Jakob and Aviva are humbled to be honored this evening by Chabad of the Five Towns. Jakob was born in Czenstochova, Poland. After the war, he spent a few years in Germany. Then he moved to America, where he met his wife Aviva, who was from Riga, Latvia.
In 1972 they moved to North Woodmere. As the wandering Jew, Jakob always admired the observance of Sabbath in the orthodox community. However, the painful memories of the past never allowed him to embrace the lifestyle he had once known. Until one day, on Central Avenue, he came upon two Lubavitcher volunteers putting Tfilllin on his friend. The ritual peaked his interest, and he returned several Fridays.
In 2008, Jakob began attending services at the Chabad House. Rabbi Wolowik welcomed him with a kiss on his forehead. I announced “I’ll be back”. The Rabbi responded, “No, you are already back”!
Jakob and Aviva are the proud parents of two daughters, Susan and Joyce. Their joy is increased by their sons in law, David and John. Their ultimate joy is their four grandchildren-Sammy, Toby, Peter and Sarah.
Now they are bring bestowed with an honor, that in their view is not quite deserved, yet they are happy to have become part of Chabad.