A beautiful project recently completed by the students of Chabad Girls Academyhas led to a renewed connection with the Rebbe.
The seventh and eighth graders set out to discover different aspects of the Rebbe’s personality and how they manifested during his leadership.
They conducted interviews on different topics in order to hear first hand accounts that they could learn life lessons from.
Their teacher, created this project with the goal of helping the students to see different parts of the Rebbe’s personality which would encourage them to connect with him in a deeper and more meaningful way. Topics included how the Rebbe related to children, his involvement and views on education, the Rebbe’s innovative projects and personality, and his devotion to his chassidim and their personal needs.
The girls began interviewing different people who had the privilege of being in the Rebbe’s presence and could answer their questions. Rabbi Shlomo Majeski from Machon Chana, Rebbetzin Chave Hecht from Camp Emunah, Harov Yaakov Schwei from the Crown Heights Beis Din, and author Mrs. Ruth Benjamin were among those interviewed.
The students created beautiful and informative presentations with colorful posters that depicted the Rebbe interacting with his chassidim according to their topics. They also produced a video presentation of their interviews.
In one interview Rebbetzin Hecht related an example of the Rebbe’s deep impact and care for the children with a personal story “Whenever there was a farbrengen, my husband used to go with my sons to get Kos Shel Bracha. One time one of my sons was missing and the Rebbe asked where this son was. He was concerned why this son was missing. This was the Rebbe’s feeling for every child.”
Video: Interview with Rebbetzin Chave Hecht
Student Moussie Mandel interviewed her grandfather who related the Rebbe’s impact through publicizing the mivtzoim “We raised our children in Morristown, New Jersey, where the Cheder encouraged them to begin spreading the Rebbe’s mivtza of Neshek (teaching about shabbos candles). Our daughters went to senior citizen homes with their classmates and gave out candles and brochures, bringing much joy to the seniors.”
The Rebbe included the children in his mivtzoim so “they themselves should be able to actively participate in his outreach campaigns and not only listen to others speaking about them.”
In an interview with her grandfather, HaRav Schwei, student Chaya Schwei heard how the Rebbe affected world Jewry by creating Chabad Houses worldwide “having a chabad house in a city means that people now have an address where they can go and receive guidance from the rebbe’s shliach and knowledge about Judaism in practice so they could become better people.” This is how the Rebbe influenced so many Jews and formed a connection with them.
During a personal encounter at a farbrengen on Shabbos, the Rov explained how he saw the Rebbe’s inner spiritual capabilities. “ coming for personal bracha for my wife who had just left to the hospital to give birth and the Rebbe asked “Now?” and I said “yes” and the Rebbe repeated “ Now!?”, later on I found out it was a false alarm and the my wife returned home that same day. That’s when I realized how the Rebbe was able to see with his holy vision that my wife had not given birth. This had a profound effect on me.”
Rabbi Majeski was interviewed by student Nechamie bar Chaim who was curious about the Rebbe’s sensitivity to people and how he showed it. “In 1968, when wounded soldiers arrived at 770 from Israel, the Rebbe came down to speak with them. After his talk, the Rebbe walked over to personally shake the hand of each one of the soldiers, many of whom were in wheelchairs.” The soldiers were clearly touched by the Rebbe’s personal sensitivity.
The Interviews were fascinating and the girls heard different stories of what it was like for people who went to the Rebbe for advice or a bracha. In researching this important project, they’ve gained a meaningful perspective into the connection that exists deeply between the Chassidim and the Rebbe today. They saw how the Rebbe modeled behaviors for us to learn from and how he cared tremendously for every Jew. We can all take inspiration from those moments to continue the legacy of the Rebbe in our lives and impact the world in a positive way.
To hear an interview from A woman whose life is inspired by The Rebbe z”l,Inspiring.
Thank you Reb Hecht.
What a great idea for you girls to have done this!!! Thank you
What an amazing and special initiative! To connect these girls with the older generation and hear first hand stories and impressions of the Rebbe is something truly priceless!!
Go me!!!!!!!!
CGA is the BEST!!!!!!! School EVER!!!!!!!!
(it’s my school)
this is so nice. Please keep it up. something will help us all
CGA, is a wonderful school, in the heart of CH.