TeleSeminar Held Despite Illness

By COLlive reporter

“I should not be on this call,” said fundraising expert Rabbi Mendel Duchman at the opening of a live TeleSeminar titled “Getting Ahead of Your Money Game” on Tuesday afternoon.

Tens of Shluchim from across the U.S. and abroad phoned in to hear from the Los Angeles businessman, activist and motivator about how to better raise funds for their Chabad centers, institutions and activities.

“My great-nephew is going through a great crisis as we speak,” Duchman noted in reference to Shneur Chaim Yitzchak Alexander ben Nechama Dina, a 15 year-old bochur in critical condition with a bacterial infection that is ravaging his body.

Prayers are being said around the world for Alexander Hecht, the TeleSeminar host Rabbi Shmuly Rothman noted and asked participants to say a chapter of Tehillim together with him.

Duchman used the medical crisis in his family to illustrate how difficult it can be to focus on keeping an institution’s financial status above the red.

“G-d forbid, it should never be something like this,” he said, “but there is always something happening in our lives that will give us justification why not to go and fundraise,” he said, explaining why he insisted on not canceling the TeleSeminar.

Pointing out how institutions and their spiritual and humanitarian activities depend on funding for their survival, Duchman set the stage for maximizing summer fundraising opportunities.

With his unique motivating motto of “Padyom” (go and do!), the highlight of the call was the conversation around the “game change” from raising what needed a month ago to putting my Moisad 3-6 months ahead in the financial arena.

“By taking this journey properly and seriously – by being organized and planning in advance – you have the chance to go from a good Shliach to a better Shliach, from a good husband to a better husband and from a good father to a better father,” he said.

The virtual workshop was organized by Rothman, a life coach and consultant, as part of his ongoing efforts to bring needed support and resources to Chabad Moisdos across the globe.

During the call, Rothman inquired whether there are Chabad Moisdos that have a financial cushion in place. Duchman gave a resounding yes and that efforts are being made to bring more to that stage.

This TeleSeminar along with previous calls are available for download at ShmulyRothman.com.

Upcoming topics include Sholom Bayis on Shlichus with guest presenter Rabbi Shais Taub and the newly announced topic “Inspiration for Shluchos” and series hosted by Rothman with guest presenter Rabbi Manis Friedman.