Boy Remembered with Mitzva Tank

Photos: Alex Gorokhov – www. GlattPhotography.com

This past Wednesday, Rabbi Zalman Liberow and the Chabad of Flatbush community held a fundraiser dinner in honor of his son, Avrohom Dovid ob’m, who passed away tragically in a car accident 3 years ago, on a date which would have been his Bar Mitzvah.

The funds raised will go toward supporting the activities of a Mitzvah Tank dedicated in Avrohom Dovid’s honor. The Mitzvah Tank, which travels around offering people to do a Mitzvah – good deed, has on board two pairs of Tefillin – Rashi, and Rabbeinu Taams – both of which had been purchased for use by Avrohom Dovid.

The event was held in the heart of Flatbush, Kings Highway, a notable business location where Rabbi Liberow and the Mitzvah Tank go for their daily mivtzoim route. It took place in a very elegant banquet hall, Kings Terrace.

Following the reception, Rabbi Aaron Raskin, shliach in Brooklyn Heights, who was also the MC, welcomed everyone and thanked participants for being part of such a great cause. Rabbi Raskin then called up a classmate and friend that Dovid truly admired, a friend who shared the same Bar-Mitzvah day as him. His friend began reciting the chapter corresponding to the Rebbe’s age and the new chapter Dovid would begin to recite that night.

He then introduced Rabbi Worsberg, Avraham Dovid’s third grade teacher, who described with heartfelt emotion the privilege he had getting to know Avraham Dovid. R. Worsberg summed up Avraham Dovid’s extraordinary character by saying that he was a pure Tomim, truthfully sincere and dedicated to his values and the great accomplishments he filled his short life with.

Rabbi Liberow was then called up to the podium and he described the power of the Mitzvah Tank, “A Chabad House on Wheels” which reaches out to Jews on the street who would not necessarily be exposed to Judaism in any other way. He then proceeded to honor the honorees and pay tribute to their great dedication.

The honorees were called up to the podium, and were given a beautiful and very unique award – “A Tank inside a Fish Tank” as Dr. Lew described. Dr. Lew was the pediatrician of Avrohom Dovid, and him and his wife were honored at the dinner. He shared his connection which he had with the Lubavitcher Rebbe, and expressed his admiration of the holy work of drawing Jews closer to their roots that many Lubavitchers, especially Rabbi Liberow, that dedicate their lives to. He also shared an incident etched in his memory of a visit Avraham Dovid had with him. With no hesitation, Dovid approached Dr. Lew, handed him a nickel to place in the Tzedaka box he had in his hand, and explained that by the Dr. doing so they will be sharing a Mitzvah. There was no way he could resist.

Longtime members of the Chabad House, Mr. Chaim and Susan Naim were honored for their endless support and financial dedication through the entire history of Chabad of Flatbush. They are the right hand of Rabbi Zalman and Chani Liberow, assisting in whatever way they can.

Chaim shared a few short words, urging and encouraging all to continue to support the work of Rabbi Zalman, expressing how much their help is needed and appreciated.

Local Kings Highway business-owner, Mr. Shimon Levaiev who is a recent friend of the Rabbi was honored for the enthusiasm and dedication he has for Chabad’s activities especially performed through the mitzvah tank. Rabbi Liberow described his constant encouragement and passion he shared from day one.

“A picture is worth a thousand words, and a video, a thousand pictures,” said Rabbi Raskin moments before presenting “a tribute to a young tankist.” This was an emotional slide show with videos and pictures of Dovid’s lifetime created by MM Bryski, playing to the background of a moving song about Avraham Dovid’s short life written to the Chassidic melody sung by tradition before a Bar-Mitzvah boy begins to recite his Maamar (a Chassidic discourse) on the day of his bar mitzvah.

Avraham Dovid’s classmates together with the “Temimim Boys Choir” were called up and sang selected Nigunim uniquely connected to Avraham Dovid.

A beautiful video presentation put together by Levi Liberow, the rabbi’s son, was presented. This video gave a glimpse into the history and function of the army tank and how the Mitzvah tank campaign evolved with the same theme: to ride over any obstacle and accomplish the goal of reaching out to every Jew.

At the conclusion of the event, before the ‘grace after meals” valuable prizes were auctioned off as an additional fundraiser. The auction ended off with the last prize – a dollar Rabbi Liberow received himself from the holy hand of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.