He Saw Sichos on the Seashore
A miracle story of the Rebbe spanning three continents
A miracle story of the Rebbe spanning three continents
We often hear of a young shliach who, together with his wife Mushky and baby Mendy go somewhere very far away, both in the physical and spiritual sense. This entails great mesirus nefesh, to forgo being able to go down the street to the grocery store and enjoy the variety of kosher products there, not to mention kosher milk; or the option of going to parents for Shabbos and many more things such as schooling and a Chassidishe environment.
Unlike the army of shluchim who regularly get feedback from the people in their community and have nachas from the results of their outreach work, the shluchim who operate in Chabad Houses for tourists deal with a population that comes and goes. They don’t know the outcome of their work. * But occasionally, they get warm regards…
The trip to Vata Canal in southern India entails many long flights, with stops and changing planes, and then a trip for hours on a winding road, and then you arrive at your destination which is lacking even the most basic amenities. Even for Israeli tourists, being in these areas is sometimes a challenge of survival. * The truth is that it was always there in the dreams and ambitions of Rabbi Yaakov and Pessie Marom of Bat Yam, it’s just that for technical reasons, it could not happen. Not yet. Until Pesach Sheini which taught them that no situation is lost and you can always fix things. Their dream to go on shlichus came true because it is never too late.
One of the solutions to bypass the “animal soul” that Chassidim use is the Chassidishe farbrengen. Jews sit together, say l’chaim, and tell Chassidishe stories and life events. Hearts open and a ray of G-dly light pierces the darkness of the “self.” * True stories which occurred at the Chabad House in Kasol, India that moved me.
Aviva’s life trajectory fluctuated between a national championship and a physical breakdown, between light and darkness. Today she works to strengthen the separation between the Jewish people and the nations of the world. Her shlichus is in a place of impurity and idols, where she and her family are bringing a spirit of life and purity. * The story of Aviva Yizhar who is on shlichus in Varanasi, India.
A few weeks ago, a very special and most unusual event took place in the remote Indian village of Hampi. Numerous shluchim and tourists attended a most impressive and moving ceremony to dedicate an elegant new mikveh, recently completed after two and a half years of tireless work and determination. Rabbi Mordechai (Motti) Grumach and his wife, Libby, the Rebbe MH”M’s shluchim in Hampi, spared no effort. They endured many difficulties and pitfalls until they were privileged to complete this blessed and extraordinary building project.
Numerous Jews and Israelis visit Manali, a captivating tourist site in India. * The shluchim R’ Yaakov Shatz and R’ Shneur Pugatch and their wives are there to help them.
Daniel Efrati, a philosopher and lecturer, categorized himself as a Tel Avivian bohemian. He found himself living through a distressful saga when he was jailed in Poona, India. The shluchim, R’ Betzalel Kupchik and his wife Rochel, supported him throughout the painful ordeal. When he was released under house arrest, he stayed at the Chabad house for nearly four months where he became acquainted with Judaism and his perspective on life changed.
Rosh Chodesh Kislev reminds us of the shluchos to India, Rivka Holtzberg and Mira Scharf, may Hashem avenge their blood, who were murdered on this day. * Reminiscences from relatives, friends and tourists about Mira. She acted quietly, modestly, far from the spotlight; she was an exemplary Jewish mother and devoted wife, daughter, friend, and Chassida of the Rebbe MH”M. * May we immediately march forth, led by the shluchos, to the third Beis HaMikdash!
How do you prepare a city full of idols for Moshiach? This is the remarkable shlichus of Rabbi Shmuel Yizhar and his loyal wife, which seems to directly mimic the work of Avrohom Avinu.
Zalman and Shaindy Berenshtein set out on shlichus to Kochi, India. Despite their previous experiences in India, they did not anticipate how difficult it would be to get started, but a letter from the Rebbe about shlichus helped them make their decision.