| By the Grace of G‑d
13 Tishrei, 5786 Dear Mr. Chroman, The Yom Kippur prayers, the holiness, the awe of the day — are all still present in our hearts. And now, across the globe, people are preparing for Sukkot, the Festival of Joy, when we "live" in our Sukkah. From the outside, a sukkah doesn't usually look like much. Sometimes it's wood. Sometimes it's thin metal poles with blue canvas walls. And a sukkah has greenery (or bamboo) for its roof (sechach). You can see the sunlight through the gaps. At night, the stars might peek through. The whole sukkah looks fragile. Temporary. We make sure that the wind doesn't blow it away… But step inside, and it doesn't feel weak at all. It feels special and significant… It feels like G-d's presence and protection. It feels like joy. Because the sukkah reminds us that even when the winds of despair, confusion, loneliness, and hostility blow around us… G-d is always with us. The sukkah is unity, strength of faith, and joy in being in G-d's presence… together. We do not depend on bricks or steel or even a structure that will hold back the rain… but on G-d alone. That is why Sukkot is called "the Festival of Our Joy." When we sit inside, we feel how G-d takes care of us, protects us, and shelters with us. Which brings us boundless joy. Which takes me to my request to you today… Chabad.org is like a huge sukkah for our generation. It needs to be large enough and strong enough to embrace every single person, wherever they are. A student in Paris. A mother in Buenos Aires. A grandfather in Toronto. A soldier in Israel. Millions of different lives, each with myriad of different needs — all sheltered under one roof. People flock to Chabad.org to strengthen their faith, find strength, courage, direction, and life tools. They find unity and joy in the presence of G-d… and each other. But like every sukkah, Chabad.org needs strong "walls" and a healthy support system to hold it up. So I ask you: Could you please add your support? Every day, people step inside this "sukkah" that is Chabad.org. Each with their own winds. Each with their own needs. This year, for the High Holidays, we set out to gather 18,000 partners to hold up this shelter. So far, 11,761 have joined. Eleven thousand seven hundred and sixty-one people who said: I will do my part to help the millions of people looking for spiritual direction, strength to face a turbulent world, and wide open access to Divine wisdom and ancient Jewish teachings. 11,761 people who said, "I will help hold up Chabad.org." But the sukkah is not yet complete. 6,239 more partners are needed. The "structure" is not complete without you. With you, Chabad.org stands strong — and millions more can step inside. Without you, something is missing. Will you be one of the 6,239 still needed? Will you help us finish the sukkah that stands for our generation? Your gift of $180 is like putting up another wall panel. $360 secures more greenery or bamboo for the roof. $1,000 or more strengthens the entire shelter so that no matter what winds blow outside, every person can find their place inside. Any amount you give will help… and together, we will strengthen the sukkah that never collapses — the sukkah that welcomes everyone. You know the winds of our time. They blow on our campuses.
They blow in our workplaces.
They blow in our headlines.
They blow inside our homes. They threaten our synagogues… But the sukkah is secure with G-d. And Chabad.org will be stronger with your help, G-d willing. Mr. Chroman, it is hard to describe the gift that you will give so many people, the welcoming embrace to G-d's shelter, protection, and care… this is our "Sukkah" for our generation, where people gain tools for life, wisdom, and most of all, faith and joy that comes from living and learning in His presence. Thank you for considering joining the 11,761 who have already stepped forward. May your own Sukkot holiday be filled with light, unity, and joy. With deep gratitude,
Rabbi Zalman Shmotkin
Executive Director
P.S. – Here are some ways to dive further into the holiday of Sukkot. Enjoy!
P.P.S. The walls may be wood or even flapping canvas, the roof just a mat of branches — but the sukkah is holy because it shelters us in G-d's embrace. Your gift today ensures that Chabad.org remains the sukkah of our generation — strong enough to stand, wide enough to welcome, and filled with joy for every one. | 
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