Because of Kids at the Bus Stop

By COLlive Staff

“I was a yuppie guy with a job teaching at a public school in East Flatbush and would bike in each morning from Park Slope, passing through Crown Heights,” said student N.R. “It was a tough assignment, in a challenged neighborhood teeming with gang violence, drugs and worse,” the student at Yeshiva Tiferes Bachurim in Morristown told of his return to Judaism this past Shabbos at their Parent’s weekend.

“‘Please G-d, let there be at least 6 out of my 25 children in class today when we begin,'” he said about his feelings while on his way to teach on any given morning. “But then I would notice the children in Crown Heights, just waiting anxiously at the bus stop for its arrival, and when it would arrive they would actually be happy!”

This experience, he explained, foreign even to him growing up in upper-class suburbia of Connecticut, was what made him come to the realization, “something special, something very right is happening here in this neighborhood of Crown Heights.” And that’s what sparked his interest in moving to Crown Heights and getting involved with Judaism. N.R. concluded his tale by commenting, “I may not have parents like those gathered here tonight, however, Hashem has never forsaken me.”

This, and many other moving tales of Teshuva, were recounted throughout the Parent’s weekend at Yeshiva Tiferes Bachurim this past Shabbos.

“It is not our goal to produce Rabbis at the Rabbinical College,” was the message from Rabbi Zalman Dubinsky – Rosh Yeshiva, “rather to produce educated Jewish people.”

The third annual Parent’s weekend at the yeshiva was created to help bridge the gap between balei teshuva students and their non-religious families.

Over 25 families joined the students and Rabbis for the Shabbaton weekend. They gained insights to their sons’ way of life by experiencing Shabbos meals, davening, special classes and one-to-one meetings with the Rabbis.

The floor was open to discuss concerns or compliments, and for the most part, parents were truly pleased and many of their fears abated.

One parent wrote, “As a parent, one can hope that their child will find a passion, a true passion. There are seminars, books and websites to help one develop a passion. Many people will search their entire lives and never find one. For a long time, I hoped that my son would find a passion. Then…he made his way into your staff’s very capable hands. I will forever be grateful…

“He has developed more compassion, he has matured, he has become dependable, and taken on more responsibility. All of these attributes you can see since you have given him various responsibilities around your campus. Before Tiferes he attended Chabad. Seeds were planted, so the foundation could be formed; he wasn’t yet ready. Your staff has enabled him so, that he is eager to wake up long before it is necessary. Your staff has encouraged and guided him along a path where he wants to learn… I want to let you know how appreciative my husband and I are of the good work you draw out of our son.”

The event concluded with an address by renowned lecturer David Nesenoff, former conservative Rabbi of 20 years, who addressed the gathering as a current parent of a baal teshuva student.

Nesenoff spoke glowingly of his many experiences working with Chabad rabbis around the globe, including Rabbi Grossbaum in Long Island, Rabbi Denburg in Boca Raton and many more.

“My son has always been a totally devoted business partner in my many ventures. Now however, whenever we go to a business meeting Adam has his Tefillin ready with him, the impact it makes is incredible!” he said.