The Rebbe’s Shluchim to Alaska, Rabbi Yosef and Esty Greenberg, will mark the upcoming jubilee from when the Rebbe sent Shluchim to Alaska for the very first time in 5730.
This festive milestone will be marked with the publishing of a book documenting the story of the “Lubavitch Expedition to Alaska.”
The book will begin with the story of the Merkos Shluchim who were sent to Alaska during the years 5730 – 5750 as well as stories of the Shluchim of Seattle who have traveled to Alaska extensively since 5734, and other Chassidim and Askanim who have spread Yiddishkeit in Alaska with the Rebbe’s brachos and instructions.
It will retell the fascinating stories of the building of Alaska’s first Mikvah, the founding of the Orthodox Shul in Alaska, the printing of Tanya’s all over the state, the establishment of “Education Day U.S.A” by Alaska’s governors and many others.
Included will be a compilation of the various directives that the Rebbe gave regarding this unique Shlichus at Yechidus and via letters, as well as the letters that the Rebbe sent to Alaskan Jews, mofsim stories in connection with the Shlichus, and reports and pictures of Shluchim’s activities in Alaska between the years 5730 – 5750.
The book will also recount the establishment of the Chabad House and the permanent Shlichus in Alaska which began with the Rebbe’s bracha in 5751, and will comprise the directives that the Rebbe gave to the Shluchim and Baalei Batim when they came to the Rebbe by dollars, Maanos that the Rebbe gave concerning the Shlichus, and so on.
It will include as well “Sheilos Uteshuvos Alaska”: The unique Halachic Sheilos and different opinions regarding Alaskan related matters such as the Halachic International Date-line, the Halachic Times related to the short summer nights and winter days in Alaska, and the Rebbe’s instructions in this regard.
The Jubilee will also be celebrated with the building of a new exhibit entitled “The Lubavitch Expedition to Alaska” to be displayed in the Alaska Jewish Museum.
In honor of this historic milestone, a special Kinus will take place in Anchorage, Alaska for the Shluchim and Askanim who have been in Alaska over the years. During the course of the Kinus, several of the Shluchim who have been there in the early years will retell the fascinating story of their Shlichus. The Kinus will take place (if the arrival of Moshiach will Chas Veshalom be delayed) either in the summer of 5779 or 5780. Details to follow.
The Shluchim are requesting of all those who were on Shlichus in Alaska, to please contact Levi Greenberg (Alaska, who is studying now in New York) who will be conducting the interviews and preparing the information for publishing: (907) 223-4871 or by email – Levigak@gmail.com.
