America Is No Different

Tomorrow marks a special day on the Chabad calendar, and one with personal significance to our community in Clark County.

It’s known as the 12th of Tammuz and it celebrates the anniversary of the previous Rebbe’s liberation from Soviet prison.

He was arrested for the “crime” of keeping Judaism alive in Soviet Russia. Despite public religious observance being outlawed, he had continued an underground network of opening schools, yeshivas and mikvahs.

Miraculously, the Rebbe survived his harrowing ordeal which included a lengthy stay in a Leningrad prison, and a commuted death sentence.

Twelve years later, in 1940, he arrived in America.

This country offered the Jewish people the tremendous gift of religious freedom and at long last our people no longer lived in fear of an oppressive government. (Indeed, July 4th is day of celebration too!) So when the Previous Rebbe arrived, his followers urged him to take it easy and finally relax. His response, “America is No Different,” became the rallying call of the Chabad movement as you know it.

Thankfully, America was very different in what it offered us, but it was no different in the urgency to establish Jewish institutions, schools and communities.

And that’s how it all began…one city after another, one school and one synagogue at a time, until it finally reached Vancouver, Washington.

During a most trying time in our nation’s history, the Previous Rebbe had changed the face of Judaism to one of promise, pride and joy.

Let us say L’chaim in appreciation for his efforts that brought us here today, and together commit to furthering that promise, pride and joy.

Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom.