Call of the Shofar

Several people have asked my opinion of the Call of the Shofar program ("COTS"), and given its popularity (or notoriety) in the Chabad community, this site seemed an appropriate place to write an analysis.

Important disclaimer: I've never been to one of their courses, nor communicated directly with someone who did. The research I've done includes reading several different perspectives that I found about them online, watching the interview with the founder, and reading some of Rabbi Shea Hecht's comments and related material.

Lots of strong things have been said about COTS - in particular the use of the term "cult". The bad news is: we are also a cult.

Aspirational Chabadniks

I was once asked by a litvisher guy who was involved in outreach: "What is Chabad's secret sauce? What are the tactics that make Chabad so successful?" This question is coming from someone who is also in the outreach business, sees an outstanding example and aspires to be similarly successful.

In the global philanthropic community, similar questions are asked by those interested in finding ways to help young people engage with their Jewishness. This is something being addressed by some of the largest and most innovative foundations in the world,