Everyday Heroines

By Sara Yuta Gopin

Meet Morah Chani Brod, the Songwriter, Musician and Dedicated Teacher of the “Geula Kinder”

Chani Brod was raised in Crown Heights and shares fond memories of her childhood home. “My father a”h was a holocaust survivor from a Litvish background.  At the age of thirteen, while walking outside he passed a hidden bunker and heard the most beautiful Chassidic niggunim. After joining this clandestine farbrengen, my father became a devoted Lubavicher Chassid. My mother a”h was also drawn to Lubavich, but came from a family of Belzer Chassidim. They overcame tremendous hardships as they escaped and struggled to survive in Siberia. On yud daled Kislev 5707 my parents were married in the Displaced Persons’ Camp in Pocking, Germany, where hundreds of Chassidim had fled as they escaped from Russia.

 “Yet despite all of the trauma that both of my parents underwent in their youth, the sound of niggunim and Chassidic songs created an atmosphere of joy in our home. I will always remember my mother humming niggunim and singing songs in Yiddish as she was doing household tasks, such as washing the dishes or folding the laundry. These songs were a heartfelt expression of pure faith in Hashem.

“After I got married (in 5737) the Rebbe MH”M requested to send newly married couples on Shlichus to strengthen the Lubavich community in Tzfat. Approximately one hundred couples applied, and the Rebbe MH”M underlined six names, of which we merited to be among them.” Chani’s dream came true and for four years she worked as a kindergarten teacher in the Chabad institutions in Tzfat.

    “Afterwards we returned to Crown Hieghts, and I was busy raising my children. When my youngest son was six years old I began teaching first grade in Beit Rivka, in the class where the studies are in Yiddish, which is my mother tongue. In my work as a teacher I always enriched the learning experience through songs and music. I am especially drawn to songs in Yiddish, the language that expresses our long exile among seventy nations, and our inherent capability to safeguard our uniqueness as Jews.

     “In my youth I always enjoyed writing songs for camp and various assemblies. In the quiet hours of the night, or when going for a walk by myself, I get inspired to compose songs. Boruch Hashem, I have written over one hundred Yiddish songs, and produced three discs where I sing my original compositions that are based on Lubavich niggunim and Chassidic melodies. Every song expresses a powerful message of emunah through simple words that children of all ages can grasp and understand.

     “For example, recently I composed a new song that illustrates our long awaited redemption. The words (in Yiddish) describe how Hashem in His great mercy picks up every Jew, one at a time, and cleans him from the many layers of dirt that have accumulated from all of the years in golus. Afterwards Hashem gives him a hug as he is brought to His ‘inner chambers.’ Every time that a Jew learns Torah and performs Mitzvahs once again they merit the experience of being ‘hugged’ by Hashem.

     “On many occasions in Chasdidic discourses the Rebbe MH”M quotes the famous saying of the Baal Shem Tov: ‘Every Jew is as dear to Hashem as an only son born to elderly parents.’ Can you imagine the tremendous depth of such a love?”

As I ponder on Chani’s message, she begins to sing softly the well-known song from Yirmiyahu (chapter 31, verse19): “Haben yakir li Efrayim im yeled shaashuim.”

In addition to writing inspiring songs, Chani has also authored a series of popular children’s books in Yiddish, “Geula Kinder.” Written with gentle sensitivity, every narrative strengthens the development of good character traits. Three books of the series have already been printed, and there are more to be published.

Two years ago Chani decided to learn to play the guitar in order to enrich and enliven the experience of singing together with her students in the classroom. “Boruch Hashem, after all of my children were married I had the time to invest in broadening my musical talents. When I was in seminary my sister Sara gave me a guitar as a present. Over forty years have passed until this instrument was ‘redeemed’ and became part of my avodat kodesh as a teacher! It is never too late to expand one’s skills and talents. For one year, once a week, I had a private lesson to learn to play guitar. Afterwards I was able to accompany the tunes of my original songs. Twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I bring my guitar to my class. As I play and we all sing together I can feel the elevation of the neshamas of these young girls…..and the opening up of their tender hearts!

     “I am thankful to Hashem for giving me the opportunity to develop my musical talents and especially for the ability to teach young girls with joy, as I am fulfilling my Shlichus.” After a moment Chani adds, “It is important to note the directive of the Rebbe MH”M: For as long as one has the capability of teaching he should not retire.”

 Throughout my interview with Chani I was deeply impressed with the new additions in the expression of her creativity. “At the same time that I was learning to play the guitar I joined an art class for six weeks. I always loved to draw but I needed a push in order to actualize this talent. My most recent picture was of the seven species of Eretz Yisroel which I drew in honor of Tu B’Shvat. Whenever I need to calm down from pressure I either sing and play niggunim on my guitar, or paint a picture that illustrates the tranquility of the times of Moshiach.” (Two of Chani’s pictures appear in this article. In her “geula picture” she drew a little boy fearlessly playing with a poisonous snake.)

 At the conclusion of our interview, Chani shares precious moments of chizuk from the Rebbe MH”M. “After going through a difficult period, I stood with my daughter Devorah Leah on her birthday among a crowd of women in the area adjacent to the Rebbe’s room which is called, ‘Gan Eden Hatachton.’ We were in the third row of approximately seven rows of women. Suddenly Rabbi Y. L. Groner, the secretary of the Rebbe MH”M, took my daughter’s little hand and held it forward to reach the Rebbe. We were zoche and the Rebbe MH”M put a nickel in her hand. Afterwards there was a big smile beaming on the Rebbe’s holy countenance. A few seconds passed until I realized that the smile was intended for me! At that moment I felt new strength in the belief that good times await me, and that the Rebbe MH”M is happy for me.

 “Another time, after I went through a difficult test, I merited receiving an answer from the Rebbe MH”M: ’ She should only be in simcha at all times.’ These words have always accompanied me to enlighten the path of my life.”  ■