Stars salute the Rebbe
Naomi, Paula mark anniversary of leader’s death
A cast of celebrities surfaced online over the weekend to pay tribute to Grand Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson on the 25th anniversary of his death.
“An inspirational leader, scholar, and teacher, the Rebbe taught that we are all inherently good and we each have the potential to change the world for the better, one good deed at a time,” supermodel Naomi Campbell wrote on Instagram Saturday, the anniversary, according to the Hebrew calendar, of the influential Lubavitcher leader’s death at age 92.
“I have personally learned so much from his wisdom and teachings, and while I never met him, I’ve visited his resting place in Queens to gain blessing and inspiration,” she added, referring to his grave, called the Ohel, in the Cambria Heights neighborhood.
As the leader of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, Schneerson is credited with creating a global Jewish renaissance in the aftermath of the Holocaust.
Known simply as “The Rebbe,” he gained the ear of political leaders such as Ronald Reagan, Robert F. Kennedy, Shirley Chisholm and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.
His followers also included the likes of Elie Wiesel, Herman Wouk and Bob Dylan.
Also honoring the Rebbe was the pop singer and former “American Idol” judge Paula Abdul.
“Tonight is 25 years since #theRebbe’s passing. His teachings to better our world through unconditional love are more urgent now than ever!” she tweeted.
Schneerson biographer Joseph Telushkin said the outpouring of praise is testament to the timeless quality of the Rebbe’s teachings.
“It’s a powerful thing,’’ the author said.
“Historically speaking, it’s highly unusual for a religious leader to inspire so many millions of new people, Jews and non-Jews, in a very real way a full quartercentury after his passing.”
In his own tribute, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Rebbe “changed the world.”
“I’ll always remember him,” Netanyahu tweeted in Hebrew.
Schneerson died June 12, 1994 — the third day of the month of Tammuz in the year 5754, according to the Hebrew calendar. Saturday was 3 Tammuz, 5779.