By Chaya Vogel
As the first anniversary of the Simchat Torah massacre approaches, Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries and their communities are preparing to commemorate the tragic loss of over 1,800 lives over the past year. The Special Projects team at Merkos 302, in conjunction with One Mitzvah of The Moshiach Office, has launched Project 10.7 to address this solemn occasion.
“The Rebbe taught us that in response to tragedy, we must grow and build,” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky of Executive Director of Merkos 302, “Our goal was for Project 10.7 to embody this idea, helping us channel our pain into a force for good.”
The initiative comes at a time when Jewish communities are experiencing heightened engagement. During the High Holidays, Chabad Houses reported extra seats being filled and a surge in spiritual connection. This has led many Chabad emissaries to consider how best to mark the first anniversary of the massacre in a meaningful way.
Project 10.7 offers a simple yet powerful solution. Each participating community is assigned 10 kedoshim, and community members are invited to take on one of 10 Mivtzoim in their honor. These mitzvot can be performed either 7 times or for 7 days, creating a lasting ripple of positive action in memory of those lost.
A beautiful handout for congregants explains the 10 Mitzvah options, and the project at large, in an inviting way. See a sample of the handout here.
This initiative, created by The Special Projects team at Merkos 302 in conjunction with OneMitzvah of The Moshiach Office, is designed to be simple yet profound.
You will receive:
- Personalized Handouts for each shul seat to accompany your sermon
- Marketing Resources
- A Display Board
- and much more
Click here to join over 500 other communities and receive a meaningful way to honor the lives we lost—and ensure the inspiration of this Tishrei lives on.
Moshiach now
Kuddos to the creative team behind this idea. It is so well written. I appreciate the creative way the 10 mivtzoim are listed, ie “exercise your giving muscle” vs simply writing “give charity”. Moreover, the description accompanying the picture of each individual Kaddosh being memorialized, is a great idea that personalizes and helps connect. (And to think that these guys in Suite 302 aren’t marketing majors, etc shows the koach of the Rebbe behind them!)