In June 2023 in the days leading up to Gimmel (3rd of) Tammuz, the Rebbe’s yartzeit, I (Mendel) attended the Chabad on Campus Shluchim Kinus conference held in Woodcliff Lake NJ. The nearby local Chabad rabbi asked if I would step out of the conference for one evening to speak for their community.
An interesting and unexpected UAlbany connection happened when I went to do this lecture (the topic was on the 3 Movements rooted in same 3-word verse as illustrated by 3 Seuss books) at the local Woodcliff Lake Chabad. A somewhat older man named Ira came in to “Valley Chabad” before the lecture and he said that he was only there to see me, he just wanted to come in person to express his personal gratitude for our being there for his two nieces and nephew and engaging and involving them (Jewishly and otherwise) at UAlbany. And he was there just for those few moments, and then he left even before the lecture began! Turns out, he came only by to say thanks!
“Uncle Ira’s” obvious (& unexpected!) effort to come say thank you (and we had never personally met before) is a powerful testament as to the power & meaning of gratitude. May we all take the time & effort to personally express gratitude for those who help us & those we love.
We found this especially meaningful one night before Gimmel Tammuz, the Rebbe’s yahrzeit, as we owe tremendous gratitude to the Rebbe’s teachings and visions, that are at the core of Shabbos House and Chabad Houses the world-over, and the tremendous transformative Jewish and life perspective. We’re grateful for it, and will continue to try to pay it forward.
And thanks to each and every one (a constant expression of the Rebbe about the emphasis on both individual and community) of our extended Shabbos House family (students, alumni, parents etc) for being part of fulfilling the Rebbe’s vision of making Judaism accessible, joyous, positive, relevant, welcoming to all, where every Jew is family! and so much more!