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PAGERONE cingular WIRELESS Cellular and Paging Services 70 Crosswinds Plaza • Next to Kroger Orchard Lake and Lone Pine West Bloomfield 248-538-2100 How The Winebergs Met: Rabbi Wineberg's mother was a close friend of Rochel's aunt, Chava. One day, Chava told her friend: "Have I got a girl for your son!" "So we dated," Rabbi Wineberg says, "and then I asked her to marry me. And she, in a moment of weak- ness, said 'yes.'" What did he love about her? Everything. "My wife is a woman extremely alive in her Judaism," he says. "Everything about her is very posi- tive, and she has had that influence on her children." The Winebergs have seven daugh- ters, four of whom are married and live outside Michigan, one teaching in New York and two still at home. Rabbi Wineberg said his wife is "a fantastic model of a religious woman." Background: Both Rabbi Wineberg and his wife are natives of Brooklyn, N.Y. The family came to Detroit in 1975, settling in Oak Park. "I was working as a principal in Vineland, N.J., and I needed a big- ger community for my growing fam- ily," Rabbi Wineberg says of the move. He liked the educational opportunities here, and so accepted a position teaching Jewish studies at Yeshivat Akiva, then in Lathrup Village. The Winebergs' first impressions of metro Detroit: "We liked it right away." About Lubavitch: Lubavitch, Rabbi Wineberg explains, does not trans- late to "ultra-Orthodox Jews" as they are often misrepresented. Instead, "Lubavitch are Orthodox Jews who look to have a lot more meaning and enjoyment as Jews through deeper understanding and education." Lubavitch Jews "follow the teachings of the Ba'al Shem Tov [Israel ben Eliezer, c. 1700-60, founder of Chasidism] and other Lubavitch rabbis. Our basic values are God, Torah and mitzvot [com- mandments]; these are the very essences of our souls and define our relationship with God. We don't just say, 'I'm a Jew, therefore I do this and that,' but rather we seek a com- plete understanding of what it means to be a Jew." He illustrates with this story: "Two people are climbing a moun- tain on a hot day. Each has a sack full of stones on his back, and both are tired and sweating. One man keeps tossing out stones to lighten his load, while the other picks up more stones — and he's whistling and happy. "What's the difference? Knowledge. One man knows that the rocks he's aatherina are dia- monds. The other just b feels that they are rocks. "Once you understand that all the so-called rocks [in Judaism] are real- ly diamonds, you see that they are treasures, not a burden, and that makes all the difference in the world." Approaching Judaism: Lubavitch Jews are well-known for their kiruv work (bringing Jews back to Judaism). How does Rabbi Wineberg advise those who know nothing of their heritage but want to learn more? "Don't limit yourself to learning only Start with a little observance, also," he says. "This [observance] is what you're supposed to do as a Jew; this is what creates a connection with God." It is learning, however, that "tells you who are you as a Jew. A Jew's essential character is his Jewish soul, which is his Godly soul — and this makes him different than everyone else. It makes him have more respon- sibilities. When we say we're the `Chosen People,' this means that we're chosen to fulfill a mission. We are here to represent God in this world. A Jew's every action, whether he plays or works, everything he does is supposed to represent Godliness. Once we know exactly what our roles are, it's not easier because we have to learn and to apply, but at least you have a guide. This makes being a Jew so much more enjoyable and meaningful." Memories: Rabbi Wineberg says that some of his most distinct childhood memories focus on the late Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902-1994). A member of the Schneerson dynasty, Rabbi Schneerson was born in Russia and immigrated as a young man to the United States. In 1950, he became the seventh Lubavitcher rebbe and spiritual leader of the worldwide Lubavitch organization. "We had such great love for him as a guide, as a teacher," Rabbi Wineberg says. "He was our father figure." Rabbi Wineberg's own father would tell him this story of what happened when Avraham was just 4. went over to the Rebbe and put my arms around his legs. I asked, `Are you the Rebbe? I love you.' Then he introduced himself. But instead of saying, 'I am the Rebbe,' he said simply, 'My name is Schneerson.'" Rabbi Wineberg says he was impressed by the Rebbe's profound love for the entire Jewish communi- ty: "As water reflects an image, so our affection for him was just a pale reflection of his love for every single Jew." Rabbi Wineberg also remembers how much he looked forward to camp — he attended Gan Yisrael in Canada — where he especially enjoyed nature and learning. "There, you were completely immersed in your Jewishness; noth- ing else existed," he says. At home in Crown Heights, he also liked sports and would play games with friends on the street. Growing up in 1950s New York was quite different than what it is today, he says. "We didn't have to be so removed from society. Nov, many things are the antithesis of Judaism." Family Life: Rabbi Wineberg describes his daughters "as very good children. We are very blessed." They were raised with "a strong fam- ily life," especially on Shabbat, when the dining room table was filled with "singing and talking and stories." When Rabbi Wineberg asked his daughters what kind of men they wanted to marry, they would say, "Someone who will be able to lead such a Shabbat table." He says each of his daughters is "pretty, and they all know about the [outside] world, but they never strayed from what they were supposed to do." While most of the girls have mar- ried, two still live at home (one is in elementary school, and the other attends high school). On very rare occasions, Shabbat in the Wineberg home is just a quiet family celebra- tion. Yet almost every Friday night and Saturday afternoon the table is still filled with guests, song, plenty of food and stories. ❑