Preparing video...
0:00 / 0:00
Ep. 57: Is Colel Chabad a Success? with Rabbi Sholom Duchman
57 views
In this episode, Rabbi Sholom Duchman, Director of Colel Chabad, starts by sharing the story of his illustrious family of devoted Chassidim and their deep hiskashrus to the Rabbeim. He reflects on his childhood during the early years of the Rebbe's nesius in Crown Heights, his years of learning in various yeshivos, and the special experience of learning in 770 in the Rebbe's presence. Rabbi Duchman also discusses being sent by the Rebbe to Eretz Yisroel as part of the original group of shluchim. The conversation then turns to the rich history of Colel Chabad, from its founding to its development over the years. Rabbi Duchman shares the story of his appointment as director and offers an in-depth look at the Rebbe's horaos, expectations, and personal interest in the organization's success, providing a rare and comprehensive perspective with wonderful openness and detail.
Comments
Transcript
Auto-generated transcript. Not time-synced to the video.
I mean today is a shame in the gi and
[music] beyond. So we're definitely
closer to
would you agree with that?
>> Very hard to say because uh again the le
looks at you not the way [music] you are
look at you the way by the le your
potential is his reality. Very very very
very few people reach their potential
if the game is to impress you. So then
it's it's incredible. But uh if the game
is about your connection to the so
I'm Yasi Cayman. Welcome to among
an ongoing fabin about life as aid our
vibrant connection with the and inspired
living shaped by the way he teaches us
each and every day.
How are you?
Thank you very much for having me.
>> Okay. Thank you very much for being
here. Um so uh it's a big to sit with
you and there's a lot to discuss
before that I want to get into a little
bit. Everyone knows the mishb
and there's a lot of a lot of rich and
yanim in in that. So maybe you could
tell me a little bit about where did the
the where does it come from how far back
some of the people and we'll start like
that.
>> Okay. I'm just going to give you a
general disclaimer for this whole for
this whole interview. Okay. From from A
to Z. So I'm going to start with a
story. Okay,
[snorts]
was uh as everybody knows as I'm sure
you know
was unbelievable in 770 was uh you know
really his history historical time 770
was mama on wheels every single second
the atmosphere the the the dancing the
singing the the corners it was
incredible
>> people coming from all over the world
I'm talking about even what's leading up
to even what's leading up
Faban's over there and approximately
three weeks afterwards unfortunately on
my ZA passed away my father's father Z
and uh one of his good friends came to
me his good friend was
also a very very special person helped
me a lot during my my work in Kabad was
very involved with me in Ko helped me
especially in the in the in the early
years his office actually was my house
for many many years in in Manhattan, you
know, when he was still able to run
around in offices. Today, he can't
today. Security doesn't let but then but
anyway, so he came to be my father
has two sons, very good friends of mine.
Both of them, one is one. So then they
were together and my father maybe father
maybe was a little bit older but around
the same age and they're talking about
what's happening you know about the
kids. And then he says so Hel says to my
father that I asked my kids what's going
on in 770 so many camel came
it was you know places on wheels my
whoever said what's happening by the
fabans you know could you tell me over
what's going on so he says my kids
answered me the following
we don't take part in these things for
three reasons number one everything they
say
everything that they say is printed
Second of all, they don't repeal. They
don't even repeal it the right way. And
third, not so, [laughter] so therefore
I'm making very much a very disclaimer
that everything I have to say is already
printed. I'm sure I'm probably not going
to say it over the right way. So
therefore, what what I'm going to be
speaking about just maybe that's a lot
of things that are the way it's in my
memory. I can't tell, you know, if it
actually happened or didn't happen. You
know, there's a lot of a lot of things.
And uh the the third part about being
mush not being mush that I leave open.
>> I was going to say that's the difference
is the mush. [laughter]
>> Anyway, so that's so that's my
disclaimer to you.
>> Okay.
>> So everything everything is already
printed and [laughter]
and and the sources and and where it's
princes probably knows better than than
the people that were there.
>> Yeah, that's the way it works.
>> That's the way it works.
>> Nevertheless, there's something unique
about the personal touch and someone
speaking. So anyway, so you you made
your disclaimer. So now now we could go.
>> Let's go. So you asked me about my ZA my
Z
was two Zas on on on both sides both
coming from Gilim. My uh Dman of course
is my uh my Zman was uh always his
father was by his grandfather
was was by the was by the his father I'm
not sure I don't know
>> was by the
whole story even how he came to the an
incredible incredible story
to repeat I heard it from from Isaiah
many many times theo Just the outcome of
a I'm talking about from 150 years ago
is gone 50 years and lived lived very
very long very long life when he came to
the sadik the first time from from Zam
is in fact a recording even from Zam
telling the story by convention which
was very very interesting. He said he
came to the to the and uh so the by the
was that you came and you stayed a few
you stayed you stayed a number of months
and the but the he would have to go
through the mash was he was the one that
would take you in he was the madus that
would take you into to and then he would
register you and then he would give you
the money to be able to to keep up. When
Matrio came to the
he told the
that isot
and just like the you go without you go
with an intermediary the same thing I
want to go into the without being
without an intermediary. So said
absolutely not you're not going in and
he didn't let him in. One time he was
standing around I don't know how many
how much later and he saw that the door
was open. So he knocked on the door and
he walked in that looked at him and said
my high what are you doing here? So he
said exactly the same thing. He said
that the go and just like the go you go
and so the same way I want to go into
the mam. So he says started laughing so
hard like unbelievable.
Then he said the then he so the asked
him so how did you did you get how be
able to live if you didn't go through
the bed so you weren't on the list so so
he says
he says that gave such a scream such
pain that he hears the scream till now
>> well what you saying because they give
you money the money to be there yeah if
you don't want to go through if you
don't want to go through the secretary
you're on your own so get the money on
your own you know that's the way
basically it came out he said some was
so pain that And then he says I think
and he said and he took him in and he
says
so that never was and will never be. So
that's the just just a type of my where
I'm coming from. So this is not only
giving
>> what what the focus was. It's not only a
story. It's giving the whole flavor of
the whole kash the whole
>> unbelievable unbelievable unbelievable
uh an unbelievable perspective and uh I
mean we you know we have we heard the
tape recently not longest time on the
apps they have the tape he said it by
convention is a tape it's printed also
the safer the way but uh but you can
hear it the way you know the way he says
it with the passion with the uh with the
whole thing and also I'm thinking about
it you know it's just unbelievable you
know I my zeta okay he passed away 50
years ago but but I knew him you know
when uh I mean I was 17 when he passed
away
that saw [snorts] the
>> right
>> okay so it's precious you know one
removed one generation that's one one
removed I mean that you know you know
we're talking about the people that that
s you know he was you know he was by he
was actually in Hades so he went to the
to the in in in the old [clears throat]
days before he came here before he came
to America.
>> So tell me about the Kazam Zam you
remember right? So tell me tell me about
Zam. So first so
was a very was a very very special was a
very very special year he was even he
was he was by the Kab he lived in inad
when the fida was there in St.
Petersburg he went to Labavich and then
he he was in he lived in St. Petersburg
and obviously the host of was there so
he was there we knew very very well and
in fact he was there the night of
the night that there was the arrest but
he was around the house and in fact
there's a letter from the first letter
that writes to he writes him in the
letter that if I remember correctly you
were the one that I gave over the night
and that that that you took out and uh
that that that the right
>> he was like from the
>> he was from the he was he was yeah he
was there he was there in fact also he
was there
that's an incredible story that he was
there when left
after right after after
>> when he left Russia
>> when he left Russia He was in the suka
the during pas when the fleet made and
he took along my aunt Mrs. Lipster she
just passed away two years ago. She
lived I believe to 106 I believe she
believed she was incredible with the and
she had a from the from the from the put
her hands on her head and they gave her
she'll have one of the things was that
she
can she was just incredible and she saw
the many times that she that she came I
don't know six or seven times that she
mameish met the in the craziest way I
mean thrown off a train with latis with
with sicknesses etc etc
And uh during co she said she ain't
going she has nothing to worry about
because [laughter]
but anyway so that's
I didn't hear this from him but he was
he felt bad my father he wasn't my
father was born afterwards but yeah but
my father had two brothers older
brothers that were younger than
he always felt and they never died in
the war one was killed and one was that
from the hunger. So the they they my
always would say why didn't I have se
you know to bring them even as little
kids why didn't have to bring it to the
f I didn't hear it from him but that she
got the
>> she I heard it from from her yeah she
got the blah she was the only one she
was nine years old
>> and you know the the other ones were
probably
three and four I don't remember the
exact age but they were born after she
was born safes she was born so uh
I think safes
>> [gasps]
>> Anyway,
>> Zman was when the left Russia
>> when the left Russia he he he stayed in
Russia. He lived through the entire
blockade. The entire blockade. It was a
miracle how he lived how he got through.
My grandmother's sisters.
>> What's the blockade when he died?
>> Blockade was the hunger. There was no
when there was when the Nazis blocked
off surrounded and food wasn't able to
go and people were dying in the streets.
Momish from hunger. uh and my my father
also lived to the uh then they went to
Tashkant and then they went to Germany.
So this letter I'm telling you was in
Germany that the writ
that uh you know it's I believe that you
were there that night. There's also a
very interesting letter that Zama writes
back to the Reb and he describes he
writes to the Reb that yes I am the
person that very interesting the titles
also that he writes to the Reb
and uh then he writes uh this is before
and he writes not I think anyway he
writes the Reb that he writes that yes I
I you were the I was the one that gave
the the the the Swamu and I brought it
to you back in a carina like a you know
basket and I brought it back a shopping
bag and then I brought it back to you
right after I think he said I brought it
back to you and he writes exactly you
you were sitting here and then you told
me that I'll give you a
I'll give you for taking care of the of
this and I'll give you a that is going
to come back for Shabas
This is Gimlam.
>> Yeah, right.
>> Yudgeimo or Gimmo.
>> After the whole thing.
>> After the whole thing. Yeah. Gimmo. And
he says that they celebrated. He he said
what kind of mashka they had that they
drank mashka and they he said they were
dancing with with with sacks only
because it was supposed to be very
quiet, very confidential. Nobody should
know about it. And then he said that he
heard and he writes to that I heard.
Then we heard that uh Lebbertson
that Lebertson
which was that
went to went to cast join and he said
because the reason was that they they
were talking I don't know the uh the uh
the talk in town was that is too shar
and sh is too is too but uh
is just perfect just the perfect mix to
go. So that was like you know very
interesting that that he writes that we
you know we have the letter I think it's
also printed in a
>> but anyway go ahead.
>> Yeah. What's the story with Hashem? She
ain is the lean to do.
>> The lean to do continuously pushed him
and encouraged him said he should write
memories from what he remembered from
and he wrote and not only that
encouraged him but if you take a look in
the first it's coming it went out
and in those days wasn't a title that
went to everybody. [laughter]
Today you know everybody is
but in those days that wasn't a usual so
you figure it out but anyway it's never
paid for the for the for the printing of
the really
>> yeah wasn't uh
you can see it
>> so it's not not such a secret
>> I don't know
[laughter] but that's the way that
that's that's the safe of the green safe
you can see it
>> yeah and now it's already translated to
English
English and now translated the Hebrew
and the English on the on the same page
so we could
>> we could figure it out. So anyway, Zeta
Zman when he came here he uh Zman in
fact wrote he wrote after he came here
in in in
he wrote after he wrote him that by the
there'll be a I mean that was before the
became that Must be a to make a minion.
Yeah. So he wants to be the gab over
there, you know, if he can he maybe he
can get his job and trying to get papers
when he came to uh when he came to.
>> Well, you said you said he was in Had
like
>> I said he was and he was in Hadage
before before before he um
years before before he came out. So
>> he knew about the whole concept of
>> Of course he was. That's why I said he
went to the Yeah, he went he went by the
he was in Haj. He was in Labavich and
I'm not sure if he was in that. I'm not
sure but maybe he was but uh
when he came to when he came to this
country
and he wanted to see so
the Reb told him as soon as he came in
You know like so he says to
her the ticket was very expensive.
>> He meant everything they went through.
>> He was a scared you know and what what
they went through you know it was a very
expensive ticket.
>> Yeah.
>> But he felt to [laughter] but anyway
>> so uh he was here he was here day and
night and some of the buffet remember
him. He was he was continuous here. 770
was his 770 was his life. 770 was his
place.
>> He was a figure in 770. He announced
>> he was a figure. He loved every single
day three times a day. He didn't go he
lived a block away. He lived on 858
Eastern Parkway. And in the beginning he
lived in Brownsville. I don't know where
but I think from when I remember he
lived in 858 Eastern Parkway. And uh7
that's where he was except when he went
home, you know, to sleep or to or to
learn or shield him. But uh
>> he didn't work.
>> He didn't work. He did nothing.
>> No. When he came here, he said he wasn't
old. When he came, he was sak 60 years
old. And he said since I worked my whole
life, now I'm, you know, just uh it's
it's not worth it. And uh yeah.
And so that's my side that's on the
>> there's a few there's a story with you
mentioned the and there's a story with
him with with the with the
story with the that he first of all he
went to the she went to the he went by
bus you know it wasn't it wasn't a
simple thing to go after passed away
there's a letter from the thanking him
or an answer from the thanking him that
he went and he took it wasn't a minion
he wasn't even able to get a minion but
the minion to be able to go to the when
you heard that the was up
and uh when there was that went into and
told that
they're very concerned that goes to the
air and it's very very cold over there.
So the said that he can
and
that he goes and I'll tell you that I'll
tell you
and there was a special love that had to
to was able to see you know very special
love
after was the one that made the
announcement by the by the Fabian. He
made the announcement
as
he had a very special song that he would
that he would say, you know,
was his usual
announcement. So as soon as he finished
that announcement
talking about
night
in in mimicking him way you know like
imitating like his voice as
I remember exactly the words and then
the said
said like, [laughter] you know, telling
that he should listen to the new
something along those lines. I mean,
it's something that you can look up.
It's in but that was the I just remember
the the scene the picture just just to
point out this point you know of the
special uh
>> right special love which was uh which
was which was which was incredible. And
uh yeah he was uh you know
also he had a very special relationship
with special special that
bay when the
passed away. So the
so during shiva there was a minion
inside the room that the ded but
afterwards to say kades for the so
did a whole year
>> he said he said kadesh and he said he
did and then he observed the always
every single year following that paid
him $180 paid him 920s that we gave him
to uh for this
>> it's very
But the rebades also
>> the I don't think the did not say
kadesh. I'm almost sure I didn't say
kadesh because otherwise the lesson
would ask why I say kadesh.
>> Right. Okay.
>> Was very uh very almost sure that's not
okay.
I don't remember if kadeshim I don't
again I don't remember but I'm sure
those that do remember
>> it's very special and you also had other
functions. You let the mana in 770
right? with the Malayan 770 and a few
times that he that he tried to be to to
be the adoda the the one that would be
everybody with and uh yeah
>> especially you
>> he was a very very special so that's
that's my of course uh my Bob of course
comes from the illustrious spinwood
family's
wife name you know in level from from
level
they would say
okay is
a very very uh very very special he and
uh so that's on on my on my uh on the uh
on the Dan side on the bashan side
>> your mother's
>> my mother is a bashkin so the bashan is
also very very uh special prominent
family in level Okay. They were
there was people that were actually
giddish people. I think the name
Rubashkin is like a royal name that I
think somebody bought from one of the uh
one of the royalties that uh you know
that a Russian name a Russian name that
that went that that went off uh that you
know that that went off the way as we
should say that was OTD from there
[laughter] and he moved away I think. So
I'm not sure where his name was but uh
even say the ghetto did not but it was
>> why because he wasn't uh you know he he
[clears throat]
was before it was before I don't know
was before maybe was born in in in 1900
so uh
so uh I don't know why okay before or or
whatever okay And uh he was uh but he
learned he even he went they they sent
him to I think to Lanigrad to to to to
his to his uncle his uncle Labor. They
guess his father was named Shog. I'm a
name after him. I'm not showing
for him. He was Eden. He was Eden. He
was Eden level but were always
part of the household. When he went to
Labour was over there. Rab was his uncle
was unclean.
>> Rabbastian. Yes. He lived in I think
Masad. He lived in a big city. He was a
very very big and they sent him to do
they sent him to do business and
[snorts] to learn business and to learn
trade. But also there was there wereim
that were there in in in in in the house
like was part was was was part of his
blood and they the Shiva was there. They
had him in the house all
the house
>> was
and in fact when when came in he brought
an extra to make for the hem but it
wasn't that there wasn't it was part of
their household they would you know so
even though and by
that was you know that was that was the
way you know there was no other way okay
but it was
the ghetto was the then the a and then
and and and then the very uh just just
to give it out uh the when he because
they were a prominent family in Levong
and they were a wealthy family. They
they dealt with wax and uh
big sum of wax. They had money all
along. So, uh, when the revolution
happened, the revolution, everybody had
to make new papers, had to get new
passports. And Zatso couldn't get a
passport. He could he didn't want to
give him a passport. There was a a uh a
person in charge in town of the
passports. And he decided that he's not
sure about the Robashkans, you know, I'm
not giving them a a He's not giving them
a passport.
>> They were very very upset. You know,
without a passport means that you can't
move. You're you're you're finished. You
don't have a a uh an ID. It's not a
passport. It's an ID. You don't have
your ID. You can't you can't do
anything. So they what? So what does the
do? So he sits on the bedic
and who was the third one? I don't
remember who the third one was.
Zamamesh. I don't remember who the third
is. Maybe it was maybe or Okay. So what
did decide that the best how are they
going to get them papers? So they
decided they said that you should make
the house and everything will be okay.
They were very simple people
went
and that means it was six hours with
everything they emptied out the house.
There was nothing left. They started
shabas by day and the went till till
till till till till till 3 till till
3:00 in the morning and there was
nothing a crumb of food in the house. So
I have the story from my grandmother
many times. Okay. So they went out
there's no potatoes. So my grandmother
went out to buy uh to buy to buy food.
She went to to the marketplace together
with her mother together with her
mother-in-law. They went to buy
>> they were married already.
>> They were married. Yeah. To buy food.
And uh so they went out to buy food and
uh so in the marketplace they met oh a
cousin from a very very long time ago
met.
So what are these guys doing here Sunday
in the morning?
So with the story, you know that they
vis
who's the person that's giving him the
hard time. They said there's a new
person in town. We know this person.
We're very very good. We're very very
good friends with this person. Who take
care of it?
>> Was a guy.
>> Yeah, it was a guy. Anyway, they went
and the far cousins of him or friends, I
don't even know. They punk knew this
person. Anyway, they came to the person.
So he says that uh one of the neighbors
from the Rabbashka neighbors who would
come to the house all the time told them
that uh these they're very questionable.
These are people that we don't know
where they have the money from. They
live like they so they said what are you
talking about? This is the dimension.
These are people that are dedicated to
communism in the craziest way. What do
you Anyway, within a day or two the
papers were done.
So that was the story of uh that was the
you know what what they what they
[laughter]
and it happened they delivered
100%
they they delivered anyway was a very
very special Jew [snorts] and uh you
know tough Jew but that's the way it was
really really an incredible incredible
he could see the pictures okay he would
stand by the together with with all the
young people. So he
>> he refused to sit with the elderly.
>> No, not because he he refused to sit
because he said that when I sit I fall
asleep and I didn't want to he didn't
want to
sleep in front of a mother used to sit.
It's not that he didn't sit. He sat for
years and then when the spoke about the
spoke about sleeping that it disturbs
him that bothers him. So that's when
that's when he stood up but he never and
he never sat down again and he stood
till the last day till he was able to
till he was able till so till he was
able to stand. There's also a nice story
with the with the migill.
>> Crazy story with the migill. You know
the story. The story with the migill was
that he went to the he went to buy
himself a migilla
>> and so he asked
so he says
is very racist. The le doesn't have such
a nice migra. He was doing it as a sales
pitch. So he says to himself, you know,
when am I gonna have a nice migba?
So he uh he said, I'm going to give the
migilla to the leba, but he can't just
give the migill. So you have to buy you
have to give it in a silver case. So he
went to buy a silver case uh for the
migill. And uh he sent him the migill.
I'm not sure. It could be up to ask.
Maybe addict delivered the migill to to
1304 because they were customers on on
>> asking. Yeah. Yeah. I'm not sure how the
migr went through the normal channel
through 770 was the rivet to the less
through 1304. I'm not sure. But anyway,
the first night the Reb did not use the
miga and Zelu was
un with it. You know, he was so upset.
He was he was devastated shouldn't use
the mig. But uh then he got a call after
from Khadik said called him said
that
have have the own is a very big mitzvah
and therefore for mitzvah he wants to
participate with money. So deto is ready
to take a payment for the for the migill
partial payment
of $18. So then who used the migill? So
he uh of course he said yes. And the
next morning he said used it and
[laughter]
>> that's the migill with the with the
silver case that the always used that
that was mat from
>> that was the big didn't take mat and
there are few things but
>> it's a very big doesn't have to talk to
>> did he write to the rabb this whole
story not not necessarily
>> did he write to the I'm not sure I have
no idea
>> that's very true if he wrote the story
or if he didn't write to But that was
the story.
>> So he's basically
>> he was a very very very
So that's in terms of the uh of the of
the of the Rabashkan side he was uh
unbelievable. Okay. Very very uh and uh
and
the system he was a system Jew. Okay.
Now by him the system was uh by him the
system was kish
>> le system
>> the le system was kishile [laughter]
okay you know he felt was the le system
you know again everybody has their
interpretation of the system [laughter]
>> but but the le system that's the way it
was the people you know what I mean you
know
this is you know kadashim doesn't
>> even though he's much older than them It
doesn't matter. This is the mentioned
these are the people that the le put up.
These are the people that that we put to
the le. That's the way it was. There was
no questions asked.
>> Amazing. Okay. So, we're getting closer
to you. So, [laughter]
>> my father was uh was of course my father
lived uh came here.
He
>> your father grew up in Russia.
>> My father grew up in Russia. Then he
went and then he went to then he was
then he was in in Argent for a few
years.
>> What was what was the story of the
>> the story was that the the that the
sent
gave a gift to the state of Israel meat
and they needed kosher.
>> England gave it or Ireland gave it?
>> England. I'm almost sure that England
gave it. I'm almost sure.
>> I heard a different version.
>> It was Ireland. I don't know exactly. I
don't know. And uh uh but uh or the
chief rabbi from from what's his name?
The chief rabbi from England was the one
that arranged it or from the slow he was
arranged. He had ties to I believe to
English. I don't know again. And uh so
they were they were in uh they they were
in Ireland. I was born in Ireland
>> because of that.
>> Because of that they moved everything.
>> My my father and mother were married.
And uh
>> you're the oldest. I'm the oldest and uh
my father but yeah my father was was ah
there I think he was a sheh maybe even
before before the cast I'm not sure but
uh and then he lived there till 1954 he
lived there and I was born in 1953 so he
lived there and I I was born
>> born in Ireland
>> I was born in Ireland thank you Ireland
because are you a citizen I'm a I still
travel on an Irish passport really and
during co that was a tremendous help
okay as everybody the whole world was on
lockdown and uh I have a lot of people
that I had to see in in different sides
of the world and you don't with an Irish
passport you don't need visas you don't
need was a tremendous tremendous
tremendous help so yes thank you to the
>> no the sending your father to Ireland so
you can do your travels
>> me and my kids also all travel and all
have Irish passports
>> so they're Irish and I think my
grandchildren also can I think also
could have Irish passports and because
of me I I think it goes that goes to the
grandchildren too and it's a it's a big
asset now especially with the EU with
everything else. So it's
it's a big help. [laughter]
>> But uh anyway when uh and then my father
came over here. Okay. We lived first in
Brownsville for a few years. We lived
for uh three years in Brownsville when I
was three years old in such design.
That's where he moved in on 922 Eastern
Parkway. Now, when we moved in, just to
give you an example of my father,
>> what's the address?
>> 922 Eastern Parkway.
>> So, that's between Albony and Troy.
Okay. But the reason why I'm saying 92
Eastern Parkway because the Reba
actually was there in 922 Eastern
Parkway because downstairs from us there
lived the TWKI twurski who uh he was uh
and and he had a shoe over there. And
when my father uh went to visit the
apartment, so he told them that uh I'm
not I'm not going to bargain with you on
the rent. Whatever rent you want, I will
give you in full. But you have to
remember that I don't plan to be counted
in your minion. They needed the minion.
There was a minion. My father told him
says I d only in one place in 77. Okay.
So, so uh uh uh I d in one place in 770
because uh and therefore so uh and uh my
father every single day that was that he
was alive was in 770. There wasn't one
day that he didn't pass by that he
didn't that he wasn't in 770. 770 was
his life. I mean he he worked he was at
a business but uh you know that was his
place that was his passion around what's
what's going on in 770
uh just reminded myself I just my
thought because I one of the things I
make a joke about it I only in 770 you
know there's a big there's a sh a major
show in crown heights ghetto I'm sure
everybody knows about and I say that the
reason why it's called ghetto is because
the z the ghetto would never walk into
that sh that's the only show he would
never walk because by him besides 770
there was no other show didn't exist.
Okay. So that's why [laughter] I just
remind myself of my always but that's
why it's called ghetto show [laughter]
you know.
>> Yeah. Yeah.
>> This would be the show he wouldn't go
to.
>> Never not this. [laughter] It was around
downstairs from his house. No he lived
actually upstairs
14418. He lived
>> so next next door. Yeah. part next to
the deb's mother.
>> Yeah. Part of Yeah. Yeah. But yeah, but
after the deb's mother passed away.
Yeah.
And your father also a lot of this kite
and that you're talking about the zas
your father also had
and uh you know that was on his mind the
whole you know uh always continuously
every single day every single you know
wasn't by him once a year was every
single day thinking you know what's he
going to say and how is he going to say
and you know to makes the le to bring to
bring a smile on the le's face to make
to make the lea happy to uh you know to
do something for the lea
>> in that way. Yes, it was very very uh
very very passionate about it.
But he was he was after after me he was
to me Kaznovski was was the height but
after he from
and then he passed away and then I had
to be to be the
same. Yeah.
>> You also did the whole kesh and
everything.
>> I did the kesh in the first the first
year that I made kesh. And so it's after
Shakis
>> after Shakdish
>> and the first ever made the first time
that that I made kish after I made kish
never went like this you know to take
another one a big one
>> yeah and after after after two big cups
I [laughter]
>> we're not talking about wine
>> it was a different No it was crown war
it was a different experience
it was like this and
>> I thought you do another one
>> so that's uh anyway that was That's
that's
>> the only time I make and I think I I
based it off this
[laughter] I don't know if it's only for
the or whatever
>> and uh yeah
>> um it's also we once printed the picture
of your father sweeping before parade.
>> Yeah,
>> it's interesting too you know like uh
you didn't give it to
>> he was here. He was Yeah.
>> He didn't leave it for No, because he
was doing it because the dabba was
coming so he wanted to make sure it's
clean. 100%.
>> Yeah, that's what he was.
>> You know [clears throat] that way was uh
very special.
>> Yeah. And there's also uh
right
>> he's the one that institutionaliz it.
Okay. So now I think we made it to you.
>> That's my that's my background. That's
that uh
>> so based on all that background
>> that's a small part of my background.
>> Yeah, there's much more. So you're
growing up in you're born in Ireland.
You moved to Brownsville then to Crown
Heights.
So how so how old were you when you when
you moved to Crown Heights?
>> I was I was three years old.
>> Three years old
>> by my upset. My upsetters was on 922
Eastern Parkway.
>> Wow. So your father's 770 every week.
>> My father 770 every single
>> day. So how many kids were around those
years in 770?
>> Not too many. Not too many. But we live
for summer. That was that was our life,
you know. That's that's where we were,
you know. That's where we hung up.
>> So, can you tell me a little bit about
like what what was it like around the as
a kid when there's no you know,
you know, the had a special place for
kids after every uh we would stand by
the door. The would come back and would
dance together with the kids
>> dance.
>> Then every clap
>> and clap and sing and the kids would be
opening the door. would be taking out
his key his key and all the kids would
be standing around the le's door and
singing and uh and uh and brother Fab
and I I mean we weren't there you know
played outside I don't know we play pray
played on the roof our face probably but
did all kinds of mischievous things but
uh for that he made sure to be by when
the came back you know when the came
came upstairs to be and see the le you
know going into his room that was very
very special.
You ever said anything to the Reb as a
kid?
>> No.
>> The birthday I know some people say to
the
>> Oh, by my birthday
was
so uh when I was when when I was uh 3
years old was and uh I don't remember
that but we had a very very interesting
because it was a crazy crazy story. The
was for me for my upsh. We went inside
to the uh together with my uh together
with my brother Yos and my mother went
and me and my sister Kana, my brother
Yosi. My brother Yosi was then uh
probably 5 months old. My brother Yosi
is born in of so uh so this is uh uh he
was he was five years old. He was five
months of four months or five months
old. And but even though my upshot asked
me only
mish one question and then was looking
at Yosi the whole time and my mother was
holding Yosi and uh what's with Yasi and
his name and and like in a in in a crazy
crazy way. My mother told me that she
remembered even working out she said you
know something doesn't add up over here.
Okay. Like very very very very
concerned. Wasn't concerned but but
anyway two months later or a few weeks
later uh he was breathing terrible. Was
very very having a very very hard time
breathing.
And uh so my mother's uh we didn't have
no money. We went to the uh to the to
the health center. It wasn't to the uh
not not to a doctor who couldn't afford
a private doctor. And they went it was a
uh a main station a health station that
you went you know public uh uh place
hospital
>> and they went it wasn't a hospital it
was like I don't think it was a hospital
anyway they came no it's nothing it's a
cold it's very sus but then he was
breathing very still a couple of days
breathing terrible terrible he heavy she
went to doctor was a private doctor
somebody else on the block his name was
Dr. Marcus and uh he said I got to rush
him to the hospital right away to the
hospital. Anyway, he took him to the
hospital. He took an X-ray. He
swallowed. In the olden days, today we
have Pampers Bush, but in the olden
days, I don't know if you remember, they
used to be called diapers. And diapers,
in order to hold the diapers, he had to
had he had a safety pin. He had a safety
pin that was open that was in his
windpipe. He swallowed a safety pin that
was open in the wind pipe stuck.
And that that that the uh that very very
painful for breathing anyway they uh the
so they uh uh told they found my father
there no telephone anyway but anyway so
uh they they sent him to the hospital he
have two choices one choice is that they
make an operation they operate which is
a very very big sacona another choice is
that with a magnet they should close it
and take it out but it's also a very
very big sac
and uh so my parents said that uh you
know they can't answer they only
anyway my father called through theb
said that they should that they should
uh go with the magnet and they should
try to see the doctor either before or
after that that was the hero that they
said anyway they went to the hospital
and uh but the doctor was a private
doctor but they didn't have it as
private the doctors, every doctor has to
be surgeons had to give a date to the
hospital, but it wasn't your patient.
It's a public patient as a public. So
when my parents asked that they want to
go see the doctor, they don't they they
they said, "No, you can't. It's not your
doctor." You know, the fact doctor is
here from the hospital staff. That's why
happened to be a very big doctor. So it
happened to me. Anyway, my mother says
she was walking around everybody. She
felt that everybody's looking at her.
This is the person that their baby is
gone soon [snorts] because it's a very
very big sak very very dangerous
operation. Anyway, the uh they took him
in and within 10 seconds the guy came
out and uh and
everything went through right away and
they asked and the doctor said I must go
see the lucky parents. He asked I must
go see the lucky parents. He walked over
to my mother. He says that I want to I I
my father he says my father is an
oldtime surgeon. If he would tell me
that he performed such a surgery so then
I would I wouldn't believe him that that
was possible such a thing. So my mother
says I'm sorry to break it to you. It
wasn't you it was the standing and
holding your head. He says it could be
because again if my father would tell me
that he performed such a surgery it just
the the point I'm trying to make point
out you know that was the the the le
from a few months before from a few
weeks before but he also had a very
special praise by the told my father
once my father asked for him he said
it's quite I had that statement
>> [laughter]
>> I'm thinking about him more than he
thinks about me. So first of all this
>> we had someone else on this podcast that
was there and dollar standing behind and
he heard that
>> it could be but anyway but that's the
that's the that's
but anyway that's the that's my that's
my coming back that's coming back.
talking about speaking to the [gasps]
no but uh I remember very very clear
listen my early days I remember uh uh I
remember uh the parade I remember the
parade
I think I remember I'm not sure that's
the way I think you know I'd like to
think that I remember but I remember
very very clearly and for me the
clearest thing is I remember I coming to
camp was in camp and I was a camper I
was in Bung Bay was my counter Then I
remember Benji Uden.
>> Benji Uden.
>> Yeah, Benji Uden. He's a love now in
Fargo, New Jersey. Spector's love. He
was he was my counselor. We were in uh I
remember which bunk in parks in in Swan
Lake. This is the old camp. It's not
around. [snorts] And uh I remember that
coming. I remember when we lined up. I
remember that coming and I was standing
on the uh on the tooth of the car like
you know to see everybody. I remember
you on the step of the car. I [snorts]
remember uh
I remember I remember
I remember
gave us each one a
gave
you remember that
>> there's a whole
remember okay but I remember sitting I
remember the I remember remember the I
remember coming I remember the bedside
inspection I remember the best
inspection very very clearly. So you
>> describe that
>> every single kid stood by his bedside.
The lab went just like bedside
inspection. Every single kid by his bed
>> very clear.
>> They walked into every bunk
>> walked into every single bunk to every
single kid to every single room. None of
the stories what happened. The stories I
don't remember but you know the canteen
I'm sure.
>> So what was that like coming to your
bunk? What
>> what was that like with the
a six-y old kid? You know we say what's
what was like you know
>> but that's the way it was.
>> I can't imagine [snorts]
>> I can't imagine. So that's why when
you're six years old it's not a problem
[laughter]
today. You can't imagine but when you
were six years old it wasn't wasn't it
absolutely was not a problem. So it was
uh was uh unbelievable.
>> So where did you where did you go to
school? Bedford. I went to school to
>> Yeah. Then I went to Bedford.
>> So you're part of the original group.
>> I was the fourth or fifth kid in in in
in ina
we also I went before that. I went to
preschool to uh Brika had a preschool
program 825 Eastern Parkway. It was then
that's where Brika was then across the
street. So I was there I had remember
some moras you know vaguely uh that we
had but uh I went to and uh I wasn't I
was quite a tough tough student a very
very wild kid who taught you wasn't
easier easy way
the old time great was my for for for a
little while
had was
I had
great great Jew, unbelievable Jew. I
mean, I remember I saw him more as a
older as an older person that uh he was
incredible incredible, you know, to
watch him to watch him do to watch him
to watch his was just just just
incredible, you know, to see it. Uh
who else was my you saw Rosenford was
the was the principal then
was the driver was my
uncle not yeah that that's basically
okay he used to drive us and uh we used
to have to run away you know there was
it wasn't today it's I don't know how
they get by with the English but in
those days there was the English wasn't
a simple thing
back Russia.
>> This was like moment back to Russian
days, right? You know, inspector would
come so you have to run away that that
you're not there. That was in uh in in
in uh in Taylor and then I went and then
I went to bet but you know I didn't do
too well staying in one at a time. So so
then I went to bed and then from alo I
could they they could they didn't do too
well with me. So I went two years in Bud
and it was Shiva and then I went back to
uh to
>> perfect. So you remember the braitzvah.
>> Of course I remember the mitzvah for I
remember even before mitzvah the
families used to go in once a year the
families used to go and see was a very
very special day. My father would come
home early and we would all get dressed
our Shabbas clothes and we would go to
would go my sisters and me of course I
remember by my mitzvah you can share
>> is there anything you want to share from
those
>> wasn't anything I can't say there was
something you know the
thing from from that asked was asked my
mother when is the mitzvah so she said
that the mitzvah my bitzvah was on
Sunday
myvas
My was on Sunday. Reb asked.
So my mother said Sunday night.
But you know that you should make a
shabas or Sunday before.
So that was the
>> the parties but you have to have
something.
>> Yes. Something on that day, right? He
spoke about remember the party.
I never said and uh you know
>> so that I remember going in as a 14y old
the 15y old and 16 year old special
>> it was a very very special day was a
very very special day and the was you
know
a very serious and we took it very very
serious I'm just thinking about it's
mindboggling mindboggling think about it
you know who who who who works out a 14y
old and a 15y old you know I couldn't I
wouldn't have patience and but the whole
the whole thing the whole you know 3
minutes it wasn't a long time three
minutes four minutes but you know was
unbelievable
>> so what was it say that you would they
would write
>> they write the go
start would make marks and I would give
and by me I mean that's
>> they weren't writing questions or
anything?
>> I didn't have no questions. I didn't
didn't I didn't not not
in those days.
>> Mhm.
>> Where were you learning in Bedford?
>> What was in Bedford?
>> So you Rabiel taught over there.
>> Rabier what?
>> I I I heard that you're you're very
connected to Rabiel. When was that?
>> Was there gave you very connected but
that was in Ocean Parkway when I was
older. But but we had all the time. I
mean was there was was also was also
remarkable you think about it we were 14
15 years old used to come every single
night used to give used to give
and
with us and every shabas would we'd meet
across the street in 749 and
would teach us
you know it was uh also unbelievable you
So
I mean of course I didn't understand
that you know what the B was but
>> he gave you a lot
>> G was
incredible remarkable
[clears throat]
>> you know the B was there's no words
different different light it's different
uh you know when when we you may before
and then when you first time we heard
shield them it was mindboggling mindb
blowing just just it's a different light
It's from a different total different
perspective, totally different totally
different picture.
That was the unbelievable days in Ocean
Parkway.
>> We had Liia was there every single every
single night he was there. He never
missed almost never missed.
>> It's a great great great years. It's
interesting because later he didn't do
with younger Bakan but it sounds like he
had a lot all the people your age sounds
but when he but no but when he was in
Batfield and we were in Batfield later
years he didn't do with younger Bak
people that were there you know your age
whatever bracket
and it's a big part of their life the
was
15y old kids you know
you
you know and was uh you know full
who are we that we understand you know
didn't understand that but uh was
unbelievable
>> yeah
okay so you live
was was was
>> I7 I came to 770 in
saying so you went anywhere that didn't
exist yet
I went I was in
I was and I came to7.
>> Okay. So you come
and then we had we got a special mashia
then that was the first year that he was
that he was that he was Mashia. We we we
made him we we trained him. We we we we
uh we crowned him. I forgot the word for
it. It was also very very special you
know unbelievable day and night you know
you know he was young you know every
single night almost every single night
sat we learn
was really really special very special
>> what was happening
what was the I mean how many years you
in 770
>> I was in 770 for that's when I came to
770 but before we were also was in touch
with 77. We're also in touch with 77
because you knew her. Yeah. Was here you
know I was here my whole life. I was
here.
>> So what was the what was happening those
years? What was the what was the what
was the cost
to make sure was
as much as he could be together with the
one group
to be with and also was a very big
and what the said
that was you know in those days and also
[snorts] in fulfilling what wanted you
know it wasn't shak when in 77 it wasn't
sh that the should speak about something
that something shouldn't be done about
spoke about it. you know something to
happen something you know should be some
you know whether
but before that even you know in every
single thing that was sh
>> right you say later later while you're
in 770 the rabbis starts that changes
everything
>> that yeah that was a very big change you
know that was a very very big change but
it was also but there was this that you
you know uh that we uh you know you have
Uh
so you're saying that big focus by the
bakan was what what the said by the
fabans that that was a so to know the
fabans to what the le spoke about by the
fabian and the very big focus was
pameish of what the spoke about to bring
out especially in the messages to the
world especially
>> so give me examples like what I thought
about in those days I don't remember
whether it was
me or whether it was in in in in
speaking about me went whether it was a
tish to go out to go out film whether it
was you know just
you know just just the feeling in every
single thing is you know what's you know
how how we bring the message to the
world
>> and and and and and the point was how we
bring the message to the world that was
the right
>> not not not the message to the world but
the message to the world at least from
my perspective
you know it's not you know
so
let's move on a little bit and we'll
talk about the the
>> so we're talking about
a second what year what year is the
so it's 50 years
>> now it's 50 years
>> 50 years of
So before we get into your story, what
what is the what's going on? Like how
does it start? Just take take me through
the whole experience the way you
remember it.
[clears throat]
I was uh [snorts] 23 years old.
>> 23 years old. So you're already a
seasoned 770 B. You're there for a few
years since
>> I was 770. Why two years? I'm 770 for 5
years.
>> Right. Okay. So So you just I came 770.
I was uh I was 19 when I came to 770
>> and then we had two years which was also
just 77 just we happened to be there. So
uh
there was a uh
by the end of the start speaking like
you know that he wants to send a minion
to
and
[snorts] uh
the the so the next day I mean went wild
went on wheels you know to go on with
the
that uh and uh people started writing
in. So
>> means 10,
>> huh?
>> Means means 10. Yeah. And
>> so everyone just knew that you're
supposed to write in your name or write
to the rabbi.
>> I don't remember exactly what how it
went, you know. I mean so when when when
it was when when it was exactly I don't
know. You have to ask
exactly when it was. He'll give you all
the uh the chronological details. I can
maybe it's one ch.
>> Okay. [laughter]
Okay. [snorts] Uh but the the uh
it was first spoke about it. Okay. And
then it was like uh unbelievable buzz
you know such a thing. Then came and
made I think it was the next Shabas or
Shabas afterwards. I'm not sure if it
was the next Shabas or Shabas afterwards
that made like very clear you know that
you have to that you have to write in
that for a year that that you're not
going to get married for a year
or those that you're two years married
at least that's
what she writes very like very strong
>> so either you're or you have to
[clears throat]
either you're a that you don't plan to
get married for another year or you're
that it's already after you uh uh that
that you're married already before. So
you're that that's that the uh
and uh so of course I uh gave in my
name. I was very very keen. This is the
our whole life was that our whole dream
was that we should be that was that was
that was what was the abilan 77.
line 770 line 770 was that you are in a
uh in West Point to become that's that's
what 770 is that's that's what we would
that's what 770 is about uh so we uh I
of course uh volunteered and tried
hoping that maybe we'll be able to get
and sure enough on Friday I don't
remember which Friday it was but Rabbi
Klein walked over to me and told me that
uh you know the uh you're one of the
candidates you have to ask your parents
if your parents don't ask him and uh and
uh of course I said yes and uh
and we you know I worked out I was able
to be be one of the
>> So what happened before you went
>> before you went was it was incredible
the wasb made
spoke about the and then was
we
with the parents.
>> With the parents gave with the parents
and then gave each one of us and he gave
us money for he come with us. He rabbi
came out to say goodbye to us.
as should be a tremendous
cameras was was incredible
that came to welcome us at the airport
was an incredible uh an incredible send
of an incredible
connection to you know also
outpour of love to the not it's not not
the you know
beyond
What was the rabbi the gave? I don't
know. But uh but the scripture that he
gave to was the push to to to
>> wasn't something with within
>> Labin is a different thing.
[clears throat] Rabin was we I tell the
story gave him sent 10,000 sentin very
interesting with Robin by the way
>> sent 10,000 LA to
>> 10,000 I think it was a check of 10,000
>> with the group with Rabik not with us
gave him now what happened within was
just raikin
was by this is just a very fascinating
thing that I was there three times so
just just beyond uh Uh
was by
in
he was the one of
was also crazy incredible time. talk
about 70 was just beyond what
>> was was beyond was was unbelievable and
also during the day during the day you
had a lot of dignaries that came to ZBA
that were able to go into ZBA who walked
then came as a representative from from
from Nixon and Labin came from he was
the official ambassador to Washington
it's very interesting because usually I
think the connection here was with the
council but anyway I don't know not not
sure about that but Rabin came from
Washington. Now, Rabin was also
different than the most of the other
Israelis that because he was a you know
a new guy. I don't think that he knew so
much about he was you know he wasn't
like he wasn't he was
he wasn't pal also had some type of
perish upbringing this is an Israeli
that knows not doesn't know much about
the le and he came and asked him how
does he feel in Washington do you ever
feel alienated and he says that he does
he feels a lot very very told him that
yeah
told
Yeah, you're going to be you in a
negative sense, but it's a positive
sense. That's that's the way we are.
That's the uh the thing. [gasps]
Anyway, he he uh this is
we meet with the prime minister, but we
meet with in the we didn't meet him in
the in the
>> he was the prime minister then. deal
with the prime minister then and we we
were welcomed by everybody. Again, this
was made an incredible incredible uh uh
uh had an incredible uprank
in by everybody. We were by the
president by Katir was Kir was the
president went to visit the uh the mayor
we had and we went into the classet we
met Rabin we met with in the class and I
remember him coming out he came out with
with a shirt short sleeve shirt without
a tie
it was quite ne
was because that he [snorts]
fabang was a big fabulin
and uh anyway but was in by him before
that he gave him the check and he told
them also that was the message from that
if you remembers what spoke about the
that was the message that sent to him
>> what's very very interesting is that by
the when he had the thing with card with
Clinton with
>> a huh
>> after Asro in in in the white house they
had
>> oh the the signing
>> when they were signing and they they all
gave hands and what what the He said,
"And now is not anymore." Hey, I'm
>> like those those you know now is not
anymore.
>> So he remembers the words and he smiled.
>> He [laughter] said it was in a different
in a different context, but but it was
that was the the bug was there. You
know, he knows that the bug is there.
Okay.
>> He knows what the say something
different. Okay. Among is brought to you
by
We live in a chaotic world. [music] A
world where for us is au
we do not have the ability to hear and
see the on a daily basis. Yet we know
that theb is very much with us and is
alive and thriving [music] more than
ever before. One needs to only tap into
it.
provides you and your family with the
tools necessary
to tap into all of this. Whether it's
the monthly magazine, the way it all
began,
whether it's their hair books, their
hair online content, and so much more,
men, women, and children throughout the
world benefit and use these tools on a
daily basis. Whether it's children
enjoying the children's magazine that
comes along with the regular deer or
enjoying the children's podcast. Whether
it's Bakim in Yeshivas receiving the
dehair, whether it's girls in high
schools enjoying their hair club in
their local high school, people all over
the world and from all walks of life
enjoy and utilize these tools and take
advantage of it. If you're not already
subscribed to the monthly magazine, do
so today at deher.org.
That's der.org.
The hair is a dynamic organization which
is committed to continue providing these
tools, grow on a constant basis, and do
all that we can to help this effort.
Barakashem, it takes a lot of resources
and finances to make this all happen.
You can be part of their through your
financial support as well through
visiting our website.org or through
contacting us to setting up a meeting.
Thank you very much. [music] Enjoy the
rest of the podcast.
>> You know, I travel a lot now and I
sometimes have trouble telling the
slogan and it's al so very difficult to
get there. I say
you can't even get a flight there,
right? [laughter]
>> It's so difficult. isolated.
>> That's my That's my new Titan.
>> What
a disaster. So that's how uh
>> So what do you got? What? So you come to
the whole couple of spond What do you do
there?
>> We came to We learned here we went in
and we
>> The whole group went in
>> the whole group. Yes. And it's fast. We
we two groups. We were in Shalim. We
learned in in in Samaric and we slept
inside. We'll go to Samaric. We'd be
there a whole day and then go back to
But we felt Yeah. But we felt the
responsibility to bring the seven to we
go to and and again, you know, you know,
now I get a little bit older than I
didn't understand it. But, you know, you
take a look at the the the the welcoming
from from your lights over there. I used
to give a sharabad okay that 70 100
people would come to a shir every single
every single week and with
I mean come on give me a break but you
know and that's why especially
and it's incredible just you know the
the the outpour as we said before the
connection the wanting to be connected
to the that's that was the point you
know to have a connection that was
that's beyond
>> the
no question about it Okay. And I think
you know they got you know a lot would
come always give the an incredible and
incredible place up front you know.
[snorts] Oh nice you know
just passed away. I remember coming to
him you know we we again you know had to
make sure that that that uh the letters
wanted was to be after Fabangans and it
should be in the newspapers. I used to
go with B to Tia that he should you know
make a report give about a uh you know
you know think about a news release
[snorts] was unbelievable in this tiny
apartment that one and a half rooms okay
but always made place we were there
mamish uh able to do it there was no
such thing not day not night you know
you know bam there's no day and there's
no night you know we you know it's got
to be done and uh and and
>> you know to be much much much older. He
was 20 years older than me. I'm just
thinking about it right now. And he made
himself available, you know, again.
[laughter]
It's it's it's mindboggling.
>> Yeah.
>> You know, never thought about it, but
it's you think about it. It's it's it's
incredible. All the young guys may
fre
Everybody was
incredible.
>> How long?
>> So, how long were you there?
>> So, anyway, what
>> how long were you there the first day?
>> So, we went for
uh we were there. We were there from
I was there from
the first time non-stop with us.
>> Yeah. I came back the first time here
was for you. got engaged
and I got I got uh I was engaged became
>> So one second. So I want to hear about
that. How how did your happened while
you're on how did it happen?
>> My my came to to visit me and
be the were on were getting involved
with while they're on.
>> Yeah. Yeah.
>> So you guys you guys knew that it's
going to be for for a long time or you
thought you didn't know anything?
>> We didn't know anything. But the rabbi
told you told some of you to be involved
in
>> No, I don't remember how it's how it
went that we should become involved with
but uh
I don't remember I was the first one
actually did the I asked you know if
they could come they asked I asked but
my father I don't remember asb my
parents as if you know they can to talk
to me from from an American girl and
said yeah mama I don't remember
>> so your wife had to go to to
>> my wife said to she came as well. Yeah.
>> So, while and she stayed there and then
while while you're
>> while we was dating Yeah. dating for,
you know, for for for a week and a half,
two weeks, it wasn't took me very very
fast. I wrote to
you know, what do you think? And the
said,
>> so this is in the summer. This was
two days before.
>> You had a very long engagement.
>> You had a long engagement.
>> I had a very long engagement. Yes. My
engagement was I got married very
interesting because uh I wrote the first
I as
we should when we should get married and
the le answered me that uh I don't
remember the exact question right now
but the was that
going blank right now on this but the
was that dates of the dates the date of
the so I remember
so you can get from her a few dates
now I remember the said
>> first get the information from the
way said not and I put in three dates
and the le picked the last date the last
date was the last date very interesting
usually the le is usually the first date
but that's the way
>> usually the wants it to be
And what happened is America
but but what interesting was that the
first two dates there was
such snow here that one of the dates was
impossible to make
>> was not not not not
in in in in in Jewish center he couldn't
bring the stuff it wasn't sh to bring
the stuff from young Israel to Jewish
center this whack and a half
>> young Israel his kitchen
his kitchen was young. Yeah. So after
the kak there was a uh he was one of the
caterers. There was a few caterers. So
of that day.
>> So
>> that's but that's you know the fact
>> so you got married
>> I got married here. I got married here.
>> So it's an interesting thing like you
you left the to get married basically.
>> I left the to get married. So as if I
can come to get married. Yes. I left the
to get married. So when I came here I
came here for you of
by uh uh
[snorts] I was here and uh I don't
remember the date you know again but uh
probably right the day after we went to
the
for uh for the I went with my and my
parents went and my and my went that way
that's the way that's the way it went
but there was no then it wasn't the sat
in his door it was to
the way it worked was that the leba sat
in his door. It was like the hospital
table that the sat by and you came you
stood in front of the
private something like like like the
something like the same type of setup.
You're standing.
>> So standing on but we're standing the is
sitting in the area and the is hospital
table in between the table and the door.
Yeah. And I think there's a on the table
and a pushk
have to give a commercial for we'll
>> talk about that soon.
>> No problem. I have to give a pushka. I
have to give a commercial. Okay. So,
[gasps and snorts] but there was a I'm
almost sure there was a pushka. But
anyway, the there's a uh uh and and so
you you're going over you're standing
like in the corner like where from label
growner's office. You're standing over
there in the corner. There's people that
are talking to the leba and then when
they walk away you walk over. So it's
like exactly something like if you
remember maknis or I'm sure if you saw
videos of mak I don't know if there's a
video of that particular I don't think
there is but [snorts] that that was a
setup to a certain extent and we walk
over and the says
yeah and I got petrified you know
because I like you know I had issues
said
that's what he
It was decided that you're going to by
yourself. You should go find out
details.
I can't say a lot of times when the leb
would say something wouldn't say would
say something to surprise to a person
would say like when the gave him a
second thing of m and everybody only got
one gave him twob said
something like that you know that was a
uh I [snorts] know some other things
that was but that's the way that that's
the way it was
>> so you don't know what's going on you
know that the wants you in
>> yeah I don't that's right exactly so I
don't know what exactly
So then a few days later uh then the
gives me for the and that's it. And then
uh I went to Newark. I was b I went to
Newark. I wasn't here. And then the
times Khadakov called me. Rabbi Khadakov
says
>> well you didn't go running to Mosquetus
to find
>> I went to Mosquito M but they didn't
know. So I don't remember those details.
I don't remember not I don't remember.
So you get a call from
told me that since you're going through
and uh
together with this was already together
with and
>> he was he was with you in the first
group.
>> No no
>> no he came for Yeah. He was with me for
the first group.
>> So everyone came for
>> not everybody.
>> Two guys came for you came to get
married. He came for he Yeah. Then he
was going to go he was
he was a he got married right after me.
A few a week after me, he got engaged
also with a uh uh with a with an Israeli
girl. He went back to the law, but he
came over here. He had the shoes. Yeah,
a lot of people had the shoes come.
Yeah.
>> Anyway, uh and Rabbi
says to me that or maybe I went myself.
I'm not sure. Then I went to a second
time. It could be. I don't remember. I
don't remember. Okay. But I know that
said to me that the le wants to be my
slog and if you're ready to take it. So
I said of course I'm ready to take it.
You know no question about it.
>> Was like before then you thought your
was over you getting married and
whatever.
>> No I was going to get married and go
back to the star but I was going to find
myself. I didn't know was going to
assign to me what to do.
>> So was that but the other people the
other bakalites that were there they
were already looking for to do there or
they were still learning some the whole
time? It was all developing then
basically
>> why don't you remember what what's what
what's what what I was thinking about
that was you know we didn't think about
these
got it sent then what what what sent a
letter what what what we could do that
we could get married and what are the
things that was [snorts]
not sure
>> so could be was before then
>> the letter came that that was the letter
but the famous letter [laughter]
>> to figure out okay so so basically
everyone's figuring out what to do and
and you're getting a thing.
>> Everybody was figuring it out. I don't
know how it worked out. You know, was
thinking about getting married. I you
know, didn't think about figuring out
what's writing a letter writing a letter
to people should get.
Yeah. Right. But I didn't I don't
remember. I was thinking about I was
thinking about other things. I was
thinking I was thinking about but in my
own mind maybe I'll do this, maybe I'll
do that. Okay. thinking about about
other things certainly uh I did not
certainly not care about and certainly
nothing to do doesn't even know what
what it was you know had no fine say
want to make excuses now he even spoke
about this about yes he didn't talk in
in clear words it wasn't it wasn't a
clear clear Russian what what
he
what the job was wasn't clear and uh so
I said of course I'm ready anyways So he
says, "Yeah, but if you want to, you you
have to ask your your cow if she's
ready." So I said, "I know for sure
she's ready." He says, "No, you have to
ask her and you can't give me an answer
before 24 hours."
>> But your wife knew what she was getting
into. She came
>> she came down to sim.
She knows she's going to set it to slow.
But but what we're going to do to slow
and what's going to happen that we
didn't have to wait 24 hours that we
didn't know. Anyway, I came back anyway.
Uh I don't remember when told this but
said that it's going to be together with
and the is going to be on Friday
morning. I'm getting married on Sunday.
Friday morning is
Friday at 11:00. But uh so we went to
sitting in you're able to hear not words
but you're able to hear's voice in
you're able to hear's voice. which I
don't remember didn't make. Anyways at
11:20 approximately the lei came out
came out was standing by the doorb
opened the doorb came out the was first
left and then he came out was holding in
his hand two tas was holding I remember
even some during the
you know was a soft covered tas you know
forget the pages and spoke about
it was a whole
seven minutes approximately that spoke
that
[snorts]
and
was going to be on
later a change that was going to go back
to but it was at least at that moment
and said about opening up
and
[snorts]
spoke about also that very strong that
everything should be like a name like a
notus
written down the whole
and then finished and then says
and [laughter]
didn't look like we understood
everything.
So that was the uh but that's when we
got that's when
also as
money raise money right to raise money.
So then I was mentioning a bunch of
things and included in that is
>> but yeah but but underab that was the
whole thing was under
>> the whole thing was about that was
saying different things about the
>> but
that's what spoke about that too. Yes.
>> But that's not what you did.
>> We we did do it when we started we we
were going to do a kabat bat. We were
gonna we were thinking about opening a
base in in in in
work out. We we you know we started we
we were thinking about it later that was
that's a separate a separate story for
itself.
>> But you understood basically from that
was all about
>> I didn't understand anything.
>> Okay. So what happened?
>> Okay. Very hard to say what was what
what I understood what I didn't
understand. Okay. wasn't wasn't wasn't
wasn't clear to me. I mean that we was
clear that we that we work under the it
was clear that we go and we take care of
the that was we that was clear okay that
we're in charge of the that went to that
third group of that was clear it was
clear that we worked for okay it was
clear that a half a day we were going
it was clear that another other half a
day we were going under that we under
but and it was clear that we're going to
do [cough]
[clears throat]
whatever work
about how it's going to work out in
terms of
>> that was clear.
>> Did you did you go to for clarification
on all this or you didn't [cough]
>> you remember?
>> No.
>> I remember.
>> So you got married. You went back there
to Israel.
>> I got married went back to
>> So yeah. What did you knew anything
about Kabad before? like like
>> no.
>> So how do you figure out what what's
going on? Like how does that work?
>> I didn't figure out I went back to slow.
I mean I knew Kabad because I got money
from Kabad from my I knew the people
there. I knew all the all the players I
knew. Okay. I knew the the Kabad. I knew
I knew
I knew Frank Wolf. I started
you know dabbling. You know we started
dabbling. you know what the what what
what we can do this we can do this you
know doing everything and we're bim and
you know the the sky's is the limit and
uh and beyond the sky you shoot for the
stars
>> so maybe you could tell me a little bit
a little bit about kabad what is it
what's what is it supposed to do like
just just give give the give me the rash
and kabad was set up by the alab it's a
fund to be able to help that's what
that's what the fund was and That was
what that that
when we came to
and gave money for helped out families
before Pes and before the helped out
families helped out some helped out some
some care and uh they uh had also a
an absorption that worked with there's a
lot of Russians that came that they uh
had Mrs. Bashaba's program for them,
they had cookups for them, they
kindergartens for them. That's what
that's was basically what basically what
Kabad what what Kabad did and they
helped out. There were some
organizations they that wrote to them to
ask them for help that they that they
helped them. Where do they have the
money from? Some of the money was raised
from the outside people that sent money
and also from the from the bas they had
the cemetery that brought that that
people bought places and that was like
and that was like a source of income for
them at that time that was uh that
that's that's as far as what was then
>> okay
>> so when you come to Israel and you start
>> so when it comes to slow so first of all
so we started uh uh uh trying to uh so a
half a day we were in Ku and a half a
day and we I was giving a share in to
the to the
and from the
and uh and I started
organizing things you know try to build
connections we started maybe we'll do
this maybe we'll do that we're thinking
maybe we'll build a shikun maybe we'll
build
we wanted to do a a base kabad in the
new city that we were thinking to take
an apartment and to rent a place then
was shu that was uh you know different
types of thing that we're trying to do
trying to to organize trying to organize
should be able to do so whatever it was
then to do that was work
>> so and you started raising money right
away
>> and I started I no my my my first uh I
my first fundraising trip was uh a few
months later
>> primary slow you went for I went to I
went to Europe to raise money I wanted
to make to raise money first I wrote
about going to Australia but was sh and
then I went but my first fundraising
trip was I went on the way here tough
tough lates I uh I started raising money
there I got made some contact with
government officers to make money so
that's what I was working on but not in
terms of fundraising in the outside. My
first uh uh I organized also I did
organize a mal that I organized but I
had friends of mine that were here that
they made some there was a there was a
there was a uh for that was the first
first but I was not here for that mala
was done remotely and uh my first
fundraising trip was in of
that I went to London to Paris and to to
London to Paris
Okay.
>> So I went that's where I went and I came
here and I came here for PES.
>> I came for PES
>> for PES. Correct.
>> So what happened afterwards?
>> Okay. So now when I came here for pes
we uh when I came here for pes
we we uh were here and uh pes was over
on Wednesday. Pes was over Thursday. Pes
was over Thursday and I went to on
Monday night.
Okay. And uh the startled that uh
[gasps]
I was still learning in Ku for a half a
day and I said that yes. Then ZB started
that uh
I wrote to Zeb I was questioning if I
should I want to do a fundraising trip
over here to go to cities to go to
Florida and he would help me then and
started that uh
again I wish I would I would should have
looked at this before that uh Uh
I was in together with Fagi and with
God. God gi was born already by then.
>> Your daughter,
>> my daughter
was uh that uh
he was hoping that he uh you know that
he was hoping with that we were really
going to make progress. It was very very
disappointed.
Basically there's other
they have dinners and they have
banquetss and they do things and this is
a
9962 face in New York. There's two Mian
Jews and M 990,000 don't even know there
such a thing as a
whole you sent the whole thing the whole
uh campaign is a couple of thousand
letters that you send out who knows if
the addresses are even good. So he says
you know he doesn't see to go to little
cities to raise money that you can do
through committees but you know you have
to really boo. I was hoping said that
I'm sent you and peasants at the slow
and I was really hoping that you guys
are going to really build up this
institution and like basically a very
very big disappointment and that wasn't
said but uh hopefully that you you still
will and if not used very sharp words
okay but uh and then what
said but yeah But and then the the uh
and then the said uh and then the said
uh that uh but uh if that he asked me
how long I'm staying I said for another
week. So he says so you have time to
work and
if you have something special I could
speak about
said
about
>> you mean if you have something special
>> if if you're going to make an event or
something that you know and and
said that
[clears throat]
every single thing is if your is if you
work diligence and then you're
successful. a certain institution that
that was established and that every
single was was was head of it. So with
if you put in a little bit effort you'll
have incredible successes.
There will be incredible successes. I've
never said
okay there'll be tremendous successes
and uh that's what the that's what the
that's the is finished then I became uh
then I gave uh
my wife a dollar and uh and uh the baby
a dollar and then I became like me. He
says like the barabos detra you know the
you know theab or something I didn't
sayab I remember the something something
along those lines like you know s of the
west but
so that was the uh that was that which
was took place on
of course I went out and
listen then of course I went out and uh
again like I thought it was a Monday
night and you
started really you know uh you know
>> I can imagine that that you lit a fire
>> you can't imagine [laughter]
there's no you can imagine I mean you
know was beyond anything was a very very
uh major shakeup major uh major major
major shakeup uh anyway [snorts]
we I tried we went we tried to bring
some people but the most important thing
that's I felt is if you want to set up
something, you know, whatever you're
going to set up, if you're not going to
have a person that that person is going
to run it. So then it's so as much as I
put together and they put in the paper
and uh and and put out some things. But
I knew that if you're not going to have
a a person that's going to open an
office there and is going to spearhead a
fundraising campaign, it's just not
going to work. So we have to find a
person who's the person that we could
find.
So uh I wrote to I got answers on the
car. I got answers on every single
thing. There isn't one one question that
almost no question that I didn't get an
answer. If I didn't get an answer there
was no answer but uh there was also
there's no answer. Uh so the said also
to be very very careful to take a person
that you can't
the only one that's only if a guy will
prove himself after a year like you know
don't don't you can't give away the
institution a very interesting thing
also was which was very very interesting
when I wrote to Zeb on
Friday I gave zeb a report of what went
on and what things that that we're doing
what we're thinking about And so and so
I wrote to the hebidus.
So the wrote meas
asked me
what was done on this before the
which uh
>> what does that mean wants to know
>> yeah what what did you do before report
you know was wanted very much a report
from before I did not do much again like
I told you that's why I told you before
that uh
was over on Thursday night So basically
before the was Friday and Shabas and and
>> meant immediately before
>> what
>> meant immediately before not
>> I know what the meant I know what I know
what the wrote because but I didn't I
ignored that I didn't answer because I
didn't because I didn't do much you know
so what am I going to write you know
just to make a joke and uh the next time
before my next letter
doesn't you go until I wrote that I
didn't do much or whatever I did, you
know, a few guys that I did a yontiff,
you know. So what but but that's the way
it was. That's the way that that that's
anyway. We uh uh uh I had somebody that
I had in mind that I asked that I
thought that maybe he would be very very
good and the le was very very got a very
sharp answer from the lea about it. Most
of the answers I think are are in the
books test in in the minus legal
schedule that came out. So I think I
can't say that all of them are there but
many of them are there many of the
answers and uh I remember answered for
this particular we had a I had a meeting
with a few prominent
and
wrote [clears throat] me eight palm it's
called
I wrote to the of a meeting that I had
with a bunch of people. Could you
imagine that? and the [snorts] right
writes that take them all together or
talk in telephoneon that the uh focus or
the goal of the is to reach out to those
that are bead
and uh
and to bring them in to support the so
what was that thought you know with
with digently and they came to the
conclusion that this person is Uh asked
me before what did he do before? What's
his experience?
>> A different this person that this hat
that you had. Yeah.
>> Yeah. That's I'm just telling you just
it wasn't great. Yes. And I'm giving you
just just a a a a you know
>> didn't really like a framework of of of
how you know
>> didn't like this. This person
>> didn't of course he didn't like my but
it's just interesting. He didn't write
no but this is the way he gave me a very
he wrote you what was supposed to be
and he should have a mun
and you know what what kind of what kind
of person
anyway uh I was you know hit a war so uh
Rabbi Khadikov called me Rabikov told me
I was planning to go back to the slo was
my plan I said I think I shipment and uh
he told me that he wants to be that he's
he wants to be me matia
that I should write to that he was mata
and I should stay here to run the office
of
>> you should be the manal [laughter]
yourself
>> I should be the manal of myself yes that
that
I should propose he's that he's not
giving me from the it's his thought to
me that I should be m to the he's m even
though before that when I spoke to
Originally I once threw and such thought
to him that maybe it should be me and me
me me me me me me me me me me me me me
and he like brushed it off in you know
in his way.
>> You tried this before?
>> What you thought of this before? I
thought I thought of it on my own, you
know, when things were going in a tough
way and I suggested such a thing to him,
not I mean because I said maybe I should
suggest myself and threw but anyway but
this he told me that he called me and he
told me that he I should write he's me
if I'm if I want to you know that that's
what he thinks that he should do it
which obviously of course I did and
that's was very very important to me and
I wrote to the and the wrote answer that
was for a year not not for always.
So I should stay for a year.
>> Say it say it in English. If I will work
with beets is uh with energetic or or
enthusiasm I don't know and use
initiative you know so then then I
should stay for
>> something else
>> initiative I don't know what what is
what
I never gave you tonight Google
and so that was and then I stayed here a
and uh works on certain things. And then
a year later I wrote,
you know, but so wrote but uh
so then I should stay here.
>> You have to get news if you didn't show
till now. So I should stay. So
>> giving you stack to do this
and that also that's I didn't I didn't
demonstrate the the it's not visible the
medicine use math from that uh from the
first year
but anyway that's that that's the way it
came about. So, so, so that's how you
stayed in New York.
>> That's why I stayed.
>> So, one question, but Kabad is giving
services in Israel. So, you have someone
else there.
>> In the beginning, we sent money only to
New York. We didn't do we didn't take
care of anything any services in Israel.
It was just they did service in Israel
was in was in Israel.
>> He was there. He was doing stuff there.
They had a big problem over there and
they fell into and there was
>> because it was running separately
basically. wasn't running separately. I
mean I was involved. that was part of
first of all first of all when gave us
first of all when
was
other
but um in
the Rabbi Zean passed away used to be
the of used to be the when he passed way
each one is the
all handpicked by all the way through
starting from from.
So when the uh when
passed away wrote a letter that should
also was also part of Kabad then made
made separated. So when we came was run
by
Zean but Zean passed away and then they
then wrote to when he passed away he
passed away he passed away and they
wrote to the wrote from the that
go into
so we weren't on I wasn't on even though
I was here but uh I it took a little
part you know what should be done but I
basically
>> raising money
>> raising money.
>> So what happened to Mgiml Mgimble there
was a big problem because it wasn't
possible to uh it wasn't possible to
operate over there so I took in and I
started doing projects in from here. So
under my uh was the gave me it was very
very uh very very strong words from the
about it to make sure that everything
goes through the proper way and but uh
but we
>> so you ran into the about this whole
thing that
>> I didn't write I used to I never wrote
to general things I wrote about the okay
so uh I wrote to that we're going to
give out uh we're going to help families
for PES. Okay. And the wrote to me, how
do you know that you're sitting up
doesn't say that, but you how do you
know that you're going to make sure that
every single family is that you know
these are the families that need you
know how you going to make sure and how
you going to make sure that every dollar
is going to go to the right place. Okay.
And uh
uh Okay. and uh Rabbi and uh very sharp
and the sent me a message through one of
the secretaries that uh you know that uh
every that I can do whatever I want but
uh I should know that I'm responsible
personally responsible
for every single dollar from that for
every single dollar of
okay but I did it I took responsibility
and I did it and then I got the very
very warm response. Debbie asked the
next couple of days later asked what you
do. Did you send the money? He didn't
send the money. And I wrote that I sent
the money wrote me uh [sighs and gasps]
because
you should take responsibility, strong
responsibility, very very sharp
responsibility and you know I took
responsibility and and and we lived.
>> Okay. So let me just try to understand.
So you started doing pulis I guess like
the Kabad office in New York is doing
pulis.
>> Yeah.
>> And then after the whole whatever it
became my thing.
>> Yes. I run the things from my from from
New York.
>> Whatever projects I do I do my
>> today is today. I have my people that
they they run the people for me. I'm the
boss.
>> Interesting. I'm saying it's a it's a
big thing to run an organization.
>> It's a very big thing. But that's the
way that's the way it is. That's the but
you ask me about general if I never is
that's what I'm telling you. Do I have a
clear? I never so I become never as
general things. I always asked for a
specific thing,
>> right?
>> I didn't ask for, you know, something of
action that's negated to this. Should I
do it? I shouldn't do it. Should I open
this project? I shouldn't open this
project.
>> And some project said to open, some
project said not to open.
>> Okay.
Um, what were things that the said not
to that you remember? Do you remember
any of them?
>> So what's
>> interesting? I'm I'm not interested.
People want to know how people want to
know how to do things according the way
the wants. So it's sometimes it helps
them to know things that the
we'll give it.
>> Okay. So what were what were some hit
you got in the beginning like uh setting
up an office like like
>> I got hos on every single step every
single but I mean again stop you know
what what were in
here I just gave you hilos I have to
make sure that every dollar that goes
through is the right way that personal
responsibility for the monies that the
basis the lea was very very I got I got
once an answer from the
Uh on on mammish these days
mammish these days for the three weeks
was tough
I remember basiml.
Okay. Uh
[snorts] so uh the Reb wrote me that uh
we had something that I had to take care
of in in in in in
uh in uh in Toronto. uh uh technical
things and I had pushkers to take care
of and I asked Rabbi Lipster to to go to
uh to uh Lipster who worked with me all
the years to uh go to Toronto and he
wrote 11 he's going to Toronto.
So when the le came back from the a I
think almost
and
I got a phone call actually was in the
country got a phone call from Rabbi
Khadakov. Okay.
You know, is there a reason why I don't
go? Why why he's going? not you know I
asked Tom who anything to say about me
never asked
so I wrote to that it was a uh you know
whatever he the person that takes care
of the technical things and we're trying
to build up a pushka program there and
he's the person that's taking care of it
and that's where he went
wrote me back
so I sent him a photo of of my of my
pogus.
And uh so then asked
this already this is already going into
if could be that it was it wasn't I'm
sorry. Could be was
it was came from the that's what I'm
thinking about wants a report financial
report.
>> Yeah financial report. So I sent a
financial report of exactly what you
know what was spent a basis. So uh
sent a financial report
and this was already came into uh tishab
and I'll never forget that's right after
tishab right before tishov middle right
before the fast from when I sent the
reports. So the le sends out the reports
every single you know uh uh about
the asked for
uh
a a a sophistic financial report you
know financial statements you know
expenses salaries this that I should
write a a awes
who and uh so I wrote in this one get
$350 a That's what their job is. This
one this one gets and so each person you
know never went through line by line how
come do we need do we really need this
person like you know what does he do and
what does he do what does she do and
it's a very uh mamish line by line item
by item very very uh one of the things
that we had we had the mach house that
we rented then and we have five five
rooms that was the office of we spent
was $500 rent for uh for for for so you
know what do we what do what is what
what what is a uh a mason doing in five
rooms how many rooms does Americas have
you know like very uh very basis that
was ones
that was on that was an edition
right before uh right before the fast
so I sat I wrote a report, you know, of,
you know, what my vision of Kabad is and
what and just went through, you know,
what's the what the purpose of every
single thing was.
>> So, you didn't take it like, okay, fine.
So, we're canceling the five rooms or
canceling the salaries. You took Let me
let me explain what this is.
>> But I was an idiot. Yes, I did. That's
exactly what I did.
I
>> You think you're an idiot for doing
that?
>> Do I think I was an idiot? I don't know.
But that's what I did. There's no
question. Do I certainly of course I was
an idiot. But
to a certain question, a certain yes to
a certain way. Anyway, but you know
[laughter]
this is fact. This is water under the
bridge. Would I do it today any
different? I would do it today
different. But uh anyway, but I wrote in
a uh uh I sent in a
I don't know if I have it but a 15page
very comprehensive uh vision and uh you
know what uh what you have to understand
also we needed people you know there was
if you wanted to have the recording and
remember the things and have there was
no computers this is everything had to
be done by paper by
>> today you need people right that's how
works
>> anyway the uh and so I thought to myself
and I didn't get an answer. This is
>> I wrote didn't get an answer. This was
to
okay
I wrote uh I wanted to take somebody
else to work on on open another division
of another part of
and the wrote me [laughter]
it seems that you didn't understand in
general what I spoke to you so therefore
I have no choice but to tell you in
great detail that you're wasting that
the the expense of the k was just too
much I exuberant. You know, it's just
and you think that an organized
institution is if every person has a
every part has an a director and this
director has an office and this office
has a secretary has a telephone and
[snorts] you think that's that's that's
organized. the organizations, the real
organization is that you have much less
people and they every one of them is
full to his capacity and therefore right
now not only shouldn't you take another
person but you should take off 10% of
your staff and
you know something remember
I don't know maybe
but
but anyway it's uh I I I I many people
seen the letter right basis.
[sighs and gasps]
So it became a very big issue because
you know I was at capacity I didn't
think that I could [laughter]
so I uh wrote to writes and I should let
him know we don't remember exactly the
he thinks we should write the we should
look at the so I wrote that
from now on every single person gets
paid only by the hour there is no
salaries there is no there's work
>> [laughter]
>> took it.
Yeah, that's it. So, I smuggled my way
through that I didn't have to make any
cuts and uh and everything worked out.
But it's interesting right then when the
le wrote me about the rooms. Yeah. Uh
about a week or two later. Okay. Mameish
a week or two later came up 806 that I
was able to buy from the fire and and
and and and build my my vision was to
build since was done on the fire. We
bought for $17,000. We bought the
building and my vision was to go to
people of means and to get them to but
there's no concept here. People having
apartments here to build condos upstairs
and the people that are upstairs should
pay for the whole building for buying
for everything. I'll do the work. I'll
fix up the place. And I went to Barl
Weiss and I went to Manipkia from South
Africa for South Africa [laughter]
should have here. And I put it together
the deal. And I thought to myself after
the five what am I going to do? you know
wasn't negotiated it wasn't final but it
was almost almost finite but I wrote and
I wrote is going to demand work from me
to and I cut out the tattoo and
everything like that gave you a big yes
and and with the words that you can do
so together with the five you know it's
one thing to rent five rooms another
thing to you know to do a building and
things the right way and you know and
build it so again you know you'll figure
it out you know so I I can't you
So what's the h the is that they have
they have to that they have to operate
>> the ho is that you
[snorts] I don't know what the ho is
>> because today if you want to have a me
and you want things to get done people
are not working for free and every step
needs to be hired you have to hire
people like everything
>> has nothing to do we also at the same
time when the one very interesting is
you bring that up. Okay. Lean on that
people have to get paid and people have
to be hired and uh very interesting that
uh uh uh
he knows that you have to watch you have
to be very [clears throat] very careful
when things are that that that that you
know of of your success. You have to
when you're successful you have to be
more more more careful than when things
are going tough.
>> So you're saying
>> that wanted to bring that bring bring
that out. So you're saying
>> okay I put in right before that it
wasn't that I was wild okay in 1981 okay
this was in in in in tamos okay I don't
remember if it's a year before or 18
months before I can't tell you for sure
but I sent in the reports of the
financial reports and I have the report
till now okay and the report was we were
it was probably it was me Alf we sent in
a report okay of that we had Our gross
uh our gross receipts was $250,000.
Okay. Our expenses was $100,000. Okay.
Or uh and and we sent $150,000 to slow.
Okay. And uh Okay. So it wasn't that
that I was in in the minus.
>> Okay. And this is after 18 months is
also building an infrastructure. It's
building an office building of
infrastructure. All these things is
tremendous tremendous amount investment.
Okay. uh I would do it today if somebody
would come to me today and say you know
what I'm going to go open the office for
you in in in in in in uh in in I don't
want to say a state because state I'll
get a husband to vent that [laughter]
so I don't want to do that but you know
in in in in from Mars you know because
he could send me Elon Musk because that
be could be be mas me so but in Mars if
I want to open up and the guy will tell
me that after a year or 18 months he's
going to build in office and
infrastructure and he'll be me $150,000
even even the money from them even
$150,000 I won't talk about [snorts]
dollars compared to I would say to
inflation I would say do it
>> so it's not that but but nevertheless at
the same time wanted that you should
know that it's like
spoke about many many times
>> so because there was [clears throat]
quote unquote success therefore the is
telling
>> a million% I have no question about Yes.
Like don't don't lose don't lose focus.
>> Don't lose focus. A million%. I think
that
>> was there ever a time that there was a
problem.
>> What do you mean? If we if we if we made
less money than if we money No, we we
didn't know. But I didn't have I'm I'm
I'm a fundraising organization. He said,
>> so of course I could watch that. But uh
you know, we we're
>> to put it in context. $250,000
that was the budget. I mean that was the
I'm sure today it's in the hundreds of
millions of things saying
>> today we have we get a lot of money from
the government. We were able to we were
able to pull off something that that
very few people are able to pull off.
>> Okay. That we got partnership with the
government and that we execute things
for the government
>> we are their their arm when it comes to
food and uh and also we have an
infrastructure that's second to none
that we put into place. So even when the
government wants to do certain things
that they want to give out money to
their people, we have the contracts in
place and they can they can move and and
you know they don't have to do no
tenants. They don't have to do because
we have everything in place.
>> Okay. So so we have infrastructure that
was that was set up by that the
government could take advantage of
during co the government wants to give
out or or daddy got money. it was uh got
money that he wants to give out to poor
people and and in fact we we gave in a
an offer but we we came in second. Okay.
Uh uh we came in second. Okay. There was
first there was somebody that came in
front of us at first and we came in
second but the [snorts] uh the third was
upset. They said that the first wasn't a
proper way and they went and they sued
and because of that we but we're second
so we we were they the third one you
understand the third person won the suit
against the first we
>> so we came but we were in front because
we didn't want to sue the reason why we
didn't want to sue was because if we're
going to sue it may hold up the money
and poor Jews are not going to get the
money because of our suit. So we didn't
want to sue.
>> No.
>> Okay. So we stayed out of it. But payo
they they they sued. We're second. So
for that alone was a few hundred million
dollars that we were able to give out.
That was that you know that we had we
had the care. It's not ongoing. That was
pest. We have ongoing is we have right
now our contract with the government.
Right now it's going to be probably
about $100 million for the next year. We
have a tender right now that's that
that's in the works for the next five
years.
>> But yeah.
>> F. Let me go back a little bit. So
you're going around and you're
fundraising, you're making a cash
withad,
right? So
um
are you the connection that uh some of
these people have with thebatim
and the stories?
>> Always had always but that was the most
important thing was to bring about close
to the
>> So tell me about that.
>> First of all, it was say a an incredible
avenue for me. First of all, I used to
bring it was in the olden days was very
difficult because no, no, no, no bas.
But for anybody around New York, I used
to try to bring people to try to bring
people to was a tremendous tool for
fundraising, you know, that we were able
to get people come to the so that was an
an amazing and amazing thing and of
course done by dollars. And then uh you
know people that had issues I wrote to
the but uh you know I always asked
encourage people to write to the to ask
the and to get from the and advice from
the
you know got got unbelievable people
unbelievable advice continue.
>> Do you remember any specific stories
that that are important? A lot of
stories, you know, a lot of stories,
guys, that on on currency that that that
that they they should they should that
they had short positions if they should
sell out or not. And the said they
should they should hedge guys from
Brazil guys in real estate deals that
they should buy or they should sell and
they you know what the told them or not
very clear
>> and you also brought people to Israel to
develop
>> brought people to Mak is
I think I brought I think I think we had
a minion of people that we had
>> a minion
>> I think so
>> you did you I saw something recently you
wrote to the Reb that you feel timid
about fundraising especially amongst
Anash something like that.
>> What was that?
>> No, he asked for
>> what did you write?
>> I don't remember. You saw it though.
>> I I only heard about it [laughter] that
WhatsApp you can see. I don't remember
exactly. I wrote to Mama that last
people that I feel close to. I think I
don't know. Okay. I you know I don't
remember
>> what you remember the
>> I don't remember what I wrote. I don't
remember what I wrote. I remember I
don't remember. No, not because I'm not
uh
>> someone just told me about
>> I don't hold I don't hold anything back.
Everything is at the basis of I'm not
>> someone told me it was printed recently
but I don't
>> anything that anything that I got from
the lab I don't hold I don't think
anything but very few things that I hold
back.
>> Is there anything that you got you wrote
to the like methods of fundraising that
you got for or how to fundra how to
approach people? Anything that you can
recall
>> like that?
>> Nope.
>> Okay.
>> I didn't write I don't think so. I don't
think that I did but I don't now that I
know I do know again that you and that's
what I wanted to tell you. There was
another thing that you that you I we
sent in the our first brochure that we
you talking about you know about uh
spending and expenditures etc [gasps]
that we we we I wrote to the about uh we
wrote to the we sent in our first
brochure which the brochure went was a
mailing piece that we were going to do.
which was a brochure of two centuries of
services. That was the headline. Two
centuries of services to the uh poor of
Israel. So as so answer of I don't want
to say the standard answer because
nothing but is a standard answer.
Anybody say you know you got to be an
idiot to say standard answer every
single person him just because the other
person got the other answer that that
doesn't mean anything.
That's basically you know like he'll
tell me when the deb says ask about to
you instead ask to him that he can tell
me it's a standard answer it's not the
standard answer it's asking to you on
your answer let's go see him on his
answer so that was very very personal
that's one of the things that that that
we know we could see it wasn't the kagis
was the le has a personal and direct
connection to every single one of us and
wants to know by every single one of us
what we do and want wants to have a
report from every single person and uh
and and and and and the said he says it
very very clear. There's nothing more
clear than the says that he wants to
know personally by every single by every
single one of the people of what's going
on is oft
not not not not in the general but for
for just using it as a slang but not
that's what I mean
even though Rabbi Grooner had it printed
out and he took out you know that piece
of paper and on the clip but that
doesn't but answered you know that but
Deb probably wrote in the scab he wrote
the three lines he didn't write but
that's but but it was to you but anyway
for just for the sake of the this
conversation and the next day writes
back okay that uh I was so so then when
they got it back okay so they would give
me the answer he gave me the answer then
it would go back to and they would make
a check that they gave over the answer
to the mosquito one you wrote a So theba
answered you then made a check and that
then the the mas would would give you
the answer show you the answer and then
so so the brochure comes back to me and
the writing the next day that that I got
that I I I sent I got I got this and I
and I got it back.
How come and rabbi why is it two
centuries of services to
my my uh my uh uh publicist thought that
has a wing to it Israel is just general
huh Jerusalem has it special so why why
not
but is also that how come it's not
covered
>> okay and and how come there's no Russian
cition look strange that no cades okay
at that time that that was attack not
not covered okay we're talking about now
we're talking about the early 80s okay
was a so so it wasn't the so it's not
that that I'm telling you the le didn't
understand that you need people and you
need and and asked me
who's your
consultant on this so you know
consultant but And every single thing go
also with a uh in what way you know
again
you know you know famous story with J
you know I thought already I'm figuring
him out and then I find out I can't you
go figure out [panting]
>> yeah on on your toes keeping on your to
your toes
>> yeah whatever it is it's it's on your
toes keep you on your toes it's
we have a tremendous tremendous
to be able to to have a glimpse into
such into such a perspective. forget
about working with such a thing you know
just just to glimpse just just you know
to me but this is uh beyond anything
>> I want I want to ask you also about the
pushkas
>> so first of there's a few things first
of all I think the reb every time he
went to the gave check right
>> I can't say that every time the g came
went to the but I know that a lot of
times the went to the uh we'd get we'd
get a a $100 from the le and [laughter]
remember very very Clear crazy story
that the first time that Rabbi Gro calls
me up and says, "Could you please bring
me a receipt for for $100 made?" And
this is before computers and before
>> a personal personal receipt,
>> a receipt made I write it. I write a
receipt
and I write $100 and I come to Rabbi. I
give him the receipt and I get my 100
bucks and I go back to the office and
then he calls back like a few minutes
later. He says wants to know. He's not
sure if the IRS would recognize
Albashita with a proper receipt. So I
said, "Please write Rabbi's
name like a normal human being."
[laughter] He didn't say like a normal
human being. But
>> reminds me of
>> So So that So getting checks from the
for
>> cash I didn't cash. Yeah, we got a few
checks from but uh but uh no, we didn't
get I didn't get no check. I mean, I got
a few checks first of all. I probably
wouldn't even deposit the checks, you
know, but but I got a few checks later.
>> So, what's the story with the Pushkas?
Pushkas is an old thing, right? It's
very interesting that the first time
and one of the things that that really
to a certain extent that that what hit
me very very strong is in my years I
always wanted to take it away to be a
push organization you know I wanted to
make it this conglomerate you know
pushka organizations like a little and
now we're turning around and on the
contrary I see that in terms of
fundraising it's much better to keep it
as a pushka
>> you're saying with the pushka app with
the pushka app. Yes.
>> Yes. I was going to say
>> app
and the collection.
>> The last few years I've been I've been
I've been slacking off in the says
hundreds of times all the letters to
give you know for and I've been slacking
off because I don't have cash and I have
the
have a 104 weekday streak. [laughter]
So I said so I said to somebody who was
a very interesting guy. So a guy poked
this morning. So a guy says to me that
you know I have the push cap and I
remember even what we know his name and
he says to me uh so I say you have a
streak. So he says yeah of course I have
a streak. He said because sometimes I
don't give only through the app. I give
through I give through the uh plane
push. So I give outside the app. So
therefore I have the streak. You don't
know about it but I have the streak.
>> And and what's it called? It's by the
way it's
talking for the by the way. So, so but
you're saying that the said that in that
first push and now you're seeing how
this is a very fundamental part of
>> also I'm seeing first of all also
because first of it's a big it's a big
source of income for us and also through
the years also which was a a thing that
I took I did push
>> there was a time that we had very that
we had thousands of pushkas men came
here he he he really expanded it we had
like there was a time that we the 25
30,000 pushkas and uh and we had like
six seven people that went around to
collect the pushkas was a a major major
work and I wrote to the wrote me the
answer was that
from the
besides
you
okay you meant the pushkas yeah about
the pushkas about the pushk
I wrote to the we have 25,000
>> the yellow pushkas
>> the yoga pushkas and the
white pushkas whatever
>> and the reba had it on his deskb
>> always and you're saying this is even
before this is
>> always
>> I think you mentioned that when you were
going on going on said on the table also
>> I didn't say I said I think by
>> that's when it started
um
>> I'm talking about not But but not
>> right and also had pushka in the house.
>> Z also had a pushka in the house.
>> Was there a story with the debson with
that?
>> I think that that
I just sort of from y coin that the le g
brought out the money and gave it to bin
and told him to bring it to to the
office and to make sure that the receipt
should be on the leans's name. It should
be a separate receipt's name. Yeah. Not
not on his name. Not on a regular basis.
Yeah. Then the spoke
>> told him to make sure to make a receipt
for the same name.
>> And when the spoke about having a pushka
in the kitchen to the pushka, I believe
it's pushka is hanging in the kitchen. I
think it's there. Yeah.
>> Oh, okay. So, I don't know. I don't know
if this is
whatever. Who are we? But that first
that the Reb was disappointed. I mean
today is is is a shame cla
and beyond. So we're definitely closer
to
do you agree with that?
Very hard to say because uh again the
looks at you not the way you are.
the way by the limit your potential is
his reality.
So that's uh you know if if uh very very
very very few people reach their
potential.
So uh you know yeah it's not if the game
is to impress you. So then it's it's
incredible but uh if the game is about
your connection to the so I'm not sure I
would be able to make that statement.
So they still work
>> but your potential is the reality.
[laughter]
>> It's a different perspective. Never
wasn't never wasn't in the fantasy lands
but but but it was never was you know
looks at you the way you could be.
>> Okay.
>> There was no question.
>> So we should all
work toward our potential.
Yep.