By COLlive reporter

Mrs. Mindy Halberstam, a resident of Crown Heights who merited to have a close connection to Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson OBM, passed away on Thursday, Erev Shavuos, 5786.

She was 77.

Mrs. Halberstam (nee Wolghemut) was born in Milan, Italy, to a frum Jewish family. As a child, she grew close to Lubavitch when she began attending the educational programs organized by Shluchim Rabbi Gershon Mendel Garelik OBM and his wife Mrs. Bassie Garelik.

In 5730 (1970), she married Rabbi Chaim Baruch Halberstam, a Lubavitcher who is a descendant of Rabbi Chaim Halberstam, founder of the Sanz Chassidic dynasty.

Before their wedding in Italy, the couple merited to have a yechidus with the Rebbe. R’ Chaim Boruch, who founded WLCC, which documented daily life with the Rebbe, naturally recorded the conversation for posterity.

AUDIO: Yechidus of R’ Chaim Baruch and his wife Mindy Halberstam

For her wedding, Mrs. Mindy Halberstam received a special gift from the Rebbetzin, wife of the Rebbe: a silver fruit bowl and two silver candlesticks for her Shabbat candles. Along with the gift, the Rebbetzin sent a letter filled with blessings.

“It seemed only natural to me that we would be invited to the Rebbetzin’s home,” she recalled in an interview with the Kfar Chabad magazine.

Her rare access stemmed from her husband’s unique role as a mashbak (attendant) in the home of the Rebbe and Rebbetzin at 1304 President Street, where he assisted with whatever was needed.

“Sadly, I didn’t realize back then what a tremendous privilege it was,” Mrs. Halberstam admitted. “I remember when Mrs. Garelik of Milan heard that I had been inside the Rebbetzin’s house, she was amazed and confided that she herself had never been there.”

As time went on, the Halberstams began bringing their children to visit the Rebbetzin, who delighted in holding and playing with them when they were babies.

“One Simchas Torah, my husband suggested that I go visit the Rebbetzin, noting that she was likely home alone while the Rebbe was with the chassidim at 770,” she shared. “So, I set out with my stroller and two children, and knocked on the back door.

The Rebbetzin was overjoyed by our arrival. For over an hour, she played with the children using a small ball she had, marveling at them. Her pure, visible happiness brought us back the following year—this time with three children—and it quickly blossomed into an annual tradition.”

Mrs. Halberstam was a sincere, Chasidishe woman, devoted to the Rebbe’s inyanim, and was very involved in Mivtzoim.

She is survived by her husband, Rabbi Chaim Baruch, their children Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Halberstam – Yerushalayim, Rabbi Sholom Ber Halberstam – Chicago, Mrs. Dini Gurary – Montreal, Mrs. Chanie Kramer – Merrick, NY; Mrs. Rivky Shifrin – Little Neck, Queens; Mrs. Chaya Evers – Amsterdam, Mrs. Divi Greisman – Florida and Mrs. Sara Paris; grandchildren.

The levaya will take place tomorrow, Sunday, passing by 770 at 2:00 pm, burial at Old Montefiore Cemetery at 3:30 pm.

Shiva at *Ohel Hachomesh at the Ohel*
120-43 226th St
Cambria Heights, NY
11411

Shacharis: 8:00 & 9:00 AM
Break: 12:00-1:30 PM
Mincha: 3:00 PM & 7:45 PM
Maariv – 9:00 pm
Please No visitors after 10:00pm.

Memories and condolences can be sent to [email protected]

Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.