B”H
Dear Bistritzky Family
It was with great sorrow that I read about the passing of your husband and father R. Leibel Bistritzky.who, although you probably do not know who I am, had a great deal of influence on my life. I remember him when he was running a grocery store and at the same time was doing medical referrals. I was at the time (1965 -1968) a student at the law school at NYU and trying to keep kosher so I used to shop in his store at I think it was 28 1/2 Essex Street on the lower east side. Shopping there was an experience like no other. Everytime I went in there (at least once a week) he would try convince me that I should go to what they then called “an encounter with Chabad”. I at the time was a confirmed misnagid and did not want to get involved in politics, but he managed to convince me took into Chabad Chassidus. Now I am living in Kfar Habad where every so often I would see Rabbi Bistritzky A”H at a wedding. I think that the last time was about a year ago or so. I am now a full fledged Lubavitcher with six children who are all shluchim. I do not think it would have happened if it had not been for your husband and father.
I feel like I have lost a good friend.
Hamokom Yenachem Eschem B’Soch Shaar Aveilei Tziyon v’Yerushalayim
Sincerely,
Zvi Hershel Smith