How the Aleph Institute Helped One Jewish Man Reclaim His Life After Prison

Earlier this month, the Jewish world mourned the passing of Rabbi Sholom Dovber Lipskar z”l, founder of the Aleph Institute—an organization built on the belief that no Jewish soul should ever feel forgotten, no matter their circumstances. Founded at the direction of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Aleph Institute has spent decades putting that mission into action—helping thousands of Jews in prisons, mental health facilities, and military bases worldwide feel seen, supported, and spiritually connected.

Wolf*, a New Jersey native who spent time in the prison system, is one of those Jews.

Raised in a culturally Jewish home with Orthodox grandparents from Ukraine, Wolf described his early connection to Judaism as more traditional than meaningful. “I didn’t know how or why or have any real concepts,” he recalled. But that began to shift years later when he started working for the county government in Lakewood, New Jersey. Through that job, he met members of the Orthodox community and eventually agreed to spend a Shabbat in Crown Heights.

That visit left an impression he still can’t fully explain. Standing in 770 Eastern Parkway, Wolf watched as the Rebbe entered the packed room. The crowd parted in reverence, and then, something unexpected happened. “He turned directly to me—didn’t scan the room, didn’t look around—just right at me,” Wolf remembered. “And he stared. I can’t really explain it, but I’d never experienced anything like that before.”

At the time, Wolf didn’t understand the weight of that moment. In the years that followed, his life spiraled into addiction and crime. What started as seeking excitement and money soon turned darker. “I was addicted to opiates, and I got to the point in my life where I didn’t care about anything,” he admitted. Despite living in a comfortable suburban home, Wolf felt empty. “I had everything physically that I needed, but sometimes I would just stand there alone and know something was wrong. But I never knew what was wrong—until later I realized God wasn’t in my life.”

In desperate pursuit of his next fix, Wolf broke into the office of a large supermarket. Though no one was harmed, the building’s attached apartments elevated the charge to second-degree burglary—a violent felony under New Jersey law. He was sentenced to seven years and served time at Rikers Island and Green Haven Correctional Facility.

“I was pretty angry,” Wolf admitted. “At the system, at the judge, at my attorney…they all knew it wasn’t a violent burglary into someone’s home, but I didn’t have the money for a good defense.”

Sitting in the bullpen at Green Haven, Wolf spotted another inmate wearing tzitzit. It wasn’t spirituality that drew him in, but survival. “I just wanted to connect with another Jew—to see if I could get some cigarettes, maybe some toothpaste,” he said.

That interaction opened the door to something much greater. The inmate introduced Wolf to the prison’s Jewish chaplain, who connected him with the Aleph Institute. The Aleph Institute provided him with religious materials, spiritual guidance, and social services—not only for Wolf but for his family, including his young stepson.

“They didn’t just ask what I needed,” Wolf recalled. “They were always there, asking, ‘What else can we do?’”

Along with the physical and emotional support, the Aleph Institute provided Torah study materials, lessons on Jewish holidays, and resources to deepen his understanding of Jewish life. Through learning and meaningful conversations, something inside Wolf began to shift. Lighting the menorah over Chanukah one year behind bars felt different. “That year, it started to mean something,” Wolf said.

After his release, the Aleph Institute continued to play a prominent part in Wolf’s religious and spiritual growth. They helped Wolf find a synagogue community in Jersey City, where he began attending Torah classes, learning Hebrew vocabulary, and joining the rabbi’s Shabbat meals. Slowly but surely, Torah and mitzvot began to shape his life.

Wolf knows he’s far from perfect, but today, he’s proud to be on a path of growth. “I’m balancing the scales a little bit in my favor,” he shared. He also speaks openly about the mercy he’s come to recognize in his life. “God realized when He created His creation, that it couldn’t only be with judgment. He had to also put mercy into it,” Wolf reflected. “He’s always willing to accept us back—no matter how much of a sinner we are or were. I’m a prime example of that.”

To others who feel they’ve gone too far to return, Wolf offers a simple truth: “It’s never too late. God doesn’t create any junk.”

As the world reflects on Rabbi Lipskar’s legacy, Wolf’s story stands as a powerful reminder of what that legacy means—restoring dignity, providing second chances, and making sure every Jewish soul can find its way back home.

*Editor’s Note: “Wolf” is a personal nickname chosen by the interviewee to protect his privacy. His words and experiences are shared here with his permission.

Featured image courtesy of the Aleph Institute.

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