Story from the Avner Institute Alexander Nikolayevich the KGB Agent and the Revolution in the Basement

The Avner institute recently publicized the following story, as related by the chosid R’ Betzalel Schiff:

“Alexander Nikolayevich was well familiar with Chabadniks. He was, after all, KGB senior agent in charge of their persecution. I once came to him asking for records of Chabad heroes he had thrown into prison.

“With Israeli chutzpah, I walked in first and handed him a gift: four large photo albums of Chabad-Lubavitcher activity around the globe.

“The official leaned forward on his desk and furrowed his brow. “I was in your headquarters at Brooklyn, you know? And not just as a tourist. I had a mission. Without much difficulty I found it, even though you hid it in a basement.

“Why do you think Rabbi Schneerson has his synagogue in a basement?” he blurted, tightening his wrinkled eyes. “Rabbi Schneerson doesn’t have money?”

He continued, “I was inside that synagogue. It was very busy and crowded. But this is America, I wondered. Where are the plush chairs? Where are the fancy crystal chandeliers, the deep carpets? Nowhere! It is a basement, and it looks like a basement.

“I saw the Chassidim sitting on hard wooden benches and eating on wooden tables without even a tablecloth. And what did they eat? Tuna fish and break with vodka! [This must have been one of the fancier farbrengens. Tuna!]