The Gift from New York

by Dovid Zaklikowski for Hasidic Archives

Her parents may have been immigrants from Russia, but the young Bassie Posner was American through and through. She had high hopes for marriage, yet struggled to find a match who truly captured her heart. Throughout the process, she corresponded with the Rebbe, who guided her on how to determine which match was right for her.

In 1958 she married Rabbi Gershon Mendel Garelik, a recent immigrant from the Soviet Union. Soon after their wedding, the couple wrote to the Rebbe expressing their desire to receive a shlichus, a mission to spread Judaism on the Rebbe’s behalf. At the end of November that year, they moved to Milan, Italy.

Life there was not easy for Mrs. Garelik. She soon became pregnant, yet remained a driving force behind many of their activities, including the day camp. The demands took a toll on her, and she wrote to the Rebbe several times about her struggles. At the beginning of August she reported that things had improved.

“I was pleased to read in it that your general mood has improved,” the Rebbe replied a few weeks later in English (Hebrew words translated), “and may G-d grant that you enjoy the fullest measure of peace of mind and contentment. All the more so as the merit of the community and the mission which you and your husband have will certainly stand you in good stead to have success in your public as well as private affairs.”

During their first ten months in Milan, Rabbi Garelik traveled to New York to spend the anniversary of passing of the Rebbe’s father.

Through years of corresponding with Mrs. Garelik, the Rebbe had come to understand her personality and needs. As she later described it, “I am an American girl; he is a Russian guy.” The Rebbe wanted to know whether Rabbi Garelik was giving her the emotional support she needed.

During his stay in New York, the Rebbe asked Rabbi Garelik to describe their relationship. He did so in a letter and concluded with the words, “Maybe I should not have written at length of her praise.”

The Rebbe amended the sentence, changing it to: “You should have written so much of her praise.” He underlined the words “at length.”

Afterward, the Rebbe’s chief aide, Rabbi Chaim Hodakov, asked Rabbi Garelik whether he was bringing his wife a gift from New York. Knowing that Mrs. Garelik enjoyed snacks and that the cakes she loved were unavailable in Milan, Rabbi Garelik replied that he was bringing her cake.

“Perhaps you should get her something in gold?” Rabbi Hodakov suggested.

Rabbi Garelik decided to buy her a wristwatch. Rabbi Hodakov offered to help him choose one, and Rabbi Garelik gladly agreed. A jeweler was asked to bring a briefcase of watches to Lubavitch World Headquarters. Several of the Rebbe’s secretaries examined the selection and offered their opinions. Then Rabbi Hodakov gathered up the watches and carried them into the Rebbe’s office.

When he emerged, he relayed the Rebbe’s instructions: “If there is time, take the face of this one and replace it with the band of another watch. If there is no time, then simply purchase the other one.”

The Rebbe then handed Rabbi Hodakov a machzor and said, “This is my present to her.”

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