The Kalever Rebbe Comes to Norfolk

Editor's note: This is just a little piece of my experience with the Kalever Rebbe's visit yesterday (Oct. 22). I'm sure there are plenty of other amazing stories related to his visit, so I'll start with mine and see if more come in.

The Kalever Rebbe visited Bnai Israel in Norfolk on October 22nd, and spent the day in Rabbi Silver's office, meeting with congregants and giving them blessings. I almost forgot about this amazing opportunity, but I managed to get on his schedule in the evening. 

In my mind, I went over all of the things that I would like to be blessed for. One of my key goals was to do more outreach to Jews in the area.

Of course, as I entered the Rabbi's office, my mind went blank and I stood there like a lobotomized fool at an AmWay convention. The Kalever Rebbe had such a presence - Tall, clad in a beautiful bechesher (full-length coat) and with a long, full beard. He took my hand, pulled me close, pinched me lovingly on the cheek and began blessing me with everything I had asked for.

Except for one thing - I hadn't asked yet. Sure, he had some hints to go off of from a small sheet I filled out, but he knew. I didn't even need to talk.

One of the things he told me to do was to bring more Jews into the Shul. He said I was capable of doing it and that I should.

When he was done blessing me, I awkwardly thanked him and backed out of the room, not sure what to say to someone so holy.

When I got outside, I asked Rabbi Silver, "Does he always know stuff before you tell him?"

Rabbi Silver smiled and said yes.

I rushed home to tell my wife about the meeting, and she grinned. She had something to tell me.

While I was meeting with the Kalever Rebbe, my wife got a call from the new Director of the Young Jewish Adults program at our local JCC. She heard about my abilities - creativity, stand-up comedy, music - and wanted me to join their committee. She invited my wife and I to the next meeting.

Know that this is a great way to meet up with good outreach  candidates, and that we were just asked to do said outreach by the Kalever Rebbe, we couldn't turn down the opportunity.

Sometimes someone points out a spiritual capability that you didn't know you already had and gives you the motivation to go out there and do what you're supposed to do. Sometimes someone is just an incredibly holy Rebbe who just knows things.