In attendance at the event were Rabbi Shmuel Butman and a sizable contingent of state legislators, including Assemblyman David Weprin.
The Rebbe, who lived from 1902 to 1994, was one of the most influential figures in the Jewish world. By sending his Chasidic disciples as shluchim, or “emissaries” to Jewish communities near and far, all over the globe, and opening “Chabad houses” open to Jews of all levels of affiliations, Rabbi Schneerson shaped the face of modern kiruv (Jewish outreach).
Schneerson was also an advocate for the study, by non-Jews, of the 7 Laws of the Children of Noah, which Jews believe are the basic ethical teachings incumbent upon Jew and Gentile alike.
The Rebbe’s contributions to society were recognized by the United States Congress in the form of Education and Sharing Day, which is celebrated on his birthday. The first “Education Day” was inaugurated on April 18, 1978 by then-president Jimmy Carter, having since then become an annual commemoration.