Posted
on April 11, 2014
Created
by the U.S. Congress in 1978, this day honors the outreach and
humanitarian teachings of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson.
This
Jewish leader was born on April 18, 1902, in what is now the Ukraine.
We are celebrating the rabbi's birthday today instead of on April 18
because this holiday follows the Jewish calendar; Schneerson was born
on 11 Nissan 5662, and today is 11 Nissan 5774.
Schneerson
lived and studied in the Soviet Union (USSR) for years, traveled to
Latvia and Poland as he was meeting and wooing his wife, and worked
in Berlin, Germany, and Paris, France. He and his family fled the
Nazis and came to the United States in 1941. He rose to positions of
leadership within the Jewish community in America (living and working
mostly in New York City).
Schneerson
was the last Lubavitcher Rebbe and is often referred to as THE
Lubavitcher Rebbe. He focused on humanitarian goals and especially
youth and education. He said that education in ethics was at least as
important as education in geography and geometry and other academic
subjects.
The
Rebbe was very much focused on schools – and as a homeschooling /
unschooling parent, I am not – but I think that we can all agree
that learning is a wonderful thing, and that good values and good
behavior are pretty great, too!
In his 2010 Education and Sharing Day
proclamation, President Obama put it this way: the two most important
goals of education are a love of learning and a spirit of compassion.
- Take advantage to today's holiday to learn about Judaism.
- Investigate materials designed to help you think and learn about ethics.
Also
on this date:
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Plan
ahead:
Check
out my Pinterest boards for:
And
here are my Pinterest boards for:
I love how Rabbi Schneerson highlighted that education isn’t just about books it’s about shaping character. As a student taking online classes, I’ve come to realize how important it is to stay disciplined and ethical, even in virtual settings. Sometimes, the workload can feel overwhelming, and while it’s tempting to hire someone to take my class, this blog reminds me of the bigger picture. Learning is not just about knowledge but about becoming a better person. I feel inspired to bring more of those humanitarian values into my studies and life. Thanks for sharing this thoughtful piece.
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