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!]
