My big Brother

By Mendy Gopin

Although I am 2 years older, when I think of Nosson I don't think of my younger cousin I think of my big brother. As far back as I can remember he would try to take care of me, always initiating a "how are you? Are you learning?" and encouraging me to do better etc. amongst those inquiries was always "did you see today's Hayom Yom?
I have countless stories of Nosson starting from when we were little boys age of 5 up till now. Well here are just a few that come to mind.
When I was 9 and Nosson 7 we were both off to overnight camp for our first time, I remember being so homesick crying, and Nosson probably the youngest boy in camp, came over to me hugging me and cheering me up, bringing me junk. Throughout the whole summer my little cousin/big brother Nosson was the one who I was able to count on.
when we were kids and there was one of the Deitsch wedding’s, Nosson even as a 5 year old had the most chayus there he would make it fun for all the kids around him, he was always screaming the loudest, and upside down on his head. pulling us to get more involved and that’s the way he was all through the years, I remember how happy I was to see Nosson being Nosson by my wedding 3 month ago and how much joy he added. My little cousin/big brother/my “shadchan”
He was always keeping tabs on me and I know this is with him having tons of friends all over the world, and helping tons of people and learning with so many bal habatim and helping so many shluchim and calling so many campers. Still he always managed to call his cousins to find out how they're doing and where they are.
With that being said when I was doing Smicha in L.A., for purim a few of us bochurim went to a shliach all the way up north, and Nosson was by his brother in law Mendel Wolwovsky an hour away, after they're huge event Nosson called me and made sure we came over, and we sat and farbrengd all night and Nosson although being a few years younger than us was farbrenging with us, and throwing out lines of tanya and explaining it and teaching us how to apply it to our day to day lives.
Nosson I can't bear the thought of you not being with us I can't believe you were torn away. It just doesn’t make sense, when we think of you Nosson we think of the most alive person in the world. Nosson please come back with Moshiach and everyone we miss so much.