By Dovid Zaklikowski for COLlive and Hasidic Archives
In the early 1950s, the Goldman family lived in Crown Heights on the corner of Brooklyn Avenue and Union Street, which happened to be on the route the Rebbe would take from his home to his office at Lubavitch World Headquarters, 770 Eastern Parkway.
“I couldn’t help but see him when we were out on the street,” Esther Goldman said. “Everybody knew who he was, what a learned person he was, and what an absolute gentleman he was.”
The Rebbe never failed to acknowledge her and her children, she recalled, if they happened to be outside when he passed.
On the eve of the Rosh Hashanah 1956, she had two children, Yossi, six, and Kraindy, three, and was heavily pregnant with a third. While the children were playing outside, Kraindy fell down and began to cry, and Mrs. Goldman sprinted toward her to lift and comfort her.
The Rebbe, who was passing on his way to Rosh Hashanah services, witnessed the scene unfolding. After the prayers, he called Rabbi Shimon Goldman into his office and described what had happened with his wife.
“In her situation, she should not run so quickly,” he said. The Rebbe asked him to relay the message to his wife, adding, “When a child falls, G-d places a pillow under them to protect them and lighten the impact.”
Find Hasidic Archives latest books on Amazon Prime Footprints: Colorful Lives, Hugh Impact and Kosher Investigator
…our young Kallahs would dress so beautifully – so regally – on their wedding day!
I miss the Goldmans. They were both so warm and caring. May their memories be for a blessing.
Not only have you given a window of understanding to those of us not privileged to have had the opportunity of a one-on-one physical kesher with the Rebbe, ZY’A, but you allow us for one precious moment, to share in a wonderful vignette about the beloved and sorely-missed Rabbi and Mrs. Goldman, OBMS who touched and honored everyone who had the privilege of knowing and loving them!
Penina Metal
This is the way I heard it:ווען א אידיש קינד פאלט שטייט א מלאך און האלט אונטער א קישעלע עס זאל גארנישט געשען, און א פרוי אין אירע צייטן דארף אזוי ניט לויפן.
You can watch Mrs. Goldman tell it herself here: https://www.chabad.org/therebbe/livingtorah/player_cdo/aid/724799/jewish/Fatherly-Concern.htm
I’m not a relatilve, but do recall hearing the story that Malachim ( protect) catch the child. Please confirm.Thank you for Sharing.
Firstly, Yasher Koiach, R’ Dovid, for this and all your important work, including bringing these stories to the public. As I heard the story from my grandparents, Shimon & Esther Goldman, עליהם השלום, the incident happened in the morning of Erev Rosh Hashanah, not on the way to evening davening. Also, when the Rebbe called in R’ Shimon, to enter into his Yechidus Room, my grandfather got very worried wondering what he did wrong, as it was exceptionally unusual to be called in to the Rebbe’s room on Rosh Hashanah eve. If I recall correctly, the Rebbe didn’t tell him… Read more »
The rebbe truly cares about each person and every detail he knows