Community Bulletin

The year was 1950. The prognosticators weren't painting a rosy picture. One third of our nation had gone up in the smoke of the Nazi crematoria; the European shtetl, the longtime bastion of religious Jewry, was irreparably destroyed; and the traffic between religious and secular life traveled down a one-way street. We were clearly a nation in decline.

In Brooklyn, N.Y., a just-installed chassidic Rebbe dared to disagree. To him, it seems, our nation was a multi-branched candelabra. Indeed, many of the wicks had been extinguished, many more were sputtering—but the candles all remained perfect and beautiful. The Rebbe envisioned the day when the candles would be brilliantly ablaze, illuminating and warming a cold and dark world.

One at a time, the Rebbe inspired souls, kindled wicks. The flickering candles regained strength, their flames grew steadier, their light brighter. And they, in turn, lit up others.

This was the Rebbe's life, to which he devoted every moment of his day and night. Today, countless thousands carry on his work. Here at Chabadtexas.org we feel that every time we ignite a soul, the Rebbe's life continues. What an awesome responsibility. What a special responsibility.