Celebrating the Rebbe’s Life

ARIZONA  JEWISH COMMUNITY TO CELEBRATE THE MOST INFLUENTIAL RABBI IN MODERN HISTORY

Phoenix is gearing up to join thousands of communities worldwide in marking the 25th anniversary of the passing of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, on July 6 of this year.

On Saturday ,  July 6th members of the Jewish community will gather at local Chabad Centers in the State to celebrate the Rebbe’s life, and reflect on and rededicate themselves to his teachings and ideals. In Phoenix we will have a Kiddush & Farbrengen right after Services. Services 9:30 am.

In addition to his unparalleled role in the Jewish community as both a preeminent scholar and leader, the Rebbe was the most influential rabbi in modern history, and was the only rabbi ever to receive the Congressional Gold Medal, and to have an American national day, Education and Sharing Day, proclaimed in his honor. His teachings about the inherent goodness of all mankind, and the infinite potential of every individual and each good deed, continue to be a guiding force as a generation, of both Jews and non-Jews, seeks to positively change the world for the better.

In keeping with the Rebbe’s lifetime goals and teachings, hundreds of thousands are redoubling their efforts at personal prayer, study and acts of loving kindness in preparation for the special date, as well as increasing their personal and communal efforts to encourage others to do the same. In Arizona many locals have undertaken an array of personal and communal activities in the Rebbe’s honor. Additionally, many tens of thousands will visit his resting place in Queens, N.Y. during the anniversary, bearing the personal prayers of millions.

“HOW THE REBBE PERSONALLY INSPIRED/TOUCHED  INDIVIDUALS  IN OUR  COMMUNITY” said Atty Sidney Rosen,  living in Phoenix, “By sending his Shluchim  to Az. many peoples lives were changed. I who has traveled the world has seen this all over the work of the Rebbe transforming lives. THIS IS  WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO REFLECT ON THE REBBE AND WHAT HE STOOD FOR on this 25th anniversary & what it means to us today..”

Throughout his lifetime the Rebbe was remarkably accessible, and counseled countless individuals from a wide array of backgrounds, including statesmen and artists as diverse as Ronald Reagan, Robert F. Kennedy, Yitzchak Rabin, Menachem Begin, Elie Wiesel, and Bob Dylan, as well as countless “nameless” individuals who were each showered with his individual attention and love.

New information about the Rebbe’s early life and about his subsequent global impact has been steadily emerging, via an oral history project and much determined historical pursuit and sleuthing. Additionally, books released in recent years like New York Times’ best seller “Rebbe: The Life and Teachings of Menachem M. Schneerson, the Most Influential Rabbi in Modern History” by Joseph Telushkin, and more recently “Social Vision: The Lubavitcher Rebbe’s Transformative Paradigm for the World” by Philip Wexler, an attempt few have made to extract and lay out the Rebbe’s vision for society at-large. “ Positivity Bias: Practical Wisdom for Positive Living” by Rabbi Mendel Kalmenson focuses on the Rebbe’s general positive outlook, especially in times of tragedy. An inspiring and life-enriching tapestry woven from hundreds of stories, letters, anecdotes and vignettes, it highlights the Rebbe’s positive outlook on life and people. Published months after the horrific anti-Semitic attacks in Pittsburgh and Poway, it’s a message that resonates now more than ever.

A local delegation headed by Rabbis  will be traveling to the Rebbe’s resting place in Queens, N.Y. on Thursday, where they will join more than 50,000 others from around the world, visiting to mark the day.