By Mrs. Mashi Lipskar
I was born in New York into a Chabad-Lubavitch family in 1949 just 6 months before the passing of the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe and grew up eminently privileged to regularly see the Rebbe, to hear him speak and teach and to watch him in Shul as he prayed.
My family was privileged to have yearly private audiences with the Rebbe and as a young student, I was able to approach him and ask his advice. There were occasions to see him on his way to and from 770, at Tashlich and on numerous other occasions.
All around us we heard wonderful stories about the Rebbe and his family from our parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and their contemporaries. These stories amazed and uplifted those who shared as well as those who listened.
As a child, I had the distinct privilege of being in the esteemed presence of both the Rebbe’s mother Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson and the Rebbetzin of the Previous Rebbe.
Those were exciting days – the early days of the Rebbe taking on the mantle of Chabad leadership – an era of light and joy.
Before our wedding and after we were married, we received blessings and guidance. As the Rebbe’s privileged emissaries to South Africa, my husband Rabbi Mendel Lipskar and I, and so many of our contemporaries, were privileged to receive personal detailed direction and guidance from the Rebbe.
We all have treasured memories of encounters and events that must be carefully preserved and shared.
I am therefore delighted to see that JEM has initiated a simple yet effective way to record the personal experiences of women who have been fortunate to receive advice or guidance from the Rebbe.
There are also stories being shared of interactions with the Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, Rebbetzin Chana and even with the Previous Rebbe and his Rebbetzin.
This initiative, in which high school and middle school girls around the world have undertaken to approach women in their communities – individuals who might have a story to share – has moved and inspired women to voice record wonderful personal encounters and stories.
Shared via a WhatsApp chat, these personal recordings have been received with great enthusiasm. To date, over 250 stories have already reached JEM and are being shared weekly with women around the world.
To subscribe to listen to the weekly stories, visit bit.ly/MyEncounter-OurStory or WhatsApp 718.604.4690.
Women are coming forward to tell, in their own words, of the warm recollections of sage and fatherly advice that the Rebbe gave them which has become a part of their lives and the lives of their dear ones- things that have been put into practice, cherished and shared with family and friends.
AUDIO: Mrs. Rivka Fishman tells her story from Sunday Dollars
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VIDEO:
Why on whats app instead of a website or else as email where it is easy to delete after watching. Whats ap is for short messages.
This is truly an important endeavor! thank you to JEM and all who are involved.
I cant begin to tell you how touched how I was when my granddaughter came to me asking me to talk about my yechidus with the Rebbe. Great project!
Thank you so much col for sharing this
All I can say is BoruchHashem for the visionaries at jem. If not for them, the rest of us would just think of the Lubavitcher Rebbe would just be a an unfortunate punchline for the mishechistim.
JEM truly bring kovod to the Rebbe and Lubavitch. Might I even say they make it look a little too good to be true. But seriously, this idea to preserve people’s memories is beautiful.