. Mazel Tov to Rabbi Akiva and Hannah Hall and the entire Congregation Beth Israel community for the special occasion.
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Yesterday, 22 Shevat, was the Yahrtzeit of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, the Rebbe’s wife, who passed in 1988. While she had no children of her own, she has the unique status of being a Jewish woman whose name is carried by tens of thousands. Since 1988, nearly every Chabad family, and many who were influenced by the Rebbe, have named a daughter after this special woman. I am privileged to have a daughter and a granddaughter who carry that august name. This was something for which the Rebbe expressed much appreciation.
In conjunction with her Yahrtzeit, the International Chabad Shluchos annual gathering is taking place this weekend in New York. Thousands of women, who occupy leadership positions in every state and country around the world, gather to inspire each other and go back to their communities stronger and more committed than ever to push our world over the threshold of Redemption very soon.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin