5 years ago

New York Capitol Marks ‘Education Day’

A special celebration was held in the New York State Capitol in honor of the 117th Birthday of the Rebbe, Assemblyman David Weprin, the chairman of the celebration, opened with warm words about the Rebbe and the Lubavitch movement. “It is a unique honor and privilege for me to chair of the celebration in honor of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s 117th birthday” • Full Story, Photos

A special celebration was held in the New York State Capitol in honor of the 117th Birthday of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson.

Assemblyman David Weprin, the chairman of the celebration, opened with warm words about the Rebbe and the Lubavitch movement. “It is a unique honor and privilege for me to chair of the celebration in honor of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s 117th birthday.”

Education for all children
Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman, Director Lubavitch Youth Organization, offered words of welcome to the members of the New York State Legislature, their associates and their staff.

Rabbi Butman noted that when the Rebbe speaks about education he talks about the education of all children regardless of race, religion, color or creed. The Rebbe emphasized that he wants all children to know that there is “an eye that sees and an ear that hears and that the world is not a jungle.”

Rabbi Butman stressed that today the Rebbe has over 5000 institutions in over 1000 cities in 102 countries around the world.

Rabbi Butman stressed what the Rebbe said that we live in the last generation of exile and the first generation of redemption, and we can bring the Redemption even closer through more deeds of “Goodness and kindness.”

“The Rebbe’s work”
The Proclamation of Governor Andrew Cuomo was read by his special representative to the Jewish Community Michael Snow. Michael Snow Stressed that the Rebbe plays a very important role in his personal life. Assemblyman Walter Mosley and Senator Zellnor Myrie who represent Crown Heights in the Assembly and Senate, both spoke with enthusiasm about their warm relationship with the Jewish Community of Crown Heights that is a model of peace and coexistence.

Rebbe worried for everyone
Rabbi Yisroel Rubin, the Shliach (emissary) of the Rebbe in Albany and vicinity, overseeing many Chabad Houses, spoke about the scope of the Rebbe’s activities all over the world. “The Rebbe worried about everyone.”

The Advice of the Rebbe for opening United States Senate in Washington
During his opening of the New York State Assembly, Rabbi Butman thanked the members for the resolution they passed proclaiming “117 Days of Education” in honor of the Rebbe’s 117th birthday.

Rabbi Butman recalled with reverence that before he opened the United States Senate in Washington in the year 1991, the Rebbe told him “Take a Pushka (charity box) with you and let everyone see what you are doing and let them know on what money should be spent for.” In accordance to this directive, Rabbi Butman brought a Pushka with him to Albany. During his prayers, he offered a dollar bill in the Pushka. He also asked the legislators to join in putting a Dollar into the Pushka. “This is not a fund-raising campaign, for if it were we would ask you for much more than one Dollar, this is part of the Rebbe’s campaign to do mere goodness and kindness” Rabbi Butman said.

It was most interesting to see how the members of the New York State Assembly lined up after the prayer to offer their own dollar in the Charity box as an act of goodness and kindness.

Shmurah Matzoh for Pesach
Rabbi Butman gave out hand-baked Shmurah Matzoh for to the legislators. “The Rebbe wants that every Jew should have Shmurah Matzoh for Pesach.