fourth largest city and home to 50,000 Jews. In a city where the Nazis decimated the Jewish population, the Kaminezkis revitalized Jewish life, creating a network of schools, camps, and synagogues. Their thriving community is symbolized by the world’s largest Jewish center - the 500,000+ sq. ft, 20-story Menorah Center.

Now, they rely on miracles to keep their community going. When war broke out in February 2022, Chani and family, along with thousands of their neighbors, were forced to flee, cramming into a train with one suitcase. The Kaminezkis have since returned to Dnipro, valiantly leading their community while also caring for a flood of refugees from other parts of embattled Ukraine. Daily life is completely unpredictable. For their safety, children from the Jewish schools were relocated to a windowless basement with sporadic heat and light. Sirens sound throughout the day and night.

Chani takes the upheavals in stride, honored to lead the Jewish community in the very city where the Rebbe was raised, and where the previous Rebbe, the founder of Beth Rivkah, was arrested for teaching Judaism.

Beth Rivkah’s Influence

“At Beth Rivkah, we were able to apply what we learned to the real world — immediately. We learned from the Lubavitcher Rebbe to influence others, so we went out into the street and distributed Shabbat candles. I remember the pride I felt when I helped many people light Shabbat candles and buy Jewish books.

“Years later, my children have the same attitude about influencing other Jews that I had as a girl, and the students in my schools thrive under the same care that brings out their potential, just as I experienced at Beth Rivkah.”

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Opened 5 schools - 2 kindergartens, a day school, yeshiva, seminary and a day camp.

Opened Beit Baruch Assisted Living, a kosher old age home with top-level care.

Built the Menorah Center, a business and charity center with 7 towers, also houses the Israeli embassy.

Established a mikvah and minyan along with classes, kosher and a Jewish infrastructure.

Created the JMC Medical Center, bringing American-trained doctors to service Jew and non-Jews alike.

Serves 50,000 locals with religious, humanitarian and social welfare needs.

She and her husband, Zalman, opened Chabad at Duke University in 2002. They now serve Jewish students at Duke’s graduate schools, the University of North Carolina, and North Carolina State, as well as the Jewish community of Durham and Chapel Hill. Yehudis helped create the House of Healing to offer support to the families of patients at the noted Duke Medical Center, many of whom travel from abroad seeking treatment. Recently, she launched a major new initiative to help older Jewish singles find their life partners, and she has already rallied thousands of people to become “shidduch influencers.”A talented educator, Yehudis’ seven albums of music and stories inspire Jewish children around the world, and help her provide her own children -- ages 2 to 21 -- with a robust Chassidic education. What is Yehudis’ secret sauce in managing all these projects? At Beth Rivkah she absorbed the Rebbe’s vision that “nothing is too hard in the quest to bring Moshiach.”

Impact

Supports Jewish student life at three universities —promotes Jewish pride, identity, and tradition at Duke University, the University of North Carolina, and North Carolina State.

Serves the local Jewish community of Durham and Chapel Hill.

Created the House of Healing to offer support to the families of patients at the noted Duke Medical Center.

Launched an initiative to help older Jewish singles find their life partners and encouraged thousands of people to pay attention to this demographic.

Created seven albums of music and stories to inspire Jewish children around the world.

Beth Rivkah’s Influence

“At Beth Rivkah, I absorbed the Rebbe’s vision that “nothing is too hard in the quest to bring Moshiach.”

For Lieba and her husband, Mendel, infusing their sophisticated surroundings with warm hospitality and vibrant Judaism has been as invigorating as the Rocky Mountain air. Their Shabbat table attracts an eclectic crowd of international guests, eager to soak in some apres-ski Torah along with the amazing cuisine. The Mintzes have built a strong Jewish infrastructure, including a mikvah, synagogue, and Hebrew school, and, hours away from the closest Jewish community, maintained their own children’s Jewish education. Each year, through their non-profit, Golshim L’Chayim - Ski to Live - they bring a group of disabled Israeli veterans to Aspen for a week of healing and physical challenge. Lieba attributes her rise as a community leader to Beth Rivkah’s emphasis on maximizing one’s potential, a foundational teaching of the Rebbe. “We were encouraged to take whatever qualities we have and bring everything to the table in service of our community.”

Growing up in South Africa in a family where generations had dispersed around the world to spread Judaism gave Dini a different perspective. “China became our home,” she said. “We’re not just passing through. We’re here to stay.”

The Freundlichs provide a Jewish lifeline to various demographics - business travelers, embassy employees, tourists, and international students. They have established a school, kosher restaurant, mikvah, synagogue, and tourist services.

As founder and director of Northern China’s first and only Jewish day school, Ganeinu, a trilingual Montessori school, Dini has ensured a Jewish education for hundreds of children.

Throughout the challenges -- like keeping her children connected to their Chassidic heritage, living far from family and friends; and, recently, the massive disruption of Covid-19 -- Dini draws inspiration from her upbringing and from her Beth Rivkah education: “Life without giving is not a life. It is an honor and a privilege to serve one’s community.”

Beth Rivkah’s Influence

“Throughout the challenges -- like keeping my children connected to their Chassidic heritage, living far from family and friends; and, recently, the massive disruption of Covid-19, I draw inspiration from my upbringing and from my Beth Rivkah education.

“Beth Rivkah taught me that life without giving is not a life. It is an honor and a privilege to serve one’s community. We aren’t just passing through. We feel responsible for the Jewish community here. We’re here to stay.”

Impact

Provides a Jewish lifeline to various demographics - business travelers, embassy employees, tourists, and international students.

Established and co-directs the Bet Yaakov Chabad House, home to kosher restaurants, a shul with daily services, judaica shop and other tourist amenities.

Founder and director of Ganeinu, the first and only Jewish day school in northern China, a trilingual Montessori school providing a Jewish education to hundreds of children.

Perhaps “whirlwind” is an even more accurate description of Chani Lipskar, whose energy level and enthusiasm have permeated her community.

Fifty-three years ago, newlyweds Rabbi Sholom D. and Chani Lipskar moved to south Florida, then primarily a mecca for Jewish retirees. Together, as the Rebbe’s emissaries, they helped shape one of the world’s most diverse and vital Jewish communities.

Naturally, they built a synagogue, which they referred to simply as “the shul.” Today, The Shul, renowned for its warmth, beauty, and openness, serves as a hub for a burgeoning local community and thousands of visitors. It serves Sephardim and Ashkenazim alike, offering spiritual and intellectual fulfillment for people of all ages.

Chani is immersed in teaching adults, particularly Chassidic philosophy that helps people navigate life’s challenges. Her Shabbat afternoon class -- just one of her numerous weekly classes -- attracts 70 women.

Chani is deeply grateful for the education, values, and inspiration she received at home and at Beth Rivkah, which she attended (and “loved”) from elementary school through seminary.

Even after five decades, Chani scoffs at the idea of slowing down. “Seeing the nachas from hundreds of families whose lives have changed by their contact with Chabad makes you want to keep forging ahead, with no slacking off.” She cites The Shul’s motto, “Over the Top,” as motivating her to continue, adding her own phrase, “and get it done.”