Moscow Women Moved by Visit

Recently, fifty Jewish women from Moscow, Russia visited the United States to gain inspiration from Jewish life here. Under the auspices of Rabbi Berel Lazar, this trip was organized and chaperoned by Rabbi Motti and Dina Weisberg, Mrs. Rivky Wilansky, and Michoel and Ilana Stavrapolsky.

The following is a personal account by one of the visitors:

Our group consisted of young women from very different Jewish backgrounds. While some of us were eager to visit 770 and the Ohel, others were mainly interested in sightseeing in America. During the week of our trip, we visited Chabad houses in four states: Rabbi Levi Shemtov’s in Washington, D.C., Rabbi Tzvi Backman’s in Maryland, Rabbi Yona Korn’s in New York City, and Rabbi Kanelsky’s in New Jersey.

It was an unforgettable experience! Our program also included touring famous landmarks in Washington, D.C., and New York City. Reflecting back on our travels, we never imagined that our greatest enjoyment would be right here in Crown Heights.

The most inspiring activity during the trip was attending a student performance by the second grade class of Morah Esty Newfield and Mrs. Rochel Elishevitz. When we arrived at the Beis Rivkah School on Friday, the students greeted us with huge smiles on their faces. They performed songs filled with Jewish pride and even sang one in Russian! We were all so surprised and clapped along as they sang. These little princesses warmed our souls. Many of us were so touched we started to cry.

After the visit to Beis Rivkah, we took a short walking tour of Crown Heights. It reminded me of Israel with its Jewish stores and shop signs in Hebrew. We visited the Jewish Children’s Museum and enjoyed seeing the Jewish holidays and Jewish history through a child’s perspective. Finally, the time came to enter 770, the world headquarters of Chabad Lubavitch. I do not know how to describe the experience we had there. It was so special and soulful for each of us. I felt true spirituality during the prayers.

On Shabbat we had the privilege of visiting the Rebbe’s office. The bookcases filled with Hebrew books and the sight of everything untouched since the Rebbe sat at his desk gave us a holy feeling. Afterwards, our group joined our hosts for the Shabbat meal. Thank you to the Zalmanov, Rabinovitch, Lerman, Vernick, Wallach, Rosenfeld, and Halon families for opening your homes and hearts to us and making us feel so welcome.

Our stay in Crown Heights concluded with the Havdalah ceremony at Chevra Ahavas Yisroel. The singing, dancing, and music were unlike anything I had ever seen before. I felt so happy to be united with everyone at this special time.
As we packed up and prepared to return home, we were asked what was the highlight of our trip. Almost all of us chose experiences we had in Crown Heights. Now you know why.