Mrs. Yedida Wolfe is the Middle School Assistant Principal and ELA teacher at Mazel Day School in Brooklyn, NY.
Q: How do I teach my child the sense of Shlichus, although we live in a Chabad community and are not on Shlichus?
A:I believe that we must give over to our children the idea that “wherever I find myself, and particularly the place where I’m living, that is where Hashem needs me to be, and I’m there to do what Hashem wants.” For example, when we have the opportunity to host, I remind myself it’s not my house, it’s Hashem’s house. It’s a house that is dedicated to the Rebbe, it’s a Chabad house. It’s easy to get distracted when living in a larger Frum community, but we must always look for opportunities to get involved.
The Rebbe often emphasized that our talents, Kochos and resources must be used to serve Hashem. Every single Jew is a lamplighter no matter where they live. It’s important to live with the concept of Ein Od Milvado – that everything is Hashem, whether it’s the city we live in, the activities we participate in, or the abilities we have. It’s our choice to think about what we are here for. And when I give, I get so much more than whatever I have offered.
Before my family moved to Crown Heights we lived on the Upper West Side, where we were known for hosting large Shabbos meals for singles. We were part of a small Kehillah. We had found our niche; we were in our comfort zone. When we moved to Crown Heights we came feeling that the Rebbe wanted us here, and that we should be active participants in the Crown Heights community, always trying to do what the Rebbe wants. It has been a big Zechus to be able to host and expand our family to include many guests who visit and move to Crown Heights, and I think that perspective stayed with my children.
On a practical level, I always tried to make hosting really fun for my kids, focusing on how lucky we are to do the Mitzvah of Hachnasas Orchim. I always tried to make sure that our kids felt special and included. They would make beds for the guests and help with Shabbos meal prep. I always put the Challahs they made in school on the table and served their baking creations for dessert. My family and my Mitzvos aren’t separate — they’re one and the same. Everything I do is part of my tafkid in serving the Eibershter.
A large part of it is staying excited myself, even when I’m tired. If I remember why I’m doing it and what I’m doing it for, then my kids sense my excitement. When children feel a genuine sense of purpose, when they recognize that they are here in this world to fulfill their mission, something amazing happens: they naturally want to live that purpose, wherever and however the opportunity arises.
