By COLlive reporter
Say it with chocolate.
This morning, COLive began receiving reports of boxes of sweets wrapped in ribbons appearing outside the front doors of Jewish homes in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood.
The box contains an assortment of chocolates from Sweet Expressions and a heartfelt letter written on behalf of “Your brothers and sisters, the Shluchim around the world.”
COLlive.com has learned that the gesture was the initiative of Shluchim, primarily in the USA, who wanted to show their solidarity with the Crown Heights community which has been heavily hit during the coronavirus pandemic.
The community, which is known for its generous contributions and open-hearted hospitality around the year, has been under lockdown since Purim, when Covid-19 began to spread. According to a survey, over 70% of the community has been infected. The death toll has been staggering.
“We may be scattered across the globe but our hearts, souls and spirit are always with our shchuna, the heart and home of Lubavitch,” they wrote in the letter accompanying the box.
“We’d been following every development, mourning every soul and awaiting and celebrating every piece of good news,” they wrote. “We’ve said countless chapters of Tehillim, dedicated shiurim and launched Mitzvah campaigns. We’ve shed many tears and stayed up many nights. We may be far away, but we’ve been – and continue to be – right together with you.”
One of the Shluchim behind the considerate initiative said they simply wanted to show support and love for their fellow Lubavitch brethren and recognize the tremendous tragedy that the community has experienced.
“Crown Heights is the cradle of Lubavitch, and the events of the past few months have devastated us all. As we’ve each tried to lead our own communities through trying times, our brothers and sisters in the Rebbe’s shchuna have foremost been in our hearts and minds.
“The Crown Heights community demonstrates every day that there is no ‘we’ and no ‘you.’ There is only US.”
“We went through many ideas, and finally decided on this gift which can be enjoyed by the whole family,” he told COLlive.com.
“But the main thing we wanted to do was communicate our love and care. Although we’re all family, at a time like this it’s important to verbalize it.”
They wished Crown Heights residents that the merit of their tzedakah and chesed should bring them “physical, emotional, spiritual and financial healing and tremendous blessings.”
How are they sending to each resident? I would love one!
I wonder if I will receive this. Like where do they get the list of addresses from?
tzachlist
I dont have my address on the Tzachlist because I am a single woman living alone. I think that makes it kind of unsafe to have your address on a public list like that searchable on the internet.
Did they only deliver to houses not to people who live in apartments? I did not receive anything
Simply heartwarming
This is such a thoughtful gesture. As a ch resident who constantly hosts shluchim and their guests, students etc I am so appreciative of this beautiful gift .
What a beautiful idea! As a crown heights family that’s hosts all the time this is really touching. Thank you to the special Shluchim behind this. What is even more amazing is they don’t need their name spread all over it.
This makes me realize that perhaps other places didn’t go through the difficulties that C.H. went through – as a community, (not even to mention individual tragedies)…
How special the Rebbe’s schuna must be. And how special the Rebbe’s
shluchim are… Very touched that people are thinking of their fellow in Crown Heights!
I saw it in front of my door and was wondering where it comes from…
This is so heartwarming. What a loving letter and a sweet gesture. We are truly one family and this a touching way to show it.
Ashreinu!!
Such a beautiful gesture. As a out of towner we are so indebted to the Shchuna, and we indeed mourned the terrible losses and celebrated the miraculous recoveries, may the rebbes brochos continue to be showered on CH and thrugh them to us all.
beautiful gesture from the shluchim and shluchos.
Really a meaningful beautiful gesture
That is so beautiful!!
Even if I don’t receive one, I still love it. Cause they may not have everyone’s information after all.
Such a sweet, thoughtful gesture! It is so so appreciated by us in Crown Heights! Helps make the pain and stress a little easier to bear.
My address isnt listed anywhere but that doesnt matter.
I didnt get a box of chocolate but I got all the love and support that it represents.
The fact that shluchim went and put in the thought, money and resources in an effort to give this to me means so much even though I didnt physically receive a package.
Yasher Koach! We look forward to welcoming you back in our homes very soon.
Would you be so kind to publish the phone number where it is possible to find out if they have my address. Thank you in advance