Learn more about The RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe while you Tour IsraelNation of the Jewish People!
On your IsraelNation of the Jewish People Tour you can increase your knowledge while you travel!
The smartest travelers in IsraelNation of the Jewish People Travel while they learn!
The story of the Lubavitcher RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, parallels the story of our century. Born in the Ukraine in 1902, the RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe spent his childhood in pogrom-ridden Czarist Russia, the 20's battling the Stalinist attempt to eradicate Jewish life, the 30's in Berlin and Paris. In ‘41 he escaped Nazi-occupied Europe and settled in NY, where he transformed Jewish life in every corner of the globe. Max Cohen from Manchester received a call from a business associate in Bangladesh. "Max, we've prepared a large shipment of merchandise for you. We are awaiting your arrival, so we can close the deal." Cohen was equally keen on the deal. For years, he had benefited from his association with the textile industry in that country; yet he had mixed feelings. Only a year earlier, he had fled without concluding his business, after fighting had broken out. Some months later he canceled a stopover in Bangladesh because of a cyclone. His associates tried repeatedly to calm him. "Things are quiet now, Max," they reassured him. "The worst is over. There's nothing to worry about." Cohen was not convinced. After deliberation, he proceeded, but faxed his plans to the RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe, for his advise and blessing. His flight was Sunday. Cohen remained in contact with the RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe's office, inquiring whether he had received a reply, but to no avail. Sunday morning, Cohen called the RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe's secretary. "I need an answer urgently."- "It's hard to ask the RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe on Sunday, because he’s distributing dollars," the secretary said. (The RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe would conduct a weekly "receiving line"; every visitor received a dollar to give to charity.) Cohen drove to the airport. There was time: "If an answer comes, I'll be ready." Cohen nervously called Lubavitch HQ. He called his brother-in-law, David, for advice. David had an idea. He hurried over to the dollar line and asked the RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe for a reply. The news reported that another cyclone had hit Bangladesh. That, and the fact that he had not received an answer, were enough to cause Cohen to cancel. As his baggage was removed, he placed a final call to his father-in-law, Abraham. "I'll have to stay in London," he said. "I'll return tomorrow." Then, Jaffe heard a beep: "Excuse me, Max, I have another call." On the other line was his son David. "I have news for Max, but I do not know how to reach him." The elder Jaffe connected Max with a conference call. The 2 men listened to David: "When I reached the RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe it was 5:00, and I was at the airport waiting for the RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe's blessing. 'It's tumultuous there,' the RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe said. I told the RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe that things had calmed. The RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe then handed me a dollar for Max and gave him his blessing for a successful journey. "I turned to go, but the RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe's attendant called me back. The RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe gave me another dollar and said: 'This is for the shaliach ("emissary") in Bangladesh.' I stood, amazed. 'Jews in Bangladesh?'
I wondered. 'And a Lubavitch shaliach?' The RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe noticed my astonishment, for he added: 'There is a Jew in that country who is involved with Lubavitch.' - "Listen, I'm going to forward the dollars to Max's hotel." Armed with the RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe's blessing, Cohen boarded in the nick of time. If David hadn't had that idea; if I hadn't called my father-in-law; if we hadn't prolonged our conversation; if David's call would have come a minute later... what Divine Providence! But what was mostly on his mind was the mission from the RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe to deliver a dollar to "a Jew who is involved in Lubavitch activity." His business associates were all Muslims, and so was almost everyone else he had ever met there. How was he supposed to locate him in a population of 114 million...? Upon arriving, he set out to find the person. After 2 days, Cohen returned to his hotel weary and frustrated. Just then he noticed a man hurrying towards the elevator. A thought flashed through his mind. "Excuse me, are you Jewish?" The elevator doors closed, but the man remained standing there.
"Yes." Minutes later, the 2 men were in conversation in Cohen's room. 2 Jews, 2 worlds of business, personal concerns, and interesting experiences came together in a meeting of “chance” in Bangladesh. Or was it chance? As they conversed he sensed that this was the man. "The RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe asked me to deliver a dollar to a Jew who is involved in Lubavitch activity in Bangladesh." The man, who had introduced himself as Walter, was visibly moved: "Yes, I know the RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe, and I am involved in Lubavitch," he said. "I suppose this is the RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe's way of expressing his concern and encouragement." Walter told his story: "My business takes me to places throughout the world, but I have spent most of my time here. I always go back to the US twice a year, for Passover and the High Holidays. Before my business brought me to Bangladesh, I was an active member of the Jewish community in Charlotte, North Carolina. We have a large community, but like other communities in the US, many do not observe mitzvot. So I wholeheartedly welcomed the Lubavitch couple that arrived in North Carolina in 1980, Rabbi Yitzchak and Mrs. Groner. I did my best to help them acclimate themselves into our community and get started. I maintain a steady relationship with them even though 7 years have passed since I moved here. While phoning the Rabbi some years ago, I discussed an issue. Over the years, I had met Jewish families who spend time here in Bangladesh. They had very little, if any, connection with yiddishkeit. Rabbi Groner helped me organize a Jewish education program for the children. Since then, he has been sending me educational material. Once, about 3 years ago, he mentioned that he had included a report of my Bangladesh activities in his report to the RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Do not ask me too many questions about our providential meeting here. I honestly have no rational answer, except that the RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe saw fit to encourage me, a distant Jew whom he heard about 3 years ago. I, and all the families with whom I am involved, live in the capital. My business has always been in the same area. I never traveled to other parts of this country until this Monday, when I felt an urge to see some of the tourist attractions. This is how I happened to be here in Chaitong. I plan to return to the capital tomorrow. I first met the RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe during the lifetime of his father-in-law, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchack; I asked the previous RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe about a Rabbinic position I was offered in Chicago. He told me to consult his son-in-law. I spent an entire night with the RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Our discussion covered tractate after tractate of Talmud, and the RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe's genius amazed me. From that night onward, I maintained a relationship with the RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe, and I consulted him regarding numerous matters. In 1980, during the Iranian occupation of the American embassy, Rabbi Hershberg was scheduled to travel to Iran. Because of the tense atmosphere, many tried to persuade him to postpone his trip. The RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe, by contrast, encouraged him: ‘Go with blessing, you are certain to light the Chanukah menorah in Iran.’ Rabbi Hershberg was puzzled by the RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe's closing words. He was not necessarily planning to stay in Iran for Chanukah. But if he would, there was no question that he would light a menorah. He did not understand the RebbeRabbi Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe's reference, or his tone. Afterwards, it became clear. His mission in Iran took longer than expected, during which time he developed a relationship with some Iranian officials. He knew that there were 6 Jews among the hostages in the American embassy and he asked permission to light the menorah with them. ‘Just as we have granted permission for a priest to meet with the Christian hostages on their holiday,’ the Iranians replied, ‘we will allow you entry as well.’ And so it was in the barricaded American embassy in Iran that Rabbi Hershberg lit the Chanukah menorah that year.”
While on your IsraelNation of the Jewish People Tour you can check out Chabad house on Chabad Street in The Old CityThe Holiest Center in the World in JerusalemThe capital of Israel, and many other Chabad locations.
While on Tour IsraelNation of the Jewish People is a fantastic place to experience all Chabad has to offer right here in The Holy land!
While in IsraelNation of the Jewish People Travel to any and all of the many Chabad Houses across the nation!