The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the seventh leader in the Chabad-Lubavitch dynasty, is considered to have been the most phenomenal Jewish personality of modern times. To hundreds of thousands of followers and millions of sympathizers and admirers around the world, he is “the Rebbe,” undoubtedly, the one individual more than any other singularly responsible for stirring the conscience and spiritual awakening of world Jewry.

After the passing of his father-in-law, Rabbi Yosef Yitzhok Schneerson, in 1950, Rabbi M. M. Schneerson reluctantly ascended to the leadership of the Lubavitch movement, whose headquarters are still housed  at 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, New York.

Under the Rebbe’s leadership Lubavitch institutions and activities took on new dimensions. The outreaching philosophy of Chabad- Lubavitch was translated into ever greater action, as Chabad Housed and Lubavitch Centers were opened in dozens of cities and university campuses around the world.  Today it is hard to find a country or inhabited place that does not have a Chabad presence.

From the moment the Rebbe arrived in America in 1941, his brilliance at addressing himself to the following ideal became apparent: He would not acknowledge division or separation. Every Jew — indeed every human being — has a unique role to play in the greater scheme of things and is an integral part of the tapestry of G‑d’s creation.  That means that every human being has a responsibility to use his unique abilities and talents to make the world a better place, specifically by showing kindness and friendship to everyone he encounters.

The Rebbe spoke tirelessly about the era of cosmic perfection and universal awareness of G-d, known in Judaism as the time of Moshiach. Demonstrating how the world is heading closer and closer to this special era of global peace, and how every person can speedily actualize it by increasing in acts of goodness and kindness.  May this become a reality immediately!