Rabbi Mendel and Chani Leiberow, Chabad South County, Morgan Hill, California On the Cutting Edge of Shlichus By: Chaya Chazan Although both my wife and I grew up in large Jewish communities, shlichus was a recurring theme and a strong influence throughout our childhoods. I remember, as a first grader, when my principal asked our class what we wanted to be when we grew up. Rather than the expected answers of “policeman” or “fireman,” I, along with many of my classmates, proudly a
Rabbi Mendel and Nechama Danow, Chabad of Pensacola, Florida The Diamonds of the Emerald Coast By: Chaya Chazan My wife and I are both children of shluchim, and our parents taught us just how dedicated we’d need to be to get the job done. I grew up in Gothenburg, Sweden, and my wife was born in Rosh Pina, Israel. For various reasons, both of our parents moved to different cities and began their shlichus anew. My parents now run one of the largest Jewish university student centers in Europe, in Lee
Rabbi Menachem and Chanie Gruzman, Chabad of Salzburg, Austria Shlichus on Salzburg’s Ski Slopes By: Chaya Chazan For most people, moving to Austria would be considered a “challenging” shlichus. But for me, as a born and bred Viennese shliach, it was the most natural thing in the world. In fact, it felt so natural, I had to be convinced into it, as I was looking for something a little less familiar. In the end, we decided it would be a good fit for us. Unlike most of the continent, Sal
Rabbi Yossi and Shternie Lew, Chabad of Peachtree City, GA Everything is Peachy By: Chaya Chazan Our shlichus “story” was a series of twists and turns spanning many years and three different states. It exemplifies what the life of a shliach is truly about - doing what needs to be done, when and where ever needed. We started off in Long Island as a young married couple, when Chabad in the area was just getting started. After a while, we moved onto the school in New Haven, Connecticut. A few m
Rabbi Hersh and Fraidy Loschak, Chabad at Rowan University, Glassboro, NJHow Rowan is Growin’By: Chaya ChazanI grew up in a shlichus household in beautiful S Barbara, California. It’s hard to remember a time when my house wasn’t hosting a revolving clientele of visitors and guests. Students from the nearby community college often dropped by as well, so I got to know the “college lingo.”My wife and I were open to lots of different options, but soon faced a challenge unique to young, newer shluchim: without a family “in,” we’d be unlikely t
Rabbi Benny and Sonia Hershcovich, Chabad of Los Cabos, Cabo San Lucas, MexicoSunlit Shores & Sacred Spaces Part 2By: Chaya Chazan Those first years of shlichus were brutal. We questioned ourselves every day. Are we accomplishing anything here? Is it worth what we’ve given up? We decided to take it day by day. Cabo was an up-and-coming vacation destination. Surely by the time our son was old enough, there’d be enough children around to begin a proper school. That didn’t happen, and by that time, we had more children of our own to worry abo
Rabbi Mordechai and Rivka Glazman, Chabad of Latvia, Riga, LatviaRiga’s ReawakeningBy: Chaya ChazanI’m a born and bred Crown Heightser, accustomed to my American creature comforts. So even after I married my Israeli husband, I clearly asserted I couldn’t possibly imagine myself moving on shlichus to anywhere exotic. Even France was too foreign for me.When we were offered a position in Florida, I was thrilled. My husband flew there to check it out, and I mentally began preparing for a life in the warmth and sun.Meanwhile, Rabbi Kotlarsky AH, the vic
Rabbi Menachem Kutner, Chabad Terror Victims Project, IsraelFrom Tragedy to Hope, Part IIBy: Chaya ChazanMy shlichus is a continuation of the organization the Rebbe started after a widow of the Six Day War asked for guidance on how to carry on. The Rebbe encouraged her to help others in her situation, and thus, the Terror Victims Project began. We’re there for every wounded soldier, terror attack victim, and their families, to help them with anything we can. Once you’re part of our family, you aren’t getting away too quickly! We maintain connection
Rabbi Menachem Kutner, Chabad Terror Victims Project, IsraelFrom Tragedy to Hope, Part IBy: Chaya ChazanMy shlichus was born of tragic necessity. In 2001, the second intifada resulted in hundreds of terror attack victims all over Eretz Yisrael. At that time, I was on Sabbatical from an 8-year teaching position, looking for a shlichus that spoke to me.After the Six Day War, Mrs. Shafra Morozow of Kfar Chabad contacted the Rebbe, asking for help and guidance. Her husband was a casualty of the war, and she felt lost, unsure how to navigate the new life that
Yom Kippur Illuminations Rabbi Sholom Ber and Devora Hertzel, Chabad of the Golan Heights, IsraelLiving the Lech Lecha LifeBy: Chaya ChazanI consider myself extremely lucky. Through lots of siyata dishmaya, hashgacha pratis, and guidance from my elders, I was zoche to have experiences with the Rebbe none of my childhood friends received.When I was just five years old, my father and grandfather thought it was time for me to experience a Tishrei with the Rebbe. Since many chassidim had the same idea, not everyone was able to meet privately with the Rebbe i
