A few seconds before the vehicle turns the corner of Rush and Oak streets in the heart of the ritzy Gold Coast, the unsuspecting pedestrian hears loud music. But this isn't the thumping bass one usually hears.
It's Hasidic music. From the Mitzvah Tank.
Two young men are let out on the corner. The boys are dressed in black or dark gray – black felt fedoras, black suits, white shirts—traditional Hasidic garb.
Every Friday, the 70 students of the all-male Jewish high school, Lubavitch Misivta of Chicago, located in West Rogers Park, venture to different parts of the city, including Highland Park, Skokie, the Loop and the Gold Coast.
Their mission?
It may seem like proselytizing, but it's not. They are only bringing their religion to fellow Jews. Along with several teachers' assistants, Rafie Andrusier, 20, or Yossi Bendet, 20, the all-male students go out in pairs to help Jews connect to their religion through a campaign they call "Mitzvah on the spot for people on the go," Andrusier said.
And although they do not try to convert non-Jews, they are open to speaking to anyone.
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=35775
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Posted By Chaptzem to Chaptzem Blog! at 5/09/2007 09:08:00 AM
