Education Day Declared By Three Branches of Texas Government

In a unique move, three government branches of Texas – the Governor, State House and State Senate – declared the Rebbe’s birthday on Yud Alef Nissan as Education and Sharing Day in the state of Texas. Rabbi Levi Greenberg of El Paso delivered the House invocation.

By Anash.org reporter

In a unique motion, the Rebbe’s birthday on Yud Alef Nissan was declared as Education and Sharing Day in Texas by all three branches of Government: by the Governor, in the Texas State House and in the Texas State Senate.

In a meeting with a group of Texas shluchim, Governor Greg Abbott signed a proclamation marking April 9, the English date of Yud Alef Nissan this year as Education and Sharing Day. Recognizing the tremendous contribution the Rebbe gave to education, Governor Abbott encouraged all Texans to “reflect on the power of education, not only as a path to success, but also as a means to service.”

“[The Rebbe] … believed that learning should inspire students to devote themselves to a higher calling and uplift others”, he wrote. “His work touched lives throughout the world and his vision resonates to this day”.

The shluchim thanked the Governor for his ongoing support of the Jewish community in Texas and for ensuring they can practice their Yiddishkeit safely and securely. They also praised his efforts to advocate for legislation that prioritizes not only academic education but also the teaching of strong values that align with parents’ choices for their children.

In the Texas House of Representatives, Speaker Pro Tempore Joe Moody sponsored house resolution 351 designating the Rebbe’s birthday as Education and Sharing Day. Moody then called upon Rabbi Levi Greenberg from Chabad of El Paso, Texas to deliver the invocation at the start of the Texas House of Representatives session.

Rabbi Greenberg shared from the Rebbe about the importance of the sheva mitzvos b’nei noach and quoted the Rambam about how one good deed could tip the scale and usher in the time of Moshiach. Rabbi Greenberg highlighted the significance of a good deed by putting a dollar bill in the pushka.

At the invocation, all representatives were given a yellow boat-shaped pushka of their own, known as an ARK, an acronym for ‘Acts of Random Kindness’ or ‘Acts of Routine Kindness,’ courtesy of Chabad of Texas, together with a paper explaining what the Rebbe is and the importance of Education Day. The reps were encouraged by Moody to bring their pushkas home, fill it, share it and most importantly to have conversations with those around them about the importance of being a giver.

Moody also took note the vital work of the 70 shluchim and shluchos from across the 43 communities in Texas, and recognized the five shluchim which were present on the dais: Rabbi Chaim Lazaroff of Chabad of Houston, Rabbi Yisroel Greenberg of Chabad of El Paso, Rabbi Mendy Levertov of Chabad of Houston, Rabbi Levi Teldon of Chabad of San Antonio, and Rabbi Zalman Braun from the newest Chabad Center at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, home to House Speaker Dustin Burrows.

Burrows, who was elected as speaker of the house last month, then met with Rabbi Braun separately to discuss how to assist the Jewish students at Texas Tech University and how to support the Jewish community in Lubbock in general. The two promised to meet again once the speaker returned to Lubbock.

The group of shluchim continued on to the Texas State Senate, where senator Cesar Blanko sponsored resolution 44, to designate Yud Alef Nissan as Education and Sharing Day.

“The Rebbe’s teachings and leadership touched millions of lives”, Blanko said. “The Rebbe taught that education should be not just about academics but about empowering students to lead lives of purpose and giving to one another. We should pass on this heritage to all young Americans”.

“The fact that all three branches of government marked Yud Alef Nissan as Education Day is significant”, Rabbi Chaim Lazaroff told Anash.org. “The Rebbe strongly encouraged the proclamation of Education Day and it’s our z’chus to have it legislated here in Texas with support from across the political spectrum.”

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