As a Chabad Rabbi, I just had the pleasure of spending an amazingly inspirational weekend at the International Conference of Shluchim (emissaries) where I joined some 4000 colleagues from around the world in sharing ideas and bottling inspiration for the upcoming year at our posts.
As is the case when two Rabbis get together – no less 4000 – current Jewish events were bound to come up. Not surprisingly, a call made at the URJ Biennial by Birthright Israel co-founder, Charles Bronfman, caused a great deal of discussion. Bronfman’s call was for the Reform movement to “Take back Birthright from Chabad.”
To me it seemed that some were offended by Bronfman’s comments, translating his statement as one of contempt for Chabad. Others found his words to be extremely complimentary in recognizing the hard work and amazing dedication of the Chabad led Mayanot- Birthright team.
While personally did not take a stance, my immediate reaction to reading about Bronfman’s statement and the “we’re going to meet that challenge and more” response of URJ’s President was excitement. I literally shouted at my phone (that’s where I was reading the report) to “BRING IT ON”!
Let me set the record straight. It has been eight years since I last led a Birthright-Israel trip (lately, I’ve been leading missions to Israel with my community members). Nor am I a Campus Rabbi. Nevertheless I think to truly understand the depth of Chabad’s tremendous success attracting students to its Birthright trips, as well as in their equally successful post Birthright program, IsraeLinks, one must examine Chabad’s success as a whole. As a Chabad Rabbi I feel I am hopefully equal to that task.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe was a trailblazer in Jewish outreach (or as he called it “inreach” since bringing Jews closer means connecting them to what is already there inside of them). But even more so, he was way ahead of his time in understanding the core needs of Jewish youth. In numerous talks, written correspondence, personal conversations and public addresses, the Rebbe stressed that a searching teenager or young adult is not impressed with superficiality. Rather, they are most impressed, inspired, and moved by truth. They are uplifted by experiences that touch them deep inside and they yearn for moments that can provide them a real connection to their souls.
A young man does not put on Teffilin on the streets of Manhattan because it makes sense but rather, because it connects them to something deeper. A young woman does not light Shabbat candles on a busy Friday evening because it is the “in” thing to do but rather, because it makes them feel whole inside. Similarly, a college student does not travel to Israel because it is a cool place to visit, for they could just as easy travel to Italy, Australia, or Nepal. Rather they travel to Israel because 3,000 years of Jewish history and tradition call out to them seeking to connect them to who they truly are at their essence.
Furthermore, while occasionally a student may sign up for a Birthright trip on a whim, for the most part a student is engaged by a loving Chabad Rabbi and Rebbetzin months, sometimes even years, before he or she ever thinks of travelling to Israel. These Shluchim, the selfless Jewish leaders serving on College campuses worldwide, create a nurturing, loving, and deeply caring environment where a young student can safely question what it means to be a Jew without fear of ever being judged or labeled.
It’s Chabad’s philosophy of loving, caring and guiding every single Jew that sets the foundation for students to desire more of a connection, regardless of their previous affiliation, knowledge, or level of practice. It is through this nurturing and guiding that the students are inspired to get in touch with the connection often felt through a trip to our Holy Land.
This then is what attracts students (and people in general) to Chabad. Chabad offers something for every Jew. People are comfortable at Chabad because the rabbi jokes with them and the Rebbetzin cooks a mean kugel. But they also teach them, encourage them, and challenge them to get better all the time. All this done in the most unconditionally loving way; not through preaching or party-line ideological platforms, but to each in their own special way and at to all at their very own pace.
Bottom line, Chabad’s success is not in its marketing (though that helps, and may I say, they are pretty good at it!) or its choice of hotels in Israel, but rather in its authenticity. Perhaps more accurately put, Chabad provides an authentic and positive Jewish experience prior to the trip and uses the trip to reinforce these ideas. So when a Chabad Rabbi or Rebbetzin presents a Mayanot Birthright opportunity, it is more than just a cool tourist experience that happens to be free. It is a continuation of the ideas and ideals that he/she live by and have been teaching from day one.
If Charles Bronfman or the Reform movement as a whole are serious about “taking back Birthright” then they need to consider the opportunities a Birthright trip truly offers. They need to take a page from the Rebbe’s book in calling on their members to add in the observance of practical Mitzvot and the Study of Torah. They need to challenge their members to put of Teffilin, observe Shabbat, keep a Kosher diet, or the countless other ways they can promote growth in Jewish practice and observance. It is then that a trip to Israel takes on the most meaning.
Judaism sees Israel as more than just as geographic and historical place. Judaism is one’s identity, and in Israel one can get closer and more intimate with that identity. The land of Israel speaks the language of the Jewish Neshama (soul). Israel is a part of who we are and its history helps teach us about our important mission in life. It is this perspective and through these experiences that a young Jewish man or woman is challenged to want to build a deeper connection to Judaism and their Jewish identity.
So, if the Reform movement is to one day succeed in taking “Birthright back,” it means it could have only happened one way. That’s through drastically increasing Jewish observance and awareness, and that my friend, is a good thing!
So with this in mind I reverse the challenge to you, Mr. Bronfman.
I say, “BRING IT ON!”
If only. But let us remember that the Reform Movement was not founded on emess, and the only way for people in the movement to discover emess is to leave the movement. The movement itself has no interest in promoting the Torah aspect of Israel unless it’s their warped version that says the mesora is baloney. If a rabbi of theirs does teshuva, he /she has to leave the pulpit. But why would they? It is only about dollars and a nauseous sense of “social justice” where Arabs are treated better than Jews.
I heard the Rebbe said somthing about these other organizations, “they sanctify the compromise.” Reform members think that that is Judaism, (until they meet chabad), they are lead by charlatans. Rochmonus
Precisely my point. Bronfman and co., just as much as you or me or Rabbi Richler, have the inborn ability to rediscover the emes and be able to draw other Jews closer to it. So telling them “You couldn’t” is 100% wrong: they can, just that they have to be working based on emes rather than sheker.
Rabbi richlers point is exactly that. Bring it in, you want to beat us, you have to do it with emess!
Abi… you write so eloquently and to the point in such a positive way. May you reach above and beyond all the goals you had in mind when you set pen to paper. This article certainly brings the Rebbe much nachas and you bring much Chassidishe pride through your writing and most importantly, through your trailblazing peulos!!:) …BTW…. When there are 2 Jews there will certainly be 3-4 opinions…. so don’t worry about criticism for this bold and positive approach and challenge!)
Never a good way
funny but more sad and true
His birthright to Yaakov (this week’s Parsha). He sold his right to be eternally connected to Hashem. What is reform doing for our birthright?
A few years ago I was visiting Israel and passing through the Cardo (Main Square) in the Jewish Quarter in Jerusalem. A local lubavitcher had a tefillin table and asked me if I could help him as there were many tourists walking by. I happily obliged. Soon after, a few young men walked by the table. I asked them “where are you from” and “what brings you to Israel”. They responded that they are on Birthright from a university in Texas. I asked them if they wanted to put on tefillin. They thought about it for a few seconds and… Read more »
reform is not [lhavdil] yiddishkeit nor is it the way of Torah.
Chabad and [lihavdil] reform avoda zara cannot be equated as equal opportunity kiruv workers when one draws people to a path of emess and one to sheker.
No. They couldn’t outshine Chabad, not even with the “kiruv” of their own children.
At the GA, head of American Jewish federations, told the people they need to have more children! T he Rebbe was 50 yrs a head of them, as usual. lehavdil
In April 2013, Bronfman was one of 100 prominent American Jews who sent a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urging him to “work closely” with Secretary of State John Kerry “to devise pragmatic initiatives, consistent with Israel’s security needs, which would represent Israel’s readiness to make painful territorial sacrifices for the sake of peace.”[6]
On the contrary. What indeed is that supposed to mean, “You couldn’t even if you knew how to try”? Do they not have a nefesh ha-Elokis just as you do? Didn’t their ancestors stand at Har Sinai just as much as yours? Why couldn’t they bring Jews closer to Yiddishkeit just as much as you or me or Rabbi Richler?
No, Rabbi Richler hit exactly the right note, whereas to you it’s just a matter of one-upmanship, like supporting (lehavdil) your favorite politician or sports team.
Rabbi
Everything you say in your article makes sense except that your challenge to Mr Bronfman totally contardicts Chabads approach.
Chabad is successful because its philosophy is not to challenge or judge but to engage and embrace jews with unconditional love.
So instead of BRING IT ON , I think a statement like OK LETS TALK would bear better results
well said
Sadly, within 2 or 3 generations, the reform movement won’t be Jewish anymore.
Almost the entire side of my father’s family is married to goyim. My mother’s side is half.
Seriously, they just keep marrying out, and studies have shown it. The founder of the reform movement has no Jewish decedents after the fourth generation. They are committing spiritual suicide.
Avi,
That is exactly what I said!
SS
They are not trying to hurt Chabad, Jews are a very intelligent people, not just doctors, but scientists who provide the findings in nature.
Israel has a very important and urgent message for Jews around the world. ….and that is a natural goal in itself, I’m sure Hashem is proud
The Rebbe clearly stated in Chayai Sarah 5752 we are all shluchim of the Frediker Rebbe, our Rebbe his successor, every single Yid without exception. It’s not them and us. Rabbi Avi Richler is just telling Charles Bronfman we are all in this together you are welcome to greet Moshiach just encourage all your constituents colleagues and all you can reach do Torah and Mitzvois and they all will go to Erets Yisroel. May we all Greet Moshiach Now! Birthright trips will then be something of the past!
Bronfman has to justify his lack of yiddishkeit and that of his children’s by pushing the Reform agenda rochmonos latzlan what enormous wealth can do to separate a Jew from his Source. From a former Montrealer
First – beautifully written article Rabbi. 2. Actually each birthright organization has to do their own fundraising. I believe they do also uget money from birthright itself, but it’s not the sole source of funding. Also, it’s not just “it’s a free trip”. Why are these students specifically choosing Mayanot versus Hillel or one of the other providers? To quote one of my students “I choose Mayanot bc I was told it’s not an Israel experience, but a Jewish one and I want to care about being a Jew. I could go to Israel anytime on my own, but then… Read more »
Well said!! All true!!
That’s one Montrealer (Rabbi Richler) saying it like it is to another Montrealer (Mr. Bronfman). May the “Reform” movement learn something from Chabad. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. May they copy Chabad!
From a former neighbour Montrealer.
Rebentzins can joke too. They dont only know how to cook!!!
Wow, article is unbelievably written. We need more manpower to change the world and bring moshiach. We should encourage all jews to do inreach, and not shy of non-chabad inreach programs. As long as we are warming the world with yidishkeit.
Not an ounce of negativity..aderaba let all Jews add in true yidishkeit!
Does this rabbi speak as good as he writes? He should be on the speaker circuit.
well done and correct shykoach!
Wow. Great great point! Well spoken. No need for animosity or bad blood. This was written in true chabad spirit.
…not to say “bring it on” as this speaks to encouraging them and even inviting defeat.
Respond dismissively or disarmingly, such as:
“You couldn’t even if you knew how to try”
The Richlers are truly incredible shluchim. Having spent some time by their home this past summer, I witnessed firsthand the incredible work they do so humbly and selflessly. Real chassidim, and very real people in general. May you go me’chail el chayil!
As someone who grew up in a reform temple and B”H found my way to complete and authentic Torah Yiddishkeit, I think this is right on target.
Great response. The Rabbi is right on#!!!
Beautifully written.thank you! I know first hand how these trips effected so many of my groups lives for the better, primarily due to the preparation before and follow ups after the trip, think about a fully funded chabad house where a shliach is able to just focus on the hashpoah and ruchnius needs of his constituents!(the majority of my participants extended they’re trip many of which learned for a duration in yeshivas!)
Moshiach now!
Excellent responce.Moshiachs times,this could happen now.
birthright is its own organization and they are in charge. because it is their money they can decide what can and cant be done.
people want to go to birthright because it is for free and then they can extend their trip for half the price.
Too long winded
Too busy with BDS & organizing anti israel rally.
That’s it