Dozens of Shluchim accompanying the “YAHAD” Jewish student journey from Russia and other FSU countries—who themselves serve year-round with mesirus nefesh—could not remain indifferent to the extraordinary dedication they witnessed at a special Melaveh Malka meal held in their honor at Chabad of Shanghai, led by Rabbi Shalom Greenberg.
The event’s MC was the Shliach Rabbi Shlomo Avizrad, who surprised the crowd by inviting his young son, Yisrael Aryeh Leib, to open with a Dvar Malchus. The boy’s courage and eloquence impressed all present, as later echoed by Rabbi Lazar: “Indeed, the son of a Shliach is made of special material.”
Rabbi Shalom Greenberg, the host and head Shliach of Shanghai, was then invited to speak. His heartfelt words soon turned into a moving farbrengen. He opened with a video from the Rebbe distributing dollars and encouraging Jewish publishing in Chinese, followed by a fascinating historical overview of Lubavitch activity in Shanghai—from the Holocaust era to modern times: pre-nesius publishing, book printing in China, the wartime Tomchei Temimim yeshiva branch, the life and devotion of the then-Chief Rabbi Meir Ashkenazi OBM, and the Rebbe’s personal involvement in translating and publishing books in Chinese—among other revelations.
Rabbi Zelig Ashkenazi, Shliach to Yekaterinburg and great-grandson of Rabbi Meir Ashkenazi, continued with additional historical insights previously unknown.
The farbrengen gained further momentum as Rabbi Greenberg recounted the history of the very Chabad House building where the event took place. He shared a miraculous story of how, following prayer at the Rebbe’s Ohel, he received a surprise donation of $1 million to purchase the building. He also shared the many trials the Shluchim in Communist China faced—particularly during the SARS and COVID pandemics.
To conclude, Rabbi Greenberg recounted the journey that led to building a beautiful mikvah on-site, and praised a senior member of the community—present at the Melaveh Malka—who upon arriving in Shanghai, devoted himself to raising the necessary funds.
The next speaker, Chief Rabbi of Russia and head Shliach Berel Lazar, began by honoring the host and expressing admiration for the Shluchim’s devotion. He then shared a touching family story about his wife’s grandfather, Rabbi Yechezkel HaCohen Deren OBM, that had studied in the Tomchei Temimim yeshiva in Shanghai. In his memory, the Shluchim sang his favorite melody, “Yedid Nefesh.”
Cllosing the evening, Rabbi Mendy Wilansky, director of “YAHAD” operating under the Federation of Jewish Communities (FJC) spoke with heartfelt emotion. He shared behind-the-scenes events that, with Divine assistance, led to the unprecedented success of the journey that brought over 800 Jewish students to distant China.
After expressing his gratitude to Rabbi Greenberg—who supported the journey from the very beginning—his voice broke and tears welled in his eyes. He recalled how he invited Rabbi Greenberg to recite Tehilim at the opening event, and how, without hesitation, Rabbi Greenberg humbly suggested that the honor be given to his fellow Shliach, Rabbi Shlomo Avizrad.
The deep love and mutual respect between the Shanghai Shluchim, Rabbi Wilansky said, should serve as a symbol and model of ideal Shlichus. He called on the Shluchim to bring more emissaries to work with youth and students—certain that together, they will reach countless more souls.L
