Greater Boston Marks 3 Tammuz

By COLlive reporter

A crowd of over 500 people from across the Greater Boston area turned out for an Evening of Inspiration marking the 20th anniversary of Gimmel Tammuz.

Over 20 Shluchim gathered with their communities in Massachusetts at the luxury Taj Boston hotel overlooking the Public Garden.

An exclusive pre-reception was held for the Shluchim and supporters of the event, at which they were able to meet Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Riskin, who founded the Lincoln Square Synagogue in New York City and pioneered the establishment of the Efrat Community in Israel.

Rabbi Yossi Polter of Chabad of Acton addressed the reception thanking them for their support and making the evening a reality.

Rabbi Riskin, an internationally renowned educator, speaker and author who flew in especially for the event, was then escorted to the main ballroom for the program.

Rabbi Yossi Lipsker of Chabad of the North Shore emceed the evening, beginning with a Dvar Torah. Rabbi Mendy Uminer of Chabad of Chestnut Hill led the crowd in the recital of Tehillim for the safe return of the three kidnapped teens in Israel. The Rebbe’s Kapitel was led by Rabbi Mendel Gurkow of Chabad of Stoughton.

The tone was set with a special video presentation of “Marching Orders” produced by JEM especially for Gimmel Tammuz.

The keynote address was delivered by Rabbi Riskin who eloquently shed light on his unique relationship with the Rebbe throughout the years of his work with the Jewish community.

He focused on a powerful lesson that the Rebbe imparted to him while he was considering the position at the Lincoln Square Synagogue, and which guided him through many situations: “M’ken Nisht Upshatzen A Yidishe Neshama – One cannot evaluate the Soul of a Jew.”

Rabbi Riskin conveyed “how privileged I feel that the Lubavitcher Rebbe considered me to be one of his emissaries.”

Organizers said the speech truly inspired the audience with a feeling of connection to the Rebbe and his message.

The closing remarks were delivered by Rabbi Mayer Zarchi of Chabad of Back Bay.

Following the program, the Shluchim gathered in Rabbi Zarchi’s home for a chassidic gathering led by his father Rabbi Shlomo Zarchi, Mashpia of the Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim – 770. Rabbi Riskin joined the farbrengen inspiring the Shluchim with beautiful stories and messages from the Rebbe.

The evening was a collaborative project of the Chabad centers:

Acton – Rabbi and Mrs. Yossi Polter
Andover – Rabbi and Mrs. Asher Bronstein
Arlington – Rabbi and Mrs. Avi Bukiet
Back Bay – Rabbi and Mrs. Mayer Zarchi
Brookline – Rabbi and Mrs. Mayshe Schwartz
Cambridge – Rabbi and Mrs. Hirschy Zarchi
Chestnut Hill – Rabbi and Mrs. Mendy Uminer
Cape Cod – Rabbi and Mrs. Yekusiel Alperowitz
Lexington – Rabbi and Mrs. Altie Bukiet
Somerville – Rabbi and Mrs. Tzvi Backman
Needham – Rabbi and Mrs. Mendy Krinsky
Newton Centre – Rabbi and Mrs. Moshe Lieberman
North Andover – Rabbi and Mrs. Zalman Borenstein
Peabody – Rabbi and Mrs. Nechemia Schusterman
Sharon – Rabbi and Mrs. Chaim Wolosow
Stoughton – Rabbi and Mrs. Mendel Gurkow
Sudbury – Rabbi and Mrs. Yisroel Freeman
Swampscott – Rabbi and Mrs. Yossi Lipsker
Waltham – Rabbi and Mrs. Peretz Chein
Westford – Rabbi and Mrs. Zalman Gurkow