About Education and Sharing Day 2026

Education and Sharing Day is an annual United States observance proclaimed by the President on 11 Nissan in the Hebrew calendar — the birthday of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe. In 2026, it falls on Sunday 29 March.

First established in 1978 by President Jimmy Carter, Education and Sharing Day has been proclaimed every year since — making it one of the longest-running annual presidential proclamations honouring a single individual. Every sitting president, from Carter through to the present day, has continued the tradition without exception.

When is Education and Sharing Day?

Because Education and Sharing Day follows the Hebrew calendar, the Gregorian date changes each year. It always falls on 11 Nissan, which typically lands in March or April.

History of Education and Sharing Day

In 1978, the U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution (H.J.Res. 770) authorising and requesting the President to proclaim 18 April 1978 — corresponding to 11 Nissan 5738 — as “Education Day, U.S.A.” President Jimmy Carter signed Proclamation 4556 on 17 April 1978, establishing what would become a lasting bipartisan tradition.

The name evolved over time. Early proclamations referred to “Education Day, U.S.A.”, with “and Sharing” added in later years to reflect the Rebbe’s emphasis on both learning and giving back to others.

Since 1978, every U.S. president has issued the proclamation without fail — Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden. That represents nearly five decades of continuous bipartisan recognition, making it one of the most enduring annual presidential proclamations in American history.

Who was Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson?

Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson — widely known as “the Rebbe” — was born on 11 Nissan 5662 (18 April 1902) in Nikolaev, Russian Empire (now Mykolaiv, Ukraine). He studied engineering and mathematics at the University of Berlin and the Sorbonne in Paris before dedicating himself fully to religious leadership.

In 1951, he became the seventh Rebbe (leader) of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, succeeding his father-in-law, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn. From his base at 770 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, the Rebbe transformed Chabad from a small Hasidic group into the largest Jewish outreach organisation in the world — without ever leaving New York after 1951.

Central to the Rebbe’s philosophy was the belief that education is the foundation of civilisation and the cornerstone of human morality. He championed universal education — not only for Jewish communities, but for all people — and advocated for incorporating moral and ethical values into secular schooling. He emphasised that true education must go beyond intellectual knowledge to include character development and a sense of responsibility towards others. This principle of being “givers” rather than “takers” is reflected in the word “Sharing” in the day’s name.

Under his leadership, the Rebbe dispatched emissaries (known as shluchim) around the world to establish permanent Jewish community centres. Today, the Chabad-Lubavitch network includes more than 6,000 institutions across over 100 countries, with centres on hundreds of university campuses and in all 50 U.S. states. These centres — known as Chabad Houses — continue to provide education, culture, and community support.

The Rebbe received the Congressional Gold Medal in 1994, the same year he passed away on 12 June in New York City at the age of 92. He is buried at “The Ohel” in Cambria Heights, Queens, which remains a site of pilgrimage.

How is Education and Sharing Day observed?

Each year, the sitting President issues a formal proclamation calling on Americans to recommit to education and moral values, following the example set by the Rebbe. State governors and city mayors often issue complementary proclamations of their own.

The epicentre of observance is Crown Heights, Brooklyn, where large gatherings take place at 770 Eastern Parkway — the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters. These include children’s rallies, educational assemblies, and farbrengens (Hasidic communal gatherings).

Tzivos Hashem, a children’s organisation founded by the Rebbe in 1980, plays a central role in Education and Sharing Day activities. The organisation coordinates rallies, educational programmes, and community campaigns that encourage children to perform good deeds and acts of kindness.

Chabad Houses and Jewish schools worldwide hold special assemblies, moments of silence, and educational programming to mark the day. The Rebbe was a strong advocate for a daily moment of silence in schools — a time for children to reflect quietly on moral values — and this idea is often highlighted during Education and Sharing Day events.

One of the most visible celebrations is the annual children’s parade in Crown Heights, organised by Tzivos Hashem, which draws thousands of participants and spectators from across the Jewish community.

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