From the COLlive inbox:
By Rabbi Avrohom Brashevitzky – Chabad of Doral, Florida
Now that many of the Kinusim, the regional conventions for Chabad Shluchim, have taken place, I felt the need to share the following.
Many of us, who attended these kinusim, can be considered the “little guys.” Not in height or prowess, rather the small-area Shluchim. The ones that you hardly hear about – not even on COLlive.com.
When Rosh Hashana comes around we daven like everybody else – just with an extra hope. Maybe this year we will have a nice crowd for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. And let’s be realistic: by “nice crowd,” a small Shliach may mean 50 or 80 Yidden or who knows, if we really win the lottery – 100+.
Maybe this year we will finally merit to see those community members and unaffiliated folks we’ve been pestering for all those years. After all, I’ve been to his place of business and put on Tefillin and discussed Yiddishkiet and repeated all my corny jokes and for so many years. Was I poi’el anything?
How many times does a small-town Shliach think to himself, “Where is this heading to?” How many sad tales and depressing thoughts could the interior of your home, office or car relate – if only they can talk…
We didn’t make it to the Chabad headlines on COLlive or Lubavitch International, because there’s no “real” news. We never had an issue with zoning because we are so small that our “whole big crowd” goes unnoticed most of the time. We can wish we got a knock on the door, “Sorry you got too many people congregating here.” Some of us would have been excellent at evading the KGB…
Please, nobody misunderstand. It’s not that the “small” shliach is just Davening Baaavodah and reading Zohar all day. In fact, the “little guy” has to work extra hard to 1. justify his existence (b’Ruchniyus), and 2. to exist (financially). Most are out there breaking their backs and “making it happen.”
Like everything else in life, there’s a boss. Everything is b’hasgocha Protis. Perhaps (actually, most likely) if it was your destiny to be in the “big place” I’m certain that you would have done so much more than the guy who’s “so successful”, as you are a much harder worker and are so much more ambitious. It’s not your fault nor Cheshbon to know why your Neshama and your Birurim are in this place which you are.
Isn’t this the whole point of the Meshaleiach? Wasn’t it his desire and demand that we go out to every Jew? Did you ever read the Sicha about going out to small places? The Rebbe describes it as Mes Mitzvah with whom nobody really wants to get involved. The Rebbe describes how far dem Oibrshten passt tzu ton “v’attem teluktu l’Echad Echad Bnei Yisroel”, to take each Yid by the hand, back home”. Hey buddy, you were chosen. Hashgocha Ha’elyoina decided that someone special like you; with a very small ego will go out there to reach his Banim Yechiddim.
Perhaps others would not be able to survive the difficulties and loneliness of being in a small place. No flares, no bells n’ whistles, just you and your job (tzu oisfirren di Kavone!) And of course: Our Dear Rebbe!
Take a trip to the bigger established communities and you will find many families from the “smaller places” who have relocated there as a result of your Hashpa’ah! I know that when they left it was like “Vayichad Yisro” – you were both sad and happy. I know that with them went 20 – 30% of your Minyan (or “regulars”). But that’s what it’s all about.
Perhaps we don’t always see the effects of our hard work (after all we don’t and most chances are won’t have a big building or a network of mosdos). But don’t let the Yetzer hara get to you. You are doing a wonderful job! I can’t tell you how many people I have met over time who “heard about us” but it took several years till we got to meet. But that’s the whole point: We ARE there AND we make the difference for them.
So, as you worry, dream, fantasize about the big crowd you hope to have this year, please don’t get pulled down. Don’t get depressed about the lonely Sukkos or Simchas Torah; The Rebbe IS with you!
Before I conclude I must apologize to you. I really wrote this for myself. I was itching for a pat in the back. I needed to get my name on COLlive (hey, it’s been a while), sorry I used you. To boot this time you have to suffice with quantity instead of quality. However, even after so many words, not enough has been said to fully salute the “small” shluchim.
Especially the part about the upcoming yomim tovim, truly a hard moment, from fellow ‘small’ time shluchim
Thank you COL for posting something like this!
I’m surprised that 55 comments later and no-one has addressed comment no.5. What indeed is being done to help the struggling Shliach who is no good at fundraising but doing the Rebbe’s work? I think the Shluchim Headquarters need to address this problem… it’s no joke! What can we as a community do to help?
Big establishment Chabad prides itself at every kinus for boasting over 4000 shluchim, and yet, all we talk about is maybe 200 big guys.
Just remember that the “small shluchim” make up 95% of the “rebbe’s army”.
there would be no glitzy kinus banquet without them. So give them the respect and recognition that they deserve.
You are the “small shaliach” who brought me and my family to frumkeit and enabled us to move to a larger Lubav community. YOU brought the heilige Rebbe into our lives. You encouraged us to get the proper chinuch for our children even when it meant we would have to move. The personal attention and close relationship we had with you and your rebbetzin cannot be duplicated in a larger community. Our impact here is “smaller.” Know how many people besides us have become frum due to your coming along beside us, not judging, just encouraging. The years by our… Read more »
I printed out this article and the comments and gave it the shaliach who came to speak at our RH Elul farby last night…in a “small” town….well, it was the cornerstone of his farbringen! Just thought you’d appreciate knowing that your influence goes way beyond Doral…..
Not necessarily are they not on collive because they had so few people etc.. They actually have amazing turnouts, life changing stories and blessings of the Rebbe revealed in front of their eyes each day! And the Shluchos being done, creative ideas being practiced, proactivness in every area reached to the highest. The difference is what it’s done for: these Shluchim are doing the Shluchos of the rebbe and that’s all that matters to them. They are accomplishing as much as the big shot is but they don’t have on thier agenda to ‘ be in collive, and earn kavod… Read more »
Just like some people have lots of social friends, and some people have a few deep friends.
You shluchim play the numbers game. Just look at the Yom Tov reports asking for numbers.
Be grateful you have a shlichus, and remember it’s not about you, but about your mission, and your commander.
Soon, soon, you will all be standing at the head of the line…
I did not merit to go on Shlichus, and while I try my best to make my home a Beis Chabad and do my part, I am jealous of all of you!
Keep up your amazing work for the last leg of the ride, and may we all merit the immediate and complete Geulah NOW!!!
What a beautifully written item, and great to see this posted – good choice COL.
#12 is a great response and well written….obviously helpful to many….as are all the nice thoughts.
Not much to add here so all of you small guys keep it up – and all of you big guys continue what you guys are doing too – as there is a need and a purpose on ALL levels.
Wow! Your words are SO heartwarming and sweet!! What beautiful hakaros hatov!
when you took my son and some other boys from the Miami school to crown Heights for Yud Shevat, I’ll never forget how you took the entire project upon yourself, as “just” their rebbe..and at the airport? when you and the fathers and the boys sang and danced to “teire breder” — it still brings tears to my eyes, and that was about 10 or 11 years ago! thank you for everything…and for giving the Rebbe such nachas!
’cause I bet it’s the modest ‘small’ shluchim (who don’t appear on COL e.d.) who’ll get a nice seat in Olam Habbah…!
Thank you for your response – likewise, I was touched and brought to tears by your generous, authentic, and reaffirming feedback. I feel I relate so much to your experience, being that I have come to learn (from people like you and the Rebbe) to consider myself (and work to be) a “shaliach” and ohr l’goy – based “simply” on the merit of being part of a large (yet, relatively “small” in relation to the rest of the world) “organization” called, “Am Yisroel” 🙂 “Membership” begets HUGE responsiblity which the yetzer hara works extra diligently to distract us from, G-d… Read more »
Please share the letter!!
For voicing the thoughts of so many! Uplifting to read! In the words of 8th day – Give it all you got! Your Kochos are meant to be right where you are – so give it your best, this is where you’re needed most.
A fellow small town Shlucha
Dear comment #12
Your comment was heartwarming and made me cry! Your comment should be posted as an article on its own!
Very special of you to take the time and recognize in public the effort, work and care that the “small” Shlich made in your life at the time!
We are all human and we therefore all benefit and get encouraged by true and real feedback!
In 1969 I and my partner were on Merkos Shlichus in the South and my itinerary called for us to spend two days in Little Rock Arkansas. i had a list of four Jews to visit but upon calling ahead I learned that only one person was gong to be in town. I called Rabbi Chodakov, explained the situation, and asked him if we should skip Little Rock and continue on to our next destination where there were many more Jews. Rabbi Chodakov said ” America just spend over a Billion dollars to send people to the moon, and there… Read more »
Not only was this a beautiful piece and very inspiring, but the following comments are very inspiring as well! What a pleasure to read wonderful comments.
This is truly one of the more meaningful pieces of collive.com. It gives anash who live in larger communities and CH a perspective on how to view those with no one around or very few who relate to them on a daily basis. Keep up the good work to all of you. I think there were some meaningful comments but the ikar is to know that the Meshaleyach is with you always. When you are connected to him, you are truly connected and not alone. I think shluchim in small communities should learn with one another on skype. And to… Read more »
Great post! Thank you Rabbi Brashevitzky for sharing your feeling, truly inspirational. I can identify with every world you write, literally! It’s interesting – as a small town Shliach myself, with the same challenges as you – I find that often after long periods of working without seeing any fruit of our labor and then questioning what we are doing here etc. We end up finding out how a person from our small group of people was positively affected by something said at a class or done at a program, and at the time didn’t even realize it would have… Read more »
I grew up with small shluchim but after moving to an established community, with schools and all sorts of program, I miss that personal touch. In all the small towns I’ve lived in the “small shluchim” knew absolutely everything there was to know about me. And after almost 3 years in a big community in south florida, I can barely get a good shabbos. When I have a personal matter to discuss, I call the small shluchim! Keep in mind a lot of big shluchim’s main objective when making an event is to get it posted on col. I’ve heard… Read more »
This came at just the right time. Thank you for that extra push and I will try to remember this article throughout the day.
Let’s keep each other warm and strong!
May the Aibershter give you Hatzlacha in everything
#12, your comment was very heartwarming and really made me feel better (more than any of the other comments!).
And I just want to add specifically that a HUGE token of this gratitude should be directed at the Shluchim on campus throughout the USA and the world. Let me tell you that if you’re a ” little” shliach on campus all of the above applies AND some, with no consistent Baalei batim, so to speak. Stam, I’m not a shliach (yet, one day IY’H) but I have seen shluchim on campus in action, and it’s mamosh incredible.
And such true comments too.Its MUch harder to be a “small” shliach.Hashem will repay u!!
Wow! what powerful words! There is no doubt that this issue should be addressed and that the Kinus organizers should be sensitive to it. Generally speaking at the Kinusim, the big story makes the headlines, the major miracle has everyone talking. There must be a focus on “small” communities so eloquently described above and also a focus on the “difficulties” experienced. Those are very real and if we only focus on the RaRa aspects, then the Shliach suffering might think he is the only one with problems while everyone else is flying high. Of course the point is to be… Read more »
That was my first Peasach away from home. Wow I wonder how we did it? which I was there again if that was not the small town ! You hit the nail on the head!
The Brashevitskys , though “small” in stature , rise to great heights through their amazing work in their Chabad House in Doral…l’chayil m’chayil !!!
and I forgot to mention- The BIG shluchim could never have reached into my soul- I needed a more personal touch. I have no doubt that is true for many others as well.
Thanks to the small shluchim, I am a proud mother of 9 and grandmother to kein ayin hara 20 so far beautiful grandchildren- all thanks to you “small” guys. When a Jew walks properly in the streets, there is no telling how much good is accomplished. So consider mine as part of yours and you will see how really BIG you are.
In many ways you have put words to my feelings. We are on Shlichus here for 25+ years, dedicatedly serving the community in the ways the Rebbe has told us. We never built a chabad house – that was not the kind of Shlichus we were given. We were given chinuch, explicitly by the Rebbe. And no fancy shiny state of the art chabad house was built next to our house, and if you heard my last name, it probably wouldn’t ring a bell. And we just keep swimming, year after year, with no hoorahs being sung for us, many… Read more »
19 years! We all – silently and painfully – have the same thoughts going thru our mind.
Ashreinu… that todays younger Shluchim are so inspiring, so dedicated and extremly committed to the Rebbe’s Shlichus.
at the beginning, they had to go outside to invite a 10th person to make the minyan at 770! Rabbi Yosiaf Goldstein tells how on Rosha Hashana night after davening he was helping the Friedicke Rebbitzin (!) collect the machzorim and straighten out the Beis Medrash upstairs.
You are bigger than you think. We love you and appreciate all your efforts. May you go from strength to strength and Keep up the good work. There is your pat on the back. Chodesh tov to you and your whole family.
I live in a big, well established community in Southern California. In our area we have many Chabad houses, and even more shluchim. All of them are very special people and hard working. But, believe it or not it’s not all that shiny. Some shluchim have a problem with their ego – fame is not for everyone. Some concentrate on the “big fish” only, because now obviously all the programs and buildings need to be supported somehow. So, if you’re not one of them you’re out of the “club”. But most important, because it’s a big community, with many programs,… Read more »
You are so right to share the rebbe’s words on the different “tastes” of Hashem.
TY
To all of you “small” shluchim, there is absolutely nothing small about you, you shluchim are gigantic, choosing to go out into pockets of the world to uncover all the remaining sparks. As a perosn living within the comforts of a community, my wants sometimes become clouded with wordly desires, but you, you only want more kedusha, and you feel it constantly, and this is what it takes to make you happy! You are such a strong soldier of Hashem, and you are the pioneers in changing the world and preparing it for Moshiach! There are not enough words to… Read more »
Keep up the amazing job,even the kohen gadol had to clean up thr ketores,you are doing avodas hakodesh
thnx 4 sharing that. it so true, ppl r always going 4 the crazy exotic shluchim, and forget about the “lil guyz”
Rabbi Brashevitzky you were my teacher in 7th grade Oholei Torah, and let me tell you what you have done for me was no “small work” you really worked hard to instill in us a love for learning torah and for that I will always be grateful. Doral Florida is lucky to have you!
Z.F.
golf clap!!!
from a former talmid
Well written, except for one small (pun unintended) word: small. What constitutes small? I am a Shliach in a relatively small town, a fellow traveler so to speak. I don’t consider myself small. That word has been struck out of my vocabulary. One is as small as one think’s one is..and as great as one once to be. No need to fret, there are small challenges for small communities, and big challenges for big communities, each and every one of us has a responsibility to rise and realize that we are a sum total of a much, much, much bigger… Read more »
That you took the time to right this all down.
In all sincerity as a bochur who’s been to a “few chabad houses” I can honestly say its you guys with the small ones that will always be my hero’s (role models) keep up the good work. And always remember chabad loves you.
Well put article. Missing one thing… MOSHIACH!! That’s what keeps me going, and should keep all Shluchim – big and little!
I know you were the teacher in Bais Chaya and my daughter learned so much from you. Besides your shluchis work, you also had an impact on a student far from home who was inspired and loved learning- yes, thanks to you!
In the early years of COL they would pick up the stories of the “small Shliach” just by monitoring new photo albums posted on Chabad.org websites. However today it seems that the barometer to get noticed by COL is way too high, perhaps a change of attitude at the editorial level of COL would make the “small town Shliach” feel a little better and show the world that Shlichus is not just about fancy dinners and large building campaigns.
It is due to Shluchim like you that I am Here today. Raising a wonderful family who owes every thing to the Rebbe who sends people like you. Thank You!!
May you see Chassidishe Nachas from yours in return for all you do
Wow amazing read maybe in order for this OP-ED to have greater reach if its possible to cut down on the the yiddish phrases as not everyone can fully understand them.
It becomes less about you and the big programs you can run and more about the actual Jew and the Mitzvah. In a small town, your inspiration doesn’t come from the women’s circle that was so beautiful, or the smiling faces in a preschool classroom. Because you don’t have enough ladies to run one of those programs, or enough families to have a school, or even a youth club. Your inspiration comes from the lady who has a tear falling down her cheek as she tells you she’s so happy you moved here, because on Yom Kippur this is the… Read more »
There is no such thing as a small Shaliach! You are bigger than you think or know. Your impact is surely far-reaching, though you may not always see or hear it. I was once standing at a Yerushalayim bus stop when a young girl looked at me and asked, “Do you remember me?” I did not, as time and her transformation was not familiar to me. Turned out that her family was one of my son’s first mekuravim when he first started his Shlichus, and the parents eventually moved to Israel as a result of wanting a frum environment for… Read more »
Dear “Small” Shluchim, YOU are the place where I came back to Yiddishkite, thank G-d. You gave me the personal attention I needed that I don’t receive with the “big” guys. This includes you opening the doors to your home, where I became an “adopted” ben bayit – invited to sleep over for Shabbos so I didn’t have to drive, being with your beautiful family for celebrations, yomim tovim, and just participating in everyday chores, volunteer work & “hanging out” (connecting and learning). YOU, in your home and in your small shul, are where I learned about REAL daily living… Read more »
Thank you for saying what is on our minds, my husband and I ask each other each day what difference are we making in our Makom Shluchis? It is so hard to have these struggles when it seems like you’re the only ones. Hatzlachah to you!! May you see the purpose and clarity of your shluchis soon!
corny jokes allright 🙂
I have a letter the Rebbe wrote to my father Reb Avrohom Dovid Tennenhaus, after he made a Farbrengen in the small town we lived in Bathurst,New Brunswick, Canada. My father had written the Rebbe that the Yud Tes Kislev Farbrengen he organized did not have the same geshmak as the Yud Tes Kislev Farbrengens in Montreal. The Rebbe writes that in Tanya it speaks of two Matamim. The sweet food and the sharp food. Both have qualities. The Rebbe continues that by the Aibershter the small Farbrengen in the Shtetl could be a bigger Nachas Ruach than in the… Read more »
Thank you for putting MY thoughts an feelings into words.
there are even small shluchim that they are nor offfcial shluchim ( they even don’t request donations) and are 100 % devoted to mekarev people to the Torah,( givig shiurim, shabbos tables,lhelping spiritual and finnancially other idn,etc) the ” silent shluchim”
this is olam afuch. the smallers are the bigest ones
Learn Iggeres Hakodesh Siman Zayin, especially with Manis Friedman’s mp3 shiur. The Alter Rebbe explains there that a person’s “chelek” (his unique life shlichus) is an illogical “goral” (i.e. his abilities have no bearing on it). Shlicuhs in a small place does not make YOU small…
I found this article very depressing even though I know it was intended to do the opposite. I see my children struggle on Shlichus especially financially. It would be nice if they had someone who would actually help them occasionally instead of using them for free meals and whenever they have a problem. We can’t help them so much anymore. We know they’ll never leave but I don’t know how they will survive. I guess my emunah isn’t as strong as theirs. They also don’t get any recognition, they just work quietly making a kiddush Hashem.
BS”D speaking of beautiful buildings, did you ever notice the beautiful basement from which Moshiach conducted the world.Keep up the good work and you only need one mans approval and I have no doubt that the Rebbe is proud of you and your family, of your work, and moser nnefesh to live in desolation
as a small shliach i thank you for your warm and inspiring words, something we need every once in a while…
I can totally relate. nice article. May all us small town shluchim families fulfill the shlichus we were sent out to do and bring Mashiach now!!
a story wheen rabbi S.C. Gutnick from Australia made an event acc. to the Rebbe’s intsructions and was quite disappointed when only one woman showed up. upon giving over that report to the Rebbe saying ,”only one woman..” the Rebbe said Moshe Rabbeinu had only one mother. so yes each and every person is like a whole world! I am so amazed from each and every shliach i just wonder why Moshiach is still waiting. Kol hakovod and this was a very very true/well written creative article.