Daniel Gordon: "I've Set Out to Hunt the Most Remarkable Stories in the World"

What made Ziv Shilon, the wounded soldier, leave the tent of the Lubavitcher Rebbe in tears? Who is the baby K that appeared at a Chabad emissary's dinner in Vietnam? And how does an ancient Jewish costume help an emissary from the Dead Sea region draw Jews to prayer?

These questions aren't merely to spark curiosity; they are part of the expansive work of Daniel Gordon. Accepting the challenge, he reached out to hundreds of Chabad emissaries worldwide and posed a seemingly simple request: "Tell me the most extraordinary story you've experienced."

The Goal: To Document, To Document

"I think most people aren't sufficiently aware of the work of the emissaries," says Gordon, discussing the goal behind his initiative of publishing a book that compiles the highlights of the most unique Chabad emissary stories, published by 'Ledorot'. "One must understand that these emissaries are scattered around the globe and Israel, often far from where their parents raised them. Sometimes, they are even in the exact same place. Their lives are dedicated to the spiritual and physical welfare of others. From an outsider's perspective, it might seem like an interesting job, but they never truly get exposed to the extraordinary stories."

With Divine Providence - Cover of

So, what? Did you just wake up one morning and decide to write a book?

"There's a well-known Chassidic saying: 'Wonders were rolling under the table, and no one bothered to pick them up'.", Gordon quotes, "It suggests that so many wonderful things happen that no one makes a big deal out of it. This has always been the Chabad perspective, but in the recent generation, the Rebbe requested they be published for strength and encouragement. This is the purpose of our lives. Personally, I'm heavily involved in assisting emissaries in former Soviet states, being exposed to extensive emissary work. I frequently asked them why they don't share their experiences more."

"In reality, these stories, when they occur, often go undocumented, only passed by word of mouth at best. When people hear and relay them to friends, these tales never get their deserved spotlight, never gaining a genre of their own. Many stories aren't miracles by definition but rather divine providence or celestial events. Often, events line up correctly, at the right time, with the right people."

Student Blessing Four Species in England

"After witnessing these acts, I realized there are far more stories than a single book could contain. I spoke with emissaries all over the world and leveraged my English skills to connect with more rabbis. There were some I communicated with through intermediaries in Russian, French, or Yiddish. Some emissaries instantly embraced the idea, sharing a special story they had to release, and others took days, or even weeks, to come back with one."

"During the writing process, I encountered a form of divine providence myself. Reaching out to an American emissary who loved the book idea, he helped me with a collection of stories from emissaries he knew personally. Thus the book came to fruition, featuring stories from countries like India, Ukraine, the USA, various European nations, Russia, and more. Each emissary operates differently, uniquely tailoring activities to their capacities and nature. Some excel in speeches and lectures, others in events, some connect through education, and some are community leaders. Each tackles from their angle."

"There are also many activities intertwined with local culture that create intriguing curiosities. For instance, in an event in the USA, while an emissary blew the shofar, a dog began barking perfectly in sync with the shofar blasts. It was all filmed and went viral online. While this could happen anywhere, the excitement was particularly high as it was an American audience. Those familiar with American mentality understand their enthusiasm for such events, compared to places with more reserved cultures."

The Howling Dog Blowing with the Shofar - USA

Which stories moved you the most?

"The truth is all stories fascinated me, but I got attached to some more than others. A standout is my brother-in-law, Rabbi Holtzberg, living in a town in Ukraine named Belaya Tserkov, with a rich Chassidic history. The Baal Shem Tov visited several times, and it's home to diverse Hasidic courts. Visiting my brother-in-law there, hearing stories of a Jewish girl taken from an orphanage or returning a priest, a Jewish descendent, to his roots, was akin to walking through familiar streets."

The Jewish Priest Returning to His Roots - Ukraine

"One story etched in my heart is about a boy in the Far East dreaming to fly over to play with a Jewish friend, a fellow emissary's son from a nearby country raised on the same values. When he was almost sent home from the airport due to bureaucracy, divine providence had another emissary there by chance, helping the boy fulfill his dream.

Captain Ziv Shilon at the Lubavitcher Rebbe's Resting Place

All in Divine Timing

If you're expecting a literary masterpiece, Gordon says you won't find it here. "The book wasn't intended to capture the writer's creativity," he emphasizes, "Throughout the process, my aim was to keep stories concise. I avoided descriptive illustrations, weather, and such; preserving their authenticity as told by the emissaries. Drama wasn't necessary; the stories themselves were dramatic enough."

Mass Grave Discovered in Russia

Who is the intended audience for the book?

"I've heard of many lecturers using these stories, and people reading them at their Shabbat tables. This feedback is heartwarming. But in truth, the book is for anyone wanting to connect with their Jewish roots and feel the Jewish soul burning within. Seeing the Jewish spark all over the world shows there's no room for indifference."