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Apr 26, 2012
Bochurim Revive A Tradition
Photos by Itsik Roytman for COLlive.com A group of bochurim decided on their own to revive a 70 year-old Chabad tradition and are taking Crown Heights by storm. By COLlive reporter
About 70 years ago, the Rebbe established the Mesibos Shabbos program to enrich the lives and knowledge of non affiliated young Jewish children during Shabbos afternoons.
This past week, a group of 40 Lubavitch bochurim decided that such an activity was also befitting Crown Heights' children and have taken on themselves to revive the tradition.
The result: Approximately 400 boys attended such a gathering held in 25 separate locations around the Brooklyn neighborhood where the Rebbe lived and led Chabad-Lubavitch and its outreach activities.
All Chabad boys schools in the New York area - including United Lubavitch Yeshiva Ocean Parkway, Cheder at the Ohel and the Morristown Cheder - gave their blessings and encouraged their students from grades 2 to 6 to attend.
The 45 minute program is packed to the last minute, starting with the 12 Pesukim, continuing with Chabad niggunim and a Dvar Torah and finally, a story the children anxiously wait for. An active game and refreshments are included.
Serving as counselors are bochurim from various Chabad yeshivos who volunteer their time to prepare and run each of the Mesibos Shabbos programs.
"Mesibos Shabbos has many functions, one of the primary purposes being Achdus," says Yossi Blau, one of the organizers.
"The positive outcome of children brought up with Achdus is tremendous. We therefore make it our priority, putting a very strong emphasis on Ahavas Yisrael and Achdus in our curriculum."
Not that the boys need motivation to attend, but to make the program more exciting, a raffle will be drawn after each Shabbos for the boys that participated (a raffle for each group).
And those who attend 6 programs are qualified to join a Chinese Auction that will be held after Parshas Shelach.
On Thursday, a group of the counselors met up in Getzel's Shul in Crown Heights for a farbrengen in preparation for week two of Mesibos Shabbos. Inspiring them in their work was Rabbi Shimmy Weinbaum of Tzivos Hashem International.
This coming Shabbos, Parshas Tazria-Metzora, the plan is to host between 600 to 800 children, COLlive.com was told.
Whoever said Shabbos afternoon is only for resting?
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may u be gebentched
Keep up the great work.
Where many of the real chasidim are...
WAITA GO SHIMMY WEINBAUM!
NOW -
what about the girls?
gess hu shabat shalom
(no. i'm not T.F.)
after all, the idea is to strengthen the chinuch, not to lower standards.
Way to go Yossi! If you can dream it you can do it!
hiskashrous is to do inyonim of The Rebbe .
we wish you great hatslocho
From Shluchim who have seen Yossi in action firsthand on Merkos Shlichus. The kinderlach & parents in Crown Heights are lucky!
I have a recommendation that will increase achdus. I noticed that the groups are divided by classes so it seems like kids will just be meeting with the same people they see all week.
It would be great to divide the groups by location so kids get a chance to meet kids their own age that don't go to their school. ( so in stead of 4 groups for 4th grade divided by class do 4 groups for 4th grade in four areas where everyone goes to the closest one)
In order for it to work you would need the support of the schools. It would also be difficult for kids to get used to their NEW group.
Besides for corporation from the schools, and interest from the kids to join kids they may not know. There would need to be something greater, perhaps an incentive to gain interest from the kids untill they finaly feel their new group is their own.
As of now, I believe children come bc' of THEIR GROUP (class), the program is not necessarily what gets them to come.
Thank you to those who brought this to fruition and borchurim - keep up the great work!
Though, we must recognize, there were way to many children that didn't go to Mesibos Shabbos, weather because they didn't have the importunity, or they just didn't feel they were with their group.
BH these Bochurim recognized the need to fill the gap. They are doing it in a organized and efficient way, so that EVERY Boy has the opportunity and HIS OWN group to go to. Gaining a wider interest and turnout to Mesibos Shabbos.
Guys, keep up the good work, May you have all good things,
When there is a will there is a way and this what the Rebbe meant when he said on 28 Nissan that even 1 single Akshan can accomplish bringing about the Geula to the entire world.
Chazak V'Amatz, Yossi Blau and Mimenu Yilmedu V'Chen Yaasu Rabim, all over the world, thereby bringing about Moshiach Now!
"Lama Nigara?"