One of the first Mitzvah Tanks, c. mid 1970s. Photo: Lubavitch Archives.

Weekly Story: A “Chance” Encounter

by Rabbi Sholom DovBer Avtzon

A few weeks ago I wrote about the summer that I went on Merkos Shlichus, and the feedback demonstrated that there is an interest in reading happenings of the present, as well as of the past, so I decided to begin this week’s post with a story that took place during that summer of 5738 (1978). Your feedback is always appreciated.

Rabbi Simcha Zirkind approached Dovid Wilansky and me and asked us if we were willing to go on Merkos Shlichus to New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland. We agreed and he gave us names of people in various villages, towns, and cities to visit. Those people would help guide us to other Jews in their vicinity and we would work off of that as our base.

Since it was prior to GPS days, we took out a map and mapped out our trip. The first stop would be in Moncton, New Brunswick, then Halifax, Nova Scotia, a sixteen hour ferry ride to Argentia, Newfoundland, which is close to its capital S. Johns where there is a Jewish community.

These were the largest cities in regard with Jewish families, and on the way back we would visit smaller towns and villages. The final visit was in a small town in New Brunswick, where we were supposed to meet the only Jewish family living there who owned a hardware or country store and was a supporter of the Yeshiva.

Arriving at the store on Thursday around two in the afternoon, we were informed that the owner and his married children had gone on a vacation and would return the following Tuesday. Disappointed, we asked the clerk if there is another Jew in this town or nearby town or village.

The clerk replied that he believes there is one other person who is Jewish and gave us the address and directions to his house.

As we pulled up to the driveway in the decorated mitzvah mobile, I noticed a man coming out the door holding his briefcase and staring at us in bewilderment. He waited by the door which he had not closed and asked us to come in. I thought it would a brief conversation since it seemed that he was heading out when we arrived.

When we began explaining that we are from Lubavitch he said that he knows of Lubavitch. He then asked if we knew a certain person. When we replied no, he was surprised and said, “Lubavitch is in Crown Heights, he lives in Crown Heights and you don’t know him?!”

I responded that I am from Michigan and besides family and some friends who live in Crown Heights, how am I to know him? Dovid replied that although he is from Crown Heights and perhaps his parents know that family, he only knows the people on his block, those who daven in the same shul, and of course family and classmates, but he doesn’t know him.

“You really mean you didn’t speak to him lately,” he asked in astonishment?

“No,” we replied. “We were on the road for the last month visiting the outlaying Jewish communities in these three Canadian Provinces, and after here we are going back to Montreal. We haven’t spoken to anyone in Brooklyn during the past four weeks.”

“I don’t believe it,” he replied. “It is so uncanny.”

“You see that person is my brother-in-law. He was inspired by his local Chabad – Lubavitch representative and he became religious and Chassidic just like you. Over the past few years, before the holidays, he sent us brochures about the holidays and some Jewish books for our children to read, trying to draw us in.

In the beginning it was amusing, but he began trying to push us, so we wrote him that you say wherever there is Coca Cola, there is Lubavitch. We are living in this community for almost ten years, there is plenty of Coca-Cola, but there was never a Lubavitcher here. So please, give us a break.

His reply came to us yesterday and he wrote, “Who knows, one day they will show up at your doorsteps. That letter arrived yesterday, and now you are here, one day later. That is why I waited by the door when you arrived and although I am going to come in late to work at my job at the border patrol. I wanted to hear about my family.”

However, the conversation didn’t end then, as it went on for over an hour. He then said, “My wife and I have this question that we ask every Rabbi that we meet, and because of this question we are non-observant. Therefore since you are two young men, studying to become Rabbis, I will ask you the question.

We understand that G-d could be displeased with the actions that an individual or group does. Sometimes He lets it go and sometimes He punishes the person. So if I personally become sick, I accept it. G-d is telling me He is unhappy with my actions and decisions and is punishing me. I deserve it, and I can accept it.

However, when a child is born with birth defects or an illness, the child is innocent and pure, he didn’t do anything wrong. Why would a kind and loving G-d and Creator do such a thing to the innocent? It is because of this question that we don’t observe the commandments.”

I was at a loss. If all the numerous Rabbis they asked couldn’t give a satisfactory answer, how could we? But Dovid replied, “I had the same question and two years ago when I was learning in Morristown, I asked it to the dean, Rabbi Heber.

He replied as follows, ‘A good question is half the answer. You say you understand if it happened to an adult, since that is in middle of their life and it is possible that they sinned against the Creator. A child on the other hand, is at the beginning of its life. But if this child would become sick G-d forbid in middle of his life, everything is understood from your perspective

So therefore you should know that most people nowadays are in middle of their journey. They are a reincarnation of an individual who had already lived, but their soul was sent back to this world to complete their mission. They erred in something or didn’t fulfill something. So yes, the newborn is an innocent child, however, its soul is not new; it is in middle of its life and therefore, G-d in His wisdom, does what He does.’”

The couple thanked us for the response and replied that they will discuss it and think it over.

The following year when two other young men went on Merkos shlichus to the same towns, they asked us for tidbits of advice etc. I told them that if it were possible, they should visit this couple and they would have an enjoyable conversation.

When they returned I asked them how it went and who were they able to visit.

“We met the couple that you advised us to visit. However, we didn’t have to go to their town, we met them in the Yeshiva in Montreal.”

Seeing my expression of disbelief they continued, “They were speaking to Rabbi Hendel and told him that last summer two students of the yeshiva visited them and gave an answer to their question and they thought about it and came to the conclusion that G-d is vindicated. Therefore as honest people they are now keeping their part and wish to become observant.”

A chance encounter, if anything is by chance and not Divine Providence, of a few hours changed the life of a family. Just imagine what a complete summer experience in a camp does for a boy or girl and then contrast that to what their experience might be if they are bored at home. The benefits are immeasurable!

My wife’s brother Avrohom Eliezer hy”d was murdered in the beginning of the summer of 5736 (1976). Upon the guidance of the Rebbe, my in laws together with Mrs. Leah Lipskier and her husband Eli, of blessed memory, created a camp fund to help children go to overnight camp.

Every year they made a function or a Chinese auction to raise the funds to help boys and girls enjoy a summer. They have helped thousands of families. This year, because of COVID-19 and the question if camps will open at all, no function was made.

However, some of the camps have opened, many of them at additional expense, by renting space out of New York State, and therefore the requests for assistance is now greater than ever. Some parents have lost their jobs, camps are not in a position to give discounts, while the children are desperate to be out of the house, in a wholesome environment.

So it was decided to take the plunge, and to promise parents to help out as much as possible. The family and friends put together some money to start, but the requests are much more than previous years. The Rebbe the Tzemach Tzedek said, “Chassidim are one family,” and with that mindset it was decided to go for it and launch a charidy campaign to help your neighbors’ and friends’ children from our community and outside of the community.

Please partner with us this Tuesday and Wednesday at charidy.com/campfund and help these boys and girls gain from a wholesome summer. Our staff are all volunteers, there are no salaries, every dollar given is invested into these wonderful children.

A few testimonials from previous years.

….. This was my problem. Chasdei Avrohom Eliezer (Campfund) came to the rescue and helped my boys and myself. Camp literally saved their lives and kept them in a kosher wholesome environment, where they can have fun and learn Torah, while developing good life skills.They nurtured meaningful friendships with positive role models.

My boys went to camp every year, even when I struggled for food to eat. Camp saved them from the dangers of roaming the streets, when I, their mother, was at work. I would never have been able to do this without you. The campfund, you made it happen.

Today they are happily married, raising frum chassidishe families of their own.

Sincerely yours, Mrs. M

Dear Chasdei Avrohom Eliezer.

Many thanks to your wonderful fund and to you Mrs. Lipsker, for reaching out to my family, in our time of need and tragedy. When I lost my young wife unfortunately, I was helpless. You sent my older boys to camp for the summer, which made a positive impact on their lives.

I will be forever grateful, Yasher Koach

Rabbi W.

The Charidy campaign will be bezras Hashem this coming Tuesday and Wednesday, the 21st and 22nd of July. Please participate at Charidy.com/campfund

May everyone be blessed that you should always be on the giving side, in health and happiness.

Mrs. Leah Lipsker and Rabbi Moshe & Mrs. Esther Goldman

Camp fund founders and directors

This week’s post is dedicated in the zechus and anticipation of a complete and speedy recovery for my sister Chaya Rivka bas Cheyena, together with other cholei Yisroel.