Ep. 57: Is Colel Chabad a Success? with Rabbi Sholom Duchman

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