Parksville, NY
Campers visit the Rebbe: 20 Av 5742
The Farbregens the Rebbe held on Chof Av carried a distinct atmosphere, its sichos rich with deep explanations in both Nigla and Chassidus – often based on the writings of Horav Levi Yitzchok.
From 5735 and forward campers from Camp Gan Israel would participate in these Farbrengens. The Rebbe showed great affection to the campers during the Farbrengen, requesting they sing a “camp song” and often dedicated one or two of the Sichos to them.
Rabbis of yesteryear are seen at the Global Yarchei Kallah in this vintage photo, as preparation are made for the Melave Malka.
By COLlive reporter
As the Global Yarchei Kallah is being held in Camp Gan Israel in Parksville, NY, a vintage black and white photo shows the the leading rabbis of yesteryear participating.
The annual gathering is marking its 40th year honoring Chof Av – the yartzeit of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, father of the Rebbe and one of the greatest Talmudic and Kabbalistic scholars of his generation.
This photo circa early 1980’s shows its organizer, Rabbi Avraham Shemtov, head of the camp and Chairman of Agudas Chassidei Chabad International, speaking at the Melave Malka ceremony of the conference.
Seen on the head table from left to right are Rabbi Lipa Schapiro, Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Raskin, Avraham Hecht, Rabbi Boruch Leizerowski of Philadelphia, Rabbi Avrohom Mordechai Hershberg of Mexico, Rabbi Meir Greenberg of New Jersey, Rabbi Chaim Meir Bukiet and another we didn’t identify.
The Melava Malka of this year’s Yarchei Kallah will take place on Motzoei Shabbos Parhas Eikev 10:30pm at the main shul of Camp Gan Israel – 487 Parksville Rd. Parksville, NY 12768. The public is welcome. A special program will be held for women.
We thank Lubavitch Archives for providing this historic photo.
Chabad’s leading rabbis and scholars traveled to the Catskills for a tradition that began 40 years ago as a “personal” tribute. An event today 7:30pm will be open to the public.
A host of the leading Chabad rabbis, Rosh Yeshivas, mashpiim, halachic authorities and scholars traveled from around the world to attend an exclusive gathering that is billed as a “personal tribute.”
The Global Yarchei Kallah, which opened today in the pastoral setting of Camp Gan Yisrael in Parksville, NY, was uniquely referred to by the Rebbe as “This is my project.”
The annual gathering, amid hundreds of campers in their formative years, is the largest, ongoing gathering of Torah scholars of this generation, uniting the best and the brightest minds that occupy themselves with Torah.
Exactly 40 years ago, on the occasion of the 30th yahrzeit of the gaon and kabbalist, Rav Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, of blessed memory, consideration was given to highlight his contributions to our spiritual heritage and to honor him as the father of the Rebbe, the foremost Jewish leader of our generation.
Spurred by that purpose, Rabbi Avraham Shemtov, head of Gan Israel who today chairs the umbrella Agudas Chassidei Chabad International, suggested to renew the age-old custom of Yarchei Kallah by gathering sages and scholars for a convention of study and inspiration overlapping the date of 20 Av, Rav Levi Yitzchak’s yahrzeit.
The plan was accepted and approved by the Rebbe and the Rebbe himself identified with this initiative. Our Sages emphasize that the greatest honor it is possible to pay to a person’s memory is to dedicate Torah study to his memory.
And when Rabbi Avraham Mordechai Hirschberg, the chief Rabbi of Mexico, told the Rebbe that he had participated in Yarchei Kallah, the Rebbe highlighted the connection to his father, explaining that the mitzvah of honoring one’s parents continues after their passing and that the most consummate honor that can be paid is the study of the Torah.
Not only scholars from the surrounding area, but also Torah leaders from Jewish communities all over the world join in this communal Torah enterprise. Of course, Israel is well represented, but also scholars from England, France and South America regularly take time off from their own busy schedules to make the trip so that they can share Torah insights and learn from their colleagues.
The gathering serves as a meeting of minds, an opportunity for the scholars – some of whom living far from the centers of Torah erudition – to bounce ideas off each other and sharpen their understanding through interaction with their peers.
Continue reading “Rabbis Travel For Personal Tribute”presents