Mid-Atlantic Chabad rabbis meet in Princeton
About 100 Chabad-Lubavitch rabbis from the mid-Atlantic region, including New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, met last week for the annual Mid-Atlantic Chabad Conference. Rabbi Eitan and Gitty Webb hosted the summit at the newly renovated Chabad of Princeton University.
Participating local rabbis included Avraham Bekhor of Randolph, Yisrael Bennish of Bayonne, Dov Drizin of Woodcliff Lake, Yitzchak Gershovitz and Mordechai Shain of Tenafly, Mayer and Michel Gurkov of Wayne, Ari Herson of Mendham, Mendy Kaminker of Hackensack, Mendy Kasowitz of West Orange, Elchonon Lisbon and Yisroel Rosenblum of Livingston, Shalom Lubin of Madison, Mendy Lubin of Florham Park. Levi Marasow of Paramus, Levi Naparstek of Wharton, Moshe Schapiro of Hoboken, and Ephraim Simon of Teaneck.
The rabbis focused on the unprecedented rise in Jewish involvement and community resilience in the face of recent challenges. Despite a surge in antisemitism since October 7, Chabad centers have reported higher attendance in Hebrew schools, increased synagogue participation, and heightened interest in Jewish traditions and culture.
“We’re witnessing a remarkable phenomenon,” Rabbi Eitan Webb, the director of Princeton Chabad, said. “In response to adversity, our communities are turning towards their heritage with renewed vigor. This gathering is about harnessing the energy and providing the best possible support and resources to our growing communities.”
“The Chabad rabbis and rebbetzins are on the front lines, addressing both the surge in interest and the increased need for reassurance and support,” Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky of Chabad headquarters said. “This duality makes our mission more vital than ever.”
The conference examined such issues as combating antisemitism, preparing for the High Holidays in a post-October 7 reality, and leveraging emerging technologies like AI and AR for Jewish education. A key focus was on how to commemorate the events in Israel during the upcoming High Holidays and Sukkot while maintaining a spirit of resilience and hope.
The gathering of Chabad leaders represents a united front in supporting and guiding the Jewish community through both challenges and opportunities.”
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