JACKSON-The Jackson Township council on Tuesday celebrated Education and Sharing Day, a day to honor the works of Hasidic Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson.
Councilman Robert Nixon, who once led the township’s drive to enact ordinances some claim were intended to deter the growth of the local Orthodox Jewish community in town delivered a proclamation to Chabad of Jackson’s Rabbi Shmuel Naparstek.
Established in 1978 by a joint Congressional resolution, Education Day U.S.A. focuses on the very foundation of meaningful education: instructing our youth in the ways of morality and ethics, and teaching them an appreciation for divine inviolable values.
The Presidents, in conjunction with the Washington, D.C. based American Friends of Lubavitch, designate annually Education and Sharing Day U.S.A. on the anniversary of the birth of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory, who dedicated his life to the cause of education.
Since establishing the Chabad of Jackson, Rabbi Naparstek has been a regular face in the Jackson community, providing his support and services to residents of all faiths on many different community service oriented projects across Jackson Township.
Although Councilman Robert Nixon proclaimed the night to be the first time the township has recognized Education and Sharing Day, it was also officially recognized by the township in 2017.
Nixon said Education and Sharing Day is an opportunity to recognize the good things that bring people in the community together through an education environment where residents care about each other.
“Education is not one day of the year, it’s every day of the year,” Naparstek said. “We should be educating ourselves every day of the year.”
“Rebbe taught that education is not only about teaching mathematics and science but teaching the knowledge that children need to know,” Naparstek continued. “Education is building the character of the child, teaching them morals, “Teaching them to be upright citizens, teaching them allegiance to their country.”
Naparstek ended his speech saying that the Rebbe’s teachings in mid-twentieth century New York City apply today to Jackson.
“There’s no two sides, there’s one community, one town,” Naparstek said. He said that was the message the rebbe delivered in New York City during his life to try to bridge the Orthodox Jewish and non-Orthodox Jewish divide. “The same applies here in Jackson.”
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