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Open Letter: Thank You Avremel!

by Anonymous Shliach

The Kinus has always been the highlight of a Shliach’s year. It’s a time when we can connect, meet old chaveirim, and draw chayus for our shlichus. Even more than what we gain at the kinus, is the experience our children, the Yaldie Hashluchim, have.

Our children don’t always go to Lubavitcher yeshivos, many learn in the online school, with no frum children in their cities to socialize with at all! They may not have friends to play with on Shabbos, experience davening with a minyan, or have men’s mikvah in town to visit.

We, who grew up in the luxuries of big city Jewish life, have chosen to commit ourselves to the Rebbe’s Shlichus with such mesirus nefesh. Our children didn’t have that choice, they were born into it . . . And yet it is their dedication that inspires us! Still, the Kinus has always been a chance to give our children a taste of all those things that they miss. We owe a big Yahser Koach to Rabbis Gedalya Shemtov, Moshie Pinson and all of the Shluchim Office staff for their hard word, as well the residents of Crown Heights who open their homes to us.

Let me share an experience I had while at the Kinus this year. Thursday morning, my son Mendel got a Chasidishe treat – he could go to the mikvah. A mikvah was charging shluchim only $1 instead of their regular $3 in honor of the Kinus, so off we went…

Only after I arriving at the mikvah did I learn that special rate was only good before 9:00 am. It was 9:02. The man at the door looked at his watch and informed us that we’d need to pay the full $6 to enter. I only had $4 and, try as I might, I could not sway him to make any exceptions.

Looking at my face, Mendy asked if this meant we could can’t go. How could I disappoint him? Walking back to where we were staying wasn’t an option and letting Mendy in while I stayed outside was out as well – I’m a strong believer in NOT letting our children go to the mikvah without parental supervision.

Suddenly, as if from no where, Avraham Fried approached the mikvah guy and gave him an extra $2. Mendy was able to toivel in the mikvah.

Thank you Avremel! The lesson you taught my son is one that goes well beyond a mere two dollars or the mikvah itself. You showed my Mendy that Chasidim truly are Ein Mishpacha. In your simple act of kindness, you encapsulated why we come to Crown Heights – to give our children a Chasidishe gefil.

Though your act of kindness was done without thought of compensation or for public recognition, I still want to be makir tov. You have no idea of who I am. You acted simply as a true Chasid should – teaching my son a lesson that goes beyond words.
Thank you,

An Anonymous Shliach

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14 Comments

  • just another one of you.

    for shame on the person taking the money at the mikvah. it would have been no skin on his nose to let you pay whatever the price was before 9:00 AM. is that anyway to show hakoras hatove to the Rebbe Shluchim?

  • good going R Avremel

    It’s a horrible shame on crown heights and its leaders that 2 bucks could destroy a child’s heart and soul “un farvos”

    No reason at all that the attendant did this he needs to leave his post or get some training in hakoras hatov and simple menchlichkeit

    I’m sicken by this

    but also encouraged that despite all good hearted Chasidim will always continue to define and perpetuate the rebbes kindness for all

  • bad taste

    I also had the similar experience at this Mikvah, while kudos to the Mikvah for reducing the price for Shluchim,to behave in such a way,is in terrible taste, i was online with 5 people in front of me, at some point in middle he announced and said not its after 9:00 no more discounts,some argued,asked, and this bochur would not budge,

  • reply to #1

    The “person” taking the money @ the Mikvah is a Goy and was just doing his job…. I would like to thank the “mikvah” for offering shluchim such a nice discount of only $1!

  • just me

    frankly the story is sad. Nothing special no big tzimmes. A big shanda that $1 all day could not be had for everyone’s benefit.
    The action of the doorman was shvach – if true about the 2 minutes downright nasty in front of the kid.
    The fact he had to stand even for a minute worrying about this is sad too.
    So ye nice of avremel – but whatever the story stinks and saddens me and I don’t believe it is just me

  • Mordechai

    I don’t think the person at the Mikveh did anything wrong-On the contrary-He is probably not the owner of the Mikveh and when dealing with Momon Hekdesh its not our decision to “be nice.”

  • AShliach

    I had a similar experience. As a Canadian Shliach, I sowed up with some Canadian $ and to my chagrin my last USD. The rate for Shluchim was $3. The fellow taking the money told me he would only take USD. As I stood there trying to figure out where I could change money so close to shabbos a fellow (I am emabarassed to say that I didn’t even find out his name) standing there reached into his pocket, without hesitation and paid the difference. מי כעמך ישראל?

  • Fried Fan

    This incident of Chessed by Avrohom Fried is just a drop in the bucket.
    Of all the people in Crown Heights I think Avrohom Fried is the biggest Shaliach.
    The inspiration he provides with his Chush Hanegina is awe inspiring and definitely what he Rebbe would want from His Chossid!

  • sum guy

    WHOA!! OMG!!!! AMAZING!!!
    After he rakes in HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS in royalties from all his CD’s, tapes, music etc. So he gave two lousy bucks – BIG DEAL!? How many families are mammesh starving in Crown Heights, no food, struggling to make ends meet – why doesn’t he help these guys!?

  • A fan

    Like his father before him, Avremel helps many people, quietly and with no desire for recognition. Anyone who sees him in the shechuna knows he does not run around with his nose in the air like a “superstar,” but rather remains Avremel Friedman, son and mamshich (along with his brothers) of his father R’ Yaakov Friedman AH.