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Lubavitch Archives

‘Uplifted’: The Story Behind the Photo

It was a parade to see. Floats, thousands of little children, music, charity and words of Torah. Rabbi Jacob J. Hecht, had been down the days before the parade, worried what its success would be. Would people come? Will the program be entertaining? Will the kids enjoy the event? For Rabbi Hecht there was no question when it was done of how wrong he was.

The Rebbe joined for part of the parade, delivered a talk to the small children, saluted to the soldiers who joined the parade and took great satisfaction of the well prepared Jewish themed floats. As the last float turned the corner, Rabbi Hecht thanked the police, the organizers and all parade staff.

The Rebbe then said, we need to thank “especially the boys and girls, the children of Abraham, Isaac, Sarah, Rabecca, Rachel and Leah.” The Rebbe then began a lively melody.
Before leaving Rabbi Hecht turned to the Rebbe and said that he hopes the Rebbe has satisfaction from the event. The Rebbe responded, “Very much.”

Then the Rebbe said (adapted from the Yiddish), “What is with what you were worried about how the parade will turn out?”

Rabbi Hecht responded that the Rebbe, “Schlepped me out from my worried state!”

The Rebbe responded, “Schlepped you out? Uplifted!” The Rebbe then lifted his hand above his head (in the photo) and repeated, “Uplifted!”

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11 Comments

  • No Clue!!!

    If anyone REALLY knew who Rabbi JJ Hecht was, they would realize, they would know, that there is a lot more to this story than what ‘appears’ to be to the naked eye, or ear! The relationship those 2 had was amazing. The relationship they had was different than with anybody else in Lubavitch! (Except for Rabbi Groner!)
    So don’t simplify what was ‘supposingly’ taking place
    between them. You don’t have a clue!

  • Lag B'omer 5747-1987

    Photo taken by a
    Crown Heights bochur Hatomim Avremy Raskin
    B’H’ Today a community leader…
    in Melbourne Austrailia
    Thank you so very much
    for capturing this Historic moment for all time,
    Moshiach Now !!!

  • To Comment 4

    Reading that the Rebbe repeated “uplifted” twice, I also immediately wondered what happened to Rabbi Hecht, in that moment, what he saw or heard, etc.

  • shlichus

    as usual lubavich archives brings great memories to the public thanks

  • Devorah Kroll

    I worked for Rabbi Hecht for years and once when he came in from translating for the Rebbe by a parade, I asked him:
    Rabbi Hecht! How do you DO that? How do you translate so well as soon as the Rebbe turns to you. He answered: Mamala, it’s no kuntz, if the Rebbe told a door to translate it would translate.
    He was a Chosid totally ibergegeben to the Rebbe.