Whether you knew him as a family member, an acquaintance, or a friend, it was impossible to miss R’ Yonah Avtzon’s passion for and dedication to Sichos in English.
From its inception in the mid-70’s, Sichos in English was the epicenter of R’ Yonah’s life. Growing from a small project started by bochurim into a full-fledged publishing operation, Sichos in English became R’ Yonah’s personal shlichus, and he always treated it as such. All those who came in contact with him will recall the way he spoke with such enthusiasm about each new project undertaken, each new publication released.
Never wanting to put a barrier between the texts he was producing and the people that could benefit from them, he sold his books at almost no profit and made all of his works accessible online for free – foregoing much potential revenue. Instead, Sichos in English’s operating costs relied heavily on fundraising efforts and donations from the public. R’ Yonah displayed such singular devotion to his shlichus that for the past several years he withheld his own salary, sustaining his family from his work as a Shadchan instead. This level of mesirus nefesh was characteristic of R’ Yonah.
After suffering severe medical complications almost two years ago, R’ Yonah did not curtail his publishing efforts. His fundraising capabilities were greatly compromised, but nevertheless Sichos in English continued to operate at full force and new books continued to be released, including, most notably, the groundbreaking translation of the Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch.
This dedication to Sichos in English is why R’ Yonah’s family members have undertaken the monumental task of continuing his life’s work. Under the new leadership of his son Rabbi Shmuly Avtzon, a Vaad has been formed in order to ensure that Sichos in English continues its holy work of disseminating the teachings of our Rebbeim. Funds are needed to help cover expenses and continue the invaluable “haafotzas hamaayanos” that Sichos in English accomplished each day.
Please partner with us to continue R’ Yonah’s shlichus and support his family!
Every single donation is greatly appreciated, and partnering in the amount of $770 will help boost our campaign, pick up the pieces put on hold, and get books back in print and onto people’s bookshelves!
May we merit to see the ultimate ‘“haafotzas hamaayanos” and be reunited with all of our loved ones, with the coming of Moshiach speedily in our days – amen!
Mrs. Rivkah Avtzon in coordination with the SIE Vaad
Rabbi Eliyahu Touger | Mr. Mayer Prager
Rabbi Shmuly Avtzon | Rabbi Levi Avtzon | Mrs. Chanie Wolf
your putting sie’s books online for free (and also for free on Palm pilot and pocket pc back in the day) enabled me to learn so much! may your memory and merits be a brocha for your family and friends. we want Moshiach NOW!
SIE is a phenomenal mosad. I can’t even fathom how much I have benefitted over the years of being able to go online and copy/paste an excerpt of something for a shiur rather than having to type out a translation on my own. My only wish for R’ Shmuly is to reprint the original sichos in english, even if they don’t type set it all over again, just how it was, but so that people can buy it. There are many who would use this who would not or cannot sit down with the yiddish hanochos of sichos kodesh. I… Read more »
We all befit from Sichos in English- now its our turn to give back
BR girls were treated to a sichos class in Yiddish. When they complained that the class was supposed to be in English, their teacher pointed out that she wanted them to realize what a great person we all just lost, and how his good work helps us learn every day.
Going to donate now. Please do the same
wow Shmuly! Hatzlocha Rabba !
Meyer is a selfless individual who took it upon himself to help SIE publish many of their books over the past 10 years.
Every lubavitcher home has sie seforim gracing their shelves. It’s time to give back!!!!
Well said. Thank you for putting that in writing.
Shmuly is incredible
Mamush a brain and energy!
Much Hatzlacha to the entire Avtzon family!
Can you imagine *artscroll.com* having the prime section of their website built just to encourage free browsing of all publications… including hot off the press?! …just for the sake of promoting Torah study?! *Welcome to SIE.org* where “sales” occupies only the *side bar* and promoting Torah study is *center* and what its *ALL* about !!! Everything Reb Yonah a”h published including -but not limited to – the new beautiful weiss edition of the Alter Rebbes Shulchan Aruch was immidiately uploaded for free browsing and learning !!! That’s a mindset prevelant almost exclusively by the rebbes chassidim!! ואנן מה נעני’ אבתרי’…… Read more »
Who is Mayer Prager.
Ithank you.
What a zechus! May your father have much nachas on high.
Hatzlocho Rabva Shmully.
You have BIG shoes to fill.
I’m sure you will be matzliach.
Your father WILL be there helping you from GAN EDEN.
I donated to the Help R’ Yonah Continue His Shlichus campaign. Would you join too? https://www.sie.org/templates/fundraising/default_cdo/aid/4260668#.XDtyEFQ6FCk.whatsapp
Rebbe’s teachings was the most important thing to him
not just saying it he was for real chabad lost the greatest giant