In a recent article titled What Kind of Gegent Do We Want, the author thanked the community members of Crown Heights for their dedication during the Covid—19 crisis.
The author went on to name some of the “heroes” during that time. Since my name was mentioned, I want to clarify an important point:
Cherva Simchas Shabbos V’Yom Tov (CSSY) was initiated by the Rebbe in Tishrei 5738 as a way to help feed the needy families in Crown Heights. My father, Shimshon Stock OBM accepted the task of collecting funds and CSSY has been distributing food and vouchers ever since.
It has also grown to be a source of other communal necessities such as wedding and funeral assistance, helping orphans, providing emergency medical or family funds and even assisting with mental health. We have been a place for people to turn to anytime in need.
To be sure, CSSY is a community organization and it is the community members who are partnering with us, providing the funds needed to help. During the Covid-19 outbreak in Crown Heights, it was the entire community who were there for each other. At a time when we had more requests than ever for assistance, especially with Pesach happening in the middle of the crisis, we also received more support than ever to help those in need. People stood up like never before to assist their families, friends and neighbors.
The real heroes are the ones not mentioned at all in the article. The real heroes are the ones you never hear about but live next door – the yungerman paying the supermarket bills without the benefactors ever knowing, the business owners giving yesomim whom they never met clothing and homes, the balei batim paying for a funeral for an unnamed individual. These are the ones you don’t often read about in the news or hear about in shul.
This is OUR Crown Heights community. The community the Rebbe loved so dearly and entrusted us to preserve as the center of Lubavitch. This is the community where “kan tziva Hashem es habracha.”
On behalf of hundreds of families who turn to us each year and especially during the pandemic, I say “THANK YOU” to our partners and supporters, the “silent majority” of our Crown Heights community, who make Crown Heights one truly loving community.
Sincerely,
Benzion (Benjy) Hakohen Stock
Chevra Simchas Shabbos V’yom Tov
thanks benjy for clarifying this.
in other words, someone’s neighbor, who they might be harboring some ill will about, might actually be paying their grocery bill.
ya never know. so why not assume the best.
Benji. Definitely a hero. A Ba’al chesed in every way
Thank you Benjy you are everyone’s hero
As your dear Father Shimshon AH was/is and more . . .
Thank you Benjy! For so much that you do that no one knows about!! May you be blessed forever!
Someone who loves Crown Heights.
We’re often put down. We’re a BELOVED community.
Despite many who differ, I personally love Crown Heights, for all it’s mishigas, because it’s the town of love (Lubavitch).
It’s so refreshing to hear genuine love for our residents.
Bengy you are our hero! Bengy does things quietly noone knows how many nights Bengy spend in a hospital not for himself bh but helping a neighbor. Bengy I can write and write there are so many things Rabbi Bengy does that noone knows
Anytime you compliment someone, you must give them a Brocha. When you compliment a person, the books above are opened.
May Hashem bless Benjy stock with gezunte lange years.
Benjy doesnt have the word no in his vocabulary. He goes over and beyond to help even when others said no.
Benjy will be on the front to greet moshiach.
This is a beautiful article
Everyone is a real héroe , Benjy obviously is included
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to fulfill the mitzva of tzedaka in a high level
Taking After his father Reb Shimshon z”l
Benji, to long life, does chessed on a steady basis. Keep up the good work, Benji.
He helps so many people and is really there for people in time of need! Yasher Koach! We are lucky to have him in our community ! Also such a great personality
Benji. A few more like u. Moshiach would be here. To long and happy years to have koach to continue the chesed u do
People in my humble opinion the Real Heroine here is Rebbetzin Benjy. I don’t know the lady but I’m sure that without her encouragement and support Benjy would not b able to accomplish all that he does. So let’s all give Her a standing ovation 🍷
Same is true for Mrs. Fayge Rubashkin
Benji took the good mido of chessed from his father Reb Shimshon z”l.
Benji is busy doing chessed.
Keep up the good work, Benji.