Among Chassidim

In this episode, Rabbi Mendy Greenberg of Twinsburg, Ohio—a feature writer for A Chassidisher Derher magazine—discusses his recent article exploring Yiddish and its place in Lubavitch and the Rebbe's teachings.
The conversation examines the Rebbe's strong encouragement of Yiddish, while also addressing the important nuance that schools should not prioritize teaching in Yiddish at the expense of students' understanding. Where is the balance? How do we reconcile the Rebbe's emphasis on preserving Yiddish with his equally strong focus on effective chinuch?
A thought-provoking conversation filled with fascinating sources, practical insights, and much more.
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In this episode, Rabbi Sholom Duchman, Director of Colel Chabad, starts by sharing the story of his illustrious family of devoted Chassidim and their deep hiskashrus to the Rabbeim.

He reflects on his childhood during the early years of the Rebbe's nesius in Crown Heights, his years of learning in various yeshivos, and the special experience of learning in 770 in the Rebbe's presence. Rabbi Duchman also discusses being sent by the Rebbe to Eretz Yisroel as part of the original group of shluchim.

The conversation then turns to the rich history of Colel Chabad, from its founding to its development over the years. Rabbi Duchman shares the story of his appointment as director and offers an in-depth look at the Rebbe's horaos, expectations, and personal interest in the organization's success, providing a rare and comprehensive perspective with wonderful openness and detail.

In this episode, Rabbi Sholom Ber Gurkov of Montreal, Canada, a veteran mechanech, shares his remarkable life through 90 years of Lubavitch history.
Beginning with his family's rich roots dating back to the times of the Tzemach Tzedek, he recounts his father's early interactions with the Rebbe when the Rebbe was still a bochur. He then takes us through his own childhood in Kharkov, his family's escape to Central Asia during World War II, the Chassidim's famous escape from Russia, life in the DP camps, and their move with other Chassidim to Paris. He also reflects on settling in England, learning in a non-Chabad yeshiva in Manchester, and ultimately moving to New York/Montreal to be with the Rebbe.
Along the way, Rabbi Gurkov shares firsthand stories of yechidus, memories of the Frierdiker Rebbe and the Rebbe, his involvement in the taharah of the Rebbe's brother, Reb Yisroel Aryeh Leib, and countless other fascinating stories and insights from a lifetime spent as a Chabad Chossid.

In this episode, Rabbi Berel Lazar, Chief Rabbi and Shliach of Russia, shares memories of his parents and his grandfather, the renowned poet Reb Tzvi Meir Steinmetz, growing up on shlichus in Milan, Italy, and his childhood visits to the Rebbe. Rabbi Lazar also recalls coming to New York to learn in yeshivah and later spending years in 770, where the Rebbe’s farbrengens left a lasting impression on him.

The conversation also explores his early years as a shliach in post-Communist Russia, witnessing firsthand the country’s extraordinary transformation from decades of religious persecution to a place where Yiddishkeit can once again be practiced openly and proudly.

In this episode, Rabbi Eli Touger of Boca Raton, the prolific translater of Sichos in English, shares the story of his journey from his early life and becoming frum, to his years in Kfar Chabad, the Chassidim and personalities who influenced him, and his eventual arrival at 770 where he quickly became involved in the chazarah of the Rebbe’s farbrengens.

Rabbi Touger also discusses his decades-long work translating the Rebbe’s sichos into English. Along the way, he shares fascinating anecdotes and insights from a lifetime dedicated to preserving and spreading the Rebbe’s teachings.