By COLlive reporter
March 1, 2009 was a defining moment for Chabad of the Five Towns. Barely a day after the sudden and tragic death of their nine-year-old son, the directors Rabbi Zalman and Chanie Wolowik were faced with a simple but potent decision.
Will the annual dinner go on as planned?
Chabad of the Five Towns’ annual dinner, organized by Rabbi Zalman and Chanie Wolowik, is a source of joy and celebration for this highly-populated Orthodox Jewish community in Nassau County, New York. More than 400 people registered in advance for the event with a $500 entrance fee.
The sudden and tragic passing of Levi Yitzchak Wolowik the day before, February 28, reverberated through these Long Island suburbs. Thousands arrived at the chapel in Borough Park, stood outside for the procession in Cedarhurst and watched the burial in Queens.
Many of the participants, involved with Chabad, each having been touched by the Wolowiks in some way or another, huddled together, seeking comfort. Wondering, how would the Rebbe’s Shluchim cope? What path will they take through this harshest of tests?
As it turned out, this incredible couple, to the surprise of even their families, demonstrated rare strength and conviction. On the day of the funeral, the Shluchim had a message for the community: they asked everyone to proceed with the dinner, entitled “Unity in the Community.”
“Please enjoy tonight’s dinner with the joy that it deserves – a celebration of remarkable individuals and their outstanding contribution to the work of Chabad of the Five Towns, and especially since we are in Adar, the month of joy,” they wrote to the participants.
Over 600 showed up and filled the Grand Ballroom of the Sephardic Temple in Cedarhust, NY, for the Sunday night dinner.
“On so many occasions, we were taught by our beloved Rebbe, ZY”A, that the only way to confront tragedy, to overcome and persevere – is to persist with even more energy and more joy,” the Wolowiks wrote on a personal card placed at each table.
They concluded, “There could be no greater way to honor Levi a”h. He is no doubt looking on and having Nachas from this gathering tonight.”
In that spirit, supporters were indeed honored, dinner was served and, as customary each year, the participants embarked on a Chassidic hora, celebrating with each honoree as though they were family.
While on this earth we come in contact with so many bengs. Each touch us in many ways . Some in the most remarkable ways. By their strength, their love, their deep fortitude, and their absolute dedication. Others by their powers of inspiring others with their G-d given gifts. To everyone we meet we can learn from. them something positve. This incredible father and mother – shlach and shlucha of the Rebbe – all I can say is that to have brought together so many people at such a incredibly difficult time it must have taken tremendous powers of love,… Read more »
It is amazing that everyone had the strength and courage to wipe away their tears and go put on their make up and get dressed and go dance at the dinner it is absolutly beautiful!!!!! Very impressed by the 5 towns!!!!!
I heard that at the house of shiva, chanie was consoling those that came to be menachem avel.
G-d, ad mosai???
Dear #4,
The Beis HaMigdash was destroyed due to a lack of unity, Sunday evening was a display of tremendous unity, The Wolowiks continue to rebuild our temple, one brick at a time..
moshiach now!!!
the way rabbi kotlarsky spoke really touched my soul …
may chani and zalman always go from strenght to strenght full of nachas … and we should all be reunited in yerushalayim with litle levi yitschok :'(
My heart cries while my soul dances. May the tears be wiped away, and the joy complete.
Der Rebbe Hut gihaisin freilach zein.
עצוב.
rabbi kotlarsky great work only nachas from here on
-G
The following message was placed at each table setting at Chabad’s Annual Dinner this evening. Dear Friends, Thank you for attending tonight’s dinner. We want to thank the honorees, sponsors, our fellow Shluchim and everyone else for making all of Chabad’s work here a reality. Please enjoy tonight’s dinner with the joy that it deserves – a celebration of remarkable individuals and their outstanding contribution to the work of Chabad of the Five Towns, and especially since we are in Adar, the month of joy. On so many occasions, we were taught by our beloved Rebbe, ZY”A, that the only… Read more »
I think you need to explain yourself. The Wolowiks are tied heart and soul to the Rebbe’s Shlichus, and after much deliberation and discussion, they decided this would be what the Rebbe wanted. It brought them much Nechama, as well. Zalman and Chanie and their Bli Ayin Hara wonderful children exemplify all that is good and beautiful in Chabad, and they have created a beautiful, vibrant community who love and respect them in the heart of one of the largest orthodox communities in the US. So if you want to clarify your statement NOT to mean that you are equating… Read more »
you know, people were also celebrating while the Bais Hamikdosh was being destroyed at the other end of town. How history repeats itself.
Rabbi Kotlorsky, your speech was powerful and from the heart, as always.
אוהבים אתכם .בהצלחה. מנחם ורוחי וילדים – לוד
every time there i shard situation rabbi katlarsky inspires us with right words may hashem give him nachas and gezunt and arichas yamim
beautiful affair kol hakavod to the people that came and made it so fraylich