Our “Rabbi” Mendel Bartfield

This Shabbos, the 6th of Iyar, marks the Shloshim – 30 days since the passing of Rabbi “President” Mendel Bartfield obm.

This is the soul we all knew as the pillar of strength and benevolence in our Shtiebel, the second largest Shul in Crown Heights. He was a man who lived and breathed the Shtiebel, “Empire Shtiebel.” A Shtiebel that has seven days a week minyanim, and on weekdays the Shul has shachris minyanim from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and sometimes later.

To us, the younger generation, he was a true “Rabbi”, although he would only allow people to address him as “Mister” Bartfield. He was our Rabbi, President, Shamash and Mister Mendel Bartfield of Empire Shtiebel.

Much more is known by his family and friends regarding Rabbi Mendel Bartfield’s beautiful fulfilled life than one can write in these few lines. We all know that when many Jews were fleeing Crown Heights and the Shuls’ minyanim were dwindling and unfortunately many shut down, the Rebbe asked that Anash should strengthen the Minyanim in the Shuls of Crown Heights.

Rabbi Mendel Bartfield and many others of Anash would help keep the Shuls and minyanim alive every Shabbos, Yom Tov, Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.

Everyone had honorable seats with the Rebbe’s Minyan in 770 for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Yet they gave up davening with the Rebbe on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, to fulfill the Rebbe’s wish that Shuls in Crown Heights should remain open.

Rabbi Mendel Bartfield made it his honor to know every child’s name that davened in the Shtiebel and where that child was up to in his activities and learning. He was always very concerned with the future of our youth!

The assistance and matan besaiser that he dispensed to everyone and anyone, without anyone knowing, we will never know. His devotion to Hatzoloh when he won the jackpot prize and donated the jackpot prize back to Hatzoloh.

However, as members of the Shtiebel, one phenomenon stands out vividly. This always had a tremendous impact on us all, and is relevant for every Shul and non profit organization. Rabbi Bartfield lived as a true priceless ART -Accountability, Responsibility, and Transparency, in his personal demeanor and his Public services.

The Shtiebel’s beloved President Mendel Bartfield would twice a year in front of the whole Shtiebel give us an Accounting, of all the monies the Shtiebel collected for the six month period, and all the expenditures the Shtiebel had, including the Tzedaka the Shtiebel distributes with dignity. On occasion the Shul had a surplus and he would tell us and ask to undertake more projects. When the Shul had a deficit, he asked us to give money to cover the deficit.

he ran the Shul with responsibility. Anyone who had any questions regarding the financials of the Shtiebel, he made an accounting ledger available for inspection, with true transparency.

He was physically fragile yet his spirits and undertakings that he fulfilled were ever strong and powerful. His legacy will continue forever and ever, through his beautiful children and wife as they are carrying on his legacy, with the Shtiebel as a witness!

That Rabbi, Mister, President Mendel Bartfield is the Maylitz Yosher for everyone we are guaranteed. He is saying LeChaim in Gan Eden on a full cup of Jack (the Mashke he always said LeChaim on) with the Rebbe. For us to merit immediately mamosh now, our true redemption with Moshiach Tzidkanu, vheeketzu veranenu shoychnay ofoer! Amen SELOH!

Thursday evening, 4 Iyar, the Shtiebel will daven maariv at 8:25 P.M. and afterwards we will have a seuda and a siyum to mark the Shloshim.