One of the world’s longest hospitalized COVID19 patients, Rabbi Yudi Dukes is now awake and communicating. 

In his capacity as director of the Jewish Learning Network (JNet), Rabbi Dukes oversaw a network that connects Jews from all over the world with a remote learning partner. Jews living far from a Jewish community, the housebound, and even incarcerated Jews look to their weekly phone Torah study session with a teacher as a spiritual and social lifeline. 

Hospitalized on March 30 with COVID-19 symptoms, the young rabbi spent nine weeks on ECMO and four months on a ventilator. His lungs collapsed several times, and but for the groundswell of support led by his wife Sarah who took to social media updating followers about her husband’s status and galvanizing thousands of well wishers and a steady outpouring of prayers over many months that still continues, the prognosis for the 38 year-old father of six was, at many junctures, very grim. 

Rabbi Dukes is now on the road to recovery, and even as he gains strength and the ability to talk and swallow, Yudi has been recording weekly Torah thoughts from his bed in the ICU,  to be shared publicly. He has also begun consulting on the day-to-day affairs of JNet.

In a testament to Rabbi Dukes’ perseverance and service to his community Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams proclaimed July 23rd 2020, “Rabbi Yehuda Dukes Celebration Day.” 

The proclamation reads, in part, “Whereas, it is a time-honored Brooklyn tradition to recognize those rare and extraordinary individuals who provide dedicated leadership, guidance, and support to their fellow members in faith . . . on behalf of all Brooklynites I salute Rabbi Yehuda Dukes . . . I recognize the volunteers of JNet have an opportunity to bring  the warmth of the Torah and Judaism to people whose situations restrict them from acquiring it in other ways; and affecting people’s lives positively; I applaud Rabbi Yehuda Dukes’ collaborations and partnerships from around the world for the Torah’s study by telephone, reaching thousands of friends who are now praying for his well-being; I wish him an expedient recovery from COVID19, and his continued service for the vulnerable, allowing individuals and families to access JNet services; and I wish him continued success in the great borough of Brooklyn and beyond, and I thank him for all that he has done to help our communities move forward as One Brooklyn.”

Chabad Lubavitch mourns the passing Friday morning of Rabbi Adin Even-Yisrael Steinsaltz. 

A towering figure of Jewish scholarship, Rabbi Steinsaltz pioneered the study of Talmud among the uninitiated. The Talmud: The Steinsaltz Edition—the rabbi’s groundbreaking translation from Aramaic into modern Hebrew and then into English—introduced the study of Talmud to the lay public. Through his commentaries, translations and his prolific works, he also brought classical Chasidic texts and teachings to a wide, contemporary audience. 

Teacher and mentor at yeshivas in Israel and elsewhere, Rabbi Steinsaltz nurtured an enduring passion for Jewish study and a sustaining love for the Jewish People among his Jewish students. 

Rabbi Steinsaltz was a deeply devoted Chasid of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. In his book My Rebbe, he wrote of the Chasid-Rebbe relationship as it shaped his life’s work, and of the Rebbe’s profound influence on him in matters personal and professional.

Upon the passing of Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai—the founder of the Academy of Yavneh and the spiritual leader of Jewry as it emerged after the destruction of the second Temple—the Mishna says, “the splendor of wisdom ceased.” The sentiment now resonates with Rabbi Steinsaltz’s students, mentees and admirers. 

An interview with Rabbi Steinsaltz: https://www.lubavitch.com/interview-rabbi-adin-steinsaltz-on-the-lubavitcher-rebbe/

Thirty-five Skokie teens who have been cooped up at home for the last four months had an opportunity to get their creative juices flowing recently. Their local CTeen chapter commissioned Hassidic pop artist, Yitzchok Moully to guide the teens in painting a giant mural on the outside of Lubavitch Chabad of Skokie’s offices.

Individually, or in small groups the masked teens took turns adding elements to the brightly colored street art over two days. The final creation depicts an open book with letters of the Hebrew alphabet dancing among neon streams of light. 

Director of CTeen Skokie, Rabbi Yochanan Posner, says teens have been particularly affected by the lockdown because at this stage, children are more reliant on the support of their peers than their family. The mural is a part of his efforts to bring safe, wholesome and enjoyable opportunities to the teens of his community. “Even if they didn’t interact in-person, this was an opportunity for the kids to get out of the house and collaborate with each other on a project. It brought joy to them and is bringing joy to all who pass by,” he said. 

The mural has garnered attention from drivers and pedestrians on Dempsey Street, just off Interstate 94, with some stopping to take pictures. What was once a blank wall is now a vibrant testimonial to creativity and collaboration. As Rabbi Posner put it, “Every person has a mission and a purpose in this world, no matter the age. Similarly, every inch of a Chabad House, even the bricks, play their part in the mission of uplifting the world around us.”