Prominent Washington D.C Rabbi Halts Jewish Outreach on The George Washington University Campus

 Washington, D.C.-December 16, 2014- An urgent matter is currently plaguing the Washington D.C Jewish community, and in fact the larger community of Jews all over the world who benefit from and value Jewish outreach. Rabbi and Mrs. Yehuda Steiner, Chabad shluchim (emissaries) to The George Washington University who have held hundreds of Shabbat dinners, offered seders, hung mezuzahs, wrapped arms in tefilin, and most importantly who have touched the lives of thousands of GWU’s roughly 4,000 Jewish students, have been formally banned from continuing their important work at the hands of another rabbi, Rabbi Levi Shemtov of American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad).

Despite being hired by Rabbi Shemtov, a prominent Rabbi in Washington D.C and amongst Chabad world wide, the Rabbi has launched a vigorous fight to bar the Steiners from conducting Jewish outreach and engagement on the college campus.  The campus shluchim were hired in 2008 and few others have established themselves so firmly and seamlessly into the community as the Steiners, known to their students as Rabbi Yudi and Rivky. “Students do not participate in Jewish life at GW because of Chabad, they participate in Jewish life because of the Steiners,” said Emily Holland, a current student at The George Washington University.  However, despite their successes, there was a contract dispute between the parties. Rather than give up and close their doors, the Steiners urged Rabbi Shemtov to present their issues to a Din Torah (rabbinical court). Rabbi Shemtov was reluctant to do this and began to initiate proceedings in civil court, but was ultimately convinced to withdraw by his superiors, as it is likely they recognized not only the damage to the Chabad image, but also to the students who benefit from the presence of Rabbi and Mrs. Steiner. Nearly a year passed until the parties met before the Din Torah but ultimately a new employment contract was signed and the Steiners’ commitment to the students was renewed in 2012. 

Nevertheless, despite the success and dedication of the Steiners, and inspite of the needs and well being of Jewish students at GWU, Rabbi Shemtov fired the couple on August 7, 2014, roughly two weeks shy of the start of the fall semester, and once again commenced action in a civil court. At this time there was an outpouring of support and encouragement from alumni, students, and donors begging the Steiners to continue their work on campus. “The Steiner family created a home away from home for us at GWU. From hosting Shabbat dinners every week to providing dynamic and interesting programming, the Steiners helped shape our college experience. They must continue giving this gift to current and future GW students,” said Mrs. Jessica Schapiro, GWU ’10. Since the Summer of 2014 the Steiners have in essence been hired by their supporters, as they no longer have an employment relationship with Rabbi Shemtov and have become self sufficient and dependent on no other religious institution in the Washington, D.C. area.  

It is our belief that GWU is not the property of Rabbi Shemtov or Chabad, and therefore neither can determine the fate of its Jewish Community.  

 As of December 15, 2014, at the hands of Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Rabbi and Mrs. Yehuda Steiner have been forbidden to operate within a one-mile radius of the GWU campus for a period of two years, despite the lack of an employment relationship and financial support since August. This legal injunction represents the exact opposite message of the Rebbe’s legacy, to which emissaries all over the world devote their lives to sanctify, and the entire situation is an embarrassment to religious leaders of all faiths. This reprehensible behavior must not be ignored.

“You shall neither take revenge from nor bear a grudge against the members of your people; you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus:19:18).