One year ago, just 7 hours after successfully planning and holding the yearly Gimmel Tammuz event at the Beverly Hills Hotel, shliach Rabbi Tzemach Cunin obm returned his young soul to its maker.
Last week, his family returned to the same location to commemorate his first yahrtzeit and the 26th anniversary of Gimmel Tammuz.
Rabbi Boruch Shlomo Cunin, father of Tzemach, gave the opening remarks, promising to continue forward and implement the Rebbe’s teaching of “V’hachai yiten el libo” with the dedication of 43 (Tzemachs age) new Chabad houses on the West Coast. Some of the 43 new shluchim and initiatives, were featured in a short video about Tzemach and this everlasting dedication to his memory.
The keynote speaker, best selling author, Rabbi Simon Jacobson, spoke profoundly and passionately about the secret behind the Rebbe’s enduring influence 26 years after his physical passing, the nature of true leadership — and transformative lessons we each can apply from the Rebbe’s empowering teachings.
The event was highlighted by heartfelt tribute from actor Jon Voight, close friend of Tzemach’s, who expressed the warmth and joy that Tzemach brought to everyone he encountered. He told of how Tzemach had helped him prepare for his role of Noah, teaching him the Torah’s perspective.
Chasidic singer Eli Marcus lent his beautiful voice to the evening, singing a selection of niggunim that were taught by the Rebbe.
Goldie Cunin introduced a video she produced honoring her father and asking everyone to participate in a new hachlata in his memory and the Begun brothers, nephews of Tzemach, sang the Avraham Fried classic, “a tatteh bistu” in dedication to their late uncle.
The evening was produced by Chaim Marcus.
Click here to watch a full replay:
Just watched this. So so moving. Rabbi Jacobson’s talk was the highlight – succinctly expressing the Rebbe’s impact. One of the best talks I ever heard.