English translation by Weis Words Int’l – Translation and Content Services; Editing by Julie Rothschild Levi
Today, the 27th of Sivan, marks 40 years since Avraham Eliezer Goldman, son of Rabbi Moshe Pesach Goldman, was murdered in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Crown Heights.
His mother, Mrs. Esther Goldman, recalls that Avremi was a Chassidic boy and yeshiva student in Crown Heights. He was an excellent student with noble midos, and served as a living role model. He would pray with kavana (intent), was engaged in the study of Torah and Chassidut, and helped others in their studies as well.
During a tefillin campaign in Manhattan, he met a Jewish man who – after wrapping tefillin with him for a period of time – told Avremi that his wife had recently given birth to a baby girl. Avremi tried to convince the man to give his daughter a Jewish name. He said, “Don’t worry, with your permission, I will go to 770 and give her a Jewish name.”
The man agreed, and Avremi went to 770 – the Rebbe’s minyan – and received a Hebrew name for the baby. After the minyan, Avremi went back to the yeshiva to call the man and let him know about the naming, but the yeshiva’s phone was broken. Avremi left the yeshiva on Troy Avenue to use a public telephone on Montgomery Street, from where he called the new father and told him the name.
As soon as he finished the call, three assailants approached him. They stabbed Avremi mercilessly for one reason: he was a Jew. Less than an hour later, his pure soul returned to its Maker, and he was interred next to his grandfather, the great Chassidic scholar Rabbi Eliyahu Simpson, adjacent to Ohel.
After Avremi’s murder, Rabbi Eli and Leah Lipsker established the Avraham Eliezer Foundation, with the objective of giving disadvantaged children the opportunity to participate in summer camps. The foundation was blessed with the Rebbe’s guidance.
Decades passed, and one day, Mrs. Esther Goldman received a phone call from a woman named Pesha Ziv who said she was from Israel.
“I am the infant to whom your son gave a Jewish name,” she said. “It took me many years to muster up the courage to call you. My Jewish name is Pesha.”
Mrs. Ziv became a ba’alat teshuva, married to a ba’al teshuva, and lives in Rehovot with her four sons.
About four years ago, Mrs. Ziv again called Mrs. Goldman to tell her she had given birth to a healthy baby boy and had given him the name Avraham Eliezer.
The baby was named for the innocent young man who had been murdered, and who had given Mrs. Ziv her own Jewish name.
Moshiach Now!
I remember the tragic murder but never knew any detalis…Avraham Eliezer zichrono livracha…in many ways!
Pesha’s Son Is In My Class That Is So Amazing!
im crying
More proof that nothing is an accident. I am truly in awe of this young man and his story!
All these simanim are showing us moshiachs around the corner
I remember the tragedy. It was overwhelming. It still is. The good deed this young sweet bochor did will have eternal effects. Appreciate this story written with such dignity. I adore the Goldman family. They should live and be well!
What a story! This is worth reading! Moved to tears!
Pesha Ziv has an amazing story and is a very inspiring speaker! She spoke for the Chabad of Parkland Torah and Tea last night and the women wouldn’t let her leave! Pesha will be in Florida for the next few weeks. If you’d like her to speak for your women you can arrange it by calling Rabbi Yossi Biston at 954 931 9992.
Wow! Powerful story
I always wondered about the child he helped name!!
Aibishter Moshiach Now!!
May Avrohom Eliezer’s neshama bask in Hashem’s glory and have an aliyah. A zechus for the little boy, tzu langeh yuhren, to be named for someone like Avrohom Eliezer H’yd.
Awaiting Moshiach’s imminent arrival where the two will meet here in this world neshamos b’gufim.
this story gave me goose bumps…u never know how ur words and acts of kindness can last for so long …a life time……through out generations…we should all just hope and try to have such an impact on ppl!!!!!!!just like this speical boy had
Incredible
What a story!! Wow. HaShem works in very strange yet miraculous ways.
This is bringing real emotional tears to my
eyes. What a bittersweet occurrence. May we all soon be reunited with Avraham Eliezer o”h. והיקיצו ורננו שוכני עפר והוא בתוכם
What a beautiful story. Absolutely inspiring! No good action is ever not repaid.
Amazing story, thank you so much for inspiring us with it.
Thanks for sharing!
You never know how impactful your actions are