Rabbi Yisroel Shmotkin relates: Towards the end of 5728 (1968), I was discussing shlichus (outreach work) with the Rebbe's Chief Secretary Rabbi Hodakov. He said the Rebbe would want at least one Shliach in every one of 50 states of the USA, however it is not possible at this time.
At that time, the official Lubavitch News Service reported the opening of Milwaukee as the seventh Chabad Lubavitch outreach branch of Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch following California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania.
This past Sunday, almost fifty years later, the Rebbe's wish has been fulfilled! At the banquet of the annual International Conference of Chabad Lubavitch Shluchim it was announced that Rabbi Mendel & Mussie Alperowitz have been appointed as the new shluchim (and the only Rabbi) to the 50th state to receive a permanent Chabad presence, South Dakota!
The highlight of my trip though, is always the kids. Watching the young shluchim kids gather in 770 for davening on Friday night send chills down my spine as they fill the entire shul, the young army of shluchim. In addition, Chaya and Mendel came to New York for the weekend as well and it was nice to spend time together.
Sunday morning was the annual big kinus "class picture" with the thousands who make in time for the shot. A few of us gave a shot at the the viral video craze, to try and capture a video of the largest mannequin challenge. Chabad Rabbis are always on the move, but, we have to give them credit for at least trying to freeze for a moment or two. A little too far back I froze in a crowd surfing position. Hard to detect in the video, but the NY Daily News got it covered. :)
Tomorrow night is first fridays with YJP Houston Shabbat Dinner & Cocktails for Young Professionals. RSVP: www.yjphouston.org/events/shabbatdec2.
Mazel tov to Nicholas & Sandra Morgan on the birth of a baby boy!
Mazel tov my nephew Rabbi Peretz & Mushky Lazaroff on the birth of a baby boy!
Shabbos Parshas Toldos
Friday, December 2
Services at 6:30 pm
Candle Lighting at 5:04 pm
Shabbos, December 3
Chassidus at 9 am
Services at 10 am
Followed by Shabbos Kiddush & Farbrengen
Mincha at 5:05 pm
Maariv, Havdalla & Shabbos Ends at 6:01 pm
Living Torah
Have a good Shabbos!
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie
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