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Remembrances

Moments with the Rebbe last a lifetime.

R

abbi Mendel Scharf of Oak Park
was barely 8 years old when his
father passed away just days before
Yom Kippur in 1989. The eldest of three
boys, Mendel lived in Brooklyn with his
family who were followers of the Rebbe and
regular attendees at his synagogue.
By then, Rabbi Menachem Mendel
Schneerson was already the revered leader
of a worldwide movement and a man of
tremendous influence. He was all those
things to young Mendel as well, but after his
father's passing, the Rebbe became some-
thing more — a watchful eye, a guardian,
Chabad supporters Jack and Miriam Shenkman and Norman Alan,
an encourager. He remembers well the first
with Rabbi Berel Shemtov (behind Alan), visit the Rebbe.
Sukkot after his father's passing. As was
common on holidays, the synagogue was
Devoted Supporters
packed with thousands of people. Just before
As key supporters of the Chabad Lubavitch campus in West Bloomfield,
his much-anticipated talk, the Rebbe called
Jack and Miriam Shenkman had the privilege of meeting with the Rebbe
Mendel over to sit near him.
on several occasions.
"I sat near the Rebbe and he looked down
Jack Shenkman recalls one of the earlier meetings, where he provided
at me, and it just uplifted me Scharf says. "I
the Rebbe with an update on the progress of the new center.
had just lost my father, but from that time I
"You know Rabbi Berel Shemtov has a big appetite Shenkman recalls
never felt alone:'
the Rebbe telling them with a big smile, "but that is upon my instruction:'
That included making sure Scharf and his
Shenkman assured the Rebbe he would do everything he could to
brothers were always in attendance to recite
fulfill his wishes, a promise he kept over the years through his continued
Kaddish for their father and participate in
generosity and support of the Lubavitch movement. The Shenkmans pro-
the davening (praying), or personally hand-
vided funding for the The Shul in West Bloomfield that bears their name.
ing them a piece of challah or cake during
The Rebbe took Mendel Scharf and his brothers under
After traveling extensively and visiting Chabad centers in Israel and
a farbrengen (Chasidic gathering). Mendel
his wing when their father died in 1989 in Brooklyn.
other countries, Jack Shenkman joined an international group of benefac-
would write Rabbi Schneerson letters and
Scharf now lives and teaches in Oak Park.
tors devoted to raising funds for new Chabad facilities throughout the
would always get replies.
world. As a part of this group, they would travel often to Brooklyn for a
"I was a little kid of 8, 9, 10, and the
special audience with the Rebbe before the holidays.
Rebbe was extremely busy at that point, but [he] would sit down to answer my questions:'
"We experienced all the wonderful things they did at the direction of the Rebbe," said
Scharf says. "I would write him if I got a good report card or some other reward at school;
Shenkman, who described the Rebbe as "the most impressive and awe-inspiring man I
he would always acknowledge it and thank me for the good report:'
ever met:'
Today Rabbi Scharf is a teacher at the Harry & Wanda Zekelman Campus of the Lubavitch
Miriam Shenkman said spending time with the Rebbe was a privilege and an honor.
Yeshiva-International School for Chabad Leadership in Oak Park, where he teaches 13- and 14-year-
"He had beautiful blue eyes and the most beautiful smile anyone could have," she said.
old boys a variety of Jewish subjects, but also takes the time to encourage and inspire them.
"It was a pleasure to be in his company, and I hope we can continue with the wonderful
"The Rebbe is such an integral part of who I am and what I do:' he says, "it's hard to do it
things he wanted us to do:'
justice with words:'
– Ronelle Grier
– Jessica Naiman

Rebbe Tribute June 23

Chabad Lubavitch of Michigan will present An Evening of Vision, Music and
Inspiration" commemorating the 20th yahrzeit of the Rebbe at 6 p.m. Monday,
June 23, at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. Guest speaker is for-
mer U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut.
A tribute also will be given to the late Emma Lazaroff Schaver, known affec-
tionately as the "Mother of Chabad in Michigan." The Chabad campus in West
Bloomfield will be named after her in honor of her legacy.
Tickets start at $36; call (248) 660-9060, or visit lubavitchmi.com .

The Rebbe with Emma Lazaroff Scheyer

8 June 19 • 2014

Rememberances on page 10