Published by A Chassidisher Derher
Welcome to Among Chassidim: a Podcast by Derher. Hosted by Rabbi Yossi Kamman, director of A Chassidisher Derher, this podcast captures the vibrancy and vitality of dor hashvi’i through immersive, heart-to-heart discussions on meaningful topics, shared in raw, unedited conversations.
Listen on Apple Podcasts1 hr 56 min
In this episode, Rabbi Dovid Weitman, Shliach to S. Paulo Brazil, shares the story of his childhood and journey to becoming a Chossid. He recounts remarkable stories and personal horaos from the Rebbe, along with unique encounters between the Rebbe and baalei batim that he witnessed over the years in Brazil and beyond. Throughout the conversation, Rabbi Weitman shares powerful messages that are both timeless and deeply relevant to every Chossid and Shliach.
1 hr 18 min
In this episode, Rabbi Mendy Greenberg of Twinsburg, Ohio—a feature writer for A Chassidisher Derher magazine—discusses his recent article exploring Yiddish and its place in Lubavitch and the Rebbe's teachings. The conversation examines the Rebbe's strong encouragement of Yiddish, while also addressing the important nuance that schools should not prioritize teaching in Yiddish at the expense of students' understanding. Where is the balance? How do we reconcile the Rebbe's emphasis on preserving Yiddish with his equally strong focus on effective chinuch? A thought-provoking conversation filled with fascinating sources, practical insights, and much more. For more articles like this, and to subscribe to the beautiful monthly Derher magazine, visit Derher.org.
2 hr 19 min
In this episode, Rabbi Sholom Duchman, Director of Colel Chabad, starts by sharing the story of his illustrious family of devoted Chassidim and their deep hiskashrus to the Rabbeim. He reflects on his childhood during the early years of the Rebbe's nesius in Crown Heights, his years of learning in various yeshivos, and the special experience of learning in 770 in the Rebbe's presence. Rabbi Duchman also discusses being sent by the Rebbe to Eretz Yisroel as part of the original group of shluchim. The conversation then turns to the rich history of Colel Chabad, from its founding to its development over the years. Rabbi Duchman shares the story of his appointment as director and offers an in-depth look at the Rebbe's horaos, expectations, and personal interest in the organization's success, providing a rare and comprehensive perspective with wonderful openness and detail.
2 hr 1 min
In this episode, Rabbi Sholom Ber Gurkov of Montreal, Canada, a veteran mechanech, shares his remarkable life through 90 years of Lubavitch history. Beginning with his family's rich roots dating back to the times of the Tzemach Tzedek, he recounts his father's early interactions with the Rebbe when the Rebbe was still a bochur. He then takes us through his own childhood in Kharkov, his family's escape to Central Asia during World War II, the Chassidim's famous escape from Russia, life in the DP camps, and their move with other Chassidim to Paris. He also reflects on settling in England, learning in a non-Chabad yeshiva in Manchester, and ultimately moving to New York/Montreal to be with the Rebbe. Along the way, Rabbi Gurkov shares firsthand stories of yechidus, memories of the Frierdiker Rebbe and the Rebbe, his involvement in the taharah of the Rebbe's brother, Reb Yisroel Aryeh Leib, and countless other fascinating stories and insights from a lifetime spent as a Chabad Chossid.
1 hr 19 min
In this episode, Rabbi Berel Lazar, Chief Rabbi and Shliach of Russia, shares memories of his parents and his grandfather, the renowned poet Reb Tzvi Meir Steinmetz, growing up on shlichus in Milan, Italy, and his childhood visits to the Rebbe. Rabbi Lazar also recalls coming to New York to learn in yeshivah and later spending years in 770, where the Rebbe’s farbrengens left a lasting impression on him. The conversation also explores his early years as a shliach in post-Communist Russia, witnessing firsthand the country’s extraordinary transformation from decades of religious persecution to a place where Yiddishkeit can once again be practiced openly and proudly.
1 hr 28 min
In this episode, Rabbi Eli Touger of Boca Raton, the prolific translater of Sichos in English, shares the story of his journey from his early life and becoming frum, to his years in Kfar Chabad, the Chassidim and personalities who influenced him, and his eventual arrival at 770 where he quickly became involved in the chazarah of the Rebbe’s farbrengens. Rabbi Touger also discusses his decades-long work translating the Rebbe’s sichos into English. Along the way, he shares fascinating anecdotes and insights from a lifetime dedicated to preserving and spreading the Rebbe’s teachings.
1 hr 47 min
In this episode, Rabbi Avrohom Mann, mashpia at the Toronto Yeshiva, shares how his father became connected to the Rebbe, and his own personal connection after arriving from Yerushalayim as a young bochur. He reflects on what it was like to live from week to week, drawing inspiration and direction from the Rebbe’s farbrengens. In a fascinating and heartfelt Farbrengen, Rabbi Mann highlights a number of practical horaos we can take from the Rebbe, each illustrated through personal experiences and firsthand moments he witnessed with the Rebbe himself.
2 hr 46 min
In this episode, which took place at the New York–New England Regional Kinus Hashluchim, Rabbi Simon Jacobson shares the story about his grandfather’s connection to Lubavitch through the Rebbe Rashab, his father Rabbi Gershon Ber Jacobson’s work with the Rebbe and the founding of the Algemeiner Journal , and his own years by the Rebbe as a chozer. Rabbi Jacobson reflects on growing up in Crown Heights, discovering Chassidus as a living force, and the unique responsibility of reviewing and recording the Rebbe’s farbrengens. A fascinating conversation about journalism, chazara, 770, the Rebbe’s vision for the world, and the urgency of Moshiach.
2 hr 7 min
In this episode, Rabbi Zalman Lipsker, Shliach in Philadelphia, shares his remarkable journey from his childhood in Kutaisi, Georgia, and the rich history of the Lipsker family. He recounts learning in secret chadorim under the watchful eye of the KGB, experiencing the dramatic escape of Lubavitcher Chassidim from the Soviet Union, and spending time in a DP camp surrounded by Chassidim. He also describes the early years of Lubavitch life in Eretz Yisroel before eventually arriving by the Rebbe in the late 1950s. Rabbi Lipsker vividly recalls the unique privilege of being a bochur by the Rebbe during the late Yud and early Chof years, including the Rebbe teaching niggunim, receiving special shlichus'n, and more. He also shares inspiring stories from his decades of shlichus in Philadelphia, particularly in bringing countless Yidden to the Rebbe by Sunday dollars.Filled with warmth and passion, this inspiring conversation offers a rare window into the lives of Chassidim who were deeply connected to both the Frierdiker Rebbe and the Rebbe with mesirus nefesh and hiskashrus.
2 hr 39 min
In this episode, Rabbi Zushe Greenberg, Shliach to Solon, Ohio, shares the powerful story of his father’s mesiras nefesh, including his imprisonment in Siberia and Russian jails, and his unwavering ibergigebinkeit and hiskashrus to the Rebbe—and later in Bnei Brak. He then reflects on and brings listeners into the atmosphere of 770 during his years as a bachur, vividly describing the feeling of standing at the Rebbe’s farbrengens- with special focus on the time of Hei Teves. Throughout the episode, he - offers a unique and personal glimpse into what it meant to be in the Rebbe’s presence, and leaves listeners with inspiration and practical insight into how each of us today can strengthen our own hiskashrus and connection to the Rebbe.
2 hr 19 min
In this episode, Nuchie Schapiro of Los Angeles discusses his newly authored book, Legacy of Resilience , an in-depth exploration of the history of the Schapiro family, including the Rebbe’s melamed, Reb Schneur Zalman Vilenkin. Beyond that, he offers profound insight into the lives of Lubavitcher Chassidim during the era of the Rebbe Rashab and the Frierdiker Rebbe under Soviet communism, the “Great Escape” from Russia, and the Rebbe’s nesius. Link to purchase book: https://a.co/d/0bN8wCts Link to Reiter family fund: https://charidy.com/reiterfamilyfund
1 hr 56 min
In this episode, Rabbi Kasriel Kastel of Crown Heights shares his remarkably rich family history, tracing his parents’ and grandparents’ roots back to the era of the Rebbe Rashab and the earliest Chassidim in America. He reflects on his early years with the The Rebbe beginning in 1953, and his time spent in yeshivah and 770. Rabbi Kastel also discusses his unique work with Lubavitch Youth Organization (Tzach), sharing personal stories, memorable experiences, and special horaos he received from the Rebbe throughout the years.
2 hr 3 min
In this episode, Rabbi Yosef Gopin, Shliach in Hartford, CT, shares his family history, stories and reflections from his years with the Rebbe and his Shlichus. Beyond the facts and events, Rabbi Gopin brings deep emotion and insight into the ruchnius’dike meaning behind those experiences, offering listeners a heartfelt and inspiring farbrengen. Enjoy this meaningful conversation filled with warmth, perspective, and connection.
2 hr 11 min
In this episode, Rabbi Menachem Gerlitzky of Crown Heights shares the story of his family background—how his parents came to Lubavitch and their connection to the Frierdiker Rebbe and the Rebbe. He reflects on his youth and the various shlichus’n he was involved in, and speaks about the unique role the Rebbe encouraged him to take on in organizing Siyum HaRambam, and how it all unfolded. Along the way, he weaves in meaningful stories and personal experiences.
1 hr 11 min
In this episode, Rabbi Bentzion Pearson - grandson of Rabbi Dovid Raskin - shares remarkable documents, photos, and correspondence between Tzach and the Rebbe, offering a timeless lesson for us all.
2 hr 20 min
In this episode, Rabbi Berel Levine, director of the Agudas Chasidei Chabad Library, shares his journey; from his parents’ roots and upbringing in Eretz Yisroel, to coming to the Rebbe, his marriage and kollel years. With his trademark precision, he offers a detailed look at his work for the Rebbe through the library, Kovetz Yagdil Torah , the sefarim case, and his shlichus to Russia, along with a rare glimpse into the hundreds of answers and step-by-step guidance he received from the Rebbe throughout his life.
2 hr 5 min
In this episode, Rabbi Shais Taub dives in to the power of truly learning the Rebbe’s approach- not just quoting it, but internalizing it in a way that shapes how we think and live. We explore motivation, the challenges of applying this guidance in real life, and the importance of turning to the Rebbe as a primary source for clarity, connection, and direction. - Visit our sponsor by going to: www.magbis.org/demei-pan
2 hr 51 min
In Part II of this episode, Rabbi Levi Garelik shares personal stories from his youth, the founding of Hoaras Hatmimim in Morristown, and the various shlichus’n he was sent on over the years. He reflects on meaningful and memorable moments with the Rebbe, along with fascinating experiences- from his involvement with the prime minister of Italy, to the sefarim in Russia, and much more. - Visit our sponsor at: www.magbis.org/passover-fund
1 hr 32 min
In this episode, Rabbi Dovid Olidort, chief editor at Kehos, shares his journey from growing up in Russia behind the Iron Curtain to coming to yeshiva in New York to be by the Rebbe.He speaks about how he gradually became involved in chazara of the Rebbe’s farbrengens, eventually becoming a maniach- transcribing sichos and eventually all the maamorim. He shares stories of working closely with Reb Yoel Kahan, the process of preserving the Rebbe’s teachings, and much more.
2 hr 49 min
In this episode, Rabbi Bentzion Pearson shares about his illustrious grandfather, Reb Dovid Raskin. Over the years, Bentzion has spent a great deal of time researching and organizing his grandfather’s archives, gaining a deeper understanding of his life and his incredible ibergigebenkeit to the Rebbe, which he shared with us. He also speaks about the biographical book he is currently working on, which will tell the story of Reb Dovid’s life and legacy.