Historical Backround of Rabbi Gershon Chanowitz

Part 1 unedited

            Reb Gershon Chanowitz was born in Glubocke, Poland on Chanukah around 1922. (There are conflicting dates in the documents, and during the war it was difficult to keep track.)  Glubocke (written Glubokoe or Hlybokaje) is in northern Poland close to the Russian Border and in the Vilna Guberna (County).  Glubocke (which means the low land) belonged to Lithuania, Poland and Russia at various times.  (When I asked Zaidy in which country Glubocke is, he would say, “It depends when.”)

            Glubocke, although it was a small village, housed the regional government.  It had some electricity during the 1920’s and later on had some factories.  Yet by and large, it was an old backward shtetl.  The Jewish people lived in the center of the town.  A number of rich non-Jewish people had large estates in the outskirts of town.  Glubocke boasted a market for the farmers to sell their wares.

            Glubocke was an old Jewish town mentioned in the Vaad Arba Ha-Arotzos some 300 - 400 years ago.

            There were around 5,000 Jewish people in town, about half were Chassidim.  There were a number of shules in town associated with various Chabad Chassidic offshoots.  The Strasheler Shule, Der Liadier Minyan and Der Lubavitcher Shul including a Chabadnitzeh ( a Cheder Sheni for those who wanted to daven B’Arichus).

            (Glubocke was also a stronghold of religious Zionists, Reb Shmuel Mohiliver was a Rabbi in town circa 1850.)

            Reb Gershon’s parents were Reb Ben Zion and Elka.  Reb Ben Zion was a well-respected shochet.  In those days the shochet’s position was respected and as influential as the Rov’s position.  Reb Ben Zion was also known as a “Forshtay-er”  representing the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, Reb Yosef Yitzchok OB’’M.  Reb Benzion inherited his Shechita position from his father Reb Yisroel who arrived in Glubocke from Sloboda (a Chassidic town with many Kopuster Chassidim). 

             The family was known to hide Chassidim who had jumped the border from Russia illegally. Glubocke was close but not that close to the border. Disna (or Dzisna) was very close to the border, Dukshitz (or Doksycy) was a little further. Both were considered too dangerous to hide people. One of the people that they smuggled out of Russia was Reb Berel Kurnitzer (later on the Mashgiach in Otvock) A"H. 

            Elka was the daughter of Shmuel Avrohom Hellman from Liepla, Russia.  Her brothers were Reb Chaim Meir Hellman, the well-known, highly respected author of The Bais Rebbe and Reb Moishe, The Druyer Rov.  The family boasted a yichus as eineklech of Rebbi Yayva (one of the older Talmidim of the Baal Shem Tov.)  Elka was very smart and a Bas Zekunim of her father. She was also quite a lemdanis.  Reb Itche Masmid said that he spoke with her in learning and Reb Yossel Wineberg said that she was known as a Lamdanis. 

             Most women at the time as well as many men were illiterate.   When they needed to write a letter to the Rebbe, they would ask Reb Ben-Zion to write it for them. If he was busy then he would ask his wife Elka to write, which she did quite often.

            Reb Gershon was one of ten children. In his younger years, Reb Gershon learned from the famed Melamed Yossi Tishes (who passed away when Reb Gershon was 12 years old.)  Reb Yossi was an excellent Melamed who also taught him Nach thoroughly, which remained with him throughout his life. Afterwards his father sent him to Dukshitz, because he felt that the Melamed there would be better.

            Glubocke to Dukshitz is about 30 Km or 20 miles.  Yet in those days, the trip took about a half a day by horse and buggy. The roads were probably not the most direct or paved so it was a difficult trip.

            Reb Gershon learned in Dukshitz through Bar Mitzvah age.  During his Bar Mitzvah his family was quarantined because of the Typhus disease, so he could not come home.  His mother prepared a large fluden (kugel of sorts) and his father sent some money to buy schnapps, cake and other goodies. I imagine that much of the food was not used for the celebration. The poverty was such, that the Melamed needed to keep the money for his regular expenses. At Dukshitz, his Rebbe promised him a reward if he would learn Uva L’tzion Go-el by heart.  He mastered the T"fileh, though I’m not sure if he received the reward.

            A few months after his Bar Mitzvah he traveled home and then left to Vilna (after Pesach) to learn at the Lubavitcher Yeshiva there in the Apotov Shul. His name appears in the list of Talmidim (in the second class) on the 25th of Sivan 5696.  His Rebbe was Rav Gustman and Rav Ushpal (and the famous Reb Yudel Eber, author of Shaarei Yehudah).

            In the following year (for Tishrei 5698), he traveled to Warsaw and from there to Otvock (a suburb of Warsaw about 30 km-20 miles away) to learn at the Lubavitcher Yeshiva there.  The Lubavitcher Yeshiva at Warsaw had recently relocated there (in summer 5695).  The previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, Reb Yosef Yitzchok lived about a half mile from the Yeshiva (the address was Prussa Zeks [6].)  The Yeshiva was in a country-like atmosphere with trees and a few bungalow style buildings on Slowacka 1 (their address).

            Rev Gershon started off learning in the Kita’s (the younger classes) where he received a daily shiur from Reb Yudel Eber and Reb Boruch Friedman.

            Later on he learned in Zal where he also received a shiur from Reb Dovid, who eventually became the Kotzker Rebbe.

            Reb Gershon did not go home at all during his years in Vilna and in Otvock from 1936 – 1940.  He would say that the reason that he did not go home was because his uncle lived there.  This uncle Reb Moishe Leib Rodshtein (or Reb Zushe Shifrin) was the secretary to the Rebbe and as such lived in close proximity to the Rebbe.  During the Yomim Tovim, the Rebbe would have a minyan eating by his seudois.  Reb Moishe Leib was part of the minyan – so Reb Gershon decided to stay at his uncle and aunt's house. It would seem though that he did not have the money needed to travel home (even though most of the bochurim went home).

            Since he was a nephew of Rabbi Rodshtein, he was able to come to the end of the Rebbe’s sederim during Pesach.  Reb Chatshe Faigin would allow him to come into the Rebbe’s minyan more easily because of his connection.  He was also friends with Reb Chatshe Faigin’s son as well as the Rebbe’s grandson, Berka.  Since he hung around the shul he merited to observe various older Chassidim (including the Mashpia Reb Itche Masmid – a relative) and participate in their farbrengens. At his own sedorim, Reb Gershon used to repeat some of the Toirois that he had heard from The Rebbe at the seder during those years. He used to repeat them verbatem, with the same niggun every year.

            In Otvock, Reb Gershon learned to have a Geshmack in learning both Nigleh and Chassidus, and he developed a close kesher with his Rabbeim and Mashpiim.

            Towards the end of the summer 1939 the peace and harmony was rudely disrupted by the German planes dropping bombs in their midst.  As soon as this happened, the Yeshiva dismantled.  Many of the bochurim from Poland went home.  Those from America returned there as soon as possible.  Reb Gershon went with the horse and buggy that was carrying the Rebbe’s possessions to Warsaw.  The Rebbe told the bochurim to go up north, so Reb Gershon started traveling north.

            The Germans had already captured Poland, and were in the process of enforcing their dictatorship all over. Once during his travels he was locked in a church along with many other Jews for two days. The people were starving there and very very thirsty. Finally the Germans ym"sh gave each person a cup of water. Reb Gershon took the one cup of water that was alloted to him, and used half of it for negel vasser! Certainly a super-human act that we simply cannot fathom. A while before he was trapped in the church, his aunt had given him a Kichel to use in case of starvation. He kept it in his pocket for a long time. Now the starvation was unbearable, so he took it out to eat. An older man saw him holding the Kichel, and he begged him for a piece. Reb Gershon gave him a piece. He then asked for each of his children who were all starving. At first he tried breaking off small pieces. Eventually when there was little left over, he could not see himself eating any of the Kichel while the little chidren were starving. So he gave him the rest.

            Afterwards Reb Gershon tried to dodge the German troops. He went to the town of Druyer where the Rov (his uncle) helped him find someone to smuggle him over the river.

            Eventually, he made his way to Vilna (after stopping at his parents’ house in Glubocke.). The borders were somewhat fluid, and it was easier to go through them in those days. On Jan. 31, 21st day of Shvat 5701, he is listed as a Bochur in the Yeshiva in Vilna. He learned there from Reb Yehoshua Aizik Baruch and others.

            In Vilna the Lubavitcher refugees gathered to learn in the Lubavitcher Apotov shule (that had housed the Yeshiva earlier.)  Reb Chaim Oizer was in charge of the Vaad Hatzalah in Vilna, and he helped the Yeshiva exist during those months. When it came time for Pesach, he allowed them to buy new Keilim, out of respect for the Chabad minhag of not Kashering Chometzdiker Keilim for Pesach. During those months Reb Boruch Ber was niftar as was Reb Chaim Oizer.  It would seem that Reb Gershon was at both levayas and possibly served as a shomer for Reb Chaim Oizer.

            Reb Gershon had come from a family of shochtim, and was quite familiar with shechita.  In Otvock, though it was not usual for bochurim at that age to learn Hilchos Shechita, he started learning it (with an older man) during his free time.  In Vilna he started learning it in earnest (together with Rabbi Yossel Wineberg. See Igros Koidesh of The Rebbe Rayatz.)

            In 1941, things had gotten worse for the Jewish people in Vilna, and miraculously he found out about Sugihara. Mr. Sugihara, the Japanese ambassador to Kovna, was signing visas that saved around 2.000 lives. Reb Gershon miraculously procured visa # 1785 for himself, # 1836 for his oldest sister Fruma, # 1841 for his brother Shmuel Avraham, and #2027 for his brother Yisroel. The last visa was # 2039! Ud Mutzal M'Aish! An ember saved from the raging fire!

            He even smuggled his way to his parents, begging them to join him on his trip to Kobe, Japan. He offered to find a forger to change Yisroel’s visa to a family visa, but they did not agree; they were too scared.  While at home, he also learned shechita from his father and he borrowed his father’s Pischai Tshuva. He also took his father’s Sefer Torah to try to smuggle it out. The Sefer Torah was confiscated by the Russians at the border. The typewriter which was used to type many Maamorim, made it through the borders and later on reached New York City.

            Reb Gershon boarded the trans-Russian train and traveled across Russia to Vladivostock (arriving the 2nd of Shvat 5701- Jan. 30th).  From there he took a boat to Japan the next day.  In Japan he learned in the Lubavitcher Yeshiva that was there for a few months until they were deported to Shanghai.  Though it was tough to live in Shanghai, they still overcame all of the obstacles in order to learn B’Hasmada Uvishkida. Incidentally, the Chinese food that we enjoy  today, in no way resembles the meager subsistence upon which they lived!

            While in Shanghai his brother Shmuel Avraham got sick, and Reb Gershon worked very hard with the doctors and hospitals.  The Amshinover Rebbe got involved. He once walked with Reb Gershon the long distance to the hospital, in order to insist that Shmuel Avrohom eat on Yom Kippur. Rebbitzin Rishel Kotler was asked to translate.  It seems that the doctors in the hospital could not communicate in Yiddish or Polish, and she was able to translate into a language that they would understand. Reb Gershon also raised money for food for his brother, who was not in Yeshiva during his illness, and did not receive a food stipend. He did the same for his sister until she was married. It would seem that he felt that it was his personal responsibility to take care of his siblings as his dear parents would.

            His uncle and aunt had also gone to Kobe, Japan (they left Riga 19th of Elul 5700, arrived in Vladivastak on the 27th and then in Japan the 4th of Tishrei. Since they had received American visas, they immediately transferred to USA. They travelled by boat to San Francisco and then to New York on the 30th of Tishrei 5701).  Chabad had received nine more visas to Canada, which were given to the oldest nine bochurim.  His older sister Fruma roomed with (the future) Rebbitzen Kotler, who was engaged to Rabbi Shneur Kotler at the time.  During their stay in Shanghai, Reb Gershon helped find her a shidduch.  Since the Lubavitcher bochurim were much younger, and the Mirrer bochurim were much older, a shidduch was made with an outstanding bochur, Reb Michel Berenbaum (who eventually became the Mashgiach in Tiferes Yerushalayim.)  The wedding seudah took place in Reb Chetzkel Levenstein (the Mirrer Mashgiach)'s house on Shabbos.  There were very nice interchanges between the Lubavitcher bochurim and the Mirrer bochurim during those days.  Reb Gershon spoke during the Sheva Brochos.

            Reb Gershon helped his brother Yisroel, who had contracted an eye disease due to malnutrition, and did as much as he possibly could to help him recover. He also received semicha from Rabbi Ashkenazi in Shanghai.  During the war days, the information that was received in Shagnhai was very limited.  After the war, Reb Gershon wrote to friends and relatives repeatedly asking where his parents were.  Eventually he realized that they were all murdered around the 19th day of Menachem Av, 1942 by the Germans, YM’’Sh.

            On the ship ride to San Francisco, (the future) Rebbitzen Kotler became very sick.  Reb Gershon made sure that she had proper foods and meds. The Rebbetzin was always very thankful to Reb Gershon for this. After the war, Reb Gershon came over to America without most of his family and started a new life for himself.  The previous Rebbe had sent Rabbi Wineberg to welcome him and the others at San Francisco, as well as a large delegation who welcomed them at the train station in N.Y.C.

            Reb Gershon went to Lubavitcher Yeshiva in 770 Eastern Parkway.  During those years he went out to make various appeals for Lubavitcher Yeshivas for Rabbi Gurary (The Rashag).  Reb Gershon was blessed with oratory skills, which he used these skills often to speak at various shuls about the importance of chinuch and living a life of Yiddishkeit.  He also started working in Shechita in Rock Island, Illinois and other places.

             As the years progressed, it became the time for Shidduchim.  It was rare to find bochurim in general, because of the War.  It was much harder to find a frum Chaddishe Bochur with a full beard. To add on to all this, Reb Gershon already had a job at Shechita. He too was very careful to find an ehrliche frum girl from a good family.

             In 1950, Reb Gershon got engaged to Lea Goldwurm.  The Chassuneh was on the 11^th of Kislev, 5711, 1950.  Since it was during the year of Aveilus, the Lubavitcher Rebbe did not attend.  Reb Shmuel Levitin was M'sader kiddushin.  The Rebbe spoke during the farbrengen on Shabbos about the “Oifruf” of the chosson.

            Shortly after the Chassunah, Reb Gershon purchased his first house on 1007 President Street, near Franklin Avenue.  Later on he was instrumental in helping (his Uncle Rodshtein) build the Mikva at the President Street Shule, nearby.

            Reb Gershon, together with (Tibadel L'Chaim Toivim) his wife, Mrs. Lea Chanowitz were Baalei Hachnosas Oirchein (welcoming guest). He was also involved in one of the first Lubavitcher G'milas Chassadim (free loan society) with Reb Yochanan Gordon and later on with (Yibadel L'Chaim Toivim) Reb Shimon Goldman.

            In general he was very close to Reb Yochanan, because the Gordon family came from Dukshitz. The family had a close Kesher going back a few generations, and they were neighbors in Europe. He also worked with Reb Yochanan in Shechita in America.  He enjoyed doing a toiva to another Yid, and was especially kind to his family.

            Reb Gershon used to get up very early each morning (a trait that he had inherited from his father.)  Before he would leave to shechita (around 5:00 AM) he would chazer over (review) Hilchos Shechita.  On his days off, he would also get up early to continue other learning.  Even after retirement he would continue getting up early to learn.  It would seem that he felt that these were his best hours of learning.                                                                                                            

            Reb Gershon was a “Yodea Sefer” who learned all of his life.  He went through Shas a number of times.  He learned Torah Ohr and Likuttei Torah of the Alter Rebbe regularly.  He would chazer (repeat by heart) various maamrim publicly at different times and would regularly go to the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s farbrengens.  He remembered a lot of Tanach verbatim from his “Girsa D’Yankusa” (younger years learning).  He would also regularly quote large parts of Gemara by heart.  He would always enjoy a Geshmake vort found in the various sefarim that he was learning.

            Reb Gershon especially enjoyed farhering (testing) his children and grandchildren, and speaking with them in learning.  He loved giving them a “chayus” a Geshmack in learning.  He cared deeply about each child’s progress.

            Reb Gershon was close with Reb Zalmen Shimon D’vorkin, the Lubavitcher Rov, Rabbi Berel Rivkin as well as Reb Moshe Feinstein, the Tzelemer Rov, Rabbi Teitz, and the Bobover Rov, and the Novominsker Rebbe.

            As mentioned previously, Reb Gershon had tremendous skills as an orator.  He spoke very powerfully.  When he would speak, it was often about der Alter Heim, recounting stories of various Tzaddikim and older Chassidim. He also spoke in front of a crowded auditorium of 800 students at Boulder, Colorado together with Mr. Sugihara's son. During the event, aside from thanking Mr. Sugihara publicly, it brought out his memories of being saved from the inferno of  Europe. This opened a floodgate of emotions which was palpable at the speech. Many participants walked away visibly moved, and were inspired to grow in their Yidishkeit. Many a time he would be extremely instrumental in inspiring another Yid to find his way back to Yiddishkeit. In this way, he was involved in the Chabad work of his children.

            Hearing him speak, one would feel as if he was living in another time and place.  It sounded like he was describing a scene that was unfolding in front of his eyes.  He was merely recounting to us what he saw.

            His stories made a deep impression on those who heard him.  He was not a lecturer, he would not tell others what to do, rather the stores themselves were lamplighters, illuminating beautiful paths in life.

            Reb Gershon together with his wife were zocheh to raise a large family KA"H including Elky Elbaum, Boro Park, Moshe Chanowitz, Montreal, Shifra Kohl, Boro Park, Ben-Zion Chanowitz, Monticello, Esther Fishman, Boro Park, Simie Schtroks, Surrey, British Columbia, Yisroel Chanowitz, Monsey, and Chany Scheiner, Boulder, Colorado.

            Reb Gershon was always very financially responsible.  He never wanted to take anything from anybody else.  The family lived a simple life in order to live within their means.  Later on in life, Reb Gershon got involved in selling insurance (and mutual funds for a few years).

            During this period some of his clients lost some money on an investment.  Reb Gershon took upon himself a number of difficult side jobs in order to make his clients whole.

            Reb Gershon stayed far away from machloikes.  It there would be a discussion about shule or community politics, he made sure to stay far away from this discussion.  He was well-respected by his friends and colleagues.  He was known as an honest, straightforward, kind, caring and ehrlicheh Yid.

            Later on in life, Reb Gershon started giving a shiur in the local shul in Daf Yomi and other topics.  He also helped others prepare for their shiurim.

            Reb Gershon had a knack for respecting and gaining respect from people in many types of communities. He had a special way of connecting with people of the Litvish, Chassidish, Poilish, Hungarish, Yekki, Sefardi and those who were starting their path in Yiddishkeit. He'd often have a story about their mentors, that they themselves had not yet heard. Reb Gershon was asked to Chazer Chassidus (repeat a maamor) in all kinds of Shuls, and was highly respected for this. Everybody respected his sincerity, his Yiras Shomayim, his Chassidishe Geshmack and his love for all people.

            During his short Levaya- funeral (as minhag Chabad is not to have Hespedim eulogies), the funeral home was packed with a cross section of the Jewish Community. Each person felt like they had lost a personal friend, a personal mentor.

            Burning fire is usually a destructive force. Yet when steel is put in fire in a certain way, it becomes tempered and is much stronger. The horrible fires of the holocaust caused so much internal destruction even to the survivors! Reb Gershon though, was able to turn the negativity into his tremendous personal strength!  For years he could not bring himself to face those brutal memories. He once said " I am afraid to open up the windows after the flood, and breath in the air, after such tragedy". Perhaps he was worried whether he would ever be able to stop the pools of tears from his own personal losses. Yet in his later years he struggled with the fact that his own dear Father had never been Zoicheh to be at the wedding of even one child, while he was Boruch Hashem able to celebrate so many beautiful simchos in his family! 

             Reb Gershon lived his life without excuses, trying to accomplish as much as he possibly could. He was a driven man, perhaps driven to make up the tremendous loss of the previous generation. Perhaps his perseverence and his positive demeanor masked the silent pain that he was experiencing. Surely his life can serve as tremendous inspiration to those who open their eyes and soul, that no matter what we are dealt with in life, we can pick ourselves up and rise to tremendous heights!

            Yesoimim Hayeenu V'Ain Av! We have been orphaned and are left without a Father! Reb Gershon left this world when the whole Jewish community cries out these same starkly powerful words! The loss to the family and close friends is tremendous!

            Reb Gershon passed away on the second day of Menachem Av. May we be Zoicheh to experience the real Nechama which will come from Avinu Sh'Bashamayim our dear Father in heaven, as we say Anoichee Anoichee Hu M'Nachemchem with the coming of Moshiach! May it be speedily in our Days! Amein!

            Y'hi Zichroi Boruch May his memory serve as a blessing