This Shabbos, 22 Shevat (February 6), marks the 22st anniversary of the passing of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, of righteous memory. Daughter of the Sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, of righteous memory, and wife of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka lived an intensely private life while quietly supporting her husband’s work. She proved a true helpmate and an inspiration for thousands of Lubavitcher women.
The Avner Institute would like to present excerpts from My Encounter with the Rebbe, Volume 1, by Zalmon Jaffe, of blessed memory. A British businessman and personal guest of the Rebbe, Mr. Jaffe came to Crown Heights every Shavous. He recorded his experiences in a journal which would be published annually for the Chabad community. He and his wife Roselyn enjoyed a special relationship with the Rebbetzin, whom they had the merit to visit during their frequent stays and whose gracious manner was warmly remembered. We would like to thank www.MyEncounter.com for sharing these excerpts.
We have also included unique photos of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, as well as photos that were taken over the years, the The Picture is From the Archives of Eli Slavin, Crown Heights with special thanks to the Rebbe Archive and Yechi Ezagui.
This e-mail is dedicated to my brother Schneur Zalman Kirschenbaum in honor of his engagement to Sarah Leah Krinsky, may they build a Bayis Ne'eman B'yisrael!
Good Shabbos
Menachem
Our visit in 1972:
We again had the zechus (privilege) to visit our dear Rebbetzin at her home. Actually we had a double zechus, because we were fortunate to visit her on two separate occasions, as we did last year.
Her house had just been redecorated. It was very nice and bright. Our Rebbetzin also looked very nice and bright; she seemed much younger than last year. She oozes charm and graciousness. To quote an expression often used by the Rebbetzin herself, which translates as exceptional, "umberuffen." We feel proud and privileged to again be in her company.
She inquired about our children and grandchildren, especially regarding Susan, for whom we delivered another letter to the Rebbetzin. In her letters, Susan describes the daily happenings which occur at home in Manchester.
We spent a very pleasant couple of hours together. I read out excerpts from last year's diary, my Israel diary and parts of this Shavuos trip's diaries, which I am writing now (I had brief notes).
The Rebbetzin praised my work (it was not just politeness, she is obviously a real lady), and remarked that I had talent and a gift for writing. She recommended that I have all my diaries printed in one volume.
On our second visit with the Rebbetzin, time simply fled. The two hours seemed like 30 minutes and it was time for mincha (the afternoon service).
The Rebbetzin confirmed that the Rebbe does enjoy seeing me and everyone at the davening (prayers). Although it did seem that the Rebbe does not notice anyone, the Rebbetzin assured me that he saw everybody and it made him very happy indeed.
We again had the zechus (privilege) to visit our dear Rebbetzin at her home. Actually we had a double zechus, because we were fortunate to visit her on two separate occasions, as we did last year.
Her house had just been redecorated. It was very nice and bright. Our Rebbetzin also looked very nice and bright; she seemed much younger than last year. She oozes charm and graciousness. To quote an expression often used by the Rebbetzin herself, which translates as exceptional, "umberuffen." We feel proud and privileged to again be in her company.
She inquired about our children and grandchildren, especially regarding Susan, for whom we delivered another letter to the Rebbetzin. In her letters, Susan describes the daily happenings which occur at home in Manchester.
We spent a very pleasant couple of hours together. I read out excerpts from last year's diary, my Israel diary and parts of this Shavuos trip's diaries, which I am writing now (I had brief notes).
The Rebbetzin praised my work (it was not just politeness, she is obviously a real lady), and remarked that I had talent and a gift for writing. She recommended that I have all my diaries printed in one volume.
On our second visit with the Rebbetzin, time simply fled. The two hours seemed like 30 minutes and it was time for mincha (the afternoon service).
The Rebbetzin confirmed that the Rebbe does enjoy seeing me and everyone at the davening (prayers). Although it did seem that the Rebbe does not notice anyone, the Rebbetzin assured me that he saw everybody and it made him very happy indeed.
