By COLlive reporter
Aviv Ezra, Acting Consul General of Israel, and Tsach Saar, Deputy Consul General of Israel, visited the Crown Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn on Wednesday, to discuss Chabad’s unique role in Jewish communities around the world in the wake of the war in Israel and the terrible rise in antisemitism.
The Consul General first met with Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, Chairman of Merkos, joined by Baila Olidort, Director of Communications for Chabad, Yirmi Berkowitz, and Chabad PR Liaison Rabbi Yaacov Behrman.
During the meeting, Rabbi Krinsky related how the Rebbe sent him to Kfar Chabad, Israel, following the brutal terror attack there in 1956. They spoke about the shocking rise of anti-Semitism across the world and Chabad’s unique role in assisting communities in many different capacities.
Following the meeting, the Consul General visited the Rebbe’s room where they met R’ Chaim Boruch Halberstam and spent some time in prayer.
They then visited the WLCC communications room and got a tour from Rabbi Mendel Eisenbach. Then they walked through the main Shul of 770 downstairs, and they met a number of Bochurim students from Israel.
The Consul General and Deputy Consul General then walked over to Chabad on Campus International Headquarters, where they met with Rabbi Yossy Gordon, CEO of Chabad on Campus International, Rabbi Avi Weinstein, COO of Chabad on Campus, Thom Waye, Chief Strategy Officer of Chabad on Campus, as well as community activist Shaya Gordon.
During the meeting, they discussed the horrific uptick in recent weeks of antisemitism on campus, and how Chabad is assisting students around the world during this time.
Chabad on Campus International provides essential educational resources and grants to Shluchim and students, helping to combat antisemitism and instill a strong sense of Jewish pride in campuses around the world. These include the Antisemitism Task Force, The Israel Toolkit Guide, and other robust initiatives and resources.
“With the turmoil on campuses around the world, It is critically important that no student feels alone,” said Rabbi Yossy Gordon. “Working together with the Consulate and other partners, we can ensure that Jewish pride and strength amongst Jewish students on campus remains a firm reality.”
BH for the students that the Rebbe foresaw the great importance on establishing these decades ago. They are now a safe haven for our children and lets continue to strengthen them as well as give them the tools for security that must be considered in these times.
Thank you for addressing this issue