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Lubavitchers try to reconcile faith witli reality By Pamela Druckerman NEW VORK (JTA) — A week after the death of the Lubavitcher rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, some of his followers in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn were coining out of mourning and trying to reconcile their faith with reality. Lubavitchers — many of whom once professed with perfect faith that the rebbe would rise from his hospital bed to usher in the messianic age — are now taking a second look at the traditional messianic texts, including Schneerson's own teachings on the subject. Although within the Lubavitch movement there had long been controversy over whether Schneerson was in fact the Messiah or merely the best candidate for the job — the concept of messianism, some say, was Schneerson's primary message and the driving force behind his efforts to spread Jewish observEmce. There is also substantial disagreement over whether — and how much — emphasis should now be placed on the messianic aspects of the movement. ' • A spokesman for the international Lubavitch headquarters in Crown Heights said that most Lubavitchers were still too caught up in mourning to start contemplating messianic questions. And Agudas Chassidei Chabad, the movement's umbrella organization, which is run by Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, the rebbe's longtime aide, has tried to downplay the messianic component of the rebbe's life and death. Hie group issued statements dissociating itself from those who are not "respectful of the honor of God and the honor or the rebbe, referring to thosa playing up the messianic angle. It urged followers to concentrate on the concept of "hiskashrus," the rebbe's teaching that a righteous person's spiritual presence is greater than his or her physical presence.
In the wake of his death, however, some followOutside the lecture hall Sunday, black-hatted ers believe that the best way to continue the men argued anxiously over ancient commentaries, rebbe's work is to figure out how to bring the trying to make sure that new interpretations had a Messiah. real basis in Jewish texts. "The rebbe was not about building Judaism so Others said they maintained their faith but Jews could live as Jews in America," said Rabbi wanted to know how to explain events to people Yosef Katzman, who organized a meeting Sunday outside their fervently Orthodox world. to discuss messianism in the post- rebbe era. "Those who believed before are not despairing, "The rebbe was about building Judaism so Jews because if you have faith you don't despair," said would tip the balance and bring the Moshiach." Katzman. "However, they want to know what to Hundreds of Lubavitchers gathered at the Oholei answer to other people outside Lubavitch who say, Torah Yeshiva in Crown Heights, where a series of 'Oh, how did you say it and it tiimed out not true?" speakers said that while the circumstances sur- "While some Chasidic groups have insulated themrounding redemption had changed, the inevitability selves from the outside world, under Schneerson's of redemption itself had not. directives the Lubavitchers actively sought to make Katzman said that the new messianic scenario connections with Jews at all levels of religious depended on followers, including emissaries sent observance. by Schneerson to run Lubavitch outposts around Speakers urged members of the highly visible the world, continuing to work toward the messianic sect to remain steadfast in their faith. "prize." "When there are people in the press telling the "Keeping the eye on the prize," said Katzman, world that we are a messianic sect, baruch hashem "is what's going to keep us sane, what's going to (praise God)! What else is there?" asked Rabbi keep us alive and what's going to keep us connect- Moshe Lazar, a Lubavitch emissary in Milan, Italy. ed to the rebbe. Lazar also downplayed comparisohs being made "Although earlier I did not have to plan on it, between claims that Schneerson will be resurrected because there's no point in planning on it, and ahd the Christian belief in the second coming of according to Torah you should always think posi- Jesus Christ. tive, and the scenario fit very well the way it was, "We must not say certain things that the goyim it does not mean that another scenario — which we (non-Jews) say?" Lazar asked rhetorically. also found and we knew that it exists in Torah — "Moshiach is our concept. They took it from us! will not be the scenario," Katzman said. Are we going to lose it?" And as if to insure comDevotees of Schneerson — who died June 12 at pliance, speakers on Sunday imposed a healthy the age of 92 following a heart attack and a long ill- dose of Jewish guilt on their audience. ness — are busy studying the rebbe's published "The rebbe tried so bard to inspire us and we writing^trwht^ tliey liuvt will 4«ad Uwni to some iiaiied,'' explained Rabbi Isser Zalman Weissberg. insight about how to proceed in the wake of his "He was so upset because he realized it isn't so difdeath."Would the rebbe have left us without a way ficult (to bring Moshiach). to bring Moshiach?" Katzman asked rhetorically. "How are we going to face the rebbe? We're Rarely has the concept of the Messiah been so going to have to face him," warned Weissberg. scientifically scrutinized in Crown Heights. "We're going to have to face him very soon."
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Community support results in successful campaign
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Early in the campaign, Mr. Kooper and Mr. Schrager stated that one of their goals was to complete the campaign in a timely manner, "^e are The 1994 UJA/Federation Campaign will proba- pleased to report that donor response was excelbly be best remembered as the year Elie Wiesel lent," said Mr. Schrager. *By December 31, ninety came and addressed 1,400 members of the Omaha percent of the pledge cards were completed. In Jewish community. addition, the campaign received 150 new gifls from The campaign focus was centered on that com- donors who had not previously contributed to the munity event and it was a memorable evening — campaign. Overall, the campaign increase was 3 from the opening moments when the audience percent above the 1993 campaign." watched a video highlighting Israel's history to the Mr. Kooper commented on the event, noting, insightful words of Professor Weisel to the sense of ""This was the largest gathering of Jewish people in pride felt in the room as 1,400 voices joined in Omaha's history. It was a truly great event and I singing Hatikva. hope it will set the standard for future Jewish comHoward Kooper and Harley Schrager, General munity events. Co-chairmen, and Carol Katzman, Women's "We want to thank all the volunteers, particularDivision Chairmen led the campaign which raised ly the divisional chairmen who worked so hard to $2,740,000. The funds will be used in the coming make the campaign a success." year to support the programs and services of the Mrs. Katzman thanked the record number of Jewish Federation of Omaha and its family of ben- volunteers who worked for Women's Division on eficiary agencies, as well as youth aliyah, immigra- the campaign, and she reported that Women's tion and resettlement, and rural and urban devel- Division raised $546,411, a nine percent increase opment programs in Israel. over last year. By Barbara Chandler, Federation public relations director
The Women's Lion of Judah Division now has 35 donors. "The women in this community continue to illustrate by their support the importance and strength of our Jewish community. As a special Women's Division project, Jill Belmont is working on a publication that will record for posterity the stories behind all of the women who generously support our Jewish community year after year," concluded Mrs. Katzman. Lori Rabb, Federation assistant director commented, "The campaign was well supported and community participation remains high. We are looking forward to more active involvement of young adults in the coming year. "The current economic climate which affects our interest income, combined with the loss of some major gifls, has made it difficult to maintain the funds necessary to support the level of services we have been fortunate to enjoy in Omaha. Several g.'oups are actively involved in mentoring future leadership and addressing economic issues to ensure that the Omaha Jewish community is wellpositioned for the future."
Welfare reform proposal worries Jews This would create an undue burden and hardBy Matthew Dorf WASHINGTON(JTA) — Jewish organizations are ship that's impossible to meet," she said. Clinton unveiled his welfSre reform proposal in preparing a vigorous campaign against President Clinton's proposal to help fund welfare reform by Kansas City, Mo., last week. Although ^ort of his campaign pledge to "end reducing benefits to immigrants. At the same time, Russian emigre communities welfare as we know it," the plan outlines new meaaround the country are reportedly in a panic, with sures to help wean impoverished families off welnew immigrants scrambling to figure out what the fare, including job training, child care and aubsidiced work programs. changes will mean for them. To help pay for th« plan, Clinton has proposed "This is a horrific proposal that undermines immigration policy as a way to fund welfare cutting aid directly to immigrants and indirectly to rsform," said Diana Aviv, director of the Council of refiigees, threatening entitlements for tens of thousands ofnawcomers eadi year. Jewish Pedtration's Wadiington AcUon Offlee.
Under the current system, most Jewish emigres from the Soviet Union arrive in the United States under the sponsorship of a previously arrived family member, who promises to support the newcomer for up to three years. In addition, the Jewish community, in conjunction with the State Department, provides English and job-training programs for eight months. Following that period, the emigres often go on welfare as they continue to learn English and look (or employmenL Clinton's plan proposes extending the period of time from three to five years.
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