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Tuesday, 25 Adar I, 5784
  |  March 5, 2024

Open Letter From Toby Brikman

"Suddenly our family grew as I saw all of you slowly become our family," writes Toby Brikman, wife of Crown Heights resident Mendel Brikman who recently passed away at age 43. Full Story

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big Z Schapiro
December 7, 2016 8:27 pm

wow thank you so much for this beautiful open letter Toby your children are really sweet that a lot of hearts and soul with a positive attitude and always with a smile we want moshiach now we don’t want to wait

ezra and shoshana
December 7, 2016 4:18 pm

A very special family. You’re an inspiration

Toby
December 7, 2016 12:59 pm

I worked with your mom at Con Edison. Our hearts go out to you.

You're an inspiration to us all
December 7, 2016 11:23 am

You’re so strong

Thanks for sharing
December 7, 2016 9:29 am

Dear Toby, Your letter is overwhelming. I am so proud of you. You and the children are an inspiration for us all. Mendel is watching this scene and beaming with joy that you all are continuing LIFE, for that is what he would want. He taught all of us to appreciate TIME, to use every moment, not to G-D forbid let it just pass by. May we all utilize our time well, fill our days with mitzvos, with learning, and display happiness and ahavas yisroel May Hashem bless you in all ways and May you experience great naches from your… Read more »

thank you
December 7, 2016 8:38 am

while Toby writes that it was hard for her to be on the receiving end of everyone’s chesed, she should just know, that as a person who occasionally was able to give, the way she and her family received was a lesson to all. In fact, her (and Mendel’s) receiving was more profound and beautiful than most people’s giving, and touched those who were zoche to give to them. Toby, may you and your children never need to be on the receiving end of chesed again – but please just know – that you gave much more than you received.… Read more »

Toby
December 7, 2016 7:37 am

Such a heartwarming letter, Toby you never cease to amaze me, you are an incredible person with a beautiful family. Toby and Mendle always went out of their way to make everyone feel comfortable. Stay strong!!

Amazing!
December 7, 2016 2:50 am

Toby you are the epitome of amazing!
רבות בנות עשו חיל ואת עלית על כולנה
Yehudis

Hindy Lewis, Israel
December 7, 2016 1:14 am

While Toby would be the first to say no one should ever have to face such challenges, she is the epitome of grace, courage, devotion, and support. Mendel was blessed with his ayshes chayil, but no doubt Toby will say she is the one who was blessed.

Knowing you both, & your great kids, even for a short while, was a privilege we can never properly express. May G-d bentch you always.

we are waiting for you across the street
December 7, 2016 12:21 am

Toby!
thank you! thank you for giving us all the Zechut to be inspired by your courage and devotion to your family…
As Mendel once said ” You Know Tobby.. She is a general”
the ship’s leader
we shall all salute …
we must all

wow
December 7, 2016 12:17 am

such amazing people, hashem gives the strength to overcome all challenges.

Speechless, Amazing and most Inspiring Letter !!!
December 6, 2016 11:52 pm

That is exactly what the Rebbe would call a “true dugmah chaya and chassidish upbringing.” Those words can inspire, uplift and lend support to anyone, anywhere and in whatever difficulties or hardships one may challenged with. Read this letter again and again and you will be moved and a changed person thereafter. Thanks for sharing your feelings, hakoras hatov and more so your emunah and bitochon. May Hashem grant you and your wonderful family the koach and simchas hachaim to continue in the footsteps of Mendel. Thank You, Thank You.

Thanks for sharing, Toby!
December 6, 2016 11:07 pm

We will always be here for Zalmen and all of you!

Quick Story
December 6, 2016 9:22 pm

Two years ago, Mendel have me his cc number to make a donation for our new shlichus. For some reason I couldn’t process the donation. On a side note, I didn’t know Mendel on a personal level and I didn’t know what he was going through. Just a few months before he passed away (which was almost 2 years after he gave me his cc) I stopped by his house when I was in CH on a trip. He wrote me a check for the full amount of the pledge. He treated me with dignity and have the money with… Read more »

Beautiful
December 6, 2016 9:21 pm

To have been given such a challenge from Hashem and to respond with a heartfelt detailed letter of thanks is downright inspiring! We can only imagine how much you must be going thru. So incredible of you Mrs Brikman, to be taking the time and writing this now.
מי כעמך ישראל refers to everyone mentioned in your letter but right now it refers primarily to you.

חזק ואמץ!
December 6, 2016 9:15 pm

very powerful words, continue with strength to strength and Yeshuot

Heartfelt
December 6, 2016 8:57 pm

Toby, you’re so strong.

Thank YOU!
December 6, 2016 8:43 pm

Thank for such a positive and inspiring article. I wish it wasn’t surrounding that subject matter but it was inspiring nonetheless. Hopefully you’ll have beautiful blog posts about all your children’s bar mitzvahs and weddings.

Wow!
December 6, 2016 8:38 pm

What a well written letter. It is US who have been inspired by you and Mendel.

You are both such an inspiration!

I am on the verge of tears!
December 6, 2016 8:37 pm

This is such a wonderful letter! Whenever I think of hardships and challenges I must face, I will Bli Neder think of this letter and Toby’s and Mendel’s positivity and happiness! May you only know of Simchas!

Speechless
December 6, 2016 8:14 pm

Thank you for sharing. So inspiring! May all your pain be transformed to simcha, and may we be zoche VERY soon to vehakitzu veraninu sochnei afar!

Awesome
December 6, 2016 8:04 pm

Wow. Mi Kamcho Yisroel!

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