U.S. President Joe Biden signed a presidential proclamation last week declaring April 2 as " Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A," which is traditionally recognized as the birthday of Menachem Mendel Schneerson, or Rebbe, the leader of the Chabad movement who was born in Nikolayev, Ukraine 121 years ago.
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"On Education and Sharing Day, we honor the memory of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who devoted his life to outreach and teaching — building bridges, challenging us to grow, and championing tolerance and learning," Biden wrote.
"From Brooklyn, he turned pain into purpose and built a global movement devoted to education, fellowship, and healing. My Administration has stood firm in defending the core values that the Rebbe championed and that we all share as Americans — the idea that everyone is created equal and must be treated with dignity and respect throughout their lives," he added.
"I call upon all government officials, educators, volunteers, and all the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities."
Declaring the birthday of the Lubavitcher Rebbe as Education and Sharing Day has been an ongoing tradition in the U.S. for the last 45 years, since the days of former President Jimmy Carter. Each year, the day is marked on a different date in the U.S. because it is based on the date marked in the Hebrew calendar.
"The fact that U.S. presidents have seen fit to honor the birthday of the Rebbe as 'Education and Sharing Day,' for 45 years teaches us about the extent of his influence in the world," Rabbi Dovid Nachshon, a Chabad emissary in Israel.
"It's not surprising that so many see him as someone who will redeem the Jewish people soon when U.S. presidents point to him as a model one should follow," he added.