This comprehensive review by Sue Fishkoff is acclaimed and heralded
by Samuel G. Friedman of the New York Times Book Review where
Samuels states "A comprehensive, fluent, and accomplished book
[that] shows a tenacious reporter and an intellectually curious
person on the case."
The book chronicles the beginning of the outreach program to
dissociated Jews from their religious roots starting from a living
room in Brooklyn, New York.
The book sets out how the Chabad Chassidim applied the literal
approach to the observance of G-d and how the followers of Chabad
Chassidim only drink (as an example) Chalav Yisrael milk and cheese
products in order to keep strict adherence to Jewish Law.
This book chronicles how the Rebbe OB"M initiated the shluchim
(agent) program sending out Rabbis and their wives to areas where
there was little or no Judaism and where there were disenchanted
Jews who needed to come back to yiddishkite. In particular, Chabad
went to areas where there were young people disconnected from their
Jewish roots like at Columbia University.
The book continues as the writer sets out how the Chabad Lubavitch
reached out to over 700,000 Jewish people in South Florida
including Miami and Palm Beach. As the book moves forward, it
discussed in depth Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson OB"M, who is
the Rebbe/leader of this Chabad movement.
Ms. Fishkoff gives examples of what tools and outreach steps are
taken by the various young Rabbis demonstrating how they have
Friday night Shabbos dinners and how they establish Chabad Houses
at various state universities giving out chicken soup and serving
other kosher food to the young Jewish population of those
universities.
Ms. Fishkoff sets out in detail the difficulty and the challenges
facing these young Rabbis when they move into a new area or town,
even experiencing resistance from other Jewish organizations. Ms.
Fishkoff sets out how the majority of the challenges for these
young Rabbis is the non-religious Jew and how they take them
through their journey to be a ba'al teshuvah in order to continue
their education for the next generations.
This book gives excellent details and true stories after the
Rebbe's death along with clear examples of the difficulties that
the Chabad Rabbis have had even when simply trying to place a
menorah in a public place to celebrate Chanukah
Finally, the author deals with how the Rabbis not only brings Jews
to yiddishkite, but also helps Jews struggling with alcoholism,
drugs, incarceration, etc.
This book is a must-read for all people who want an insight into
the Chassidic Lubavitch movement.
As Stephen Fried of the Washington Book Post Book World said,
"American Jews, whether observant or secularly involved, are rarely
neutral on Lubavitch activities. Fishkoff's book will inform both
sides of the discussion."
Moishe Alexander
Thank you for reading another book review by Moishe Alexander