By COLlive reporter
Photos: Shneur Shiff
Today, 19 Nissan, marks the first Yartzeit of the chosid and philanthropist R’ Mendel Drizin OBM.
In Kfar Chabad, where R’ Mendel spent his formative years, the Yartzeit was marked with the dedication of a beautiful new entrance to the “Maynotecha” Shul and Bais Medrash.
As the son of the known Mashpia and chossid R’ Avrohom Mayorer OBM, R’ Mendel spent his formative years in the village of Kfar Chabad and was from the first activists of the Rebbe‘s ufaratzta outreach efforts in Israel.
The Maynotecha program, directed by Rabbi Moshe Shilat, draws thousands of young Israelis to visit or spend Shabbos with Lubavitchers in Kfar Chabad and absorb a special Chassidic experience.
A memorial Farbrengen was held at the Bais Medrash to mark the Yartzeit, with the participation of R’ Mendel’s wife Mrs. Channy Drizin and other family members who joined via Zoom.
A memorial wall was dedicated to him in the Bais Medrash, which displays the text of his matzeiva and also notes his special connection to Mivtzoim in Israel, including the fact that he was involved in the organizing of many “Erev Chabad” events, Shabbatons and educational lectures at Yishuvim and Kibbutzim around Israel.
The memorial wall includes a photo of R’ Mendel from the last months of his life on a visit to the Kotel in Jerusalem.
The new Bais Medrash was recently renovated and reopened in time to host the Bar Mitzvah of Michoel ben Yitzchok, and the beautiful furniture, bookcases and social hall were donated by Rabbi Eliyahu Schlossberg in honor of his father, R’ Avrohom Yitzchok.
In Crown Heights, R’ Mendel’s Yartzeit will be marked at a Kinus Torah at the main shul of 770 Eastern Parkway on Thursday evening. It will take place at 8:15 PM following Maariv. Community members, bochurim and guests are invited to attend.
Beautiful. What a beautiful project in his memory! May his neshomo have an aliya. He was a very special person.
Rabbi Drizin modeled humility and grandeur simultaneously. A softspoken human being who helped many many individuals and families.