Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Ezra Shochat recalled “the lifelong dedication to Ahavas Yisroel” of S. Monica Shliach Rabbi Avremel Levitansky OBM.
The 6th yahrtzeit of beloved S. Monica Shliach Rabbi Avrohom HaLevi Levitansky obm was marked at an event on Sunday Yud Sivan with hundreds in attendance.
As people entered the Shul, they Davened Mincha and were helped with Teffilin if needed. They then washed and sat down at the tables to enjoy a full dinner, and spend some time “Farbrenging” with their table mates, recounting their experiences with Rabbi Levitansky, or “Avremel” as he was fondly known.
Rabbi Eli Moshe Levitansky, Director of Chabad on SMC Campus, emceed the event which began with the 12 Pesukim recited by the children. He then called on Shliach of the Rebbe to Beverly Hills, and Rav of Anash, Rabbi Yosef Shusterman, who welcomed the crowd, and spoke of his dear friend and colleague, whose Yahrtzeit was being commemorated.
The guest speaker of the evening, Rabbi Ezra Shochat , Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Ohr Elchonon Chabad then addressed the theme of the evening, “The lifelong dedication to Ahavas Yisroel.” He called upon everyone to take these lessons to heart, and add in observance of practical Mitzvos, and to help others to do so as well.
Following in the tradition of his father, Zev Mayer Levitansky made a Siyum on Maseches Sota. He then made a Hadran, connecting the Halachos of a Sota with a number of lesser-known stories of his father which illustrated his character trait of love and dedication to Jewish education.
Rabbi Maimon, a close friend of Rabbi Levitansky and a direct descendant of the Rambam made a Siyum on the Rambam, after which Rabbi Isaac Levitansky, Shliach of Chabad of Simcha Monica, shared a Sicha of the Rebbe on the Siyum Harambam.
The official part of the evening ended with Benching and Maariv, after which the tables were rearranged to Farbrengen style, where the Farbrengen continued until late into the night. A Teshura was distributed which included letters of the Rebbe and some of Rabbi Levitansky’s stories.
Amongst those who Farbrenged were Rabbi Avtzon, the Rosh Yeshiva of RAPS, Rabbi Schwartz, one of the first pioneering Shluchim, Rabbi Shimon Raichik, Rabbi of Congregation Levi Yitzchak, and Rav of Anash, as well as Rabbi Dovid Thaler, Menahel of the Mesivta, who related many memories which they shared with Rabbi Levitansky.
Participants were asked to donate to the Camp Fund, one of Rabbi Levitansky’s primary projects, to ensure that every Jewish child has a Torah true summer; something which the Rebbe spoke about many times.