Cincinnati Yeshiva Marks 50th Anniversary with Rabbi Mendel Duchman
On 23 Iyar 5736 (which fell out on a Sunday), the Rebbe sent a group of 11 Shluchim – and Hanhalla – to open a branch on Tomchei Temimim in Cincinnati, Ohio under the leadership of Rabbi Sholom B. Kalmanson. One of those shluchim was Rabbi Mendel Duchman (Los Angeles).
At the encouragement of Rabbi Gershon Avtzon, of Yeshivas Lubavitch Cincinnati, Rabbi Duchman returned to Cincinnati to mark the 50th anniversary of this special date. Rabbi Duchman visited the building that housed the original Yeshiva and had special Farbrengens with the Yeshiva Gedolah (and local anash) and the Mesivta. He shared memories, pictures and life-lessons learned.
Tomim
The yeshiva closed down because the head shaliach waged heavy battles with the bochurim shluchim. Many believe that the agmas nefesh triggered the Rebbe’s infamous heart attack on Simchas Torah, exactly when the yeshiva decided to shut down because it was impossible to continue under those circumstances. Time heals all wounds. Now the former bochur sits with the head shaliach as good old buddies.