Is what you think about Chabad Cambodia myth or fact?
You may be surprised!
MYTH:
You have to be "Orthodox" to participate in programs offered by Chabad.
FACT:
If we were to target Jews who define themselves as Orthodox, we would open our center in Brooklyn... The vast majority of people who participate in programs at Chabad don’t define themselves as “Orthodox”. Chabad is inclusive and non-judgmental, and our programs are open to all. In fact, the teachings of Chabad are imbued with the renowned Chassidic spirit and joy, but in no way is the commitment to an Orthodox or Ultra-Orthodox lifestyle a prerequisite to one’s acceptance at Chabad functions.
MYTH:
Chabad’s goal is to make me religious.
FACT:
Chabad provides each participant with whatever they are happy to be involved in, with no pressure to do more.
Chabad is an organization dedicated to engaging every Jew, regardless of background, affiliation, or personal level of observance, and providing resources to help increase their level of Jewish knowledge, enthusiasm, and commitment. Chabad invites you to explore the complex areas of Jewish religion, tradition, and practice in an open-minded and non-judgmental atmosphere. All of Chabad’s classes, programs, and services are designed to heighten the awareness and lend valuable insight into one’s heritage, traditions, religious practice, laws and rituals. Each individual is invited to participate, study, and learn. Each individual makes his or her own respective religious, lifestyle decisions at his or her own pace.
MYTH:
I am not interested in religion at all, I have no place at Chabad.
FACT:
Being the only Jewish presence in the entire kingdom, we don’t limit our activities to the religious aspect. Much of our efforts are purely with social targets. Jews come to our center to have a meal, to meet others, to read a book or use the computers. Take as an example our Friday night, in which many will come after the short service is over, straight for dinner.
MYTH:
Chabad opened the center in Phnom Penh for Israeli Jews and backpackers.
FACT:
While no sect of people is excluded from our goals, the amount of Israeli backpackers coming through Phnom Penh are far from justifying a backpacking Chabad House. The main intention of our center was the growing Jewish population that is residing here for one year and more. For that reason, all our services are run in English and our prayer books are in Hebrew/English, Hebrew/France, Hebrew/Russian, Hebrew/Spanish and Hebrew/Portuguese.
MYTH:
Chabad does not consider Reform, Conservative, or non-practicing Jews as "real" Jews.
FACT:
At Chabad a Jew is a Jew is a Jew. Chabad avoids labeling other Jews, since it tends to divide and create artificial barriers between us. Since the days of Moses, Jewish Law has considered anyone born of a Jewish mother or converted in accordance with Halacha to be a Jew, regardless of his or her degree of observance. In fact, the leader of Chabad, the Lubavitcher Rebbe delivered a stinging rebuke to Orthodox elements in the USA and Israel for publicly belittling non-Orthodox Jews.
MYTH:
Chabad is financed by its headquarters in New York.
FACT:
Dedicated to our motto "No Jew Will Be Left Behind", we don't charge for events as it may prevent some from joining. Yet, it is Chabad policy that each center is supported by the community it serves. Thus, funding for local Chabad programs is generated locally. No money or dues are sent to international Chabad headquarters in New York. All funds donated remain right here in our community. In our case, much of the funds come from Jews who visit Cambodia regularly for business purposes.