Group Visits Russia, Ukraine

A group from Brazil visited cities in Russia and the Ukraine this month, accompanied by Shliach Rabbi Yossi Alpern of Beit Chabad Central.

On Wednesday, 15th of Elul, the day that the Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim was founded, the group visited the city of Lubavitch, where it was located. After dipping in the Mikvah in the same river that four of the Lubavitch Rebbes used, they wrote Panim, had a farbrengen and sang the Rebbe Rashab’s nigun at the location that once was the big Zal – learning hall of the Yeshivah.

On Thursday, they visited Babi Yar, where tens of thousands of Jews were killed by the Nazis. Tehilim and Kaddish was said there.

On Friday they went to the Ohel of Reb Levi Yitzchok of Berdichev and had wonderful meal and farbrengen at the Chabad House. Friday afternoon they arrived at Mezibush, and joined a group of over 200 chassidim from all over the world.

The highlight of the trip was davening ono the auspicious day of Chai Elul at the shul of the Baal Shem Tov and having the Shabbos meal with inspiring words from many mashpiim with singing and dancing until midnight.

After having the traditional Melava Malka with a story of the Baal Shem Tov, the group left to Haditch where they spent hours saying Tehilim at the Alter Rebbe’s Kever and later went to Niezin to the Ohel of the Miteler Rebbe.

They ended their trip with a farbrengen in Kiev where each one got up and spoke about what touched him most about the trip. All were grateful to the shluchim in Russia and the Ukraine that helped with every moment of this unforgettable trip.

On they way back to Brazil, some stopped in Paris, and davened at 17 Rue des Rosiers, the Shul where 4 Lubavitch Rebbes once prayed.