By COLlive reporter
Photos: Menush Amit
A group of chassidim gathered on Sunday night in Getzel’s Shul in Crown Heights to celebrate the 50th birthday of their relative, classmate and colleague – Rabbi Levi Shemtov, a Chabad Shliach in West Bloomfield, Michigan.
The farbrengen took place on Sunday immediately after the gala banquet of the International Kinus Hashluchim in Edison, New Jersey, that highlighted the dedicated work of Chabad Shluchim and Shluchos worldwide.
Still wearing their convention tags, Shluchim were joined by Crown Heights residents gathered around set tables and said L’chaim wishing Rabbi Shemtov a happy birthday and a successful year ahead.
Among the speakers were his brother Rabbi Yossie Shemtov – Head Shliach of Tucson, Arizona; brother-in-law, Rabbi Sholom Duchman, Executive Director of the Colel Chabad charity; his close friend, Rabbi Efraim Mintz, Director of the Jewish Learning Institute (JLI); his cousin Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Head Shliach of Washington, DC; and others.
Rabbi Shemtov is the co-founder of the Friendship Circle, a trailblazing nonprofit organization that pairs teen volunteers with individuals with special needs. Together, they form a lasting friendship and assist those with developmental disabilities to eventually live independently.
Friendship Circle has spawned 80 branches at Chabad centers across the United States, Canada, Australia and the world, channeling the Rebbe’s care and love for every single Jew.
Levi and his wife jointly founded what has become legendary in hundreds of communities around the world. The zchuss of friendship circles worldwide should bring many blessings to him and his family.
Mazel Tov Levi!! Lechaim and all the Brochos!!!