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About National Sharing and Education Day

National Education and Sharing Day was created by Presidential decree in 1978 to honor Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (or simply The Rebbe as his advocates referred to him). National Education and Sharing Day has been renewed yearly by every president since. The event occurs on the anniversary of Schneerson’s birth in 1902. He died in 1994.

For those of the Zionist movement and Chabad Lubavitch movement, Schneerson is a hero. He escaped Europe during the holocaust years and arrived in the United States June 23, 1941. He worked tirelessly to promote the Jewish faith to secular Jews, support the state of Israel and promoted inclusion in society for all, noting that all human’s are a part of the almighty’s creation.

These are the reasons he’s held to esteem in public and celebrated especially within the Chabad community. His public work is well documented and to be admired.

However, Schneerson is controversial, due his statements outside of the public spotlight or mixed company, specifically in relation to those not of the Jewish faith.

Below are two of many statements by Schneerson that make this day controversial. The following quotes are documented in “Jewish History, Jewish Religion” by Israel Shahak.
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“This is what needs to be said about the body: the body of a Jewish person is of a totally different quality from the body of [members] of all nations of the world … The difference in the inner quality between Jews and non-Jews is “so great that the bodies should be considered as completely different species.”

“An even greater difference exists in regard to the soul. Two contrary types of soul exist, a non-Jewish soul comes from three satanic spheres, while the Jewish soul stems from holiness.”
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Similar statements by others in the public eye in relation to people of color or directed at those of different faiths were seen as racist. With Schneerson this is not the case.

Full quotes and analysis of Schneerson’s work can be read, including full source citations in “Jewish Fundamentalism In Israel” by Norton Mezvinsky and Israel Shahak.

And “Jewish History, Jewish Religion - New Edition: The Weight of Three Thousand Years” by Israel Shahak.

Full Text: http://archive.org/stream/JewishHistoryJewishReligion_665/JewishFundamentalismInIsrael_djvu.txt
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There is currently a concentrated to keep National Education and Sharing Day on April 11 each year, but to move the focus away from Rabbi Scheerson and onto other educators who embody the idea of the day absent any advocation of supremacy, be it racial, sexual or faith based. It is possible, probable, that in the next few years this will happen. However the origin will always be Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson and the good he did do throughout his life.

Depending upon which viewpoint a person comes from, this day is marked by events focusing on the legacy of Schneerson and his work within the Jewish community, much of which is to be admired. Or, in protest over his Jewish supremacist viewpoints, which have not been widely distributed. Because of this, organizations seeking to put together events around this date need to be aware of both viewpoints and the potential controversy surrounding such an event.

For more on the Chabad Lubavitch point of view, and supporters position see:
http://www.chabad.org/therebbe/article_cdo/aid/244372/jewish/The-Rebbe-A-brief-biography.htm

For more on the controversial statements and opposition see:
http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/04/07/why-is-the-us-honoring-a-racist-rabbi/

Photo: Ha'aretz showing Orthodox Jews in Israel before a large poster of Rabbi Scheerson.

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