Ep. 48: The Rebbe’s Kiruv To Me In 1953 with Rabbi Kasriel Kastel

And I asked the reb I mean if I'm working in I could be considered but said you know they are offering me other things as but I want to be but so the Reb said yes he says arbit is if you're doing you know it's irrelevant where you are. This episode is sponsored by Mahn Israel. Stay tuned later in the episode to learn more about the new wedding hall packages provided by Mahn Israel. I'm Yasi Cayman. Welcome to among an ongoing faban about life as our vibrant connection with the Reb and inspired living shaped by the way he teaches us each and every day. Shalom. Rabbi Castell, how are you? >> Beautiful day today. >> Okay. Thank you very much for uh being here and there's a lot that I want to discuss with you regarding your and the work that you are doing till today in uh maybe we should start before that and going to the roots. Um I'm not sure myself I mean I in preparation for this conversation I found a little bit maybe you could tell me a little bit about where you come from where the castbaka comes from etc. Yeah, I think that it's sort of a bunch of protests that happened over a hundred years that made this that brought it to this point and I'll try and describe the various things which are in not connected but alto together add up to where we are. >> Sounds good. >> Okay. Oh, a little over 100 years ago the in Poland the Slender Reba decided he wanted to visit different rubam. We have it in our tradition. the mice that when he came to the rever um that that that he was he was talking of learning and it came up the discussion of and Rashi said so everybody asked so what else I mean what what's the news >> which other of this are there >> yeah what else could it mean and uh so he said he gave an explanation of comes from the word of desire tya that when somebody truly wants the shall reveal himself to that was his shot. So the the reab life loved the word and called him the freed and says her from the that comes from the word from tya. So I mean this is this okay this is a story this is we have in our tradition this story it's in ouras um there's another tradition which I didn't see I don't know if it's where it is that that he came back and he said he met he he saw the rebab and he had a golden a golden uh watch in this pocket and a golden watch in that pocket and a broken heart in between the this is Sloan doesn't have this stuff um this is this is our tradition Um so after he came back from that trip he came back to his community and he did a he gave a tish like our version of a forbrin. Now my zeda was a young ber. >> What was his name? >> Yeshua tan my father yisph castel at the time was castalanit. because family is a very prestigious family in Slonim going back to the Tid I don't have the whole list but I mean but that's what I was told and most of them generations were upon him I mean there was a family and and they married very much into the into the reb families in in Slonim and my was a a Yasum at a very young age he lost his father And it was very traumatized by that experience and the Slan Reba sort of like took an interest in him. I think there was some some relationship but took an interest in helping him you know develop. So he was there at the tish. This is the story the way I heard it and at the and at the tish you know people when the rabbit takes a little bit himself and everybody grabs the rest you know like we did with misinas >> which was really never you think was something we stole from from them others. Yeah. Um but uh so the story goes that when well there's even a source but I don't know how reliable it is. There's a uh this hillman um put out say from summer Kant and he writes a story over there about a slanid who was in lab. Now I think it's it's too too many interesting comparisons that that it shouldn't that it couldn't be mised. I mean how often do you how many did you have in labage? >> Mhm. >> But the rabb when my went to Gavlb took his hand and says this is not for you. You should go to Labavage. >> Shim is not for you. >> Yeah. You should go to Babavage. >> I sort of heard that story but I'm putting I might be putting some pieces together. >> Okay. >> Okay. And the way Zaltzman tells the story that he heard from somebody in who was Zabbavic and pretty much some of the details sound the same but my uncle Aaron has questions about the dine and everything else but okay Kasha um that when he came to Labavage he came with with >> he came to Labavage to Yeah. because that's what Reb told him to do. Mhm. >> And he was there and he was doubling according to the min you know with a lot of you know enthusiasm etc etc in we don't really have much patience for that stuff. So he said they were really braifing him. They were really giving him a hard time you know what showing off and all the rest of that stuff. Okay. So finally one day he just said to them you know let me tell you why how I'm here and why I'm here. Maybe you'll stop giving me a hard time. Then he told the story about the Slender Rebbit told him to come here. >> This is all from Zaltzman. >> Some some this part isn't Zaltzman. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Okay. Aron questions the the age and who it was. It says in details but it sounds somewhat right. >> Mhm. >> And uh so he told them the story that the Slimmer Reb told him to come here. Okay. And so that they should start with you know that I'm here. Okay. Anyway, that's step one. And we have also a story that the Reb spoke to Misa and he told him he should learn. So Misada answered but it says over there before you learn Kabala you have to have a your your stomach full of shas and pkim you know who am I how am I who am I to to be learning this kabala. So the way the tradition we heard the rabbi said of my responsibility you should learn. Now just to jump ahead a little bit in this point years years later our rebeta you should learn zyar and gave the same argument. Okay, >> you know I mean who am I have to be didn't know Shaskim >> but to me but he said you know the rebba said if such Jews don't learn so who's going to learn it >> and to that to that to make it more interesting I heard in later moved to we'll talk a little bit more about that maybe and he he had a um every mot the the the would come to him in Mala and every Friday night before stolen the old stolen used to come to talk in learning Friday nights. So um one one day was shious he opens the door and there's all these people at the door and he says you know what today is today sha is bracious there's a 100 pages of medus ra 100 pages of zoyer I have no time for you people slam the door come back next week and this is what I heard in the sha story so I guess he took it seriously this zoyer thing and uh so he did it okay so that's that's my now that's the brought this is that he was there the son of a reb should tell him to go to labavage not a common thing to happen in fact I don't know of anybody if it happened to anybody else okay meanwhile go fast forward a bit um he he goes on to to how long he was there I don't know but anyway it comes forward he was he's now he's with all and And he's because of this story with Luba. I think that's why he was in the area and he needs a job like everybody else. He was he was he's a going he knows he was a big lumin and everything else but he didn't. So the story goes that the came to Minsk for if that is this is known for a certain number of years. So the story goes that Misa went to the to ask him if he could help him get him a job with his connections. It so happens brought this number to there was a delegation from a small town near Minsk looking for a rov and they came to and he says yeah this is an why don't you take him? >> He's still a ber. >> Yeah. Now the odds I'm just I when I picture this I can't even imagine it. is a ber. Okay. This is a liter never saw in their lives. >> Mhm. >> Okay. And it's a ber. What are the odds of of of taking of suggesting someone like this for a job? >> The only way I understand it is why would is that there was a tin a very tiny city which most and uh and then who else going to they're not going to get you know a major person. They might get a ber, you know, like the do like do you know you need some you know something take >> and he was a big lamb and they were big l on him so they went it so ends up he's there and he ends up in that doing a there litfish. >> Mhm. >> Um he told but he I this my barber passed away in Russia when my father was 14. So obviously I never met her or anybody else but but the way the story is he's now again mis he's awesome he's on his own no no family no one to give advice anything else he's looking what do you what does a buck look know about what he needed well it says gave water to the camels well this girl like to give milk to the cats okay that's a that's a sign that she's has she's she's a good she's a good uh you should marry her. >> Okay. >> And she has brothers who will tell me. >> It also says nothing about it. >> Yeah. So that's all that's all he >> that's all the criteria. >> That's the criteria. So he marries her. I heard that you know she had she she had physical problems this and that. He doesn't know from nothing and there's no one to tell him don't do it. And there's no and and what's the options? So he marries her and she has five children and then she dies >> and Misa was able to come to America in 1930 which was also not a simple thing to do in those days otherwise I would have be one of those Russian one of the Russian student who didn't have much of an education right >> but so happens to came my father was still here it was still was 14 Um so by the time my father got married we had it we were yeshivas here right and not only >> so your your father grew up his formative years in Russia >> in Russia >> right and not only that okay now you're saying that that's also brought this how it comes to this little babicha was not was my baba was litish my father grew up in that in that town that liter and and that and it was when it came to a point bar mitzvah age approximately. There was a there was a local and my father was not happy there. He didn't feel com he didn't like it. The story goes he ran away from home. I want to find a place where I can learn Torah. So my Zeta pulled him back and said look come back home. I'll find you a place after your mitzvah. Okay. So he did. So but we we're gonna find a place in Russia. >> Not many options. >> Yeah. We whatever. So this is another a third tremendous process. Anybody here has blown away from it. There was a newspaper article written in Russia. Somebody went trying to find which newspaper was a proud I I don't know. They didn't tell me. I know what I told me that was told. And the article was written there's a black cloud over Russia. That there's still a town. It's called Neville. That there are Jews with beards and ma water coming out of their beards. How do we allow something like this in our country? Now, this was the article. >> This is already they're in common, is it? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, this was in 19 um 20 something. Yeah. >> So, so, so the rough said, "Oh, this is Shiva advertisement." >> Advertise it. So, and now, now I can put another little thing to it. Interesting. When Mundle Futas came to America because of my connection with Daraski and I had a chance to be able to talk to him. I asked him um do you know anything about the town where Misa was the ro? >> What is the name of this town? Do you know? >> Yeah. Horidok. Now it's not the Faradock that everybody heard of. That Haridok is near Vitk. This is Haridok in Minsk. >> Okay. >> Minsk is in in Berus, capital Berus. Okay. Different. I was told that Harodok means small town and every big town had a small town. >> There's a few towns that end with Haradok. Yeah. Okay. >> So, this is what I was told. Anyway, but this is this one the one no one ever heard of. And um so that >> Menel, >> huh? Yeah. So, thanks. I do that sometimes. So, okay. So, I asked her men if you ever heard anything. The first time he wouldn't talk to me because he wouldn't talk to anybody. everybody stranger is you know was his is secret police but after a year or two when he got to know me I got the nerve up to ask him again so he tells me I'll tell you I'll tell you I don't come from that part of Russia I was never there I have only one story about that town when I was in Neville one day a rov came in with a for with a young kid in in short pants and he says I want to see the yeshiva and and he says uh and they were all shocked how you know how do you know about us you know it was a the Neville it was everything was underground that was a secret so he said I read about you in the paper so they told and told this whole story so then the RV says to them and says look um okay I see you're here what you say to him I'm not going to leave my son here I want to know what you say there is so they told me this so this way men will tell the He says, "Yeah, what is that?" So they brought him a couter. He sat down for a half an hour and was relearning it. Came back. Yeah, acceptable. And left and I'll leave my son here. >> How does this fit with the fact that he already learned to labage one? It's a question. I told him every I told men this every story has some strangest things. That's not true. That doesn't make sense. I know that. But uh I pointed it out. So I told to men, you know, it's interesting. You're telling a story about my Zeta and my father. >> Mhm. >> You know that he he didn't he had no connection. He was just telling the story, >> right? >> So that's interesting. >> He didn't know that your grandfather was the dove of this this town, right? >> And then he brought your father, >> right? >> Your father ended up >> in for Yeah. And he tells and my and my father tells the story that he was there when the Fredba was leaving Russia and and the Reb told Fagan that you know all everybody wanted to see him before he left. So but that would be very dangerous if all the Ban came to to to Lenrad. >> So at this time was your grandfather considered himself a laber or not? >> My grandfather my father. Oh, your father. So your father went to >> my father was in yeshiva. Okay. Yeah. >> Um so we want so the so but the word got out you know so we're told only the alter Bram can come >> but my father was one of the younger Brim and he and and some of his classmates uh Mayor Pinston that whole class of 1912 they were born in 1912. Um I I found out some of the other kind of sunken that that that was all one class and they they heard what do you mean that we're not what do you mean we're not we can't go to see the rea who knows if we'll ever see him again or ever see him ever okay so they went to the mashia nov >> was still a ber okay we're giving you a bit of a background and they started saying what do you mean we got to go we got to go and said I can't I can't give you the reb said only the Delta Buckham. So they really, you know, got on his case. You know how Buckham can do that. And finally he didn't say no with the same same no. So they were on the they were on the next train. >> Mhm. >> They come to Lengrad and there was no arrangements made for them because they weren't supposed to be there. >> This is ina. >> This was beh Yeah, I think so. Yeah. >> Yeah. I know that that my father was that was that was a different year. Okay. It was a different year. Um so so they they came and they had no place to stay. So somebody told me they should go to the Reb's mother. Okay. >> No Rifka Rifka Rashab's wife >> Okay. I'm sure because of Marash's wife. >> Yeah. Okay. So um so they they came to her and she says ah Niss arbit you know he he's responsible for this and forgot places. >> So that's uh that is a story also. >> So he's that was the only time I saw the fa then. >> Okay. So that is an also an interesting thing. I assume that my father saw him. Mayor Kken told his family he never saw the fa. Now, if they were there together, why would why would he have not seen the Reb? I don't know. I don't really answer that question. >> Well, you ever heard from him? >> I didn't hear from him. I heard from his children. >> From your father? You heard? >> My father told me that he was there. I never asked that detail. Did you actually see the Reb or they kept you outside? I don't know. Okay. >> I assumed that he did. >> Okay. >> But beforehand, you never you didn't see him beforehand. Yeah. Okay. >> So, uh I was saying so that's that point. Um it's also protest that the newspaper got me to Labavich and my and my father. Now that's also not a common experience. >> No. >> Okay. Now it goes further. Um later my my Zeta my grandmother my mother passed away and my had five kids and he was able to get papers in 1930 to come to America. But before that be that year before was um the freed ever came to to America in 29. >> Mhm. >> So the visit >> the visit. And so this is written up again. This was the whole discussion was written up in the yuman of the about the altar of the when the tish when the reb was here what what meant over there. >> Right. >> So he describes the >> Yeah. So he writes there there was Rashashana and it was the Harodoka Rov and his sons attended the minion. So then there was a whole discussion who was the Harodoka Rov. No one ever heard of him. >> Mhm. >> Okay. So someone said there was a there was ameling never left Russia so they didn't didn't couldn't have been. >> You're talking about in in Ria. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So uh so but then they we figured out that it was it was it was my zeta and and I called my aunt and she says sure papa went with the two boys to the reb >> but the reb wasn't there. >> No. Yeah. But he went to that minion >> but they they were in on the way out of Russia. >> Yeah. Yeah. They were there. >> Okay. >> So uh >> so your father was there when the rabbi >> wasn't there >> but our was there. >> Oh okay. Then our was there and that he told me another story that the Reb said all the should say >> who told you your father told you this. >> My father told that my father told me. Okay. >> The Reb told our Reb told him everybody should say all the say. So my father said I'm a kid. I mean he was 14y old kid. I mean >> so the Reb called him said over to him you learned the Neville you should say. >> So that was the first connection with the Rev. >> Wow. >> Okay. It's amazing. >> So this is again my father my father told me this. Okay. So now >> that whole was out of out of ordinary >> that the revealed himself and because it was on according to the >> so while he's not there the rebba should lead >> and there's actually a a newspaper article that just came out recently now like a year ago or two about that describing the reb led. So that was a very unique. It's interesting that your father was there punk then when the rabbi was you know his gallalos. >> Yeah. So part of the platus. >> Yeah. It keeps it keeps getting going. Keeps going. >> So now um my father comes to America with Mazda. Um when Mazda needs a job, you know, I mean what's he going to do? He has five kids to support. >> Mhm. >> He ends up remarrying here. But he became a Maz became a Rev in Udica, New York. >> Upstate. >> Okay. >> Now, the mentality there, he didn't speak English. They didn't want anybody to speak English. I remember in Boston there was a sh where I dabed that there was like a couple of old-timers and they fought the whole idea was trying to hire a a rabbi who would speak English to the people. No. And you we have to keep it Yiddish only. I nobody understands irrelevant the whole idea and that's that's how the reb explains the uh the mission of us it says that you know that I wouldn't go any place unless it's a mira >> yeah what's what you know what's all about right >> so I was trying to say if he's going to be doing something it's something else that was the mentality here I want we want a who's a big and we're big in America and they were rang two of us together with the with in v with the wheel of all the gimm and those forum who are printed thousand tu of of gain who were America just because they came here doesn't mean they forgot what they learned >> right >> and but that was the mentality so they wanted a of you know who could really be at but doesn't relate to anybody and we lost that whole generation >> right >> they then that whole generation was gone but you know so that my zet was there and he was miserable okay so one time he told me that They don't say they they need parosa. He has to support his family. They said well we have a a possible um aka oh that sounds good. So they brought him to the bottling plant for oil. Said bottling plant I want to see how they do it. You want the job or don't you want the job? So oh that's how it works in America. Okay. So he committed to I'm never going to do hashka unless I know the balabos is shabas and therefore with ganella wine that they gave at the forbranian had his hashka together with every Simpson. >> So he had a hashkah >> he had on that because he knew ganellis was in labage >> because he was in Lavage >> was in Lavage was in labage. >> So like you know otherwise they can always fool me. >> So this is he's living in New York City later. Yeah. Okay. >> So u >> he left he left Udica left and came to Brooklyn. And that's a that's that's a story too. Okay. And this is all not stories. >> It seems that Rabi Jacobson had a plan >> when this was in the 1939 1940 before the figure before the figure was came I think. I think it was around Yeah. Yeah. I think so. >> And there was a yeshiva in it's still there in Bora Park called Comminets that was about to close. They have no money. So he had a plan that to take it over as Baja Shiva Rab Rifkian would be the Russia Shiva from Turvadas and he brought and he brought Meeta here to give to be one of the the teachers >> Bermuda and ended up the whole thing fell through it didn't happen but Meeta was here >> so exactly what M did in that time I don't know but Mile he didn't have that job didn't have this job so when the Freda Kerba came in 1940 it It it saved him. He he got a job teaching in in Betan as he could open up and then he worked that. >> So he taught me. >> Yeah. For for from like 1940 until 19 >> who did he teach >> 14y old kids >> 14 like high school. >> Yeah. Which was a disaster. He he he wanted gave sheer inks. >> Mhm. >> Okay. He he he should have been in 7 in and he he gave some sh 770 but you know it was a disaster until he couldn't handle it anymore from the the kids you know fooling around and and spitballs and all the rest that he just couldn't finally he retired he couldn't handle anymore >> but um >> he did this for years >> he did this for about 15 years >> wow >> and a lot of the people um who got he had the smika >> in 770 >> in 770 and he signed on the smika to get where Jacobson. >> So if you have >> so a lot of guys have with his signature on its >> Yeah. have we got we got a copy of and there are other people from that generation that got his that has so that's that's who he was and uh so he now he's finally in in in Brooklyn. And then he told me a story that Fred Karba called him one day and said to him, "Uh, you should buy you should buy a house." So my says, "Okay." You know, he went back to sitting and learning. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Few hours. >> Was he officially a lab or like whatever he's >> I mean he he he once spoke to the Reb about that and he says, you know, after 120 years I'll have Kafka. They'll throw me from Labavich and Slaughterman Slamman Labage. So the reel left and it said his mother he doesn't have to worry about cafella. That was a good line. Okay, that was that line. He had another thing that says that yes mock there's room in the head for two film. >> Who said this? >> This this is a vort I mean I heard and uh so he saidavich and slanim there's room in the head for both. >> He's he's a unique character. >> Oh yeah. >> Okay. Now in Slanim they say that he came to Lavich in America because he had nothing else. Slanim was destroyed in during the war. Okay. And that's his their their version. So one of these but as soon came back there to he came running back to Slondim because he was in America during the war. So he still had stories. He still had uh Minhogim. He had all kind of things that didn't know that they had lost. So he came over and he was Mahayam >> but he lived in Israel. Yeah. >> Okay. So, Fidic told him to buy a house. >> So, he uh so a few hours later, the reb calls him in. He said, "No. Did you buy a house?" Says, "Okay, I guess he's serious." So, he went and bought a house. He bought a house on East 91st in Winthrop. >> Where is that? >> That's East Latush. >> Okay. >> Now, there's all 20 families on that block. But in 1960, every was gone. So, he's he was barely luckily able to sell that house for something to set it. He bought the house when the whole neighborhood had already turned. >> No, no, he bought it then. >> Uhhuh. >> You know when the Reb told him he lived there like >> like in the 40s. >> Yeah. So he was able to he lived there for 20 years. >> Mhm. >> And then he sold it and it was and that was helped set him up in >> right there. He lived like in a in a in a in a building, one room and a a kitchen, a bathroom and a bedroom like a combination. Um my Bubba had passed away already. There was somebody would come every day putting some some food in the refrigerator and that would be his what he had all day and he could sit and learn and do whatever he wanted to do. >> And I saw letters from the Reb to him at that time. >> Yeah. >> The Reb wants to know why he's not writing more often. Says I'm it's worrying me a little bit the fact I don't hear from you. That's what I wrote to him. >> Yeah. They were very close. And you have a picture in the in the what's the name? you know of so the reb sitting together with him was with a big smile >> there's another story goes with that what label Groma told but I heard it with the punch line okay label told the story that it was once I believe it was a son of rabbius and the rabbi said that asked some of the alter let's make a for bringing in the suka together and u and the rabbi turned to Zeta and says you know what when I say amazal you you'll give the you'll tell where it says >> the madame >> mammok so the reb starts talking says kazal looks at my zeta's quiet one two three quiet so then reb continued without looking at the za so that's what label tells the story told me the story too but he told me with a punch line said like this I made the keshman if I know it's yash if I don't know it's bush embarrassment. I can only lose from a deal like that. Why would I agree? >> Mhm. >> Okay. The reb wasn't the reb I mean they were friends and was older. The other story goes when this is probably in right afterwards that the reb was coming out of 77 maybe starting whatever there was up a whole night and leaving in the morning. Meet was coming in the morning to teach and he sees the reb going out. So rebada stands at attention. So Rebbit gives a big smile and says you too Rabbi Castell you know suddenly getting formal. So Misa told me this this is what I heard from him said I saw a smile on his face and tears in his eyes and I knew this is not my type of person who can do those like it says in Tanya you can try cry and laugh at the same time there's a different level of person. That's how he knew that the >> that's you know that's what he told me. It's not somebody like me. It's a different type of person. >> Not equal to me. >> Yeah. >> That's what not equal to me. >> So this this is thing this is what you know things that my told me >> and they were very close to when my ret died. I heard the reb was very upset but my just couldn't handle it anymore. >> Right. >> And he moved moved out this ro and this is also to just give you an idea who my Zeta was. Maza moved to he said why did he move to I didn't want to die in lords don't go to die why should they let me afterwards I'll go now so he went now and just they told me he he went he found an apartment and he signed a lease for one month why I'm coming to die why should I waste money okay so for 20 years he had to renew his lease every month >> month to month >> yeah that was that was his it was it was a a different >> I think in one of the letters I saw the is writing to him about maybe learning in I think >> and especially that that it's the um the the throne of the king >> yeah certainly if we learn here we certainly should learn there >> right >> and the way I was told again that me felt inas you know there a lot of literature who were very you know anti the the Reb and Misa felt in a responsibility to show to this to argue with him and to speak what the Reb was and there is a tape somewhere in the house of a discussion he had has his own and he was talking about the >> Rebel was tell yeah >> in so they have they needed an interpreter because spoke very lit and he they spoke they both spoke Yiddish but they didn't wouldn't know and plus didn't hear well. >> Mhm. >> So uh so they had the interpreter but the story goes that the was talking about the rebel used to cry so much that the maf and was telling them and all the rest of that you know giving them a little bit of a feeling about who the rebel was. >> There's a tape of this. >> Yeah. >> Uhhuh. >> I have some place in the house. >> You find it. Yeah. And you could barely hear it and especially you know they couldn't hear and whatever but you hear a little bit of what is going on but that's what B was telling about know the who the reb is >> interesting and he passed away in Israel time >> he passed away in royal and in in ' 82. >> Oh wow. So >> he live he got went there 62 he lived in 20 years there. >> Oh okay. >> Um >> so what about your father? Okay. So now my father um that's the story is here too. Okay. My father was is here in in in America. He went to university didn't get a degree but he but he was you know that that was where he went either that or >> he was know didn't exist yet right that time. >> Okay. And he got his then. And then it's time down there was another next hashkah major. There was uh Okay, let's introduce my other zeta. >> Your other zeta. >> My other zeta. >> Your mother's >> my mother's father David Patashnik was a RV and a in Baltimore. Um he came from Babetle. We don't know where he learned near Minsk, you know, all these little and all these type of towns um where he came from and in Baltimore he was a RV and and a uh and there were like fiveish downtown Baltimore. Now, one of them is a museum. I think that was with my Zul and and they were allari and when the Fredba came the the first time my was on the committee of the welcoming committee for the fre to come to Baltimore and the story goes uh my mother said she remembered clearly this how the thousands of people but they were everybody were Russians they were all came from the weren't from necessarily But this is the chief rabbi, this is their rabbi. >> Yeah. We recently had an article in about this uh visit and it describes what you're saying like that so many people American Jews this is yeah this is this is who they >> and and the reb was standing on a platform on a hotel at the hotel like on a porch with and the whole place was full. This is my mother describing it and uh and the rebel was you know the rebel was still gazunt and I was talking to then to the crowd and the story goes that after a couple days he's about to leave he went to Philadelphia went other places so Misa was very upset he went to Rashad who was thereari and says to him I understand the reb came here to make money you had you had the crowd ask the reb should ask him for money. Rebels don't do that. Okay. So now he's leaving without anything. So I'm embarrassed. He came to to our town and he's going to leave without any money. What's what's going on? So he went to Rashag and asked him, can you tell the rebels to please stay another day or two and give us a chance to raise some money? So that was unheard of. The rebay, but supposedly he did. And uh said it was a lot harder the second time. The first time was the fir they had never seen the re and he's not asking for money and now you know the people who just saw him a few days ago and watch that I come back and and pay >> but he said we were able to we raised some money you know what happened to that money >> what happened >> it was 1929 >> it crash >> it crash they in they invested it and lost it this is the story that I always heard >> they I never heard that they invested it but in general >> yeah people came to him and advised them to put you know put the money in >> oh no but in general that time the time of the freed came and one of the reasons was to raise money for you in Russia and the crash happened right then. >> Yeah. Because and so how did that affect him? Because he was advised to put the money in and make and make some money while it's here. >> I never heard that. Okay. >> That's what I heard and then they lost it. >> Interesting. >> That's what I >> I know the people lost their money. Yeah, that's a problem. >> I heard you know that money also went. >> Interesting. Okay. >> Again, maybe somebody can correct me, but this is always how I heard it. Okay. So now so what's happening? So is now a reant in in Baltimore and he has his own kids right and Nishim so his oldest daughter married somebody there and Misa was not happy it wasn't it wasn't it wasn't up to his standard so he's very concerned now in Baltimore was Abra Axelrod would been lobbich and you have story a lot of about him the freak said about him and everything like stories, but I don't for a story. Somewhere else you got to tell stories. Okay. So anyway, he's visiting New York. He's visiting his friend Rabbi Jacobson and they're sitting and talking. So one of the things he said, "You know what? I have a young lady in my community and he has a shik and the ideas." So, Rabbi Jacobson said, "Well, we have a BA here in the community." Um, Castell, we know I know we're very close with with with the father and they they suggested it and it was a long shot. Also, my mother grew up my mother was born in Richmond, Virginia. My mother grew up in Baltimore, you know, taking this greener, you know, this immigrant kid, even though he came here, he was 14, he spoke English, but it was a different mentality. I know a little kid grew up in Russia and I know grow up in here in Baltimore and whatever. But the way I the way my version of it is said to my mother mother was very I don't I didn't I don't like the guy who my other daughter married you're going to marry him. That was the mentality. The father said yes. So he did it and it happened. So that's how that happened. that they came. We have the letter a letter that which is interesting on Rabbi Jacobson stationary signed by Axel a letter to my Zeta saying we I've heard about this in his ber we're hearing good things about him and could be that he's he's teaching right now in in White Plains New York in Automatra and the uh and that the um maybe it's a good idea and he has off next week Thanksgiving whatever he's odd teaching you can come to Baltimore to meet your daughter and that's how it happened >> so they got married >> and they got married >> so when is this this is >> this was in 1938 approximately 39 >> okay so this is an interesting period the fam is not there this >> not here yet then I what I heard when the rabbi came >> so wait your father so your father your father's considering himself a lab amateur at that >> father in the Neville >> yes he's aid Yeah. Okay. >> And my mother's also lure. Her whole family is lavish. And my and my my my her mother was so my my her father we don't know where he learned. >> He came from the >> but her mother came with name rockin which which a famous family in till this day in Richmond Virginia federation all the rest of that um were dus labavich. That's what I heard. >> Interesting. Okay. >> So uh so that the so so again so now it comes up like this uh panosa right when you get married that's one of the things you got to think about. So my father at the time was teaching in Hebra in white plains New York still there institute of white plains. >> What's it called? >> Hebrew institute of white plains still there. This is a 1938 1939. Okay. But he wasn't satisfied that this is what he wanted to do in life. So he's looking around. So it was a newspaper article. Okay. Was paper article that there's an ad for a tomato in Boston looking for teach a teach April teacher and they're willing to pay $5 for the train ticket to come here from anywhere whether or not you get the job. you know, just, you know, for the interview because they were desperate to get teachers. No, who no one would want to move to Boston. So, I thought I said, "Look, here's an opportunity." So, he took the he took the offer. He took the $5 and he came to Boston, went he applied for the position. It didn't work out, but he said, "While I'm here, let me see if there's anything else doing in town." And so, it so happens Salvich had opened a school in Boston with my monities. It's still there. and he was looking for a teacher. So my father applied and got the job. >> So now >> did he know him from YU or he wasn't there then? >> He wasn't there. >> Yeah. Okay. >> But it was it was a position >> but he was very impressed with my father. In fact my father taught his daughters who were brilliant. >> One of his daughters married from Harvard. I'll just give you an idea who they were. And so my father was teaching there uh for a few years. And then the story goes that another story the fre came and opened a yeshiva in Boston to open but it didn't work and we heard there was there was a couple there was a class or two in the back of the bishul couple of kids didn't work and and and the way I heard it Ramck's wife hated it in Boston. She had no friends. She had nothing to hear. Her family was in was in Brooklyn. So he he he left or he was about to leave, I don't know exactly the difference to leave. My father heard the story and he said to he told me he felt he couldn't see Albab Shiva closing in America. So he went to the Freda and he asked him whether he can take it. He should take it. The Reb told him to take it. Okay. So, so good. So, he did. Then he went to Ravi Salvichek and he says to him, "What do you think, Ra Salvich? Should I take that position?" He says, "Why? I'm teaching I'm giving you have a kid. You have two kids at that time. Um, I'm giving you a good a regular salary. Why would you throw that away to a school with the chances of it surviving more than six months are almost nothing? It's a couple of kids there. Who's interested?" So, my my father said, "But the Reb told me to do it." Said, "Okay, the Reb told you to do it. Go ahead. 25 years later when my father retired um the guest speaker at the dinner was Aritelves and he still remembered. He said I still remember the conversation. I wanted to let you know the position is still open. >> Okay. That was that kind of relationship. >> But the yeshiva still exists. >> Yes. >> My father built it up from two three kids to 300. Um in fact one of his kids just passed away. There was a in Framingham. Lazarus. >> Yeah. >> Was one of the kids in yeshiva. >> I remember when he came. >> Interesting. >> There were hundred there are hundreds of of of families who are now because of that. My father's my father was an excellent mik and he was very dedicated to the kids. The kids felt the love that he had for every single one of them. Um the the kids that came to the Shiva at that point were two sug two types. one were the kids of the fit robot in the town that they were a good and they didn't want to education for their kids in my monities um some of these came from Ren they came from different literature cities so and the and the uh and the others were um American or even you know socialist Jews but they wanted the kids to know at least all of bays to be able to read Hebrew so they can say kadesh when the time comes And every year the classes would get smaller. You know, first grade have so more kids. Second, they they know how to read already. So who needs it? They don't go to public school. That was the way it was was working from year to year. Um so um what's >> there was a lot of um I saw that there right so you had the FR teachers and the and these and the and my father put a lot of kos into them. I'll give you an example and this is something I remember clearly. Um, one of the the local kids, not the yeshiva kids, um, took the Yiddish guy very seriously and the mother calls up my father one night. My son didn't come home from school today. Where is he? You know, you're in trouble. So my, it was a cold night. My father put on his coat, got in his car and went driving around and he went to to different to different sh and he found that the kid the kid u was learning and fell asleep and it was in my father he screamed at him you keep this kind of stick you're going to be in power school tomorrow okay but you know my father himself went out there got the kid brought him home and and showed that kind of concern um >> I saw there's a lot of um over the years this answers from the Reba to your father about his work in the school. >> Yeah. Yeah. Sure. And and uh and then there's another another thing that I remember. Um one second. I just lost it. That was that was okay. I'll come back. >> So this is um this is where you grew up. You grew up in in Boston. When were you born? I was born in 1943. >> So in Boston, that's where you grew up and you went to technically I was born in Baltimore. There's a story there. Okay. Why I was born in Baltimore. My parents were living in Boston because Boston was was a very secular city and the the rule was that they wouldn't allow a brius um unless the doctor was registered with the hospital and still have places like that. So my mother said, "What do I need to start?" What I'm going to do is I'm going to go to my parents to have the baby in Baltimore. It's easy to start. they don't have these kind of live problems and uh I'll have the baby there. So that's why I was born there in um in Baltimore and they were there for a couple of weeks and then yeah then came the story in an interesting story came time for the pigeon of Ben month later made later my mother's still in the baby in Baltimore my father's teaching in Boston so he goes to his boss reve I took off he took off for the for the brisk can I take off for the pina ben So said why there's no reason that you have to take off. Why should the kids not learn? But the pen pan has no problem doing they don't have to waste one second of limiter during lunchtime. You take the $5, you go to the principal who the ken and you give him $5. That's all. You don't need the baby. Okay. >> So that's what they did. >> Yeah. >> So I said because I wasn't at my own opinion was a suda. No. >> Yeah. Yeah. the lunch in the cafeteria. >> Okay. >> They had a suda all the whole school they had a lunch. >> So you grew up in Boston and like this was your family's right >> like like the like that's that that's what you were doing. >> Oh yeah. >> There are letters that you know that when people issues came up the reb in Yan in Boston. >> Yeah. >> Was any other laborator there? >> Yeah. Yeah. The Krinskys. In fact, there was a letter over there. The rebate said, "You send to my father and to Pinas Krinsky to my friends Rabbi Castell and Rabbi Krinsky." >> Is it? >> No. >> It's in English letters. >> Yeah. >> So, when was the first time you saw the Reb? >> Oh, that's a very good story. Aren told you that one? No. No. Okay. All right. That's a That's a story. The thing is, why didn't I see the Friger? >> Yeah. Why? because I mean my parents were connected with it. Oh, even goes more than that. uh when the Fritic ever came here um my parents went to >> when he came to live >> when the Fred ever came in 1940 so I don't know exactly when how much later so they had and they told me my mother I think my mother told me that Shad came down and brought them you know some tea and crackers was unheard of my father and my mother >> they were >> they were married already after the wedding But shortly after and so was it was a bigish you know a young couple coming to the >> Reba. So >> and you have also we have a famous letter in the family where my mother writes to her parents their father mainly in Yiddish that when the Reba that the Reb came to America and then the first Porm that was that the Reb was here and she writes that my husband and my father-in-law went to the hotel to to the Forbringan and I stay home. She writes and she's writing there that the rebel with first of all how he how he looked because she she remembered him standing you know high and strong and that you know over there and here how he's to broen and you can barely hear him and he's asking and he's working trying to get money for Russian jewelry she writes all this in that letter um which we found just recently or a while ago um she because she writes to her father >> interesting >> now >> but her father didn't come to to New father came. Yeah. He didn't come. I don't guess he didn't come for that pur later he came because this is right away and ad okay right came. >> Yeah. >> Got it. >> That so my so my other Z was there with my father but he didn't come. Um I heard from what's name from Pner who just passed away that he remembers >> label. >> Huh? Yeah. Label that he remembers that they used to walk down the street together. They said the RV and the Axel Misa walking on Kingston Avenue to there. >> They would come from Baltimore. >> Baltimore. Yeah. >> Interesting. Um, so why didn't you see the FBA? You may be aware that having a Simka and celebrating an engagement of a loved one is a very very happy occasion at the same time can be a very stressful time. The exorbitant amounts and costs that are involved with making a wedding today's day and age really can take a very big toll on's parents on the kala's parents and all around create tremendous tremendous stress something needs to be done when theb started one of the components and one of the needs that the rebba was addressing was specifically kala in fact over the years. And in recent years, Kamish has given out subsidies, help, and aid to those in need making a wedding. But the time has come to do something drastically different and to make a real real impact. In the last few months, Ka Kamesh has launched a brand new wedding package where someone can make a full Crown Heights wedding for under $30,000. That is a savings of 30 to 50% for an average family on the wedding costs. This is something that is right in line with the mandate that the Reb gave Kamish when he founded it to help with. This is something that will help everyone in the community and will hopefully bring relief and the ability to celebrate simhas in the proper way without financial stress or worry. To learn more information, you can log on to hal.karenhakamesh.org. That's halal h a ll. Karen Hakamesh keen ho m.org. >> Okay. Because you didn't really ch those days was very rare traveling from Boston to Baltimore. You had it was a 4-hour trip. It still is. But you took a train. It was a whole big deal. I mean later I know my father had a car, but you you didn't travel. >> So he never took me. The first time I ever went to New York was a wedding of Ramut Dinsky Alasham who just passed away. Okay. He was a teacher in Yeshiva and he >> in >> in Boston. >> Yeah. In Boston. >> So you you knew him. >> So I I knew him and he was working for my father and my father felt that you should bring the family to the >> You remember what year this is? >> Yeah. I think it was Dudgim. You can find you can look up his when the was. >> Okay. De Minsky. So then I have a story there. >> So you were 10. >> Yeah. Nine, 10, whatever. And so I was there and I didn't have a clue what was going on. So it was in a hotel I think in in Williamsburg. Um and at that time the is how I remember it. The was um outside meaning not on the street on the fire escape. Okay. So, so I I came I was a kid. Oh, you know, I'm just seeing a bunch of chairs and everything else. And I'm playing around by the chairs. Every the rabbit comes in. I have no idea what that is. Um he's going everybody's following him to the fire escape and I'm just fooling around and then after after the um goes out and everybody's following him and that's nice, you know, just watching the show, whatever. But somebody grabs me and pulls me into the crowd. So, and now I I I don't know who this is and I don't know what it is and I don't know when and I'm scared. Okay. So, male we comes to the um afterwards it comes that the reb is waiting for the elevator to go down. So, all everybody makes a semicircle and they're jumping up and down and dancing and I end up in the front. So, I'm staying right here and the Reb is right here. I have no idea who the Reb is. I have no idea. I just standing there and a 10-year-old kid, first time in New York and everybody's jumping all over the place and I'm just standing there shock and the Reb saw that and I was about to cry. So the Reb walks over to me and says to me now the Reb assumes I know Yiddish and he's asking why I aren't I dancing and he sees I'm now I'm really scared. I'm about to cry. But I look up and I see my father in in the distance. So turns around to see who I'm looking at. Then somebody grabs me and starts shaking me up like a white like a milk bottle. So you got to t Okay. So that was my first experience with the Reb. >> Ah so you had a kid from the Reb right away. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And you came afterwards or not? Not not so much? >> No hardly ever. Later on. >> So So when did you come? So what was the next step like after Boston like? >> No, always we I was in Boston all the years and we had with the rebba for graduation and uh and other things like that. We came to for shabatones a few times. >> So over the years you had you did come a number of times. >> Yeah. A number of times the school arranged um shabatam we slept in Bedford and Dean. though I mean a couple of kids you know there and uh before high school before graduation we hadis that were trying to convince us to convince us that before you go to college um we should um have a year or two of yeshiva some of us did and some of um there was a there's a famous that I I found it later I was that the rebb said it says there group of kids from Boston and the rebb told the whole for bringing to scream three times no college >> right >> that was ush Like that was my class. >> You remember this? >> Yeah, I remembered it. But then the f we later we found it in the sikas. >> No college. >> No college. The whole place screamed no college. That was really the campaign at that time. Then the re asked you know we should try at least a year or two. But then we have a story like that. Rab Jacobson suggested to my father maybe since everybody's going to college maybe we should extend the yeshiva for program. >> You were thinking of going to college yourself. This is >> Yeah. >> Mhm. the whole class. Jacobson suggested >> suggested that to my father that they should make after 12th grade another year or two of with Kesh and so hold the kids for another year or two before they go to college. So my father was considering it. So Ra Jacobson went into the Reb to discuss it and the Reb said no. Why? Because of the Boston Reb. And I told the Boston Reba that story later. So the Boston Reb is working with college students and therefore this could be a competition. >> Interesting. >> That's what the Reb told Rabbi Jacobson and therefore it didn't happen. >> Huh? >> I told the Boston Rebel story that how the Reb was mass of him >> and he he worked with college students. That's what he was doing in Boston. >> I mean there was enough college students to do this. Our graduate didn't have to go there. >> Right. >> Okay. But the Reb started this to be. >> So after high school, that's when you came to >> After high school, I came to Yeshiva. >> Where did you go? >> I went to Newark. >> You asked the rabbit what to do. >> No, that was you know there were three shivas then. >> Mhm. >> So I went to Newark. >> Mhm. >> And so my father felt when I was a kid first learning to speak I should learn Yiddish. He said English you'll always know. So I have no idea how long and I remember that the kids, hey grandma, what's he saying, you know, because every grandma spoke Yiddish and so I I but but still after about a year or two, it was all English. But still somehow or rather it stayed with me. >> You knew Yiddish? >> I knew Yiddish. When I came to Newark and Freiedman came to Fermy, it was all Yiddish. >> And I was somehow able to do that. And the Reb assumed that I knew Yiddish. He said he didn't try singing in English. Right. So uh so any so I was in Newark. The only problem in Newark was that I barely survived the life. The five of us were somebody who was a carrier of some of typhoid. Um yeah um touched the food and I ended up spending pesak in the in the hospital. Not only that not only did I spend pes in the hospital, five of us go sick but I had the worst. They nobody could believe what it was until they figured it out and they sent me to Boston to be home for PES to in the hospital. And um and you know in those days they have they have they now they're signed don't do that. Those days they they have their doctors go do rounds with their students and they used to stand in the hallway and tell them what's going on in in the room. Now, no one ever told me that I'm in danger. And that's why, for example, Pesak, I was driving them all crazy. The food they brought me from home, but I had high fever. They wanted to wash me down with alcohol. I said, "No, no, no, no. I pit." Okay. No one told me there's a saka here. So, I we just were learning that year. Okay. So, no. So, uh so the nurses were all cooperated. They're Catholic. Their hands were turning blue. Washed me down with cold water. And the whole city said, "This kid is crazy." Okay. But I said, "No, no one told me to stuck on it. So why should I why should I agree?" So this is what we did. And then while I was standing there um while they were standing telling I I hid behind the door to find out what are they saying about me because no one's telling me. We said no if this kid's going to make it because we have only one medication and that medication is is hurting his liver and we don't know how much longer we can keep it and then we don't know what to do afterwards. So that got scary. So I said but they wrote into the Reb said he should be oh you know problem will be okay. The Reb told me when I was you know 10 years older I should be dancing right >> so I took that as a ham. Uh-huh. >> So, uh, yeah. >> Oh, you say did I ever told you about about your current situation? >> No. Oh, yeah. No, no. Current situ also. Also, >> you only then I brought it as a ham, whatever that is. >> Okay. So, uh, so that's where then the question came up, what do I do next year? My mother said, no way in the world you're going back to Newark. You barely came out alive. So, what are the other options? Yeah. So my mother said, "You know what? What the best thing would be go to Baltimore. I have my parents there. You don't have to be in a dormatory and my you'll stay in the house my parents and you'll be able to sit and learn >> learn where they so uh so we would think about it. So what happens again brought this Americas came to Boston. It was Penny Feldman who's now because we we share great grandkids stay there and of Blowoffski. They came in maras and so happened to any feld men had learned in Israel. So they they came up the suggestion ask him about the whether to go there or Montreal and he he said he felt Montreal was better experience. So then my mother agreed to write to the reba. So he wrote to the reb and the reb said no only Newark, Montreal or 770. Then he wouldn't don't even consider any don't even consider that. I didn't say this is the options. Well New York wasn't an option and I was just a year or two out of high school. I didn't feel ready for 770. So Montreal. So that's what I did for two years. >> I ran the day school. I ran the day camp for two years also >> in Montreal. >> In Montreal. Subhaba's day camp. >> So what years is this? This is >> this is 63 >> and 65. >> Then 65 in I came to 770. That was right after the Reb's mother passed away. I was here that that of Tish. And >> you mean you were for Tish? >> I was in for Tish and I was I went to the hospital that time. I saw you know when the reb went to the hospital and she was in I'm still in the bed. >> Was it tell tell me about it. Okay. Um, we were at the for bringing and Zelixen was there and then right after we left and they said that the re went to the hospital that the re the hospital was broke, you know on on um Brooken Jewish at the time. Now it's interfaith but it's uh over there then on near Bedford or something like that. So we heard that the rebel went. We all went running went running there >> to the hospital >> to the hospital. And so we went I go to the hospital. We have no idea. We bunch a bunch of clueless people what you're supposed to do and not do. And noa, no leadership. We're just walking around like a bunch of chickens with their heads. And so I ended up in we we went into the Reb's into the room. So she's on the bed with covered. The Reb is staying there with his back to to her looking out the window and we're just standing there doing nothing. And then then they said that the Reb told Groner those who weren't in the mikvah today should should leave. Who wasn't in the mik? We just came from the everybody's in the ma today. So that didn't work. So finally the said everybody out of here. So oh that's what he means. We we know we we went they weren't thinking you know he said we could stay here just stay here do nothing for a few hours just stand there look okay >> I heard the said that faban >> didn't hear that >> okay so we so we so we left the room and we dread around the hospital the rest of the day then came for Marif so we ded Mariv and we heard the we heard the reb said kadesh and uh more details you know you very you can get not for me. We were just walking around not having a clue what to do. >> So then you end up staying in 770. >> So there was for bringing every shabas already and I made the whole one of the main reasons I like Montreal there were older ber which I could learn from but suddenly I realized I'm the older ber so forget about it. I'm going to I'm going to 770. >> And so you were here and so you experienced all of that. >> Yeah. until the wedding >> and you had when you were for your birthdays those years. >> Yeah, every year. >> Is there anything you want to share from those? >> Yeah. Well, okay. Even Okay. First of all, the late after Okay, let's go. I got married. Okay. That's that's a story also. Okay. >> Yeah. But you get married after you have the but >> Okay. Both both. That was just a regular. >> Okay. Um afterwards I was working in >> Oh, one second. You got married? I got married. >> So, how did you get the >> Okay, I was in K minding my own business like everybody. >> So, you got married right after the sixth day war. >> Okay. >> I got the the week after. >> You got married here? >> Here. >> Mhm. >> My wife. >> So, you're learning in Ko. >> I'm learning in K. And I got a call one night around midnight like when everything else happens around here. that we're asking since the rebels just start a ma to film and we decided we should have someone to coordinate it uh we want you to take the job and this is no money the job is two hours a day and now since you're in K those days started at 11 you can do this job from 900 a.m. to 11 every morning which is not ideal at times but I took it just a few extra bucks and uh in those days k paid $18 a week in fact the group came to and says look it's not right there two people have to live could we get 36 and says no the money is a symbol from guilt it's a symbol it's not that's not you're not supposed to live from the $18 >> it's a symbol >> it's a symbol say no reason 18 is a symbol why you need 36 >> two times Yeah. So no 30 18. So uh so then I was already working in SA just for two hours a day and what we were mostly doing then is this later last for many years that arranging that people go to hospitals nursing homes um sun on on Sundays there for for many years I stood there with every like dispatching you know you two go to here and go here and there were people who went there for many years even after we stopped They continue going to their same spot. It was there kas in this nursing home or that nursing home whatever it was the airport all these things started from we had again once we had a story with u with with JDL we're having a rally and the guys came out came over came over to ask him to put on film so he went to kahana >> JDL is kahana's organization yeah >> yeah so kahana >> they went to kahana to what >> to ask you know if we can tell his guys what to do so he great you should all put on film because put film known as the best Jewish defense. >> Okay, that was nice. Um, so they all lined up. We had other stories like that. Um, that we so Okay. So I'm now in in the kale and then later a year later from your position now one just an interesting thing most of the work that I was doing in those days was um what's called kabad meaning uh different organizations there were no kabad houses around different organizations >> I have a question before you asked the about about what you should be doing. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I had a couple hats and and the reb pushed me in this direction and I asked the reb I mean if I'm working at I could be considered >> because you know they're offering me other things as but I want to be but you know so the said yes he says is >> that's yeah >> you're doing you know it's irrelevant where you Okay. Because for a long time would not was not accepting in the New York area >> just means to go out. >> Yeah. People going in who knows where it's a fair. You have your you have your schools, you have your code there supposedly and uh but I I based you know on I'm personally now pushing more and more in New York more and more to go out because uh because that's what the rabbi told me. >> And the rabbit told you. Yeah. Mhm. >> That was that that's not under the squal if you're doing the work here. >> Okay. So, uh so that's what I was doing. >> So, >> and I was writing, you know, doing the work and I give you one interesting example with it started with Mit Film. There was a there were two Jews. I think they live in 706 Eastern Parkway. I always they dubbed in the conservative but they liked Mr. film and they were a um veterans of the you American veterans in the hospital. So they decided they wanted to go to the veterans hospital every week and put on film with people. >> These two guys >> these two guys and we did that for many many years. One day they come to me and they s they said one of the we met somebody there in the hospital and he put on film and he complained to us that he has a son in India with the gurus and if we could help him come back. So they put him we put him in touch with us and we and so I wrote um so how did it start? Yeah, I wrote him a letter, you know, one of those airmail letters, you know, saying we met your father and we'd like, you know, do you have some kind of relationship? So, he wrote me back surprisingly. He wrote me back, "Be not like the frog in the bottom of the well who thinks this is the whole world. Come up to the air and see there's a big world out there. It's not just a little bit that you think." This is pretty much what he wrote me. So, but he writes there um that he would like me to send him a in English. That's that was interesting. So, I didn't know I didn't know what I should do. What's he going to do with it? He's going to take it and teach to give to the gurus and everything else. So, I wrote it to the Reb. Huh. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So, I sent in his letter to the Reb and asked him, "What should I do?" So the Reb says yes, I should send it to him together with a Tanya. Okay. And then the other thing on the letter which I didn't address but the guy writes to me he says in the future however if you want to continue corresponding with me please call me address me by my title guru blah blah blah blah blah you know whatever his name is. So I didn't even address that because to me I didn't care if you won't let me talk to him. So not that there are more people out there but the reb saw that in his letter and the replied to that he said I should reply to him that I'm willing to be my for you. You don't have to call me rabbi as long as I don't have to call you that thing. >> Okay. So I did >> and this is an answer which is that which is uh which has been printed but >> yeah it's around. Okay. So, so that was the uh the Reb's answer on on the letter which I didn't ask about, >> right? >> And I kept contact with this guy and uh eventually the story gets more interesting. Eventually, he meets a young lady um whose father was Jewish in Germany and they were all in India together. So then she's showing some interest in Yiddish Kite. So I said, "Hey, maybe this maybe this is the the way to go that you know she's showing interest maybe we should bring him along and we can do something with this." The only problem is we find out that his father is a Kenan. >> So Gia doesn't work. So the question came up is then we wrote to Romesh about this. You know Romesh was said look who said he's a Kenan we don't have to believe his father is not is about father doesn't really know what he's doing but there's no here and he was sort of being was sort of leaving the door open that we could continue the conversation but I came to him and he said no way I'm not going to inspire to insult my father like that that I I'm not going to be a cyan means he's not going to be a kenyan he's consider himself a kyan I'm not going to do that and he refused to do So what happens? They continued to live together. They never got married and never got my stories don't don't have the nice endings that everybody else. >> That means they're real. >> Um you started you started talking about the Kabad. >> Yeah. So the Kabad >> Yeah. Kabad in those days there were noad houses. So the the organ the conservative, the orthodox, the hadasa, everybody would like to have a speaker from Kabad a you know at a meeting you know you need you need some kind of program and we were cute. >> The mish was cute those days. >> Yeah. So we came we we told a few stories sang a few songs and and charge them $25 or whatever the evening because it could cause because I and so now I had to get speakers. So I tried getting you light. It was a headache. Unbelievable. You got to go man and commit himself. Oh, we couldn't get a babysitter. Sorry, my wife needs it to the community. Go out. It wasn't it wasn't happening. I couldn't run in a program like that. It's not reliable. So, what' you do? You went you went to 770 and we got a broom. This is how Manus Freiedman lips. All these guys got their their training from on a drop training that you know I would get them and send them out. >> I was a shaker. So I would send them out and uh and there we go and it was working. There was a car rental on Kingston Avenue. If you could for $25, whatever it was, you could rent the car for the evening and you got the you got a ber sent him to the car go and it went. Then one day the Reb says a whole that that should not be happening during during Sedar. So these programs are eight o'clock. Sed finishes 9:30. No one no one's going to do a program starting at 10:00. So it so happens I was going to have that's how it came up. I was having for my so I went in I asked for my letter. I asked for a bra for um for the pikisha that was coming up soon and and I wrote to the rebel help you know what do I do I mean was part of the program the reb just very carefully he says give me a bra for the letters he says and for pisha it's only once or twice a year it shouldn't be too hard to get the bra and I didn't say reba I'm talking four times a week I'm not talking two three times a year but I didn't have the guts to say that so I didn't. So then I came out and I said to David, should I get should we cancel this whole program? I can't commit people on on the way it is now um without so came up and said look tell him to ask they should ask for rash and then then they can go. So that's using his both of his hats as >> right. So that's what so that's what we did to him and on his >> and we and we able to do it what he writes >> I know I know the Miami got a that even though the said that is outside of but they got an answer that like individual are allowed to get you know >> so I I didn't have that all I do of it >> yeah okay um >> you mentioned the pigishas. You want to talk about that a little bit? >> Okay. So, so that was now just on that on the same topic. Um the when I was trying to get Yungalai to to go to these things which would you know so make things if they would go um so I have I once went got to um barrel bombard he was visiting so I went over to him maybe you could do an kabad this way I can feel I got a young man to go instead so he says to me I'm going to tonight okay well that's good argument I can't argue that then he turns around and says, "No, Aar is at 4:00 in the morning. This will be much earlier, you know, if I go it'll be good." So he he agreed. He went and then he told me later that he went to Reb. He told me just came from anabad and my was gorand. She said was different. That was nice. And then we have another story with Pagisha Gutnik was here. I was trying to convince him he should speak as Pisha. We had a regular speakers but I wanted you know but he's a personality. >> I asked about the the pigishas. So you be like one of the things that you were doing. >> Yeah. >> Is you became the one responsible for the pigishas. That that was a big >> part of my job. >> Okay. >> Yakov Khan was came up with the ideas. It was his project. >> Right. But propelled the one he he was in Boston and to make it all happen was my responsibility. >> Okay. >> So um so I tried to get Khan Gutnik to agree and he said look I speak a whole year I'm here on vacation leave me alone you know over and over again got get got get got get got get got get got get got get got get got get got get got get got off my case etc etc. I was following him in the hallway. He was going to I was staying with him in in the America's room. You know, get lost. I said, "Okay, I finally got the hint." So I right after that, he comes out of where's Castell? The Reb told me I should speak to the Bisha in uniform. Okay. I I said I didn't write >> chap uniform. >> Yeah. Yeah. I didn't write anything. I didn't know. This was the Reb's idea, not mine. I always I just want to say that the idea that when someone asks you to do something to speak to whatever and that you should say yes that's some I mean that's something from theb that I don't know if I I don't know if everyone still knows about that but then for sure or not. So here's an actual example of that that he told you know but the reb said obviously you should do it. >> Yeah. So then he came back looking he agreed to it. >> But he didn't ask the about this about his own. >> Yeah. I I I don't think he'd asked for it to >> I don't know what he would expect anything else but uh yeah but that was the that was a s thing with one of the things I was involved in isa okay that was all at that time when I got to know many of the old my job was to organize the whole thing >> to send people to other outside places >> right I remember as a kid people used to come to Boston on So it was just going back that far back back. They would come a train they go to Boston then the spring. >> So this is the debate would speak about this from then from when you were a kid. >> I don't know. I don't know what he's speaking. I just thought that they came. >> Okay. >> I don't think they came on their own. So So we we had a whole group. >> I know somebody from um from Brooklyn >> who's a lab today. And he said he told me that that was the the main click that made him a Lavicher was lavish coming to his young Israel in Brooklyn >> onus. Yeah. >> Okay. But I'm just saying that was much later. >> Yeah. In probably in your times when you were arranging it >> because though in my times I don't think you sent Boston already. >> We sent so it was probably it was done because but whatever. So we were sending we were sending to um to Springfield to Baltimore. And you asked them to go. >> Yeah. And they had and we had people who had mental foot would go every year to New Haven. He went to see. Okay. And and label and um what's his name from from from Sak to Leb would go Rab Menik would go to to Newark because he his family came from there. Ray Marlo would go every year to Newark because also he came from there. Um Ray Men used to you know I I would have to organize the car. So the car didn't come exactly in time. No new and vu vu is the car and he was standing way you know on my nerve when you and I have five cars leaving now they'll be here soon they'll be here whatever running back and forth. Um I have a cute story that there was a there was a character here living in Crown Heights real character and he had issues and one time he calls me sukis was 5:00 when I have five cars leaving he calls me up and he says I can't take do it I want to commit suicide so I mean there is a logic to this but legally I have to call the police >> until somebody said that but at that time I wasn't thinking Five. I have all these cards. Are you calling me now? I I yelled at him. You're calling me on right now. I have five cars. I have no time for you. I want you to promise me you won't commit suicide until after. I wasn't even thinking. It was just sort of a reaction. Okay. >> That was your suicide intervention. >> Yeah. And it worked. And I mean he died years a number of years later I was at the funeral. But uh but you know but that that that worked. >> Okay. that was that was part of what was going on. But uh then there's another interesting story that's not really connected to this is when my son was born. It's interesting. Anyway, my oldest son, it was born the first night of Pesak and uh so the the sa then that time was on the beginning of the ninth month you would go to fora >> that was a s. Yeah. So, we did then I got into line um to get the matcha pes and I walked her over to the reb asked me is she still home? So, uh I said when I got into line she was okay. So, I came home. I told my wife, "Isn't that strange that the rebel should say that to me?" And she says, "It's going to be soon." So, that night she had the baby. >> Okay. That night, it was later. That night, >> the night of the night of the seder. >> Yeah. After the seder, after the at the sedar, um, I decided to go to Reb Seder. I'd never went before because I always I was out of town as a buck. I was always out of town. So, this is the only time I ever went to Reb Seder upstairs. >> Okay. >> So, I went there. I come home and she's not home. Where' she go? Well, we live on on Lefer. across the street and that at the corner was the hospital at Brooklyn but now I was basifa so she walked over okay no one's home we had all the plans if it happened shabas what went where but she just walked over herself I come home she's not home so I walk over to the hospital I was hoping that's where she was yeah okay so then I went home and I went to sleep so she said what you want to sleep you left me here when I didn't have things like breathing you have to stay the husband has to breathe and all the rest of that stuff. I said, "Look, what am I gaining here? What I'm going to just sit here and and back pace back and forth." I mean, I I have things to do tomorrow. I might asleep tonight and then I'll come back tomorrow. She never forgave me for that. >> But, uh, that was the that was >> I don't think it works like that today. >> No, no, I don't think it worked then either. But that's >> that's how you work. >> That's how I work because I I had no one to tell me what I'm supposed to do. >> And uh later the week later was the bridge. So I walked into I was staying by my in-laws in B park the blow. So which is another story. So I came back and uh I told and I came to the fbrangan with a bottle of of wine for the seder during the during and told the rabbi I had a there was a bris today. >> It was on pes >> on pes a pesak. You born the first day it's a pesak. >> Oh the bris was in borrow park. >> No. So it was here. Okay. >> Now bris was in borrow park. Right. Then I walked in for the foren. Mhm. >> So the I told the Reb that that the Reb asked me what's what's the name of the baby. So I I I'm trying to think what how do I say this? So I said um I I didn't I was not going to say and somebody said you should have said the Reb's name. I said no not me that's not for me. I just said and I got a bra. >> What the Yeah. >> Yeah. So that was that. and they're always looking out for me, >> right? >> Like interested, >> right? >> I know over the years you had um quite a few with your with your work in >> Mhm. >> what comes to mind. >> Well, one I gave Okay. Okay. You want an interesting story with not but it's this is what everybody wants to know and I don't and I just can tell you as much as I know. Okay. We know that pagisha started at uh we had two weekends. Boys and girls had two separate weekends. It changed everyone to know. Did the reb Okay. What's the story? >> You saying that it was together? >> It was together. No. No. It was two separate weekends. >> One went for >> What changed? >> Then now we we it came together, >> right? It came together. Yeah. >> Yeah. So the truth is happens is that the were telling us we can't leave our communities two weeks in a row. One weekend to bring the boys and one week the girls. It's one or the other. So slowly we saw was petering out. So we now I I don't remember asking the reb the question that's what everybody wants to know. I didn't I can't imagine I didn't discuss it with asking or else I would >> I imagine a lot of the to your work was through through >> yeah generally I didn't write in everything was pretty most well here I see I did but a lot of times it went through him. >> Mhm. So I I can't imagine that he didn't ask but um we made that decision and a few years later I get I get called in to Raikov on this. Why? Because in Detroit there was there was a mas going on between Barl Shiff at Silverberg and Silverberg was doing singles weekends and Barl Shmp said this is not our he was fighting it. So he said to him, "What do you want? They're doing they do in New York." So Barus called up. What do you mean they're doing in New York? How you talking? So Raikov calls me in together with Daskkin and said, "Bring me your brochures for the last five years." Okay. So I bring the shorts for the last five years and he's looking it through and it says over there it's got to be in the Brooklyn Jewish Center. Brooklyn Jewish Center. It's only Torah. First thing he caught me. I mean to a place Yeah. >> never walked in there because it was conservative, >> right? Even though even later he didn't wouldn't walk in. Kids who had to get married in Young Israel. >> Okay. Um but you know this is the first thing he caught me. He said this is what people this you know people know that as a January center I'm writing a brure. I'm not writing anything else. Okay. But then he looks through and he sees the word singles. Aha singles. I said yeah but it says they're couples. Singles. I mean that's for everybody. He say he really let me have it. You should know that because of you, you're undermining the sne of the whole community. The girls of makana know a whole year this is trafe and because of you now it's going to come caution. it's going to break everything and he uses the expression aus laras you know there's no responsibility for undermining morality >> of the community and I told him and I and I say look I was shocked I said look if you know this cost me a lot cost you money I thought you sold your soul for money b you were getting money for this you you you you're such a bottle and you do that you did such a thing and you get and you cost Yes. Okay. Anyway, he kept on he kept on he kept it on and he kept up this thing. Finally, when it's all over, I I finally got the nerve up. I said, "My wife, by the way, is my wife's uncle. I told by the way I thought I'm doing the Reb's cabana with the Pikisha. If you're telling me what I'm doing is wrong, I'll stop. I won't do I don't I don't want to do against the Reb. This is what So, he backed off. So I said, "So then, what do you want? Should be upstairs and downstairs." So upstairs and downstairs, everybody's going to be in the hallway between that. That's not going to work. So finally it's all over. I I go to and I said, "I'm completely confused. I have no idea what am I supposed to do." So said, "Do what you're doing. >> Continue. >> Continue." >> Ah, so that's the story. >> That's a story. Not It's not the story everybody wants that they wrote the Reb. I guess maybe it's important to no I'm just thinking now >> maybe it's tak is to do it together but it should be you organizers should be mindful be mindful of making sure that it's done in the proper way >> and and there's another point which I told a story recently and somebody reminded me that also one of the things we agreed on is that at every pagisha I'll have a shot on board that's not >> stam >> and I it cost me thousands of tens tens of thousands of dollars that every year I had a shot on board the interview and they met a couple of dates you know from the people and followed after the beginning followed up with some dates um I still have it but now I'm not paying I have a volunteer an older lady um who still keeps these numbers and calls and over the years a couple people got married >> so it's so so in other words it's not he it's there for a purpose of a >> that's that's what that that's what happened with Mhm. Um, so the answers that you did get were like some saying there were some instance in instances that you did write on your own. >> Yeah. >> Not like here you have a story here where I you see that I died that I don't remember but I but I see the story I see that I wrote in this was in Lmed Daled. Um there was a there was a rabbi from Pennsylvania and he had a son who was involved in uh with with the gurus and things and uh and it says over here that and he and he and he came and they were able to convince them to come to Forban and then later on um to convince him to go to Mars. down and therefore we ask the reba that he should do come back he should come back and do the right thing etc etc this is an example of >> things that you write to the rebro >> then okay then another thing you you put on the list over there is the famous the video that they have with the galac story with the galac with the galac was interesting the galac comes to my office he tells me like this He was born Jewish in Glasgow, Scotland and he converted to Christianity and his parents sat Shiva for him. Okay. And later on even when he started having questions he said I can't go back because they sat Shiva for me. So it's it's over. So he became a gal. He was a bright guy. He's a Jewish guy. Got his PhD. became a psychologist and he has this he has this a pro this um this his practice is in the church. So he has the church gave him a place to live. church gave him a car, gives him customers and everything he has from the church and um in New Jersey and he would go lecture for you know in again for the for Christians against Jews in different places and guess you got to pay for that but it's lately he's starting to have his fakus in what he's saying and he's so what do you want from me? Um I I can't continue doing this anymore. I want to come back to Judaism and so what's so what do you want from me so the thing is however got to make a living everything I have I haven't is belongs to the church soon as I I reject that I have nothing no money no place to live in and no practice so his idea was that maybe the Jewish community will hire me that I can go debate for them against the Christians so I said I off hand I don't know who's offering that job. >> Mhm. >> And in fact I even he was his oh he got he was married he wasn't Catholic. His wife he was married to a Jewish lady. >> How did that happen? She was a Jewish lady. It's a widow very lonely and she was on a bus. They saw a poster. Yoska loves you. Oh somebody loves me. Sended up she went to the church and she converted. Okay. So now we have this J and somebody thought it was a good shak. Okay. So the they're they're married and and so but now he doesn't know who's going to do. So we decided um I spoke to my he was in shoes from Philadelphia. I spoke to my father. He says nobody there's no such thing cuz no one's going to hire him. So what do you do? So we decided to he left for a while came back. He decided we're gonna ask the Reb for dollars. So I went over to this you have the video. I went over to the Reb with with him and I introduced him and I told him that he's a gal and he's a bra for Parnasa. No, he wants to come back. He wants to be partna. >> He told the Reb he's aid. >> Yeah. So the Reb wanted he wanted his Hebrew name the Hebrew name. And the Reb said when it says gal he said he he forgot about that a long time ago >> that's the said >> yeah pretty much yeah so okay so fine and and that was it so we come out now I say what do we do now okay he still has a and he didn't get any really serious braas for that so appel what happened was um he he he left the church he moved in with his wife in Philadelphia she still had an apartment from before and he lived another year and he died and he he came to the have a Jew a proper Jewish cemetery and we said kashim. >> So that's a >> that's an interesting story and I that I brought him to the reb that time. >> Yeah. >> The Reb told you um you wrote to the Reb about doing chaplain work. The Reb rejected that. What was that? >> Yeah. Um at one time I was in the hospital again in the office and the the Brooklyn Jewish hospital had now merged with interfaith and there was and they would still do Jewish doctors there. So some patients still people still going there and uh but not many. So at some points um I was offer I was offered a position to be a chaplain over there and I figured if I if I do it's not taking a lot of time and this way I can meet the doctors we can have some kind of spot and the doctors can urb about it because I figured you know how I go once a week or something like that and visit the few patients that are there. that said not it's not for me that it'll take away from my work in sus kabad now I spent a lot of time thinking about this I mean this is I don't think this is a hero for everybody a lot of guys I push a lot of guys it's a good opportunity to have some real time you're coming in from and now as an outside volunteer you're part of the system and you can accomplish a lot of things that you couldn't otherwise so I didn't take it as a a role you know from general I took it that this is a protest take it from what I have to be doing it would be ne it would be it would be take me away from that >> what are the some of the other things that you have with you here >> um this is just an interesting letter that somebody wrote to the reb he's a professor in Kingsboro and he writes the reb that was about antabbe you know it says Is that what the Reb was saying that this is a a mess? He he agrees with that 100%. And he feels that this is something that Obama should make a whole campaign out of because he has students who said miracles happened once upon a time doesn't happen anymore and and being able to to show that things are still happening today would be a big that's what he writes to Reb. So the Reb gave it out to us >> sent you the letter. >> Yeah. because it's campus the college originally is when I think the reb's original plan when we had a thing called college university council and we had a number of professors on it block and some others and uh and I think the reb's original plan was that we should be responsible for campuses around the country later that changed because as the kabad houses each house is responsible for their own but I even have a an answer that a a from upstate not from the tak area wrote the reb about some issues they're having and the reb so I'm say that's I'm not taking that as a raw that we have some kind of authority over there >> right >> but that's how I understood it that at that time the ever felt that we were had responsibility to the campuses all over maybe we didn't do maybe we didn't develop it enough so there we went elsewhere I don't know but that was at one point that was what the way how it worked >> right um okay then there is this answer that you have >> no that's yeah we have this answer um when we were starting to open the kabat houses in Manhattan >> so at some point sah became responsible for sending outim in New York >> yeah yeah and again How exactly how that worked, I'm not sure. But yeah, and with our responsibility was the five burrows in Westchester and and Long Island and Staten Island borrows. Okay. And that's our responsibility to to to make bring and to organize it and etc etc. >> Mhm. >> Further north you have Reuben in Albany and Gari in Buffalo. So that's not ours. That's that's Americas. Okay. Okay. So, this story here is with with NY NYU. When we opened NYU, Ellie Cohen at the time, um there was a to that we should have um the name of the of the campus that came with the should be of the village. The village was a very hot place that a lot of Jewish kids were going to the gurus to drugs and and it's concerned and a lot of people worried and they and financially they would be willing to give money to kabad to help save the kids >> and that was the so we wrote into the reblied at the time as I I found this answer I mean we all knew it but the whole time was we never opened of the village now now it gets a little tip technical the neighborhood has changed completely that it's not the drug center of New York anymore. It's now young professionals. Um more there are more drugs probably in in North Williamsburg than there are over there >> and there are and there are communities. So Pel Slukan did go into those area and we have West Village and East Village. Um because because a lot of the way we figure it's not about the village and there are other villages in Long Island. It's also they call it village stony bbrook because but so we felt it it didn't go into this category here but the reb writes here um yeah do you do you do you know what village represents with the specialist that there are going on there and etc. If you would know, have an idea what the village represents and what what it would mean to be kabad of the village. Yeah. Um you wouldn't wouldn't be even asking me that question. >> Mhm. >> I sort of got the message that wasn't going to happen. >> That was an answer to to you or that was answer in general. >> Probably in general. >> Yeah. >> My zeta in Baltimore the zeta was the r in some of the barabs downtown. they closed and they had cemeteries and they had money. There was a question what to do with that money. So there were um there was one sor that one I from from Nol wanted to open a a a suburb a in the suburbs and he agreed according to the bylaws it should be nari and give me the money. >> Mhm. That was one SAR and there were a number of different SARS what to do with the money and so the Reb sent Reb Jacobson to Misa because Misa was the last uh living member of the board. So he really had the DEA. >> Mhm. >> So he came up with the suggestion um that that that that opened the first Kabat House in Baltimoreer. >> Oh >> paid for the first thing. There was a fire and then other things. One thing led to another thing and right now my brother-in-law is the the RV there Lisbon >> uh in in Baltimore >> Baltimore but that was sort of started the whole thing was and the Reb sent Re Jacobson to discuss with Misa Misa told me also Misa was very close with the Fred Rebba and he told me that you know that it was very hard forid to change rebas you know I mean uh he he he was close to the Reb. He did what the Reb said. The Reb said, you know, he sent him he used to have a Tanya for the Tom and N in his house every Friday night and my Bubba would make great pies for them. You know when whoever came to learn and I met the number of Raonim in Israel that they remembered the Tanya of Misa in Baltimore in his house and the reb writes to him to Misa that you know about to encourage him to continue the sharim also the reb writes there's another letter that the Reb writes to him about that havina about oh that one of the the the schol that wanted to get the money from the cemeteries had a microphone Right. >> And the Reb wrote a very sharp answer that you know that that not that we should not be encouraging or helping any with a microphone. >> Right. A microphone and and I think >> yeah you shouldn't uh join with such >> Mhm. >> Okay. Anything else comes to mind from the the various or things that um weren't you part of the one year the V of the >> Yeah. What was that story? >> Yeah, >> that was that was an interesting story. Okay, every year Mlavsi used to come to run. One year he wasn't able to come. He wasn't up to it. So he wrote into Reb and the Reb um exactly how that worked or whatever was there was a decision made that they should make a VOD to take it over that year. And on the on the VOD that was decided, but I'm not sure whom it was I was on there and then it was Solomon Horowitz and Harshel Kinsky. >> Mhm. >> And we were supposed to be the committee and we're supposed to help raise the money, help arrange the the food. I mean, all he used to used to complain to me, you know, people would show up, you know, with with kids with special needs that they had. No one tells him in advance, you know, suddenly it it's tish. The place is packed and now some guy comes in with five kids and this is there and somehow or rather miraculously he had to make he find places for them to stay. Um he would rent and and and sometimes it would he'd get it back and not in such good condition and he had to raise and he had to fix it. I mean another thing he told me once that he was thinking of getting a committee of ladies to help him to help his wife with the cooking. So he said we he got a committee and he he says you realize I'm look I got a committee of chiefs I need workers not you know you know people are going to give me ideas and so this is I mean he used to we but that year he wasn't here so we were given the job including help raising the money etc etc um my responsibility was going to be the treasurer whatever money is is raised I'll have it and I'll and I'll write the checks which was helpful later because some people have they claimed they didn't get paid and it doesn't I had all the records. Okay. So, but the story goes like this. Um the the they say there was that the second night of sukis um the reb would speak to the orim in the suka and uh and what I didn't know is that the state would was that would go to knock on the reb's door and then the reb would come out and follow him to the suka that he's inviting the reb well they told us that's that we have to do knock on the reb's door and take and take the reb to the suka. No way we're knocking on the reb's door. So we we worked that out that we don't have to knock on the reb's door. He can figure it out himself. They were here. So we're walking but we had to walk first. So we had to walk in front of the river. The river followed us to the suka. Now just picture this. I'm coming. We're coming to the suka. Suka is packed packed packed. You know no inches. And we're walking in there now um with the reb in back of us. Now, the way it was set up was there was a table. On top of the table was another table and chair where there ever sat. Okay. So, we're coming in and where do we go? So, I made I was there in front. So, I made a like this. There's a little space on the table between the edge of the table and the next table. So I just dived in and I was lying on on lying flat on the the first table between next to the table you know like that and there was a table then it was whatever okay I was lucky the others pushed themselves back and they were getting pinched and pushed we've been within here for an hour and getting and you're going to just walk in on this like this and they had a hard time. M the Reb comes in. The Reb says a and then the Reb gets up and he's going back to his room. So he goes down. Then suddenly the Reb turns. He's by the window of Americas. Turns around where where the light I have to bring him back. >> The AB would wait. >> There was waiting there. >> Mhm. >> So they told us there was waiting waiting. So we jump up and we try to get through the crowd. And I remember my capot completely all the buttons went flying and everything else and the ever staying with a big smile watching me climbing over like this like you know whatever a big smile I I just noticed when I was there I didn't know what the others he finally got down the turn and followed us to back to back to his room. >> That was that was an experience >> that was that. >> Okay. Um is there anything we didn't uh we didn't cover? >> I'm sure. I mean but but the main thing I'm trying to bring out is I the way I see it is from my concern the re the ab was guiding me through all all these steps any one of them I wouldn't be here today okay um my father um my came here with with five kids okay um there was no Bisha then so my father had a mother and three sisters. The three sisters already were growing up in Russia and were already infected with the socialism. >> Mhm. >> So there's nothing there's nothing giddish got left with them. The young the brother came here was two years old. So he mis put him in the came his kids are all from and his daughter is the mas in bakov of and her kids all married salv sitting and learning her husband also is a guy who's sitting and learning his whole life and she's supporting him that's why she grew up so I'm just saying all all there are so many things that could have changed that I wouldn't be here Right. Okay. So we >> Yeah. >> Okay. Appreciate very much you sharing all of this and your work with is continuing till today. So amen. >> You when I heard your age I was very surprised. You seem much younger than that. >> I try. >> So it should continue like that for many many years. >> Amen. Amen. So I'm just saying that you know but my family would like to hear these stories because again I heard pieces of it but I I tried to put it together in in one he okay so I think you did a good job not only your family but many many others