Diary of Determination

Early 1900s, Montreal. Reb Yosef Levi Shano is a chassid who refuses to bend with modern winds. A century later, his progeny are his testimony

W hen Montreal resident Naomi Segal wrote down her memories in a diary in the 1940s she didn’t dream that 70 years later it would be of interest to people outside the family and a new generation of frum Yidden. Yet according to Montreal researcher Shmiel Grossberger when he discovered this document he felt as though he had found gold.

“I have a keen interest in teaching Montreal children about the chassidishe Yidden in Montreal many years ago,” says Grossberger. “I believe the diary will strengthen them to face today’s adversaries to our community.”

Yet despite his good intentions, there was a hitch. The Segal family didn’t want to part with the diary, which was a treasured family heirloom. But Grossberger was persistent and the family finally agreed to give him copies.

The story that was of particular interest to Grossberger concerned Reb Yosef Levi Shano, a Gerrer chassid who lived in Montreal with the blessings of his rebbe, the Sfas Emes, in the early 1900s. It was an era when Montreal’s small Torah-observant community had to display considerable mesirus nefesh to remain steadfast in their Yiddishkeit.