Last week, we launched our Capital Campaign for the Chabad Jewish Community Center, and I have been deeply moved by the outpouring of support we have received so far. Building a place dedicated to the service of G-d, where the community can gather, share a meal, feel at home, socialize, and learn, has been part of the mission of the Jewish people from the very beginning.
Perhaps the first Jewish community center of this kind was Avraham’s tent. 
This week’s Torah portion tells us how Abraham planted an eshel in Beersheba and proclaimed the name of G-d there. The commentaries explain that eshel can mean either an orchard, providing fruit for people to eat, or an inn with the word eshel being an acronym for achilah, shetiyah, leviyah — food, drink, and companionship, a place where travelers could rest, be nourished, and be accompanied on their way.
Everything our ancestor Abraham did serves as a guide for us. Like him, we must build a place where everyone feels welcome, where the values of G-d can be shared with all, where people can come in, enjoy warmth and refreshment, engage in conversation, and learn something new.
We are told that Abraham’s tent had doors on all four sides, showing that from whichever direction a person came, they were wanted and welcomed. There was always a place for them, a seat at the table, because they belonged.
This mission of Abraham is true both for the individual and for the community. On a personal level, each of us can strive to be welcoming to others and proud to share G-dly values within our own circles. As a community, it means creating a space that reflects those same teachings and ideals that Abraham shared.
This, I believe, captures the essence of what Chabad is all about. Like Abraham and Sarah, that is what we are building together.

​The summer has come to an end, and school has resumed. My son Srolik started at Gan where he will be spending time with other children and some very talented Morahs, getting a great Jewish education. Levi and Shaina are also enjoying their online school, where they spend time with children of Chabad rabbis from communities without a local Jewish day school, including classmates from Athens, GA, Missoula, MT, Quad Cities, IA, Bangor, MN, Barbados and St Maarten, among others. Their school has over 1000 children! As every parent knows, there is much preparation, practical and emotional, for the new school year. 
There are special times in life when we eagerly anticipate an upcoming occasion. A bride and groom before their wedding, a parent before the birth of a child, a student before the first day of school, or your first job interview. For each of these occasions, we prepare as best as we can for that specific occasion, ensuring that when the big day arrives we are fully present.
On the Jewish calendar we are now in the month of Elul, the final month in the year, and it is the time to prepare for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
We do so by auditing our spiritual accounts and assessing our behavior of the past year; by regretting and fixing the failings of the past, making resolutions for a better future, and by increasing our Torah study, prayer and charitable giving.
Elul is the opportune time for all this because it is a month in which G‑d relates to us in a more open and compassionate manner than He does in the rest of the year. The Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, taught the following metaphor:
The king's usual place is in the capital city, in the royal palace. Anyone wishing to approach the king must go through the appropriate channels in the palace bureaucracy and gain the approval of a succession of secretaries and ministers. He must journey to the capital and pass through the many gates, corridors and antechambers that lead to the throne room. His presentation must be meticulously prepared, and he must adhere to an exacting code of dress, speech and mannerism upon entering into the royal presence.
However, there are times when the king comes out to the fields outside the city. At such times, anyone can approach him; the king receives them all with a smiling face and a radiant countenance. The peasant behind his plow has access to the king in a manner unavailable to the highest ranking minister in the royal court when the king is in the palace.
The month of Elul is when the king is in the field. During the special days of this month, each one of us, no matter our background, level of education, observance, or social status, has unfettered access and equal opportunity to approach the King - Al-mighty G-d.
If you knew you would soon be meeting G-d, how would you prepare? What would you want to say?

This week was very special. We celebrated the groundbreaking of the Chabad Jewish Community Center in Sioux Falls, and it was deeply overwhelming in the best way. I think I speak for many of us when I say that despite all the hard work, hopes, prayers, and support, Tuesday afternoon still felt surreal and miraculous. Here are some pictures, and soon we will share the complete media coverage.  

We could never have reached this milestone without the generosity and support of friends in Sioux Falls and across the country who value and appreciate the work to strengthen Yiddishkeit in South Dakota.

It brought to mind the opening words of this week’s Torah portion, Eikev: “If you will heed these… G-d will keep the covenant for you, as well as the kindness that He swore to your forefathers. He will love you, bless you…” followed by many blessings.

The commentaries explain that the word “Eikev” is used here because it symbolizes even “these things” that are often overlooked. The Torah is teaching us to give special care and participate even in those mitzvahs which some may ignore. 

As the Rebbe taught, no Jew is too far and no community is too small. On Tuesday, we saw that come alive. 

Perhaps there was no greater moment of joy and pride at the groundbreaking than the children who helped lead the event. Alongside the adults shoveling dirt, some 20 children from our Camp Gan Israel proudly turned over earth with their own shovels, decorated with their Judaic art. They are our future.
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Thank you to everyone who joined us in person, and to all who have already contributed. We will soon be launching a campaign to raise the remaining funds needed for this project, and I will be reaching out personally with more information and materials in the weeks and months ahead. If you would like to support this effort, or know someone who may be interested, please contact us today.

As we gear up to break ground for a beautiful campus for the South Dakota Jewish community, some wonder about our proposed community center, or if a permanent space is even needed at all? The Jewish population here is small. As one friend put it, “tiny is too big a description.” Published data (though inaccurate!) sometimes estimates the Jewish population of South Dakota at 250–500. While we’re not quite that small, we are still few in number and even smaller in percentage.

The story of South Dakota Jewry may very well have its first roots in this week’s Torah portion. In his parting words, Moses urges the people of Israel to always remain loyal to G-d, reminding them to live up to their Divine mission, even when amongst nations far more numerous. He says, “For you are the least of all peoples” (Deuteronomy 7:7).
Here in South Dakota, we understand what it means to be the smallest of all peoples. Most of us are the only Jew in our workplace, the children the only Jew in their grade at school, and I’ve often thought of this verse when reflecting on our role here.

As Moses said, the Jewish people have always been a small group. That might prompt some to wonder what our purpose is and how we can accomplish it. Even if we survive, how can we have a meaningful impact?

The Rebbe addressed this question with a powerful analogy. He explained that science has demonstrated that quantity is not always the deciding factor. The question is whether we can unlock the quality energy and potential that exists within us. Just like an atom, though tiny, can release immense power when its latent energy is tapped, we too carry within us incredible spiritual energy.

In nuclear fission, power is released by breaking the atom into smaller components. Spiritually, this means breaking our egos to allow our Divine essence to shine. The more we master this “spiritual technology,” the less we need to be concerned by small numbers.

This is true for us as a people, that we should not define ourselves as “a minority,” but recognize the value, potential, and benefit we bring to society by living as G-d intended: being a light to those around us and adding goodness, kindness, and spirituality. It is also true for each of us as individuals. As the Rebbe taught, “No community is too small, and no Jew is too far.” We each have a mission, a mandate, and unlimited potential to succeed and achieve it.
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Within each of us lies the power to impact the world around us for the good, one step at a time. As a community, we may be small in number, but we matter, and our spiritual needs matter. So together we are building something lasting and meaningful, a beautiful Jewish Community Center that will serve our growing community for generations to come. We look forward to celebrating this big monumental step with you on Tuesday at 2:30.

This Shabbat falls on the day before Tisha B’Av, when we commemorate the destruction of the Temples in Jerusalem and express our deep yearning for the time when we will return and rebuild the Third Temple. This hope and belief has been part of the Jewish soul since the moment of destruction. And throughout nearly two thousand years of exile, persecution, inquisitions, blood libels, pogroms, the Holocaust, Nazism, and Islamist terror that have afflicted our people, we have remained strong and resilient.
The focus on rebuilding, rather than just grieving and mourning the destruction, comes from G-d Himself. In the book of Ezekiel, the prophet is instructed to describe the Third Temple in all its detail. Known as Ezekiel's Temple, the prophecy lays out with great precision the architecture and dimensions of the future Beit Hamikdash.
The Midrash describes a conversation in which Ezekiel asks G-d, “Why are You teaching the people of Israel the laws of the Temple, the design, its entrances and exits, if they are not building it now?”
At the time, the Jews were in exile. Foreign rulers and adversaries had taken over their land and holy site, forbidding them from even entering it, let alone rebuilding. What was the purpose of learning about these ideas Ezekiel wondered?
G-d replies, “Should the building of My House be cancelled because My children are in exile? Go and tell them to study its form in the Torah. When they read about it and study it, I will consider it as though they are actually building it.”
This is not just a second-best option and it’s not simply a preparation for the future. G-d is revealing a deeper truth: when we engage with something deeply, when we study the details of the Temple and immerse our minds and hearts in it, we are transported to that reality. Even though we are physically still in exile and without the Beit Hamikdash, we can live emotionally, mentally, and spiritually in a state of redemption and rebuilding.
Even today, as adversaries continue finding new ways to attack us, whether through violence or by twisting “moral conscience” against the Jewish people, we can stand firm in our conviction. If we truly desire, we can live with a sense of freedom and redemption, and the peaceful wholesomeness it brings us and those around us.
We also build in a physical sense. Jewish communities, synagogues, and schools are blossoming across the world. This has always been the true Jewish response to destruction and death: rebuilding and birth. Thanks to your support, that is exactly what we are doing here in South Dakota.

Mussie and I were in DC this week, where we were warmly welcomed by Secretary Noem at DHS, Senator Rounds, Congressman Johnson, and Senate Majority Leader Thune’s office. We discussed matters relating to the Jewish community in South Dakota and across the country, as well as the importance of the U.S.–Israel alliance.
The architecture of our institutions is magnificent, and recognizing the power held in those offices inspires awe and reverence. They say when you're in Washington, you never know who you'll bump into…
While waiting in the security line at the Hart Senate Office Building, I noticed standing right in front of me none other than Mahmoud Khalil. I figured that would be the end of it, but as we both walked toward the elevators, it became clear we were heading in the same direction and ended up in the same elevator.
There I was, face to face with a man who has become the symbol of the protests and hate at Columbia University, someone whose words and actions caused fear among Jewish students, and their parents. Just a day earlier on CNN, he couldn’t bring himself to say a negative word about Hamas or Palestinian terrorism.
A lot ran through my mind at that moment. But as I stood there in the elevator looking at him, I saw him look down, clearly uncomfortable standing next to someone he recognized as a religious Jew. He seemed unsure of himself, even ashamed. 
I saw him not as the symbol the media portrays of resistance, not as a figure of courage or strength, but as a very small man who, most likely, had come to plead his case before Congress and speak his mind, as is his right.
Reflecting later, I realized how much the tables have turned from previous generations, how fortunate we are to live in this country. My great-grandparents, who lived in Russia and Europe, would probably have been terrified to step foot near the halls of their governments, and to pass a known personality who spewed hateful rhetoric would have likely struck fear in their hearts. But here in America, we feel safe and secure. Here, it is those who promote hate and support our enemies that find themselves uncertain walking these halls. I was very comfortable walking in Congress with my head held high. That stark difference was not lost on me.
I grew up reading the stories of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, and how he defiantly visited government offices in Moscow, risking his life to to advocate for the needs of Soviet Jewry. The danger for the Jews then was very real. But here, thank G-d, we are blessed. We are treated with honor and dignity. We can walk in our government offices confidently. We feel safe, like we should.
The overwhelming majority of Americans support and appreciate the Jewish people, and we pray that continues. That support is strongly reflected in Congress in their support here at home and for our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land of Israel. And I was able to hear it in my conversations, and feel it in the air.
It reminded me of the words of the prophet Jeremiah: "Seek the peace of the city where you dwell… for in its peace, you will find peace." And of G-d’s eternal promise to Abraham: "I will bless those who bless you." May G-d bless America.

July 4 is a time to celebrate, and it's also a time to reflect on the gratitude we feel as Jews living in America. The word “Jew” comes from the word Yehuda, which is rooted in hoda’ah, gratitude. It’s a reminder that our very identity is tied to being thankful: to G‑d, and to the people and places that do good for us. And today, there is so much to be grateful for.
When we reflect on the freedoms and opportunities America has given us, we realize that despite some upsetting situations, there has never been a better time or place to live openly and proudly as a Jew. The Rebbe often described America as a malchut shel chesed, a kingdom of kindness, that serves as a beacon of generosity and moral leadership, where Jewish people have been welcomed and embraced. But with these great blessings also comes a unique challenge: the need to preserve and deepen our identity not in spite of hardship, but amid comfort and acceptance.
No longer is our Jewish identity bound up with persecution or escape. Today in America, we are recognized, appreciated, and valued. That means the responsibility to remain deeply connected, to learn more, to understand more, and to actively participate in Jewish life, is now fully ours. In a society where we are free to choose, we must choose to be Jewish in ever more meaningful ways.
When we do so, the “goldene medina” can be truly golden for Jewish life, with opportunities that our grandparents could all but have dreamed of. 
Two of the ideals I find most inspiring about America are “In God We Trust” and “E Pluribus Unum.” This country was built on faith and trust in G‑d, which I believe lies at the heart of its prosperity. Alongside that is our value of unity, that out of many, we are one. We may not all look the same or worship the same, but we share a common destiny. It is up to each of us to do our part to keep America the greatest country the world has ever known, and make sure it is even better for our children.
The Rebbe expressed deep appreciation for the blessings America had given him, both personally and communally. It provided a safe haven for him, his wife, his mother, and his father-in-law, and became fertile ground to replant and grow the Chabad-Lubavitch movement after the Holocaust. When the Rebbe assumed leadership, his first public address was given in a small room in Brooklyn to a group of Holocaust survivors and escapees of Stalin's gulags. Today, thanks also to the blessings of this great country, Chabad has become a household name.
So today, we celebrate the extraordinary blessing that is America. We thank G‑d for it, and we pray for the continued safety, strength, and success of the leaders, warriors and citizens of this great nation. As the prophet Jeremiah said: “Seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to dwell... for in its peace, you shall have peace.”

This Sunday marks Gimmel Tammuz, the Rebbe’s 31st yahrzeit. I will be traveling with my family to the Ohel, where thousands will gather throughout the day. Lines will stretch for hours as people wait for the chance to say a brief prayer at this holy site.
The Rebbe is not simply a great leader or an inspiring personality. There are many such figures in the world. What makes the Rebbe unique is not only his wisdom and leadership, but his complete oneness with G-d and dedication to both G-d and humanity. A Moses-like figure in our time, the Rebbe stands alone in how fully he embodied that sacred mission.
But what is so revolutionary about the Rebbe? How did he manage to impact every Jewish community across the globe, and touch countless lives far beyond the Jewish world, in ways we have never seen before in history? And how is it that, 31 years after his physical passing, his influence continues to grow stronger?
There is, of course, much to say. But one idea I’ve been reflecting on lately, which I will try to share as simply as I can, is how the Rebbe taught us to see more deeply, beyond the surface of things. For over 40 years, he taught and lived a way of life that revealed the true depth of what a human being is capable of. He showed us what it means to be a Jew and our role in the world today. He did this not only as a brilliant scholar but also, and even more importantly, as a practitioner. He demonstrated that this was not just a philosophy. It was a way of life that could be lived and practiced each day.
So often, we think we can either do one thing or another, but not both. We see our limitations. From our human perspective, we may be right. But the Rebbe reminded us to see ourselves from G-d’s perspective. If He wants us to accomplish something, even something that seems contradictory or impossible, then we can. We just need to open our eyes and tap into the strength and capacity that’s already within us: a G-dly strength.
In Chassidic and Kabbalistic terms, this is called Atzmus—the essence. On the surface, there are limits and obstacles. But at the core, in the essence, there are none. Just as G-d is infinite, so too can we reach beyond boundaries, because the soul He gave us is literally a part of Him.
This means that when G-d gives us a mission, even one that seems out of reach, if we dig deeper and draw from our inner essence, we can achieve it. This is a Messianic way of seeing and engaging with the world. The prophets describe a future without jealousy, with peace, abundance, and a deep desire for spirituality. And while some might say that is a global vision for the time of Moshiach, which may seem out of reach or impossible today, the Rebbe showed us that we can begin living that reality right now in our own lives. It takes effort, energy, study, and contemplation. But when we succeed, we can reach a real sense of inner peace and wholeness.
This worldview is not only liberating. It transforms how we live, for ourselves, for others, and for G-d. When we access our essence, we can achieve what once felt impossible. When we see the essence of another, we can truly love them for who they are. And through both, we begin to make this world a suitable place for G-d’s essence.
King Solomon wrote, “There is nothing new under the sun.” The ideas the Rebbe taught and lived were not fundamentally new. They are all in the Torah. What is new was how he revealed them to us, and showed us how to integrate them into our lives in a practical and transformative way.
In Judaism, we believe everything we see and hear should teach us something. Think about the recent advancements in AI, or the extraordinary progress in space exploration. These things are not fundamentally new. The raw materials have always existed. What is new is how human beings have learned to harness and apply them. Just a few years ago, these realities would have been unimaginable. Today, they are tangible.
That’s the gift the Rebbe gave us: not just a vision, but the tools and confidence to break past what we thought was impossible. To reach higher. To live deeper. To touch Heaven and bring it down to earth. Modern science affirms that this is not only a spiritual or mystical goal. It is also practical and real.
I believe this is one of the reasons so many continue to be drawn to the Rebbe, and why 31 years later, his presence and impact remain as alive as ever. I was fortunate to meet him when I was a toddler. Today, I study his teachings, and you can too.

I'm often asked if miracles still happen today. Well, this week was an important week, and gave me a lot to reflect on and think about. When I watch what is going on in Israel, I can not help but recognize how miraculous these past few days have been. 
It reminded me of a Chassidic saying from the students of the Maggid of Mezritch: “When we were at the Maggid’s table, miracles used to roll freely on the floor; we didn’t even bother to pick them up.” Today, too, it can feel like miracles are happening so regularly that we’ve stopped noticing.
That Iran, a nation once feared by much of the world, is collapsing before our eyes is astonishing. That Israel’s preemptive strike successfully crippled Iran’s key military assets and eliminated its top leadership is remarkable. That Iran’s proxies remain either incapable or unwilling to respond, and that Iranian supporters like Russia and China are staying on the sidelines, is beyond explanation. Most importantly, that the hundreds of drones and missiles launched at Israel caused minimal harm in comparison to their intended carnage, is miraculous.
Let’s take a moment to pause and reflect on that, and let me ask you; do you think miracles still happen today?
The word “Jew” comes from the name Yehuda, which is rooted in hoda’ah, meaning gratitude. It’s a reminder that our identity is tied to being thankful to G‑d. And today, we have a lot to be thankful for. 
While we admire the skill and bravery of the IDF, and we pray that G-d continues to protect them, we can never fall into thinking, “My own power and the might of my own hand have won this for me.” In the words of King David “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we call out in the name of the L‑rd our G‑d.” The strength of Israel’s army, and the determination of its leaders, ultimately depends on G-d.
Seeing what is happening is also a good reminder to us that G‑d’s wonders are not limited to the distant past, like during the Exodus or the story of Purim. We are living through our own chapter of divine intervention, and an important, and often needed reminder that G‑d is with us.
When we remember that the Holy Land of Israel is a land under His constant watch, and that “the Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps,” it gives us courage, confidence, and clarity. And like we are experiencing miracles in Israel now, may we soon see the greatest miracle of all: the coming of Mashiach, when the words of the prophet will be fulfilled “As in the days of your exodus from Egypt, I will show you wonders,” with peace and prosperity for all humanity.
May that day come soon.

This week I visited Israel together with Governor Larry Rhoden. In addition to trade and business meetings hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, the delegation met with many of Israel’s leaders, visited Yad Vashem, spent time with IDF soldiers recovering at Hadassah Hospital, and prayed at the Western Wall. It was a meaningful trip of solidarity that came at a critical time. We are grateful that South Dakota stands strong in its unwavering support of Israel and the Jewish community.
Last night, the world watched as Israel took a brave and necessary step, launching a preemptive strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities and top military leadership. The Torah places the highest value on preserving human life. Sometimes, the most effective way to do that is to strike first, not wait until the threat has already targeted you. As the Talmud teaches, "If someone rises to kill you, rise first to kill them."
It may not always be the most popular move in diplomatic or political circles. But if the goal is to actually save lives, and not just earn compliments, this is clearly the right thing to do. A powerful preemptive strike saves lives. Not only of your own people, but even of your enemy.
So far, Israel’s operation has been deemed successful. In fact, it has been nothing short of miraculous and we should be thankful to G-d for showing us such great miracles. While some on the world stage may criticize it now, history shows that eventually they too will appreciate it and be grateful that Israel had the courage to act.
Naturally, there is concern about what may come next. In moments like these, we must stand first in our faith in G-d. As the Psalmist writes, "The Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps." We recall the Biblical promise "I will grant peace upon the land… G-d watches over it from the beginning of the year to the end of the year." We are reminded that true strength does not come from human might, but from G-d above. With that in mind, we can face the future with calm and confidence.
Now is an important time for each of us to increase in Torah study, prayer, and acts of charity, especially in honor of the brave soldiers defending Israel, and its people. These spiritual acts give them strength, uplift us and ease our anxiety, and will enable us to enter Shabbat with strength and joy in our hearts.
Let us continue to pray for Israel’s success and for the safety and security of its people and Jews everywhere.