Memoirs & Diaries

78 articles.

The Lingering Effects of Tishrei in 770Beis Moshiach (staff) · Diary · #1137Life returns once again to its regular pace, but it is not possible for any individual that is present here to show no signs that he just recently celebrated the month of holidays with the Rebbe shlita.
The Indescribable Joy in 770Beis Moshiach (staff) · Diary · #1135How did the Rebbe make his way through the hundreds of people dancing in 770? * How many nights in a row did he not go to sleep?
Sound the Great ShofarRosh HashanahBeis Moshiach (staff) · Diary · #1134The Rebbe shlita arranges his shofaros in a special order and afterward spreads his tallis over all of the pidyonos placed in front of him.
The Thirty-Year Anniversary of Chaf AvBeis Moshiach (staff) · Diary · #1128Letters home, written by R ’ Tuvia Zilberstrom during his k ’ vutza year, describing some of the events of Menachem-Av 5734 in 770 with the Rebbe . By R ’ Tuvia Zilberstrom
An Exceptionally Joyous Shavuos with the RebbeBeis Moshiach (staff) · Diary · #1118Shavuos 5734, the time of the Giving of the Torah, was celebrated with great joy by all those who merited to be in the presence of the Rebbe, who encouraged the simcha nonstop.
The Rebbe Responds to the Tragedy in MaalotBeis Moshiach (staff) · Diary · #1116What terrible tragedy caused the Rebbe to change the usual order of the farbrengen?
An Inspiring Pesach with the RebbePesachBeis Moshiach (staff) · Diary · #1112A marvelous description of Pesach and the days preceding it, from the diary of Rabbi Tuvia Zilberstrom, rav of the Chabad shul in Shikkun Chabad in Yerushalayim.
The First YechidusBerger · Diary · #1104In this installment of his diary, the late R ’ Saadya Maatuf shares very openly about his first yechidus, and about the preparations that he made over a period of a few weeks leading up to that momentous occasion.
Maryland Shlichus in the Summer of ‘66Beis Moshiach (staff) · Diary · #1086Another diary from the files of Rabbi Sholom Dovber Wolpo, describing the shlichus he carried out during the summer of 5726/1966, fifty-one years ago, together with his friend, R’ Avrohom (Bumi) Friedland.
Presidential Visit or a Chassid Meeting His Rebbe?Yud-Beis TammuzBerger · Diary · #107512 Tammuz 5733.
Dealing with Criticism from WithinAvrohom Rainitz · Memoirs · #1017Along with having to contend with forces from the “outside” and money matters, R’ Zalman had to deal with criticism from within, from Anash who thought he was rushing to open new…
My ImaBeis Moshiach (staff) · Memoirs · #1009Join us on a captivating journey, crossing continents and generations. * We will travel from Chevron to Lubavitch, observe hiskashrus and bravery during the war and the revolution.
Childhood Memories from a Lost WorldMenachem Ziegelboim · Memoirs · #989Last winter, Mrs. Tzivya Bravman a”h, one of the old-timers in Kfar Chabad, passed away. Mrs.
Nothing Else Besides RebbeBeis Moshiach (staff) · Memoirs · #984It has been thirteen years since the passing of the esteemed mashpia, R’ Reuven Dunin a”h, who was a model of a Chassid and mekushar to the Rebbe MH”M.
Why the Feiglins’ Flight Was DelayedBeis Moshiach (staff) · Memoirs · #944From the life of R ’ Yehoshua Shneur Zalman Serebryanski a ” h
During Tishrei the Atmosphere Was ElectricSimchas TorahBeis Moshiach (staff) · Memoirs · #944Before Simchas Torah 5745 I had a mild stroke and could no longer arrange this celebration. The doctors ordered me to rest.
Memories of YeshivaRabbi Boruch Merkur · Memoirs · #941Memories of R’ Avrohom Drizin (Maiyor) from the time he learned in Yeshivas Tomchei T ’ mimim inLubavitch, from a t ’ shura that was printed for the bar mitzva of his great-grandson, Yehuda Leib Drizin.
The Rebbe: A School for Girls Is a Must!Beis Moshiach (staff) · Memoirs · #932From the life of R’ Yehoshua Shneur Zalman Serebryanski a”h
Meetings and ResolutionsBeis Moshiach (staff) · Memoirs · #926From the life of R’ Yehoshua Shneur Zalman Serebryanski a”h
All of Anash Must Get InvolvedBeis Moshiach (staff) · Memoirs · #923A month and a half had passed since R’ Zalman wrote his last letter, on 7 Iyar.
Exodus Miracle from Behind the Iron CurtainBeis Moshiach (staff) · Memoirs · #911Stories and memories about the Chassid, R’ Herschel Lerner, recounted by his granddaughter and suffused with Chassidic flavor. * Sixth and final chapter
Enlist All of Anash!Avrohom Rainitz · Memoirs · #910From the life of R’ Yehoshua Shneur Zalman Serebryanski a”h
A Chassid and a Man of ChessedBeis Moshiach (staff) · Memoirs · #910Stories and memories about the Chassid, R’ Hirschel Lerner, recounted by his granddaughter and suffused with Chassidic flavor. * Part 5.
Risking His Life for a Fellow JewBeis Moshiach (staff) · Memoirs · #909Stories and memories about the Chassid, R’ Herschel Lerner, recounted by his granddaughter and suffused with Chassidic flavor. * Part 4
Where Are the Tanyas?!Beis Moshiach (staff) · Memoirs · #908Stories of a little boy in communist Russia. * About learning Tanya with mesirus nefesh and how learning Chassidus saved many from sin.
To Live Amongst ChassidimBeis Moshiach (staff) · Memoirs · #908Stories and memories about the Chassid, R’ Herschel Lerner, recounted by his granddaughter and suffused with Chassidic flavor. * Part 3
From Ashlag to LubavitchBeis Moshiach (staff) · Memoirs · #904The curriculum for the Jewish subjects was based on textbooks that were bought from R’ Moshe Kantor, R’ Moshe Zalman Feiglin’s son-in-law.
Growing the Yeshiva at All Age LevelsBeis Moshiach (staff) · Memoirs · #898From the life of R’ Yehoshua Shneur Zalman Serebryanski a”h.
The Rebbe’s GuidanceBeis Moshiach (staff) · Memoirs · #886What do you do with a bachur who doesn’t want to daven Nusach Chabad or learn Chassidus?* Why should Chassidus be learned now when it wasn’t learned in previous generations?
On the Way to Realizing the DreamBeis Moshiach (staff) · Memoirs · #881The previous owner of the building had died and his wife and only son decided to donate to the yeshiva the rest of the sum that the vaad was supposed to pay them over the coming years.
A Chassid Who Lived for OthersAvrohom Rainitz · Memoirs · #866R’ Hillel Zaltzman, known to our readers for his fascinating memoirs of life in Samarkand, shares another chapter, this time about his uncle.
R’ Zalman Levin continues to describe memories of his father, R’ GershBeis Moshiach · Memoirs · #864Our neighbors told the Germans that he was a holy man. He was hung by his hands until he expired and then hung there for another three days.
My Father!Beis Moshiach · Memoirs · #863It is ten years since the passing of the Chassid R’ Zalman Levin a”h of Kfar Chabad.
A Lone Youngster Struggling to Survive in WartimeMenachem Ziegelboim · Memoirs · #862It is ten years since the passing of the Chassid, R’ Zalman Levin a”h of Kfar Chabad.
Buying the Building on Hotham StreetAvremele Rainitz · Memoirs · #862R’ Zalman reports to the Rebbe about the miracles that happened in connection with the purchase of the new yeshiva building.
ExploitationMenachem Ziegelboim · Memoirs · #861It is ten years since the passing of the Chassid, R’ Zalman Levin a”h of Kfar Chabad.
Buy a Big Building!Avremele Rainitz · Memoirs · #861R’ Zalman continues with his big dreams for the yeshiva even in the face of low enrollment and community apathy.
It is ten years since the passing of the Chassid, R’ Zalman Levin a”h Menachem Ziegelboim · Memoirs · #860It is ten years since the passing of the Chassid, R’ Zalman Levin a”h of Kfar Chabad.
Tough TimesAvremele Rainitz · Memoirs · #860The Rebbe urges Anash to get involved with the yeshiva and makes it clear that this is for their material and spiritual good.
Should a Yeshiva Be Opened in Melbourne?Avremele Rainitz · Memoirs · #859Moving and naming the yeshiva. * From the life of R’ Yehoshua Shneur Zalman Serebryanski a”h.
Struggling to Survive as a Child in the Soviet Hell on EarthMenachem Ziegelboim · Memoirs · #859It is ten years since the passing of the Chassid R’ Zalman Levin a”h of Kfar Chabad.
Letters of Encouragement from the Rebbe-To-BeAvremele Rainitz · Memoirs · #857The Rebbe sends R’ Zalman letters full of encouragement. * Chaim yearns to learn in 770. * From the life of R’ Yehoshua Shneur Zalman Serebryanski a”h.
The last letter that R’ Zalman received from the Rebbe Rayatz was akinAvremele Rainitz · Memoirs · #856The last letter that R’ Zalman received from the Rebbe Rayatz was akin to a last will and testament. * From the life of R’ Yehoshua Shneur Zalman Serebryanski a”h.
Founding the Yeshiva in SheppartonAvremele Rainitz · Memoirs · #855At a turbulent Chassidishe farbrengen, R’ Zalman announced: A Chassidishe yeshiva will be founded in Australia! * From the life of R’ Yehoshua Shneur Zalman Serebryanski a”h.
Memories of LubavitchShneur Zalman Berger · Memoirs · #854Mr. Mordechai Lazar learned for a brief period in Yeshivas Tomchei T’mimim in Lubavitch.
The Trip to AustraliaAvremele Rainitz · Memoirs · #854R’ Zalman arrives in Shepparton, Australia and wants to start a yeshiva. * From the life of R’ Yehoshua Shneur Zalman Serebryanski a”h.
Leaving RussiaAvremele Rainitz · Memoirs · #852R’ Zalman joins the committee of askanim who organized the exodus from Russia. Even after he left, he continued to help with mesirus nefesh.
Escape from CharkovAvremele Rainitz · Memoirs · #851R’ Zalman experiences miracles as he flees Charkov. * From the life of R’ Yehoshua Shneur Zalman Serebryanski a”h.
Mekureves to Beis RebbiAvremele Rainitz · Memoirs · #850R’ Zalman’s wife sees the Rebbe Rayatz on his secret journey to Rostov. * Chapters from the life story of R’ Yehoshua Shneur Zalman Serebryanski a”h.
Menahel of the Yeshiva in CharkovAvremele Rainitz · Memoirs · #849GPU agents visit the yeshiva. * R’ Zalman’s tactic that helped maintain the yeshiva for another year and a half. * From the life of R’ Yehoshua Shneur Zalman Serebryanski a”h.
The Trip to RostovAvremele Rainitz · Memoirs · #848Before hakafos, a time considered especially auspicious, R’ Chatshe took the two bachurim for yechidus and pleaded on their behalf.
Sudden SuggestionBeis Moshiach · Memoirs · #846The one time the Rebbe called me “Heishe.” * The remarkable kiruv and the open miracle of the Rebbe when we had children.
And They Traveled from Krolevets and Camped in DorokhovaBeis Moshiach · Memoirs · #845Heishke was nearly bar mitzva when his family had to leave their small town. * Under unbearable conditions, the family fought to survive and to lead a Jewish-Chassidic life.
Many of the big cities did not have the privilege. It was the small toBeis Moshiach · Memoirs · #844Many of the big cities did not have the privilege.
Winter in Our TownBeis Moshiach · Memoirs · #843Slichos were not the only type of preparation performed before the winter season; it was necessary to prepare the house for the freezing months to come.
In the Courtyard of Our Home in KrolevetsBeis Moshiach · Memoirs · #842A tour of the Dubrawski home, then of the yard, the cellar, and the corner where the armed guard stood at his post … Read and find out.
A Rare Treasure: A Siddur!Beis Moshiach · Memoirs · #841Then, one day, I mustered the courage to ask my father – why didn’t they print more Siddurim with Nusach Ari? My father smiled and asked whether this bothered me.
The Nkvd on the Trail of Rabbi DworkinBeis Moshiach · Memoirs · #840About my uncle, Rabbi Zalman Shimon Dworkin, rav of Crown Heights for many years, and my aunt, Tzivia * Haritzka Nerovny, the Gentile to whom my grandfather sold the chametz *…
My Partner in LifeBeis Moshiach · Memoirs · #839Heishke grew up in a Chassidishe family, but he still had a lot to learn about the Chassidishe customs that his wife brought from her parents’ house, which she made a part of their joint home.
The Power of Chassidic Yeshiva StudentsBeis Moshiach · Memoirs · #838It’s not just nowadays that you have to take the opinions of talmidim into consideration; back then too, talmidim had what to say.
Memories from yeshiva days in Samarkand, which symbolized the transitiBeis Moshiach · Memoirs · #837Memories from yeshiva days in Samarkand, which symbolized the transition from the war years to relatively better times.
The Rise and Fall of the First Cheider in SamarkandBeis Moshiach · Memoirs · #835This chapter goes back to the early period in Samarkand. Of course, there was no yeshiva yet, but they tried to start a “yeshiva’le” for children.
The Yeshiva in SamarkandBeis Moshiach · Memoirs · #834The founding of Yeshivas Tomchei T’mimim in Samarkand * Why a famished R’ Michoel Teitelbaum forwent the Shabbos meal * R’ Yona Cohen influences R’ Zalman Shimon Dworkin to accept…
Unforgettable Jewish Characters from KrolevetsBeis Moshiach · Memoirs · #833In the declining days of Jewish Krolevets, there still remained a few Jewish personalities from the glory days of shtetl life.
Strong FamilyBeis Moshiach · Memoirs · #832The little I know about my great-grandfather’s great-great-grandfather.
Episodes from the life of a young man who made his way through the spiMenachem Ziegelboim · Memoirs · #830Episodes from the life of a young man who made his way through the spiritual minefield that was Soviet Russia.
A Story from Zeide: The Jew Versus the BearBeis Moshiach · Memoirs · #830Zeide did not say whether the bear never got up again or just lost consciousness, but now all the brawny shkotzim fled in every direction. Why?
Of Matza and Truly Bitter HerbsPesachBeis Moshiach · Memoirs · #829The following two periods in young Heishke’s life – the purges of the 1930’s and the period immediately after WWII – are testaments to the indomitable Jewish spirit that managed…
Chassidic Encounters Behind the  Iron CurtainHzaltzman · Memoirs · #828In a number of previous installments, we read about Rabbi Hillel Zaltzman’s travels in the Soviet Union for the purpose of communal work. Each one of these trips was an adventure.
My Bar MitzvahDubrawski · Memoirs · #828Heishke celebrated his bar mitzvah in the small village of Dorokhova. This was the first and last simcha with his parents and sisters.
And My Eyes Opened Once AgainDubrawski · Memoirs · #827Even before his mother managed to recover fully, Heishke fell sick. * The doctors were pessimistic about his chances of recovery and he felt his strength ebbing.
No, No, My Son! I Will Not Leave You Alone!Dubrawski · Memoirs · #826It was a very hot, dry day. My mother (Malka, who was called Manye) and her escorts walked slow...
The Groan That Saved MeDubrawski · Memoirs · #825The wasteland of death and disease that encompassed all of Samarkand was fully evident between the...
Kaddish for My FatherDubrawski · Memoirs · #824A HEARTRENDING KADDISH During the time I said Kaddish daily for my father and sister Tziva&rs...
Alone in WartimeMenachem Ziegelboim · MemoirsThe ninth and final installment of R’ Zalman Levin’s memoirs.
You Are Agents of Divine Providence to AustraliaAvrohom Rainitz · MemoirsR’ Zalman’s history with the Hungarian community was not positive.
When I Went Upstairs, I Understood EverythingYud ShvatBeis Moshiach (staff) · MemoirsR’ Binyamin Mintz of Crown Heights was a young bachur on Yud Shvat 5710.
No Shortage  of MiraclesAvrohom Rainitz · MemoirsFrom the life of R’ Yehoshua Shneur Zalman Serebryanski a”h.