I Begged the Rebbe to Come to My Wedding

[upbeat music] Jewish audio on chabad.org

Finally, we looked for the biggest doctor who was available then in those days.

He went to school in America even, and he examined the both of us, and he said, "Both of you can't have children from both sides." So I told him, "I want this in writing." And I, uh, borrowed money 'cause I didn't make enough money to buy a ticket, and I sent my wife to the rebbe.

And she had a private aud- audience with the rebbe.

The rebbe read the letter and didn't say anything.

He just read the letter, folded it, then put it into his drawer.

Then he told my wife... [upbeat music]

Welcome to Ordinary People with Extraordinary Stories.

I'm Chana Weisberg, host of this podcast.

Joining me today we have an incredible person, a very learned rabbi, a principal, and a shliach of the rebbe for over 65 years.

A shliach to Brazil.

Rabbi Shapsy Alpern, thank you so much for joining us.

Pleasure's all mine.

Thank you.

[laughs] So I mean, s- let, let's start with how you ended up in Brazil.