Crown Heights Israelis Gather

Over 100 men packed Chovevei Torah’s hall on Wednesday night. It was a mixed crowd of many types with varying views, but the common denominator was that they are all Israelis who live in Crown Heights.

The event was the first for a group of young local Israelis, who have taken the initiative to arrange gatherings for the Hebrew-speaking residents of the neighborhood. Judging by the attendance at this first event, there is a great interest in something of this kind.

The evening began with the recitation of the Rebbe’s kapitel by Rabbi Sholom Ber Lipsker. This was followed by a video of the Rebbe from Chof-Ches Nissan 5751 which reminded the crowd that the Rebbe gave us the task to do all that we can to bring Moshiach.

Emcee Dudi Farkash then called upon Rabbi Menachem Mendel Gluckowsky, member of the Beis Din Rabbanei Chabad in Israel and rav of the Chabad community in Rechovot, to speak on the subject of “Shalom Bayis B’Toras Ha’Rebbe.” Rabbi Gluckowsky gave ideas on how to improve relationships based on the Rebbe’s sichos while focusing on one of the foundations of shalom bayis – mutual respect.

After a Niggun Hisorerus played by Yossi Cohen, the emcee called upon Rabbi Yosef Braun, member of the Badatz of Crown Heights, to speak about chinuch. Rabbi Braun referred to the title of his talk, “Tips for Chinuch” and said that a man once went to a rabbi and asked for a segula for parnassa, a segula that is 100% reliable. The rabbi said, there is just one such segula – work hard on chinuch too. There are tips for improving chinuch but whoever thinks that tips alone will do the trick is mistaken because in order to succeed in chinuch, you need to put in a lot of work.

Between speakers the participants enjoyed the sumptuous buffet, and said l’chaim on an array of wine.

The final speaker was Rabbi Yoske Levin who lived in Crown Heights for many years and did a lot for the Chassidus shiur that took place every morning in 770. Rabbi Levin spoke about the pleasure in learning Chassidus and how it improves your quality of life, even your material life, when you start your day with Chassidus. “Start learning and see how your day is much better in every respect,” he said.

R’ Avrohom Rainitz, one of the organizers of the event, concluded the evening by announcing a course in Hilchos Taharas Ha’Mishpacha in a four part series that will begin next Thursday, 12 Tammuz. The classes will be held in R’ Getzel’s shul.