“Mendel, You Inspire Me”, Passing On A Bracha Through A Dollar From The Rebbe

The following story was posted by Chernigov Shlucha Aliza Silberstein, and shows the inspiration she drew from her son, and his request about a Rebbe Dollar.

Last week, while we were still in Romania, I spoke on the phone with Mendel. Mendel had been learning in Dnipro, and, together with his yeshiva, was evacuated to Dusseldorf, Germany, where there are receiving amazing care. I laughed, though, when I saw the pictures and videos of the yeshiva arriving, and noticed Mendel’s suitcase. He has all his stuff with him, while we had one suitcase quickly thrown together for the rest of the family.

Here’s how our conversation went down:

Mendel: Mommy, did you take my Rebbe dollar out with you?

(This is a dollar that was received directly from the Rebbe. We gave it to Mendel as a gift for his bar mitzvah, and it probably is his most precious possession.)

Me: I’m so sorry Mendel. I didn’t.

Mendel: OK, do you think we could-

Me: Yes, of course, we’ll get you a new dollar.

Mendel: No, do you think we can get my dollar to someone still in Chernigov? To pass that brocha on to him?

Mendel, you inspire me.

The dollar is on its way to someone in Chernigov who is risking his life many times a day, delivering much needed food, medicines, blankets, and filling cars with gas.

May the blessing of the dollar, and the merit of Mendel’s love and concern for others, keep him and all the Jews of Chernigov safe.