By COLlive reporter
Chayenu, the weekly Torah learning publication in English, has announced some changes to its management in an effort to continue serving its growing membership.
Rabbi Michoel Goldman, who has been at the helm of the publication since its founding 6 years ago, said that Chayenu’s managing director Yossi Pels will now serve as Executive Director.
“I’m extremely grateful to Hashem for this lifetime opportunity, and to the Rebbe for his continued brochos and guidance, without which none of this would be,” says Goldman, who will continue as Editor-in-Chief and as an active board member.
“It’s been a challenging, but extremely rewarding journey,” he says about the idea that began in 2008, when Louis Pearlman and Mendel Goldman of the Tomchei Torah Academy Trust in Johannesburg, South Africa, first came up with the project.
Goldman, who directs Chabad Kauai in Hawaii, said he couldn’t be prouder to have helped Chayenu grow from a small start-up to a worldwide phenomenon, reaching over 10,000 Jews in almost 500 cities across the globe, weekly.
“Constantly receiving emails or phone calls, or ‘random’ encounters with people on the street, from across the Jewish spectrum, telling me how it has transformed their lives… one cannot but be deeply moved and humbled,” he said.
The new director is a South African as well. An alum of Torah Academy and with experience in business world, Yossi Pels says his goal will be to broaden the subscription base and reach of Chayenu.
“Based on feedback from users around the world, Chayenu is relevant to a vast spectrum of Jews,” he told COLlive.com. “We have many subscribers who by their own admission, don’t keep mitzvos (yet), but won’t miss a day of Chayenu.”
Pels called on fellow Lubavitchers to “not feel that not frum people are intimidated by the plethora of content in Chayenu. I guarantee you, that if you use Chayenu and view it as a tool for hafotzos hamayonos, you will see surprising transformative results.”
Designed specifically for Jews in the English speaking community, the publication includes portion of texts from Chumash, Tanya, Rambam, Hayom Yom, Chassidus, Halacha, chassidic tales, responsa from the Rebbe and insights on the Parsha.
“I’ve made a conscious choice to dedicate my time and energy to this. Chayenu is changing peoples lives, across the entire world, and I’m excited about the opportunity,” says Pels.
Benny Schmidt, who has successfully run Chayenu’s operations for the past 2 years, is remaining in his current position as director. His management resulted in fiscal transparency, a responsible and positive cash-flow and in bringing Chayenu to hundreds of new subscribers.
To learn more, visit their website (which will be revamped as well) at chayenu.org.
Boykies you make us proud!
MAZEL TOV YOSSIE!!! HATZLACHA RABBA.
B”H besides myself and my family being the fruits of Michoel Goldmans shlichus – for I was a yid living on Kauai and now B”H I live in crown heights (a definite upgrade for any who might think otherwise) and Chayenu has been in my pocket from the beginning. I am so proud to be reading it cover to cover (mostly) each week mostly during my subway commute to and from work. Every chance I get I also connect over it with another yid on the subway or work or even the bnei Noach. I know so many first hand… Read more »
a remarkable publication giving easy access to the Parshah and Chassidus for many thousands of people who otherwise may have not learned with such depth and geshmak.
Yossi is a great guy and we wish him much hatzlacha in his new position
I love the sight of the flashy colors of the weekly Chayeinu, Magazine! Personally to me, it represents a revolution in progress.
BS”D
Yashar Koach to the Chayenu staff for their wonderful work! We hope the new arrangement will bring tremendous hatzlacha b’gashmius and b’ruchnius to everyone involved.