CONTENTS

18
FEATURED ARTICLES WEEKLY COLUMNS

THE EXTRAORDINARY GROWTH OF CHABAD IN BEIT SHEMESH

Mordechai Segal

4 Dvar Malchus 37 Parsha Thought 42 Young Chassid

14 PARENTS AND TEACHERS

C Ben David

31

KIDNAPPED 18 THE BABY LESSON IN AN 26 A AROUSAL FROM ABOVE

Nosson Avraham

THE WORLD 31 TURNING OF THEATER UPSIDEDOWN

Sholom Ber Crombie

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DVAR MALCHUS

THE REBBES LEADERSHIP CONTINUES ON THROUGH THE GEULA

Yud Shvat of the 10th year (5710) marks the end of the era of my father in-law, the Rebbe, Nasi Doreinus service of G-d living in this world. The next day the eleventh day of the eleventh month, and especially in the eleventh year (5711) the continuation and innovation of a new era, the seventh generation, began. * Chapter 6 of Rabbi Majeskis Likkutei Mekoros. (Bold text is the compilers emphasis.)
Translated and presented by Boruch Merkur

Chapter 5 touched on a major difference of our generation compared to the previous generation: the Rebbe Rayatz, Nasi of the eighth generation, not only suffered a speech impediment (in his later years) embodying the inability to bring down the ultimate revelation of G-dliness as it will be during the true and complete redemption he was also subject to the ultimate impediment to his earthly presence: histalkus, the (apparent) total transcendence of the physical dimension. Our generation, however, the ninth generation from the Baal Shem Tov, will not miss out on the revelation of Moshiach; we will experience the full revelation as souls within bodies, alluding to the Rebbe MHMs leadership continuing on into the era of redemption.

The purpose of Chapter 6 is to assert an obvious underlying difference between our generation and previous generations: the mission of our generation has still not been completed not now, and certainly not by Gimmel Tammuz of 5754. That is, on Yud Shvat 5710, when the Rebbe Rayatz was nistalek, his purpose and role had been completed and the mantel of leadership was immediately passed on to his successor, his son in-law, the Rebbe MHM. Indeed, the leadership of the Rebbe MHM is ongoing even after Gimmel Tammuz, and will continue into the Geula. The following selection supporting this position is from the sichos of Shabbos Parshas Yisro, 20 Shvat, and Parshas Mishpatim, 22 Shvat, of 5752.

*** We have spoken many times about the incredible innovation and special virtue of this generation, the last generation of exile and the first generation of redemption (as discussed above). Namely, that we are presently at the finale and end of our deeds and our service of the Jewish people throughout the preceding generations to finish the final birurim in exile [i.e., by interacting with the physical world, in accordance with the laws of the Torah, in order to refine and uplift the mundane, worldly existence by inbuing it with G-dliness]. In the lexicon of my revered father in-law, the Rebbe, this final stage is referred to as polishing the buttons. Our Divine mission entails bringing the redemption into experiential reality for this generation and for all earlier generations! That is, in this generation we are completing the deeds and service of the Jewish people of all generations to drawn down (by means of Divine service performed in the lower realm, the physical world) the revelation of the aspect of eleven into ten that the lower realms (ten), while maintaining their own

4 5 Kislev 5774

SAVE MONEY TODAY!!

[material, finite] quality, should be prepared and ready to receive the revelation of the very essence of G-d (eleven). The latter is alluded to in the date of my father in-law, the Rebbes hilula (a time when all of his deeds and Torah and service of G-d are revealed and attain completion) the tenth day of the eleventh month: The tenth day refers to the revelation of light (day) of ten as it is bound and joined with the (chodesh, the month, which is a term that is related to) chiddush, the innovation, the novelty, of eleven (which transcends the Seider Hishtalshlus, the natural order of Creation). The (month, meaning the) innovation of eleven is drawn into the revelation of light (day) of ten. [This generation] the generation of Nasi Doreinu, leader of our generation, is comprised of various stages or periods. In general, there are three stages: 1) the tenth day of the eleventh month (Yud Shvat, Tav-Shin Yud, 5710) the day that marks the end of the era of my revered father in-law, the Rebbe, Nasi Doreinus service living in this world; 2) the next day the eleventh day of the eleventh month (the first complete day following his histalkus), and especially [10-11 Shvat of] the eleventh year (Tav-Shin Yud-Alef, 5711), when the continuation and innovation of the new period and natlu hameoros of the seventh generation from the Alter Rebbe (or the ninth generation from the Baal Shem Tov) began; 3) the period following the passing of the Rebbes daughter [Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka] on Chaf-Beis of the eleventh month (22 Shvat 5748). These three stages in general express the three levels in the completion of the service of making for G-d a dwelling place in the lower realms, drawing down the aspect of eleven into ten (for in order for it to take place within the framework of the lower realms, the service must ascend incrementally, in steps): 1) Serving G-d even achieving the completion and perfection of Divine service within the context of the world, at the level of ten, in order et a FREEto analysis Card prepare on the your world credit to absorb andProcessing! assimilate the revelation of eleven (G-dliness that transcends all Today 888-468-3256 x 2770 the world) without being annihilated out of ter rates guaranteed If we cant save you money we will pay you $100 existence (as was the case at Mattan Torah [when a limited time get your CC Terminal or software set up absolutely FREE the souls of the Jewish people flew out of their s a matter of ONE and fax. bodies with eachminute word uttered by ONE the Alm-ghty]). [Notwithstanding the importance of the aspect of ntact Mendy Chanin at 888-468-3256 ext: 2770, mendy@dalmao.com mao, LLC 5th eleven Floor 245 W 17th St, New York, NY 10011mainly emphasizes here] this level of avoda and reveals the concept of ten, but ten as it w Businesses Welcome | Exclusive Referral Program | Organization Charities Partnership

assumes the role of being a vessel for eleven, while still maintaining its independence, a separate identity from eleven. Its identity is maintained from the very fact that the avoda must take place within the framework of the lower realms, and the lower realms remain at the level of ten (not eleven). 2) The revelation of eleven itself, to the point that ten become elevated to eleven. That is, eleven has an impact even in [the context of] ten, but the main thing that is perceived is the revelation of eleven (and ten is absorbed and become a part of eleven). 3) The ultimate fusion and union of ten (while maintaining its identity) and eleven (maintaining its identity). The lower realms as they are in their Express become service a dwelling place for G-d, own framework Fully Computerized for His very essence. Together with the fact that it is a dwelling place for G-d Himself (but the world 331 Kingston Ave. remains a discreet entity, as it were, from G-d, Brooklyn NY 11213 (2nd Flr) staying at the level of ten, separate from eleven), the dwelling place in the lower realms becomes one with G-d, as in the well know expression: The Yesh Get your tickets within minutes! HaNivra is (one being with) the Yesh HaAmiti.

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Issue 901

SHLICHUS

THE EXTRAORDINARY GROWTH OF CHABAD IN BEIT SHEMESH

Beit Shemesh is often in the headlines. Beyond the battles and the demonstrations, there are extensive Chabad communal and outreach activities that are directed by the shliach R Eliezer Weiner with his staff of shluchim. * Six shluchim, seven Chabad shuls, and more than four hundred students in Chabad schools in a city located in a pastoral setting close to Yerushalayim.
By Mordechai Segal

6 5 Kislev 5774

A farbrengen in the Dvar Avrohom shul in Beit Shemesh

CHABAD AND THE EXTREMIST PROTESTERS

The protesters stood wearing long zebra kapotes and hoarsely yelled gevald. They held signs which basically said scram. Tensions heated up and the organizers of the Chassidus shiur in the Dvar Avrohom Chabad Shul, decided to smuggle the maggid shiur, the mashpia R Mendel Wechter of Nachalat Har Chabad, out the back door. This was to avoid any confrontation with the zealots. That is just one little incident that occurred about four months ago in Beit Shemesh, a city that is expanding at a dizzying rate. Some fanatics have made this otherwise peaceful city synonymous with extremism, hatred and fighting against all those who dont think like them. They dont shy away from any tactic, and the leadership of Beit Shemesh is helpless. Beit Shemesh, which ends up in the headlines nearly every month and is under intense scrutiny by the media, was

most recently in the news this September. The issue at that time was a fight against the Goloventzitz construction, with the protesters claiming it is home to a historic burial site. Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch, head of the Eida HaChareidis Beis Din ruled that it is permitted to check the graves to see if they are Jewish, though Rabbi Yitzchak Tuvia Weiss, the leader of the Eida, ruled that the graves cannot be disturbed. Dozens of protesters tried to prevent the work from continuing, the police arrived, and demonstrators were beaten and arrested. The upcoming mayoral election is being closely followed, since it will establish the future of the city. The incumbent, Moshe Abutbul, is a friend of Chabad. His opponent is an irreligious candidate who is the final hope of those who want to prevent what they call the chareidi-izing of the city. From a Lubavitch perspective, Beit Shemesh is much more than demonstrations, protests, and

screaming. It is a city where an array of Chabad activities have existed for twenty-five years, long before the protesting types moved in. Beit Shemesh has abundant shiurim in Chassidus, numerous Chabad shuls, and beautiful Chabad schools. R Eliezer Weiner, the first shliach to Beit Shemesh and the one who built up the Chabad activities there, ended up in Beit Shemesh by chance. I married my wife Chana Greenberg of Kfar Chabad at the end of 5746/1986. We were committed to going on shlichus. In Tishrei 5747, the Weiner couple was in 770 when they heard a sicha from the Rebbe about test me in this, discussing the opening of Chabad houses. That is when we got a serious push to follow through on our decision. When they returned home, the idea of working in Beit Shemesh occurred to him. Why here? Because before I got married, I lived in Yerushalayim. When I learned in Lud and Kfar Chabad

Issue 901

Shlichus

R Moshe Rivkin getting ready for Mivtza Purim

R Weiner at the first Chabad house

I would see Beit Shemesh on the way, so I was suddenly reminded of it. Beit Shemesh has grown to a population of 100,000 people. In less than a decade, it is likely to become one of the ten largest cities in Eretz Yisroel. But back then, when the Weiner couple moved there, there were only 15,000 people. I went to Tzach and asked if there was a shliach in Beit Shemesh. I was told there wasnt and I decided to go to this small town and begin working. I went with a friend to the Beit Dagan junction, wanting a bus that went to Beit Shemesh. My friend decided to hitch us a ride and the driver of the second car that stopped near us told us that this is where he was heading. Today, I know that it is highly unusual to find a driver at Beit Dagan who is going to Beit Shemesh, he said with a smile. We discovered that not only was he heading where we wanted to go, but he also had a picture of the Rebbe in his car. The man, who was not a Chabad Chassid, was a teacher in a vocational school. He lived in Beit Shemesh.

As things developed, this man who gave us a ride became one of the people who were a tremendous help to us in settling in the town. This showed us that the Rebbe is with us and that he helped us from the very outset. R Weiner began traveling to Beit Shemesh twice a week: On Friday we did Mivtza Tfillin and another day we did Mivtza Mezuza and gave shiurim on the Parsha and Tanya. The population of Beit Shemesh at that time was comprised of people whose traditions were Sephardic. They had a warm feeling for traditional Judaism. It was a traditional place. You could always feel Shabbos and the Yomim Tovim on the street. I am talking about the time before Russian and Ethiopian immigrants came here. I was the first ultra-Orthodox and Lubavitcher person in the town. I remember that there was a clearing on the mountain that was designated as the future site for ultra-Orthodox Jews, but they hadnt started anything yet. On Hei Teves of that year, there was a dramatic change

regarding shlichus in Beit Shemesh: That year was Didan Natzach and we decided to write to the Rebbe and ask for his blessing and permission to move to Beit Shemesh and be full-time shluchim there. We did not receive a response. A few months later, before 11 Nissan, R Shlomo Maidanchek ah, my wifes uncle, went to the Rebbe. We asked him to submit a note for us. On 9 Nissan we received the Rebbes response: With the counsel and consent of Chabad askanim and rabbanim in Eretz Yisroel. Since this was not a typical response, we went to four committees for their approval before heading to Beit Shemesh: Rabbanei Chabad, the then existing umbrella group for Chabad Chassidim they even provided funding for half a year and Tzach, who gave matching funds. As for the approval of Chabad askanim, R Weiner asked a friend what this meant. The friend advised him to get together some Lubavitchers who were involved in askanus and to ask them. That

8 5 Kislev 5774

is what he did. I went to the Reshet and met with R Meir Freiman ah and R Kalman Druk, two prominent askanim. I told them what I needed and they wished me well. Another six months went by until the Weiners moved to Beit Shemesh, which did not stop them from continuing their work in the meantime including a big Lag BOmer parade, a Siyum HaRambam, and summer activities. After we found an apartment, we moved in for Simchas Torah 5748 with our oldest daughter who was born in Elul. But they werent alone. In addition to the Rebbe who accompanied them, they arrived with seven bachurim including my brother-in-law, Yisroel Maidanchek, Bentzi Borgan and others. We made a minyan together with some local people who had become close to us during the year we had worked there. We even had Tahalucha to various shuls. At first, I opened a Chabad house in the center of Beit Shemesh, the area now known as the old Beit Shemesh, and began doing the usual shlichus work. He suddenly discovered that an entire city had been built around him and it was ultra-Orthodox. Even Chabad Chassidim had started a community there, or actually, several communities. The Beit Shemesh of 5774 is a sort of ingathering of the exiles. Alongside Jews who are not yet frum who live in the original city, there now live religious Jews of all types and backgrounds: Chabad and Litvish and Sephardim, and zealots from Yerushalayim in a neighborhood bordering a knitted kippot population. In the midst of all this, the burgeoning

THE SHLUCHIM
Since R Weiner and his wife moved to Beit Shemesh, they have brought five shluchim to work with the citys residents and help with programming. The veteran among them is R Moshe Rivkin, in charge of outreach in the financial district and director of the soup kitchen and other projects. He is mainly out in the field, and is very connected with the residents of the city. He is the neshama of Beit Shemesh, whom people love, and he is very successful in being mekarev people. Six years ago, R Yisroel Beiser came to Beit Shemesh. He began as program director at the Chabad House. Today, he runs four preschools in which 115 children are registered. R Chaim Faro, a longtime shliach in Manchester who made aliya, wanted to continue working in shlichus. He has a shul for Lubavitcher Anglos in Ramat Beit Shemesh. He learns with many people who speak English. R Elisha Schapiro is the dean of Ohr Chaya for French speakers in Yerushalayim and is responsible for a number of projects at the Chabad House. He is the rav of a shul in the old section of the city whose population is not yet religious. R Michael Shlomo Abishid is a talmid chochom and halachic expert, rav of Ohr Lubavitch in Ramat Beit Shemesh. He is a rosh kollel and shliach for those who speak French. He gives shiurim and is involved in various projects. Chabad community in the city maintains tight knit neighborly relations in a way that likely does not exist anywhere else. Even the character of the community is unique to Beit Shemesh. Despite the anti image which Beit Shemesh has acquired in recent years due to its reaction to the Eidas activities, R Weiner speaks of Jews whose hearts are receptive to Torah and mitzvos: They welcomed us very nicely. All in all, it is a warm, traditional city and we have been beneficiaries of their fondness, then and now. Even recently, when there is so much tension between the population at large and the ultra-Orthodox, everyone knows that Chabad is out of the picture; that we are here, with all our hearts, for everyone, without examining where they stand religiously. We have never been spoken of derogatorily.

26 Shavuos 5748. R Weiner with his first mekuravim at the Rebbe, near the house on President Street

Issue 901

Shlichus
appoint a principal. Not only wasnt he a Lubavitcher; he was as far away from it as east is to west. The parents refused to accept him and decided to fight for their rights, i.e. a principal who is a Lubavitcher and who is suited to oversee their childrens chinuch. Eventually, on the day after Chai Elul, the Chassidim won. When we asked R Weiner to tell us about it, he referred us to the archives of Chabad.info where we found an article that summed up the saga: Yesterday (20 Elul 5769), the Education Ministry caved in, in the face of the strike in Chabad schools, and told the High Court of Justice that they had decided to cancel the appointment of the new principal, who was parachuted in without the consent and approval of the parents committee. As was publicized last week, the Chabad schools waged a strike following the Education Ministrys decision to appoint a person who does not identify with ultra-Orthodox values and who, in addition, was pushed aside from previous positions due to arguments with his staff of teachers and for poor relationships with parents of students. The mayor, R Moshe Abutbul, submitted a petition to the High Court to cancel the appointment. In his petition, he asked the court to decide based on rational grounds, namely that just as it is obvious that an ultraOrthodox person would not be appointed to a religious public school or to a public school, so too, it is unreasonable to appoint someone without ultra-Orthodox values to run an ultra-Orthodox school. Likewise, he argued, he does not consider it acceptable to appoint someone in Beit Shemesh who was forced out of

The mayor of Beit Shemesh visiting a Chabad school. On the left is R Weiner

The protesters stood wearing long zebra kapotes and hoarsely yelled gevald. Tensions heated up and the organizers of the Chassidus shiur decided to smuggle the maggid shiur, the mashpia R Mendel Wechter of Nachalat Har Chabad, out the back door. HUNDREDS OF CHABAD FAMILIES
In Beit Shemesh there are over 200 Chabad families, which include a population segment of immigrants from France, Argentina, Canada, England, the US, etc. but most are Israelis. The reason for this has to do with the tremendous development of the city, mainly in the past, when an apartment could be purchased at a reasonable price. Beit Shemesh is conveniently located and has transportation access to all over the country. Around Beit Shemesh are open mountainous areas with good air. The Lubavitchers who came here from abroad were looking for a close, warm community, says R Weiner. Along with the expansion of the community, starting in 5760, schools began opening one after another. The shliach R Yisroel Beiser is in charge of the preschools, R Chilik Kupchik runs the elementary school for boys, having gotten the appointment after a fierce battle, and a girls school is run by Mrs. Chani Aryeh of Kiryat Gat. About four hundred students, boys and girls, attend Chabad schools in Beit Shemesh; the numbers grow from year to year. The battle for the boys school took place four years ago. The Education Ministry wanted to

10 5 Kislev 5774

Shluchim and mekuravim from Beit Shemesh at "Beis Chayeinu"

Avos U'Banim

other schools; this would set an awful precedent. On Motzaei Shabbos there was an emergency meeting of the parents of the students in the Dvar Avrohom Shul with the participation of the entire parent body, rabbanei Chabad, the shliach R Eliezer Weiner, and others. The main speaker was R M. M. Gluckowsky, who spoke about the mesirus nefesh needed for pure chinuch of children. He also said that the Rebbe had instructed Chabad to enroll its schools in the public-religious school system so as to obtain funding with which they could open many schools in order to save the immigrant children during the years of aliya to Eretz Yisroel. The Rebbe said explicitly at the time that this was solely on condition that there would be full educational autonomy and that all the appointments of educators and principals would be made solely by Chabad rabbanim and askanim. It was always like that. Whenever the Education Ministry interfered, the Rebbe said they should leave the publicreligious system and join the network of officially recognized private schools. The Rebbe stressed that the union with the public-religious was solely for

the purpose of maintaining the Chabad schools, and that this union was not holy and they could and should defect from it if there would be no choice but to do so. Eventually the matter reached a satisfactory conclusion: The judges on the High Court of Justice reprimanded the representatives from the Education Ministry and asked what the purpose in their stubbornness was, and who needed a principal if there were no students. The judges did not understand why they had to impose on a community school someone who did not identify with its values. In the end, the Education Ministry caved in and canceled the appointment. They said that there would soon be a public tender for the position of principal and the principal would be selected solely with the approval of the administration of the mosdos. The students went back to school. The present principal, Yechiel Kupchik, is highly regarded.

SIX SHLUCHIM, SEVEN CHABAD SHULS

The outreach in the city grew over the years. Today there are

six shluchim who work with R Weiner with impressive unity and collaboration, thank G-d, as he put it. The shluchim are spread out through the city. They meet a few times a year, to farbreng and talk. As part of the programming which includes shiurim, mivtzaim, house calls, mosdos and more, R Weiner puts an emphasis on Geula and Moshiach: When it comes to Inyanei Moshiach and Geula, the community is united. There is a consensus on the subject; even though we dont all think alike (there are differences of opinion which we cannot deny) the debates never deteriorate into machlokes. I think its a very positive situation. There is an ongoing shiur on the weekly Dvar Malchus. All in all, the shluchim and Anash live with the subject. Material is given out on Moshiach and Geula, and there are shiurim and mashpiim who farbreng on the subject. R Weiner gives credit to R Itzik Weintraub and R Menachem Lugov who organize farbrengens with mashpiim who live with the subject of Geula, like R Chaim Nisselevitz and R Zalman Notik.

Issue 901

11

Shlichus

If someone back then would have told him about dozens of young men who belong to the Toldos Aharon Chassidus crowding around the mashpia R Zalman Gopin in Beit Shemesh, he would have laughed.
There are also conversations with people on the street: those who do not yet identify as religious, the traditional Jews, and Polisher Chassidim too, whom he describes as smart people who ask to the point and respond appropriately. They attend farbrengens even though they know that the Rebbe MHM will be spoken about, but that doesnt bother them; on the contrary. faith of seemingly simple Jews who understand that you must carry out what the Rebbe says. Just this week, two sisters who are not yet religious came to me. One of them came here before in order to ask for a bracha and she opened to an amazing answer which is why she brought her sister. I was amazed to hear the first one, who did not look at all connected to religion, say to the other one, who seemed like her, You must listen to whatever the Rebbe writes and cant play games with the answer. If you ask, you have to accept the answer. It was moving to see the pure faith of those who are seemingly distant and their hiskashrus and bittul to the Nasi Hador. When R Weiner first went to Beit Shemesh, he didnt dream that it would one day look like Yerushalayim and Bnei Brak. If someone back then would have told him about dozens of young men who belong to the Toldos Aharon Chassidus, crowding around the mashpia R Zalman Gopin in Beit Shemesh, he would have laughed. But today, this is a reality. This sea change began fifteen years ago when the impossibility of the cost of religious housing led askanim to look for alternatives to the big cities. Beit Shemesh, which is twenty minutes away from Yerushalayim, was chosen as an ideal place for young couples who wanted to be close to Yerushalayim and not far from the center of the country.

SHIURIM IN CHASSIDUS
In order to appreciate to what extent Chabad has penetrated the religious sectors of Beit Shemesh, it pays to take a look at the seven Chabad shuls, especially those in Ramat Beit Shemesh Alef and Beis, where most of the Lubavitchers live and which are intended for Lubavitchers. Aside from those, there are two Chabad shuls where most of the congregants apparently are not Lubavitch, considering their dress. The first is the Dvar Avrohom Shul run by R Shimon Wallis, which was built by R Mordechai Mendelson. In this unique shul, there are shiurim in Chassidus every night and there is a large library for Chassidus. Rabbis Wechter and Gopin give shiurim in Chassidus there. The fifty or so members of the khilla identify as Polisher Chassidim and Lubavitchers, but their children do not attend Chabad schools. There is another shul, similar in format, located in the Cheftziba neighborhood, called Beis Menachem. The gabbai is R Menachem Schwartz. The people who daven there, like their counterparts in Dvar Avrohom, do not look like Lubavitchers, but they keep Chabad customs, go on mivtzaim, send their children to Chabad schools and even bring mashpiim like R Zalman Notik and R Zalman Landau to farbreng with them. The Dvar Avrohom people call them Meshichistin. Ramat Beit Shemesh beis is reminiscent of Mea Sharim in Yerushalayim. R Shimon Wallis is the one who works intensively with this crowd. The mashpia R Zalman Gopin gives a shiur once a week and has a following, and every so often there are farbrengens with mashpiim.

THE TOLDOS AHARON CHASSIDIM AT THE FARBRENGEN

There is a shul for English speaking people in Ramat Beit Shemesh Alef, which was started by R Motti Slodowitz, a warmhearted Chassid who put so much into this shul. Many English speakers were drawn in through this shul. They were attracted to Beit Shemesh due to the high quality life of life and the more reasonably priced apartments. There is also a Chabad shul for French speakers called Ohr Lubavitch. That there are shuls for speakers of different languages is ideal for Lubavitchers, who can enjoy community life without having to contend with a foreign language and mentality. The irreligious sector is not overlooked either. R Weiner says, Many people come to write to the Rebbe through the Igros Kodesh both at the Chabad House and at our home. We see miracles as well as the simple

12 5 Kislev 5774

Chassidim of all backgrounds farbrenging in the D'var Avrohom Shul

Chanukas ha'bayis

R Sholom Feldman was once brought to farbreng with the Neturei Karta and Toldos Aharon crowd, and they were eager to hear what he had to say. It was quite a sight to behold. They didnt let him go until six in the morning. R Michoel Taub of Kfar Chabad also farbrenged there and it was tremendously inspiring. The participants, non-Lubavitchers, said afterward that they cried that night, they were so moved. R Weiner said, Most of the people in Beit Shemesh, even the ultra-Orthodox, are not pleased by the zealots behavior. They are a small, fringe group that is causing damage to the city and the religious themselves. With their demonstrations, blocking buses, and burning trash bins they hurt their own neighborhoods. Its a shame they dont realize this. He says that when he attends Kinusim of the shluchim, and people hear that he lives in Beit Shemesh, they say, The place where they throw stones. Thats what they associate with it, sad to say. Aside from the story with which this article began, in which they were disturbing a Chassidishe farbrengen, he says that there is hardly any

interference with Chabads work, because it focuses mainly on those who are not yet religiously observant. We dont operate in their neighborhood except on rare occasions, so we dont disturb them. At the same time, there are shiurim given by mashpiim like R Mendel Wechter and R Zalman Gopin; this can drive the zealots crazy. They usually do nothing, but there are times they pick up their heads and its not pleasant. The demonstration against R Wechter, for example, expressed their anger that even people from the best families in their circles were attending shiurim in Chassidus. We once had a group of about twenty Polisher Chassidim who spent Shabbos in Kfar Chabad. Unfortunately, word got out and they threw these men out of kollel. This affects some of them, but there are those who are not afraid and have no qualms about announcing their affiliation with Chabad, such as the grandson of the previous Admur of Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok and who is the nephew of the present Admur. He openly attends the farbrengens and speaks about the Rebbe like a Chassid in every respect.

*** We must also mention the Ohr Tzvi UMenucha shul, led by R Tzvi Hartman, which is in the heart of the business section of Ramat Beit Shemesh Alef, donated by the owner of the lot Nota Tzivin. It is the Itzkowitz of the city (Itzkowitz is a minyan factory in Bnei Brak like Shomrei Shabbos in Boro Park and Landaus in Flatbush). There are numerous minyanim for Shacharis from 6-11 in the morning, and dozens of minyanim for Mincha and Maariv. That is also where we usually hold the main farbrengens because this is the center of the community. Right before R Weiner left his house for Mincha, he said, The battles in Beit Shemesh do not interfere with our work. They merely serve to emphasize how important the work of Chabad is to this city. We are the only movement which both the ultraOrthodox as well as the not yet religious view as a unifier of all the factions in the city. This is the case even though we do not hide our views about Geula and Moshiach. If you take the approach of not being fazed by those who mock, you end up succeeding.
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CHINUCH

PARENTS AND TEACHERS

With children back to school after Yom Tov and parent-teacher meetings coming up, its a good time to talk about the relationship between parents and teachers.
By C Ben David

My Yossi has been complaining lately about how his teacher is treating him. He said that when he had a fight with another boy, the teacher sided with the other boy without hearing his side. Another time in class he was punished when he wasnt the guilty one. Weve been hearing about these unpleasant incidents for a while now. Should we call the principal? When parents have complaints about a teacher, it is highly recommended that they speak to the teacher first. Speaking to the teacher in the right way and at the right time, in a spirit of cooperation and with the joint goal of clarifying matters, will usually help resolve problems. Sometimes, parents are reluctant to call the teacher or they dont think a conversation with the teacher will help, and they go directly to the principal. This undermines the teachers authority and does not contribute at all to a spirit of cooperation. Mrs. BasSheva Wolf, a

guidance counselor and parent coach, says that when parents accumulate grievances against the teacher, it is very likely to adversely effect their child. The child gets a negative message about the teacher, even if it isnt conveyed overtly, and this affects him academically, emotionally and socially. So it is very important that parents listen to their childs complaints and handle them properly. They need to approach the teacher respectfully with the intent of working together with him or her. The one who ends up benefiting is the child, for then both sides are seeking his welfare. Parents involvement in what is going on at school is excellent, but it is important to distinguish between being involved and interfering. Being involved means cooperating, while interfering means sniping from the sidelines. When a person intervenes where she does not belong, she is disturbing, but when a person offers her help in a respectful way, it is warmly appreciated.

If it looks to you like your daughters classroom needs aesthetic improvement and you have talent in this department, you can offer your help. But speaking to the teacher and saying: This classroom looks awful, there are no decorations, and curtains on the windows would be a good idea will only undermine your relationship. Thats interfering, not involvement. The same is true for any complaint or any time you to point something out. You can and should speak to the teacher, but express your point in a way that demonstrates your desire to help your child. Its also a good idea, when you have something that is somewhat critical to say, to put it in terms of a difficulty for me as a parent, rather than criticism of the teacher. You can say, My feeling is ... and It is hard for me to accept ... Thats a less threatening message because its not expressed as criticism (Its not right that you ) and it will be accepted more readily.

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Ive been deliberating for a while about whether to call Miris parents. Last week, she was very inattentive, played around a lot, and was busy with various things. This is not like her at all and so its hard for me to decide how to react. Maybe something happened to her that I dont know about. Should I call her parents? Maybe its a passing phase and there is no reason to speak to them and I should just handle it on my own. Mrs. Bas-Sheva Wolf: Parents are often preoccupied and busy and they dont always notice changes in their children. A teacher can notice fine nuances in behavior that parents are not always aware of. So it is important to inform parents about changes or special situations. When you speak to a parent, you can get information that will shed light on the childs behavior whether directly or indirectly. The parents may tell you about something that happened in

the family or at home, which is likely the reason for the change. Or, you may hear the answer in an indirect manner, like when things are not said explicitly but are understood between the lines, such as when you discover the nature of the parents relationship with the child, which explains the problems that cropped up. Cooperation between the teacher and the parents can help tremendously. Parents are usually very interested in being in touch with teachers and they want to know about their children. Teachers dont need to call about every little thing, but in the event that it looks as though handling the problem in the classroom wont be enough or the teacher has the impression that there is information the parents need to know, a call is usually well received. Of course, you have to think things through and present them sensitively and respectfully. I should mention that teachers are often inclined to call parents only about problems, but

they forget to report when there is improvement. It is important to call for both reasons. Children need encouragement. A positive comment orally or in writing, from the teacher to the parent and vice versa, greatly encourages a child and contributes greatly to a positive relationship between parent and teacher. Leah, a veteran teacher, says: In my first years as a teacher I was sometimes nervous about calling parents about their children. Maybe I saw it as displaying weakness on my part, as though I wasnt able to handle the problem on my own. But time and again I discovered that most parents are receptive to my comments and are very willing to cooperate. I also make an effort to make positive comments too and this contributes toward the positive relationship between me and the parents. Most of the time, contacting the parents leads to greater success on the part of the children in the classroom. In the shul that I daven in, I meet parents of my students

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Chinuch

But time and again I discovered that most parents are receptive to my comments and are very willing to cooperate. I also make an effort to make positive comments too and this contributes toward the positive relationship between me and the parents.
every night. Parents often come over to me and ask me about how their children are doing in their learning, complain about something or ask for something in connection with the classroom. By doing this, they show they care, but some of these parents wont show up for the parent-teacher meetings because they see me all the time. Its a big mistake to rely on these sorts of encounters and to consider them enough of a connection with the teacher. The teacher, outside of work hours (which extend beyond the hours spent in the classroom), is also a person who is busy with other things. Although you can ask about a child in one of these casual meetings, its not enough. It is very likely that under those kinds of circumstances, the teacher wont have enough time to say everything that needs to be said, its possible that important information will be overlooked, and sometimes the place or the time is not conducive to a serious conversation. Sometimes, the teacher will also feel uncomfortable reporting about negative things, if there are any, in an encounter that is informal and friendly. Aside from the lack of consideration for the teacher, when approaching a teacher in this way, there is a certain lack of respect for the relationship with the teacher. The relationship is important enough that it deserves a phone call now and then and attending the parent-teacher meeting. Adina, a mother, says: I have a neighbor who is a teacher and she taught and teaches my daughters. For a long time I thought that as a close neighbor, the information I heard from her about my girls was enough. But then one time, when I went to a parent-teacher meeting, thinking that of all the teachers it was less urgent to speak to her since I could always see her at home, I heard details from her that I knew nothing about, both positive and negative. I see that teachers prepare for these meetings and they write down notes to tell the parents. As for me, since I went for the purpose of speaking to the teachers, I was more available to listen to what they had to say. Michals mother was very surprised to hear from me, at a parent-teacher meeting, that her daughter does not do her homework and that she usually does not listen in class. But she never contacted me, and each time I wrote a note in her daughters notebook, she didnt even sign it. There is no question that communication between parents and teachers is important. The question is, whose responsibility is it? There is no definitive answer to that, but when both sides are aware of the importance of communication, each one will try to work on it and wont rely overly much on the other one. Both parents and teachers need

to see themselves as responsible for keeping in touch. When one of the sides feels that the other side is not cooperating, it pays to address this directly. There can be various reasons for it, like lack of awareness or a particular difficulty, even a technical one. Its important for parents to call teachers now and then and to pay attention to notes that the teacher sends (and not just to sign it but to add a note that shows the parent is treating it seriously). But in the case where parents do not call and do not react, it is a good idea to remember that a note or comment is one-sided and its worth trying to reach them by phone. My children are different from one another and the relationship with the teachers reflects that. My oldest son is studious and obedient and I only meet his teacher at parentteacher meetings. My second son is very mischievous and we get frequent reports from his teacher. Now and then, we call to hear how things are doing. Should the relationship that parents have with teachers be identical for all their children or is that not necessary? The frequency of contact between parents and teachers changes and depends on the child. There is a minimal amount of contact needed regardless, even if there are no problems whatsoever. Attending a parentteacher meeting is also a way of letting our children know that we are interested in how they are doing and it shows that their chinuch is important to us. Also, even a good child needs encouragement and it is always good to know that everything is, in fact, okay. When there are no particular problems, it is not necessary

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to call often. Parent-teacher meetings two or three times a year and a phone call at the beginning and middle of the year are enough. However, when a child has learning difficulties or behavior problems, it is important to be more in touch with the teacher. In order not to create unnecessary burdens, parents and teachers can decide on a written daily report. This can be extremely helpful. Rochelis mother called again, this time to say that she finds the math difficult and could I please keep that in mind. She calls often, sometimes at inconvenient times, and each time the conversation is lengthy. What should I do? As important as communication between parents and teachers is, it needs to be done properly. Parents should not be bothering teachers with frequent calls; it only makes life difficult for the teacher and does not contribute toward a pleasant relationship between the teacher and the parent. It is also important and mentchlich to find out, at the beginning of the conversation, whether its a convenient time to talk. And obviously, it is important to talk in a respectful manner. When the communication is done in this way, it will give the teacher a positive feeling and you will

accomplish your joint goal. When a teacher has a parent calling too often, the situation needs to be dealt with sensitively without pushing the parent away. At the same time, the teacher can definitely say: Your call is important to me. Right now, it is hard for me to talk and give you my attention. When can I call you back? Or, the teacher can steer the conversation back to the relevant point when the conversation seems aimless. The parent can also be invited to come down to the school to speak to the teacher when time is available. Mrs. Bas-Sheva Wolf: Communication can accomplish many wonderful things but it can also do the opposite. When communication is respectful, in a spirit of cooperation, we have a shared goal which is the welfare of the child. We are both responsible for his chinuch. At the beginning of the year I was given a list of my new students. At first they were only names, but at this point, Ive gotten to know them somewhat. Mrs. Wolf: One of the most effective tools a teacher has to create a positive relationship with a child and his parents, and to find out more about him, is a house call. When a teacher visits a childs home, he can observe many things that can help him understand the child: the

family background, the familys lifestyle, where the child does his homework, his relationships with other family members, and more. You can learn if there are any problems at home that can make it hard for the child and which require special attention from the teacher. It is also a good opportunity to build a relationship with the family, and this makes it easier to cooperate together in the future. Its a good idea for teachers to visit students homes during summer vacation and get to know the children even before the school year begins. Sometimes, a few months go by before the teacher really gets to know his class. Getting to know them in advance will save precious time. Asking their previous teacher for information is not always a good idea because it reflects the relationship he or she had with the students. Information that the new teacher gets on his or her own is not loaded and is not influenced by prior opinions. If you cant make house calls during vacation, you can still do it when the school year begins. Its not too late. We pray that we provide our students with the best we have to offer, with joy, and that the children feel loved and go home from school with good feelings about where he or she spent the day.

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FEATURE

THE

KIDNAPPED
The mysterious testament that shocked the family and removed the shroud of mystery from the family secret that had been kept hidden for seventy years. * Avrohom Rainitz reports on the shocking story which involved a Chassidishe family from Crown Heights and Nachalat Har Chabad, the wife of a senior member of the Russian army, and shluchim in Moscow. * The kidnapping: Forget about your daughter; youll never see her again! The search: Ads in the paper about the kidnapped baby. Silence: The story was a dark secret that was never even hinted at. The will: Look for Nechama find my little sister. * Beis Moshiach reveals, for the first time, the stirring saga of the unknown fate of a baby born nearly seventy years ago to a Lubavitcher family. She had no idea that she was Jewish until a recent, moving encounter.

BABY
Authors note: I became aware of this chilling tale during a Chassidishe farbrengen that took place in 770. In order to confirm that all the details were accurate, I checked out the story with some relatives of the family and those who were involved. At the familys request, I am not publicizing their full name. While researching the background of the story, some interesting information came to light about the protagonists involved in the gripping saga of the Z family. The Z family was Lubavitch in the time of the Rebbe Rashab. They lived in a small village near Vitebsk in White Russia. One of the central figures in the story is the youngest son of the family, R Manis, who married Basya, from a Chassidishe family in Nevel. R Manis father sold

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candles. Family tradition has it that a gentile neighbor, who was jealous of the Chassids success, also opened a candle business. He was able to obtain candles at even lower prices and many customers switched to him. The Chassids livelihood was in danger of going under. He went to Lubavitch and told the Rebbe Rashab about his plight. The Rebbe told him to light a black candle in his house. Not a week passed from when he returned home and lit the black candle when the news spread that the gentile neighbor had died suddenly.

ESCAPE TO SIBERIA
Our story begins in the summer of 1941. R Manis entered his home in a fright and told his wife Basya the

news he had just heard. The cursed Germans, who in the past two years had conquered one European country after another, had surprised the Soviet army and were set on conquering the Soviet Union. This was a complete surprise because two years earlier, Russia and Germany had signed the Ribbentrop-Molotov nonaggression pact. Stalin, who believed the Germans, did not train his army properly and the German army sailed through Russia with barely any opposition. The news they heard in the days that followed intensified their fears. They lived on the route that the Germans were likely to take and when they heard on the radio about the atrocities committed against the Jews, they realized they had to flee deep

into Russia, as far as possible from the front. On the radio, the government encouraged civilians to board trains heading for Siberia or Central Asia. The decision to leave wasnt simple. It would be hard for anyone to leave their home on such short notice and begin a trip into the unknown; it was that much harder because Basya had not yet recovered from giving birth to her baby Nechama, one month prior. But the reports continued to come in from the front, and the eyewitness accounts about mass murders the Germans were perpetrating in Jewish communities tipped the scale. They packed the most vital belongings and boarded a train heading for Siberia. The trip wasnt easy. The German air force bombed the
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train tracks repeatedly and the train had to travel at an infuriatingly slow pace. It often stopped for several days until the bombed out tracks were repaired. The trip which, in the best of times, took weeks, was a nightmare of months. From time to time, when the train stopped near a settled place, it was possible to alight and buy some food and drink. For most of the journey it wasnt possible to bathe and the lack of hygiene led to the spread of many diseases. frightened her tremendously. Not a month went by since their arrival in Siberia when her fears came true. R Manis collapsed in the middle of working; his weakened body could not bear up under the load. He passed away in Shevat 5702. Basya was bereft, alone in the wasteland of Siberia, with little children and a six month old baby. Her son Shneur Zalman was fifteen, old enough to realize he had to provide for the family. He found work here and there and earned a bit of money that enabled the family to buy food. But the Siberian cold got to him too. One day, he worked too many hours outdoors and his foot became frostbitten. He made it to the doctor with difficulty. The doctor saved his foot from amputation but he could not continue working. The bit of food they received from the government with coupons barely kept Basya and the older children alive. The baby suffered from severe malnutrition and her condition worsened from day to day. She was very thin and hardly moved in her cot; she did not smile. She was fading away. cold. She could not invite the woman to sit down, because there wasnt a single chair in the house. So the two of them stood near the door and Basya asked her why she had come. The neighbor cleared her throat as though she did not know how to begin. Then she said, This is about your baby, she finally said in consternation. I am aware of the situation you are in since the passing of your husband, your difficult financial situation, and what really touches me is the precarious health of your baby. Then the neighbor dropped the bomb. I would like to suggest that you let me care for your baby until she becomes well. Basya looked at her neighbor in shock. How could she give a Jewish baby, from a Chassidishe family whose members were moser nefesh to provide a pure, Chassidishe chinuch for their children, to a gentile, as nice as she might be? The neighbor, who apparently had anticipated her initial reaction, continued her sales pitch. In this house, she said as she shivered from the cold, her condition will only get worse. Look at her now, she said pointing at her, she is lying motionless, frozen. At this rate, she will die within a short time. Several pairs of frightened eyes stared at the gentile neighbor. The children, who had woken up, gathered around the babys cot as though trying to protect her. They did not understand the complexities of life and were surely unaware of the danger that hovered over their little sister. They glanced at their mother in a silent plea that she let the baby stay. My husband is a senior

DYING BABY
When they finally reached their destination, a small workmans town, the government provided the refugees with small homes as well as coupons to buy basic food items. The Z familys little house was surrounded by mounds of snow and the Siberian cold penetrated their bones. They werent used to such fierce cold. The light clothing they wore at the start of their trip in the summer, did not provide even a minimal protection from the cold, and they tried in vain to warm up with the few blankets they had brought with them. Outside it was thirty to forty degrees below zero, and even indoors it was very close to zero. R Manis went out to look for work. This wasnt easy, because for every available job there were dozens of refugees who were interested. He finally found backbreaking labor splitting logs. The pay was meager but he had no other choice. Every morning, when R Manis went to work, Basya accompanied him, her lips murmuring prayers that he return safely. Manual labor was not easy for him. He was already over fifty and the tremendous exertion in his undernourished state

HEARTBREAKING INDECISION
Adar 5702. Knocking at the door woke up Basya early in the morning. They were gentle knocks, not like those of the KGB agents. She wondered who could be at the door at that hour. She opened the door and saw her neighbor, a young gentile woman who lived alone. She knew her to be intelligent and well-to-do. What could have brought the woman to her home this morning? Basya invited her in so she could close the door against the

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The Z familys little house was surrounded by mounds of snow and the Siberian cold penetrated their bones.

military figure, continued the neighbor as she ignored the children. He is on the front lines now, but I receive a nice salary from the government which will enable me to provide the baby with the care she needs, good food and warm clothes, and the best medical care. A struggle between mind and heart raged within Basya. Her motherly instincts refused to give her daughter away. On top of that were her Jewish-Chassidic sensibilities that shrank from the possibility of her daughter living with a gentile. And yet, her mind told her this was a situation of danger to life, and since this was the only way to save her baby, she had no choice but to give her to the neighbor in the hopes that in a few weeks she would grow stronger and would be able to rejoin the family. Cold intellect ultimately won over her feelings, and in a trembling voice, Basya gave her consent on condition that she be able to visit the baby every day. She asked the neighbor not to feed the baby anything treif.

RED LIGHTS
That day, and in the days that followed, Basya went to see her baby several times a day. The gentile neighbor was completely devoted to the baby and fed her nourishing food and dressed her warmly. Just staying in a heated home improved her condition. Within a few days, a change was noticeable in the baby. Her cheeks filled out and she began to turn from side to side. She even occasionally smiled at her mother. Whenever she had free time, Basya went to the neighbor and played with Nechama. Each time she went, the neighbor was friendly and conveyed her desire to help. She even used her connections and husbands senior status to arrange work for Basya in a school. On one of her visits, the neighbor opened up to her and said that she loved the baby so much because she was childless. Although she had been married for years, she had no children of her own and the doctors did not think it was likely she would ever give birth.

Before my husband was sent to the front, she said tearfully, I finally became pregnant but the baby died soon after birth. Another time, when this topic came up again, the neighbor confided that she was afraid of her husbands return from war. He is sure that when he returns from the war he will find me with our little baby. I did not let him know about the tragedy and I am terrified of his reaction. Once when he was drunk he told me he would not wait much longer. If we did not have children, he would divorce me and throw me out on the street. This last line was a red flag for Basya. She began to fear that more lay behind the mask of caring for her little daughter. But in her darkest dreams, she did not imagine what was about to happen.

THE KIDNAPPING
A few days after that shared confidence, the neighbor came to Basya with the baby. She stood in the doorway and declared coldly, Forget about your daughter! You will never see her again!
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They just neglected to mention the difficult plight of the refugees who wandered the streets without means of support, many of whom died of starvation. When Basya and her family arrived in Samarkand, Lubavitcher Chassidim helped them acclimate, but despite their best intentions, they could not prevent the Angel of Death from visiting the family again. One of the girls died of malaria. In Samarkand, the family placed ads in the newspapers about the kidnapped baby and asked anyone with information to send it to them. That was the final step before utter despair. After months went by without any new information, Basya realized she would never see her daughter again. In order not to constantly revisit the pain, she decided not to talk about the baby anymore. She buried the story deep in her heart and asked her family not to talk about it. From then on, the story became a dark secret that wasnt mentioned, even hinted at, in their home. But the children who were witnesses to the kidnapping never forgot the story or their sister.

The shocked family did not understand the import of her words and as they stood there riveted, the neighbor turned on her heels and rushed away. By the time the family had recovered and wanted to pursue her, she had disappeared. Forever. Words cannot describe Basyas feelings. Every few minutes she went to the neighbors house and knocked forcefully at the door. Perhaps a miracle would suddenly occur and the neighbor would open the door and return the baby. The gentile neighbors, who heard about the kidnapping, told Basya that the woman had spoken about leaving Siberia. She had told them that she was very afraid of her husbands reaction when he would find out that they had not had a child. I will go to my parents who live far away, she told one of them. I will raise this sweet little girl on my own. Basya did not believe the neighbors. What she had gathered from her conversations with the woman was that she wanted to pass off Basyas daughter as her own. To accomplish this,

she had run off to somewhere where nobody knew her so that she could live happily with her husband. Days and weeks went by, but the neighbor and the baby did not return.

AFTER THE WAR

Three pain-filled years went by. The war ended and Basya began thinking about her next move. Remaining in Siberia was out of the question. Each day, as she left the house and saw the neighbors house, her heart twisted inside. But to return to the city she lived in before the war wasnt possible. The Nazis had murdered all the Jews there and there was nothing to go back to. At a certain point, Basya found out that there was a large concentration of Chabad Chassidim in Samarkand and she decided to take her family there. She corresponded with acquaintances there and they spoke enthusiastically about the large Lubavitcher community that had formed there during the war.

THEY WILL LEAVE SOON

After years of suffering, the good times finally arrived. The daughter Sonia married one of the Tmimim, R Yosef New. Out of the war and destruction, Basya began to build her home anew and with tremendous mesirus nefesh she raised her family in the way of Torah and mitzvos. In 1946-7, when most Lubavitcher Chassidim crossed the border out of the Soviet Union, the Z family was not able to do so. They remained behind. Over the years, they submitted requests to leave, but

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were rejected. Even when their mechutan, who was living in the United States, sent them a request about unifying the family, the Soviet government did not allow them to leave. They submitted requests time and again but were refused. Their son-in-laws sister, Dina D, who lived in Crown Heights, asked the Rebbe for brachos on their behalf over the years but did not receive an explicit bracha. In 5730, she decided that when she would have yechidus she would ask the Rebbe for a bracha for them and she wouldnt leave the room until she received an explicit bracha that they would leave Russia. When she met the Rebbe, she pleaded for an explicit bracha and the Rebbe told her, They will leave soon. A few days passed and the Z family went to the OVIR emigration offices yet again. The clerk, who knew them from previous attempts, shouted, Youve asked many times and your requests were rejected. Why do you keep asking? Each time you ask, the chances of your getting a visa diminish! Astoundingly, within a short time they receive the longawaited visas. The stunned clerk who gave them the visas hissed, I dont understand why they approved this, but this is the order we received from the upper echelons. The family joyfully went to Moscow where they boarded a flight that was exceedingly rare for those days, a direct flight from Moscow to New York! It was meant for a diplomatic delegation and they managed to get tickets on this special flight. Even before they arrived, Jews in New York heard about the Chassidishe family that would

be arriving directly from Soviet Russia. A welcoming committee was sent to greet them. The Z family, who were still under the influence and fear of the Soviet regime, were very nervous about the American group and did not talk to them at all. After a short stay in Crown Heights, Basya emigrated to Eretz Yisroel with her daughter Fania and the two settled in Nachalat Har Chabad. Basya began to hope again that perhaps she could find her daughter through the government offices in Eretz Yisroel. She was quickly disillusioned though, and she made peace with the fact that she would never see her daughter again.

Basya passed away twentyfive years after she arrived in Eretz Yisroel, taking her secret to the grave. Aside from her, only her two daughters, Fania and Sonia knew the secret but they hadnt shared it, not even with their closest family. They felt it was a deep wound that was better left alone.

LOOK FOR NECHAMA

Fania passed away on 10 Cheshvan 5772. On her deathbed, with her family around her, she suddenly said, I want you to find my younger sister Nechama. I ask you to make every effort to locate her and bring her back to the family.

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a girl named Zana who was born during the war, and a boy who was born after the war. Additional effort brought to light precise information about the two of them. R Kleinberg decided to go with his wife for the first meeting with the woman whom they thought was the Zs kidnapped daughter. They went to the address several times but nobody was home. The neighbors began wondering why a rabbi wanted to see their gentile neighbor. When they finally met the woman, Mrs. Kleinberg, who knew Sonia, saw the astonishing resemblance between her and the sister who lived in Crown Heights. Zana asked the couple why they had come to see her, never imagining what a turmoil she was about to experience. The Kleinbergs began telling her the story and anxiously monitored her reaction. Zana listened closely, but from the expression on her face it was obvious that she did not understand why this Jewish couple had come to her house in order to tell her a family story that had nothing to do with her. When R Kleinberg finished the story about the babys disappearance and the searches that had been conducted over the years, he looked Zana in the eyes and said: In recent months I hired private detectives who conducted extensive research and came to the conclusion that the gentile woman who kidnapped the baby was your mother and that you are the Jewish girl, Nechama. At first, Zana rejected this out of hand. She had never heard her parents (her father had also died) even hint at the fact that she wasnt their biological daughter. Her initial inclination was to show the Kleinbergs the door and to ask them to stop interfering

R Boruch Kleinberg

Her children, who had never heard about her having another younger sister, did not know if she was delirious or was speaking about a secret she had kept from them all those years. They tried to get more information from her, but it was very hard for her to talk. She just mumbled again and again, Look for Nechama, find my younger sister. Shortly thereafter, she passed away. The stunned family spoke with Sonia who lives in Crown Heights and asked her what this was about. When Sonia heard that this was her sisters final request, she decided to tell the family about what happened. The many decades that had passed did not mute the terrible pain and Sonia felt the scab over the wound being picked off and blood beginning to flow. She remembered the story in detail, including the name of the gentile neighbor, the name of her husband and their last name. The family searched the Internet and discovered that hundreds of people in Russia shared the same names. Then, one of the daughters

remembered a moving speech she had heard at the Kinus HaShluchos from Mrs. Ella Vorovitch of Toronto, how with the help of R Boruch and Golda Kleinberg, shluchim in Moscow, she had discovered that her familys roots were Lubavitch. She decided to speak to Mrs. Golda Kleinberg and to ask for help in locating Nechama. When Mrs. Kleinberg heard the tragic story, she decided to throw herself into the search in order to rescue a Jewish soul.

ASTONISHING RESEMBLANCE
The search took over a year. The Kleinbergs hired a firm whose expertise is locating relatives. The researchers conducted hundreds of phone conversations, sifted through archives in the Russian interior ministry, and after months of work finally found the details about the kidnapper. But she had died ten years earlier. They searched some more and within a short time found that the woman had two children,

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with her peaceful life with their stories. But after they showed her the details of the research, with documentation, she began to think out loud. As I said before, my mother never let on about my being her adopted daughter, but now, in hindsight, I can think of some things that were hints. She never got along with me even though she got along just fine with my brother. It was definitely true that she favored him. My father, on the other hand, who according to your story was sure that I was his biological daughter, treated me very well, just as he treated my brother. In fact, after my fathers passing, he left an inheritance to my brother and me. In a move that seemed irrational at the time, my mother went to court and asked that I be excluded from the inheritance. Although we did not have a good chemistry between us, I couldnt believe a mother would do this to her daughter. Now I think you are right. Apparently, after the war she was able to give birth and from then on, she hated me. She couldnt get rid of me, because then she would have to tell my father the secret she had kept from him all those years. She had no choice but to continue raising me, but without any love. Zana remembered more details that, over her lifetime, seemed disconnected, but now were clearly parts of one puzzle. The conclusion, that she Zana, at age 72, was actually a Jewish woman by the name of Nechama, from a Lubavitcher family, was incredible. I recall a very interesting fact that I never attributed much importance to, but now takes on great meaning. My brother and I look nothing alike. Nor are we similar in behavior or in our way of thinking. When I was a

schoolgirl, when my classmates wanted to annoy me, they would shout Zhidovka (a derogatory term for Jew). They occasionally taunted me by saying I looked Jewish. Little by little, Zana became convinced that she was the kidnapped child. The Kleinbergs remained in touch with her and after several meetings she showed up with her only daughter and eight year old granddaughter who were excited by the family revelation. R Kleinberg told them about their family background and taught them some basic Jewish things.

POSITIVE DNA RESULTS

Zanas husband, who was not thrilled with the discovery, tried to convince her it was all coincidental and she should ignore it. The sudden Jewish connection was not to his liking and he tried to cool his wife and daughters excitement. R Kleinberg suggested that Zana and her sister Sonia undergo DNA testing. Kits were sent to Sonia in New York and to Zana (Nechama) in Moscow and

within a few weeks they had the results. There was a 99.99 match between the samples, the highest one could get when conducting this test. That meant there was no question that they were indeed biological sisters. And yet, there was still someone who expressed his doubts. That was her brother who found it hard to accept that his sister wasnt his actual sister. But when R Kleinberg suggested that he also undergo DNA testing and they would compare his results to Zanas, he was not willing to do so because negative results are 100% accurate and he was afraid of that. The two sisters spoke on the phone. What an excitement, after 71 years of separation! Four months ago, Zana and her daughter and granddaughter arrived in Crown Heights and met with her sister and the entire family. While in Crown Heights, they lit Shabbos candles and kept Shabbos for the first time in Sonias house. Its a new life for Zana-Nechama. In her spiritual passport it says she is only one year old.

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MIRACLE STORY

A LESSON IN

AN AROUSAL FROM ABOVE

This is the first time that Rabbi Tovi Vahava tells this miraculous story that caused considerable excitement about six months ago, when he dozed off near the Shabbos table. Meanwhile, not far from his home, about four hundred young people were waiting for someone to come and give over a Torah class, but no one arrived. However, the Rebbe, the faithful shepherd, did not remain indifferent!
By Nosson Avraham Translated by Michoel Leib Dobry

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abbi Tovi Vahava is a longstanding member of the Anash community in Bat Yam. Decades ago he helped to establish the wide-ranging Chabad activities in nearby Cholon together with his friends, Rabbi Yoske Lieder and Rabbi Levi Wilyamovsky. While R Tovi did not grow up in a Chabad family, his parents mistake, as he puts it, was in sending me to a kindergarten with Mrs. Rochel Zamir as teacher. She was known for her unique connection with the Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, and the unusual answers she was privileged to receive, he said with a smile. With Mrs. Zamirs guidance, Tovi was sent to learn in the local Chabad school, followed by the standard Chabad course of study in yeshiva and kvutza. I was honored to publish the seifer Shlichus Chayai (My Lifes Mission) about Mrs. Zamir, publicizing her amazing lifes story and her unique connection to the Rebbe, said Rabbi Vahava. However, we didnt come to tell his biography, rather a fascinating miracle story that took place last year on the Shabbos before Lag BOmer and made waves throughout Bat Yam. For many years the city has had a charismatic Sephardic rav, Rabbi Yisroel Nissim Logasi, known for his captivating pearls of wisdom. Hundreds of young people, currently non-observant, participate each Friday evening in his Torah lecture at the Beit E-l Synagogue, while Rabbi Vahava himself gives over the class preceding the lecture. How is it that among all the citys rabbinical figures, Rabbi Vahava was the one chosen for this task? Read ahead and youll find the answer.

MAKING THE TORAH GREAT closer, especially after he moved to the street where I live. It AND GLORIOUS
This story took place on the Friday night before Lag BOmer, said Rabbi Vahava as he began his narrative. It had been sixteen years since Rabbi Logasi began his famous Friday night class. They gave it the nickname Oneg Shabbos, and Rabbi Logasi himself merited the title of the young peoples rabbi. It seems that there is no one in town who doesnt know Rabbi Logasi. He is a greatly admired personality, with tremendous Torah knowledge and a pleasant disposition. In addition, he knows how to give over powerful words of Torah that speak to a persons heart. He has been blessed with a unique talent for conveying deep and compelling messages. More than four hundred young people, most of whom come from non-religious homes, prefer to come to the synagogue for his Torah classes, instead of engaging in questionable forms of recreation. Over the years, dozens of these youngsters have changed their lifestyles and established kosher Jewish homes. I had been acquainted with Rabbi Logasi before. We had met several times and I frequently heard about his appreciation for the Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach. In his youth he had been close to the Baba Sali, of righteous memory. He spent many years in his presence, where he learned about the special connection between the Baba Sali and the Rebbe. While his drashos included many stories from the Baba Sali and other righteous members of the Abuchatzera family, he also spoke openly and affectionately about the Rebbe MHM. As time passed, the connection between us grew

wasnt hard to get close to Rabbi Logasi, as he is a very warm and pleasant man with a congenial smile. I would periodically come to participate in his shiurim, and whenever I arrived, he would invite me to say a few words. While my participation was far from regular, only once every few months, I was always surprised by the tremendous honor and respect that Rabbi Logasi had for the Rebbe and Lubavitch. I even heard many times how he would speak about how the Rebbe is Melech HaMoshiach.

SOMEONE SUDDENLY TUGGED AT MY SLEEVE

On the Shabbos before Lag BOmer 5773, we hosted all the members of our family, children and grandchildren. Naturally, when all the family members are gathered together, the Shabbos meal takes longer. Everyone talks and tell stories about their personal experiences. When I saw that it was already past ten oclock, I decided that I would skip the weekly Friday night class. I sat on the couch and started to doze off as balabatim tend to do on a Friday night... Suddenly, I felt a strong tug on the right side of my kapote. I didnt understand who it could be, as all the grandchildren were gathered around the table. At first, I simply chose to ignore it. But then I again felt someone pulling on the right side of my kapote. I started to turn around, when I was startled by a Heavenly vision. I saw none other than the Rebbe himself standing before me with a serious look on his face. Go to Rabbi Logasis Oneg Shabbos, he told me, and for those who
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MIRACLE STORY
the Rebbes shlichus. They didnt understand what I was talking about, but I promised that I would explain everything upon my return. After briskly walking for a few minutes, I arrived at the synagogue. I was very surprised to see hundreds of young people standing outside, chatting in groups. It was already half past ten, and the class should have started half an hour earlier. What happened? I asked one of the young people. It turned out that Rabbi Logasi hadnt come for some reason, and they were all standing around and waiting for him. After another few minutes, a young man came up to me and asked if I would take over for Rabbi Logasi and speak about the weekly Torah portion until he arrived. I agreed to do so. He called everyone inside and I went up to give the class, despite the fact that I hadnt prepared to speak. I felt that G-d placed the right words in my mouth, as everything went extremely well. I spoke for three hours, and they were captivated by the sicha. After telling them about the Rebbes instructions on making a parade on the hilula of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, we began to talk about the Rebbe as leader of the generation and Moshiach of the generation. I gave the participants an opportunity to ask questions and I patiently responded to each one of them. This Oneg Shabbos proved to be most successful, and I returned home with a very good feeling. But I was still very confused over how I had been sent to a Torah class, literally by an arousal from Above through the Rebbe himself in all his glory...

Alongside this story, we heard another one just as exciting: When I asked Rabbi Vahava to explain the significance of his given name, Tovi, we were amazed to discover that the Rebbe himself had been involved in the process: On the day that I entered the covenant of Avraham Avinu, my parents gave me the name Yom Tov. However, I didnt like the name. When the kids would call me Yom Tov, I ignored them and asked if they could call me Tovi. When I reached the age of thirteen, I went to study at the Chabad school in Cholon, run by Rabbi Amos Karniel ah. He was a Chassid of tremendous stature, who developed our hiskashrus to the Rebbe and the path of Chassidus. He sent a letter to the Rebbe in my name, signing it Yom Tov Vahava. The Rebbes reply stunned everyone. The Rebbe addressed the letter to HaAvreich Tov! Rabbi Karniel was in shock. How did the Rebbe know that this was the nickname that I liked? He showed me the letter. This was a prophecy in its truest sense. Rabbi Karniel printed his letter with my full name alongside the Rebbes reply and publicized the correspondence in the Reshet Oholei Yosef Yitzchak newsletter. Since then, everyone calls me Tovi. We consulted with Chabad rabbanim, and they said that this apparently represented the Rebbes opinion, and the name Tovi was the channel through which G-ds blessings would flow. As a result, they changed my name officially, and since my bar mitzvah, my name has been not Yom Tov, but Tovi. One interesting point: The numerical value of Tovi is forty-five, the same as the word Geula (Redemption). Thus, I am involved with spreading the announcement of the Redemption and the identity of the Redeemer, and who can say that theres no connection between the two? confused and excited. My legs were shaking. It was clear to me that the Rebbe had just visited my house. Several long minutes passed before I managed to collect my thoughts. This wasnt the kind of thing that happened every day. This was the first time I had ever seen the Rebbe in such a fashion. I checked to make certain that I wasnt dreaming or feeling unwell. I looked over at the family, most of whom were still sitting at the Shabbos table, and I realized that they were busy talking about their experiences. It immediately became clear to me that I was the only one who had seen this vision. I quickly organized myself and informed my surprised family members that I was going out to Rabbi Logasis class on

Rabbi Tovi Vahava

honor Me, I shall honor. The Rebbe said these words and then disappeared. I jumped from the couch,

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honor that anyone who gives honor to the Lubavitcher Rebbe, the Rebbe honors him and makes certain that no evil shall befall him. The following week, the participants in the weekly Torah lecture were privileged to hear the story in full from Rabbi Logasi himself, as he heaped praise and appreciation upon the leader of the generation who never abandons his flock and cares for every single Jew.
Rabbi Yisroel Nissim Logasi

THE TRUTH BECOMES CLEAR

As soon as Shabbos was over, I immediately sent a text message to Rabbi Logasi: You have no idea what a special class it was. Get back to me. He called me a few minutes later and I told him what had happened. He was positively stunned. You gave over a shiur? he asked in amazement. He then told me that he had gone out of town for Shabbos and he had arranged before leaving for a Sephardic rabbi to give the lecture in his place. However, it now became clear that he never showed up. I told him that I hadnt come on my own; the Rebbe had sent me. I also told him about the vision I had seen and how the Rebbe had told me in reference to him for those who honor Me, I shall honor. He was greatly surprised by this chain of events, and he asked if he could get back to me in a few minutes. In the meantime, he called the rav who was supposed to replace him that night. The rav apologized, telling him that he was just about to

walk out the door, when he was suddenly overcome with severe abdominal pains. He had no alternative except to remain at home. Since it was Shabbos, he obviously couldnt call anyone. He had hoped that they would find someone to fill in. If Im sorry about anything, its about the tremendous bittul Torah that took place, he told Rabbi Logasi. However, Rabbi Logasi quickly reassured him that there was nothing to be sorry about: The Lubavitcher Rebbe took care of everything. He then proceeded to retell the whole story of what had happened that night. Rabbi Logasi contacted his teacher and rav, the kabbalist Rabbi Refael Abuchatzera from Ashdod, and told him about this amazing miracle. His ravs reply: True. That whats happened. He explained that there had been a great tumult in Heaven over the potential bittul Torah of such magnitude, and it was decided to send the Lubavitcher Rebbe himself, who cares for every Jew in the world, to make certain that the class would go on. Rabbi Abuchatzera then told Rabbi Logasi an additional point, that regarding the words for those who honor Me, I shall

MORE TORAH CLASSES AND MORE MIRACLES

The story spread throughout the city of Cholon like wildfire. People became aware of the greatness of the Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, whose concern for every Jew continues at every moment and with even greater fortitude. Since that week, Rabbi Logasi has asked me to give over a Torah class preceding his lecture. I take the opportunity to discuss the weekly Torah portion from a Chassidic viewpoint, according to the sichos of the Rebbe MHM. On those occasions when Rabbi Logasi is not in the city, I substitute for him. This class has already led to the establishment of additional shiurim. Each Sunday, there is a Tanya class in the Beit E-l Synagogue for those seeking a more in-depth study of Chassidic teachings. Many young people have begun to write to the Rebbe via Igros Kodesh in request of advice and a bracha. As a result, an abundance of miraculous stories of Divine Providence have been making the rounds. It is now clear to everyone that our generation continues to have a leader.

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PROFILE

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TURNING THE WORLD OF THEATER UPSIDE-DOWN

Actor Chaviv Mizrachi had no interest in the spiritual world. He was busy living life, teaching drama and involved with the theater and the arts. Then the birth of his oldest son, Dovid Maor, changed his life. A year after his birth, Chaviv and his wife were told that something wasnt quite right with him. That got them started on a search that culminated with meeting someone who worked for a Chabad house in Kiryat Yovel and putting on tfillin. From there, it didnt take long until Chaviv was fully religious.
By Sholom Ber Crombie Photography by Koby Natan

ight years ago, I spoke with the shliach in Kiryat Yovel in Yerushalayim, R Yosef Elgazi, and asked him to refer me to baalei tshuva in his community that I could interview for Beis Moshiach. He referred me to the Mizrachi family who live in his neighborhood and told me their story in brief. I called the Mizrachis and had a fascinating conversation with the wife, Hadar, who told me about her Chassidic journey, which began after the birth

of their son and about her husband who followed her. I waited for the right time to publicize their story. A year went by and one day, I met R Elgazi in 770, sitting and learning with another Lubavitcher. I went over to him to thank him and apologized that the interview had not been published. In any case, it was fascinating to hear the wifes story. R Elgazi smiled and introduced me to his bearded chavrusa who was none other

than Chaviv Mizrachi. At that point, Chaviv was a card-carrying Lubavitcher. I conducted the following interview in connection with the launching of the Ishafcha Theater Company, under the professional direction of Chaviv, who decided to use his background as an actor and drama teacher for the express purpose of bringing Torah messages to the public.

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Profile
and the usual daily concerns. It was a very difficult situation. Suddenly, at the age of one year, you discover that something is wrong with your baby and you dont know what to do. You try and look for a shortcut of some kind. It took us time to come to terms with his condition. At first, we thought specialized treatment was needed, which would solve the problem and he would be fine. When we got the diagnosis, we began looking for the cure. Under these circumstances, you try all kinds of methods like medicines from America, injections, crazy things. You look for things that will change the reality. In the beginning, there is that naivet in which you think that soon youll be done and everything will go back to normal. I remember registering our son in a special-ed preschool and asking the teacher when he could be mainstreamed. She looked at me and said, I dont know. This might be his permanent condition. That was quite a shock. They started out in denial but quickly reached the next stage. You try to find explanations that are rational. You ask yourself, why me? Why do I deserve this? You find yourself inside a sort of dark cloud and in the end you come to terms. How do you make peace with the fact that your child is different? You cant call it making peace, but you start thinking, what can be done? As it says in the HaYom Yom, sighing gets us nowhere; you realize that you need to get yourself together and be practical because this is your child. We decided to strengthen the family unit, to work on better communication. We learned how

THE SHOCK
The Mizrachis oldest child, Dovid Maor, was born 13 years ago. At first, everything seemed fine, but a few months after his birth, the couple began to notice something odd about him. The signs were subtle, but they raised a red flag for the worried parents who began visiting doctors in order to find out what was wrong with their son.

After running around to various doctors, they were informed that their child wasnt 100%. We were shaken and each of us dealt with it in our own way. I remember that the doctor told my wife to get ready to cry a lot. It was a very difficult time and of course, the mother is particularly hard hit; she spends most of her day with the baby. I handled it my own way, along with my work

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to handle all kinds of things. For example, when you see your child as compared to other children, or when you see people looking at him, you learn how to react properly and to live with it, even though it is hard at first.

STRENGTH FROM THE REBBES ANSWERS

When speaking to Chaviv and Hadar Mizrachi, you hear numerous answers theyve opened to in the Rebbes Igros Kodesh. We had answers from the Rebbe throughout the entire tshuva process. We had numerous answers regarding our son, with direction, encouragement, and personal responses. The Rebbe explained to us, through the answers, how we should handle the situation and to accept it with emuna. The Rebbes answers were on the mark and gave us a lot of strength. From the minute we came to the Chabad house in Kiryat Yovel, we were introduced to the Igros Kodesh and we kept on getting strength from the Rebbes answers. The Rebbe took us by the hand. We opened to clear answers about family matters too. When we wanted to buy an apartment in Kiryat Yovel, the Rebbes answer had to do with Kfar Chabad and he said that whatever amount we invested, he would invest the same amount himself. We decided to buy the apartment, and we merited numerous miracles from the Rebbe in doing so.

MOVING IN A SPIRITUAL DIRECTION

My wife was the first to zero in on a spiritual direction and she began strengthening her own spiritual world. I wasnt at all against that, but I wasnt into it either. We decided to move to Kiryat Yovel because we wanted a change. I taught theater in a school in Kiryat Yovel and really liked the neighborhood. Its a place with warm, down-to-earth people who are very loving. That is where we met Chabad. My wife turned to the Chabad house in her quest to strengthen herself spiritually and she asked the shliach, R Yosef Elgazi, to send someone to put tfillin on with me. R Zev Shtisel came to the house. There was something so warm and real about him so I didnt put up a fuss. The Chassidic warmth he radiated won me over. He left a pair of tfillin with me so I could put them on myself every day. Until then, I hadnt been opposed to putting on tfillin, but I didnt have the head for it. When he left the tfillin with me, I began putting them on every day and began visiting the Chabad house. *** At first these visits were on Shabbos and Yomim Tovim, but then Chaviv began visiting on weekdays too and attending the shiurim. He learned Chassidus with R Ron Colton and discovered the magic of pnimius haTorah. When you learn Chassidus,

I compare the first stage of my tshuva process to the world of acting in which you are constantly trying to reach back for some original expression that contains something very authentic, primal, extremely powerful, specifically because it is raw.

you lose yourself to pnimius haTorah and receive strength thereby. We began receiving strength not only with our son but in all aspects of life. We discovered a rich world that is not just in books. We quickly saw that everything you learn can be applied practically. Ideas that catch your fancy become an inseparable part of your dealings with life. For example, believing in hashgacha pratis. When you understand that at every moment there is a G-dly power that guides you and your life, you see things altogether differently. You realize that there is Someone in charge who gives life and sustains the world at every moment. And therefore, everything that happens is from Him. This idea was transformative for me. I lived with this idea for weeks. I felt that I was actually

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Profile
terror on the streets. A student of mine was killed in one of the attacks, along with sixteen other Jews, may Hashem avenge their blood. He was on the bus that exploded near Liberty Bell Park. I stood in an auditorium full of crying children and I didnt know what to say. Since I was already in the midst of the tshuva process, I also had questions likehow could such a thing occur and why did it occur. At the same time, I remember thinking that despite everything, there is a Creator, and there is a G-dly power that is in charge. This understanding provided by Chassidus empowered me in a very broad kind of way, starting with my son and family and including financial situations. Chassidus provides me with peace of mind. There is a sicha in which the Rebbe explains the idea of menucha, that when you have Torah, you have menucha in the world. That is exactly how I felt. Its an inner peace that you have even in very extreme times. It sounds like your tshuva process was simple. You went to a shiur, learned, and everything changed, as though you had no difficulties or internal doubts. I had never opposed Judaism; I had just never lived it. Chassidus has the ability to show you how G-d exists in the day-to-day. The new learning, the vorts, the farbrengens, it all opened up something inside me. I remember the letters in the Siddur shining from the page on those first Shabbasos. I felt that I was coming to a very special world. You discover the Rebbe and feel connected to him. The combination of all this had a tremendous effect on me. Did you continue your life as usual? At the time I was teaching drama and I continued working as usual. You suddenly have to connect this new amazing thing with your social circle and connect that with your process. One of the points that Chassidus strengthened in me is that you dont have to drop your friends and be a tzaddik in pelts. You can and should be connected with others, with your friends, with your family. I can define this stage as a sort of dialogue. You found something good and you want to share it. Some people are happy to hear it while others think you fell off the deep end. You are not always successful in conveying the experience you are having. Some people start addressing you as honorable rabbi, and you see the point of emuna that exists even within them.

BAR MITZVA IN 770

The Mizrachis traveled to 770 over a year ago to celebrate the bar mitzva of Dovid Maor. It was a very special trip, says Chaviv. Although we couldnt sit all day in 770 and learn, because our son had his needs, it was very moving. The tfillos, the farbrengens, being with the Rebbe together with Dovid Maor, it was all very moving.

receiving gifts from above. I went about my work happily, even though I worked under time pressure and with the stress of professional demands. I suddenly felt serene with the knowledge that everything is from G-d, and therefore everything is good. The process was really amazing. I compare the first stage of my tshuva process to the world of acting in which you are constantly trying to reach back for some original expression that contains something very authentic, primal, extremely powerful, specifically because it is raw.

THE WORLD OF ACTING IN THE SERVICE OF GEULA

How do you utilize the world of acting for the shlichus of kabbalas pnei Moshiach Tzidkeinu? One of the approaches that I try to implement is transmitting meaningful content to people who are not yet observant. While performing, you can insert content with Chassidic concepts, like when you tell a story about a beggar and talk about the mitzva of tzdaka. With a lot of humor and interactive drama the message gets across. I also lead theatrical tours in Yerushalayim and in these performances too, I incorporate a lot of Chassidic concepts. In the world of drama there are many concepts that are reminiscent of concepts in Chassidus. For example, you deal a lot with ratzon, because you need to enter into the inner

CHASSIDUS PROVIDES THE STRENGTH

How did the tshuva process affect your handling of day-today life? It was a rough time when terrorists were repeatedly targeting Yerushalayim. Buses kept exploding and there was

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desires of the character. Western methods of acting teach you the importance of understanding what the character you are playing really wants. One wants to tell a story and another wants to impress; then there are actions that express the core desire. I connect this to the ratzon of a Jew to be connected to Hashem and the methods to reveal this desire. There are also negative aspects, like characters motivated by hubris and other negative traits. I remember how last Purim I learned the sicha in which the Rebbe asks that children not play the part of Haman fully, so as not to relate to the rasha. That means that if you want to, you can play a certain role to the point that it can affect your personal behavior. Another point that I learned from the world of acting is that you can create reality. You enter an atmosphere as it appears in the script and the scene, and you connect to a given situation that exists in the world, even though it is a completely different situation than the one you are in. For example, you act out a situation in which you are living in a poor country and you want to be rich. By relating to the script, you

start feeling that you are living in a poor country. You literally create the reality around you and this relates to things the Rebbe teaches us, that a Jew creates a reality, not just in acting but in real life too. You can learn from this that a Jew cannot be impressed by what is going on around him, but has to shape the circumstances to be as they ought to be. When you are truly connected to the place where you ought to be, you are not impressed by what is going on around you and you can take action from the place where you want to be. There are many opportunities to convey messages of this sort in unconventional ways. I lead groups of bar mitzva boys from the Kosel on a route through the Jewish Quarter and I tell stories about life in Yerushalayim long ago. I pass by the Tzemach Tzedek shul and talk about Chabad. I also tell the story of the Rebbe talking to a boy and comparing a bar mitzva to a baseball game. I present this story to the bar mitzva boy so that he should understand the significance of this stage in life. *** Over the years, Chaviv has

taught acting in many institutions including the Aspaklaria Jewish Theater and the Rechavia Gymnasium. When I teach Chassidus and I need to describe a situation in which the actor acts shocked, I go through the stages. I tell the students that its like chochma, the initial shock that still hasnt quite registered; bina is the first understanding; daas is digesting the full impact of the news. This way, people learn concepts in Chassidus and appreciate its depth. The conventional educational system does not recognize depth and pnimius, and when you bring in a point from Chassidus, it brings life to the students. I am always including messages from the teachings of Chassidus. I was once in the teachers room and the principal tried to explain to a student what happened in the war with Amalek. When I saw that the student did not understand, I told him that Amalek is doubt. The student got the message and the principal was excited because he realized this is a powerful point.

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Profile

EDUCATION IN PLACE OF ENTERTAINMENT

Half a year ago, Chaviv and his friend Avi Kipnis launched a Jewish theater company called Ishafcha which produces plays that include ideas from the world of Chassidus. On Lag BOmer, they appeared at several parades including the big one in Kikar Shabbos in Yerushalayim. Every type of work is, or can be, a shlichus to prepare the world for the coming of Moshiach. In the world of acting you have the ability to convey a message and the audience is eager to listen. Boruch Hashem, we have gotten positive feedback and now we are working on several performances and plays for Chabad and the broader public. Its really an ishafcha to transform the world of the theater into a tool that disseminates Judaism and Chassidus. If modern visual productions deal with ego and the yetzer, we hope to take the theater to its best place and to convey entirely different kinds of messages. When I was a drama student, we had a Russian producer from the old generation who told us that the time had come for the theater to be something pure. There is a clean way of doing theater and we want to use the tools we received in order to channel it along the proper lines. The idea is to perform for both religious Jews as well as the broader public. My friend and I would perform at big events for Chabad and then we asked ourselves why do this only on Lag BOmer and Chanuka? We decided to coordinate our efforts and to work on a series of joint performances. We did a performance for Slichos and the month of Elul, a performance of

stories about the Baal Shem Tov, and a performance for summer camps. We take Chassidic topics and bring them to the stage. The advantage of a story is that it can reach places that other messages dont reach. A good and powerful story can have a tremendous effect. You take the children on a journey with ups and downs, and they go along with you as you tell the story. We performed before an audience of a thousand children and we felt the undivided attention of the crowd and how they identified with the characters. Today, there is so much negative information, the damage inflicted by technology reaches everywhere this too is one of the signs of Geula so that there is something nice about going back to the simple communication of actors on a stage in front of an audience where the audience can react. This is not simple verbal communication, but a means of communication where each really gets a feel for the other. One of the big advantages of this genre is that you do a performance, you fold up your equipment, you go home and you cant even begin to imagine the effect that you had on the children. I once did a performance about the miracles of Chanuka with a friend who is a musician. We performed in all kinds of places and in one place, the shliach asked us to adapt our message to the audience because they were not at all religious. It turned out that this audience was very receptive to the idea of miracles. Afterward, when we talked about the Rebbes miracles, they were willing to listen. You can never know what effect you will have. To the audience, it is a wonderful experience and indirectly they hear the messages.

How does all this lead to publicizing the Besuras HaGeula? Simply put, by spreading the wellsprings as much as possible. It makes no difference where a person is from; he listens to a miracle of the Rebbe, to a vort of the Rebbe, and becomes mekushar to the Rebbe. It has happened many times that I told stories about the Rebbe, and suddenly people from the audience tell their own stories about the Rebbe. One time, a boy got up and said that he is the Rebbes child since he was born with a bracha from the Rebbe. You see how the crowd reacts strongly to this and is open to accepting it. This is mamash Geula. The bottom line is that the messages come through in the stories and performances, whether its the message that everyone can commit to something in mitzvos and good deeds to hasten the Geula or a message of Ahavas Yisroel and tzdaka. Each person relates in his way, through the story or through the tour of Yerushalayim. You suddenly see people connecting. In the tour of Yerushalayim, when we talk about the mitzva of tzdaka, people open their pockets and give money to beggars sitting on the side. Its all connected to the Geula and people hear about Geula and relate it to their personal situation and to committing to doing a good deed or mitzva. In conclusion: Every day, I take another step in the world of tshuva, even now, when I am a Lubavitcher Chassid. Chassidus lays out the work such that you are always in a process and nothing is finished. Each day, the journey continues. We need to be better today than yesterday.

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PARSHA THOUGHT

THE JOY OF THE BAAL TSHUVA

By Rabbi Heschel Greenberg

THE MISMATCH
Leah and Rachel, Jacobs two wives possessed different personalities, which they expressed in many divergent ways throughout their lives. The first time we encounter these sisters, who were to become two of the four Matriarchs of the Jewish people, is in this weeks parsha. The Torah recounts that Jacob fled his brother Eisavs wrath and ended up in the house of his uncle Lavan. Jacob asked to marry Rachel, and Lavan promised him he could but only after performing seven years of labor. In the end Lavan tricked Jacob and gave him Leah instead of Rachel. When he complained, Lavan claimed it would have been improper to marry off the younger sister before the older one. Jacob then had to wait another seven days before marrying Rachel, in return for seven more years of backbreaking labor for Lavan.

TWO PERSONALITY TYPES

In the beginning of this narrative, the Torah describes these two sisters thus: Lavan had two daughters,

the older one was called Leah, and the younger one was called Rachel. Leahs eyes were tender, and Rachel had beautiful features and beautiful complexion. Why were Leahs eyes tender? Rashi explains that their contemporaries believed that, Rivka has two sons, and Lavan has two daughters, the older daughter is for the older son, and the younger daughter for the younger son. Leah therefore fully expected to fall into Eisavs grasp and be compelled to marry him. This prospect so appalled her that she sobbed and wept. As a result, her eyes were made tender. Leahs tears may be understood as her heartfelt beseeching of G-d to deliver her from this fate. In the end, she got what she wanted. She married Jacob instead of Eisav, and bore half of his twelve sons, among them Levi, the progenitor of the Kohanim and Leviim, as well as Yehudah, the ancestor of the Davidic dynasty, culminating in Moshiach. CRYING VERSUS JOY Rabbi Nochum of Chernobyl, the famous Chassidic Master, remarked: Rachel and Leah both desired the same thingJacob.

However, what Leah received through crying Rachel achieved with joy. In these pithy words, Rabbi Nochum captured one of the fundamental principles of Chassidic thought, which assigns greater value to true joy than heartfelt crying. One might imagine that a person who spends years of heartfelt prayer for something positive would have a spiritual advantage over someone who expected to receive her hearts desire with having to agonize over it. Why did Rachel get what she wanted without the heavy cost paid by Leah? In other words, why does joy have so much more power than grief?

BREAKING THE BOUNDARIES

The answer can be found with a better understanding of the true meaning of joy. In Hebrew the word for joy is simcha. The Rebbe Rashab (Rabbi Sholom Dovber, the fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe) coined an important phrase: simcha poretz geder joy breaks through boundaries. In so doing, he expanded upon a Talmudic statement concerning a king: Melech poretz gedera king breaks through boundaries. This refers to the power of a king
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PARSHA THOUGHT
to break through the boundaries of private property as a shortcut on the way to his destination. Indeed, Judaisms ultimate monarch, Moshiach, is referred to as the poretz, the barrier breaker. What do kingship and joy have in common? A king answers to no higher human authority; he is confident and resolute. In his mind there are no obstacles to fulfilling his mission. Yehudah, the king of the 12 Tribes, took full responsibility for returning Benjamin to Jacob. It was Yehudahs powerful greatest feat for human beings: to rise above all of the negatives in life. through that barrier with G-ds help, her joy likewise broke through its barriers. She now, for the first time, was able to express unparalleled joy and gratitude.

MOSHIACH: SCION OF LEAH

The question we may ask now is how we reconcile the fact that Moshiachthe ultimate monarch and the ultimate exemplar of joy, for the letters of the word Moshiach rearranged spell the word yismachhe shall rejoice will be a descendant of Leah and not Rachel? The answer is that although Leah began in misery, she

THE PROGENITOR OF ALL MAJOR INSTITUTIONS

At this juncture, Leah transformed herself and even surpassed Rachel in terms of her joy and gratitude. Leah transitioned from a lower level of Tshuva, which involved crying over the negative, into a higher level of Tshuva, which was punctuated by an unmitigated joy. Now she felt that G-d had empowered her to get closer to Him and His mission, by allowing her to bring all the main strands of Jewish leadership into the world. Yehudah, as noted, was the progenitor of kings and some of the greatest prophets, such as Isaiah. Leahs other sons were the source for many important leaders. Levi was the progenitor of the Kohanim and Levites and some of the greatest prophets, from Moses and Aaron, to Samuel, Elijah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Ezra. Shimon was the ancestor of the teachers of children throughout the Land of Israel. Yissachars dynasty produced the great Sages, who were responsible for the calendar etc. Zvulun was the ancestor of significant philanthropists and benefactors who supported and facilitated Jewish scholarship. Rachels most illustrious descendant, of course, was Joseph. He was the progenitor of the first Jewish leader in the Land of Israel, Joshua, as well as the provisional monarchy established in the breakaway kingdom of Israel. In contrast to Leahs descendants, their role as leaders was to be temporary, unlike the

It may be suggested that although initially it is the tzaddik who enjoys the joy and satisfaction, the one who laughs last is the Baal Tshuva. It is he or she who changes the world and transforms negatives into positives. The resultant joy is much more intense and enduring.
transformed that sentiment into joy. With the birth of each child, her joy was enhanced. Her joy reached its crescendo with Yehudahs birth. At this point she exclaimed: I will now thank G-d. Does this statement imply that she did not show gratitude with the birth of her first three children? The answer is that she expected to have three male children, assuming that to be her share of the 12 tribes Jacob would father with his four wives. Her gratitude for those births, which was commensurate with her joy, was therefore anticipated and thus measured. It broke no rules and shattered no conventions. It could not be characterized as a genuine, unmitigated and bunker-busting joy. However, when she exceeded her expected share and bore Jacob a fourth child, breaking

promise to his father, that he would forfeit this world and the next if he would fail to return Benjamin, which convinced Jacob to allow Benjamin to travel to Egypt. Yehudah knew that he would succeed. He had no need for a Plan B. When a person is said to act royally, it means that he exudes this confidence and determination to forge ahead. It is this attitude that allows us to overcome our anxieties and stay on the road to our destination. This is precisely what simcha implies as well. It is our joyful trust in G-ds guidance and support that gives us the confidence that we will succeed. To think that Rachels joy was less spiritually potent than Leahs agony is to fail to appreciate the power required to maintain a state of joy. It is arguably the

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leadership of the Davidic dynasty, which was to last forever. Indeed, our Sages describe two Moshiachs: Moshiach the son of Joseph and Moshiach the son of David. The difference between them is that the former fights the battles but eventually succumbs. Moshiach ben David then assumes the mantle of leadership forever. In the Messianic Age, we are told, the two leaders will merge into one; but the dominant one will be the descendant of David and Yehudahwho were themselves Leahs descendants.

world, the one who laughs last is the Baal Tshuva. It is he or she who changes the world and transforms negatives into positives. The resultant joy is much more intense and enduring. Thus, Moshiach ben David comes as a result of the Baal Tshuva phenomenon that engenders unparalleled joy and breaks through the boundaries of exile. Moshiach, according to

the Zohar, is also credited with the ability to enable the tzaddik to experience a superior state of Tshuva. In the context of our discussion of joy it can also be understood that Moshiach will also enable the tzaddik, who is accustomed to a more conventional and limited joy, to experience the exuberant and boundary-breaking intense joy of the Baal Tshuva!

THE JOY OF THE BAAL TSHUVA VERSUS THE TZADDIK

The Rebbe describes the difference between Rachel and Leah in terms of the Tzaddik versus the Baal Tshuva. Rachel represents the joyous approach of the sinless tzaddik, who is destined for holiness and dwells in a holy atmosphere. Leah represents the Baal Tshuva, who is in a constant struggle with the Eisavs of the world. It may be suggested that although initially it is the tzaddik who enjoys the joy and satisfaction of being in close proximity to the Jacobs of the

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TZIVOS HASHEM

ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION:

SPREADING THE WELLSPRINGS OUTWARD

by Y Schreiber

Yoske: What hashgacha pratis that weve met here at the Kinus HaShluchim. This time of year is less busy because this month, Cheshvan, has no Yomim Tovim; still, there is the routine shlichus work that needs ongoing support. Shmulik: Yup, Yoske is right. Its hard to leave shlichus for a few days, but when we remember what the purpose is, to go to the Rebbe, to the house of the meshaleiach, we can, and even must, leave everything for a few days. We need to load up with renewed kochos by the Rebbe and return to our shlichus with more vigor. Yitzchok: Not just to load up with renewed kochos. The Rebbe himself said that one of the purposes of the Kinus HaShluchim is to come up with ideas, tips and good advice for one another that will help with the shlichus. Shmulik: Obviously. We shluchim are mekusharim to the Rebbe with all our heart. Our discussions are not just official, but mainly Chassidish. We were raised in Tomchei Tmimim to love one another with Chassidishe love which goes beyond brotherly love, and as such, we help our fellow shluchim as much as we can, materially and spiritually. Consequently, spontaneous

discussions arise among us on all sorts of topics that have to do with our work. Mendel: For example, a topic that is really bothering me in my work in an Israeli development town is spreading the teachings of Chassidus. I am in touch with numerous people, some of them on a daily basis, and it bothers me that I still havent managed to teach them Chassidus. Its like it doesnt speak to them. Yoske: What kind of people are they? Mendel (sighing): All types, from religiously observant Jews to those who are ignorant due to lack of education. Each of them comes to the Chabad house or are in touch with me on topics that interest him alone. Shmulik: And they arent necessarily topics that interest you Mendel: Right unfortunately. (Sighing again): I often sit alone and make a cheshbon hanefesh and wonder what makes me a shliach of the Rebbe MHM? The whole idea of the Rebbe is to bring the Geula. On countless occasions, the Rebbe said and wrote that preparing for the true and complete Geula and the way to make it happen is through spreading the wellsprings of

Chassidus outward. And yet, Im failing at that. Yitzchok (after thinking): Mendel, lets think what you can do. Each of us will speak from our experience in spreading the wellsprings. Yoske: At my Chabad house, for example, for a long time I tried to arrange a shiur in Chassidus. I brought a speaker, a knowledgeable Chassid, and I distributed flyers about the time and place. The results were meager. Two or three people showed up and the speaker and I were very disappointed. Then I realized I had to take a different approach. I spoke with one of my friends, a mekurav of the Chabad house, and we decided to make a shiur/ farbrengen at his place. We brought a new speaker, young and dynamic, who prepared shiurim on certain topics. We turned the shiur into a weekly event and its growing. There are times that twenty businessmen from the street where the restaurant is, join us! All of them: Wow! Shmulik: I also operate in restaurants and stores, but in more focused shiurim. Every day, I visit a few restaurants or stores, according to a schedule I set up, and I sit with the owners for a

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few minutes of Torah talk. Every week I manage to visit them all. Overall I reach 130 people who spend a few minutes learning Torah. Of course, I learn with them topics in Chassidus that are directly connected to the Geula as the Rebbe emphasized that this is what we should learn. Yitzchok: Because all of Chassidus is inyanei Geula. When it happens, we will see all the G-dly things that we learn about in the teachings of Chassidus. Shmulik: Right, but not everything that we learn can be easily connected to Geula, so I choose those things that are explicitly about the avoda of preparing for the Geula, about how amazing the world will be when it happens, as a result of all the G-dly and spiritual revelations which we learn about in Chassidus. Mendel: It sounds great. You really are reaching the chutza in restaurants and stores, people who are on the street all day and then you show up once a week with Chassidus And I thought that the idea is to get them to the Chabad house and as I said, I havent been successful at that. Yoske: There is a solution to

that too, because a Chabad house is definitely meant to be a place where people gather and learn Chassidus, not just buy mezuzos and other Jewish items. Mendel: So how do I do that? Yoske: It depends on the packaging, how you present it. There are people who, if you write A Spiritual Evening, will come en masse, and those to whom those words are of no interest. The latter might be interested in a course on Personal Success at Work. Yitzchok: Thats actually what I did. I called a friend of mine and enthusiastically told him about a bi-monthly event we would be having in our living room on the topic of Shalom Bayis. He told some friends and each time, we talk about inyanei Chassidus that are related to the topic. Chassidus has a powerful effect on the participants and they are making progress in other areas of Torah and mitzvos too. Shmulik: Id like to go back and talk about what I said before, but from another perspective. There are many businessmen, lawyers and doctors who are interested in one-on-one learning. They want you, the shliach, to teach them out of the sfarim, not just talk about ideas.

There is a lawyer whom I learn with once a week, early in the morning, before he begins his day at the office. We learn the Rebbes edited maamarim! Mendel: How much have you learned so far? Shmulik: We learned volumes two and three and we just started volume four. He loves it! Yoske: You see Mendel you have to be a bit creative. You can be the most successful shliach when it comes to helping people, in shiurei Torah, tfillos, etc. but weak when it comes to shiurei Chassidus. If you operate in the usual way, you wont enjoy real success. If you are a bit creative, you can reach people that you never dreamed you could reach, real chutza, and you will be able to spread the wellsprings themselves without compromising whatsoever! Yitzchok: We all have more ideas but time is running out. Come, lets learn a sicha. In another hour it will be Mincha here in 770. Lets use the time to get the wellsprings into our minds and hearts and then they will burst forth from us to whomever we meet! Mendel: Amen. Thank you all. You are real shluchim and Chassidim!

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YOUNG CHASSID
THE HUMOR CORNER
D.J. Granovetter
Before Rabba would start to teach his students, he would tell them a funny story. Shabbos 30b Yanky got into bed, but five minutes later he realized he was thirsty. But his Tatte had a rule no drinking after bed time. But he was thirsty! Tatte! Im thirsty! he cried. Too bad, Tatte called back to him. No drinking after bed time. But Im thirsty! Tatte, please bring me a drink! No! Yanky tried to fall asleep, but he couldnt. Tatte! I cant sleep! Im so thirsty! I need a cup of water! Yanky, if you call out one more time, Im gonna come in and give you a potch! Five minutes later... Tatte? What is it now? When you come in to give me a potch, can you bring a cup of water?

FROM UNCLE SHOLOMS SELF-HELP KIT:

AVOIDING LATENESS
Do you have a problem with being late? Well, Ive got some grand tips here for you on how you can avoid being late, and, in fact, always be on time! Figure out how late you usually are for things; lets say you find out you tend to be forty-five minutes late. Set your watch forty-five minutes early! If youre off somewhere, and youre late, and someone comes over to say hello, call out, Im late! Im late! No time to say hello; goodbye! Dont text and walk; that will cause one of two things to happen: Either your texting will make you walk slowly, and then youll be late, or, walking fast, you might very well bonk your nose against a lamppost! Schedule events on your calendar to remind yourself ahead of time so you wont forget and be late. When youre about to leave your house and you suddenly realize there are a few things you still need to do it will only take you a few minutes resist the urge! Charge right out that door (but first look out the peephole to make sure no ones coming to the door, so you wont crash into him/her). Make sure your shoelaces are tied before you get going, so you wont trip and fall; that would make you late! Always remember: Being on time is not just convenient for you, but it makes things convenient for everyone; especially when it comes to being in time for a mitzvah!

ADVENTURES OF ADI
Shalom Uvracha! Just got back from a top secret mission, in Yerushalayim! Shabbos afternoon, I was taking a stroll down Shmuel HaNavi Street, when I saw a Yid standing by the curb, shouting out to passing cars, Shabbos! Shabbos! Excuse me, Reb Yid, I said to him, but I just thought Id let you know of the derech of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, when it comes to being mekarev Yidden to Torah and mitzvos; you see, the Rebbe says that the way we inspire Yidden is having them but Chassidus explains that a little do a mitzvah such as bit of light dispels much darkness; putting on tfillin. And the way to deal with the darkness one mitzvah leads to is not to fight it, but to light it up! another. But we certainly Speaking of which, Im on the way mustnt put them down, to the beis midrash to learn some and make them feel bad; Chassidus; would you like to join after all, its not their me? fault they werent born Oh, okay. into a frum household We went together to the beis and werent taught to midrash, where we learned some keep Torah and mitzvos. Tanya; he was all inspired. I wish I But I cant help it! exclaimed had learned Chassidus before! Now the Yid. When I see fellow Yidden I understand the great importance desecrating Shabbos, it hurts! of lighting up the darkness with Thats why I shout, Shabbos! the light of Chassidus! Shabbos! Bsuros Tovos, It certainly hurts to see Your Friend, Adi Shabbos being broken, I agreed,

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