As part of a special program in honor of Chof Beis Shevat, students of Machon Chana Women’s Institute were treated to a mini-farbrengen with Rabbi Sholom Ber Levitin, head shliach to Washington State.
Rabbi Levitin spoke about the importance of bringing the teachings of Chasidus into action in our daily lives. He spoke passionately about the need to reach out to those around us and to increase our spheres of influence. He said that everybody is a shaliach, and that the shlichus of a person living in Crown Heights includes connecting with others in the neighborhood, especially the elderly or people who are lonely. He also shared examples of recent interactions he has had with people in Seattle that show how much the world has changed and that it is ready for Moshiach.
The students then went together to the Ohel. They returned to the Machon Chana dormitory where they had lunch. After lunch they gathered in the living room of the dorm where Mrs. Rivka Chitrik shared with them her personal interactions and memories of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka.
Mrs. Chitrik also reminisced about the yechidus that her family had with the Frierdike Rebbe in Otvosk and her voyage as a young woman by ship to America with the Frierdike Rebbe’s brocho only to find upon her arrival that the Frierdike Rebbe had been nistalek.
Mrs. Gitta Gansburg, the beloved dorm mother, asked Mrs. Chitrik for a few additional details as her brother, Reb Yoel Kahn was on the same ship. Mrs. Chitrik also described the experience of she and her husband, Rabbi Hirshel Chitrik a”h, being the Rebbe’s first shluchim to Brazil.
It was a special treat for the students to hear from Mrs. Rochi Shemtov, Mrs. Chitrik’s youngest daughter and head shlucha, together with her husband Eliezer, in Uruguay. Mrs. Shemtov told about the beginnings of Ten Yad, the hachnosos Kallah organization that was established 30 years ago on the anniversary of the Rebbe and Rebbetzin.
In attendance at Machon Chana’s special program in honor of Chof Beis Shevat were the students who are studying full time in Machon Chana, as well as guests who came in with their shluchos, alumni and visitors.
A special program in the evening at the dorm included Mrs. Esther Sternberg sharing many stories and personal experiences. In attendance were the Machon Chana students, young women who participate in the afternoon and evening chevrusa program as well as other girls and women from the community.
Sounds like a very special program. Wish I was there.
Who was?
He was Mesiras Nefesh for the Yidden in Jail.