Rabbi Sholom Ber Schapiro, Director of the Nissan Mindel Publications (NMP), presents “Historic Treasures.”
Each program shares ‘treasures’ from the archives of Rabbi Schapiro’s father in law, Rabbi Dr. Nissan Mindel OBM, a prolific writer who served as a personal secretary of the 6th and 7th Chabad Rebbes.
The program uncovers fascinating stories, rare artifacts and precious documents from the Chabad-Lubavitch movement.
VIDEO:
There are many more details to this story. Rabbi Mindel had a piece of lekach on him which was a big simcha for them. The only reason why they knew he was the Rebbe’s secretary because they got 1 tehillas Hashem siddur and his name was there. His sister lived in Riga where they were and that’s how they figured out who he was.
The story occurred 1956-57. Rabbi Mindel came to Riga to visit his sister. Notke Riger (Barcahan) saw him on the street and recognized him. He saw that Rabbi Mindel would walk every day from the hotel to his sister’s residence. It was dangerous to speak to any foreigner at that time, so Notke and Mulle (Shmuel) Prus made a careful plan to arrange a secretive meeting with him. They purchased suits and wristwatches similar to the ones worn by undercover KGB agents. They had a taxi waiting on a quiet side street along the route to Rabbi Mindel’s sister’s home.… Read more »
This story was recently published In a book in Hebrew called “Zichronos Reb Mule” The story happened with Reb Shmuel (Mule) prus together with Notke Barkan. The story took place in Riga, where Nisen Mindel had a sister. Every morning, Reb Nissen would walk from his hotel to visit his sister. They got jackets and watches similar to what kgb agents would wear, and Notke followed him to see what times he would usually come and go. On that day, they got in a taxi, and told him to stop on a side street near where Reb Nissen would walk.… Read more »
Bh Thank you to these listeners for sharing some additional and enlightening information about the shlichus trip which Rabbi Mindel took in 1958. The Rebbe sent Rabbi Mindel on numerous missions – this was the first to Russia. And it was 1958 – as he wrote in his notes. Whatever I mentioned on the program comes straight from Rabbi Mindel’s notes – in which he briefly outlined matters connected to the mission from the Rebbe. Nothing else. These notes are necessarily brief. He did not include side matters, such as visits with his family (which he did many times throughout… Read more »