By COLlive reporter
Radio personality and author Dennis Prager ponders the future of the international outreach network of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement in a new article titled “What Chabad needs to do now.”
“One successful movement in contemporary Jewish life is Chabad,” Prager writes in the Jewish Journal of Los Angeles, and points out that “Chabad is entering a new and challenging phase.”
The problem, he identifies, is that “There are simply not enough Jews in the world to keep opening Chabad Houses at the rate it has in the last 25 years.”
“This is a personal tragedy for the many young Chabad rabbis who ache to become shluchim,” he writes. “And it is a tragedy for the larger Jewish world because these Chabad Houses add Jewish vitality wherever they are present.”
Prager, a public lecturer who has spoken at Chabad events for decades, offers the following two suggestions:
1. Open more Chabad Houses at colleges.
“No place needs a Chabad House as much as the university,” he writes. “There is virtually nothing morally or spiritually elevating at these campuses. Chabad could provide both, if it chooses to. That means locating at colleges and being proactively pro-Israel, pro-religion, pro-objective morality, pro-God, pro-the Ten Commandments.”
2. Reach out to non Jews to spread ethical monotheism.
“Almost no one is bringing the authentic Jewish message to the world — that there is one G-d of all people and that this G-d’s primary demand is that human beings treat each other decently,” he writes.
Prager notes that Chabad does in fact believe in spreading what is known as the Seven Laws of Noah and he quotes an article from Chabad.org about “Universal Morality.”
“When the Lubavitcher Rebbe began speaking about publicizing [the Noahide Laws] as a preparation for a new era, he was reviving an almost lost tradition,” the article says.
It notes that “At Mount Sinai, G-d charged the Children of Israel to serve as His “Light unto the nations” by bringing all of humanity to a recognition of their Creator and adherence to His laws.”
Prager argues: “Doing that should be regarded as important as getting Jews to put on tefillin. In order to make a better world — to usher in the Messianic Age, if you will — we have to spread ethical monotheism; to bring the world to the God of the Ten Commandments.”
He concludes that “Because no other Jewish group will do it, it is up to Chabad to do so. And in order to achieve that mission, there will never be enough shluchim.”
To Beis Chabad (now, # 29):
You beat me to it. Who says that you have to have a Chabad House on campus? If you can, than yes, that’s ideal. If, however, you happen to live off-campus, why not travel to the colleges, like we used to do in Miami. Better than nothing.
In fact, a “travelling Chabad House” makes it possible to reach out to more than just ONE campus.
Even though we were not students at the colleges, we were allowed to set-up tables, distribute our literature, put Tefilliin on students, and talk to them.
How bout the existing shluchim (I’m a shliach…. close to 30 years) in big cities in the more populous states (and countries) lose a bit of their ego and yeshus and realize thaat there needs to be infill (and young blood) there are millions of Jews in NY, California, Texas, etc etc etc that are served by only a HANDFUL of shluchim.
Think about it
The Rebbe said to make our personal homes into Chabad Houses and for each of us to be “the” Shaliach within our sphere of influence. It’s up to each of us to accept the mission that everyone of us has. Dennis Prager is a great example of a person who gets what the Rebbe wants and is doing an amazing job with his writings and Prager University. Kudos to the man.
Shlichus now is a family job
In many places sons of shluchim are taking positions from old hired shluchim or look in places where because shluchim want to appoint their sons , they have problems with other existing shluchim
The Rebbe said that every Jew is a shliach. The “new shliach” is someone who has his business ,gives shiurim .opens up a shul , help people in different ways
The third thing to do would be to identify those who will not attain a shlichus position, identify their talents and abilities, and provide them with an education and the support necessary to be successful tradesmen/women, businessmen/women, professionals, etc. to be able to provide the means for the shluchim to do the work they’re already doing and furthering their work as outlined by Prager.
Mt Prager gets on the radio every weekday and spreads powerful messages sounding like he had studied much Chasidus. He loves and admired the Rebbe and respects Chabad wholeheartedly . There is much to hear and apply to what he says. I agree College Campus is very important but would like to add that there is so much to do in schools . The Rebbe really emphasized Chinuch on the youth. Look on how much he emphasized Tzvious HaShem. There is a lot to do with regards to Shlichus.
Thank you for enlightening me to the words of the Rebbe – it is very clear what is our mission now- May we be a true light unto the nations and bring about our goal of a dirah bitachtonim!
Just because Dennis Prager is not the Rebbe doesn’t mean he can’t express his opinion and offer constructive advice. I think it’s great that he cares so much about Chabad’s future.
#19 is correct that we need to focus on producing more Chassidishe Baalei Eisek.
Promoting Sheva Mitzvos Bnei Noach is a great peula but I always wonder how we are to effectively tell everyone that they are not supposed to have any female judges…
B”H. The Rebbe’s directive to all Shluchim at the 5750 Kinus HaShluchim (Sefer HaSichot 5750, Vol. 1, pp. 142-145): “The word ‘global’ implies that the Kinus ought to be on a global scale. This means that the Kinus, and primarily, the shlichus of its participants – the Shluchim – must influence the entire world… In order to make a dwelling place for G-d in this world that encompasses the entire world, that it be truly global, it is necessary to influence the Gentile nations – especially in light of the fact that they constitute the vast majority of mankind. The… Read more »
Here is Suggestion number 3 . Let’s start thinking a little bigger then we are used too for example a place like Manhattan can easily another 100 Shluchim be creative about it. Anyplace that has 70,000 jews ( I know of at least one place like this ) can probably use more then one shliach etc…
Isn’t. The solution is a different one in my opinion. 1- the few New spots for shlichus that are financially viable, should be only open to the best Yeshiva students. Even though, shliach עושה shliach, and the final word of who is accepted for the job under a shliach, is the shliach himself, it has to be from a pool of the most learned, chassidish, with-it and capable yungerlait available. Sorry no more nepotism unless is part of the pool. This would be used as a great incentive in our Yeshivas. 2- Yeshivas need to start preparing the students to… Read more »
The more success Chabad has in bringing people to a life of Torah and Mitzvot, the more children are being born who need a Torah education. We need more schools, yeshivos, and seminaries to meet the needs of our growing international community. Chinuch is the new frontier of shlichus.
Mr. Prager is right that it is not sustainable anymore for young couples to make a living from shlichus. What we need now are more chassidishe baalei eisek–people who are deeply steeped in and committed to chassidus, who work in various businesses or professions but realize that that is only their parnassah gashmis. their parnassa ruchnis is to bring as many Jews as possible closer to yiddishkeit. they can move to a community that already has a shliach and live side by side, or live in an established community, or even move out to their own place, but they have… Read more »
I don’t know of a single Shliach that the Rebbe sent to a small town. This type of Shlichus was invented after Gimmel Tammuz, and I highly doubt the Rebbe would back an entire Frum family living in such a place.
From my experience, and from the fact that we know that Shalom brings Bracha, I have to say. that in many cases at least, the money is not the issue. I know of Orthodox shuls that thrive in the same city that Chabadnikkim don’t. People will give more if they see you’re working together! Stop tooting your own horn and start tooting G-d’s horn and the money will come in. Obviously, this comment is not applicable to the many devoted, humble, smart, and Ibergegeben Shluchim out there!
The world needs many more Shluchim! Period!!
Well said, we need to recognize where our real job is!
Absolutely right. We need outreach, but we also need in reach. So instead of waiting in ch foir twelve years waiting, go help the ffbs who are falling through the cracks and going otd.
And to #8, it’s called Rhor 🙂
The bottom line is, unfortunately, money. It would be wonderful to have a Chabad House every 25 miles, but it isn’t feasible. Colleges and universities, so often bereft of morality, spirituality, and plain decency, would truly benefit from a Chabad presence, but funding is very limited. Where to from here? These forums tend to bring out the naysayers, as it is anonymous and self-satisfying to bash anyone, but Mr. Prager is absolutely on the right track. We should thank him for his insight, and work toward these goals. Surely we will come up with answers.
It’s important to realise that Jews are so much influenced by the non-Jewish world so if we influence non-Jews it’s another way of getting through to Yidden. Look how many Jews even Orthodox, because it’s modern secular thinking won’t say anything about gay practices and gay marriage even though it’s one of the Sheva mitzvos to tell Goyim that it’s forbidden.By the way friends, where’s the idea that we can’t learn from non-Chassidim ? Who is a wise man? He who learns from everyone!
Very Interesting, the Rebbe adressed this issue in the last Kinus and said that Shlichus is finished, the only thing left to do now is to be mekabel pnei Moshiach! So Dennis Prager is right, there is an issue that there are not too many more “Shlichus positions” however there is still a big void in fulfilling the last instructions that were given to us so clearly. May Hashem give us the strength to heed the Rebbe’s words to prepare the world by educating people about Moshiach. May see the Hisgalus of the Rebbe MH”M today!!
Goyim are giving a lot of money towards jewish causes and especially israeli causes. There is need to reach to all.
To #2, show me proof that the Rebbe wanted shluchim in small towns where they cannot support themselves. Look at all the new shluchim in towns with very few Jews, they are not doing well financially. As for for Prager, does he wish to fund these shluchim to the nations? I have a better idea for shlichus. Appointing specific people to follow up on the Baalei Teshuva who comes to paces like Crown Heights and fall through the cracks or worse… are mistreated by locals. Many of these people lleave, undoing years of work on behalf of their shuchim. If… Read more »
as much as the Rebbe stressed mivtza of the sheva Mitzvos, he didn’t stress it the same degree as mivtza tefilin. We will encounter Goyim, so make Goyim part of your mission of making a Dirah Bitachtonim (learn what the Rebbe says on it). However my understanding is that we shouldn’t specifically search out and spread sheva mitzvos with a shturim the same way we reach out to Yiddin- our brothers and precious neshamas waiting to be ignited
no. 4 makes a good point; but I believe that the ratio of 1:100 is too optimistic. I would guess 1:33 or less. But all this takes money – or takes the splitting of money from the same sources. This may be Mr. Prager’s point in saying “… not enough Jews in the world to keep opening Chabad Houses at the rate it has in the last 25 years.” The problem with campus, however, is that in the short and medium term it is not financially self-sufficient. This is resolved only when a critical mass of student users of Chabad… Read more »
Good to know all is not lost….when in doubt, we have radio personalities who can stir Chabad in the right direction.
Our Rebbe tells us what to do, not Dennis Prager or anyone else, with all due respect to them.
Not sure about this I want say
1) a chasid loves and understand every jew wether chasid or not
2) I dont if this is a message from Hashem it could be if he is jewish possible if not then sometimes Hashem sends us messages for goyim
Hey you never know
There are easily enough Jews in the world to justify sending out another 4K+ shluchim. A shliach can’t impact on a deep way more than 100 ppl on average. He may have a big moisad, but to have a life-changing impact on numerous people needs individual attention.
If every shliach would bring out one or two shluchim under him, there would be enough shluchim for everyone, dai v’hoser.
But to do that, shluchim would have to learn and internalize today’s HaYom Yom…
But to his second suggestion: that’s a terrific idea!!!
Reach out to head Shluchim who may discover and authorize new Shluchim in their state
If there is 1 yiddish somewhere in the world, where a chabad house isn’t near by him, we still have what to do! The rebbe wants there to be chabad houses all over the world! Even if that chabad house doesn’t have 100 ‘ of jews, even if it barely has a minyan, it’s still Part of the Rebbe’s plan. I don’t need some non chassid coming and saying her knows better than the Rebbe, what the master plan is.
mr prager is right