By: Dovid and Esther Rena Grossman
As a baal teshuva from California, coming to Crown Heights was a shock in many ways. Not only because of the crowds and hustle and bustle of the Big Apple but also going from a few shluchim to a whole neighborhood of Chassidim. Overwhelm is an understatement. It was December and I had come to join college students from across the country for a weekend with Chabad. Friday night, after the meal, everyone was invited to hear a guest speaker at the Popack residents on President Street.
We gathered in the living/dining room with additional chairs gathered around in an informal but elegant setting. Refreshments accompanied the speaker and we had a very educational and entertaining evening together. I volunteered to stay afterwards to assist in the clean up. Our hosts, Shmuel Isaac and Miriam Popack were so warm and friendly that I felt immediately at home. Before I left, I was invited to come for a Shabbos meal whenever I was in Crown Heights.
After the Pagisha, I went to Tiferes Bachurim in Morristown to continue my learning. We came to Crown Heights often and I became a regular guest Friday nights. It was there that I met Rabbi Ephraim & Chana Piekarski and now I had two host families for every visit. And through the teaming mass of personalities in 770, I always knew where to get a smile and a joke. I just had to come say "gut Shabbos" to Shmuel Isaac and I would have a friend to visit with.
As I often repeat, "no one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care". As I reflect back on how easy it could be to get lost in the crowds, I appreciate the personal touch and chesed of individuals like Shmuel Isaac who make life's journey special. He will be sorely missed.
Chicago, Illinois
As a baal teshuva from California, coming to Crown Heights was a shock in many ways. Not only because of the crowds and hustle and bustle of the Big Apple but also going from a few shluchim to a whole neighborhood of Chassidim. Overwhelm is an understatement. It was December and I had come to join college students from across the country for a weekend with Chabad. Friday night, after the meal, everyone was invited to hear a guest speaker at the Popack residents on President Street.
We gathered in the living/dining room with additional chairs gathered around in an informal but elegant setting. Refreshments accompanied the speaker and we had a very educational and entertaining evening together. I volunteered to stay afterwards to assist in the clean up. Our hosts, Shmuel Isaac and Miriam Popack were so warm and friendly that I felt immediately at home. Before I left, I was invited to come for a Shabbos meal whenever I was in Crown Heights.
After the Pagisha, I went to Tiferes Bachurim in Morristown to continue my learning. We came to Crown Heights often and I became a regular guest Friday nights. It was there that I met Rabbi Ephraim & Chana Piekarski and now I had two host families for every visit. And through the teaming mass of personalities in 770, I always knew where to get a smile and a joke. I just had to come say "gut Shabbos" to Shmuel Isaac and I would have a friend to visit with.
As I often repeat, "no one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care". As I reflect back on how easy it could be to get lost in the crowds, I appreciate the personal touch and chesed of individuals like Shmuel Isaac who make life's journey special. He will be sorely missed.
