Matzah Packed for ‘Yossi’s Tank’

Mrs. Miriam Sherr

I always knew my son’s school was special. Oholei Torah has always been at the forefront of educating our boys. However, I did not really appreciate how special the school’s role models are until our son became gravely ill.

This Yud Gimmel Elul will mark 21 long years since the petirah of our son Yosef Yitzchok, Halevy A”H ben Shimon Yoel Halevy Sherr, shlita. In the middle of the school year, Yossi, eleven years old and in 5th grade at the time, was diagnosed with a fast moving virulent disease that took his life within six months, leaving his family and friends devastated.

So what are Chassidim to do? Chassidim ein mishpacha! (Chassidim are one family.) His last teacher in this world, Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Morozow of Oholei Torah, came up with a plan, which twenty years later is still going strong. Working together with another fifth grade teacher, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Zalmanov, “Yossi’s Tank” came into being.

Every Yud Aleph Nissan, Rabbis Morozow and Zalmanov would rent a school bus and would be the last “tank” in the parade of tanks for the Rebbe’s birthday. Instead of going to Manhattan with the rest of the tanks, Yossi’s tank would go to Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, to teach locals about Pesach.

At first it was only a class or two of the 5th grade that would go. Weeks before, there were big preparations of the students packing single matzohs in beautiful boxes to be handed out to all the Jews of Brighton Beach. Brochures had to be printed; tables had to be found to take along to be set up in strategic places. There was even music! As time went on, the peulah got bigger to such an extent that Rabbi Zalmanov had to get a separate van just to transport the matzah alone!

Over the years, they added selling the chometz for those who did not know how, tefillin stands, and of course spreading the besuras hageulah. Our family helped raised the money and of course we sent some of our sons. The atmosphere on the bus is one of pure excitement and simcha and is always a sight to behold!

As the years went on, more matzah was needed. This year alone, Rabbi Marasow and the boys in school packed 2,600 single matzohs of which 1,600 were distributed to the other tanks. Yes, the other tanks in the parade now were receiving matzohs from Yossi’s tank to be given out on their routes! This was facilitated with the help of N’shei Chabad.

Recently, children from the 6th and 7th grades were also invited. This past year, 65 children participated on Yossi’s Tank. 1,700 brochures plus 5 tables were strategically placed along the Brighton Beach area.

This is really hands-on mivtzoyim at its best, overseen by Rabbi Marasow with assistance from Rabbi Zalmanov. In past years, we have had Yossi Dunin and Moshe Abelsky amongst the many drivers for this wonderful mitzvah.

Every year Yossi’s tank seems to have more and more work to do. People have asked, “Why a bus? Why not rent a tank?” Because, Rabbi Marasow decided, there are many children who would be excluded from participating due to the expense of renting a tank. Besides, what could be better than an Oholei Torah bus?

As I watched the bus pull out behind the other tanks, I could see on the back window of the bus a little “Oholei Torahnik,” a young boy waving. I could hear my Yossi’s last words, “Mommy I feel great, and Moshiach is coming, you should know he is really coming…”

Yes, Yossi, with Chassidim like this and a school that is at the forefront of the Rebbe’s Inyonim, yes, Moshiach is sure to come!

Please help us continue these wonderful hands-on experiences for our boys. Send your generous contributions to
Rabbi H. Marasow
543 Crown St.
Brooklyn NY 11213
Please make checks payable to N’shei Chabad Mivtzoyim Committee