THE CHASSID, THE LECTURER, AND THE KING

In the morning, the Chassid with the white beard prepares young students for their degrees as one of the outstanding lecturers on history and geography in an exclusive college in Paris. In the afternoon, he mans a t’fillin stand in the Jewish quarter and calls out to passersby. In the evening, he is a popular speaker on Judaism and Chassidus for university students and at Chabad houses. * Meet Rabbi Yisroel Goldberg, father of 16, from Brunoy, the man behind the picture with the king of Morocco which captivated the worldwide media this past Erev Pesach. * In a conversation with Beis Moshiach, he talks nostalgically about the early days, how the king reacted when he heard the famous Lubavitch call and also, what caused the picture to go viral.

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The “Non-Partisan Committee…” An Unknown Organization?

Did you ever hear of the “Non-Partisan Committee for the Spiritual Survival of Eastern European Jewry”? * This committee held annual meetings in New York and in Montreal in which they reaffirmed their commitment to help the Chabad activities in Europe, North Africa and Israel and their deep gratitude to the Joint for their support

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ADDING SECULAR STUDIES IN MOROCCO

The lack of secular studies in the Chabad schools in Morocco was a thorny issue between the JDC and Chabad since the beginning * On Chabad: “They work honestly, cleanly, devotedly and sincerely” * Rabbi Gorodetsky: “It would be impossible at this stage to persuade the Rebbe to change his views” on secular studies * For Chabad this is “a matter of fundamental principle dictated by the Rebbe, and their overseas representatives, whether it be Rabbi Gorodetzki or anyone else, are bound by it * Part Eight

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1952: The Chabad Empire in Morocco

The JDC sent a representative to spend a month in Morocco, visiting every village and city where Chabad had schools * The Shluchim have “devotion and self-sacrifice unmatched by any other organization” * Rabbi Michoel Lipsker’s discussions in the Police station * Rabbi Shlomo Matusof’s trips on donkeys * Chabad Policy: “No Boy is Refused” * What was the Rebbe’s view on the JDC recommendations? * Part Six

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The Fight for the Souls

Chabad “is not worthy of JDC support * Chabad is promoting “medieval fanaticism” in Morocco * Bochurim are learning Gemara loudly, like in Slobodka, and not quietly like in Morocco * Rabbi Gorodetsky: “We are always right…

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expansion from Two to Fifty in One Year

Once the JDC agreed to support the Chabad activities in Morocco, the question was how fast should Chabad expand * The JDC wanted Chabad to focus on opening a Central Yeshiva and training teachers, while Chabad expanded with schools across the country * What was the Rebbe’s view on this? * What was the JDC reaction to Chabad’s “straying into the military zone”

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Signed on the Rebbe’s Letterhead

After the JDC refuses to support the Chabad activities in Morocco, an independent fundraising effort is launched * Rabbi Binyomin Gorodetsky signs two rare and unique letters on the Rebbe’s letterhead, and manages to secure the financial support of the JDC * Part Three

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Build First, Ask Later

Last week we presented the discussions of the American Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) whether there is a need for Chabad activities in Morocco – This week we present the “back room” discussions of the JDC offices in Europe and Morocco regarding the Chabad activities in Morocco which began without JDC support and then requested their support… * Part Two

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The First Shlichus: Conquering North Africa

A few days after the passing of the Frierdiker Rebbe, the Rebbe’s first Shluchim were sent to Morocco, to fulfill a request of the Frierdiker Rebbe * The Shlichus was sponsored in part by the American Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) * This week we begin a series exploring this unique Shlichus, as seen from the JDC Archives * Part One

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