7 Simches in Rebbe’s Room

By Aryeh Levin, COLlive reporter

An advanced fast day and a pretty heavy winter storm beginning this morning in New York did not deter a number of celebrations held in Crown Heights.

Mazal Tov wishes were heard over and over Thursday morning at the minyan in the Rebbe’s Room in Lubavitch Headquarters 770.

The Gabboim, Rabbi Zev Katz and Rabbi Meir Harlig, had their hands full Thursday morning, handing out Aliyos and reciting Mi Sheberach blessings for some 7 happy families.

First there was Levi Yitzchak Lesches, son of Oholei Torah Zal dean Rabbi Elchonon Lesches, who received an Aliya in honor of his Bar Mitzvah.

Second was 13 year-old Schneur Zalman Butman of Crown Heights, who also will be celebrating entering Jewish adulthood.

He was flanked by his father Rabbi Yossi Butman, Executive Coordinator of Lubavitch Youth Organization, and grandfather Rabbi Shmuel Butman, Director of LYO and host of the Shabbos Night Live learning program on COLlive.com.

Next was chosson Sender Gordon of Ottawa, Canada who is getting married this week to Sarah Rabinovitch (also of Ottawa) in Montreal.

Then came the girls.

Managing Director of Chabad.org Meir Simcha Kogan named his daughter Liba, born last Tuesday.

Yudi Shmotkin, Director of Vaad Talmidei Hatmimim, named his daughter Chaya Mushka, born Wednesday.

And Mendy Kaminker, also of Chabad.org, named his niece Chedva Frieda, after his aunt who passed away in Teves of this year.

Kaminker was there for his brother-in-law, Shliach and Chief Rabbi for the city of Uzhhorod in Ukraine, Mendel Teichman, who felt it was a merit to name her in the room that served the Rebbe, we were told.

Tachanun was not said because of the presence of soon-to-be Mohel Shmuley Klein, who will be celebrating his newborn son’s Bris today.

Since today is a fast day, all the congregants could do was simply wish each other a hearty Mazal Tov.