New Beginnings

A Message from the Executive Director

October 2007

Cheshvan 5768

Dear Friends,

It is my pleasure and honor to be a member of such a unique community as San Diego. Over the years that I lived at home, I always felt a special connection our city. Only later though, when I left the community to pursue my education on the east coast, did I really learn to appreciate our community. To appreciate the unique personalities of our Rabbis' and leaders, the warmth of our community, and especially our ability to accept everyone, regardless of their background or knowledge of Judaism.

I am not alone. Over the years abroad, I have returned to San Diego numerous times throughout the year, especially to join in the various holidays with my family and community. I always marveled at how my friends and colleagues feel the same way about San Diego - our beloved community - as I do. Over the summers, I have had the merit to work at the Chabad Center of University City, alongside Rabbi Moishe Leider shlit"a, and observe our community from a new perspective. I was amazed to see how much motivation and thirst exists in our community to learn the words of our Holy Torah. I never expected to hear, in response to my questioning a random person "Are you Jewish? Would you like to do a mitzvah?”, the enthusiastic answer of "of course I would, just show me how!"

San Diego is a community like no other. It is a community that sets an example to Jewish communities worldwide, and raises the standards when it comes to unity. I have traveled to many communities world-wide, and I have never seen a community so united as ours. Regardless of religious background or affiliation, every single Jew in San Diego is there for the other, with open arms and a loving smile.

It is for this very reason, that along with my trusted friends and colleagues, Daniel Bortz and Alexi Glovinsky, that I present to you OR San Diego. The Lubavitcher Rebbe, of blessed memory, explained to us, that there is no such word as outreach - rather the word is “inreach”, for who are we to know how far a Jew really is from their Father in Heaven. Therefore, it is incumbent on all of us to not only strengthen ourselves, but also our community, in our commitment to G-d and his Torah.

Our Sages teach us in the Talmud, that "All new beginnings are difficult". Every time we try to start something, it will be hard for us. This is not just a nice word of wisdom - it is a truth. So then why try to start OR San Diego? Because OR San Diego is different. How? Our Sages also teach us, that "the one who comes to make pure is helped from Above". If we come purely for the sake of Heaven, then G-d Himslef will be there guiding us throughout every step of our journey.

For this reason, we proudly call out to every Jew in our community, man, woman and child, to lift their heads Heavenward, and take in their hands the banner of our Torah. With the help of all of you - we will be able to share the light of Judaism with our fellow brethren - and merit to see the "OR", the light, of our Righteous Mashiach speedily in our days, Amen!

With blessing,

Yonatan Yakov Halevy

Executive Director, OR San Diego