In light of recent challenges, a new textbook that empowers educators and shluchim to illuminate their students’ lives with a Geulah perspective using engaging curricula was released by the Moshiach Office at Merkos 302 for Hei Teves this year.
Rabbi A.S.* grew up in the 90s, married, and then moved out on shlichus. He feels very lucky to have experienced his years as a bochur in the early 90s, at a time of such groundbreaking insight from the Rebbe when world events seemed to explode on a daily basis.
“I developed a strong connection with the Sichos from those years: 5751 and 5752. They speak to the times, and the ongoing developments our world is undergoing.” But later, on shlichus, the good Rabbi encountered a challenge when working to relay these points to his students. “However, when it came to applying and teaching these sichos, I struggled to communicate its relevance.”
These sentiments are not uncommon. Many rabbis and shluchim report that some of the most critical messages of the Rebbe can be challenging to convey using contemporary language.
To address this issue, Merkos 302’s Moshiach Office launched the Moshiach Mindset series in the spring of 2021. Under development for two years by The Jewish Learning Insitute (JLI) and Sichos in English (SIE), the series is based on the Rebbe’s directives to lead a Moshiach-oriented life and features seven segments focusing on particular attitudes and perspectives for the Geulah generation. This month, the series is enhanced by bringing an enormous amount of content into a single textbook.
The textbook boasts 650+ pages of insightful curriculum, engaging processing questions, discussion promoters, and take-home lessons. The content spans 28 stand-alone segments that can be learned in weekly 30/45 minute sessions.
Rabbi A.S., for one, finds this particular tool very helpful. “I am so grateful for the release of the complete Moshiach Mindset textbook,” He shared. “It provides the much-needed context for understanding how these sichos of the 90s are based on the prior 40 years of the Rebbe’s nesius. This curriculum helps educators appreciate the subtle nuances of the Rebbe’s chiddushim within these sichos, and – most importantly – their relevance to our current time. With this context, I feel that I am able to eloquently and accurately present to my students, children and friends how the Rebbe gave us all the ability to polish the crown on our Torah and Mitzvos.”
Rabbi Shlomie Naparstek, Director of the Moshiach Office at Merkos 302, adds that focusing on the Rebbe’s most recent emphasis on Moshiach is ever more crucial in recent months. “Many young Jews are ready to absorb something more spiritual and meaningful than the ordinary assurances and words of comfort that are dispensed in times of crisis. We are in unprecedented times; we must share with the world an unprecedented message.”
“Having a serious discussion about Moshiach and adopting a Moshiach mindset is more welcome than ever,” adds Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, founder of the Moshiach Office and Vice-Chairman of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch. “The Rebbe shared with us the proper perspective in difficult times like these should be, and it’s our duty to share it with the world.”
The Moshiach Mindset textbook is available for purchase online at Moshiachmindset.com. See a sample at the same web address.
For further details, inquiries, and bulk orders, contact the producers at [email protected]
