Dear Friend of Chabad.org,

For the New Year, a thought and a request:

As the very underpinnings of our global financial system tremble, affecting everyone from Wall Street to Main Street, as threats of war and terrorism are heard from various corners of the globe, we are experiencing up-close how the entire world truly hangs in balance.

However, our faith is vested in the One Above, Whose books are still open during these Days of Awe, and we we are confident in our knowledge that He hears our heartfelt prayers and will certainly bail us out.  

A bailout is a privilege, however, and there must be at least some action on our part to deserve such a privilege. Fortunately, the Torah teaches us the most effective path to awaken G-d’s compassion:

When we observe the ancient Jewish tradition of disbursing charity at this time of year, far beyond our custom during any other season, we elicit G-d’s mercy and compassion, and He judges us and the entire world favorably.

For, in truth, everything we have is not really ours; we are just treasurers of G-d’s bank accounts. When we demonstrate that we use His funds appropriately by distributing them to good causes, then He provides us even more.

If we would be asking only for ourselves, we might have a problem. But why wouldn’t He want to bail out His own treasurers?

So we make the first move and He responds in kind, to treat us beyond the letter of the law and to inscribe and seal us for a Good and Sweet New Year.

As the Jewish People move higher, from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur, we at Chabad.org are glued to our desks during one of our busiest seasons, focused on helping millions of Jews from all walks of life, in every corner of the globe, celebrate the High Holidays in the most meaningful and inspiring manner possible.

All year round, my colleague scholars, editors, rabbi-responders, designers and programmers of Chabad.org give selflessly of themselves around the clock, in order to bring you the very best that Judaism has to offer, to provide you with spiritual, intellectual, emotional and practical nourishment.

No person is too insignificant, no task too difficult, and no goal deemed insurmountable in their single-minded pursuit of helping every single Jew on the planet.

Indeed, in recent weeks many of our readers have told us how Chabad.org has been an island of strength for them amid an ocean of uncertainty.

However, these efforts cost money. A lot of money.

The economic downturn has been particularly hard for us, too, especially arriving just at the time when people need us most. We currently have a shortfall of $300,000 for the holiday season alone. And so many are relying on us!

I turn to you, therefore, in midst of the High Holy Days, as you ponder ways to elicit G-d’s benevolence toward you and yours, and ask:

Please open your hand generously in charity and partner with us. Please share in our vital work.

Your donation will help a confused student with a tenuous tie to his religion, an old woman desperate for companionship, a couple in need of marriage counseling, a family whose life’s savings has been wiped out-- among the myriad others who depend on us for all kinds of help.

It only takes two minutes to contribute online to Chabad.org’s vital work:

www.chabad.org/donate

Or write out a check to Chabad.org and mail it to:

Chabad.org
784 Eastern Parkway
Brooklyn, NY 11213

[Please note: We have many new, innovative projects that are awaiting sponsorship. If you would like to discuss the possibility of sponsoring a new project or section on Chabad.org, perhaps in honor or in the memory of a loved one, or would like to talk about capital funding opportunities, I would love to discuss this with you in person. Please contact me at director@chabad.org.]

May the millions of good deeds performed across the globe this year through your partnership stand you and yours in good stead to be inscribed and sealed in the Book of Life for financial security, spiritual growth and all things Good and Sweet.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Zalman Shmotkin
Director