Diamond Daveners Head Home

When Delta Flight # 2862 departed Gate 58 from JFK this past Monday night and headed towards the taxiway on the way to Los Angeles, the Captain announced on the loudspeaker, “Welcome aboard. And a special welcome to a group of youngsters who are taking up the back part of the plane, the Diamond Dabners (he meant Daveners), who are returning from a Grand Parade that has been labeled the largest in Brooklyn where they marched with children from all over the world.”

Indeed the pilot was right. These youngsters were heading home after a marathon two-day visit to New York City to attend the Great Lag B’Omer Parade that took place at the Lubavitch World Headquarters this past Sunday.

The children were quite anxious after they got off their red-eye flight and were bused to Eastern Parkway to join the Great Parade wondering about the various food and accommodations, logistics, etc. But worry, they did not have to! Not only did the organizers of the Parade embrace the Misspallim of Kol Yakov Yehuda, the Rebbe’s Diamond Daveners, but all the residents of Crown Heights welcomed them and made them feel at home. For the next 48 hours, with only five hours of sleep in total, the kids participated in the Concert, marched in the Parade, attended the Fair, and then stayed on for additional 24 hours of nonstop activities. “Words cannot describe the inspiration that I received during this trip,” said Menny Schmuckler, an 8th Grader. “At first, I was somewhat hesitant to make this journey but, boy, am I happy I did! It will forever stay with me for years to come.”

We, the Kinderlach of Kol Yakov Yehuda, would like to take this opportunity to thank all the residents of Crown Heights for giving us a tremendous welcome and making us feel at home. We also would like to thank the following individuals:

Rabbi Gedalia Shemtov, for opening the Shluchim office for our disposal.

Rabbi Shimmy Weinbaum, the Parade director who embraced us and made us feel as if the Parade was just for us.

Rabbi Shimon Hecht of the NCFJE for honoring us with the last Posuk.

Reb Itchick Rivkin for supplying us with the caps (when he saw how hot it became).

Michel and Aaron Raskin, the proprietors of Raskin’s Fruit Store, who graciously fed us snacks during our Kingston Avenue shopping spree.

Rabbi Ari Raskin, for opening Chabad of Brooklyn Heights during our visit to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade.

Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky and Rabbi Binyomin Klein, the Rebbe’s secretaries, who took time out of their busy schedules to share with us their memories of the Rebbe.

Rabbi Berel Levin, the Rebbe’s librarian, who gave us such a beautiful talk and tour at the Rebbe’s Library.

Rabbi Mayer Harlig, for honoring us with three Aliyos in the Rebbe’s Room.
Guggie and Arkeh Tzivin, proprietors of House of Glatt, who prepared individual dinner trays for our return flight home (you should have seen the other passengers wishing they could have one too!).

And last, but certainly not least, our Crown Heights hosts, Mrs. Rochel Duchman, Mrs. Edith Bloch and Rabbi and Mrs.Yerachmiel Andrusier, for opening their homes and hearts (and for letting us use over 150 electrical outlets for our phones, cameras and iPods!).

“From the bottom of my heart, we want to thank all the people of Crown Heights and those mentioned above, for giving me such a great time,” said Levi Tsikman, one of the Diamond Daveners.

A very special thank you also goes out to Yirmi Andrusier, Mordechai Polityko, and Reb Yankee Raichek, all from Los Angeles, for their assistance with this amazing trip.

When Mendel Duchman, founder and director of this junior congregation, and organizer of this trip, was asked why so much time, money and energy were put in for this trip, he responded,
“FAR UNZEREH KINDER” – Boruch Hashem, the Rebbe’s Shluchim and Lubavitch are reaching out to the entire world – we need to do that for our very own, the children of Anash. After all, they are the future Shluchim and the Rebbe’s lamplighters. In fact, I challenge all Lubavitch communities around the world to continue, increase and launch specific children’s programs and projects geared “FAR UNZEREH KINDER,” Duchman concluded.

As the Diamonds were leaving Crown Heights, little Mendy Kievman of Long Beach said, “We should invite the entire Crown Heights to come to California so we can reciprocate with our hospitality!”

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

The Rebbe’s Diamond Daveners
Kol Yakov Yehuda
Los Angeles, California