Merrick, NY – The Town of Hempstead is home to a thriving Jewish community, many of whom benefit from the multitude of Chabad centers established throughout the town. Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin, Councilman Anthony D’Esposito and the Town Board understand that it is because of the invaluable expansion of the Chabad dynasty by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, known admirably throughout the world as the Rebbe, that America’s largest township is able to enjoy the strength, education and support provided by the Chabad movement. Today, in front of the Chabad of Merrick and joined by local Chabad leaders from all over the township, Supervisor Clavin and the Town Board proclaimed the 120th Birthday of the Rebbe, this year falling on April 12th, as Education and Sharing Day in Hempstead Town.
“The impact that Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson has had on the Chabad movement is tremendous and he is directly responsible for the strong Hasidic roots here in America’s largest township,” said Supervisor Clavin. “We are fortunate to be home to a great number of Chabad centers all with great leadership, and we are proud recognize the Rebbe’s lasting legacy in improving education for children around the world.”
In addition to proclaiming April 12th, 2022 as Education and Sharing Day in the Town of Hempstead, the Town Board has also presented each Chabad located within the township with a commemorative sign recognizing this important date. Each year, the Rebbe’s birthday on the Jewish calendar, 11 Nissan, is celebrated throughout the country as Education and Sharing Day, this year falling on April 12th. Officially designated in 1978 by then President Jimmy Carter, the day pays tribute to the Rebbe’s efforts for a better education for all American citizens.
“We are celebrating the 120th anniversary of the Rebbe’s birth while honoring his lifetime of achievements,” said Councilman D’Esposito. “By creating signs and issuing a proclamation for Education and Sharing Day, we are contributing to a lasting movement that has bettered the lives of many generations. Rabbi Menachem Schneerson’s teachings live on through robust Chabad centers located all throughout the world, but we’re grateful to have the best of the best right here in America’s largest township.”
April 12th will be a day to focus on education after the pandemic took a toll on in-person education in the past two years. For more than 40 years, presidents, houses of congress, and local governments have recognized the date corresponding to the Rebbe’s birthday on the Jewish calendar as Education and Sharing Day, honoring an individual who brought education to the forefront of public discourse. Boasting
numerous Chabad centers with pivotal leaders who work with both the Orthodox and secular Jewish communities, the Town of Hempstead is proud to continue this honored tradition.
“Thank you to Supervisor Clavin, Councilman Anthony D’Esposito and the Town Board for recognizing the 120th Anniversary of the Rebbe’s birth,” said Rabbi Perl, Senior Rabbi of the Chabad of Mineola. “It’s a call for the residents of America’s largest township to reflect on the vital role of education in order to prepare our youth to be the leaders of tomorrow.”
The Town of Hempstead is home to twelve Chabad centers located all throughout the township. These Chabad centers include the Five Towns, Hewlett, West Hempstead, Merrick, Oceanside, East Meadow, Valley Stream and Chabad Centers at Adelphi University and Hofstra University. The Chabad of the Beaches, Chabad of Mineola and the Chabad of Brush Hollow also serve Hempstead Town residents.
“Once again I’d like to thank the Chabad centers of the Town of Hempstead for joining with us today to celebrate this monumental occasion regarding the life of an inspirational trailblazer,” concluded Supervisor Clavin.