Brazil Marks Rebbetzin’s Birthday, Siyum Harambam

This last Monday on the 25th of Adar – the Birthday of the Rebbetzin, over Six Hundred people from across the spectrum of the S. Paulo Jewish community joined for a grand event at the elegant Buffet Franca Ballroom, celebrating 110 years since the Rebbe’s birth, 111 Years of the Rebbetzin’s Birth and the completion of the 30th Cycle of Daily Study of Rambam.

The hall was set up magnificently as people took their seats. Appetizers and drinks were served in abundance by the dedicated waiting staff.

The event was emceed by Chabad Shliach Rabbi Danny Eskinazi, who explained to all the assembeled the importance of an evening celebrating how much the Rebbe and Rebbetzin have changed the world in these past 111 years, and the significance of completing the Rambam for the 30th time.

Words of Blessing were brought by Rabbi Yaakov Begun, Head Shliach of the Higenopolis area, who stressed the importance of Achdus. The Rebbe’s and the Rebbetzin’s new Kapitel was recited by Rabbi Laniado, Rabbi at the Sephardic Shul Beit Yaakov. A video of the Rebbe addressing the last few laws of the Rambam was shown, along with a clip of the Rebbe making the first Siyum Harambam. Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch Rabbi Shamai Ende made the siyum, while sharing inspirational words the Rebbe pertaining to the last few laws of the Rambam discussing the times of Moshiach. As he completed the Rambam the crowd burst into spontaneous singing of “Sisu Vsimchu”, accompanied by festive music. As per the Rebbe’s Directive of immediately beginning the Rambam once more, Rabbi Hersh Leib Begun, Dean of the Lubavitch Education Institutions in S. Paulo, began the Rambam’s first few words about the foundational beliefs of a Jew, while adding from the Rebbe’s remarks on the subject.

The evening’s keynote address was given by Rabbi Avraham Shemtov, Chairman of Agudas Chassidei Chabad, and the Rebbe’s Shliach to Philadelphia and Washington D.C. Rabbi Shemtov spoke with passion regarding the three unities the Rebbe Created; Uniting all Jewish people, keeping the Land of Eretz Yisroel complete and united, and bringing a unprecedented unity in all elements of the Torah. Rabbi Shemtov brought out his message with many stories that he had personally witnessed or experienced during the many years he spent in close proximity to the Rebbe.

Rabbi Shemtov spoke in English, while his words were translated simultaneously into Portuguese and transmitted to the participants via FM transmitters. Although many were only able to understand through the translator, the heartfelt energy Rabbi Shemtov put into his message touched the hearts of all assembled.

Following Rabbi Shemtov’s passionate words, the crowd was addressed by Rabbi Havlin of the S. Paulo Beis Din, sharing some of his thoughts on the Rambam.

At the event’s conclusion people milled about, while coffee and deserts were served. A special memento was given to all those who participated in the event; a recently published book of the last few chapters of Maimonadies translated into Portuguese together with commentary by Rabbi Dovid Weitman. News reporters and TV stations who had come to cover the event interviewed the speakers, organizers and participants.

Following the event a festive Farbrengen was held in the Hall together with the students of the Lubavitcher Yeshiva, and was joined by many of the Shluchim and Anash from across the city.

In conclusion, the event, organized by the Talmidim Hashluchim of Yeshivas Lubavitch, and under the auspices of the Chabad-Lubavitch organizations of S. Paulo, was a resounding success, and the hundreds of men, woman, and children who participated came away with a tremendous boost in their connection to the Rebbe, resolving to do more to spread the Rebbe’s message and accomplish his Shlichus of reaching every Jew.

The organizers would like to thank so many of the individuals that helped make this event the success it was: Rabbi Shabsi Alpern, Rabbi Yaakov Begun, Rabbi Hersh Leib Begun, Rabbi Dovid Weitman, Rabbi Yossi Schildkraut, Rabbi Shamai Ende, Rabbi Sholom Ber Gourarie and Alberto Milkewitz of the Jewish Federation.