Yeshiva Directors Visit Bedford and Dean; Hope Eventual Move

By Sruly Meyer – COLlive

Rabbi Moshe Meir Gluckowsky, the executive director of Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz, fondly recalls the time when the Yeshiva resided at 19 Grant Square, off of Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn’s Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood, a few minute drive from Crown Heights.

“I myself attended Yeshiva at that location, fondly called ‘Bedford and Dean,’ and in the yearbook of our last graduating class, we dedicated the yearbook to this cherished building before they moved to Ocean Parkway in September of that year,” Rabbi Gluckowsky told COLlive.com.

Upon seeing an article on COLlive.com last week about the building being available, Rabbi Gluckowsky recognized an incredible opportunity.

He connected with R’ Chaim Drizin, a community real estate developer and activist, and then later community activist Rabbi Noochie Gross at a Shiva House, where Rabbi Shmuel Butman was sitting Shiva for his brother, Rabbi Sholom Ber Butman obm who passed away in Eretz Yisroel.

The men at the Shiva house shared special memories of Bedford and Dean and spoke of their plans to acquire the building. Rabbi Butman, Director of Lubavitch Youth Organization (Tzach) in New York, is well connected in Albany, and promised to do all he could to help acquire the property.

“It would be amazing to bring Chabad back to the area where its roots were firmly planted during its early years,” says Gluckowsky. “The building held a special place in the hearts of many. That was everything before any other place began, the roots of education of Chabad Lubavitchers. Bedford is in the blood, the DNA… until 1970, this was Tomchei Tmimim. This is where Chabad learned and grew.”

Around five years ago, Rabbi Mendel Blau, now the Dean of Oholei Torah, established a new division within Tomchei Tmimim called Achei Tmimim in the Chovevei Torah Beis Medrash. It has since grown tremendously, occupying space that was once a library. They are now exploring the possibility of relocating to the Bedford and Dean building, which would provide ample space for a dormitory, yeshiva, and further expansion.

Rabbi Levi Tzukernik, who leads the Achei Tmimim Yeshiva, joined Rabbi Gluckowsky for a visit to the Bedford and Dean building on Wednesday. Rabbi Tzukernik serves as the principal of Achei Tmimim, and he supports the move and highlights the building’s rich Chasidic history.

Rabbi Sholom Tenenbaum, a fellow alumnus of Tomchei Tmimim and the Yeshiva’s Deputy Director of Development, also joined the visit, and he reminisced about the time his father, Rabbi Mendel Tenenbaum, was the principal at Bedford and Dean. They were joined by Rabbi Ben Bursk, the Yeshiva’s Assistant Principal, and Rabbi Chaim Levilev, the Yeshiva’s Associate Administrator.

Achei Tmimim is more than just a Yeshiva; it is a beacon of light and a safe haven for the Bochurim. The staff is deeply involved in their well-being, pushing each boy to reach his full potential in every aspect of life. However, the limited space poses challenges, and they often have to turn away students, a situation they hope to change by securing the Bedford and Dean location.

Rabbi Gluckowsky expresses the need for support from the worldwide Chabad community who appreciate their work and the unique niche their Yeshiva provides to so many students. With the help of generous individuals, the dream of expanding to this location can become a reality, providing a flourishing environment for Bochurim and the dedicated staff.

Rabbi Gluckowsky further reminisces, “Rabbi Yoel Kahn was the Mashpia at the time when I was in the Yeshiva, and he gave many Shiurim which I was zoche to hear myself,” he says. “This building is literally saturated with Chassidus.”

Rabbi Tzukernik notes that every year Achei Tmimim has to turn away students because “we simply don’t have the space,” he says. “This location would offer space for a gym, sports rooms, dormitory, classrooms, kitchen, dining hall, and more. This would truly help us to expand the program itself beyond what we offer into larger services.”

“Achei has been looking for a new home for several years now, and they don’t want to move outside of Crown Heights,” Rabbi Gluckowsky says. “The building has tremendous potential with lots of space, and this location would be amazing, being so close to Crown Heights.”

The Yeshiva had about 75 bochurim in Achei this past year, from a list of over 120 applicants who wanted to attend. Rabbi Gluckowsky tells COLlive, “this need to expand is very real, and it’s very difficult for Rabbi Tzukernik to turn away kids. We would need a lot of help from the community who appreciate what we are doing and help us get to this location, and it would be a dream come true. Bochurim who need it would flourish here, and this wonderful staff would love to be able to make this happen. “

For those interested in getting involved and helping, they can reach out to Rabbi Gluckowsky or Rabbi Tzukernik.

“The opportunity to expand Achei Tmimim and continue its important mission is within reach with the support of the community,” Rabbi Gluckowsky says.