“One hour a week can change a life.” This is why the Rebbe turned the lights off in the beis Medrash of 770 on a Wednesday afternoon. It’s also why every Wednesday, you’ll see buses and Ubers pulling up on Eastern Parkway. It’s because of the powerful impact of the Released Time program.
“One hour a week can change a life.” This is why the Rebbe turned the lights off in the beis Medrash of 770 on a Wednesday afternoon. It’s also why every Wednesday, you’ll see buses and Ubers pulling up on Eastern Parkway. It’s because of the powerful impact of the Released Time program.
Released Time brings the light of Torah and mitzvos to Jewish children in public schools across New York. Every Wednesday, more than 180 instructors head out to 75 different public schools, teaching kids for just one hour. It’s a short amount of time, but the impact is far-reaching and long-lasting.
Over the past year, the program has grown by over 100 children and now reaches more than 600 students each week. But Released Time’s influence doesn’t stop when the one hour ends. Through day camps, Shabbatons, and YomTov experiences, the program helps bring Yiddishkeit to life. Children make new Jewish friends, learn how to say Brachos before they eat and drink, and become inspired to take on new mitzvos like lighting Shabbos candles, giving tzedakah, and keeping kosher. It’s an experience that begins with one hour but affects the child for life.
Maria, a proud Released Time mother, recently shared a heartwarming story with the program. Her son, Sammy, a young boy who loves his Jewish Hour sessions at P.S. 178, came home excited to share something important. After learning about the laws of kosher, he said, “Mom, Dad, guess what? I’m not eating pizza with meatballs anymore!”
Maria, though a bit surprised at first, appreciated Sammy’s excitement and dedication to keeping kosher. She suggested they try it once a week on Shabbat to see how it goes. But Sammy was persistent. “I want to keep kosher every day,” he told them. So, as a family, Maria said, they decided to give it a try and make it a part of their daily life.
This is just one story of one family whose life has been uplifted through Released Time.
Rabbi Shimon Hecht, a member of the NCFJE executive committee, reflects on the immense value of the program and recalls how his father, Rabbi JJ Hecht OBM, worked closely with the Rebbe to ensure its success. “The Rebbe was so deeply invested in Released Time that he once personally shut the lights in 770 Beis Medrash on Wednesday afternoon at 1 PM—because the Rebbe believed that going into public schools to reach Jewish children was more important than continuing learning.”
In 1966, the Rebbe expressed his hope that the community would continue to support Released Time: “On the day of the Yahrzeit of the Rebbe… it is my sincere hope that you are doing and will continue to do in the future all that you can to support Released Time.”
Today, Released Time continues to carry out that mission, and calls upon you to help educate public school children who need Jewish education.
Released Time is more than just a program—it’s a life-changing movement that ensures Jewish children in public schools know that they’re a part of the Jewish family. It spreads light, one mitzvah at a time, making sure every Jewish child receives a proper Jewish education. This movement guarantees that Jewish continuity remains strong for generations to come.
In honor of Yud Shvat, Released Time has launched its annual fundraising campaign and invites you to be part of this crucial mission to transform the lives of Jewish students in public schools.
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