Mrs. Chana Shloush

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Rabbi Bistritzky A”H.

From 1974-1978, I was a young single Orthodox girl living on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. As you know, kashrus at that time wasn’t what it is today. There was no kosher hard cheese available in any supermarket anywhere nearby — not even with an O-U; forget about Cholov Yisroel. So about once a month on Sunday, I would make the trek to the Lower East Side to shop. A friend told me about Bistritzky’s store, saying it was the best place to go. The friend was right. I was not Chassidish in those days, yet Rabbi Bistritzky welcomed me, and everyone else, into the store with such warmth and friendliness — he did Hafatza with his gentle humor alone. I have the happiest memories of those days. In contrast, some other business people would act gruffly toward anyone who didn’t belong to their circle. His friendliness was a small but real stepping stone for me toward becoming a Lubavitcher. (I moved to Crown Heights in 1978.)

In the late ’70s or early ’80s there was the infamous NYC Transit Strike. I was stranded at my workplace at Young Israel headquarters on W.16th St. Someone suggested I call and ask Rabbi Bistritzky for a ride back to Crown Heights. He offered it happily, and I recall walking all the way down to the Lower East Side to the store and riding home in a huge, well-used van (was it beige?). I believe Mrs.Bistritzky, tibadel l’chaim, was in the car as well. It was one of those vehicles that had obviously been used for many, many mitzvos, and they were most gracious.

Hamakom yinacheim eschem besoch shaar aveilei Tzion v’Yerushalayim. May the neshama have a big aliya and return here immediately to celebrate a great family reunion with the Rebbeim in the dancing circles of the Geula Shleima.

Kabolas HaTorah B’Simcha Ub’Pnimius. Only simchas from now on,

Mrs. Chana Shloush