By COLlive reporter
R’ Dov Levitin, secretary of Lubavitch Youth Organization (Tzach) in Israel, gets to assist people every day through the free Chabad hotline *3770.
He patiently fields calls with questions about Judaism, holidays and locations of Chabad centers. He is also the recipient of some odd conversations as well.
In response to the claim that everything is free at Chabad, we bring you the transcript of a recent phone call:
“Hi, is this Chabad?”
“Yes. How can I help you?”
“You must hear what I am appalled about. We are with a group of 40 people which we took for a 2 week trip from coast to coast in America. On Purim they will be in Florida. We contacted the Chabad center there and asked if we can hear the Megillah. They said no problem.”
“So what appalled you?”
“They said that if we want to stay for the Purim party, the price is $20 per person.”
“So what exactly is the problem?”
“What’s the problem??? $20 per person??”
“Well, if it is expensive for you, you can leave after Megillah reading. No one is forcing you to stay.”
“No, this is Chabad and Chabad should give it free to Israelis.”
“Madam, don’t you think you are exaggerating? Did El Al give you free tickets just because you are Israeli and El Al is Israeli?”
“Fine. If you do not welcome them, they will go elsewhere.”
“America is a free country. I would just be happy to know who exactly is giving free meals to a group of 40 tourists?”
“The truth is, you are right. But you got us used to the fact that at Chabad everything is free.”
nowadays shluchim are fighting over territory rights to this guy and that guy money doesn’t grow on trees you know well maybe for the defecting and mushroom shluchim it does…they got to have some incentive to do so
if our school has a Jewish family that cannot pay we lower costs…but we cannot say no pay at all b/c the janitor teachers etc. need to be paid. we also give lunches. at any event if there is one person or a few who cannot AFFORD to pay fine. but everyone is fine with paying! besides 40 people is a lot to feed! that’s a lot of food and money! shluchim have to rely on donations most of the time why should they pay $800 for people who can obviously pay…
before chabad houses started to be run by people who have another outlook……
…..We are shamelessly and hurtfully attacking those who put their hearth and soul into what the Rebbe gave his life for?!? never mind being disrespectful! Be a shliach for one week and you won’t dare open your mouth! Unbelievable! We are talmidei
Rabbi Akiva! Yechi, no yechi we ought to know better than to be so snide and hurtful.
Maybe if the shliach would of asked #52 for the money ,he would of paid it.
No body here knows the full story,but to assume its OK for a shliach to refuse people just because of money,is disgraceful.Every shliach need to understand the situation,and if sometimes needs to take hit on the pocket book,well then is his job.
Thats exactly what I was thinking!
I wonder how many of the business minded shluchim who view shlichus as a money making operation say yechi. Reading all comments I wonder if we are seeing the fundamental difference between chassidim who are mekushar and believe in the idea of yechi and those who are opposed.
The question is; Was the party at night, after the night reading or by day, after a daytime reading.
If the latter, it was presumably a catered meal which justifies the cost.
But it’s worth the effort of the Chabad house to make such an event so people can fulfill the mitzvah of Seudas Purim
If the former, then the fee was probably for an entertainer or the like. This sort of party does not fulfill the mitzvah of Seudas Purim, and one wonders why many Chabad houses put in the effort to make such parties…
come on, think out of the box, cut them a deal for 40 ppl maybe 10 or 15 a head
Truth is I’m sure they weren’t geared for such a large group of extra guests.
And if you’re so concerned, sponsor an event for a Chabad house. The you’ll see how much 40 extras cost
You are an ignorant fool. Try speaking to any shliach anywhere in the world (and I mean literally any shliach) and every single one will tell you that the hardest part of shlichus is fundraising. I highly doubt you’ve been on shlichus or have a real relationship with any shliach if you think that being on shlichus is easier than running a brocho because of the Rebbe’s brocho. And you have the chutzpah to say that the reason this guy is charging $20 for a Purim party is because he’s too lazy to get the money?! Obviously, you have no… Read more »
I’m NOT bitter.
I simply have no patience for people who don’t understand the realities, and then sit and judge other’s actions.
That’s all.
The extra tourist should be viewed as a blessing not a burden. Especially on Purim!
if you think meals @ chabad should be free then why dont you sponsor it
We paid $50 per meal at a certain chavad house. I think we were told it was to cover for the Israelis. Still was a rip off
If only!!!!!!!!
Let me just imagine… a shliach plans a purim party for his wonderful, but small community, expecting, 30, maybe 40 people to attend. right before purim he gets a call, being asked to host 40 extra israeli tourists- double of what he expected…..!
who here still believes that he shouldve allowed them to join, for free…?
stop deciding what the shluchims jobs are, your not there boss and who are you to be telling them whats expected of them. its none of your buisness and if you think you can do better why dont u do it yourself. theres a reason your a crownheights farmer and not on shlichus somewhere. so all u just keep ur mouth shut and mind your own buisness and stop telling others what to do.
a moderate fee must be charged for every function, where food is provided.
A person should needs to be appreciative.
Chabad needs to cover its costs
Free schooling/Cheder program must also charge.
no more free rides.
I think everyone is getting all emotional because this is an issue that people are confused about. Let’s all just picture the chesed of our Rebbe. Let’s just picture the chesed of Avraham Avinu. The more chesed a person shows to others; the more a person goes out of his way for others; the more someone makes you feel welcome and loved whether you have money or you dont, the more likely that person is to become your biggest supporter when he does have money. You never lose with chesed. I personally know a wonderful family of shluchim who have… Read more »
dont you even tell me that being a shliach is hard to collect money from donors. that means you are lazy! do you know how hard it is to start your own business and be successful? and business is not a partnership with the Rebbe like shlichus is! you really lack in emuna and betachon! yes poeple should not complain if they dont get something free from chabad but chabad should NOT be asking for money for anything even though its hard! that is not chabad! you know what will happen is soon more and more jews will stop going… Read more »
Besides what # 48 is telling you, I think you are gravely mistaken by saying quotes of the Rebbe that are NOT true! tell one instant where the Rebbe himself helped someone (and the Rebbe helped millions) and asked for payment! he didnt help 45 memebers or tourist like you say, he helped millions and never asked a penny! I think you are greatly missing in your emunah and bitochon in the Rebbe and shlichus work. what do you think Shlichus is? originally it was the Rebbe sending his students to a town with nothing and no one WITH NO… Read more »
I happen to know a family who became poverty stricken and lost all their money. They tried to put their kids into a chabad school and were turned away because they could not afford tuition. They ended up putting their kids into a goyish school and today this family is not frum properly anymore! That is sad. That is a shameful situation for chabad. The Rebbe himself never asked for money when helping another Jew…the Rebbe would pay constantly to give to everyone. A shaliach has to emulate the Rebbe. He is like the Rebbe himself (shliach adam k’moso). So… Read more »
Avrohom’s mission was to get people to recognize the one G-d. If, after the meal, the guests did not want to acknowledge and thank G-d, Avrohom presented them with a hefty bill. So says the Medrash.
Before you post such answers, get your facts straight. Prove to me where the Rebbe said that things should not be given or done for free on shlichus. I happen to know that the Rebbe told Rav Pevzner alev hashalom that he should accept every single child into his school even if they pay nothing and even though Rav Pevzner did not have money to buy even bread for the students! Rav Pevzner did what the Rebbe said and sure enough a big wealthy donor came along who funded his whole school. That is called shlichus. that is called caring.… Read more »
I went to Israel, nothing was free. A cup of coffee cost…No one opened their doors and offered food or hospitality for free. Everyone wanted money. My husband and I were walking to the Kotel, and an american women came with a big smile and a shalom aleichem and we were so happy to be welcomed by someone. Guess what! one minute later she whipped out her shnoror papers and asked for money. We were so disappointed! Here we thought, like in the times of the bais hamikdash we learn that people begged strangers into their homes to sleep and… Read more »
Some one once told me, “what is free, ends up costing you so much more.”
There is no one that makes that statement more true then Chabad.
You are either very young or living in a ghetto. One thing is certain, you have never participated in running the operation of a Chabad center. I have yet to hear of a Shliach to stood at the entrance room of his event or program –Purim party, Pesach seder or anything– and turned away a person because of lack of funds. Let us be crystal clear: 1. The Rebbe demanded (!) that things not be given or done free on Shlichus (an exception would be giving out matzah on Mivtzoim and the like). On Merkos Shlichus, bochurim would bring with… Read more »
Nobody asked the Shliach for his side of the story. Everyone is simply believing an anonymous complainant to a hotline.
We do not know any of the circumstances, what size Chabad House, how old the Chabad House, is this the Shliach’s home, or a rented hall, what level of party was it… We also don’t know the attitude of the caller, which makes a big difference how a Shliach would respond.
I’m amazed that we’re all judging, and not considering giving someone the benefit of the doubt.
If a Jew walks into a chabad house on Purim and there is a party going on , even if they are tourists who may or may not have money, even if they could afford $20 but dont understand the importance…the job of chabad is to make every Jew feel welcome. So dont put out a huge meal. Put out some hamantaschen and drinks and make everyone feel the siimcha of PUrim! Where is the emuna of shluchim these days? When you go out of your way to help or encourage another yid, to make them feel happy (even if… Read more »
The average yid has no concept what it means to be shliach, so many shluchim don’t turn them away. But what about religious Jews. My friends needed to be in florida over shabbos, for reasons that were out of their control. They didn’t want to stay in a hotel because its not shabbasdik. They are wealthy and not chabad. They are very religious and dont hold by an eruv. They called 12 shluchim in fl asking to stay by their house for shabbos. They offered to pay them the same amount as a hotel, plus buy the milk and snacks… Read more »
While 20$ a person may be a fair fare,in this case it was 40 people coming as a group,that equals 800 Dollars.At least the shliach could of setup a separate party or reached some deal.
To all those asking “where can you get a meal for under 20$”,there are plenty of places in CH that you can,even flaishik.
You have the merit of doing the rebbes work do not be upset by the choices you made. Most of you sound burnt out. As shluchim, you are parents of the community! Do not let money and costs come before the needs of a jew. It doesn’t matter if they or thou think that they could afford it. Turning them away might turn them away from chsbad permanantly. The shluchim of the past especially those in far off places or communities really know how to run a chabad house based on true caring of their community. Today’s shluchim are mostly… Read more »
to invite someone for shabbos everyone would do for free but a community dinner costs money
1. Speak to any campus shliach about this issue.
2. Suggested donations go a long way, but are rarely fulfilled… SADLY. People should be mentschleich and donate, but often dont.
to all of you who think everything should be free please help out as many chabad houses each and every week that you can OK with your money they will have to ask from guest.OK money does not grow on trees.
Chabad Houses should scale their menu down if they don’t charge… a salad, a meat, a starch and a desert… no need for 5 salads, 3 types of meat, 10 side dishes, and 3 deserts… people will still be happy
$20.00 is NADA! How pathetic! And the Shlucha that wrote “Its a bit much” obviously your in your first year of Shlichus. Charging $20.00 for a Purim Seudah is a token fee, it wont cover the total cost so its more symbolic – and yes you need to charge, otherwise people reserve and last minute decide to go to the baseball game instead and noe i’m not only left whith a whapping food bill but also less peopel. you charge and people become responsible they come because its on their wallet. lastly $20.00 doesnt buy you anything today. go fill… Read more »
I totally agree with all the comments.
I an now going to charge all the Orchim that come to CH, $5 for a l’chaim, $20 for a meal and 1$ for just knocking on my door for tzedaka.
We make lavish (yes!) Friday night and Shabbos day meals at the Chabad House I attend. Most people just show up and eat and don’t give a dime. And some are very generous and always write the rabbi a nice check after Shabbos. The rabbi would never turn someone away because he didn’t or couldn’t pay. We have one guy who comes every week. Eats I don’t know how many plates of food and how much wine he drinks and never gives a penny. We all know he shops at expensive stores and was recently traveling for pleasure overseas. But… Read more »
People should realize and be reminded how hard it is for shluchim/shluchos who often field calls at night, or even in middle of the day when they’re working to keep their mosdos up and running well, to help others. So many go to shluchim and don’t even think of paying, not realizing how nothing comes to the shluchim for free. If there’s an event cost – pay it. It doesn’t even cover the time and effort. They’re happy to see you and help you, but there’s no need to break the bank. They are struggling in a down economy and… Read more »
And attending a party is not a mitzvah. If someone doesn’t want to pay then let them not attend.
And who says they wouldn’t charge for shabbos meals or sukkah meals? Many shluchim do charge, because it costs money.
people have forgotten the old saying that money doesnt grow on trees
With all due respect, I do understand you have expenses and need to charge for your Shabbos meals. However, what about the person who wants to come for Shabbos (such as a student, someone out of work etc.) and they simply cannot afford your price? would you then turn them away? would you say to them they cannot come for Shabbos? If so, what you are basically saying is that you can only be a shaliach for the yidden who can afford your prices! So shlichus has become a sort of business. The proper thing to do , if you… Read more »
Sorry to disappoint all of you but I agree with #1 in a certain respect. Let’s face it: if you are already charging your congregants, charge $5 more to cover the cost of possible extra people who may show up unexpectedly so they can participate in your party. It certainly does not seem like ahavas yisrael to push people away (even Israelis who may have money). This does not look good for a chabad house. It gives a bad impression. PUrim is all about giving: all about ahavas yisroel. all about sharing and welcoming your fellow Jews. It looks riidiculous… Read more »
I never said shluchim should not charge for anything. If you are making a fund raising event , by all means charge. If you are making a special program, charge. But a yom tov, or a holiday, is perhaps looked upon differently. I remember a friiend of mine once going to a megilla reading in a shul where they had just moved to town. After the megillah reading they were very tired, hungry and thirsty and they assumed there would be perhaps some minimal refreshments. Well, there were….but they were told that they had to pay for everything and they… Read more »
We always let people in if they really can’t afford it. We charge say $20 (really less for our area but then we also do much simpler things). But we also always say that no one will be turned away due to the lack of funds. However, as many people already wrote, if they can afford a whole trip, then $20 is not asking much at all to help cover a tiny fraction of the cost.
Really your complaining. The shluchim put so much effort, time, and money into these events. $20 is not a lot to ask at all!
$ 20 is a lot for a piece of cake , a pizza and a soda
but if you have a full meal plus entertainment is a very reasonable price for USA!
Unless you have a sponsor for the all Purim party,you have to run it as a business,charge individuals, families package price and ask for sponsors contributions 180s, or $1000 for a special purim brocho
Just for the record I’ve had Israeli backpackers come do cleaning jobs in my house and they’re not shy to charge at least $20 (or more) per hour. Mind you its not unusual to be waiting for one to show up and then you get a text “sorry, I’m travelling today to haiwii for 3 weeks”.
It works both ways.
The comment #1 is not a Shlucha she dosnt know what it means to fundrais money for a Shliach…
get out to the real world!
there are Shluchim working so hard to get money, if you want to participate in the Purim Party help with $20.
$20 is not a lot of money for anyone, for sure no to this Israelis that have money to do a trip from coast to coast!!
• “But if you invite people, dont charge. Not for something like that. Many yidden would have no place to go to party or have a good time on Purim…” – it doesn’t say anywhere that you have to have a public party on purim. If you want to go somewhere to have a good time than pay for it! Didi you ever go to an public attraction to have agood time? Don’t you have to pay for it? Who’s going to cover the expenses? If you actually think that shluchim should not charge for so called mitzvah events, than… Read more »
We charge for our Seders. If someone can afford a trip to our city, a 2 week stay in a luxury hotel and then call me at the last minute, erev Pesach, (and I mean an hour before Seder) and complain that I charge for Seder and they can’t afford it, I get upset and I tell them they have to pay SOMETHING….its a chutzpah. Get your priorities in order. You don’t just “forget” its Pesach and show up anyway. They all know that because its Chabad we never turn anyone away…..
where can anyone get a full kosher fleishig meal for only $20 a person? Usually these Purim gatherings also offer entertainment and booze, all for $20. I personally can’t stand the lousy attitude of expecting something for nothing.
If you or anyone else would offer to don’t the cost of the event then I am sure they would let everyone in for free…
small things like plates and cups add up when you are fundraising your own salary…
I can’t believe people are saying $20 is a lot of money. Go out to eat and see what you can get for $20. People take such advantage of Chabad. Of course they should charge, where are they supposed to get the money to make the party? And charging $20 is not even going to break even in the scheme of things.
slaves for hours on end…
if ur that bitter dont think u should be doing what ur doing…
Only the Israelis think they are privileged. The others understand the real world.
$20 is NOT alot for 3+ COURSE MEAL, AND ENTERTAINMENT! shluchim are providing a few types of entertainment which cost close $1000 each
ok, i agree that $20 is a bit much, but money doesnt fall from trees and yes, we DO need to pay for the purim party! If you INVITE someone, then no, of course you dont charge. I am a Shlucha and i know that even WITH the fee you wont be able to cover costs.
even a simple not lavish meal cost moneyvand you ask shluchim even what you charge doesnt cover the cost
$20 is nothing to what they actually pay.
I am not a shlucha – but I do know costs are usually very high for these things, and they are undoubtedly not making profit.
If you think Chabad events should be free, then by all means COVER THE COSTS YOURSELF, so we don’t have to charge people.
And besides charging and price is very much dependent on the demographics involved. So who do you think you are to decide if $20 is a lot or a little.
A Shlucha who stands and slaves in the kitchen for hours on end to provide food – and doesn’t get a salary for it!!
I think you have been listening to my phone calls!!! LOL, this is nothing new. Israeli’s think they are entitled, so you just listen, give them the prices and again, listen patiently when they go off on you…..they think Chabad has deep pockets. But in hindsight, maybe we bring it on ourselves…something to think about, no?
When we make our purim party or any public event – they cost us money. We charge and everyone pays without complaints. In America people expect to pay for what they get. Lots of Israelis are used to Chabad in the far east where it all for free. Of course we make big celebrations but the people that come help cover it by paying. People appreciate & complain less when they pay for what they get. Personal guest in our home we don’t charge – but our events cost us lots of money that we never fully cover.
Chabad has made themselves a name of giving everything for free and it ruins it for others [also chabad] who charge. once u get something free it is hard to start paying. people get used to a good thing .
but.. twenty dollars is an outrageous price.
Charge so ppl will value what you give them.
If you heard there’s a free concert- what do you expect , nothing.
If the concert costs $100 you’re expecting a lot.
Too many shluchim learnt the hard way. If you make everything free then ppl that want value in life don’t come because they think your not going to offer much.
I charge $36 for a basic Friday night meal and ppl respond well.
They pay for food in their own house why shouldn’t they pay for food in your Chabad house.
For the record: It was the Rebbe who encouraged Shluchim to charge for events. Mind you not exorbitant fees, Chabad events are the cheapest on the block, but offering Mitzvos for free makes them cheap.
A group of tourists who can afford a coast-to-coast trip around America can afford to cough up an extra $20 for a Purim party…
people love to take advantage of good people
So you are saying that just because a Chabad House is doing an event for their community they need to also feed a group of tourists who can afford to take a two week vacation in middle of the year and pay their way around the country, with flights and hotels?
Perhaps, out of Ahavas Yisroel, the Shliach and his family should move out of their home and sleep in the Chabad center because that is proper Hachnasas Orchim?
well, to be honest, I also think a purim party should be free! If you carry the name Chabad, people associate that with doing mitzvahs for free. Just like you wont charge people to come for a Shabbos meal or for a meal in the succah,why should people be charged for a purim party? If you cant afford to make a big party, then dont make a party that you invite everyone to. But if you invite people, dont charge. Not for something like that. Many yidden would have no place to go to party or have a good time… Read more »