Dear Friends,
The past week has been unimaginably difficult for me and my family. While the world looked on in shock at the sudden and tragic passing of my father, R’ Yonah Avtzon A”H, we were left reeling from his loss.
Whether you were a parent anxiously awaiting his phone call with suggestions for a shidduch, a friend put at ease by his warm smile and bright eyes, or one of the countless beneficiaries of his work translating the Rebbe’s teachings into English, we have all been touched by the gifts my father gave to the world. Now, we – his family – are left with the monumental task of ensuring that his legacy lives on.
Since its inception in the 70’s, Sichos in English was my father’s Shlichus and his deepest passion in life. Never wanting to put a barrier between the texts he was producing and the people that could benefit from them, he sold his books at almost no profit and made all of his works accessible online for free – foregoing much potential revenue. Instead, Sichos in English’s operating costs relied heavily on fundraising efforts and donations from the public. My father displayed such singular devotion to his shlichus that for the past several years he withheld his own salary, sustaining his family from his work as a Shadchan instead. This level of mesirus nefesh was something that we, his loved ones, came to know as emblematic of his character.
There was no question, therefore, that we would do everything in our power to ensure that Sichos in English continues to live on – not only as an honor to my father’s memory, but as a continuation of his Shlichus. Still, the costs of running such an operation are large and the suddenness with which it has become our responsibility is jarring. My family is relying on your help.
On this auspicious day, Yud Shvat, we got up from sitting shiva for my father. There is no better way to honor his memory than by helping to continue the sacred mission that the Rebbe set for him over 40 years ago. Please show your support by partnering with us to continue his shlichus: sie.org/partner
Every single donation is greatly appreciated, and partnering in the amount of $770 will help boost our campaign, pick up the pieces put on hold, and get books back in print and onto people’s bookshelves!
May we merit to see the ultimate “haafotzas hamaayanos” and be reunited with all of our loved ones, with the coming of Moshiach speedily in our days – amen!
Rabbi Shmuly Avtzon
Everyone donate!
Reb Shmuly, Hatzlocho rabba. Please reprint the original sechos in english, the whole idea of SIE is sichos kodesh. I have ballebatim literally begging me. People always borrow, half the set is gone. Please reprint and keep in stock. Thank you for all of your hard work and zol der eibershter dir bentchen mit arichus yomim vshonim toivos bdaas tzelula und zol oicht zain as mir zol ba dir zehn az yofeh koiach haben mikoach ho’av.
Knowing Rabbi Shmuly Avtzon and his devotion to the Rebbe’s inyonim this decision of him taking over his father’s shlichus is most appropriate and well deserved. With Hashem’s help and the brochos from the Rebbe he will succeed in this truly amazing mosad.
tachlis, people!!
Rabbi Shmuly, kol hakavod to you!! I am grateful every day for your father’s work and I look forward to seeing you in action
Incredible I am sure your father is getting much nachas
Shmuli has big shoes to fit in.
But with no doubt sie under his leadership will continue to grow and flourish to new heights, bringing the rebbes words lehachyos haatzumos hayevaishos!
Bihatzlocho!
Truly an incredible man! I have to say that he has left another amazing legacy, his children!
SIE must continue!
What a special son! The Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Never realized how all those english books were all projects of SIE.. I owe my connection to Judaism and my family’s values and upbringing to this incredible organization! Thanks for allowing me to participate and give back.
Wow! So incredible.
If every parent that married off a child using Yonah as the shadchan would give $100, the campaign would be completeled in a matter of minutes.
Even if someone used Yonah and it didn’t work out, he still deserves the appreciation for the time that was put into it.
For every hour spent working on a shidduch that works out there are countless more hours that were spent on all the other possibilities that didn’t work out either after they were suggested or even before.
Today we can express our gratitude!
who will be taking over his shadachan role