Tell Chaya that Mrs. Schneerson from President Street called

“Alle Chassidim zainen dem Rebbe’s kinder (”All Chassidim are the Rebbe’s children).“ This the Rebbetzin would say about her husband’s followers. Just as they were his children, they were hers as well.” The following story, as retold by Rabbi Shmuel Lew, Principal of Lubavitch Girls’ School in London, UK, illustrates the Rebbetzin’s maternal care and concern for the “Rebbe’s daughters” of Bais Rivkah.it’s an excerpt from the new book on the Rebbe to see more Visit: www.inspiringageneration.com

“While my oldest daughter Chaya was studying at Bais Rivkah, in New York, my father- and mother-in-law Rabbi and Mrs. Zalman Jaffe went to visit the Rebbetzin. It was during Tishrei—the start of the Jewish year, a month full of holidays, and an auspicious time for blessings–so they took along with them other family members, including my daughter.

My father-in-law proudly presented Chaya to the Rebbetzin. “My granddaughter is learning here,” he explained.

The Rebbetzin warmly greeted her.

“She doesn’t have any relatives in the community,” Rabbi Jaffe continued, “but she is very happy to be here and learn in the Rebbe’s institution.”

The Rebbetzin nodded and promised to keep in touch with her.

A few weeks later, on 14 Kislev–the wedding anniversary of the Rebbe and Rebbetzin–my father-in-law phoned the Rebbetzin to wish her a mazel tov. The Rebbetzin mentioned that she had been trying unsuccessfully to contact his granddaughter.

My father-in-law was surprised. “May I ask how you’ve been trying to reach her?”

The Rebbetzin told him of the school policy prohibiting public use of the school phone. “I don’t know how to get in touch with her,” she said.

My father-in-law gave the Rebbetzin the phone number of the apartment where my daughter and two of her friends were living. When the Rebbetzin phoned, she was told by one of the friends that my daughter was out shopping. She was then asked if she wanted to leave a message.

“Tell Chaya that Mrs. Schneerson from President Street called and that she’d appreciate it if Chaya would return her call.” This is how the relationship began, and from then on Chaya often visited the Rebbetzin.

As on Purim it is customary to send each other gifts, my daughter brought the Rebbetzin mishloach manos. When she entered the Rebbetzin’s home, she was asked by the Rebbetzin to eat something.

“Thank you, but I’ve already eaten,” my daughter said.

The Rebbetzin then asked her if she would be going to the Rebbe’s farbrengen, Chassidic gathering. Her husband traditionally gave one every Purim at 770. When my daughter said yes, the Rebbetzin exclaimed, “At the Rebbe’s farbrengen there is a lot of pushing, so please eat some more food for extra strength!”