19 Westchester Synagogues Joined Together To Remember Revered Rebbe

WHITE PLAINS, NY — A spiritual leader credited with helping to heal, rebuild and reimagine the Jewish faith in the wake of the horrors of the Holocaust was remembered by Jewish communities across Westchester.

From Chabad of Westchester County.

On July 11, over 19 Jewish communities of Westchester gathered for an evening of music and inspiration at the Sonesta Hotel in White Plains.

Celebrating the richness of Jewish life in Westchester, they also marked 30 years since the passing of the Rebbe — Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, the most influential rabbi in modern history.

Born in Mykolayiv, Ukraine in 1902, the Rebbe arrived in the USA from Nazi-occupied Europe in 1941. He assumed leadership of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement in 1950, and is credited with engineering Judaism’s global post-Holocaust renaissance.

"Jews from across the spectrum of Jewish life have been touched by his transformative leadership and Torah teachings," said Rabbi Silberstein. "The Rebbe’s influence is felt most through the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, which became the largest and most dynamic Jewish force in the world under his leadership, with more than 3,500 institutions across more than 100 countries."

The event featured Rabbi Yehudah Krinsky, the Rebbe's personal secretary for over four decades, who offered unique insights and reflections into the Rebbe’s life and teachings. A captivating musical program by a string quartet showcased the Rebbe's cherished songs and melodies.

For many in Westchester and around the world, the occasion of the Rebbe’s passing, corresponding to July 9, is a time to reflect on the Rebbe’s life and teachings through prayer and increasing their acts of goodness and kindness.

About Chabad of Westchester County:

With over 12 centers in Westchester County, Chabad offers Jewish education, outreach and social service programming all ages, backgrounds and affiliations. Find more information here.

About the Rebbe:

The Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory is widely considered the most influential rabbi in modern history. The Rebbe’s influence transcended sectarian or geographic borders, and many thousands of people from all walks of life benefitted from his wisdom, comfort and counsel. The Rebbe advised world leaders and shaped matters of state and society, and many influential figures such as Robert F. Kennedy, Yitzchak Rabin, Menachem Begin, and Benjamin Netanyahu.

In 1994, the Rebbe was recognized for his global leadership and impact on society, with the Congressional Gold Medal. He is the only rabbi to receive this honor, and the only Rabbi to have an American national day, Education and Sharing Day U.S.A., proclaimed annually since 1978 in recognition of his work. The Rebbe’s Torah work is colossal, being the largest existing corpus of Torah teachings (the Rebbe taught publicly for more than 11,000 hours). Find more information on the life and teachings of the Rebbe here.

About Rabbi Yehuda Krisnky:

Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky served as secretary to Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson for over 40 years. He is the chairman of Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch, the educational arm of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. Rabbi Krinsky has been active in helping build new schools and expanding the reach of the Chabad movement around the world. He has also participated in efforts to retrieve a large library of books connected to the Chabad movement which is in the custody of the Russian government.

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This press release was produced by Chabad of Westchester County. The views expressed here are the author’s own.

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