My Fellow Shliach, Motty

A tribute to Rabbi Mordechai Berger, obm
By Rabbi Zalman Aron Grossbaum, Head Shliach of Ontario

Although Motty was a few years older than me, the talmidim that dormed at the Lubavitcher Yeshivah of Montreal were family. Indeed when the famed yeshivah moved from Parc Ave. to the spacious new building on Westbury, talmiddim from across the USA and Europe converged in Montreal and formed the nucleus of a new student body complemented by newly minted Ramim, Mashgichim and Mashpiim.

In those days, a talmid stayed on year after year in the same yeshivah unless there was a specific reason for change. In addition to the seamless transition from year to year, this allowed the bochurim to bond as brothers.

We marveled at the strengths and overlooked the weaknesses of each other. We covered for each other in time of need, and capitalized on the booty each “brought to the table” whether it was smokes, snacks, a rented car, or cold cash. I dormed with Motty and two others, where we learned to live with the idiosyncrasies of each other, but so much for that, “What happened in the dorm, stays in the dorm.”

In 1967 before the Six Day war, when the Rebbe launched the Teffilin campaign, I had the good fortune of pairing up with Motty to create a Tefillin route. Being an introvert by nature I could not fathom the notion of literally knocking on an office door and then inquire if there were any Jews present.

Although today, some 50 years later, this is the norm, back then it took much gumption, the gift of gab, good answers, and yes, thick skin, because many doors were slammed in our face. For Motty the outreach came naturally. He knew he was on a mission, he knew we would eventually prevail, and we did. I still have fond memories from our weekly trek along Victoria Avenue where we apprenticed for Shlichus, and introduced Teffilin to numerous people.

Although we were both Americans, Hashgacha Pratis brought us back to Canada, and as neighbors, Motty to Ottawa and myself to Toronto. Once again we were destined to share a common objective; to fulfill the ratzon of the Rebbe. Each in our distinct community with its challenges and rewards forged ahead and maintained close contact. We needed each other, I was Motty’s sounding board and Motty was a good speaker that made himself available even on short notice. Ottawa being a relatively small Jewish community presented many challenges. Although he arrived in town to serve as the rabbi of the fledgling Young Israel, Motty was a visionary and a “do’er” he could not just sit back when standards could be improved.

Hence he set out to establish Maimonides, a Yeshiva day school that would be on par with big city schools while being cognizant that to attract a viable “body count” he would need to offer extra frills, i.e. French immersion and more. Then came a community Mikvah. But Motty was not one to sit back and blessed with a “truck load” of optimism set out to create Ateres Menachem a Yeshivah that offered vocational training for students who couldn’t maintain the rigorous standard of learning expected in a conventional Yeshiva. No doubt the need was long overdue but few had the guts to forge ahead being cognizant of the multiple challenges one would encounter.

So too, Motty reached out to seniors and established Shikun Oz, a reduced cost housing option for older folks. Still Motty felt that there was still more he could achieve and offer the greater community. Hence when he was asked to help bring some stability to the Lubavitcher Yeshiva in Montreal, he readily agreed. A few years later he was asked to consider becoming the headmaster of the Chabad school in Melbourne, Australia, he knew that to be true to himself, he had to give it a shot, being perfectly cognizant of the turmoil and uncertainty this would invite.

Earlier this summer it occurred to me that Motty would be the perfect candidate to evaluate our fledgling Camp Gan Israel in Haliburton, Ontario. Having spent quite a few summers together in Gan Israel, Lac Desert, Quebec, Motty had done a yeomen job of creating an environment that brought out the best of both, campers and counselors. Under the ever watchful eye of the senior and today veteran Shliach, Rabbi Berel Mochkin, the program and commitment of the staff was second to none. Motty did come for a Shabbos and we had a wonderful Shabbos together. He subsequently wrote a detailed analysis of his observations and offered meaningful recommendations.

V’hachi Yiten el Libo, “and the living shall take heed,” this the Rebbe stressed should be the legacy of the departed. Motty’s optimism and endless energy I don’t have. But I will always marvel about Motty for the incredible ability of being non judgmental. I often wondered if perhaps this was the first course of Rabbinics “101.” Motty fought many battles as a pulpit rabbi, educator, administrator, and director. I was his confidant, and I always marveled how he would never be condescending nor accusing. He always analyzed the conflict giving merit to the opposing view. Notwithstanding the confrontation, harm, or slander he endured, he was never disparaging even in private conversation.

A second virtue that I marveled was his self control with respect to speech. Never did I hear him use language that was unbecoming. Again, I was his confidant, and I was privy to the aggravation he experienced and the battles he fought, yet his speech was always dignified. He maintained a sense of control and respect, ever towards adversaries, because it was right way to act.

Motty taught me to appreciate and value each and every person, whether friend of foe. I will try.

Zalman Ahron Grossbaum
Chabad Lubavitch of Southern Ontario