An innovative Mivtzah Matzah campaign that has been generating excitement in communities around the world kicks into high gear this week. Over the last few weeks, over ninety Anash communities signed up to participate in Vaad Or Vechom’s initiative in honor of the Rebbe’s 120th birthday. Now, as it gets closer to Yud Alef Nissan and to Pesach, the communities are putting their commitment into action as they pack and begin to distribute thousands of packages of matzah.
Dubbed “A gift to the Rebbe from Anash around the world,” the campaign gives members of Anash communities the opportunity to be involved in mivtzoim in a local yet global way. And as hundreds participate in this campaign, communities from London to Chicago, New York to Paris, are coming together with a shared goal in mind; to give the gift of shmurah matzah to their friends, neighbors, co-workers, and passersby. “With this initiative, I am able to reach business associates and colleagues with the opportunity for a mitzvah in the form of a gift. I am able to uplift my business connections to mitzvah connections as the Rebbe taught us,” said Mr. Shmuel Goodman, a participant from Chicago.
One of the first mivtzoim that the Rebbe launched, mivtzah matzah is an easy mivtzah even for those who don’t often participate in mivtzoim. “The resources and subsidies from Or Vechom make it easy to do this mivtzah and the beautifully designed packaging wraps the gift in a way that we are proud to present,” says Yitzi Goldwasswer of Pittsburgh where they are distributing 400 packages of matzah. “But,” he says, “The best part of participating in this campaign is the opportunity of giving Anash the understanding and empowerment that they too can participate in the Rebbe’s shlichus while going about their day-to-day lives.”
Many communities are timing their distribution to coincide with Yud Alef Nissan, others are already in full swing or will begin theirs in the coming days. The campaign is still open for communities and individuals to join before Yud Alef Nissan at ATimeToGift.org/Matzah.
In Monsey, where they have committed to distributing 500 boxes of matzah, Anash from all fourteen Lubavitcher shuls are participating. Levi Teichtel who is coordinating the Monsey campaign says, “it has taken off here with a great shturem.” He reports that there are individuals who have even ordered up to 75 boxes of matzah because they have friends who are not Lubavitchers who also want to give shmurah matzah to their Jewish contacts. “Boruch Hashem, we have so many people participating in the Rebbe’s mivtzah, and more joining each day. I strongly encourage every Anash community or group to join.”
