By Mordechai Lightstone – Chabad.org
Mendel Hurwitz woke up Tuesday morning to find himself a viral sensation.
The 15-year-old son of Budapest-based Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries Rabbi Sholom and Devorah Leah Hurwitz, was profiled in the series premiere of “Belief”; a seven-part series produced by Oprah Winfrey’s OWN television network that explores world religion.
The episode documents Mendel’s bar mitzvah two years ago and his newfound status as an adult in the eyes of the Jewish community.
The Internet, it seems, was smitten with Mendel’s personality, charm and deep-felt commitment to his Jewish heritage. In fact, Hurwitz was the only subject whose story Oprah herself tweeted about after the premiere.
Emmy-winning American actress Uzo Aduba tweeted a quote from Mendel:
“Every stage in your life you have a different purpose, but you have to do it in a stage.” -Mendel #Belief @OWNTV
— Uzo Aduba (@UzoAduba) October 19, 2015
While filmmaker Ava DuVernay noted the surprising sense of closeness and connection that could be felt with Mendel, she noted:
Never thought I’d feel connected to a sweet little Jewish boy in Europe. But I am. Hugs to you Mendel! #Belief https://t.co/rpJXOVSRrD
— Ava DuVernay (@AVAETC) October 19, 2015
Others kvelled that Mendel was their “favorite” or as Variety’s TV editor Debra Birnbaum quipped, “My father would have loved Mendel’s story.”
Oprah Winfrey chimed in on Twitter too:
I loved the Mendel story so much because it represents right of passasge. ” bye bye to childhood”.#Belief
— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) October 19, 2015
In the meantime, Mendel, who studies at the Chabad-Lubavitch Tzeirei Hashluchim yeshivah in Safed, Israel, seems to feel a deep sense of responsibility about the role he played.
Speaking with his father, Rabbi Sholom Hurwitz, Chabad.org was told that Mendel viewed the coverage as a “chance to make a positive impression about Jewish life to the world, and share the meaning he finds in Jewish life and observance.”
“I was so impressed with Mendel’s confidence and poise at the time,” the elder Hurwitz said. “He realized that for many viewers, this may be their first look at the life of a Chassidic Jew, so he took to the role with great pride.”
Update: Mendel today
good job Mendel and his obviously amazing parents…!!!!
From your English friends
very impressed may you have much success in your learning and fulfil your dreams.
Your class in London,England: Shmuel, Michoel, Yechiel, Mendel, Shneur, Sholom ber, Tzemach, Tzemach Dovid, Yitchock, Shmulik, Chaki, Leivi, Meir (I apologize if I missed out any) and finally Yossi.
Mendel keep giving Nachas. Hatzlacha!
Very nice! I wish he discussed more of the customs…
For many – Jew and non-Jew, a Bar Mitzvah is an over priced party. Thanks to Mendel and Oprah – Bar Mitzvah has a new profile.
😉 bar mitzvah
I watch with great emotion your dear son Mendel. I cant help buy think back to that amazing year spent with you in Torah Academy under Rabbi Weinberg. Your incredible devotion to learning and your thirst for growth made a huge impression on me. Its so nice to see you and your beautiful family after all these years. May hashem continue to bless you all with good health and prosperity and may you continue to have much nachas from all your dear children.
As the saying goes “the apple dosn’t fall far from the tree”.
Moshe
to be inspired, not entertained. surely that was accomplished. yiyasher kochachem, hurwitz family. much yiddisheh and chassidisheh nachas.
It’s also rite of passage not right.
Would love to show it to our community
much nachas
what a personality keneinahora
Beautiful!
Much nachas.
Penina Metal
I would love to see the whole thing, there is much to learn from his refinement and intelligence.
“the first five books of the Hebrew bible”
Wrong Oprah.
wow this is a real kidduch Hashem and its so beautiful to see how this family is living misiras nefesh in Hungry! I love the part when all the children run in to his room and you can see the negal vasser, see the simcha and can feel the love of this family!!! So special that at 15 his dream is to be a smart Rabbi! wow where is Moshiach?! with such children?! ad mosai?! I really cried watching! just amazing misras nefesh and what a real chassidish family! yasher Koach!! Im sure the Rebbe is smiling ear to ear!… Read more »
What a kidush Hashem
wow so immpressed on the huge kiddush hashem this young boy made
wow so nice
Loved it!