What Gave Sharansky Strength

Two grand Farbrengens were held at the Menorah Complex in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine, in honor of the auspicious day of Yud Tes Kislev.

The events were organized by Head Shluchim Rabbi Shmuel and Chani Kaminetzki.

On Tuesday the men gathered for a farbrengen, and were addressed by Rabbi Shmuel Kaminski, who spoke about the beginning of the new cycle of daily study of the Tanya, and the importance of living our daily lives according to its lessons.

Rabbi Kaminetzki noted the advice of the Alter Rebbe to sufferers of depression and worry, to replace the sad thoughts with happy ones, just as one changes clothes.

This led to uplifting and inspiring niggunim by participants, who were encouraged to say L’chaim by Shliach Rabbi Levi Stambler.

On Wednesday, a Hakhel unity event for women took place in the ballroom, organized by Shluchos Mrs. Chani Kaminetzki and Mrs. Leah Baraz.

Participants were seated at elegant round tables and enjoyed a festive meal.

The guest of honor of the event was Mr. Natan Sharansky, Soviet-born Israeli politician, human rights activist and author who spent nine years in Soviet prisons.

Sharansky spoke about his exile in Russian prison until his release and ultimate emigration to Israel.

Sharansky also spoke about the connection of the Lubavitcher Rebbe to his release. After his emotional talk, Sharansky took out of his pocket a Tehillim he had kept with him throughout the long years he suffered in prison, from which he had learned to read Hebrew.

The first words he had succeeded in reading, he told the crowd, was the verse in chapter 23: “גם כי אלך בגיא צלמוות לא אירא רע כי את עמדי” – “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no harm, for You are with me.”

These words, he said, were a prophecy of his story, and gave him the strength to survive the most difficult times of solitary confinement, hunger and suffering.

Rabbi Kaminetski later addressed the crowd, and spoke about what the Alter Rebbe taught about the personal redemption from our thoughts by thinking positively.

Various women in the crowd described their personal redemption they experienced ever since they began to live with Torah and Mitzvos.

A video of the Rebbe speaking in Russian was then shown, and a performance was held by the students of the fifth grade of Bais Chaya Mushka School.

The evening concluded with spirited dancing accompanied by live Chassidic music.