By COLlive reporter
Photos: Baruch Ezagui
Hundreds of people turned out this past Thursday evening for an event commemorating the Shloshim since the passing of Rabbi Yonah Avtzon, of blessed memory. 2,000 people watched the livestream on COLlive.com.
Two special video presentations highlighted Rabbi Avtzon’s unique accomplishments.
“Living for Others” was a tribute to his incredible ahavas yisroel and tireless efforts in Shidduchim, of which he merited bringing close to 400 to fruition.
“The Rebbe’s Man” told the story of Sichos In English, the publishing organization which received the Rebbe’s direct guidance and approval to disseminate his teachings to the English-speaking world. As its director for over 40 years, Rabbi Avtzon was personally responsible for printing hundreds of books of Chassidus.
Rabbi Simon Jacobson and R’ Meyer Preger described Rabbi Avtzon’s humble and total dedication to the Rebbe and his shlichus, and discussed the tremendous impact of SIE on the world, which paved the way for all other endeavors in translating Chassidus.
Family members also shared words of inspiration in the spirit of “vehachai yiten el libo”, and announced a new initiative going forward to publish and share a weekly farbrengen from the original Sichos In English volumes, with the goal of reprinting the foundational set. Attendees also received a teshurah consisting of foundational essays published by SIE.
Participants shared that they left this unique Shloshim event uplifted and inspired by its positive energy and message.
Two other inspirational events marked Rabbi Avtzon’s Shloshim in Israel and in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The family extends appreciation to the following individuals for their overwhelming support in this difficult time, as well as their support to SIE through the fundraising campaign: The extended Avtzon and Chazan families, Rabbonei Hashchuna, Chevra Kadisha, Misaskim, Click Consulting, Rabbi Benjy Stock, friends, the Crown Heights and broader Chabad community, and the SIE Staff: Rabbi Eli Touger, Uri Kaploun, Itchie Turner, Meyer Preger.
The family wishes to specifically thank the following individuals for their assistance in making the Shloshim event possible: Benny Wolf, Bais Rivkah, Click Consulting, Chana Peterson, Shamai Chein – 321Motion, Vaad Printing, Choni Milecki, Fitche Benshimon, Yanky Telsner, Yechiel Toibenblat – YTMV Design, Levi Hillel, Albany Bakery and COLlive.com.
All publications of Sichos In English continue to be available for free online at sie.org. Those wishing to support the continuation of Reb Yonah’s work can still contribute at sie.org/partner.
VIDEO: Full Replay
what an amazing person !! thank you so much for sharing!
The world lost a firery pillar .
Hashem should comfort the family .
Only simchas
Looks good, will miss R Yonah
whats the name of the nigun they sang (the one rya sang friday night)