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Wednesday, 26 Adar I, 5784
  |  March 6, 2024

Flatbush Girl Finds Chabad

From the COLlive inbox: 23-year-old Tamara G. who grew up in Flatbush, Brooklyn and now lives in Manhattan, says she found Chabad and "refuses to return it." Full Story

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Great
July 16, 2013 7:32 pm

Nice to see young people writing their stories on here. Also, you write really well.

Wow
July 16, 2013 11:32 am

You should spread chassidus and light in Flatbush. Share the richness with your friends and family!! You’ll be great!!

#22 - Not Only For Chassidus
July 15, 2013 11:41 pm

I’ve been to multiple Chabad houses with my complete Litvak self and I’ve always been welcomed with open arms. No Chassidus necessary.

Great article
July 15, 2013 9:08 pm

…and great shluchim. BH you found some of our best and brightest! Silbersteins, Birks, and Levingers are all top notch!

Woah
July 15, 2013 8:12 pm

You write beautifully. Great job!

AMAZING ARTICLE!!!
July 14, 2013 11:32 pm

The Silbersteins are incredible people, you’re so lucky to have been with them!

You are an amazing writer!! Kol Hakavod!

AGREE AGREE
July 12, 2013 4:26 pm

agree agree agree.

Unity
July 12, 2013 4:25 pm

it’s amazing to see that many of the comments highlighted a point she made- not to label everyone.Us Frum Jews are like little siblings, we always fight, but deep down we love each other tremendously. Therefore throughout history whenever a bully ( any tzoros)started up with one of our brothers/ sisters we immediately banded together -in unity.
If only we increase in our ahavas chinam on a constant basis (not to label /mock /disrespect…each other) i’m sure Moshiach will be here in the blink of an eye.

Umm...
July 12, 2013 10:42 am

Yea you are pretty awesome. Good luck w all the shiduch suggestions!

change of pace
July 12, 2013 5:46 am

Its great to see these beautiful positive articles on col.specially in the nine days.keep it coming. Eventhough controversial is also bbeneficial

truly amazing
July 12, 2013 5:40 am

Hope ur article encourages others to write & share their experiences w finding chabad &how it impacted their life.its a great idea for the right person to compile these stories into a book.hope to hear from u in the near future as your further experiemces(that of a young successful w it person)impact ur life &can inspire others too.

thank you so much for taking the time to put these thoughts on paper and share with us
July 12, 2013 3:01 am

May you build a beautiful lichtig home and reach out to people like yourself

ME TOO
July 12, 2013 12:41 am

I too came to chabad sixty years ago from a frum family that was virulently against chabad and its philosophy. And all I can say every day is ASHREINU MATOV CHELKAYNU that I am part of this wonderful community and have a Rebbe who is there for us no matter what or how,

career
July 12, 2013 12:14 am

you write very linguistically. I think you should write a book about this.

tamara
July 12, 2013 12:09 am

you are beautiful, inside and out, truly

tamara
July 11, 2013 11:47 pm

I would love to meet you some day. Many speak from their mouth; you speak from your heart. Your article is only sincerity. Its also a bit humorous, but touching in the kind of way that only special people can do. It gave me the chills. May you find a beshert very soon and merit internal happiness.
D. L. S.

to #30 and #34
July 11, 2013 11:33 pm

am with you totally!! Living in LA, i feel so amazed how much unity is essential in the community. Its a privilege to live there. And as for Tamara, I personally think you have a special writing skill. Maybe you should write a book someday, or become an editor. You are definately inspiring. And may you find your beshert very soon, amen!

to #10
July 11, 2013 11:27 pm

what if your of different genders? kidding.
Very nice. very well writen.

Future Shlucha guaranteed ...
July 11, 2013 10:35 pm
So Insightful!!!
July 11, 2013 9:37 pm

Beautifully written and powerful <3

To 49
July 11, 2013 8:36 pm

Yep! Me too!

wow!!!
July 11, 2013 7:47 pm

nice writing…….would love you for a daughter-in-law!

Great writing style!
July 11, 2013 3:33 pm

This can be your career…

Inspirational on all levels!!
July 11, 2013 1:53 pm

Now all of us who have so to speak “had Chabad” find what Tamara has written about so beautifully!!
Her depth and talent is extraordinary—but then every Jew can find and appreciate all that she has —with a bit of real effort!!!

Boruch Nissim Hoffinger HaKohaine... BS"D
July 11, 2013 1:34 pm

Dear Ms. Tamara G.,
‘Nefesh Eloquit’: Thanks for finding me.
Very proud of you.
“Moshiach will come when your wellsprings (Teaching of ‘Chassidus’) flow over.”
HaShem said this to The Bal Shem Tov in one of the rabbi’s ascensions into Gan Eden.
Very well written…moving; meaningful. ‘Todah’ COLlive.com

32 important reminder
July 11, 2013 1:08 pm

I agree

Chasidus works!

Not all who claim to represent it, really do

YES!
July 11, 2013 11:59 am

One day some lucky (chabad?) guy is going to marry you and you are going to raise a special kind of family in Klal Yisroel.

touched
July 11, 2013 9:31 am

You have real writing talent coupled with an openess and sincerity that is so moving- hatzlacha rabba in spreading the wellsprings even further…

Impressive
July 11, 2013 7:18 am

You graduated from Cornell Law and you’re only 23? That’s amazing. Congrats.

Wow
July 11, 2013 4:46 am

I have known you since 9th grade and in never occured to me you write this well! No wonder our English teachers always loved you.

I KNOW HER!
July 11, 2013 2:31 am

WOAH WOAH WOAH!!!!

GO TAMAR, GO.

:-)
July 11, 2013 2:30 am

Great read, but her final thoughts (to me) were most poignant. Growing up in a “gezsh” family (how the heck is it spelled anyway?), living in CH attending OT it was made very clear that the entire world, including the rest of the frum world, can KIT. Many of you reading this comment are thinking…..that’s correct, so what? Punkfarkert (reader still thinking), that’s why Lubavitch (I don’t like saying “Chabad.”……something to do with it’s hipster-ness) is so successful as Shluchim and (according to Col front page news) in business as well. Our braitkyt and KOV mentality. I got news, that’s… Read more »

Cried
July 11, 2013 1:39 am

I cried reading this. You have touched many hearts Tamara!

The Silberstiens
July 11, 2013 1:15 am

I was with them in Tannersville, the Catskills one summer and they are so brilliant that i cannot fathom why we in Chabad are not benefiting more from them… they could have their own website… non-stop shiurim and farbrengens. They don’t just teach.. they make you think, really think… but more than that, they are such good, caring people with such a great sense of humour – honestly, these people need to be promoted more!!! For our sakes!

Awesome!
July 11, 2013 1:08 am

Great writing, great message.

FLATBUSH FOR THE WIN!

Wow!
July 11, 2013 1:06 am

Thank you Tamara for this beautiful article.
You expressed so well the beauty of Chabad and what you find there in words that are relatable to all. You inspired me. Thank you! May you grow in all good ways and build a beautiful Yiddishe home!
A campus Shliach

#30
July 11, 2013 12:21 am

I TOTALLY AGREE!!!
I AM ON SHLICHUS BUT DONT GO TO A LUBAVITCH SCHOOL AND LOVE THE FACT THAT LA IS SO OPEN TO THAT IDEA, I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE, AND THATS HOW EVERYTHING IS IN LA.
SOME OF MY (NON-LUBAVITCH) FRIENDS FATHERS GO TO LUBAVITCH SHULS AND EVERYONE MINGLES TOGETHER.
GO LA-ERS!
AND THIS WAS A GREAT ARTICLE TO READ, AND EVERYONE SHOULD REALLY TAKE IT TO HEART, AND NOT BE SO INTO CLASSIFING GROUPS OG JEWS, WHY CANT WE ALL JUST LIVE IN UNITY???

shiduch
July 10, 2013 11:50 pm

so are you looking for a chabad guy

Chabad is great! Indeed! (When it's teachings are followed)
July 10, 2013 11:39 pm

Be careful of those (some) who, present themselves as “chabad” but don’t exactly live by its teachings and values

If someone shows selective Ahavat Yisroel, Disrespect for Torah, Disrespect to another human being, then they are NOT CHABAD, they are misrepresenting chabad.

Only the Rebbes, their words and teachings define chasidis, those who follow those teachings authentically are authentic Chasidim/followers

Cornell Roitman Chabad
July 10, 2013 10:40 pm

The Silbersteins, the Birks and their entire families have turned the town up sidedown, infusing ruchnius into every neshama they come in contact with. May they continue in good health in their good works. Tamara – good luck on the bar 🙂

los angeles
July 10, 2013 10:21 pm

Very well written article.

One of the many reasons I love to live in L.A. is the fact that all types of yidden live in one area. The neighbor on my right it’s sephardic, while the neighbor on my left is yeshivish. We learn to respect and appreciate each other’s ways of avodah.

incredibly moved
July 10, 2013 9:44 pm

Tamara, you impress me not only with your deep-seated connection to Chassidus but also with your excellent writing skills. May you be zoche to touch more souls with words that come from the heart.

Have you ever tried to submit your story to N’shei magazine or the Jewish Woman (chabad.org’s women’s sub site)?

Having visited the Silberstein’s many a time, I can relate with with what you are saying- I have been touched by Rabbi Eli’s rendering of Sichas on the parsha or yomtov and by Mrs.’s insights into just about anything.
-D.B.

beautiful!
July 10, 2013 9:39 pm

such a nicely written article.

Awesome article
July 10, 2013 9:09 pm

Hi Tamara you wrote this so beautifully .
I agree with everything you said
And if more people would stop labeling each other
The world would be a better place and more children would find their besherts I hope you do soon .mn

INCREDIBLE!
July 10, 2013 8:39 pm

INCREDIBLE, INCREDIBLE, INCREDIBLE! Please tell me where I can meet you. This is the first time I have ever read anything like this. Please write more.

Beautiful article!
July 10, 2013 8:21 pm

Tamara, I was deeply inspired by your piece!
I believe you’ll really enjoy this when you got a chance!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKBeuiXQf3E

Wow!
July 10, 2013 8:16 pm

Absolutely incredible!! Love love love!
So full of humor and so full of truth!

More seforim -
July 10, 2013 8:10 pm

– time for the books of the Vilna Gaon and Reb Chaim Volozhiner to grace the shelves of Jewish homes –

Skeptic
July 10, 2013 8:06 pm

Chabad is great with people who are interested in learning chassidus – they are not so interested or friendly to those Orthodox Jews who are not so inclined.

Good for you!
July 10, 2013 8:02 pm

I applaud you Tamara, for speaking up and sharing your experiences with us; I’m inspired that you found inspiration!

Not told often enough!
July 10, 2013 7:39 pm

Great story, I would love to hear more like this.

wow!
July 10, 2013 7:38 pm

Toma, I am so impressed (not surprised) just impressed. Loved the piece. Might return to my local chabad soon
Care to join us? Alla G.

to #14
July 10, 2013 7:23 pm

I was in Baltimore last year, and I tried making a Chavrusa with a Bochur in Ner Yisroel to learn Tanya. Anyways, when I followed up with him, he told me he had to go home for a few months, but as a matter of fact, his father has a Tanya at home (although he himself has never learned from it)…its time for Limud HaChassidus to take over the world at large…Nem a Misnaged Un Lern Mitt Em, trust me, he’s just waiting for you to ask him!!

Hi from DC
July 10, 2013 7:12 pm

Happy to see you saw the light.

When you lived in Washington you didnt seem as sure. Did the Shemtovs finally tip the scale for you?

i got two words.....
July 10, 2013 7:01 pm

UN – BELIEVABLE!

wow
July 10, 2013 6:39 pm

this is beautiful
thank you for sharing

Bayis Moleh Seforim--
July 10, 2013 6:21 pm

Time for Tanya to grace more Jewish shelves.
Time for Likkutei Moharan to grace more Jewish shelves. Etc.

age.
July 10, 2013 6:20 pm

i came to chabad sixty three years ago ,i feel the same as “tamara” this was in israel ,now my age is seventy five,with four children ,thirty grand children ,twelve great grand children,all are chabad ,and growing .zaidy.

Amazing!!!!!!!
July 10, 2013 6:12 pm

I’ve read this over maybe 25x now. Incredible. This should be the norm.

the truth
July 10, 2013 5:58 pm

Beautiful!!!!! May you always be a light onto the nations

To #7
July 10, 2013 5:32 pm

I just want to shake your hand one day.

Words from the heart...
July 10, 2013 5:31 pm

Dearest Tamar; Words from the heart, enter the heart. Your letter oozes sincerity. It’s very rare since I have heard someone speak with such honesty and sincerity. But for this, I feel sad. Why? Because when people such as yourself, are the type that can ‘think outside of the box’, the majority of the time they get blown away and therefore, discouraged, frustrated, and hurt. Ignorance is bliss. I’m sure you’ve heard this before. So, I’m just hoping and praying that you will find your bershet, stay happy and optimistic in life, have and love your children. Be kind to… Read more »

Had the privillege of getting to know the Cornell Shluchim
July 10, 2013 5:31 pm

They are truly incredible people, and so unique in the world we live in today. You’ve touched many people’s lives, as you’ve touched Tamara’s. May G-d bless you to go from strength to strength, and have only revealed good always!

this is the way it is suppose to be
July 10, 2013 4:29 pm

I hope chabad accepts the same way she accepts chabad….

Very nice!
July 10, 2013 4:00 pm

Interestingly enough, over 100 years ago, Mark Twain made similar observations regarding Jewish factions (re: “Concerning the Jews”, by Mark Twain).

Incredible
July 10, 2013 3:52 pm

Rabbi Levinger is the kindest, smartest and most patient person I ever met! Go, Mayanot GO!!!

Very Nice
July 10, 2013 3:43 pm

Rabbis Silberstein and Birk are both top notch!

thank you
July 10, 2013 3:38 pm

Inspirational. Stick around for a while, we need people like you in Chabad.

Nice
July 10, 2013 3:34 pm

Wow–very strong writing–well done!

wow
July 10, 2013 3:31 pm

incredibly well written

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