The following was shared by Benny Rogosnitzky:
On Kol Nidrei night after davening, Chazzan Yitchak Meir Helfgot and I decided to walk to Cornell hospital to visit a young Lubavitcher Chossid who was in the hospital.
Picture this scene: Intensive Care ward, a young man in his early forties lying in bed connected to so many different life saving machines and the two of us standing by his side singing the songs and melodies of Yom Kippur.
After approximately an hour of singing we proceeded to exit and as we reached the stairs his wife came after us and asked if we could return to the room. We walked back in and this young man’s face was beaming as he turned to us and said: “You sang so many Nigunim, would you please just sing one more.”
Before we could ask him what he wanted us to sing he opened the Machzor and pointed to Kol Nidrey. So we began singing in hushed tones the beautiful haunting melody of Kol Nidrey. As tears were streaming down this young Chossids face we ourselves could not hold back our emotions and feelings.
I have never in my life said this Tefila with such intensity and emotion. I looked at Chazzan Helfgot, to the wife who was sitting in the room with us and several the nurses who came in to listen. It was a moment that simply cannot be adequately described in words.
We walked back from the hospital in silence both of us deep in our own thoughts. But just as we parted ways for the night, I told Chazzan Helfgot: “You know, we had well over 900 people in Shul tonight and each of them. I’m sure was touched by the stunning voice and melodies you offered, but consider for a moment what a deep impact we made on just ONE Jewish neshoma fighting for his life and whose family is praying that he merit seeing many more Yom Kippurs.”
This young chossid was Mendel Brikman, of blessed memory.
1365 Carroll st corner Kingston
BDE
When ever i bumped into Mendel he was with a smile and jumped to ask how I am and the family. He did not give a chance for me to check in on him. Because he was alwalys Boruch Hashem.
Such a beautiful Man.
Toby- You are a Blessed Woman of Valour.
May Hashem heal the pain.
Does anyone know where the shivah is and when?
BDE. As a bocher Mendel was a true shaliach of Sydney. As was his wife Toby a few years later. To all Mendel’s family I think I can speak for all of the community in Sydney . May you be comforted like the mourners of Zion and Yerusalayim. We are truly sorry for your loss. We wish you NO more Tzar. May we merit the coming of Moshiach and be reunited with loved ones.
Such a tragedy for the community and all that knew him. Only brochos and good things for the family and may his neshoma have an aliyah! Ad mosai HaShem?!
years ago, we moved back to CH for a few years from Israel. I bought all my appliances at Sterling Electric..Mendel was very helpful in facilitating this not so cheap purchases, taking time to explain the pros and cons without the hyper sales pitch. he would look up answers if he didn’t know them, and facilitated delivery with no hassles. I wanted the frig in stainless steel, and hard to find at that time, he did a few somersaults to get it for me and gave us a good price.was always happy to see me whether I spent $ or… Read more »
There are no words that can comfort or explain. We lost a giant of a man. Always helpful, friendly, and with a smile. May Hashem comfort Toby – an amazing, inspiring aishes chayil- and their beautiful children. Toby taught hundreds of CH children and then continued to teach adults – being the example she is despite all recent challenges. May we be zoche to Moshiach NOW!
Yehudis and Shimon Leiter
So sad, to go at such a young age.
Wonderful that the author and the famous chazzan visited him on Yom Kippur and sang for him, I’m sure that gave him tremendous chizuk.
Simply no words. May his neshama have a huge Aliya and demand of Hashem to end this golus. May moshiach come now and have techiyas hamesim. May Hashem send strength and comfort during this rough time.
oy Rebbe!