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can’t make it to this book club or this event,
they’re going to reach out, they’re going
to call you, they’re going to make you feel
like you’re part of something bigger, and it
always feels nice.
”
Howard Schwartz of White Lake
Township was introduced to Chabad some
three decades ago when he represented
Chabad Lubavitch of Michigan in a local
real estate transaction and became close
with Rabbi Berel Shemtov. Schwartz started
studying about the Rebbe and says he was
impressed by the Rebbe’s ability to get to the
heart of any matter in seconds.
“I felt a connection to him because of his
mission, and that was to help teach people
about their Judaism, and I think to appreci-
ate not only humanity, but the Jewish part
of an individual you came into contact with
— appreciating interacting with other Jews,
whether it’s in any walk of life,
” he says.
Schwartz delved further into Chassidus,
Chabad’s teachings, and says he found it
to be interesting, relatable and good guid-
ance. Over the years, he’s been involved in
Friendship Circle, repairing a Torah that
came from Russia dedicated to The Shul,
and supporting area Chabads, among other
efforts.
Robin, his wife, studies with the girls
at the local Chabad high school where
the family sponsors the annual play in
Schwartz’s sister’s name. She is eager to see
the young women go out and serve as the
base of Jewish life in all the different cities
where their emissary work takes them. “You
can never stop learning, and the Rebbe’s
been a wonderful influence and teacher to
us as well as our kids,
” Schwartz says.
These days, Schwartz says he’s excited
about the latest Chabad House, which is
being set up in Waterford Township, and a
new center in Traverse City, where he says
he’s impressed to see the emissary bought a
building in the first year to
support their growth.
NEW CHABAD HOUSES
Rabbi Berel Grossbaum arrived in Michigan
earlier this month with his wife, Chana,
and young son Mendel from Minnesota to
launch the Waterford Chabad. A 26-year-
old who wasn’t alive during the Rebbe’s
lifetime, he says the Rebbe’s teaching and
vision remain as pertinent and potent as
ever.
“It’s a timeless message,
” he says. “It’s not
an issue that we don’t see the Rebbe and
the Rebbe’s not with us physically anymore;
Rabbi Berel Grossbaum puts tefillin on a Jewish visitor to the Virgin Islands.
Chabad offered a baking event at Busch’s.
OUR COMMUNITY
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