Dear JGU Sisters,
We have all been in situations where someone has helped us, where we were given something. We have all encountered times in our life where a person had an everlasting impact on us. How many times do we actually give back to that person? Is just saying ‘Thank you’ enough?
A few summers ago, when I was going into eleventh grade, I went to the Jewish Girls Retreat. For those that don’t know, it is a camp for Jewish girls from all backgrounds. The summer was a life changing experience for me, being that I wasn’t coming from the most religious background. I saw Judaism in a completely new light. The environment was filled with a love for Judaism and the encouragement to explore who we truly are. I watched the way the counselors approached their day. They were filled with a passion and excitement I wanted to have. They were there to fulfill the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s vision: to love and return precious Jewish souls to their true essence.
During those three weeks, I was filled with an excitement and passion I had never felt before. I was filled with a love for Judaism, that had I never experienced. I was ready to do whatever it took, to live a truthful life. The counselors in JGR rekindled my flame and revived me with meaning.
The Rebbe taught us to rekindle the flame within every Jew. He inspired his Shluchim, Rabbi Avraham and Mrs. Nechama Laber, the directors of JGR, to set up a camp in order to rekindle my flame. He instilled within the counselors a sense of responsibility, in order to show me the beauty of Yiddishkeit. It was all for me.
Since that summer, since the day I chose to express who I am, there has been a question continually nagging at me. Will I ever be able to repay the Rebbe for caring about me and every Jew? I didn’t have a connection to the Rebbe then; I barely knew about the Rebbe. To my own understanding, the Rebbe was not involved in my life. Yet, the Rebbe, this person whom I felt I had no connection with, changed my life.
I don’t have a definite answer but I am sure of one thing: I have the responsibility to do everything I can to repay the Rebbe. I feel that to fully repay the Rebbe, is nearly impossible. However, I will do everything I can, to give to others, even a fraction of what I was blessed to have been given. I will utilize my experiences to inspire and teach others about the beauty of our heritage.
Thank you!
Talya,
Today a student in Machon Yerushalayim
Talya!!
So so beautiful!!
I will share, that for quite a wile i had the same feeling. Yes i was raised in a “frum” community, but for years i went on not realizing how much the Rebbe has given me.
Looking back at my life, the Rebbe has been with me through every situation. Pain and joy alike.
This question bothered me for a long time and at one point i asked my mashpia (my menter) what she had to say on it. Let me share what she told me:
Say you were traveling on a wagon. Would it make sence to say that you should pick up your bags so that it shouldnt be too heavy on the wagon? Of course not. The wagon is carrying the wiet in any case. It would be silly to use energy to carry them.
The same this applies with us and the Rebbe.the Rebbe is carrying us. There is no need for us to start making calculations how heavy the load is on the Rebbe. The Rebbe is here with us at every moment whether we feel it or not. The Rebbe loves us and is happy to be there with us and for us.
Now, about giving back to the Rebbe,
Even one mitzvah we do is worth it all. Bishvili nivrah haolam-for me the world was created!
This means that for my one mitzvah all of creation was worth it.
Thats what my mashpia shared with me. As i was writing i was thinking that another way to show gratitude back is by helping other girls find the Rebbe in there life too.
Hope this was helpful!
Miss you!!
Hatzlacha rabba in everything!!
-Racheli Dubov