Farbrengen Outlasts the Blackout

Yud Beis Tammuz is the Yom Tov that celebrates the persistent determination over challenges and hardships that the Friediker Rebbe displayed.

Well, that’s how the Yom Tov was marked and observed this year in Baltimore, Maryland in the aftermath of a major storm with winds that knocked out power to over 500,000 homes throughout the city.

Most people remained without lights and air-conditioning after Friday night’s storm, including most Anash of Baltimore and the Bais Lubavitch shul.

The Yud Beis Tammuz Farbrengen was scheduled for Sunday night and it was decided to move the venue over to Cong. Ahavas Yisroel Tzemach Tzedek, which remained with power throughout.

Their Rov Rabbi Dovid Heber was excited to host the farbrengen as he fondly recalled to shliach Rabbi Elchonon Lisbon his own times as a child joining with his father at the Rebbe’s Yud Beis Tammuz farbrengens. With little time and limited communication possibilities the Farbrengen took place with over 50 people in attendance!

Rabbi Sholom DovBer Avtzon came to Baltimore from New York and led the Farbrengen with fascinating stories, amazing insights, and remarkable recall of many of the Rebbe’s Yud Beis Tammuz farbrengens.

He captivated the community with his exciting and engaging personality and kept the kehilla – men, women, and children – spellbound for hours and hours. An interesting Hashgocho Protis is that Mrs. Avtzon, who joined her husband on this trip, is the niece of Rabbi Mendel Feldman, A’H, who was the former Rov of this very Tzemach Tzedek shul!

Rabbi Avtzon took the opportunity of this trip to introduce the kehillah to his many books he has written on the lives of the Rebeeim and the history of Lubavitch, which were purchased in large quantities. One member of the Anash community bought a Sefer for every child who attends the Cheder Chabad of Baltimore!

May the celebrations of the Chag HaGeulah of the Friediker Rebbe hasten the true and complete redemption speedily in our days.