This week was an action packed week at Chabad of Sudbury, between another fun session for dozens of students at Hebrew School, an amazing CTeen fun event, a powerful and inspiring lecture with Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet on the theme of From OY to JOY, and meaningful JLI Kabbalah Classes, Parsha Classes, Services and meetings and lots more.
This Shabbat the services at Chabad of Sudbury will be led by members of the congregation and we are very grateful to everyone who has stepped up to help out this Shabbat, to work with Shayna and Chana in running Chabad for Shabbat.
I am attending the annual International Conference of Chabad Shluchim, along with thousands of other Rabbis and lay leaders from around the world.
Walking down the street, you bump into colleagues and friends from Israel, Russia, Ukraine, Argentina, Brazil, France, UK, Italy, across the USA, South Africa and so many other countries and places. Each one is representing their community, along with the growth, challenges and meaningful and deep stories of faith, kindness, and connection.
Last night we heard beautiful messages from Rabbis from Israel, the USA, Estonia and the Far East, each one with another message and powerful idea or story.
The energy of joy and determination is everywhere and now in the final hours before Shabbat, the streets are full of people running to and fro as they prepare for Shabbat, carrying Challah, flowers and wine in their hands as they race to get home before sunset.
This morning, a few thousand of us gathered at the resting place of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, as we prayed, reflected, sung, contemplated, and inspired each other with the collective responsibility that we are all a part of.
I was honored to be chosen in a lottery to be one of 15 Rabbis to enter the Ohel, the Rebbe's resting place, as perhaps one of the most meaningful moments of the conference takes place. It is when the main reflections and prayers were recited, with the Chief Rabbi's of various countries and other leaders. I stood near the Rosh Yeshiva of my son's school in Los Angeles, a man who is well into his eighties, a tremendous scholar and leader in his own right, who was honored with reading the prayers as thousands listened on the outside and via audio systems.
I don't really have the words to describe this meaningful moment, as prayers were recited for everyone there, and thousands of communities that were represented, prayers for peace in Israel, prayers for peace in Russia and Ukraine, prayers for health, children and so much more.
Tears were flowing freely around me, the melodies were soulful, and we remembered what was the vision of the Rebbe who encouraged all of us to get out into the world, and help transform it into G-d's garden. Unrelenting, always full of faith, trust, positivity and motivation to help and inspire others, to uplift the Jewish community, and to inspire all of humanity, one soul and one good deed at a time.
Are there challenges?
Plenty, of all kinds, and everywhere... but the Rebbe's calling, has inspired thousands of community centers to open up all over the world, to become lighthouses of light, good deeds, community, and connection 7/24.
The energy that everyone is taking away, is one of joy, determination, new ideas to reach and make a difference to even more people, and so many practical ideas and takeaways.
The Portion of the week, Chayei Sarah, talks about the passing of Sarah and the events that took place after she died. Yet, the name of the portion is "The life of Sarah", even though we speak of her death in the second verse of the portion.
The commentaries point out with a well known teaching, righteous people's life and legacies, don't end when they are no longer physically among us, but instead continue to live on and inspire others, as their impact and good work continues to grow.
This was the story with Sarah, and if I may say seeing the beautiful harmony, joy, and determination that is represented all over the world, for a BRIGHTER JEWISH TOMORROW, and a BETTER WORLD, is truly something that I know the Rebbe would be smiling about.
So between the melodies, the tears, and the hearts that were raw and open, as we stood and prayed together this morning, the collective energy of this beautiful vision, was front and center of this gathering and will be for the whole conference and Shabbat.
Am Yisrael Chai!
Yisroel