Reb Berel Junik Was Always There To Help

By Dovid Zaklikowski for COLlive and Hasidic Archives

After escaping in 1946 from the Soviet Union after World War II, Rabbi Berel Junik joined many other Chabad chassidim in the displaced persons (DP) camp in Pocking, Germany.

He began his studies in France, his first destination after leaving the camp. There he received guidance from the sixth Chabad Rebbe, the Rebbe Rayatz, to become a shochet (ritual slaughterer).

In 1949, with the Rebbe Rayatz’s blessing, he immigrated to the United States to continue his studies. Shortly thereafter, the Rebbe passed away.

In a private audience after the Rebbe Rayatz’s passing, the Rebbe’s son-in-law, known as the Ramash, told Rabbi Junik, “The Rebbe [Rayatz] took responsibility for you on his shoulders, however, [now] you need to do it by yourself.”

The next year, when the Ramash became the seventh Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Junik became a trusted aide and helper to the Rebbe and his family.

A quiet, reliable person who got things done, he first took responsibility for organizing the head table at which the Rebbe sat during Chassidic gatherings. Later, at the Rebbe’s request, he began to serve the food at the Rebbe’s Pesach table, and other chores.

In 1952, the Rebbe led a gathering after the Pesach Seder and asked Rabbi Junik to find someone to accompany his mother, Rebbetzin Chana, and his wife, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, to their homes.

Rabbi Junik immediately volunteered himself for the job. “You need to do everything by yourself?” the Rebbe asked with a smile.

On another occasion when he volunteered his services, the Rebbe said, “Another mitzvah you are taking? You want all for yourself. Why don’t you leave something for someone else?”

 

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