By COLlive reporter
“If it’s Tuesday, it must be Milan!” And if it’s Wednesday, it must be Manchester. And so it went over a nearly two-week tour of Europe over the Gimmel Tammuz period as Rabbi Yossy Goldman, senior South African Shliach and President of the South African Rabbinical Association, traveled to six cities across Europe to deliver Keynote Addresses, Shabbos sermons, and farbrengens in honor of the Rebbe’s 29th Yahrtzeit. His itinerary was quite hectic, virtually every day in a different city and country.
As he is now Life Rabbi Emeritus of the iconic Sydenham Shul where he was its longest-serving spiritual leader for some 34 years, Rabbi Goldman is now able to accept international speaking invitations more easily.
The European Jewish Association (EJA) arranged the tour, which offers regular lectures by prominent speakers to European communities under the banner of EuroShiur Lecture Tours. Director of EJA, Rabbi Menachem Margolin, assisted by Rebbetzin Leah Liberow, have been doing this for some years now, and it is a service deeply appreciated by the Shluchim and communities who avail themselves of this important and generous service.
Rabbi Goldman’s lecture tour began in Basel, Switzerland, where he was at the podium on the same day as he landed in Zurich from Johannesburg as the guest of Rabbi Zalman Wishedsky. Joining him on the program was the respected symphony musician Michael Heitzler who played a selection of Chabad niggunim on the clarinet most movingly.
The host, Rabbi Wishedsky, was most eloquent in his praise:
“Rabbi Goldman was already with us once, a decade ago, when we inaugurated the Beit Chabad in Basel. The impression he left then ensured we would not miss the opportunity to hear him again.
I knew that Rabbi Yossy Goldman was an eminent lecturer. I heard him move hundreds; I saw him bring an audience of thousands to their feet. But I wondered if he could reach the hearts of only a small crowd. After all, Basel is not a big community. Well, not only did he succeed, but he exceeded our expectations!
“The audience was filled with authentic, serious people who come to our classes, intellectuals with a head on their shoulders, men and women of all shades and styles. Rabbi Goldman spoke for almost an hour, and no one wanted him to stop.
“He didn’t omit anything, he didn’t condescend. He just placed a simple truth on the table as it is. Yes, there was a joke or two; he did it with a smile, but it was rich with pathos and power. And he conveyed but a simple truth. This was an evening in honor of the Rebbe, and he simply brought the Rebbe to the evening. Thank you, Rabbi Goldman. Thank you, EuroShiur.”
Next stop was Brussels, Belgium, for Shabbos Parshas Shelach. Rabbi Goldman was the featured Shabbos speaker at the European Synagogue, Ohel Eliezer, located in the center of the European Union district. Rabbi Michoel Rosenblum invited Rabbi Goldman to deliver the Shabbos sermon and the seasoned ‘master of the pulpit’ did not disappoint. After that, he spoke at the Kiddush, which became a Farbrengen, and people only left the Shul at 3:30 pm. After Mincha, he continued on the theme for Shluchim and community.
“Rabbi Goldman’s unique style, weaving Torah thoughts, stories with wit and humor, current events, and personal experiences from South Africa and beyond, captivated the European officials, the entrepreneurs, and the members of Anash equally in a relaxed and comfortable manner penetrating the Pintele Yid. We can’t wait for his return,” said Rabbi Rosenblum.
And then, on his first-ever trip to Scandinavia, Rabbi Goldman visited the small Jewish community of Malmo, Sweden, headed by Rabbi Shneur and Reizel Kesselman. Although he had many invitations and couldn’t accept them all, Malmo was a place he really wanted to visit.
“I had heard that they had suffered from much antisemitism,” said Rabbi Goldman. “I knew they didn’t get many visitors at all. I felt strongly that both the Rabbinic couple and the community deserved support and encouragement. In Malmo, one witnessed first-hand the true mesirus nefesh of Shluchim and it was my privilege to help.”
For his part, Rabbi Kesselman was most grateful. “It was an honor to have Rabbi Yossy Goldman visit Malmö for Gimmel Tammuz,” he said. “His visit was a real highlight for our community! He captivated the audience with his eloquence and authority while at the same time being warm, personal, and relevant. This important visit to our small, challenged community was very meaningful and deeply appreciated. He inspired and uplifted us. Thank you, Rabbi Goldman, for your special visit!”
And if it’s Tuesday, it must be Milano! Rabbi Sendi Wilschanski of Beit Chabad arranged this event. A distinguished audience was in attendance, including the Rebbe’s first Shluchah to Italy, Rebbetzin Bassie Garelik.
Words of appreciation from Rabbi Wilschanski: “Rabbi Goldman’s enlightening talk at Beit Chabad in Milan, successfully communicated to the wider community of Anash and Mekuravim, the Rebbe’s groundbreaking innovation in relating and taking responsibility for every Jew, regardless of their identity. The fascinating insights and stories conveyed during the lecture inspired the listeners and instilled a desire to connect with the Rebbe and his teachings, which was an appropriate preparation for Gimmel Tammuz. We eagerly anticipate more such visits to our community. Thank you, Rabbi Goldman and thank you to the people at EuroShiur for this wonderful opportunity.”
And the very next day it was off to Manchester, England where after three plane delays, Rabbi Goldman arrived at the very well-attended Beis Menachem Shul with his luggage straight from the airport and just on time to give his talk. Rabbi Mendel Cohen, Rav of Beis Menachem, and one of the organizers of the event, said, “It was attended by members of the Chabad community, including men, women, and children. Rabbi Goldman’s engagement with the audience was remarkable and had a profound impact on everyone present. We were completely captivated and thoroughly enjoyed the talk and the farbrengen that followed, eagerly seeking more.”
And then, it was off to London by train, a comfortable two-hour ride. That Thursday, on Gimmel Tammuz in Hendon at the Beis Gavriel Shul with Rabbi Menachem Junik, would be the first of five different appearances for the South African guest speaker. The Shul was overflowing, and extra chairs had to be brought in. Attendees were a broad mix of prominent Rabbis, Dayanim, Roshei Yeshiva, and the wider community.
Rabbi Junik, who was a student Shliach in Johannesburg back in 1986 and was personally present when Rabbi Goldman assumed his prominent position as Rabbi of the Sydenham Shul, was lavish in his praise. “Yes, the audience absorbed every word of Torah, and it was uplifting, peppered with humor and anecdotes and a take home message which carried the crowd. But what was truly extraordinary was that Rabbi Goldman really understood his audience. He was able to connect and relate to everyone present despite the broad spectrum of people and inspire each and everyone on their own Jewish journey.”
On Friday morning Rabbi Goldman spoke at the assembly of the Lubavitch Girls High School in Stamford Hill, where he was introduced by Rabbi Dr. Tali Lowenthal, one of the school’s leading educators.
Friday night Parshas Korach was a different audience entirely. The Rabbi was the Guest Speaker at a communal dinner hosted by Chabad of Golders Green. A nearly hundred-person-strong event, attended by locals and visitors alike, from many countries and many different walks of life sat absorbed as Rabbi Goldman explored the burning current issue of antisemitism.
Rabbi Yossi and Chanie Simon were great hosts who created a wonderful atmosphere and ambiance. According to the Simons, “Rabbi Goldman engaged our crowd, which included quite a few expats from South Africa, with depth and humor. He also shared the Rebbe’s response to antisemitism and how he cares and loves every Jew.”
And though he had a very late night, Rabbi Goldman managed to wake up bright and early and do the 35-minute walk to Hampstead Garden Suburb on Shabbos morning to speak at the popular Hashkomah Minyan of the United Synagogue’s Norrice Lea Shul. There he met many old friends and congregants from Johannesburg and spoke at the Kiddush where he was introduced by Rabbi Barry Marcus MBE, formerly of South Africa and now retired from the prestigious Great Portland Street Synagogue in the West End of London.
From Norrice Lea, it was a short walk to Chabad of Hampstead Garden Suburb, established by Rabbi Bentzi and Rochie Sudak. With a later starting time (as is customary in Chabad) he was able to get there in plenty of time to deliver the sermon during the Shabbos morning service. “In only ten minutes, Rabbi Goldman empowered our community and through the Rebbe’s teachings, showed them how to confidently stand tall and proud with their Judaism while engaging with the outside world,” Rabbi Sudak said.
After walking back to Golders Green and a well-earned Shabbos rest, it was back to the podium to give a Shiur in Pirkei Avos after Mincha (which was at 9 pm!) at Heichal Menachem, the Chabad Shul in Golders Green. Reb Yechiel Wilhelm, one of the activists there, said, “The Kehilla thoroughly enjoyed Rabbi Goldman’s 40-minute Shiur, which provided deep insights on living one’s life as a ‘mensch,’ which the Rabbi believes is a dominant theme in the Ethics of the Fathers.”
The final appearance was an after-dinner talk for N’shei Chabad in Stamford Hill on Sunday night. Here is one anonymous woman’s summation: “Rabbi Goldman spoke calmly, but a fire burned within. One could sense many years of authentic, total devotion to the Rebbe’s mission. He transported us through real life-changing stories, love for every Jew combined with an inside knowledge of the South African Jewish community with a focused eye on the ultimate goal: to bring every Jew to the warm embrace of Torah and Mitzvos.
“Rabbi Goldman had all the hundred plus ladies and girls, spanning all ages and life stages, hanging onto every twist and turn on his Shlichus journey in what was deemed to be a dwindling community to helping develop a 600-strong Torah Academy School with a new Girls High School currently under construction.
“He demonstrated creative thinking when pioneering the Jewish Sound Radio program despite the apartheid government’s refusal to allow rabbis on the radio, airing from neighboring Swaziland until the new political dispensation.”
Reflecting on the trip, Rabbi Goldman said: “In general, it was a fascinating tour, through six cities in five different countries. Visiting communities big and small, and experiencing the intriguingly broad mix of Chassidic, Frum, and secular audiences. It’s always interesting to meet new people, and especially to witness first-hand the dedication and total commitment of the Rebbe’s Shluchim. Besides the hardships of going to new countries and communities and often having to learn new languages, they all carry on their work with true simcha and no complaints, though they could probably have much to moan about. More than they learned from me, I learned from them. They are indeed an inspiration to me.”
