ב"ה
Wednesday, 26 Adar I, 5784
  |  March 6, 2024

Why Keep Excluding Chabad?

Op-Ed: Why did 2 Jewish Federations choose to marginalize numbers of Chabad in their demographic surveys last week. Full Story

L’Chaim: Naparstek – Grossbaum

Next Story »

Knock on the Door. ‘It’s the Rav’

Subscribe
Notify of
11 Comments
oldest
newest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Own
February 22, 2018 4:11 pm

Chabad should step up and do their own survey. It would prove to be very interesting. Asking questions about how they came to learn about the option of Chabad worship, how do they feel about the different (checklist) halacha Chabad encourages it’s members to follow, do they feel welcomed from the point they are holding in their current Jewish observance, etc. I’d love to see what people think who identify themselves as Chabad friendly or Chabad.

who is he kidding???
February 22, 2018 3:59 pm

the fact is, in the grand scheme of things, Chabad outside of the publicity has very little influence on anything. Heck, we couldn’t even succeed with the most important mission(s) the Rebbe cried about for so many years. Mihu Yehudi, giving back land in Israel, getting the books, keeping more Jews within Judaism rather than the losing of our very own more than we are gaining. Chabad needs some serious introspection and quickly. the Matzav is serious. My least worry is Federation statistics. Rabbi Shlomo Ezagui

Not only chabad
February 22, 2018 2:14 pm

Frum communities are often ignored by Federation type Jewish organizations.

challenge them directly
February 22, 2018 12:19 am

speak about the inaccuracies on radio and challenge them to real issues that were not addressed if they don’t respond by correspondence.
people who do not include Chabad are mainly ignorant or jealous of success. someone needs to speak up in the age of truth prevails.

Another Country
February 21, 2018 8:10 pm

In the UK most people are affiliated to the United Synagogue. Some employ chabad rabbis, but congregants tend not to connect too much with chabad. So a different story here.

Who cares?
February 21, 2018 4:36 pm

Since when is our relevance reduced to surveys. We have work to do in inspiring Neshamas and bring them closer to Yiddishkeit, not to get the stats. For all the stats, Jewish assimilation is a tragic reality, and is only getting worse by the minute. Rabbi E, with all due respect to you, instead of obsessing about stats, and writing books about the secret success of chabad so that all reform rabbis can start copying it, just focus on what you are called upon to do. Inspiring Jews. Its not our way to fight darkness, its not our way to… Read more »

Why?
February 21, 2018 2:26 pm

“Why did the D.C. and Bay Area studies choose to marginalize Chabad? Why did the committees that oversaw the surveys, in both communities, have no Chabad representation or input?”

Perhaps, because they feel more threatened that the other areas, or can’t bear to see Chabad’s winning numbers, let alone, be participant in counting it. Just ignore it, and pray, it just goes away…lol

Nothing new
February 21, 2018 12:20 pm

We get it from all sides the litvisher kolel crowed tries to downplay Chabad as well it’s the reality of our times.

True but matters little...
February 21, 2018 9:53 am

Seriously. These surveys are useless and do nothing other than to make frum Jews involved in outreach and traditional Jews in the larger community concerned that the future is in jeopardy. I have yet to see such a survey do much good. That being said, the fact that Chabad was marginalized might be because many Jews still see us as the fringe. Many appreciate our presence but when it comes down to it, we are still the wackos on the sidelines.
The rabbi is right and hopefully that perception will change.

Jewish Federation
February 21, 2018 9:53 am

Please….shluchim and anash are never involved with the Jewish Federation…our voices are not heard!! I go to the local federation and i see a pathway….slowly…get involved then we will count and be part of the Jewish community

another viewpoint
February 21, 2018 8:18 am

Membership is irrelevant in many pay dues to maintain burial privileges, for family historical ties, etc. In many cities such as where we live people maintain shul membership but attend events and learning sessions at both Chabad and their congregation and actively contribute to both. It is not uncommon for people to have multiple memberships in different “divisions” because each spouse comes from a different background. It has long been a problem when these surveys use non-Jewish standards such as worhip attendance and affiliation in surveys.

X