words for wisdom (chochma), understanding (bina)
and knowledge (daat).
"The Chasidim are devoted to the teachings and
the lifestyle of the Rebbe who they view as a tzadik
— a holy person who has been able to eradicate
egotism and arrogance," says Rabbi Silberberg.
Almost all the Lubavitcher Rebbes came from
Lubavitch, a town in Byelorussia. After most fol-
lowers were killed in the Holocaust, the sect's
world headquarters moved to Crown Heights, a
neighborhood in Brooklyn. The last Rebbe,
Schneerson, spoke seven languages and held a doc-
torate in engineering. Declared the Lubavitcher
Rebbe in 1950, he changed the organization from a
closed community to an outreach movement that
sends shlichim (emissaries) — rabbis and their
families — to serve in cities all over the world.
Rabbi Silberberg explains that some believe
Rebbe Schneerson is the messiah.
"He was holy, a tzadik, because of his humility
and devotion to the Jewish people. He brought so
many back to Judaism that some Lubavitchers
hope he comes back as the messiah. But for me,
the messiah doesn't have to be this Rebbe," Rabbi
Silberberg says.
But why do people pray to the Rebbe at the
gravesite?
"I don't look at the Rebbe as God, but as a vehi-
,
cle for my blessings to •God; he's like a prophet,"
says Kenny Borin.
"We don't try to make the Rebbe a god, but he
has a connection to God,"
says Dale Goodman.
"And we learn about great-
ness from great people," adds
her husband, Marty.
In- response to people call-
ing the Lubavitch a cultist
sect, Rabbi Silberberg says,
"We're like the Jewish Peace
Corps. The Lubavitch organi-
zation sends out young men
shlichim around the world to
ignite the Jewish spark we
believe exists in every Jewish
soul."
The Detroiters finally approach the Montifiore
Cemetery in Queens in two vans rented at Newark
Airport in New Jersey. The streets are crowded for
several blocks with cars, taxis, buses and RVs — all

carrying visitors to the site.
"People come from all over the world, and some
for only 12 hours and then fly home," says Rabbi
Abba Refson, who is at
the welcome center, a
house on the street near
the gravesite where a
video about the Rebbe
plays continually. Behind
the house are two large
tents where about 90
other adults and children
prepare for their visit,
pray or eat. The atmos-
phere is lively and the
Hebrew, Russian, French
and Spanish languages
can be heard.
The Detroiters sit at tables where pencils and
paper are provided. Each writes a request he or she

SPIRITUAL JOURNEY on page 18

Clockwise from top left:

Mickey Shanker at the Rebbe's gravesite.

Detroiters Mitch Singer, Nathan Singer
and Dr. Jeff Klein have lunch in the
ohel (tent) after visiting the Rebbe's
grave.

Marty Goodman prays at the
Rebbe's gravesite.

Dale Goodman and Chaya Sara
Silberberg say a prayer in the Rebbe's
study.

Left: A barbershop in Crown Heights.

AV

7/1 2

2002

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