By COLlive reporter
Photos: Sholem Srugo/COLlive
A crowd of 200 family members and friends gathered at Lubavitch Yeshiva Hall in Crown Heights for an evening marking the Shloshim of R’ Berel Raskin, Crown Heights fishmonger and business owner, who passed away on 20 Iyar, 5779.
Speakers spoke about the special personality of Reb Berel, renowned as a businessman who always had a smile on his face, and treated everyone he dealt with, customers of all types, with respect and kindness.
The event opened with the MC, R’ Berel’s grandson Mendel Raskin from Crown Heights, welcoming participants and telling over a Dvar Malchus.
The first speaker was Rabbi Dovid Greene, Director of Chabad of Southern Minnesota and son-in-law of R’ Berel. He spoke about his father-in-law who was a beloved Crown Heights icon, as a symbol of a true Chossid in all his dealings.
R’ Sholom Raskin, a nephew of Reb Berel, read a letter from a close friend who couldn’t make it to the event, R’ Moshe Mendelovich.
Afterward, the crowd was addressed by Mashpia Rabbi Shloime Zarchi, a cousin of R’ Berel.
Rabbi Zarchi shared stories about R’ Berel from the time they came to America in the early 1950’s, and about how R’ Berel always yearned that his children and grandchildren should grow up in the derech hachassidus.
He also spoke about the special relationship the Rebbe had with Reb Berel, how from when he arrived in the US, the Rebbe devoted time to his Chinuch, and later directing and guiding him in many ways.
R’ Berel’s son, Rabbi Aron Leib Raskin, shared some words about his father and led the crowd in moving niggunim which his father loved to sing. He also made a Siyum Mishnayos in honor of his father.
In his closing remarks, the MC blessed R’ Berel’s wife and children to have many more happy years.
The Raskin family thanked the community and family for coming out to mark the Shloshim, both in person and those who joined via live stream from around the world.
To share stories or memories with the family, email [email protected]
Video: Full Replay of Live Stream
