On Sunday March 4 2012 – 10 Adar 5772, history was made, a statement for the future was brought forth with the dedication of the Illini Torah to the Chabad center at the university of Illinois at Urbana champaign, directed by Rabbi Dovid and Goldie Tiechtel, who have changed the landscape on campus, and east central Illinois, since their arrival on shluchus in 2003.
This Torah campaign was something unique and special, started in April of 2011, in memory of Bonnie Dayan, an alumnus of U of Illinois and a parent of 2 student leaders at Chabad. Dedicated by her son Max and family.
Its vision was multi-fold.
It brought the idea of Torah and being a part of it to the Jewish Illini, with hundreds of students, parents, alumni and friends all taking part, by getting a letter, a word or another part in the Torah.
At the concluding part of the Torah, all lined up to get a chance to fill in a letter, all 127 letters which were left were all grabbed up.
This Torah brought about unity.
This Torah, the first ever started on campus, for campus, by campus, to stay on campus for many years to come. Connecting Illini of the past to the future.
The sense of Jewish pride was felt by all, as the crowd of over 300 marched down the main street of campus, which was closed down for the parade. Something historical on its own- led by a fire department truck, a huge 22 ft float, live music with fellow Shliach Rabbi Levi Goldstien of Iowa. All singing Am Yisroel Chai. Tears rolled down people’s eyes, with a sense of joy and pride.
One and a half hours they danced, towards the center of campus, with a dance around the quad, singing Shma Yisroel. With simcha and dancing led by Bochurim Mendel Lashker and Levi Shemtov.
But that was not all. Afterwards, all were invited in for a fully catered Kosher meal by the university catering – a historical thing on itself, an event put together by assistant shluchim Rabbi Shimon and Gila Zimbovsky, where glasses were raised wishing ‘Mazal tov’, and continued blessing for a strong Jewish future.
Guest came from far and wide, from California to New York, to across the Atlantic to Israel.
Alumni of all ages in attendance said, we never thought we would live to see such a day here at Illinois.
The event was honored with the presence of Rabbi Shlomo and Shana Tiechtel who joined from New York, and fellow Illinois shluchim, rabbi Yossi Brackman and Rabbi Bentzy Shemtov, who surprised the Tiechtels and came in to celebrate.
What a day, so many parts, but all equaling one sum: Am Yisroel Chai! Jewish life is, Jewish life will be! Stronger and stronger!
i had a lot of fun i got to write a letter we went dancing on the street and i got to see my bubby and zaide!!!
aplaudiendo
Goldie, you and your husband are such examples of how to take a desert and make it bloom. All without fanfare or anything, just doing it.
I heard that this event was huge, the idea that over 300 march down the main street of your campus, in itself is huge.
May you go michayol el chayol
The Tiechtel family has accomplished so much. As a young shliach myself, I hope to accomplish half of what they’ve accomplished.
cant wait to come by for pesach!!!
A Grus
I see rabbi gad sebbag from oraita ……
Just beautiful!
Special kids.
the tiechtels are an example of shluchim and make the Rebbe very happy!
keep up the good work!