This Tuesday, Chof Cheshvan 5782, marks 80 years since the first day of learning in Bais Rivkah, established by the Frierdiker Rebbe. Bais Rivkah was created as a flagship institution, pioneering the Lubavitch Educational System for girls that prepares them for their futures as Jewish women and as community leaders, role models, and educators.
When the Friederker Rebbe escaped from the European inferno and arrived in New York in March of 1940, he immediately set about establishing Jewish schools, ones that would raise the level of religious observance across the vast spectrum of American Jewry. After replanting his famous yeshivah Tomchei Temimim in New York, the first Beth Rivkah girls’ school opened its doors in 1942.
At a Beth Rivkah dinner back in 1946, the Rebbe, who was Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak’s son-in-law and would become his successor, addressed the gathering as the school’s chairman. He said people ask “whether it is our intention to create a school that will graduate rebbetzins. Our goal is that every student … understands her responsibility as a part of the nation of Israel, as a builder of a future home in Israel, and as a mother in Israel.”
Beis Rivkah ultimately became an anchor in the Rebbe’s historic efforts to dispatch energetic emissaries who illuminated and ultimately transformed the Jewish landscape.
To kickstart our yearlong celebration, all of Bais Rivkah from head start through seminary, will have a school-wide gathering. During school on Tuesday, all the students will be gathering together for a brief program, to celebrate and unite in honor of the special day. We are looking forward to uniting as a school, and commemorating this great milestone!
Mothers and Alumni are invited to virtually join the event, live on COLlive.com at 11:15 AM ET.
