Untied States of Lubavitch in Springfield, MA
Shmuel Monkes writes about Springfield MA in response to The Lubavitch institutions in New England:
We have b'h 5 shluchim and their families - Rabbi Edelman is the Sr Shaliach - he is loved throughout the entire community both Jewish and otherwise - his ahavas yisrael is palpable - he lives a simple life and although he is past 80, he still "works the territory" seeking funds to keep the yeshiva going. You can see by looking at him that he sees each Jewish neshama as a diamond. He brings beautiful and serene chassidish heimishness to the community. We have a beautiful beis medrash with a minyan every shabbos am followed by a kiddush/farbrengen - attendance anywhere from 12-15 through 200+ (if there's a simcha). The school is the only yeshiva accredited by NEASC ( a big kavod and kiddush Hashem and K'L) - the accreditation was recently renewed after a thorough review of the school from top to bottom - the yeshiva undertook this arduous path for both internal as well as external reasons - primarily it wanted to grow and be the best it can be.
I guess my problem with the post is that it seems like Massachusetts was parceled out like some mafia territory to the families - the Gambino's, the Castellano's etc. I can�t speak for other communities but Springfield is not about a land grab or some of the other vague, unsubstantiated "allusions of fiscal wrongdoing and mismanagement" that every yutz with a PC and a blog address seems to think is de rigeur these days. The shluchim work endless hours for little monetary reward - if there's not enough money in the payroll, the shluchim forego their salary - is that how the Gambino's work? They�re hard wired for ahavas yisrael and to get Jews to do mitzvos and come home. They are also fighting an uphill battle against a greying population, a community that would prefer less frumkeit overall (read affluent Longmeadow) and other extrinsic factors, such as the lack of a frum infrastructure - e.g kosher restaurants, etc - ironically if they hit a home run and get a yid turned on, the guy might very well up and move to a frum community! Yet these extended family members come back for all the simchas, etc.
There is a small community day school - heritage - down the block (literally) I am quite unaware that it has overshadowed the yeshiva -- but hey, if you know something I don't, I'm willing to listen - ironically, the last rabbi to be at kodimah sent his kids to yeshiva - although heritage is the community school - he didn't last out the year - the new rabbi quickly got the hint and sent his kids to heritage. There are 5 ortho minyanim but with the exception of the progressive MO synagogue Kadima - they all face declining and aging population and for some getting/retaining a minyan is an ongoing challenge. All in all it's been quite satisfying living here with a selfless, dedicated group of people (though we do need a good shawarma place)
Rebeljew agrees with Shmuel Monkes: Why, I feel a tear forming. But really, Rabbi Edelman is a standout. He does not deserve to be lumped in with the likes of the Boston, New Haven, Worcester ,and Stamford fiefdoms. Nor does the Trumbull Chabad have to bear such nefarious company. But the exceptions are just that, exceptions! If they were only the rule...
We have b'h 5 shluchim and their families - Rabbi Edelman is the Sr Shaliach - he is loved throughout the entire community both Jewish and otherwise - his ahavas yisrael is palpable - he lives a simple life and although he is past 80, he still "works the territory" seeking funds to keep the yeshiva going. You can see by looking at him that he sees each Jewish neshama as a diamond. He brings beautiful and serene chassidish heimishness to the community. We have a beautiful beis medrash with a minyan every shabbos am followed by a kiddush/farbrengen - attendance anywhere from 12-15 through 200+ (if there's a simcha). The school is the only yeshiva accredited by NEASC ( a big kavod and kiddush Hashem and K'L) - the accreditation was recently renewed after a thorough review of the school from top to bottom - the yeshiva undertook this arduous path for both internal as well as external reasons - primarily it wanted to grow and be the best it can be.
I guess my problem with the post is that it seems like Massachusetts was parceled out like some mafia territory to the families - the Gambino's, the Castellano's etc. I can�t speak for other communities but Springfield is not about a land grab or some of the other vague, unsubstantiated "allusions of fiscal wrongdoing and mismanagement" that every yutz with a PC and a blog address seems to think is de rigeur these days. The shluchim work endless hours for little monetary reward - if there's not enough money in the payroll, the shluchim forego their salary - is that how the Gambino's work? They�re hard wired for ahavas yisrael and to get Jews to do mitzvos and come home. They are also fighting an uphill battle against a greying population, a community that would prefer less frumkeit overall (read affluent Longmeadow) and other extrinsic factors, such as the lack of a frum infrastructure - e.g kosher restaurants, etc - ironically if they hit a home run and get a yid turned on, the guy might very well up and move to a frum community! Yet these extended family members come back for all the simchas, etc.
There is a small community day school - heritage - down the block (literally) I am quite unaware that it has overshadowed the yeshiva -- but hey, if you know something I don't, I'm willing to listen - ironically, the last rabbi to be at kodimah sent his kids to yeshiva - although heritage is the community school - he didn't last out the year - the new rabbi quickly got the hint and sent his kids to heritage. There are 5 ortho minyanim but with the exception of the progressive MO synagogue Kadima - they all face declining and aging population and for some getting/retaining a minyan is an ongoing challenge. All in all it's been quite satisfying living here with a selfless, dedicated group of people (though we do need a good shawarma place)
Rebeljew agrees with Shmuel Monkes: Why, I feel a tear forming. But really, Rabbi Edelman is a standout. He does not deserve to be lumped in with the likes of the Boston, New Haven, Worcester ,and Stamford fiefdoms. Nor does the Trumbull Chabad have to bear such nefarious company. But the exceptions are just that, exceptions! If they were only the rule...
posted by Tzemach Atlas at 9:28 PM
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