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Tevel Family
Tevel Family's Blog
Reach out and support a family in a time of need
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papa bear: a real chossid and mentch
i needed a job – he got me one. i needed cash – he loaned me some. i needed a hug – he gave me one. i needed a place to go and not feel judged – he gave me refuge. i needed someone to talk to – he honestly listened and allowed himself to feel my pain. i needed to cry – he joined me, i needed a laugh – he always had a joke. i needed encouragement – he made me feel better, somehow i knew it would work out. i needed Torah – his vort or story enlivened my soul. to someone with nobody he was mammosh like family…
my last Shabbos in CH i went to him & found it harder than usual to leave. Oy I miss him.
the back of 770 will never be the same.
I’m sure he’s having a great time anyway [how could he not?] and making a real ruckus to bring Moshiach NOW!
B’EMES – AD MOSAI!
cu
By: Anonym on January 20, 2010
at 4:39 pm
The Thousands of Yesomim
Yossi Tevel did more Chessed single handedly than 100,000 others do collectively, in a lifetime.
The Yesomim are not only his 6 Children but the countless thousands whom he helped daily and whose life depended on him.
Who will take care of all of these, literally thousands of Yesomim now?
If we truly appreciate what Yossi Tevel did for the entire world and if we wish he continued his selfless Chessed, we all need to unite as an army of 100,000 at least, to be able to continue to do, what he had done, all alone, singlehandedly, daily, until now.
If we want to pay back Yossi Tevel, for all the Chessed he did, we need to emulate his ways by helping the family, wife and 6 Yesomim and the countless thousands of ‘Yesomim’ who all new him as their devoted, beloved Papa, they depended on, the ‘Papa Bear.’
By: Anonym on January 20, 2010
at 4:40 pm
Look carefully
If you look carefully, you’ll see the neshamos of everybody he touched, helped, uplifted, inspired and caused to smile. They stretch to Brooklyn Ave and beyond. (Not even including the goyim he helped , like those who sang “We Want Mashiach Now” in exchange for a salami sandwhich in prison in upstate New York). In these neshamos and in your eyes I see thankfulness, and indebtedness and weary optimism that – in the spirit of what Yossi himself would say – “Man, we just got ourselves one helluva ambassador up there!”
But down here? Down here we have to remember “v’hachai yiten el leeboy.” Hearken ye of broken hearts. Follow in the footsteps of a giant. Make his manner your manner. Make his penchant for action and results your own. In the manner of a true chossid, Reb Yossel would listen and then act or demand action. Take your sadness and turn it to joy by helping a fellow yid, by davening for a fellow neshama, and by taking an action in his z’chus. Place an extra mitzva on the scale, his scale, so that Yossi can point to the treasure of mitzvos and characteristically demand of Hashem “Is this not enough? Are you not happy yet? Ad Mosai?! Ad Mosai?! Ad Mosai?!”
Cry now since you must. But do, do, and do some more. And don’t stop doing until we are reunited with our father, our husband, our son. Our friend.
By: Anonym on January 20, 2010
at 4:40 pm
yes, i agree…
R’ Yossel was such a special person,
On a busy motzei shabbos, when i’m sure he had better things to do, he came out to make peace between two families,
as he sat there, his phone did not stop ringing, and him trying to answer and help the other person while helping another person already…
It was so different with him in the room, full of life, energy and happiness, he made the night so smooth and happy, when it would have been dull and somber otherwise.
By: Anonym on January 20, 2010
at 4:41 pm
Ad Mosai
A shock of my life. Yossel had a BIG warm jewish hart, caring and helping with Mesiras Nefesh anyone who turned to him. He took upon him to much, to much, just to relieve another yids pain. His love to a yid came from within the dept of his pure neshoma. Crown Heights is crying
By: Anonym on January 20, 2010
at 4:42 pm
Like a father
Yosef Tevel, what a great man, father, husband, brother…i remember going on Mivtzoim with him on the holidays, spending Shabbos at his house, Farbrengening until the late hours… You will truly be missed and my thoughts are with the families. Be strong! Moshiach NOW!!!!!
By: Anonym on January 20, 2010
at 4:43 pm
this is hurting
no one in the world will know what kindof warm ibergegebner individual he was
i grew up with him always smiling a gut vort friendly with the bochrim from the younger kittos
i am stoping to write becase i canf anymore the pain is big
im imagning him telling me “stop it nu stop it” i dont know if he wants me to stop crying or writing
By: Anonym on January 20, 2010
at 4:44 pm
a close fraind
i feel he was a close fraind. in truth every one felt the same. every one knew if you need help you know who to call any time. he was always up i dont know when he slept no mater what time i called him. he would bail pepole out of jail. take and make apointments with doctors for all difrent issues. Avrohom Chritonow who assist him all the way can only tell you part of his amazing big cering hart. he will be mist not only by his family but by many many of us. his smail will give you a boost to go on your day. may he be a “GOOD BETTER” AND BEG HASHEM TO BRING THIS GULUS TO AN END
By: A close friend on January 20, 2010
at 4:44 pm
my memories
I hardly new him, but he knew my family. When I got engaged 25 years ago, he knew my chosson’s family and was so happy for us – I still remember how I felt seeing his simcha about my engagement to my chosson.
By: Anonymys on January 20, 2010
at 4:45 pm
No words..
There are no words to describe all the life lessons that your husband and father taught us, but most of all it was his Ahavas Yisroel, or better described as Ahavas Chinam that really changed us. There was a ray of sunshine when he walked through the doors at KosherTown and we couldn’t get enough of it. If it was his Friendly “Hello Rebbetzin”, asking about our girls, thanking our workers for helping him or just a lovely story that he shared, we never wanted Yossi to leave.
How amazing is it that he respected, accepted and loved every person he met. He made everyone feel important and smart. We all mattered, no matter what age or what we were up to in life, Yossi was on our side and Yossi was our friend.
The amount of Chesed we saw your husband and father do is just out of this world. It was done so quietly, yet it was so evident. He always told us he would work to help people until Hashem stopped him and that’s exactly what he did.
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, the love, respect and allegiance each one of you have towards the Rebbe, your father and just people you know, is so visible and so special. You all shared him and his time with Klal Yisroel and just know it didn’t go unnoticed we are all so thankful.
Most of all Shimi and I are so lucky to have been a part of Yossi’s day to day life. We are saddened to have to imagine not seeing his beautiful smile in our store. We truly believe that Yossi is begging Hashem to send Moshiach so that the yidden don’t have to suffer and we could all be reunited with our loved ones.
Stay strong – Mashiach Now!
Shimi and Shoshe Ben-Abou
Your family at KosherTown
By: tewelfamily on January 20, 2010
at 5:16 pm
If you look carefully, you’ll see the neshamos of everybody he touched, helped, uplifted, inspired and caused to smile. They stretch to Brooklyn Ave and beyond. (Not even including the goyim he helped , like those who sang “We Want Mashiach Now” in exchange for a salami sandwhich in prison in upstate New York). In these neshamos and in your eyes I see thankfulness, and indebtedness and weary optimism that – in the spirit of what Yossi himself would say – “Man, we just got ourselves one helluva ambassador up there!”
But down here? Down here we have to remember “v’hachai yiten el leeboy.” Hearken ye of broken hearts. Follow in the footsteps of a giant. Make his manner your manner. Make his penchant for action and results your own. In the manner of a true chossid, Reb Yossel would listen and then act or demand action. Take your sadness and turn it to joy by helping a fellow yid, by davening for a fellow neshama, and by taking an action in his z’chus. Place an extra mitzva on the scale, his scale, so that Yossi can point to the treasure of mitzvos and characteristically demand of Hashem “Is this not enough? Are you not happy yet? Ad Mosai?! Ad Mosai?! Ad Mosai?!”
Cry now since you must. But do, do, and do some more. And don’t stop doing until we are reunited with our father, our husband, our son. Our friend.
Shmuel Kessler and family
By: tewelfamily on January 20, 2010
at 5:25 pm
I didn’t know him personally but I always remember seeing smiling and being nice to everyone – he seemed to lift crown heights off the ground making it a happier Chassidishe warm place!
May his Neshamah have an aliyah in Gan Eden and may we see him physically very soon!
By: yisroel on January 20, 2010
at 7:39 pm
When I think of Pops I smile. Why? Because he cared. He cared about me,he cared about you, he cared about her and he cared about him. Even if he never heard your name before and you never heard of his he still cared. Whether it was a confused teenager, a family struggling financially, someone needing medical help, an out of towner with nowhere to eat and sleep, Yossi Tevel took them under his wings. And when I say he was always doing something to help another he didn’t just do it, he DID it. He is the epitome of a true chossid of the Rebbe.
The amount of Chesed, Ahavas Yisroel, Yiras Shamayim, Chassidshkeit and Lebedikeit he had was overflowing. He did and did and gave and gave without expecting a single reward. All of this was done with a smile. Everyone who knew him felt like they were special in his eyes. He had that special spark that made me and many others I know proud to be a frum Jew.
His cell phone rang non stop. His house was open every hour of the day for anyone. Friday nights and Yomim Tovim were spent farbrenging and inspiring others.When Papa Bear walked into the room he didn’t just walk in. He came with a boom, a dance, a song and he rocked that room.I can only smile when I think of him entering the gates of heaven. I know what hes up to, he’s demanding Moshiach and isn’t stopping till he gets his ways. He isn’t just pulling some strings he is tugging ropes!Because that is what he does!!!
Unfortunately it took a tragedy like this to see what a pillar he was to the Lubavitch community. He was a real shliach of the Rebbe with his Chabad house on Lefferts. Just looking around at the crowd by his Levaya today it was unbelievable to see how many he has touched, plus more. Today we have lost a gem of a man and the whole world is suffering. Please take a moment of your time and donate to the Tevel family. Notice the picture of their family on the header of this site, which spells SIMCHA! This family which is so giving to others now needs your help in this emotional and trying times. May they be comforted. MOSHIACH NOW!
-Chaya Kessler
By: Chaya Kessler on January 20, 2010
at 10:50 pm
I just can not believe he’s gone, I remember how hie was concern for everyone and the attitude he always gave and make you feel that you really own the whole world. The way I always answer the phone (and there were many calls) and always would shout with joy my name and then silences the whole family and tell everyone that Yossi on the phone. He was someone who did not give to anything to take off the smile frome his face,. He was someone who did not give anything to download the smile and joy in his face even in times that I personally knew that its very hard for him. I dont have much to say Because we spilled enough tears already, feeling words can not explain, and to all of you’s dear Tavel family, im realy wont to be close at hand to evryone this time but Im in shlichus, & the Rebbe told me not to leave, love and miss yossi ocanuna
By: yossi ochanuna on January 21, 2010
at 1:53 am
p.s this is my number & mail for any help that yours may need
yoyzi88@gmail.com
17183032009
yours, yossi ocanuna
By: yossi ochanuna on January 21, 2010
at 1:59 am
Who will continue going to rikers island on the holidays to make simcha with the inmates to let them feel yomtov? Who will continue to help sholom mardichai rubashkin like reb yossi ? Who will people run to turn to in great time of need? who will be there to help trouble teens at risk Who will help out families in times of crisis? Which shoulders will people lean on to cry to AND MUCH MUCH MUCH MORE WHAT WILL THIS WORLD BE WITHOUT A ISH EMES LIKE YOSSI AD MOSAI AD MOSAI AD MOSAI
PLEASE DONATE TO THIS FAMILY THEY GREATLY NEED YOUR HELP THERE FATHER WAS THERE FOR SO MANY PEOPLE AND HASHEM TOOK HIM PLEASE BE THERE FOR HIS CHILDREN
By: HASHEM YIRACHEM on January 21, 2010
at 6:35 pm
Dear Tevel Family,
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
You all live your lives b’simcha because your father did. You share because your father shared. You care because your father cared. You love because your father loved.
I don’t know any other family that when I walk into their home, I am greeted the way I am when I walk into yours.
Your father taught you and taught you well. He was truly a selfless, kindhearted, unbelievable giant of a man! I say that with tears in my heart. He was a giant of a man…he had a giant heart that did giant things for others. I am so sad…I am heartbroken for your family and truthfully for all of us!
But your father left behind true gems. And you cannot imagine how much I really mean that. I have faith in you guys! I know that where he left off, you will continue. Because he taught you how to be true Tevels. He taught you how to be true chassidim. Chassidim that care. Chassidim that love. I am positive that you will all continue to do what he started off! And I know that wherever Papa Bear is, he is watching you and cheering for you. Not just regular cheering…Papa Bear Tevel cheering!
With love from the bottom of my heart,
Esther
By: Esther on January 21, 2010
at 6:56 pm
Whenever I would meet your father he would have a nice Vort to say that would make me smile, for him it was Purim a Gantzeh Yohr and his Simcha was contagious. I am sure he is up there rocking the boat and making a Tumult on behalf of Klal Yisroel. I am next door if you need anything, don’t hesitate.
By: Chaim Brod on January 21, 2010
at 7:41 pm
המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים
I was זוכה (for a short period of time) to be the private Rebbi of Rabbi Yosef Tevel.
An URGENT MESSAGE of the רבי to the Tevel family:
Said by the רבי on ו’ שבט תשנב
(printed in תורת מנחם תשנב pg. 152)
Related by me in 770 this Thu. ו’ שבט , & also on my Hotline (tonight), in Hebrew & in English – @ 212-434-770 then press 1
וזאת תהי’ נחמתכם – לעת עתה
By: Menachem Mayer Blau on January 21, 2010
at 8:23 pm
The correct # to hear the מורא’דיקע message of the Rebbe to the Tevel family is: 212 434-0770 then press 1 or 2
By: Menachem Mayer Blau on January 22, 2010
at 4:26 am
Mendel,
I remember your father a”h from his days in Montreal Yeshiva. Then he worked for a short period of time in Morristown when I attended yeshiva there.
Always smiling … always freilich …. always a kind word with glowing eyes that radiated unconditional love and genuine concern.
I remember him coming in Morristown yeshiva one day all smiles. The bochurim had been farbrenging late into the night and the singing woke up the baby in your nearby apartment. Your father told us that when he walked into the room he found the baby standing in the crib clapping his/her hands to the niggun. He thought it was the cutest thing!
Your father was just one of those guys I thought would never die. He simply didn’t have the time for it.
Hamokom yenachem you and your entire family. Your family photo speaks volumes about the love and achdus that your father inspired and permeated to everyone he met.
Yitzchak (Sapo) Sapochkinsky
Westlake Village CA
By: tewelfamily on January 21, 2010
at 10:13 pm
Rabbi Tevel was one of my first impressions of Crown Heights when I first arrived 7 years ago. I opened Igrot Kodesh for the first time at their Shabbat Table one night. Now I have the personal minhag to open every Shabbat night. I can confidently say that I owe a lot to them. That is why I am donating, and I hope that others will also donate generously to recognize what a great spirit Rabbi Tevel had and to acknowledge what benefit that his mitzvot did for H’ and for us. This is what Judaism is ALL about – Rabbi Tevel – Your mitzvot will proceed you, great friend. We look forward to celebrating B”HM no. 3 with you soon. Yasher Koach! Yasher Koach!
By: Yehudah Menasheh Goldstein on January 22, 2010
at 3:25 am
Dear Tevel family,
I remember when Yossi and Rifky and some of the kids would come over on Purim with an elaborate Mishloach Manos. With great humor, Yossi Tevel would share his amazing, inspiring stories about his experiences visiting, bringing food and davening with the prisoners in jail. Every visit, he brought a smile to all our faces especially our grandparents face. He encouraged them with Chizuk to always be happy even through hardships.
The Foxman Family
By: Foxman Family on January 22, 2010
at 3:51 am
After reading all the amazing comments about a person I had never heard of before- now I know where his daughter gets it from- the always smiling girl in 770 who has a friendly ‘Good Shabbos’ for even those that she doesn’t know. Please keep smiling, the world needs it..!
By: chanie on January 22, 2010
at 4:11 am
When my husband needed a hernia operation, Yossi called the best doctor and made sure we had everything we needed in the hospital.
When I had a medical problem close to New Years, Yossi was on the phone day and night ,trying to get me the best doctor. When that proved difficult, (he called me daily to check how I was doing) Yossi convinced me to go to the hospital so I can get it taken care of ASAP. He even paid for the taxi back and forth.
When our friend who was visually impaired needed medical assisstance, Yossi helped him with a big smile.
By: anonymous on January 22, 2010
at 5:32 am
I know Reb Yossi very well, whenever he would see me he would smile and would have a good word to say.
Maybe by hashgacha protis a couple weeks ago I was at the Ohel on Erev Shabbos and missed the bus coming back to Crown Heights, just as I was wondering what to do, he drove up and saved me from worrying how I would be able to get back again ….. as we traveled I overheard him say on his cell that he wanted to pick-up a fellow yid from the train inorder that this person wouldn’t have to walk to his house right before Shabbos. It was about an hour and a half before. This just shows how even minor “mitzvos” were very important to him.
This should be the last thing before Moshiach comes and we’ll see “Yossi” again!!!! Ad Mosai – Moshiach Now!!!!!!!!!!!
By: Yeshaya Kozak on January 22, 2010
at 5:56 am
he always made me laugh
I met the Tevel Family 11 or 12 yrs ago. Yes, Yossi was larger than life. His loving kindness, generosity, spirituality and exuberance of life was unusual and impressive. He had an impassioned love of humanity. He was a very solid person. His emotional strength formidable. He was able to get through hardship with enormous fortitude, and he was blessed with the ability to help others endure hardship and come out the other side stronger, having gained some insight into themselves through his teaching. Although we often talked about very serious issues, Yossi always had at least two or three jokes for me and we would always end our phone-calls laughing. After speaking with him,my mood was always lifted and I knew I could face any challenge presented to me. Although we didn’t see each other often, I felt a strong connection to Yossi, like he was the brother I never had. I feel a strong connection to Rifke and the children. Yossi was a superb role-model and we can see how the Tevel children have internalized his strength and the values of their parents. I will miss everything about him,especially his humor.
By: Marsha Blank on January 22, 2010
at 4:49 pm
Purim in Rikers Island Jail with Holy Papa Bear
http://collive.com/show_news.rtx?id=2584
By: anonym on January 24, 2010
at 3:14 pm
Yossi was full of so much love, so much Chessed. He had such a big heart. Whenever I would come into his house on Shabbos, he (and his children) gave me such a welcome, I felt like they were waiting special for me. Yossi had a special happy and loving shine radiating from his face. He was everyone’s personal friend. He somehow knew what to say to each of us, put a smile on our faces, and give us hope for the future.
I’ve sat in Yossi’s car and watched him field hundreds of calls for help on a daily basis. One mother would call for help for her daughter suffering from the dreaded disease, and yossi would make a few calls using his connections and ease the girls pain. A Bochur without medical insurance would call Yossi for help, and Yossi would quickly arrange for a doctor visit. Someone would get arrested for a suspended license, and Yossi came running to the jail cell with food, tefillin, and moral support, and post bail until the court case.
Yossi was up from early in the morning till late at night helping people at all hours, while also finding time for his family and business.
Yossi was the epitome of Chessed. He was so full of life, joy and hope.
Yossi inspired me and gave me an education on loving fellow Yidden and doing acts of Chessed. These things will be with me forever.
By: Mendel on January 25, 2010
at 3:50 am
For a number of years R’ Yosef would come and speak in our Shul, K’hal Yerim of Woodridge. Him and his family would stay by Tabak’s colony and march over on the seventh day of Passover. Even with opposition from the congregants and the modern Orthodox Shul in town, the Rov promoted him to come speak d’var Hashem in our Shul. Every year he would come back in accordance with the Rashab’s mamarim to fulfill his mission in gulis. May his merits and good deeds stand by us and k’lal Yisroel. המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים
By: Reuvan Levine on February 2, 2010
at 4:31 pm
Dear all,
Whilst reading the Luach website I went onto Do a Miztva’ site. I was so touched by the out pouring of love for Reb Yosef that I want to help. I cannot give money directly but, I have pendants that sell for $36 and are used for fund raising. I want to donate $10 for each pendant that is sold. I will give more information to whomever contacts me as I do not want this to seem like an ad. This is a chance for everyone to give and receive in the name of this lovely man and lovely family. May Hashem be with you and protect and care for you.
By: chana on February 18, 2010
at 3:28 pm