Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories

There were times of great struggle and doubt, but the Benjamin family surrounded themselves with a loving community, positivity, and the stubborn faith that things would turn out OK.

Raised in a strict Christian home, Chaya Rivka was abused and afraid. Then she discovered her father's Jewish heritage and became a Jew herself, today living in Israel with dozens of grandchildren.

Two sisters share what it was like to be raised by a woman who literally put her life on the line for Judaism in the Soviet Union time and time again.

Rabbi Dr. Laibl Wolf opens up about being the child of survivors and how the Rebbe guided his career in teaching the secrets of the Torah.

A fatal car accident, infidelity, and a kind rebbetzin catapulted Hensha from Ohio to Chasidic Brooklyn, where she married a widower with five children and settled across the street from the Rebbe.

A "chance" encounter with a rabbi and a medical scare rekindled Arnie Herz's Jewish soul and inspired him to live a full Jewish life and share it it with others.

A rising performer, Deborah Jacobi pined for spirituality. A meal in a sukkah and meeting the Rebbe changed her course forever.

After she left a Christian cult, she reconnected with her boyfriend--now husband--and embarked on a life journey of sharing Judaism with others.

When tragedy struck, the rabbi needed to find inner strength, faith, and focus to be there for his daughter, his grandchildren, and most of all himself.

When this Air Force chaplain was sent to remote Greenland, he knew it was G-d's will. He also knew he had a lot of preparing to do.

Raised by a mother who was struggling with mental health issues, Leah turned to the church for support. A trip to Israel (and a lot of conversations) finally helped her find her way back to Judaism.

Rabbi Binyomin Scheiman shares about how he sees the good in every person and every circumstance and built a community of ex-criminals.

Now a successful real estate broker and philanthropist, Naomi Streicher shares her personal approach to challenges, charity, setbacks, and faith.

Rebbetzin Hadassah (Schneerson) Carlebach shares about her father's heroism under Communism and during the Holocaust, how they rebuilt their lives afterward, and what gives her satisfaction today.

Rabbi Shabse Alpern was a kid from Brooklyn, whom the Rebbe sent to Brazil. Hear how the Rebbe's blessings, directives, and lessons have been the guiding light of his life.

Yaakov Schy spent years living and working in rural Asia, where he discovered that everyone had a tribal identity except for him. That led him to rediscover Judaism.

Nikki's turnaround came when a rabbi came into her room with a shofar. She went on to publish his book after he was murdered by terrorists.

It took a trip to Germany and a lot of self-discovery for Eliana to find her place in the Jewish community. Today, together with her husband, she leads a small Jewish community in South Africa.

Rabbi Kravitz shares how he almost fell prey to missionaries in college and how he devoted his life's work to equipping Jews with the knowledge and confidence they need to stand up for their faith.

After experiencing searing loss, Elissa Felder found comfort in caring for the departed. When her grandchild died decades later, she needed to do the unimaginable.

Cameron was steeped in white supremacy and neo-Nazi hate. In prison, he met a Chabad chaplain, and his life changed forever.

When her husband felt chest pains, Lieba knew something was off. Little did she know how her faith in G-d would play a major role in helping him survive what would come their way.

Katia Bolotin's unlikely journey from Friday night concerts to Shabbat observance had plenty of unexpected twists and turns along the way.

Life lessons from welcoming thousands of visitors to the first ghetto in the world, making connections, and lighting up souls.

Since the dreaded diagnosis, Dina and Rabbi Yitzi have emerged as a power couple whose faith, determination, wonder, and joy have inspired millions.

How Divine providence, a car crash, a Shabbat table, and countless twists and turns brought two souls to Torah and to each other.

Smadar Morag was acting, acting, and riding a wave of fame, but Judaism filled a hole in her soul she never knew existed.

Rishe Deitsch, longtime editor of Chabad women's magazine, shares about her challenging childhood, her own triumphs, and what she's most proud of in her life.

Rabbi Yechiel Krisch details how his scientific expertise deepens his understanding of Torah and strengthens his faith, and how he maintains his proud Jewish identity in secular environments.

A legendary Chassidic personality shares how the Rebbe remained a presence in her life ever since she first met him as a toddler in Paris.

Seeking connection, Yehudah fell in with gangs and crime. During his 24-year sentence, he discovered Judaism. Now married, Jewish, and educated, he is a social worker who empowers others to soar.

Bassie Garelik shares about growing up in a Chassidic home in Pittsburgh and putting down roots with her Soviet-raised husband in far-off Italy, a task in which the Rebbe guided them every step of the way.

How Holly Cohen decided to marry a Chassidic man and embrace her role as founder of Tamim Academy, which has branches from Burlington, Vermont to Victoria, BC, and more are opening every year.

Rabbi Dr. Hertsel Simantov's life is anything but typical. Hear how he was raised in Kabul, educated in Israel, and ended up in Japan with the blessing of the Rebbe.

Ari and Elie Kligman are college baseball players with MLB aspirations. Learn how Chabad helps them balance Shabbat, Torah, kosher and competitive sports.

Leibel Lazaroff was shot while protecting a police officer at the Bondi massacre. Hear him and his mother share their journey so far.

Chani Wolf shares how she and her husband are lighting up souls in Fairbanks, Alaska, where winter feels like one endless, snowy night.

Hear from Keren how the Rebbe personally cared for her family after they left the Soviet Union and how she eventually discovered the beauty of Judaism.

Moshe and Laurie Lans are a military couple--he in the Army and she in the Navy--currently stationed in Germany. They're also observant Jews, who use every opportunity to bring Judaism to their surroundings.

Rabbi Chananya Duthy's journey to Judaism is full of surprise twists and turns, with G-d's hand visible just beneath the surface, including guiding him to becoming a rabbi in the city he originally discovered Judaism.

The Rebbe gave Sheldon Baer tefillin and told him to wear them every day. They saved his life in battle.

Molly was a successful producer, rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous. Then a Shabbat candle in Brazil turned her world upside down and introduced her to the Rebbe, who changed her life.

Yehudis Karbal has been a psychotherapist for over 40 years. She needed all of her training and a good deal of Torah insight to make it through her personal challenges.

Artist Yitzchok Moully shares his journey from an Australian commune to Crown Heights, his Chassidic-inspired art, and how creativity ignites Jewish pride and resilience.

A doctor of theoretical chemistry and professor at Boston University, Dr. Abrams opens up about how he found his way to Jewish observance and now paves the path for others to follow.

Marriage, praise, and professional success could not give Shterna Ginsberg what she was looking for. Honest discovery and inner work unlocked the doors to her "awesome self."

After she saw her Soviet-bred Jewish father embrace Judaism, she and her siblings followed. A performer since childhood, she now sings only for women and inspires audiences all over the world.

Shimon's past as a bullied orphan prepared him to become a champion of underdogs and an empowering leader, who was knighted for his efforts.

Aryeh Siegel embraced Eastern meditation and Hindu practices before realizing how harmful they are. Now, he’s on a mission to save people from TM (Transcendental Meditation) and introduce them to kosher practices.

Reflecting on her 50 years in education, Mrs. Teichtel shares how the Rebbe guided her toward education and uplifted her after losing a child in a hospital accident.