South African Shluchim’s Superb Pesach Speaking Tour

By COLlive reporter

Senior South African Shluchim, Rabbi Yossy and Rochel Goldman, have just concluded a highly successful speaking tour of three American communities in honor of Yud Alef Nissen 120 and then as special Guest Rabbi and Rebbetzin and Scholars-in-Residence of the Royal Passover Pesach Program in Cancun, Mexico.

As the newly appointed Life Rabbi Emeritus of the iconic Sydenham Shul in Johannesburg, the Goldmans are now able to travel over Yomim Tovim for the first time in over 35 years.

The Yud Alef Nissan tour began with a very well-organized and well-attended Shabbaton in Boston for Rabbi Dan and Sara Rodkin at the Shaloh House in Brighton on Shabbos Hagodol. There were delicious meals throughout Shabbos and a special address in honor of the Rebbe on Motzoei Shabbos.

This was followed by Guest Addresses in Dallas, Texas for Rabbi Mendel and Baila Dubrawsky and Rabbi Moshe Naparstek, and then it was off to Houston for Rabbi Shmuli Ceitlin and with the attendance of Head Shluchim Rabbi Shimon and Chyena Lazaroff. The talk was followed by a warm chassidishe farbrengen.

And then it was onto Royal Passover Pesach program held in Cancun, Mexico. This is by far the biggest Pesach Program in the world which hosted no less than 1800 people this Pesach at the brand-new Hilton Cancun hotel.

Royal Passover attracts Jews from across the globe and from all backgrounds and orientations. Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Chassidish, Yeshivish, Modern Orthodox, and non-observant families joined in a most beautiful location with a program that was truly “Royal,” offering everything one could imagine and more.

Rabbi Goldman was the Rav of the Ashkenazi Shul and delivered Sermons and Lectures over Pesach. Rebbetzin Rochel lectured and farbrenged with the women and girls on all four days of Yom Tov.

Royal Passover featured concerts by Avraham Fried, Lipa Schmeltzer, Joey Newcomb, Avi Perets, and davening led by Chazan Yaakov Motzen, Pinny Einhorn, and the Shira Choir. There were Kumzitzes and Musical Havdalahs with Eli Levin, and for the ladies and girls Shimi Adar, a veritable ball of energy, kept the ‘ruach’ rocking.

Former Israeli Ambassador to Washington Ron Dermer delivered outstanding talks on Israel and Professor Alan Rechtschlaffen presented fascinating lectures on today’s changing economics. And to lighten the mood, Elon Gold provided lots of laughs on Comedy Night.

The calm waters of the Caribbean provided an idyllic backdrop to a program that is renowned for thinking of everything and more under the watchful, caring, and generous eye of master organizer, the well-known Tzvika Berg. The delicious food was beyond abundant and there were wine bars in the lobby and on the deck, non-stop barbecues, salad bars, and more. A Day Camp and Teen Program entertained the younger generation so parents could enjoy their own vacation too. The in-house Children’s Water Park kept the kids busy all day as the weather was beautiful throughout Pesach.

The strict Hashgacha by the respected Rabbi Yossi Birnbaum and his team of 15 Mashgichim inspired confidence in the program’s high level of Kashrus.

For the contingent of Chabad families, the highlight of the week was undoubtedly the lavish and lebedig Moshiach’s Seudah which lasted well after Yom Tov was over with words of inspiration by Rabbi Goldman and spirited singing of all the Niggunim of the Rabbeim. Indeed, the Rebbe’s message was well-articulated and heard loud and clear throughout the program.

Auctions for Aliyahs and a special appeal by Tzvika Berg at Moshiach’s Seudah raised significant funds for Chabad of Cancun and the deep, genuine appreciation of the wider community for the global work of Chabad was tangible and heartwarming.

After Pesach, Rabbi Yossy and Rochel made a special point of visiting the Shluchim in Cancun, Rabbi Mendel and Chana Druk, and in nearby Playa del Carmen, Rabbi Mendel and Chaya Goldberg. They were very impressed with their sterling work which is nothing less than a Kiddush Hashem and a source of pride to Chabad.