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By Rabbi Gershon Avtzon

Today (17 Iyar 5785), marks the second Yahrtzeit of my dear Rosh Yeshiva and personal Mashpia: Harav Michoel Akiva Gershon ben Reb Refoel Menachem Nochum Wagner A”H. While much has been written, and will be written, about his unique personality, talents and method of learning and teaching – I would like to focus on (in a way of V’hachai Yitten El Libo) one particular innovation and passion of his: His connection to all his alumni.

It is sad to say, but when you ask many students of various Yeshivos if they kept up a relationship with their Hanhalla of Yeshiva, the look at you incredulously and they say: If I did not connect to the Hanhalla when I was in Yeshiva, you expect me to keep the connection out of Yeshiva?! To Rabbi Wagner, it was very important that the talmidim in the Yeshiva felt like a family. The connection between family is everlasting, and to him it was a vital part of his mission – not only to show love and care to the talmidim in Yeshiva, but also –  to stay in touch with his alumni.

One of the greatest and everlasting gifts that we have from him are the books that contain his legendary “cyber-Farbrengens”. What are “Cyber-Farbrengens”? These are compilations of the weekly emails that he would send out to all his alumni. It was not a short story or thought on the Parsha, they were extensive weekly Farbrengens – that were usually written from 4-6am on a Thursday night! – with deep stories, insights and lessons in the life of a Chassid. They would also include all the Mazal Tov’s (engagements, marriages and births) of the alumni family. There are hundreds of alumni today that continue to have “weekly Farbrengens with Rabbi Wagner”.

It was only after I opened the Yeshiva in Cincinnati that I really appreciated and understood the great commitment and determination that this took from him. It is only natural to be overwhelmed by the responsibilities that are in front of you (your own family, current students and immediate community) and to stay involved with so many alumni is simply above and beyond! I would like to add: Many universities (lehavdil) have put a big emphasis on their alumni relationships, but that is because the goal is to raise money from them and their business associates. In Rabbi Wagner’s case, most of his alumni were Shluchim and educators who were not in a position to help the Yeshiva in a financial way.

For many years, I thought that the connection with alumni – and knowing where they are holding spiritually (and physically) – was not an integral part of the cheshbon-Tzedek that a Chabad educational institution needs to make. It is obviously a nice thing, but I did not feel that it was essential. This changed when I saw the a letter of the Rebbe (Igros volume volume 11 page 397 #3780) . In the letter (that was written on 18 Elul 5715) the Rebbe is encouraging the educational institution to make an honest cheshbon-nefesh as to the success of their educational approaches. The Rebbe writes:

“It is self-understood that – as with all evaluations – we must be careful that it should be honest and not turned to any side…and in regards to the work in education, one must look at the results of your educational work and know what needs to be remedied in the approaches that were taken until now and what must be changed or added.

Accordingly, It is my request and I hope that your institution will make an honest evaluation and that is through seeing the actual results of their educational methods on the lives of their alumni… How many of them remained “in the tent of Torah” – the revealed part of Torah and Chassidus? How many of them are acting – in their private and communal lives – in a way that is fitting with the directives and hopes of our holy Rabbeim? How many – at least – are keeping the basic Torah and Mitzvos? How many of the younger students actually got through the full system of Yeshiva and how many leave early?”

This letter should be a wake-up call to all of our educational institutions: Our success is not judged only by the students that are currently registered but by the everlasting impact and results in our students.

I would like to share a practical suggestion that I have implemented in our Yeshiva. While I have yet to start writing weekly Farbrengens for my alumni (I rely that they read my articles!)I did make a resolution to (try) to reach out to our alumni on their birthday to wish them Happy birthday (Mivtza Yom Holedes!) and to hear from them what is going on in their life and have a short Farbrengen with them. It has really changed their relationship and connection with the Yeshiva. Feel free to come up with your own ideas and share with others as well.

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Rabbi Gershon Avtzon is the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Lubavitch Cincinnati and a well-sought-after speaker and lecturer. Please feel free to share your thoughts on the above by sending me a R’ Avtzon email: [email protected].

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