Banner Year for Vaad Hatmimim

For a Bochur flying from overseas to spend Tishrei with the Rebbe, preparation begins months before. Saving for the cost of an airline ticket is foremost on his mind. But despite being the largest expense, that only gets him there.

When he finally arrives at the Rebbe, coming to the Ohel and Crown Heights, his mind is focused on learning, Davening, and being in the Rebbe’s presence. But where can he have sedorim and materials to learn, Farbrengens to go to, and programming to make the time meaningful and well spent? This besides 3 meals a day and having where to sleep…

Enter a dedicated organization that works tirelessly on behalf of the Bochurim, and the Gasmiyusdike and Ruchniyusdike arrangements for the Rebbe’s guests become clear.

This Tishrei, the Vaad Talmidei Hatmimim is providing accommodations for over 1000 guests that have come to spend the Yomim Tovim in the Rebbe’s holy presence. The Vaad provides beds to sleep in Crown Heights and the Ohel, and meals three times every single day.

Volunteers have been hard at work for several months preparing Kovtzim and learning booklets, arranging Shiurim, panels, Farbrengens, and special times to enter the Rebbe’s room and house. All told, an extraordinary amount of effort is put in to ensure that every last detail is taken care of for the Orchim.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Chaim’ke, one of the Tishrei guests. “You can see the care and concern that all of us should be taken care of in such a dignified way when we come to the Rebbe. I know there a lot of people who work very hard to make this all happen, and it does not go unnoticed.”

Even with so much going on during this Festive month, that only scratches the surface of the programs and activities of the Vaad for Bochurim the whole year round.

Launching at the beginning of this year was a innovative new program called Hakhel B’limud Toras Rabeinu. Taking from the theme of Hakhel, this initiative united over 25 Yeshivos in learning the Rebbe’s sichos, letters, and teachings.

“We took extra care that every Bochur, no matter on what level, should be able to participate and understand what the Rebbe is telling him” said Levi Plotkin, one of the organizers. “That is surely the way the Rebbe wants it, to include everyone.”

That is why the Vaad put a strong emphasis on creating a handbook with English translations and short explanations to assist Bochurim on every level.

With a program for Lekutei Sichos going on a entire year, a special program for Yud Alef Nissan learning the Rebbe’s letters, and before Gimmel Taamuz learning from a specially prepared Kovetz about what a Rebbe is and how to connect to him, the opportunities to participate were early and often.

And apparently, all the efforts paid off. The feedback from the Yeshivos was tremendous.

“It was my first time actually learning letters of the Rebbe and understanding them,” is what Levi, who learns in Chovivei Torah said. “Seeing the way the Rebbe answers each person on his or her own level, in such a personal way, helped me relate the Rebbe and connect with him much more. I felt like I was ‘getting to know the Rebbe’ in a certain sense.”

And the Bochurim aren’t the only ones who appreciate these fully prepared programming and incentives. Yudi, who was Bochur-Shliach this past year, felt that they allowed him to be so much more successful at his efforts in Yeshiva.

“When we come to Yeshiva, this is our first time trying to help the Bochurim get involved and excite them,” he said. “To do it on our own, we would not know where to begin. To have the resources and ideas available like that, and so beautifully and professionally prepared, I feel like the Vaad is a partner in the Holy work.”

This all, along with Videos of Rebbe, a full Yud Shevat program capped by the annual Kinus Hatmimim, A Chassidisher Derher Magazine and Shabbos Achdus before Gimmel Tammuz, the Vaad’s activities have reached over 4,300 Bochurim this year alone.

“Each year, we continue to grow and strive higher,” said Rabbi Tzvi Altein, Director of the Vaad Talmidei Hatmimim. “This past year we have seen tremendous growth, and we are already in full swing continuing and expanding for the year 5777.”

And as the 16 full time, and dozens of part time volunteers attest, he will not be alone in making that a reality.