I grew up in Venice Beach, Los Angeles, in a traditional Jewish family. My parents were both Holocaust survivors who came from religious homes in Russia, but who led a less observant life in America. I guess it was the West Coast influence. I myself was a happy go-lucky young man who enjoyed surfing and sports and all that life near the Pacific Ocean had to offer.
After two years of college, which I did not enjoy, I decided — in the summer of 1968 — to drive across the country, camping on the way to save money. After that, I was going to travel on to Russia and end up in Israel. That was my plan, but an encounter with the Rebbe changed all that — it changed me and the course of my life forever.
As funny as it may sound, that turn of events was set in motion because I had to use the bathroom. Towards the end of my cross-country journey, I had arrived in Brooklyn and, looking around, I saw a building adorned with the Star of David, which I assumed must be a synagogue. I figured they wouldn’t mind me using their bathroom and so I walked in. Nobody bothered me, but as I was leaving, a very nice fellow came up to me and asked who I was. After I told him my story and that I was on my way to Russia and Israel, he invited me to join the afternoon prayers. I accepted his offer; afterwards, he said to me, “You’ve got to meet the Rebbe.” I had no idea who he was talking about, but I had time and I enjoyed meeting new people, so I said, “Okay, let’s go check him out.”
We walked across the street — Eastern Parkway — and into a building that turned out to be the Chabad Headquarters, 770. Over there, everybody had big beards like the hippies in LA, and they were very friendly to me. I felt comfortable with them; they seemed like my kind of people. After a while, they said that the Rebbe was about to pray — I guess it was the evening prayer — and that I should join. I hadn’t prayed for most of my life and here I was about to pray for a second time in one day!
We went upstairs to a room where I saw this beautiful man surrounded by his chasidim. I sensed that he was a wise man, a sage, and I felt a closeness, a connection. When the service was over, and he was passing by me, I gave him the “peace sign,” and he responded with a warm smile.
That’s how I first met the Rebbe.
Next thing you know, one of the nice fellows from 770 put me up for the night — which I really appreciated, as I had been sleeping outdoors all the way across the country and it was nice to sleep in a bed for a change — and then he invited me to a party. I was very happy to go. I imagined rock music, girls, dancing, and so I was very surprised to be ushered into a hall set up with bleachers all around on which sat what seemed like a thousand guys. This was a farbrengen, my first. They sang soulful niggunim, and the Rebbe spoke at length, and I enjoyed the experience very much.
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ערב שבת פרשת קרח, ר׳׳ח תמוז, תשפ״ה
Erev Shabbat Parshat Korach, June 27, 2025
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