Photos by De'al for COL
After twenty-six years of innovative Jewish education, you'd forgive the directors of Tzivos Hashem: Jewish Children International, if they were feeling satisfied. As it happens, no forgiveness is needed. The organization founded by the Lubavitcher Rebbe in 1980, is as innovative as ever and more than ready to meet the challenges facing today's youth.
"What makes us want to continue moving forward?" asked Rabbi Yerachmiel Benjaminson, Tzivos Hashem's executive director. He was speaking to a crowd of 300 at the 26th Anniversary Dinner, December 5, at the Jewish Children's Museum. "One thing that drives us is 'The Ourie Factor.'"
Rabbi Benjaminson related the experience of Ourie, an eight-year-old from France who toured the Jewish Children's Museum this month. Ourie had mentioned to his tour guide in Hebrew, their only mutual language, the dilemma of being a proud Jew in his hometown. "A lot of times, I wonder what I am even proud of. I have two Jewish friends, and people always make comments about my Kippa."
"Hayom ani Yode'a!" Ourie said. "Today I know what I am proud of." Holding the brand new Tzivos Hashem KIDS magazine tightly in his hand, Ourie said: "I'm prouder than ever to be part of this special army, and to know I'm not the only one. There are tens of thousands of children with me, proud of their Jewishness."
"For Ourie, and a million children like him, we continue to build." Rabbi Benjaminson told the crowd. "For a Jewish child in Melbourne or Milwaukee or Madrid to know that he or she belongs to something much bigger than they can imagine, we continue to innovate. And we won't stop for anything."
During the dinner, friends and supporters heard all about how Tzivos Hashem, the largest Jewish children's organization in the world, is providing Jewish education to a generation of kids raised on fast-paced videogames and instant downloads. One highlighted project was the new Tzivos Hashem Kids Mega-website, which allows kids to fill in "Special Missions" online, download games and watch animated stories.
At the end of the dinner's formal program, Tzivos Hashem presented awards to the Jewish Press and its founder Rabbi Sholom Klass of blessed memory for their remarkable contribution to Jewish life in America, and to Yossi and Kayli Malamud for their unending support of Tzivos Hashem. Finally, Tzivos Hashem presented their Memorial Award in memory of Helen and Leo Schonbrun, respected members of the Crown Heights community – where Tzivos Hashem is headquartered – for nearly 50 years.
The evening ended with a side-splitting show by renowned Mentalist Marc Salem, who performed his one-man show "MindGames" before a stunned audience. |
