‘When I Resigned Years Ago, I Never Dreamed I’d Get Involved Again’

By Rabbi Lazer Avtzon

Almost 35 years ago, I was hired by the Tomchei Temimim Lubavitcher Yeshiva as Director of Special Projects and Development.

34 years ago, on 24 Elul 5748, I oversaw the groundbreaking and cornerstone laying of YTTL on Crown and Albany.

Within a year, I resigned in frustration feeling a disconnect between my vision and reality.

I vividly recall one of my last meetings with the late Rabbis Yosef Wineberg and YY Kazen a”h begging me to stay on with them.

I sent my boys to Oholei Torah and later to other Yeshivos including YTTL Crown Street as well as Ocean Parkway. Today, they are both learning in Eretz Yisroel.

Approximately two months ago, my good friend Rabbi Beryl Junik asked me to get involved in a new Vaad that was being established to help the Yeshiva to grow and expand.

Between all my other responsibilities and Askanus, and especially with my work related to Ukraine, I simply could not take this on.

Later they hired my good friend, Rabbi Mendel Mintz, with whom I cooperated on many projects, especially during Covid, to arrange Krias Shofar and Aseres Hadibros across Crown Heights, etc.

After meeting with the Hanhala and members of the Vaad, I offered to serve in an advisory role, but still adamantly clear that I could not get involved.

Indeed, there is hope! Most of the people I’ve called are excited and happy to hear that the Yeshiva is working very hard to improve and expand on so many levels.

Many people feel, hope and pray that 770 will once again be a place we can all be comfortable visiting, whether to daven, learn or farbreng.

I vividly recall my first Farbrengen with the Rebbe Motzoei 18 Elul 5737 and my first day in Yeshiva the following morning. The Rebbe spoke at length on the importance of this date, the vision of the Rebbe Rashab, and what it means to be a Tomim.

I came home to my sister’s home after the Farbrengen where I was tested by many of my older siblings to see what I understood and captured from the Farbrengen.

I was so excited and so much looking forward to my first day in Tomchei Tmimim that I chose to sleep in a chair with my hat and jacket, lest I sleep in and arrive late for my first day as a Tomim.

At 6:45 am, I anxiously awaited the bus at President and Kingston, but alas, it never came. Apprehensive that I had missed the bus I waited for the next bus at around 8:00 am, but when I tried to board, the driver noticed my hat and asked what grade I’m in, and when I said 10th grade he kicked me off the bus, stating it’s for elementary only.

Devastated, I went to Aufrichtig’s grocery on Kingston and Eastern Parkway, inquired how to go by subway, purchased a token, and took the first subway ride of my life.

I arrived at Ave H and East 15th and walked the 9 blocks to Ocean Parkway. I climbed the stairs to the 3rd floor but it was all dark. Most of the rooms were locked, but I found one open and went inside. Tired after barely sleeping, I tried to rest sitting at one of the desks, but was too uncomfortable.

I went to look for the Principal, but his office too was locked. So I cautiously went to see Rabbi Moshe Bogomilsky, who was the elementary school principal.

He greeted me warmly, asked for my name and what I was there for. When I told him I’m here for my first day in Tomchei Tmimim, he smiled and said, “Didn’t anyone tell you that when the Rebbe finishes a Farbrengen after 1:30 am, there is no Limudei Kodesh the next morning?”

I was shocked and dismayed. Everything I had heard growing up in Detroit from my parents about Tomchei Tmimim, and especially after hearing the Rebbe speak the night before on the importance and significance of this special day, I naively asked, “Does the Rebbe know that when he finishes late, there is no Limudei Kodesh the next day?”

I really didn’t want to go back by subway, so when Reb Michoel Lipsker a”h drove up to pick up his check for the kitchen at 1414, I asked him for a ride back to Crown Heights.

“If you have a note from Rabbi Tenenbaum, I can take you,” he said. But he’s not here today, and the Yeshiva is closed.

“Sorry,” was his reply.

I returned back to Rabbi Bogomilsky who offered to drive me home in the afternoon and that was the beginning of a long friendship till today.

This week marks 45 years since my first day as a Tomim. The Rabbeim gave their lives for us. We are all their children.

Whatever experiences we had in Yeshiva, good or not so good, this is our Yeshiva. This is our home. Every Shliach and every Baal Habos learned here and owes his all to the formative years each one of us experienced in Yeshiva.

I’m optimistic and hopeful.

Let us all do our part and show the Rebbe – *איין מאהל א תמים, אלעמאהל א תמים*

May we all merit to give the Rebbe true Nachas and merit a כתיבה וחתימה טובה לשנה טובה ומתוקה