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Letters of Appraise

Dear Rabbi Epstein:

    On behalf of every person on our tour this past Sunday, it is my distinct pleasure to be the one to thank you for making the tour of your wonderful shtetle the highlight of our day! The visit to the scribe’s studio captivated all of us, and we felt honored to be there as the scribe neared completion of the Torah in front of him. Interestingly, the sight of "Bereshith" on the new Torah lying casually on the dining room table in wait for the afternoon ceremony awed us almost as much as the scribe’s painstaking work.

     Our visit to the mikvah and later to the synagogue/yeshiva provided a fascination and inspiring look into a world far removed from the everyday experience of us Connecticut Yankees. Although we have our share of Orthodox congregations and even have a Chabad in Westport, what we saw on Sunday brought us to a new appreciation of the health and vibrancy of Jewish life in American today.

     The delicious lunch at Mrs. Trappler’s lovely home was disappointing only because it ended far too soon! She is a most gracious hostess, and we were extremely moved and touched by her welcoming remarks, the tremendous effort she put forth in serving so beautifully, and by her concern making sure we were all well fed and happy. (Jewish mothers are indeed the same the world over!)

     As for your role in our visit, we couldn’t have had a more perfect guide! Your eloquence, friendliness, intelligence, and ability to anticipate all our questions and field even more made us feel completely at home. The joy and enthusiasm in your voice, your obvious pride in the community, the stories about the Rebbe — all worked perfectly in your favor because I, myself, witnessed the first unofficial meeting of the Rabbi Beryl Epstein Fan Club right on our bus!

     In case you’re wondering, the trip to the Brooklyn Museum of Art, although absolutely wonderful and the first reason you and I spoke some months ago, paled in comparison to the joy expressed by all my participants at having had the opportunity to spend the morning with you. Don’t worry, we’ll be back in the spring to see what we missed!

Shalom and TODAH RABBAH,

Joyce M. Singer
Programming Coordinator
JMS/ll

Rabbi Beryl Epstein
The CChassidic Discovery Center
Lubavaitch Youth Organization
305 Kingston Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11213

Dear Rabbi Epstein,

    Thank you very much for leading a tour of Crown Heights for the 92nd Street Y on Sunday March 10th.

     The Comments I received from the participants were all positive. Everyone found the Lubavitch Community of Crown Heights extremely fascinating and for many, this was a wonderful introduction into the life of the Lubavitchers.

     Most of the people in the group have never been to a Matzah Bakery or a Scribe’s studio, and all found these to be an incredible experience. The lunch was a very nice touch, as was meeting the people in the community.

     Above all, the group was thrilled to have met you and to hear your anecdotes and insights into the Lubavitch Community. You added so much to the day.

     Thank you again for enlightening everyone. We look forward to repeating this tour in the fall. I will contact you next month to arrange a date when we can next visit.

Sincerely,

Melissa Golub
Assistant Director
Tours and Travel

Rabbi Beryl Epstein
305 Kingston Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11213

Dear Rabbi Epstein,

    It was truly an enlightening experience for our group to visit your community. If you may recall we were a group of 52 French students and teachers with a great curiosity about the Lubavitch Community. Your guidance and organization helped to satisfy some of that curiosity; your patience and insight inspired many young minds to contemplate the meaning of life. It was an extremely intense 2 ½ hour bus ride home for us to Pennsylvania as 40 + people discussed deep issues that entered into all realms of our hearts, minds and souls.

     It was a very well organized tour and you efficiently included as many activities as possible. Our first stop at the Shmura Matza Bakery, where some of the workers spoke French, was a real treat. The people there were so lively, friendly, skilled and really seemed to be enjoying their work. Our guided visit to the Scribe’s studio was the highlight for many; seeing the Sofer actually writing a Torah really demonstrated what fierce dedication can exist beneath the surface of a human life. Finally, our visit to the Lubavitch World Headquarters and CChassidic Synagogue were awakening experiences for all of us. After witnessing the superb scholarship, devotion, and seeking of knowledge that the students and teachers exhibited our students’ perspectives on education were changed for the better forever! They will not complain about homework again!

     During our group’s stay in the USA we visited Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Lancaster County and New York City. As a cross-cultural activity, you Discovery Center was the most memorable time of all five of our excursions. You helped to open the minds and imaginations of many young (and not-so-young) people with your great tour.

We look forward to visiting with you and your community again. The experience was unique, educational and uplifting.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Sincerely,

Alan Kane
Pennsylvania – New Jersey Coordinator
Echanges Culturels Internationaux

Rabbi Beryl Epstein
CChassidic Discovery Center
305 Kingston Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11213

Dear Rabbi Epstein,

    I am writing to tell you how much our group, Student Friends of Israel from Rockland Community College, enjoyed the tour you led last Sunday. You conducted the program with tremendous grace, humor and intelligence. Despite the tremendous diversity in our group regarding ages, nationality, background and level of knowledge about Yiddishkeit, you appealed to everyone. Your blend of Chassidishe varmkeit, Southern hospitality and Chabad works very well.

     You could see by the fact that at the end of the tour, everyone was clamoring to have their picture taken with you that you developed a special rapport with the participants. I am confident that the participants will take home not only photographs and the chachkas they bought at 770 but also a renewed commitment to Yiddishkeit. In fact, in the few days that have elapsed since the tour, I have run into many of the people who are still brimming with enthusiasm about it. One woman, for example, asked me to write out the bracha for Shabbos candles so she can begin to practice that mitzvah.

     I also want to comment Mrs. Mendelsohn, your assistant, for her articulate and thought-provoking explanations to the women at 770 and the mikveh.

     I am looking forward, imy"h, to making this tour a regular event for the college.

Have a kosher & frailichen Pesach,

Zipora Reitman
Communications Coordinator
Faculty advisor, Student Friends of Israel Club