Hey Teves Farbrengen & Dedication Of Bookmobile

CHICAGO, IL [CHI] — The Hey Teves Farbrengen in Chicago was held last Thursday evening, at the regional headquarters of Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois, using the talent of local Anash and Shluchim who presented various aspects of Hey Teves, each from their own unique perspective.

More pictures in the Extended Article!

The program began with a Devar Malchus delivered by R. Aryeh Leib Benjamin. He reviewed a Sicha of the Rebbe and pointed out many pertinent instructions. Then the program took on the theme of “Bayamim Hahem” with a review of many of the lesser known details of the entire Hey Teves saga. This segment was presented by Rabbi Sholom Ber Halberstam who enthralled the audience. Listening to Rabbi Halberstam you actually felt as you were reliving the period of Hey Teves. Especially for those who were not present during the original Hey Teves story, these recollections were extremely meaningful.

The next part of the program dealt with “Bizman Hazeh” taking the lessons of Hey Teves and applying them to our day to day life. R. Yehudah Sugar who has dedicated himself to maintaining an active Mitzvah Mobile in Chicago, explained how the Tank was now outfitted as an upscale “Bookmobile and Judaic Mobile Resource Center” and how it will be used throughout the Chicago area. All the participants got a chance to tour the remodeled Tank and get a flavor for the upcoming programs it will provide.

At this point the Maamer nigun was sung and R. Yale Zimmerman recited a maamer Chassidus in honor of Hey Teves. Between each speaker, Rabbi Daniel Moscowitz, head Shliach in Illinois and organizer of the Farbrengen, related anecdotes and short insights into Hey Teves.

And now as the formal part of the program concluded, the Hisvaadus continued with two speakers who Farbrenged with the crowd, each in their own style, on Hey Teves and its meaning. Rabbi Yaakov Brody and Rabbi Binyomin Scheiman had the crowd captivated as they spoke of the history, feelings, and practical lessons of the day.

As the evening turned to night and then to early morning no one wanted to see this beautiful Farbrengen come to end. Anash continued the Farbrengen for many hours permeated with the wonderful feeling of Sheves Achim Gam Yachad.

Many thanks to R. Avrohom Gedaliah Gershon for photographing the event.