By COLlive reporter
Forty years ago, as young bochurim in the Rebbe’s daled amos, they experienced firsthand the anguish of the court case, the Rebbe’s pain, and the extraordinary joy of Didan Notzach. Those unforgettable experiences became part of their core identity, became engraved in their hearts, and went into their bones—shaping their hiskashrus to the Rebbe and continuing to inspire them today.
Four decades later, the passage of time strengthened and deepened their appreciation of that extraordinary zechus. Now entering their 60th year, they gathered once again—as classmates, as Chassidim, and as family—united in their joy over the Rebbe’s victory and in their determination to share the simcha of Didan Notzach with the young generation.
“We lived through those days together,” the invitation read. “What the Rebbe gave us then became part of our core identity. It gives us, our children, and our grandchildren the tools to feel that the Rebbe is with us today.”
The Shabbos began Friday afternoon when the entire group went to the Ohel together.
Before speeches, farbrengens, or plans, the classmates joined in a single pan, signed by each participant. Rabbi Yisroel Spalter, Shliach of Weston, Florida, read it out loud at the Ohel, asking for the Rebbe’s brocho for the Shabbos and their efforts toward Hei Teves.
At Home at the Ohel, the beautiful, spacious home they had rented near the Ohel, the group watched historic videos of Hei Teves.
Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov of West Bloomfield, Michigan, welcomed the participants and set the tone for the gathering.
“The purpose of our gathering together this Shabbos is to strengthen our hiskashrus as Chaveirim and classmates and to encourage each participant to take an active part in sharing the joy and inspiration of 40 years of Didan Notzach.”
Between Mincha and Kabbalas Shabbos, Rabbi Mendel Cohen of Sacramento, California, recited a maamar in honor of his birthday, and the group learned together an edited sicha of the Rebbe on Hei Teves.
Hei Teves Comes Alive
The Friday night Shabbos seudah was chaired by Rabbi Yisroel Spalter of Weston, Florida. Rabbi Shemtov began recounting the story of Didan Notzach through his own firsthand experiences, sharing many remarkable and little-known details of Megillas Hei Teves.
Even among those who had witnessed the events personally, many were hearing details for the first time.
The presentation continued at the Shabbos day seudah, leaving participants with a deeper understanding and renewed appreciation of the magnitude of Hei Teves and its unique place in Dor Hashvi’i.
Each classmate was invited to address three themes in a fifteen minute presentation: a personal reflection on hiskashrus, an aspect of Parshas Didan Notzach, and a Rebbe story.
The Friday night speakers were Rabbis Spalter and Cohen; Ruvi New of Boca Raton, Florida; Itchy Treitel of Montreal, Canada; and Chaim Fogelman of Crown Heights.
The personal presentations soon gave way to a warm class farbrengen that continued until 3:30 a.m.
Shabbos day was chaired by Rabbi New. The speakers were Rabbis Nochum Mangel of Dayton, Ohio; Shia Werner of Stony Point, New York; Mendel Gansburg of Crown Heights; Yossi Levertov of Scottsdale, Arizona; Mendy Liberow of Crown Heights; Yisrolik Mockin of Montreal, Canada; Yisroel Nemenov of Crown Heights; and Avrumi Lipszyc of North Miami, Florida.
One by one, the participants shared their memories, reflections, and personal experiences. The farbrengen continued till an hour after Shabbos had ended.
From Inspiration to Action
The Melave Malka on Motzei Shabbos marked a decisive transition—from remembering the past to strengthening the future. The Melave Malka brought additional classmates and friends into the gathering, adding to the warmth and enthusiasm of the evening.
The Melave Malka was chaired by Rabbi Velvl Butman of Westchester County, New York, who opened with an address emphasizing the significance of the classmates entering their 60th year and the responsibility they now carry to the Rebbe and to the younger generation.
They committed to reach family, community, and friends. Their vision is to unite with Chassidim across the globe in celebrating Hei Teves as the Rebbe’s Yom Tov, rejoicing in 40 years of Didan Notzach and living with its monumental meaning in Dor Hashvi’i.
Each participant then shared his personal highlights of the Shabbos and the practical hachlatos he would undertake in preparation for Hei Teves 40.
Some are working on bringing the story of Hei Teves and its personal connection to every person directly into classrooms and even onto school buses, allowing children to hear this extraordinary story on their way to school. Two participants undertook to compose a special song commemorating forty years of Hei Teves.
In a dedicated room, a professional videographer recorded personal interviews with the classmates, preserving their firsthand memories and messages for all, especially for the young generation. A special video will be released in advance of the Yom Tov Hei Teves, enabling audiences far beyond the gathering to experience the joy, spirit and significance of those historic days.
Messages From the Heart
After the Shabbos concluded, the inspiration continued. Messages began arriving from participants, each reflecting the profound personal impact of the gathering.
“I was deeply moved by the pure love which all of our friends have for the Rebbe,” wrote one participant. “Each one spoke from the depths of his neshamah. It was a very uplifting Shabbos.”
Another shared: “Thanks to this Shabbos, I feel a special renewal standing in front of 770, before the Kodesh HaKodashim, and seeing the Rebbe’s windows.”
A third described the experience simply: “A Shabbos to remember, and a perfect hachana for Hei Teves, Arba’im Shonah.”
Perhaps one of the most moving reflections came from a classmate who spoke of gaining a new understanding of the Rebbe’s agmas nefesh during the court case. “This Shabbos opened our eyes to the agmas nefesh the Rebbe was going through.”
“I am sorry, Rebbe. I didn’t know the pain the Rebbe was going through.”
“Now begins the work of being the Rebbe’s hands and feet, to bring Hei Teves 40 to all of the Rebbe’s children.”
These were not merely expressions of emotion. They were declarations of renewed commitment.
Already at Work
The momentum did not end with Shabbos. Immediately, plans began taking shape. Members of the class began arranging pre-Hei Teves farbrengens in Anash shuls throughout their respective communities, with the first gatherings scheduled to begin this week. Reports and updates are already being shared among the participants as preparations move forward.
In Florida, a major effort is underway to bring together Lubavitch communities and organize visits to local classrooms.
A large, historic Ohel trip for Anash is being organized for the Sunday before Hei Teves.
The sense of urgency was captured in a message from one participant: “We blink, and it’s already Hei Teves. There is a huge world to reach.”
On Shabbos Bereishis, the Rebbe would emphasize that this Shabbos serves as a tzinor, a channel, a vessel, for brochos for the entire year.
For these classmates, Shabbos Bereishis became a powerful beginning—a renewed opportunity to strengthen their hiskashrus to the Rebbe and to carry the message of Hei Teves far beyond the walls of their gathering.
What began as a shared memory has become a shared responsibility to carry the light, joy, and enduring victory of Didan Notzach to all the Rebbe’s children.
With a heartfelt prayer that we should speedily merit the ultimate victory—the coming of Moshiach Now!
Participants
• Rabbi Velvl Butman — Westchester County, New York
• Rabbi Mendel Cohen — Sacramento, California
• Rabbi Chaim Fogelman — Crown Heights
• Rabbi Mendel Gansburg — Crown Heights
• Rabbi Yossi Levertov — Scottsdale, Arizona
• Rabbi Mendy Liberow — Crown Heights
• Rabbi Avrumi Lipszyc — North Miami, Florida
• Rabbi Nochum Mangel — Dayton, Ohio
• Rabbi Yisrolik Mockin — Montreal, Canada
• Rabbi Yisroel Nemenov — Crown Heights
• Rabbi Ruvi New — Boca Raton, Florida
• Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov — West Bloomfield, Michigan
• Rabbi Yisroel Spalter — Weston, Florida
• Rabbi Itchy Treitel — Montreal, Canada
• Rabbi Shia Werner — Stony Point, New York
Joined for the Melave Malka
• Rabbi Kasriel Sudak — Crown Heights
• Rabbi Sholom Ber Liberow — Rockland County, New York
• Rabbi Eliyohu Malachovsky — Crown Heights
• Rabbi Tzvi Teitelbaum — Crown Heights
• Rabbi Aharon Levi Konikov — Roslyn, New York
Many more classmates wanted to participate and are eager to help make Hei Teves 40 a grand global celebration.
