If Bob Marley were alive today he would be 80 years old. His recent birthday was marked around the world as a celebration of his vision and impact on the world. Another milestone which was marked that week of February 6 celebrated the legacy of a great leader who transformed the world and made a big impact in Jamaica.

Seventy-five years ago, in a small Crown Heights synagogue packed with 800 followers, the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, accepted the mantle of leadership of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. In his inaugural speech he declared that this generation would be the one to bring redemption to the world. He preached that love of God, Torah, and his people are one, setting forth a mission to share Torah teachings and do acts of kindness for Jews and all of humanity.

The Rebbe envisioned transforming the world into a garden, a place where God’s presence is felt universally. When the Rebbe assumed leadership, he cited King Solomon’s words from the Song of Songs 5: 1:

“Basi L’gani, achoti kallah” (I have come to My garden, My sister, My bride.”

The Rebbe explained that when God appeared at Mount Sinai, He was returning to the world, His garden — transforming it into a home for holiness. Our mission is to continue that transformation, making all corners of the Earth places that sanctify God’s presence.

This mission laid the foundation for the Chabad movement’s work over the next seven and a half decades, which implemented the Rebbe’s dream of making Jewish life and Torah learning accessible everywhere. Today there are Chabad Jewish centres in over 100 countries, all 50 US states, and since 2014, right here in Jamaica.

Today, in addition to enjoying Jamaica’s beaches, laid-back music, jerk chicken and carefree tourism, visitors come to Chabad to pray, light Shabbat candles, learn Torah, and — for the first time in Jamaica’s history — immerse in a Mikvah (a Jewish ritual Bath), a milestone for Jewish life on the island.

Since reopening in January 2025 The Ark, formerly known as the Kosher Hot Spot, has become more than just a Kosher eatery, it is a centre promoting Acts of Routine Kindness. Thousands of ARK Boxes — small yellow charity boxes that encourage daily giving — have been distributed, filled with essentials and a simple message: Every day, do one act of kindness for another.

Last year, I had the amazing honour of meeting Bob Marley’s son Ziggy. We spoke about Chabad’s mission and he was happy to receive one of the ARK charity boxes, pledging to give at least a dollar a day to charity. At Ziggy’s concert, his hit
Love is my religion resonated deeply with my soul and his message aligned so closely to that of the Rebbe — that kindness, love, and goodness should not be occasional gestures, but the fabric of everyday life.

With so much darkness in the world, the Rebbe preached that the way to combat darkness isn’t with anger, combat, or confrontation, but by flooding the world with light-filled acts of goodness, kindness, and righteousness.

The Rebbe’s vision — that the world is not a harsh dog-eat-dog jungle, but a beautiful, peaceful garden — is something that we can all contribute to. Everyone can do a mitzvah (good deed), spread kindness, live morally and stand up for truth.

Jewish people can stay connected to their heritage, keeping our spiritual traditions alive by putting on tefillin, keeping the sacred laws of family purity, making use of Jamaica’s first Mikvah, and lighting candles to usher in the Sabbath.

The world will not become a garden on its own; we have to make it one.

Seventy-five years after the Rebbe introduced the world to his vision, we continue his work. Each act of goodness, each mitzvah, each time we treat our fellow as we’d treat ourself, we bring the world one step closer to the Messianic age, to a time where every person lives with purpose and dignity, and as the Prophet Isaiah famously proclaimed: “Nation shall not lift the sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” (Isaiah 2: 4)

So, I ask you: What will you do today to make this world a garden?

Rabbi Yaakov Raskin is Jamaica’s only Rabbi and co-directs Chabad of Jamaica with his wife Chaya Mushka. Chabad is a one-stop for everything Jewish and a place dedicated to spreading acts of goodness and kindness to all humanity. For your comments and to receive a free ARK Charity Box (Acts of Routine Kindness), e-mail info@jewishjamaica.com.

Yaakov Raskin