Chasidic Warmth in Cold Ukraine

By Raizel Gutnick

Once again the students of Seminary Chaya Mushka and Machon Alte merited to be a part of an incredible journey to Ukraine. With the tremendous opportunity to visit the kevarim of our rabbeim and remarkable Chassidim, the girls drove through the white winter landscape, windy roads, and small Ukranian village towns, and truly felt they were on a journey back through time as the stories of Chassidim and their Rabbeim suddenly came to life.

Led by Rabbi Moyal of Tsaft and Rabbi Chanoch Rosenfeld, every destination was flowing with the wisdom and teachings of each Rebbe, stirring stories and niggunim- as each Rebbe and his contemporaries’ message and vision penetrated every girl.

From Levi Yitchak of Berditchev, Reb Zusha of Anipoli, and from the Baal Shemtov, Maggid to the Mittler Rebbe, the girls were invigorated with a new rush of vitality, love, and deep joy that always culminated in a circle of girls dancing and singing niggunim, pulsating with boundless joy and true heartfelt connection to their Rebbeim, who suddenly felt more personal and accessible than ever. As well, they were deeply empowered to continue their Jewish heritage and ideals with a new vigor and passion after their heart – rending visit to Babi Yar.

The Double Decker bus quickly transformed into a ‘farbrengen on wheels’ fuelled by an endless stream of abundant inspiration, rich learning and constant growth. Starkly contrasted by the bitter Ukrainan landscape and mentality, engraved in all the girls minds and hearts was the vivid recognition of what it means to be a Chossid- full of life, warmth, and permeated with the richness of Chassidus. Each one felt they could truly appreciate and sense the obvious mesiras Nefesh of the Chassidim of old, and merited to see the continuation of the indescribably awe-inspiring Shluchim who exemplified the devotion and true mesiras nefesh of a Chossid.

As expressed so poignantly by Shliach Rabbi Wilhelm of Zhitomer, that the primary expressions of a typical Ukrainian is “Problem” and “Tomorrow”, as a life burdened by only physical and bodily concerns, surely pulls you down. However, as a Chossid, who lives an uplifted life and constantly connected above and to his Rebbe, there is NO obstacle that cannot be dealt with TODAY!

The girls merited to see the revitalization of vibrant Jewish life in Ukraine, as Shluchim of Zhitomer, Berditchev, Kiev, Chmeilnitski, Zeperatza and Dnepropetrovsk, and shared their incredible journeys and moving stories, together with a warm delicious meal and a tour of their exceptional institutions, schools, orphanages, and shuls, selflessly catering to the needs of every Jew they can reach.

The climax of the trip was the merit to be in Haditch by the Alter Rebbe for Chaf Daled Teves, equipped with hachana, panim and tefillos both personal and for the Jewish people as a whole. Other highlights included an uplifting Shabbos in Mezibuz where the unshakable unity of diverse Chassidim was tangible as they experienced the dynamic and ‘hartzig’ farbrengens, seder niggunim and davening in the Baal Shemtov’s Shul- they felt as if they had truly spent Shabbos with he Baal Shemtov. The special ending in Dnepropetrovsk, where the girls explored the hometown of our Rebbe and his parents, while staying in the magnificent Menorah Chabad House Hotel, was the ultimate culmination of the journey from the past to the present, continuing the vision of our Rebbe to spread the Wellsprings of our Chassidic Masters.

The unexpected airline complications couldn’t damper the extraordinary spirits of the girls as they continued to farbreng in the airports. Armed with a realization that a Jew has a mission and purpose wherever he is found, a forlorn airport in southern Ukraine became the center of Jewish pride and unity, as by Divine Providence, 6 Jewish souls had a chance to put on Teffilin (for some a first and many a gap of years) and reignite their connection with their Creator and heritage.

Words can not express the thanks and appreciation of each girl to their Principal, Mrs. Rochel Leah Rosenfeld, whose selfless dedication and limitless energy powered the entire trip. A special thanks to our Rabbis on board, Rabbi Moyal, Chanoch Rosenfeld, and special guest Rabbi Minkowitz, Reb Avner and memorable farbrengers (including Rabbi Leibel Groner, Rabbi Heber, Rabbi Bolton) and the outstanding Shluchim who showed us unbelievable hospitality and illuminated us with the fire and ‘varmkeit’ of living with the Rebbe’s mission (Rabbi and Rebbetzin Wilhelm, Azman, Erentreu, Finegold, Webber, Kaminetzky, Thaler and Lipshitz).

It all could not have been possible if not for the generosity of the parents who surely recognized the everlasting impression of the trip and its undeniable role in strengthening each girl’s personal hiskashrus to our Rebbe, particularly in the lead up to Yud Shvat.