Among Chassidim

Ep. 61: Living In The Rebbe & Rebbetzin's Apartment Building with Rabbi Chaim Levi Goldstein

In this episode, Rabbi Chaim Levi Goldstein of Crown Heights, a veteran mechanech, shares his family background, including the story of how his father, 'Uncle Yossi', became close to Lubavitch and spent time around the Frierdiker Rebbe in America.He recalls his early childhood, including fascinating anecdotes from the years his family lived in the same apartment building as the Rebbe and Rebbetzin, his upbringing in the then-small Lubavitch community, and some up-close moments with the Rebbe.Rabbi Goldstein discusses his years in yeshiva, horaos he received from the Rebbe in yechidus, and his time studying in Brunoy, France, where he came to know many renowned Chassidim.He also shares the story of his involvement with Mesibas Shabbos and the Rebbe’s satisfaction with his work, as well as important lessons in chinuch that he learned from Rabbi Hodakov.In a fascinating twist, Rabbi Goldstein describes how questions that arose through his work as a teacher were brought to the Rebbe, with some later addressed by the Rebbe at farbrengens. One question he posed ultimately led to an entire Likkutei Sichos being developed around the subject.Drawing on a lifetime in chinuch, Rabbi Goldstein also shares practical approaches and insights based on the Rebbe’s teachings that are deeply relevant to educators and parents, and much more.

Ep. 60: How American Chassidim Were Made with Rabbi Leibel Altein

In this episode, Rabbi Leibel Altein of Crown Heights shares fascinating stories and memories spanning generations of Chabad.He speaks about his grandfather, Reb Yisroel Jacobson, his early years in Lubavitch and his close involvement with the Frierdiker Rebbe and the Rebbe, as well as his pioneering askanus in the early years of Chabad in America. He also discusses his father’s becoming close to Lubavitch through his future father in law, Reb Yisroel Jacobson, his various Shlichus’n, and especially his shlichus in the Bronx.Rabbi Altein shares the fascinating story of the esrogim from Calabria that his grandfather began preparing for the Frierdiker Rebbe and later the Rebbe, including unique details about the Rebbe’s esrog purchases.He discusses his own upbringing and shlichus in Australia, and especially his remarkable work preparing Likkutei Sichos for the Rebbe to edit. He shares details of this unique zchus, along with personal stories with the Rebbe.The episode also explores Rabbi Altein’s lifelong involvement in Hafatzas Hamayanos, including Heichel Menachem and Chassidus Mevu’eres.

Ep. 59: The ‘Fail’ That Became A Success with Rabbi Dovid Weitman

In this episode, Rabbi Dovid Weitman, Shliach to S. Paulo Brazil, shares the story of his childhood and journey to becoming a Chossid. He recounts remarkable stories and personal horaos from the Rebbe, along with unique encounters between the Rebbe and baalei batim that he witnessed over the years in Brazil and beyond.Throughout the conversation, Rabbi Weitman shares powerful messages that are both timeless and deeply relevant to every Chossid and Shliach.

Ep. 58: Does The Rebbe Want Everyone Speaking Yiddish? with Rabbi Mendy Greenberg

In this episode, Rabbi Mendy Greenberg of Twinsburg, Ohio—a feature writer for A Chassidisher Derher magazine—discusses his recent article exploring Yiddish and its place in Lubavitch and the Rebbe's teachings.The conversation examines the Rebbe's strong encouragement of Yiddish, while also addressing the important nuance that schools should not prioritize teaching in Yiddish at the expense of students' understanding. Where is the balance? How do we reconcile the Rebbe's emphasis on preserving Yiddish with his equally strong focus on effective chinuch?A thought-provoking conversation filled with fascinating sources, practical insights, and much more.For more articles like this, and to subscribe to the beautiful monthly Derher magazine, visit Derher.org.

Ep. 57: Is Colel Chabad a Success? with Rabbi Sholom Duchman

In this episode, Rabbi Sholom Duchman, Director of Colel Chabad, starts by sharing the story of his illustrious family of devoted Chassidim and their deep hiskashrus to the Rabbeim.He reflects on his childhood during the early years of the Rebbe's nesius in Crown Heights, his years of learning in various yeshivos, and the special experience of learning in 770 in the Rebbe's presence. Rabbi Duchman also discusses being sent by the Rebbe to Eretz Yisroel as part of the original group of shluchim.The conversation then turns to the rich history of Colel Chabad, from its founding to its development over the years. Rabbi Duchman shares the story of his appointment as director and offers an in-depth look at the Rebbe's horaos, expectations, and personal interest in the organization's success, providing a rare and comprehensive perspective with wonderful openness and detail.