B"H

Please join us this for a Lunch Kiddush to be held at Chabad Center in Natick this Shabbat June 26, 2010. 

This is being held In connection with the anniversary of the liberation of the 6th Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Y. Schneerson, of righteous memory.

The 6th Lubavitcher Rebbe lived a life of self sacrifice completely dedicated to the education and continuity of Judaism while under the Communist Regime.  The vibrancy and spirit of Judaism that thrives today throughout the world is in great part a result of this Rebbe's efforts.

The morning will begin at 9:15 am with a review of a discourse from the Rebbe and based on the weekly Torah Portion of Balak. Services will begin at 10:00 am and conclude at 12:30 pm. Following Services a Shabbat Kiddush Lunch will follow.

During the Luncheon, I will share stories of the arrest and liberation of the 6th Lubavitcher Rebbe and about his efforts and accomplishments despite great personal risk.

The Shabbat Lunch is open to the Community and there is no charge. However, to the best of your ability, we do request you let us know if you will be attending.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Levi Fogelman
Chabad Center
 

12th of Tammuz
 

Anniversary of the Liberation of Sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe

Rabbi Y. Y. Schneersohn

On the 12th of Tammuz of 1927, the sixth Lubavitcher rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, was officially granted release from his sentence of exile to Kastroma in the interior of Russia. 

Twenty-seven days earlier, the Rebbe had been arrested by agents of the GPU and the Yevsektzia ("Jewish Section" of the Communist Party) for his activities to preserve Judaism throughout the Soviet empire and sentenced to death, G-d forbid. International pressure forced the Soviets to commute the sentence to exile and, subsequently, to release him completely. The actual release took place on Tammuz 13, and Tammuz 12-13 is celebrated as a "festival of liberation" by the Chabad-Lubavitch community.

Tammuz 12 is also Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak's birthday. 

About the Imprisonment 

The Previous Rebbe himself explained that his release was not just a private matter. One year after he was released, he wrote a letter to the chassidim about the celebration of these days. In the letter, the Previous Rebbe writes:  "It was not myself alone that G-d redeemed on Yud-Beis Tammuz, but also all those who love the Torah and fulfill its commandments, and also all those who bear the name 'Jew.' " 

To read from Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn's personal account of his arrest and imprisonment and his subsequent liberation please click here.