As the world celebrated the Rebbe’s 121st birthday on Yud Alef Nissan this year, the final 90 recipients of the Merkos library grants were announced, bringing to completion last year’s astronomical set of Kinus commitments to be achieved by the Rebbe’s 121st birthday.
One of the highlights of the annual Kinus Hashluchim Banquet is the big and bold initiatives launched with global implications. Last year those Hachlatos took an exponential turn when Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, Chairman of the International Conference of Shluchim and Vice-Chairman of Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch, ambitiously announced a dizzying slew of commitments in honor of the Rebbe’s 120th birthday, that at the time seemed like an idealistic dream. However, as we begin the Rebbe’s 121st year, Merkos is happy to announce that all of those hachlatos have been fulfilled.
Answering an urgent call from around the world, the bold hachlatos addressed fundamental needs such as Mikvaos and new Shluchim and have changed the dynamic of Jewish life in communities worldwide. Some of the initiatives include 120 new Mikvaos funded, 120 CKids Hebrew School Grants distributed, 36 new Sifrei Torahs written, 360 libraries, 100 + communities part of the Israeli Desk, 120 New Shluchim Grants distributed, 36 CTeen Lounges established, the OneMitzvah platform and the relaunch of the Shluchim Simcha Fund, Yom Tov Fund and Emergency Grants with millions of dollars already distributed.
One of the powerful endeavors was the creation of 360 new Jewish libraries worldwide. Launched in light of the Rebbe’s passionate call 50 years ago for Jewish libraries to be established in every community, These libraries have become a powerful tool for Jewish learning and engagement. Designed to make high-quality Jewish books accessible to all, the Libraries empower local communities to deepen their connection to Judaism at their own pace and convenience.
In the Milton Keynes area of England, where the Jewish community is scattered and has limited access to Jewish resources, the newly established library is seen as a game-changer. “The library will give the Jews of Milton Keynes a place to pick up their Jewish nourishment. Coming whenever is convenient for them, to learn and to grow in the comfort of their own home or a quiet corner at the Chabad house,” said Rabbi Yitzchak Lew, Shliach in Milton Keynes. “With the massive array of stunning and engaging topics in a language that they can grasp, it will empower locals to be in control of their Judaism. It will truly revolutionize the accessibility of local Jewish material, and I can’t wait for it to get started.”
Similarly, in St. Paul, Minnesota, Rabbi Tzemach Feller, who directs Chabad of Macalester-Groveland, which serves four college campuses in the area, expressed how essential these libraries are. “The Lending Library has already proven to be an invaluable asset to our community,” he said. “From people learning about Judaism for the first time to well-versed scholars and academics; from grandparents to college students to children, everyone is finding Jewish books that are perfect for them.”
The impact of these libraries goes beyond just providing access to Jewish knowledge. They are seen as a way to deepen connections to Yiddishkeit and provide a solid foundation for Jewish education. “Having a Jewish library, especially a Chabad library, will help our local Jewish community navigate Judaism in a most beautiful way, with solid material and quality education. The Library will be the perfect place where they can deepen connections to Judaism with the variety of books we will offer,” said Rabbi Yaacov Schusterman of Chabad of Northwest NJ.
“Although the “tripling our efforts” campaign definitely brought us closer to the Geulah, the Rebbe taught us never to be complacent,” said Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, “we must continue to use every opportunity and all our strength to reach every Jew until we are a “Dor Shekuloi Zakai” accomplishing our ultimate goal of Geulah.”
As the Rebbe’s birthday was celebrated and the completion of the Kinus Hachlata grants was announced, the transformational impact of these initiatives is already being felt in Jewish communities worldwide. The libraries are empowering individuals to take ownership of their Judaism, providing access to high-quality materials, and strengthening Jewish education. With the support of visionary donors and the dedication of shluchim, the impact of these libraries is sure to continue to bolster Jewish life around the globe.
To dedicate one of these transformational libraries, visit 360libraries.org
Complete list of the final library recipients:
Rabbi and Mrs. Yitz Abend, Chabad North Hollywood, CA, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Yanky Abrams, Loughton Shul, Essex, United Kingdom
Rabbi and Mrs. Zelig Ashkenazi, Chabad Lubavitch of Yekaterinburg, Sverdlovsk, Russian Federation
Rabbi and Mrs. Chaim Azimov, Chabad North Cyprus, North Cyprus, Cyprus
Rabbi and Mrs. Berel Barash, Chabad Jewish Center of Jupiter, FL, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Yanky Bell, Chabad of El Cerrito, CA, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Yisrael Bennish, Chabad of Bayonne, NJ, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Yisroel Bernath, Rohr Chabad NDG, Quebec, Canada
Rabbi and Mrs. Chaim Birnhack, Chabad Bermuda, Bermuda
Rabbi and Mrs. Moishe Carlebach, Chabad of Toluca lake, CA, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Eli Chaikin, Chabad of Barbados, Barbados
Rabbi and Mrs. Levi Charitonow, Chabad Lubavitch of the Mohawk Valley West, NY, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Yosef Yitzchak Cohen, בית אלי, Kfar Chabad, Israel
Rabbi and Mrs. Asher Deitsch, Ohr Chaya, Petach Tikva, Israel
Rabbi and Mrs. Sruli Deitsch, Chabad Bronxville, NY, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Oshy Deren, Chabad of the West Coast, Western Cape, South Africa
Rabbi and Mrs. Yuda Drizin, Chabad at Columbia University, NY, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Levi Dubov, Chabad Jewish Center of Bloomfield Hills, MI, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Mina Eisenbach, Chabad of Waterbury, CT, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Shneor Fagan, Chabad Israeli Center of Phoenix, AZ, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Yitzchak Gershovitz, Lubavitch on the Palisades, NJ, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Mendy Goldshmid, Chabad of Bainbridge Island, WA, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Mendy Goldstein, Chabad of Naperville, IL, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Ariel Gorenstein, Tzfat Lubavitch Center, Tzfas, Israel
Rabbi and Mrs. Shloime Greene, Chabad of Southern Minnesota, MN, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Mendy Grunblatt, Jabad Palermo Nuevo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Rabbi and Mrs. Mordechai Gurevitz, Chabad of Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
Rabbi and Mrs. Yosef Gutierrez, Friends of Jewish La paz, IL, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Shmuly Hecht, Jewish Library, British Columbia, Canada
Rabbi and Mrs. Shneur Hecht, Chabad of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
Rabbi and Mrs. Moshe Hildesahim, Chabad Carthay Circle, CA, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Mendy Horowitz, Chabad Chai Center of Canton, MA, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Shneur Itzinger, Chabad of Chagrin Falls, OH, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Avraham Kagan, Chabad of River North and Fulton Market, IL, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Alexander Kaller, Chabad Russian Center / SIB JCC, FL, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Zevi Kaplan, Chabad Innisfil, Ontario, Canada
Rabbi and Mrs. Chanoch Kaplan, Chabad Lubavitch of NW Bergen County, NJ, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Yossi Kaplan, Chabad Lubavitch of Chester County, PA, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Menachem Karniel, Chabad Panama, Panama, Panama
Rabbi and Mrs. Raphael Kats, Chabad Lubavitch of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Rabbi and Mrs. Peretz Kazen, Chabad at LSU & Greater Baton Rouge, LA, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Mendy Korer, Chabad Lubavitch of Islington, London, United Kingdom
Rabbi and Mrs. Zalman Korf, Chabad of Walnut Creek, FL, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Leibel Korf, Chabad of Greater Los Feliz, CA, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Shimon Kramer, Chabad of Merrick, NY, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. David Kraytman, Chabad B’Aliya Migdal Haemek, Migdal HaEmek, Israel
Rabbi and Mrs. Osher Krichevsky, Chabad of Hammersmith, London, United Kingdom
Rabbi and Mrs. Gil Leeds, Chabad Jewish Student Center at UC Berkeley, CA, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Shmuel Lefkowitz, Chabad of Brunswick, ME, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Shmuel Levitin, CYP of Hoboken and Jersey City, NJ, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Levi Lipskar, The Shul @ Hyde Park – Chabad, Gauteng, South Africa
Rabbi and Mrs. Levi Meijers, Chabad of Tracy Jewish center, CA, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Moaty Meir, Habad Joinville le Pont, Joinville le Pont, France
Rabbi and Mrs. Levi Mentz, Chabad Forsyth, GA, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Yoel Migdal, ISEJ Belgrano, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Rabbi and Mrs. Yosef Misholovin, F.R.E.E., MI, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Hershey Novack, Chabad at Washington University – Rohr Center for Jewish Life, MO, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Mendel Osdoba, Chabad House of the Old City, Yerushalayim, Israel
Rabbi and Mrs. Zvi Perlman, Bais Menachem, PA, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Menachem Perlstein, Chabad of Norwood Park, IL, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Berel Pewzner, Chabad of The Cayman Islands, Cayman Islands
Rabbi and Mrs. Shneur Raitport, Chabad of Myanmar, Yangon, Myanmar
Rabbi and Mrs. Shmuel Raskin, Keren-Or Chabad Israeli Center, Budapest, Hungary
Rabbi and Mrs. Yaakov Raskin, Chabad Lubavitch of Laramie, NY, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Mendy Reinitz, Chabad of South County, RI, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Menachem Mendel Rivkin, בית חב”ד שער העיר בית כנסת בית מדרש, Beit Shemesh, Israel
Rabbi and Mrs. Yosef Rodal, Chabad of the Hunter and Central Coast, NSW, Australia
Rabbi and Mrs. Yisroel Rubin, Chabad Center, NY, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Schneur Scheiman, Camp Gan Israel, IL, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Yitzchok Schmukler, Chabad of the Bay Area, TX, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Naftoli Schmukler, Chabad Coastal Bend, TX, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Dovie Schochet, Chabad Mill Hill East, London, United Kingdom
Rabbi and Mrs. Kushi Schusterman, Harford Chabad, MD, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Bentzi Shemtov, Chabad of Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
Rabbi and Mrs. Laibel Shemtov, Chabad of Traverse City, NA, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Refoel Silver, Chabad of Curacao, Curacao, Netherlands Antilles
Rabbi and Mrs. Shmuli Slonim, Chabad at Rice, TX, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Daniel Srugo, Chabad of Bonita, CA, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Ariel Stern, Chabad Westmount, Quebec, Canada
Rabbi and Mrs. Pinhas Sudry, Beit Jabad Orsinai, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Rabbi and Mrs. Avrohom Susskind, Chabad of Novi, MI, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Mendel Teldon, Chabad of Mid-Suffolk, NY, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Yossi Tiefenbrun, Chabad of Pacific Beach, CA, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Igal Tsipori, Beit Chabad Kiryat Shmona, Kiryat Shmona, Israel
Rabbi and Mrs. Uzan FCT, Chabad Nigeria, FCT, Nigeria
Rabbi and Mrs. Betzalel Wilschanski, Chabad of Kenosha, WI, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Mendy Wineberg, Chabad of Leawood, KS, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Mendel Winner, Chabad Neshama Center, NY, United States
Rabbi and Mrs. Berel Wolvovsky, Chabad of Silver Spring, MD, United States
