A historic, community-wide event in Alaska brought together prominent government officials, over a dozen community organizations, and residents from across the region to hear about the Rebbe and his message on education, morality, and what it means to live a meaningful life.

The event, titled “Building a Better World,” took place this past week and drew representation from close to 15 local organizations, ranging from youth services and m ental health groups to media outlets and radio stations.

Among those present were Alaska’s Lieutenant Governor, the Mat-Su Borough Mayor, and the President of the Mat-Su School Board – the latter also serving on the State Board of Education. Notably, both the Lieutenant Governor and the Borough Mayor are currently running for Governor of Alaska.

“The idea was that the community should understand this is something they’re doing together,” Rabbi Mendy Greenberg, shliach to Palmer, Alaska, told Anash.org. “It’s not ‘Chabad is doing an event,’ but rather the community is celebrating Education Day and the values the Rebbe teaches — values that are relevant to all of humanity.”

The event was the result of nearly six weeks of publicity across radio, print, websites, and social media – a coordinated effort that reflected the event’s reach well beyond the Jewish community.

The featured speaker was Rabbi Simon Jacobson, author of Toward a Meaningful Life. He was interviewed on stage by Michelle Overstreet, founder and CEO of My House, a well-known local organization.

Overstreet, who has become deeply inspired by the Rebbe’s teachings over the past year, led the audience through a conversation with Rabbi Jacobson about the book, followed by a question-and-answer session with the crowd.

“It wasn’t just Rabbi Jacobson saying his piece and moving on,” Rabbi Greenberg said. “Overstreet is someone the community knows and respects, and she was sitting down having a real conversation with him. People were drawn in and deeply engaged,” he added.

Rabbi Yosef Greenberg, head shliach of Alaska, introduced Rabbi Jacobson, speaking about the Rebbe’s Torah and what it meant to communicate the Rebbe’s sichos.

One highlight of the evening was a discussion around the moment of silence program running in Mat-Su schools over the past several years, beginning in the 120th year since the Rebbe’s birth when the program was launched. All 40 schools in the district – serving 19,000 students from kindergarten through 12th grade – begin each day with a moment of silence.

The event sparked a conversation among parents about how to use those 60 seconds meaningfully, with a focus on the idea of ayin ro’eh v’ozen shoma’as – an eye that sees and an ear that hears.

Attendees also enjoyed a buffet dinner, and a children’s program ran simultaneously to keep younger guests engaged throughout the evening.

The President of the School Board also spoke during the event about the Rebbe’s vision of education and its relevance today. After the program, Rabbi Jacobson signed copies of his book, including one for the Lieutenant Governor, who held a private sit-down with him and purchased a signed copy.

“It felt that this was a true realization of being a ‘Light onto the nations,’” Rabbi Mendy Greenberg said. “Under the Rebbe’s picture and the Rebbe’s Torah, all kinds of people came together to hear about how to live a more meaningful life – inspired by belief in Hashem and the Rebbe’s teachings.”

“That’s what Education and Sharing Day is really about,” he added.