The man. The myth. The legend.

Originally published on www.clearasmud.blog on December 20, 2021.

A few days ago, on the 15th Kislev, we celebrated Chaim Shaul’s (HEAD SHLIACH of Montana’s) 44th birthday!

Every once in a while I look back on our years together and it’s quite incredible to compare our young naive selves to who we are today! I’m taking the opportunity, in honor of my husbands birthday, to give him his flowers :). He has earned them trust me! Life is a heck of a wild ride and I couldn’t have asked for a better partner in the chaos.

So here is an archived post that Chaim Shaul wrote after his 40th birthday bash!

Enjoy,

Chavie

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Y’all know Chavie Bruk: the blogger, the Instagram influencer, the Tanya teacher, and, if you’re in Montana, the Chabad Rebbetzin of Big Sky Country. Yet you don’t necessarily know Chavie Bruk—the amazing wife and loving mother who, with class, poise, and candor, always makes her husband and children her top priority and gives each of her six “dependents” the TLC we all want and need.

I knew she’d be throwing me a 40th birthday bash; surprises don’t work well in our home and almost never remain a surprise. Yet from the moment she sent out the invite—“The Man, The Myth, The Legend. Rabbi Chaim, Aged 40 Years”—I knew this would be something special. For me, it was weird, as there hasn’t been an event at our Chabad Center in nearly 16 years that I wasn’t somehow involved in, so having a massive event with my community and not knowing the details kinda killed me :).

On Sunday, December 12, I was prohibited from entering my own shul, as Chavie and her team, including the one and only Leslie Lukas, were setting up for the bash. I spent the day with the kids and waited impatiently to see what my “crazy wife” pulled off.

When I arrived at the center at 7:00 PM, it was sheer shock and awe. The place was set up like a five-star gala: balloons, candles, a full-on bar with a bartender (I almost never drink, but after a few margaritas I finally figured out why people do), a high-end sushi dinner, two local musicians, Chalav Yisroel desserts, a book gift for each guest (What Would You Do if You Weren’t Afraid? by Michal Oshman), and a room of over one hundred locals—Jews and gentiles, old and young, retirees and businesspeople—all who came together to celebrate this milestone in my life.

Chavie didn’t just throw a nice party; she invested her heart and soul into every detail. Sure, our Governor Greg Gianforte and First Lady Susan surprised me. Yes, our community is truly amazing and so loving. Sure, my in-laws and closest childhood friend from Illinois flying in, was incredibly touching. But most of all, what meant the most to me was the deep internal knowledge that I married a woman who doesn’t just talk the talk but walks the walk. She knew how much this would mean to me—celebrating with my community—and she made it happen with such class.

Chavie isn’t a pushover. She’s opinionated, sharp, wise beyond her years, deep, and as truthful as they come but she’s also full of heart, full of love, and full of soul. And last Sunday, she made her husband feel like a million bucks.

When she spoke at the bash, she said she couldn’t wait to see how the next forty years would unfold for the two of us on our journey through life. I couldn’t agree more. With all the world’s challenges and chaos, I can’t think of a better partner for this insane journey than my Chavie, who embodies the teachings of Chassidus and always throws in a touch of Brené Brown.

A grateful husband,

Chaim Shaul