By COLlive staff
Since becoming Life Rabbi Emeritus of Sydenham Shul in Johannesburg, Rabbi Yossy Goldman has been lecturing around the world and has spoken in dozens of cities and communities in North and Central America, Europe, and Israel.
Recently, he completed a highly successful Uforatzto tour across the West Coast of the USA and Canada, from the state of Washington to Vancouver, Canada, to Los Angeles and San Diego.
The Senior South African Shliach began his lectures in Spokane, Washington with a Shabbaton organized by Rabbi Yisroel and Chaya Sarah Hahn. Friday night dinner and Shabbos lunch provided opportunities for addresses by both Rabbi Goldman and his activist wife, Rebbetzin Rochel Goldman, too.
“Seeing the mesirus nefesh and total commitment of Shluchim in small communities was an eye opener,” said Rabbi Goldman. “Raising Yiddishe kinderlach in a small town with no school and no friends isn’t easy, but they do it b’simcha. Coming from Johannesburg which has a large and vibrant Jewish community, watching the Hahns in action was nothing less than inspirational.”
Besides the Shabbaton for their community, the Hahns were grateful for the opportunity of having Shluchim as guests who had meaningful interaction with their family. “Both Rabbi and Rebbetzin Goldman were outstanding for our community and for our family. The Rabbi delivered powerful messages which engaged and inspired the crowd while Rochel really got involved with our own daughters, a rare treat for them.”
Rabbi Goldman shared an interesting vignette from the trip. “At the Friday night dinner, a Jewish gentleman Rabbi Hahn had never met before arrived unexpectedly. David and I were introduced. When I asked him what brought him to Shul, his answer was straight and simple – Oct. 7!”
Vancouver, British Colombia is a beautiful city and Shluchim from its various communities came together at Chabad-Lubavitch of BC to host Rabbi Goldman just before Yud Tes Kislev. Head Shliach, Rabbi Yitzchok Wineberg, introduced Rabbi Goldman sharing that they were school classmates back in Brooklyn in the 1950’s at the Lubavitch Yeshivah in Bedford & Dean. Rabbi Yechiel Baitelman of Richmond organized the trip and provided gracious hospitality as well.
“I have many different lectures in my repertoire but under current circumstances most of my hosts asked for my talk on antisemitism, called “Why the Jews?” Indeed, it was all too timely and relevant. Hamas has now joined Hitler in the infamous array of the most notorious of antisemites,” said Rabbi Goldman.
In the Los Angeles area, Rabbi Dovid Eliezrie of Yorba Linda hosted the Goldmans where a very fine crowd attended including leading members of the community.
A very delighted Rabbi Eliezrie reported that “Rabbi Goldman captivated his audience with a thought-provoking talk on Antisemitism filled with insight, wisdom, and a dash of humor. Definitely a 10 out of 10!”
From there it was on to San Diego’s Carmel Valley community headed by Rabbi Mendel and Dini Polichenco. A vibrant and interactive evening was enjoyed by a large audience including many South African expatriates. Some recalled that Rabbi Goldman had officiated at their weddings, others at their Bar Mitzvahs. “It was a pleasure meeting up with so many old friends and making new ones too,” said the rabbi. “It was also gratifying to watch Reb Mendel’s strong commitment to keeping the daily Minyan going, regularly and faithfully.”
The Shabbos of Yud Tes Kislev was celebrated with Rabbis Yossi Mintz, Zalman Gordon, and Dovid Lisbon in Redondo Beach, just outside Los Angeles, but only a short ride from LAX, the busy LA Airport. “They can be justifiably proud of their beautiful community center housing a large Shul, school, library, social hall, Mikvah, and a thriving, huge Friendship Circle called the Friendship Foundation,” said Goldman. In fact, a new building project for the school and Friendship Foundation is in the works now which promises to be one of the biggest Jewish community centers in the world.
In the words of Rabbi Mintz, “Rabbi Yossy and Rochel Goldman addressed our community during these difficult times. His words brought strength and comfort. It was exactly what our people needed to hear. Rebbetzin Goldman’s afternoon Farbrengen for the ladies was beautiful and inspiring!”
Immediately after Shabbos, the Goldmans drove to North Hollywood in the San Fernando Valley with Rabbi Aharon Abend and his sons Rabbi Nachman and Rabbi Yitz. This thriving activity center hosted the Goldmans to an elegant Melave Malka dinner in the main hall, featuring guest musical artists, with a wide range of guests representing the full spectrum of the community. As it was in honor of Yud Tes Kislev, the theme of Rabbi Goldman’s talk was Ahavas Yisroel and the uniqueness of the Chabad approach to this mitzvah. It was based on the Alter Rebbe’s teachings in Tanya and elsewhere and, of course, our own Rebbe’s unique contributions which led to the uniqueness of Chabad outreach today.
From there, it was on to LAX to catch a “redeye” flight back to New York and the next night another flight back to South Africa.
“Seeing Shluchim in action in a variety of community settings is always interesting and very moving for us personally. We come to share and give but always take back more than we give,” said Rabbi Goldman. “All in all, it was as spiritually gratifying as it was hectically busy.”
