Anash in Chicago launched the “month of chassidishe light” with a celebratory farbrengen featuring Rabbi Tzvi Telsner, Rov and Shliach in Melbourne, Australia.
Rosh Chodesh Kislev has long had a special connection with the Anash community in Chicago. Dr. Ira Weiss, who heroically treated the Rebbe in 5738, was educated in the Bnei Ruven Hebrew School by Rabbi Tzvi and Rebbetzin Chava Shusterman, a”h.
Each year Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois hosts a seudas hoda’ah and each year it is a source of inspiration and connection for the community. With covid-19 restrictions easing and the opportunity for in-person gatherings returning, the community was particularly excited for Rosh Chodesh Kislev 5782.
Rabbi Yosef Moscowitz, Executive Director of Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois and Chairman of the annual seudas hoda’ah, arranged for the sumptuous meal and the program.
Rabbi Tzvi Telsner, Rov and Shliach of the Melbourne community, was the featured speaker. Rabbi Telsner shared some inside stories from the events of Shemini Atzeres to Rosh Chodesh Kislev 5738 (1977) and wove together contemporary lessons for Chassidim today.
“It’s always special to hear from Chassidim who were there,” explained Rabbi Moscowitz, “there are so many Anash here in Chicago, Baruch Hashem, who weren’t even born in 1977 and for them, the events we are celebrating can feel very far away. By making the seuda a highlight of the calendar and a kind of kick-off for all the chassidishe events of this month of light, it gives them a spark to feel connected with the Rebbe and the ongoing message of defeating darkness with light.”
The seuda was graciously hosted by Bnei Ruven and the Rov of the community, Rabbi Boruch Hertz, shared divrei brocha with the assembled.
After the formal program concluded a farbrengen continued into the early hours of the morning.
Discussion
In keeping in line with the Rabbonim's policies for websites, we do not allow comments. However, our Rabbonim have approved of including input on articles of substance (Torah, history, memories etc.)
We appreciate your feedback. If you have any additional information to contribute to this article, it will be added below.