The Ichikowitz Family International Tefillin Bank
The International Tefillin Bank was founded and funded to further a revolutionary vision, simple at its core but breathtaking in scope.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, launched the global Tefillin campaign in 1967, just days prior to the Six-Day War, and publicly called for every Jew to have the opportunity to put on Tefillin. He felt all Jewish men should and would put on Tefillin every day, if given the opportunity. more »
Testimonials
We thank you so much for the beautiful pair of Tefillin for Irv. Your gift means so much to us. It was such a joy to see Irv put on his new Tefillin and daven - every day. Chabad has done a major Tikun Olam with this project. I couldn't be more moved than by this act of generosity and love.
With deep appreciation,
Myra Weinir and Irv Newman
I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your wonderful gift of Tefillin, which came to me by way of Rabbi Dovid Dubov - a most extraordinary man, to whom I am enormously grateful. When I put on my Tefillin, I connect with my past and with Torah, and I prepare for my future.
Yours sincerely,
Mark R. Killingsworth - Professor of Economics - Rutgers University
I wanted to write to you to express my deep gratitude for the new Tefillin you recently sent me. Being incarcerated, it is often very difficult to feel close to G-d, but I have no doubt that this precious gift will greatly enhance my daily spiritual experience.
Todah Rabah
Anonymous - Bare Hill Correctional Facility - Malone, NY
I have many to thank and I hope I can reach the ears and hearts of those who are a part of this project to properly express my joy. I will always cherish these Tefillin, especially as it ties me to all of you.
Alek Kirstein - Mission Viejo, CA
Thank you for the precious gift of a pair of Tefillin which I received through Rabbi Arie Zev Raskin who is so dedicated to the Jewish population widely spread across Cyprus. Thank you for enabling many of us to return to our Jewish Roots and may you continue with this important Mitzvah.
Gratefully,
Moses Abraham - Cyprus
This past Tuesday, for the first time in my life, I put on my own pair of Tefillin. Each morning since, I have slowly and methodically wrapped my arm and adorned my head with the Tefillin. I have chanted the accompanying prayers and the Shema, and though brief, have found these few minutes of my day very spiritual. I wanted to make sure you both knew how truly grateful I am for this wonderful gift and how day by day I will try and continue to perform this wonderful Mitzvah.
Again my deepest thanks,
Stuart Brody - Toledo, Ohio
My life has changed since I started putting on Tefillin every weekday morning. Thank you for giving me this gift and for teaching me how to perform this Mitzvah. I read that "binding" myself with Tefillin also "binds" me to Torah, to Jewish tradition.
Respectfully,
Mike Dorn
Getting this pair of Tefillin has made me recommit my dedication to the mitzvah of tefillin, and ultimately my connection to G-d and the Jewish people. This "easy" mitzvah is a reminder for me each and every day of where I came from and to where I am going. I would like to thank the wonderful sponsors for helping Jews around the world connect to each other.
Yours in health,
Mordechai Cymerint - Southern California
I regularly attend the Chabad in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where I first heard about the Mitzva of Tefillin, and most recently I have received my very own pair through your program. Your gesture represented the chance to draw me closer to the Judaism, and I am very pleased about this.
Best Regards,
Leonardo - Rio de Janeiro
I want to thank you a lot, for the beautiful Tefillin I got from you two days ago. I go to a Bet Chabad to take Torah classes and this means so much to me so once again, thank you very much.
Shalom U'Braja
Sholem (Emiliano) Szapiro - Buenos Aires
I had always wanted to have Tefillin. To me, that was the ultimate way to begin showing my honest devotion to my G-d, and my religion. Tefilin is my way, between G-D and myself. Now my Tefillin are, and will always be an essential part of my life.
It is just the beginning,
Jason Weinsoff
I received the Tefillin from your organization in July of 2005 and since then I have been using it regularly. I would like to thank each and every one of you for this generous gift Your gift has brought me one step closer to this goal and for that I am most grateful. It is only through charitable actions such as yours that we Jews can have a better understand of who we are and how we must act to become better people. Once again, I raise my hat to you all.
Sincerely yours,
M. Cohenford - West Warwick, RI
Dear Tefillin Bank, I am writing to you from Buenos Aires, Argentina. My father and I are very grateful to you because we now have new Tefillin. We greatly appreciate what you have done not only for us but for so many Jews from Argentina as well. Sometimes words are not enough to express feelings. This message may be brief but our gratitude to you is tremendous.
We wish you a Shana Tova!!!!
Martin and Isaac Aisen - Buenos Aires, Argentina
Shana Tova! I just wanted to let you know that I finally received the Tefillin that you sent me. I am so pleased. It often takes mail over a month to reach us out on the Iraqi border, but it's worth the wait. For the first time in my life I am putting on Tefillin and it feels great. I do it daily except when I am around the Iraqis for security reasons. Just a lone Jewish Marine out here in the middle of the Iraqi desert!
Thanks again. You have done a wonderful Mitzvah!1st Lt. Etan Anthony
Let me express my profound gratitude for your vision in founding and maintaining the Tefillin Bank and in your kindness for providing this mitzvah to me in particular.
Toda Raba,
Ami Porat
I have been using my new pair of Tefillin daily and I am very grateful. I think the Tefillin Bank is a wonderful program and I am happy to enclose a contribution for the Tefillin Bank. Thank you again and Happy New Year.
Sincerely,
Douglas Kornreich - Westchester County, NY
I would like to thank you for bringing me the opportunity to fulfill another Mitzvah. Every morning that I have awoken to lay my Tefillin has given me something more to smile about. Now I just need to get up those extra few minutes earlier so that I can do Tefillin and surf - now that would be the ultimate start to the day!
Toda Raba!
Graeme Gilovitz - Sydney, Australia