By Itty Chazan
One night I entered the basement of the Avtzon family, fleeing from the fire that ravaged on Carroll Street. We had been invited to their warm accommodations as we had no home. Suddenly, moments after arriving, Yonah Avtzon walked in. With his typical friendly smile and easygoing mannerism, he welcomed us, while removing a Mechitza from the side cupboard.
Turning to us, Yonah lightly commented: “There are interviews here in my office nightly. Should you need to enter or leave the basement, I am setting up this Mechitza for interview privacy.”
Fathers, mothers, Bachurim and girls, availed themselves to this special interview.
To each one, Yonah gave his heart and soul. Listening with his clear blue eyes, he absorbed every detail conveyed to him, his computer mind already contemplating a possible match. Do you know the feeling of a teacher after being sponged with passionate work in a school day and coming home zonked?
Know the feeling of a date, after being sponged with passionate discussion and coming home zonked?
Know the feeling of a computer analyst, after being sponged with passionate effort and coming home zonked?
Yonah was (Oy why is it in past tense)
All of this and more!
As a teacher, he would guide each boy or girl with the intricacies of dating, marriage and beyond.
As if on a date, he would navigate the discussion with parents, reaching into the inner resources of his mind, seeking to assist the parents sitting before him.
As a computer analyst, he knew no day nor night. Studying, researching, acquiring knowledge and data, always for the benefit of others.
Zonked? Hard to tell, for his day turned to twilight, and then to night, yet Yonah Avtzon was still at it! Still going strong, in his quest and zest to ease the singles plight, and connect a new Binyan Adei Ad.
No one can honestly fathom the thousands and thousands of hours that Yonah invested.
Walking on Kingston Avenue, Yonah would be accosted by eager fathers; a quick exchange and a heartfelt pleading for help.
Entering a wedding hall, Yonah would be surrounded.
Everyone awaiting the realization of their dreams, to walk towards their own children’s Chuppah. Wherever Yonah went, the long list of boys and girls went with him. They accompanied him, day and night. Sometimes people didn’t hear from him. They might have wondered if he is really working for them. It could be said with absolute certainty, that Yonah was always on it! Often, he would try to match the match, but it didn’t go! Yonah didn’t want to hurt people’s feelings unnecessarily, thus he would often keep his own hard work under wraps.
Is Shidduchim as challenging as Krias Yam Suf?! Yonah can be considered a true partner in solving this challenge and crisis.
Dear friends, Yonah is a household word. He has given all he possessed, for others.
Yonah was an unmatched pioneer in the spreading of the wellsprings of Chassidus to all four corners of the globe. Sichos In English has untapped the reservoir of the holiest Maamorim, Sichos, and Chassidus and made it possible for the entire world to access.
Knowing the magnitude of Hei Teves as a victory of The Rebbe who is one with his Seforim, this can underscore the colossal difference and gain that Yonah has carved in the world. His Seforim personify the Maayonos Chutzah, the immediate catalyst to usher in Moshiach.
How do we express our gratitude to Yonah, the most giving husband, father, father in law and Zeidy. And brother in law. Shadchan and publisher.
Yonah, you have brought solace and comfort to so many. The homes you built are everlasting and eternal. Your kindness is a model of friendship and personal concern. Your listening ear raised hope, joy and strength.
Only The Eibershter and Moshiach can bring Yonah back.
May it be Miyad Mammosh.
I agree! From machshova to dibbur it MUST come to maaseh. Just as people commit to learning mishnayos, we should commit IN WRITING to make (work on making) a shidduch a month!!
I did not know him personally I crossing paths with him from time to time and saying hello his smile and His way he conducted himself just showed he was a genuine beautiful person.May God show compassion to the family
And continue his holy work!
Well Said
Thank you Itty for your warm words about Yonah. He will be sorely missed by so so many people.
Your message is not too late.
Others can take heed. Those struggling in their marriage can try and improve Sholom Bayis in merit of Yona.
…Dear yona…
I did eventually get married. Was it the best most suitable candidate for me? Probably not. But we are putting in our best efforts to make it work, and as best as it could it, and BH with a lot of siyata dishmaya, patience, work and therapy, it is getting better all the time.
with #4 and #11 !!!! let’s do it! make an effort to making shidduchim!!!
Every single solitary one of us benefitted from him. Be it directly or indirectly,be it spiritually or materially. Either through his work in Shidduchim, his Sichos, Maamarim, and all his Chassidus in English, and all his other Mitzvos that I don’t even know about,with his charming smile, captivating and easy going mannerism, his unwavering dedication,devotion, and persistence, in whatever it was that he was involved with, at any given moment. Living on the other side of the world,I am devastated and reeling from this tremendous loss, of a GIANT of a man, and an Emesse, humble Chossid of THE REBBE.… Read more »
Every Shadchan Should learn from Him
Honestly he was number one all of Chabad will miss him
there is nobody like him
You helped me with Shidduchim while I was in Crown Heights. I don’t know if I ever thanked you properly, but I would like to do so now. I did eventually get married. Was it the best most suitable candidate for me? Probably not. But we are putting in our best efforts to make it work, and as best as it could it, and BH with a lot of siyata dishmaya, patience, work and therapy, it is getting better all the time. I remember, in one email you told me directly “You are asking for the sun, the moon, and… Read more »
Reb yonah A”H once said that if every family in Crown Heights makes one shiduch a year the whole crisis story will be over and it’s so true I think that would be a nice thing to implement!
We want Moshaich now
Itty what you wrote about Yonah was well written. He will be sorely missed.
His warm heart and smile was open for all. There was always room in the heart and house for anyone and everyone -even for those that others would distance. B D E Yonah when they made you they threw away the mold- You were one of a kind
From what I’ve read, this man was a true Shliach of the Rebbe…building one deira at a time, for the Scheina to dwell. I would have liked to have met him, but his reputation is an example of what is possible, in this world.
Beautifully written Itty.
May your brother in law be a true maylitz yosher & DEMAND from Hashem Moshiach NOW!!!!!
BS”D Well said what comes to mind when I picture/think of him is that smile
What greater tribute and iluy nishmoso – if we, his friends & relatives, continue his legacy by making a minyan of shidduchim! Let us dedicate ourselves to the ultimate expression of Ahavas Yisroel, by partnering with HKBH and helping 10 boys and 10 girls find their basherts. This was the holy work that Yonah dedicated himself to and it must continue in his zchus for his neshoma. Of course it’s nice when a Sefer Torah is written – but usually there is no pressing need for its use. But building new chassidishe homes and making homes in which the shechina… Read more »
For putting into words, many of my own thoughts and feelings. We are all hurting.
We miss you Yeineh!
Thank you for sharing.
Really beautiful!