Creating Mensches with Shabbabah 

There is a story of a beloved teacher, Rabbi Zusya, who had become old and taken ill.  His students came to visit him and Rabbi Zusya began to weep.  The students ask the great teacher, “Reb Zusya, why do you weep? Surely, if anyone is slotted for a good life in the world to come, it must be you!” 

Reb Zusya responded, “My dear ones, if when I pass into the next world I am asked ‘Why were you not an Abraham?’ I will have no hesitation to answer, ‘Because, I was not born an Abraham.’ So too, if I am to be asked, ‘And, why were you not a Moses?’ I will still confidently respond ‘Nor was I born a Moses.’ My children, I weep because there is only one question I fear to be asked, ‘Why were you not Zusya?’”  

This story is foundation upon which we seek to grow our community at...