By Yossi Sirota
There is one legendary Community Pesach Seder that stands out and had become known to be the largest attended Seder in the world.
Kathmandu, Nepal.
Every Jewish tourist that treks out here knows there is one address stay can’t be missed. Already from weeks before the Chabad house is a hive of activity of people coming to get their prized ticket.
From the early morning hours to late into the night, the dedicated Shluchim Chezky and Chani Lifshitz can be seen ensuring everybody is taken care of spiritually and physically.
Seder night, there are literally thousands of people that come and spend the whole night. The energy is palpable as so far from home so many Jews gather together to celebrate Yeztzias Mitzrayim.
This has become such a popular destination that besides becoming a common reference in Israeli culture it has inspired and motivated so many searching souls to find what is theirs in a place so far away from home.
This year, 30 years since the beginning of the Seder, it’s early beginnings come to light.
Enclosed here you can see a letter from a Michael Goldstein that wrote to the Rebbe in 5748-1988 of searching for neshamos that he has witnessed in Nepal. Describing the great opportunity available he requested that Chabad send an emissary to arrange a seder.
On his letter, the Rebbe wrote “למסור לצאגוח.” That was a directive to refer the request to the Lubavitch Youth Organization (“Tzach”) that they should facilitate the request.
Rabbi Kasriel Kastel at Tzach looked into the possibility and after hitting many stone walls replied to Mr. Goldstein to provide more information to see what can be done practically.
A year later, Mendel Kastel, then a bochur learning in Sydney, took up the challenge to try and facilitate a Seder in Nepal. Along with Mendel Lipskier, they arrived in Nepal expecting a crowd of 60 people.
When 100 registered just on the first day, they knew they had to think bigger. After a week of putting together the impossible and defying all odds, there were 500 attendees.
Presented here is the handwritten report that the bochurim wrote to the Rebbe along with some news reports from the time.
Looking back, Rabbi Mendel Kastel says he can hardly believe what efforts 30 years back by a few bochurim bore fruit today. Closing a circle, Rabbi Kastel and family has joined the local Shluchim along with bochurim sent by Merkos to help out with what has become a powerful force in the lives of so many.
More than closing a circle, 30 years later the Rebbe’s vision and directives has opened countless circles and connections for so many.
There is still much history to be made, available to anybody who takes up the challenge heeding the Rebbe’s call.
Trains his bochurim to shturem the whole country, a little known powerhouse-
An admirer
The BEST of the BEST!!!
Mendle and Tzippy Kastel are 2 unbelievably inspiring people. Kudos to them for returning to Nepal after all these years with their beautiful family they have raised together, to enjoy Pesach there and help the shluchim in Nepal. Mendel may hashem bless you with continued brochos in your shlichus in Sydney and go from strength to strength. You and Tzippy are an inspiration to many…!! Kol hakavod!!!
For some reason the one who fundraised for and arranged the Seder and flew to Nepal to run it with two friends is missing.
I have heard his memories of it while farbrenging with Mendel Lipskier in Melbourne.
Happy 50th bday Mendel kastel !!! Hashem should bless you with strength to keep up the good work !
What an awesome experience to return and show your family the ultimate shlichus … well done . Michayil el choyil!!
The letter in English is to the Rebbe, but the two pages in Hebrew are not
It is Rabbi Lipskier from Melbourne, Australia
Who went with Rabbi Kastel.
It’s The Rabbi Lipskier, the beloved Mashpia and educator, who is indeed very quiet about all he did and does.
Looking good kastel clan!! Safe travels ! Regards from 161
The letter was written to the Rabbe and the wording is the Rebbe instruction to give it to Tzach which is what happened
This Mendel is rabbi lipskier mashpia to Melbourne mesivta.
Well done kastels!
Hatzlacha Rabbo!
Rabbi Lipsker we never knew you did the first Seder!
You are so quiet about everything you do!
Keep rocking in your Sherman oaks shlichus!
For purpose of accuracy tthe handwritten letter is not to the Rebbe rather as can be seen in the top right hand corner (crossed out) to be given to Rabbi Krinski for a press release