Lou Furman started attending services at Chabad-Lubavitch of New Orleans because he was drawn by its intense focus on prayer and contemplation. Today, he reflects on how his weekly study of the Tanya, the 18th century foundational work of Chabad Chasidism that provides much of the intellectual underpinnings of that focus, has made a difference in his life.

“The study of Tanya has allowed me to reconnect with my Jewishness,” he says.

Thursday evening, Furman will participate in his local Chabad center’s commemoration of the 19th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, a date known by Jews around the world as “the New Year of Chasidism.” Marking the day in 1798 that a Russian commission acquitted the Tanya’s author, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, on charges that included subverting the government in S. Petersburg and aiding the Ottoman Empire, the 19th of Kislev is regarding in Chasidic circles as signaling a Heavenly decree that the rabbi’s teachings should be publicly disseminated.

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(Though the 19th of Kislev begins this year on Wednesday night, its yearly commemoration stretches for two days. For more information about the day, click here.)

Like the hundreds of thousands of people across the globe who will be celebrating the auspicious day, Furman will begin anew the annual daily study cycle of the Tanya. At Thursday evening’s event, he expects to share his thoughts about the ways that learning Tanya and soaking in the wisdom of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, has provided lessons he shares with his wife each day after studying with his local rabbi.

“The weekly program of study has deepened my understanding of my faith, broadened my knowledge of the Rebbe, and enhanced my spiritual life with my spouse,” details Furman.

Chabad of New Orleans program director Rabbi Mendel Rivkin looks forward to this year’s program, which will feature an inspiring video punctuated by local rabbis talking about the day, its messages, and inspiration. Over the years, the event has drawn anywhere from 50 to 150 people.

“That the study of Chasidism should lead to real transformation, that’s the primary goal,” explains Rivkin. “The secondary goal is to give people meaningful Jewish experiences so that they come back for more.”

As a day rooted in Chasidic tradition, it’s a chance for Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries to share their personal experiences and get less familiar participants excited about Judaism, adds Rivkin. If people come away feeling as inspired as he does by the day, “even to a small degree, then it was worthwhile.”

Chanie Scheiner, co-director of Chabad of Boulder County in Colorado, and her husband Rabbi Pesach Scheiner, are hosting an informal Chasidic gathering on Wednesday night during which participants will sing Chasidic melodies known as nigunim and share inspiring stories.

She hopes people come away reexamining some of their priorities and looking more inward.

“I think they’re going to think about things differently,” says Scheiner. “The way they come out is going to be different than the way they came in.”