From left are Crystal Collins, liaison to the faith-based community in the Office of County Executive George Latimer; Rabbi Levi Groner of the Chabad of Pelham; Rabbi Sruli Deitsch of the Chabad of Bronxville; Rabbi David Labkowski of the Chabad of Briarcliff-Ossining; Rabbi Benjy Silverman of the Chabad of the Rivertowns; Latimer; Rabbi Mendy Hurwitz of the Chabad of Yonkers; Rabbi Mendel Silberstein of the Chabad of Larchmont and Mamaroneck; Rabbi Avrohom Butman of the Chabad of Scarsdale; Rabbi Levi Levitin of the Chabad of the Rivertowns; Rabbi Yehuda Heber of the Chabad of Yorktown; Rabbi Arik Wolf of the Chabad of Bedford; and Deputy County Executive Kenneth Jenkins photo by Robert Kalfus
By Robert Kalfus
April 16 was the 111th birthday of Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, the Lubavitch Rebbe. Honoring the day, 10 Westchester County Chabad rabbis met Westchester County Executive George Latimer in his White Plains office, where he proclaimed April 16, 2019 as “Education and Sharing Day” in Westchester County, in recognition of “The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, who was a tireless advocate for youth, who emphasized the importance of education and character in building a brighter future for America and the world. The Rebbe taught that education should not be limited to the acquisition of knowledge and preparation for a career, nor should its sole focus be on making a better living, but should cultivate moral and ethical values,” reads the proclamation.
Each of the Rabbis, representing their Westchester communities, presented Latimer and his staff with boxes of handmade shmura matzah for use on the Jewish holiday of Passover, which starts at sundown Friday, April 19, marking the redemption of the Jewish people’s exodus from slavery in Egypt to freedom thousands of years ago. Many of the Rabbis shared their thoughts and memories of experiences with The Rebbe, and how his teachings and example inspired their devotion to education and community.
Latimer recalled the words of the prophet Micah (6:8), “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
