Today: First Yahrtzeit of ‘Uncle Yossi’

Today is the first Yahrzeit of Rabbi Yosef Goldstein, OBM. A veteran educator, Rabbi Goldstein inspired generations of young and old with his stories and parables.

A pioneer in filming the Rebbe on a consistent basis, it is thanks to him that many priceless moments from 1950s and 60s were captured on film.

Thank G-d, his spirit was contagious, and several of his children also recorded many hours of audio, film and video. Significant portions have graciously been passed to JEM, who consider it a privilege to have shared many of the Goldstein family’s treasures with the world.

All of Klal Yisroel is indebted to “Uncle Yossi.” The greatest tribute to him is the fact that thousands of people around the world are able to watch videos of the Rebbe thanks to him.

Here a video he filmed by Yossi Goldstein on 19 Kislev, 5728 (1967), restored by JEM’s Living Archive (featured on Living Torah program 430):

In his inimitable style, Reb Yossel shares a memory of the Rebbe with the My Encounter team (featured on Living Torah program 262):

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5 Comments

  • Avraham West

    As one of the many children that first Knew him as “Uncle Yossi.”
    He introduced me to Chabad.
    I had the the privilege of being on his radio program several times.
    I had the honor of learning chasidus with him. He was also a guest at my Bar Mitzvah.
    I consider him like a member of my family.
    I miss him very much!

  • Upstairs

    Riddle:

    Q: What did Uncle Yossi say as soon as he came to the Heavens?

    A: “Hashem is here, Hashem is there, Hashem is truly everywhere…”

    Did you know that Rabbi Goldstein is the author is the lyrics to that now world famous song?

  • To #2 >I dissagree!

    Reb Yossi is most certainly singing up there!
    But what he is singing and strongly pointing his fingers to everyone up there, singing: ‘Moshiach is still not here, Moshiach is still not there, HASHEM! WE NEED MOSHIACH EVERYWERE!!!’
    It’s enough! Please Hashem we’re waiting!!!’

  • The Reshonim

    If Rabbi Goldstein was niftar last yr & it was a Shana Pshuta dont we go 4 Yartzeits that fall in a leap yr acc 2 the 2nd Adar which is really the main Adar so y r they sayin Adar 1 if Adar 2 is the main 1.

  • rationalist

    He wonders how the rebbe still had strength remaining to climb the wall

    Todays Rashi (Pkudai 39:33)

    אמר משה לפני הקב”ה איך אפשר הקמתו על ידי אדם? אמר לו עסוק אתה בידיך
    נראה כמקימו, והוא נזקף וקם מאליו

    Also a similar story the tzadik Meir Permisheler would rise his way up a cliff nobody else could climb to reach a body of water for mikvah, he would say
    אז מאיז צוגעבונדן מלמעלה פאלט מען נישט אראפ למטה
    as he’d scoot up the wall