The Rebbe's Army
Inside the World of Chabad-Lubavitch
by Sue Fishkoff The sixth Lubavitcher rebbe encouraged his followers to reach out to non-religious Jews, but the seventh rebbe went much further. His followers were sent out to keep Judaism alive in the hearts of Jews who were going astray. A decade after the death of the seventh Lubavitcher rebbe, Lubavitchers are engaged in intense outreach as an integral part of their lives. Young couples pick a place in need of
yidishkeit, get a year's salary from Chabad, and head for their new lives. They move in and make their presence known. Soon the shlichim(the sent) are offering classes, sabbath meals and sabbath candles.
Fishkoff portrays her protagonists sympathetically while retaining an outside perspective. She presents the more unusual members of Chabad in depth. The more controversial parts of Lubavitcher life(controversial within Orthodox Judaism) are skimmed over unsatisfactorily. Fishkoff began researching Lubavitch for an
article, and her interest grew.
Happy reading.
