Those bearded men in fedora hats and long Chesterfield coats

SUMMARY
Those bearded men in fedora hats and long Chesterfield coats . . .
They seem to be everywhere. Where do they come from? What do they
believe? And why do their adherents claim they are reshaping the Jewish world?
Men in Black … Hats will provide audiences with a rare
glimpse into the global matrix of Rabbis, supporters, and
institutions that comprise the Jewish spiritual movement
known as Chabad.
Joyously spreading Jewish ideas and practices while
encouraging intellectual curiosity and faith, their
minions have attracted the attention of millions. They
thrive within secular Jewish communities rife with
assimilation and apathy. And they have been doing
it for centuries. Inspired by the mystical world view of
their first “Rebbe” Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, who
developed the Chabad philosophy in the small Russian
city of Lubavitch.
Celebrities, academics and nonbelievers isolated
from their heritage sing their praises. Oligarchs
from their native
homeland
support
their
expansion.
Chabad Rabbi in Jerusalem
Iconic businessmen
welcome them into their boardrooms to give Torah
classes. And while they are busy recalibrating the
spirituality of people on a massive scale, almost
no one knows anything factual about them.
They send pioneering families known as emissaries
to the ends of the earth, where they start intimate
Jewish centers known as Chabad Houses. From
Actor David Arquette with Chabad Rabbis
those small perches, they invite the community to
weekly meals, educational programs, and religious services. From these modest
beginnings they help establish entirely new Jewish communities, encouraging huge
capital investments in schools, synagogues and community centers. And yet, they
are rarely scrutinized by anyone outside of the Jewish faith.
There was a time when their seventh dynastic leader, known simply as “The Rebbe”
was considered either the Messiah or God’s best living candidate to become him.
And while detractors say their mission borders on obsession, it was actually set
into motion more than two centuries ago and continues to
grow and flourish today. These Mitzvah Men, grounded
in 3,300 year old Scripture and the mystical insights of
prophets, promise Kabbalistic answers to life’s greatest
mysteries. Their objective is to sanctify the physical
world by gathering the “holy sparks” they believe vivify
our planet. And they adhere to their mission with near
superhuman focus, faith and optimism.
Love them or leave them, Chabad has evolved into
perhaps the most potent Jewish spiritual force on the
planet – and a large cadre of successful supporters is
dynamically reshaping the demographic trajectory of the
Jewish people in their wake.
With thousands of religious institutions in hundreds of cities
worldwide, Chabad is transforming families, educating
Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson
their children, and infusing future generations with the
optimistic belief that each of us can repair and heal the world through positive acts.
The key is performing “mitzvahs,” God-given tasks that connect us to the Spiritual
Force sustaining creation itself.
While it’s hard to deny Chabad’s successes,
many
competing
religious
movements
consider their philosophy and outreach
tactics controversial and unwelcome. Why do
these schisms exist? Will they ever go away?
how does
And this feuding drain
Jewish
idealism
and unsettle secular
Jews?
Women are equal partners in Chabad’s mission
and a dynamic educational force
With so much at stake, it is surprising that the mysterious veil concealing the true essence of
these globetrotting black-hatters has never been
lifted … until now.
Photos (L to R): Rabbi Berol Lezar meeting with Russian
President Vladamir Putin; A car becomes a portable
Menorah; Rabin family of West Hills, California
STRATEGIC OUTLINE
FOR BROADCAST DOCUMENTARY
Men in Black … Hats
Directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Jerry
Levine, whose landmark documentary Windows To
The Soul ushered viewers into the rarely filmed inner
sanctum of the Lubavitcher Rebbe in 1994. A former
news anchorman and documentaries producer for
Post-Newsweek, Jerry Levine has produced dozens
of national PBS documentaries and award-winning
films, including Israel’s Forgotten Heroes, Inspired and
Echoes of the Holocaust. Mr. Levine is also a recipient
of the coveted Columbia University DuPont Award for
Excellence in Broadcast Journalism for his landmark
environmental documentary The Smell of Money.
Jerry Levine on location in Jerusalem,
filming Windows to the Soul in 1992
For nearly four decades Gelb Promotions
has been one of the leading independent
music and entertainment promoters in
North America having the honor of
working with Andrea Bocelli for the past 14
years. Bruce Gelb has producednational
PBS specials for Grammy Award-winning
artists including Bocelli, David Foster,
Dudu Fisher and acclaimed broadcast
Levine speaks with The Rebbe during filming in New York
documentaries, including Israel Inside.
Gelb Promotions’ many activities include work within, and for the greater Jewish
community; producing and promoting events with artists including Matisyahu, Dudu
Fisher, Itzhak Perlman and Chazan Helfgot.
1. INTRODUCTION TO THE SHOW
a. They are everywhere with thousands of
“emissaries” worldwide
b. They passionately change lives with a
unique, non-judgmental approach
c. They are surprisingly modern and
sophisticated,
and thrive in secular culture
d. Their assets and resources are larger than
anyone realizes
e. They are actually the largest Jewish
organization in the world today
f. They selflessly start Jewish communities from scratch wherever they settle
g. In an age of assimilation and religious decline they are incredibly successful
h. They are demographically transforming the future of world Jewry
i. Non-Jews also marvel at these phenomenal Mitzvah Men and Women
2. HISTORY
Previous Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak
Schneersohn & Rabbi Menachem
Mendel Schneerson
a. The seven Rebbes behind the dynastic leadership of
Chabad Chassidism
b. What separates Chabad philosophy from other
Jewish denominations
c. Their connection to Lubavitch in White Russia
d. How the radical philosophy of the Baal Shem Tov
altered Jewish history
e. Chabad’s accomplishments in Russia and
emigration to the shores of America in 1941
f. Chabad’s rapid expansion under
Rebbe Menachem S. Schneerson z”l
g. The Rebbe’s passing and ensuing turmoil
h. How Chabad is viewed by the secular world
i. Chabad today, its trajectory, and unchanging values
3. THE APPROACH
a. Los Angeles Telethon / aerials of LA facilities
b. Moscow synagogue and congregants
c. Donning Tefillin with hipsters in South Beach
d. Lighting Shabbos candles in New Zealand
e. Shabbatons on Mount Everest and the Piazza of Venice
f. Aleph Rabbi entering a federal prison during Chanukah
g. Attending the annual conference of Rebbetzins at 770
”When men land on Mars, Chabad Rabbis will be there
waiting for them.” – Alan Dershowitz
Chabad Telethon, Los Angeles
4. THE FEW, THE PROUD, THE EMISSARIES
a. Like Marines they are often given seemingly
impossible missions
b. They go anywhere Jews can be found and organize
c. It’s a grassroots movement – no one hires them
d. They start Chabad Houses and build communities
e. Soon mikvahs, synagogues, and schools emerge
5. MODERN ADHERENTS
a. Jews from every walk of life are attracted
b. Who are these people?
c. Who is a typical adherent?
d. How the Orthodox transformation occurs
e. Generational effects of Jewish day school
e. The effects of Israel experiences and
Chabad summer camps
f. The inability of other branches of Jewry to
outgrow intermarriage
g. The startling demographic reality of the
Jewish world in 50 years
6. CONCLUSION
a. How greater spirituality benefits everyone
b. The reemergence of traditional Judaism
c. How increased religiosity is affecting Israel
d. How the Chabad’s Mitzvah Men and Women are
making the world a better place for everyone!
The Dancing Rabbi, by pop artist
Romero Britto
770 Eastern Parkway, World Lubavitch Headquarters