‘Jewish Star’ Becomes Shliach

By COLlive reporter

Rabbi Motti and Rochel Flikshtein and daughter Shoshi will be moving to Wilmington, Delaware, to take the position of Program Directors in the new Chabad Center for Jewish Life.

A Chassidic rapper known for his stage name Mor-To-Life, Flikshtein was a contender in 2009’s ‘A Jewish Star’ singing competition with a song dedicated to the Mumbai Shluchim.

Born to a secular Russian Jewish family, Flikshtein began questioning his purpose in life. “At the ripe age of 20, I came to the conclusion that it was time for me to reconnect with my roots,” he told COLlive.com during his audition.

But he was not sure how to relate to the music he grew up with until he spoke to several rabbis and Mashpiim in the Yeshivos he learned in, and was taught that “everything we have is to spread light in this world.”

And so he went to incorporate the deep messages of Chassidus in hip hop and rap music. But while he was advancing a career in music – his new album “Coming Home” is due June 27 – he always had his eye on Shlichus and working with youth.

Speaking to COLlive.com upon the news of his Shlichus, Motti said: “In my eyes, music is Shlichus. But music is only a fraction in my overall shlichus in Delaware and the world.”

Wilmington is the hometown of Rochel Flikshtein (nee Sugarman). Her parents and siblings were one of the founding families of Chabad in Delaware and are pillars of Chabad and the local Jewish community, we’re told.

“The community is especially excited as this is the return home for Rochel,” said Rabbi Chuni Vogel, Head Shliach to Delaware.

As Rabbi Vogel and the Flikshteins went to the Rebbe’s Ohel to ask for his blessings for the new Shlichus, they met Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, Vice Chairman of Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch.

“I just found the Tzetil (note) with the Rebbe’s Brocho to you for your Shlichus to Delaware from 23 and a half years ago,” Kotlarsky told Vogel.

Rabbi Vogel was stunned and open mouthed. “Reb Moshe, do you know why I am here? I have just come to ask for a Brochah for the new Shluchim to Delaware.”

The new Shluchim can be reached at [email protected] or [email protected]

A Jewish Star: Motti Flikshtein from COLlive.com on Vimeo.