“Sushi, Pizza, Torah and Dope Rabbis”

Aliya

“Whether it’s your first time walking into Aliya or your hundredth, you’re always greeted with the same acceptance, same warmth, same good vibes. And the rabbis are dope,” says Sholom.

But Sholom is not a secular or unaffiliated Jew talking about the local Chabad House. He’s a Chabad boy, talking about an inreach Chabad House that’s been there for him since his lowest point. Everyone knows Chabad is famous for outreach, for offering genuine love, care and a huge array of services to any Jew, any time – no strings attached.

But within Chabad’s own community, there are young people who have experienced Judaism as restrictive and rigid, who have been turned off by the black and white approach. These are teens and young adults who have been hurt by conformity, expectations and judgement. They are just as in need of true ahavas yisroel – the same unconditional love and acceptance offered in outreach. And this is exactly what they find at Brooklyn’s Aliya Institute – a Chabad House dedicated to in-reach, located at the edge of Crown Heights.

Aliya is an acronym for Alternative Learning Institute for Young Adults, and here they re-learn the essence of Judaism, not through intellectual Torah classes (though these are offered), but through example. The close relationships with rabbis, mentors, coaches and therapists who genuinely accept them provide the belonging they’ve never felt before.

Aliya offers two streams, one for teens and one for 18 years and older, and caters to young people from across America and around the world.

“One quarter of our guys are children of shluchim,” says Rabbi Moishe Feiglin, Aliya director. “We offer a warm, safe space where you can catch a daily shiur, help yourself to some delicious food, work out in our gym, or jam in our music studio. Our Shabbos and Yom tov meals and farbrengens attract guys who would never attend the ones offered by their own communities.” Aliya even has a single-use mikva, reinvented as a “man-cave”, complete with a steam room.

“For guys who have experienced abuse, a communal mikva is too traumatic. This mikva totally changes that,” adds Rabbi Feiglin. “There’s always something on, something to look forward to, and of course amazing food,” says one young man who struggled with a lack of structure and purpose after yeshiva.

Probably most powerful is that they get the chance to make a difference to others through helping pack and distribute food for elderly Holocaust survivors and large families in need of assistance. “We also help members who want to volunteer with the IDF as lone soldiers,” adds Rabbi Feiglin.

Aliya even offers employment opportunities. “Local businesses let us know first when they’re looking for staff in sales, real estate, the restaurant industry and warehousing. They know we have young capable people here,” says Rabbi Feiglin. They even help young members looking for startup capital or business advice. “Our work doesn’t end when our members get married. We’re here for couples, we’re here for life!”

From December 14-16 Aliya is raising $360 000 to fund its amazing work. For 56 hours, every dollar given is tripled. Give generously at www.charidy.com/aliya2021