By Hershel Rosenbluh for Anash.org

24 Sivan marks the yahrtzeit of Reb Dovid Bravman, who served as head of the Kfar Chabad Council. Known for his deep hiskashrus to the Rebbe, Reb Dovid played a central role in improving conditions in Kfar Chabad, especially for the many new immigrant families who arrived there during the early years of the Kfar.

In 5715 (1955), he was elected to lead the Kfar Chabad Council without even presenting his candidacy. A member of the community suggested that he would make a fitting yoshev rosh, and many residents agreed and voted him into office.

In 5717 (1956), Reb Dovid Bravman traveled to the Rebbe. During yechidus, the Rebbe raised the issue of the inadequate housing conditions in Kfar Chabad for the recent Moroccan immigrants. Many families were living in old, run-down houses, and the Rebbe strongly insisted that the situation had to change.

Unfortunately, Israel’s Housing Ministry believed the existing arrangements were perfectly acceptable. Without official approval, obtaining funding for new housing projects was nearly impossible.

At the time, Mr. Yonah Kesseh headed the Tel Aviv branch of the Mapai party and maintained strong government connections. As a child, Yonah had visited Yekatrinoslav and had once been a guest in the home of Harav Levi Yitzchok and Rebbetzin Chana, the Rebbe’s parents. Years later, he had also merited a yechidus with the Rebbe and remained deeply impressed by the encounter.

Reb Pinye Althaus advised Reb Dovid Chein, secretary of the Council, to approach Kesseh for help.

“If Yonah throws you out the door, climb back in through the window,” Reb Pinye told him. “Only he can help you.”

When Reb Dovid Chein first met with Kesseh, he promised to look into the matter. A week later, however, he informed him that Kfar Chabad was not entitled to any new housing assistance.

Undeterred, Reb Dovid Chein replied that if the Rebbe had instructed that new apartments be built, then it had to be possible. Kesseh responded that he too believed in the Rebbe, but facts were facts. “You can write to the Rebbe and tell him that I said it’s impossible,” he said.

But Reb Dovid did not view that as an option.

Again and again, Reb Dovid Chein returned to Yonah Kesseh’s office.

Years later, Reb Dovid Chein recalled: “The one who encouraged me throughout that entire period was Reb Dovid Bravman. He told me this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure the new housing. He convinced me not to let Yonah off the hook and to keep pressuring him.”

Throughout that summer, Reb Dovid continued visiting Kesseh’s office regularly. Eventually, Kesseh grew tired of seeing him.

Finally, he exclaimed: “You’re a nudnik and you just won’t go away. I’m willing to arrange the construction of new apartments for you. Not because you pressured me so much, but for the Rebbe.”

Reb Dovid immediately thanked him and rushed to send an express letter to the Rebbe with the good news.

A week later, Reb Dovid Chein received an urgent telegram from Kesseh’s office requesting that he come immediately.

When he arrived, Yonah Kesseh was furious.

“Why did you write to the Rebbe about this?” he shouted.

Reb Dovid immediately understood what had happened.

The Rebbe had responded to the letter by thanking Kesseh for his assistance and urging him to speed up the permit process so construction could begin as soon as possible.

“I’m in very hot water now,” Yonah said. “I committed myself to the Rebbe, and now I can’t back out.”

Three days later, tractors arrived in Kfar Chabad.

Reb Dovid Chein later recalled that while construction was underway, Reb Dovid Bravman turned to him and said:

“You see? When the Rebbe wants something, anything is possible.”

Reb Dovid Bravman passed away on 24 Sivan 5726 (1966) at the young age of 49.