Chabad is notable for its evangelical approach or outreach--"
kiruv" in Hebrew--mostly towards assimilated Jews, but also towards Gentiles.
show[ing] less and less interest in the entirety of the Jewish people, except as targets for
kiruv [outreach]." Stern is pleading (wistfully, as he sees the"golden age" now in decline) for a continuing modus vivendi which will see the interaction--if not integration--of Orthodox Jewish professionals with less or non-observant Jews all in service to a shared political and legal agenda.
Despite tremendous pressures and persecutions (including imprisonment and the threat of death), Rabbi Zilber remained a principle and influential figure in the
kiruv movement and an inspiration to his fellow Jews in both the Soviet Union and Eretz Yisrael.
The Rebbe hated the expression
kiruv r'chokin, used by outreach professionals, who bring Jews that are "far" closer to G-d.
Outreach is certainly a prevalent word within Orthodox circles, and it is often called
Kiruv. There is, however, a fundamental and troubling difference between the two outreach programs.
The "father" to unfortunate Jews in the Soviet Union and Eretz Yisrael, and an important figure in the
kiruv movement in Eretz Yisrael and in the Diaspora, Rav Yitzchok was renowned for standing up for his beliefs and encouraging hundreds of others to do the same.