By COLlive reporter
A weekend in Canada amongst friends was how Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared for his meeting with President Barack Obama and his speech at the AIPAC conference.
First, he was warmly greeted by the staunch supporter and defender of the Jewish state, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Then, COLlive has learned, Netanyahu and his senior staff got to spend some time with high-spirited Lubavitchers over the 3 day visit to Ottawa.
At a reception for some 100 influential leaders and activists, Netanyahu and Harper met the Shluchim Rabbi Chaim Mendelsohn and his wife Bassy Mendelsohn, and Rabbi Chaim Boyarsky.
Rabbi Mendelsohn, Director of Public Affairs for the Canadian Federation of Chabad Lubavitch, said approaching Netanyahu led to an interesting development.
“I told Mr. Netanyahu how proud I was that he always credited his courage to stand up to the UN to the Lubavitcher Rebbe,” Mendelsohn told COLlive.com.
“When I said that, his face lit up and he turned to Mr. Harper and told him in great detail about how when meeting the Rebbe he was overcome with the Rebbe’s pure genius.
“He than added that the Rebbe told him that one day there will be 119 people against him and how he should remain strong.”
Netanyahu then mentioned that he recently saw a video of his meeting with the Rebbe (at a dinner for Chabad in the former Soviet Union) and “was overcome with emotion about what type of visionary the Rebbe was.”
As they were chatting, an aide to Netanyahu mentioned that Chabad was taking care of providing the Israeli delegation with all their religious needs, including kosher food, to which Netanyahu commented “we can always rely on Chabad.”
The Canadian Federation of Chabad Lubavitch has indeed arranged Shabbos minyanim and meals for the delegation which included chief of staff Gill Sheffer and senior policy advisor Ron Dermer.
Leading the prayers and kiddush on Shabbos day was Rabbi Boyarsky, Director of Chabad Student Network in Ottawa. The mood was even more joyous when participants found out that Tetzave was the Bar Mitzvah Parsha of Mark Regev, Netanyahu’s spokesman.
The visit comes in the wake of the public speculation that Israel is planning a pre-emptive strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Kol Hakovod Bassy and Chaim. Your dedicated work and great accomplishments strengthen both Canada and Israel. Purim Sameach. The Kalson family,
that the Rebbe told netanyahu many years ago there will be a time when you will have many many enemies, dark times, but be strong, Israel all of it! belongs to the yidden, we are ready, and chaim its great that you are so friendly with steve harper pm, all countries should learn from him, especially united states………….
Bassy wow! You are the best! You put your heart and soul into your shlichus and your family and to bring this Kiddush Lubavitch for all of us is a huge z’chus. (Of course the Rabbi’s too, but I know Bassy;o)).
RS
Another huge example of Chaim and Bassy Mendelsohn’s triumphs for the Rebbe and for all of us. Your truth and tenacity shine through consistently, and I have personally seen the deep respect the Canadian leadership have for you.
And we all know you publicize but a small part of the picture
From a Yankee (not your shvuger)…
A Gerlitsky Fan!
Rabbi Motty Bergers daughter……….the whole family is proud
& as the saying goes behind every successful Shiach is a hard working Shlucha!
Go Chaim and Bassy!! You guys rock!
motty bergers daughter, he must be so proud!!!!!!!!!!
perfect before purim, everyone will come to their senses, Am yisroel chai…….if only the israelis would have listened to the Rebbe years ago, bibi has to be strong, and Moshiach Now
so proud of the Mendelsohns, true shluchim, keep up the good work,
I am proud to say that I am a Canadian, and I’m even prouder to say that I served in the Israeli Defense Force.
I’m proud of Mr. Harper and Very proud Of Bibi, this time around he’s proving to be the true leader for Israel that we need.
truly a friend of the Jewish People. Canada is blessed because of this.
They put tefillin on all the Netanyahu group ,I hope.
The stories that give the rebbe nachos shluchim keep up the good work !
go bassy and chaim!
to the Ottawa Shluchim!