Brooklyn’s connection to a Chabad icon in Kazakhstan

September 3, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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BROOKLYN & KAZAKHSTAN — BROOKLYN’S CHABAD COMMUNITY RECENTLY COMMEMORATED the 80th anniversary of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson’s passing, a revered Kabbalist who died in exile in Kazakhstan, which was then part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). Rabbi Levi Yitzchak’s legacy continues to inspire Jews worldwide. “Coming here to honor Rabbi Levi Yitzchak is a way of saying his sacrifice was not forgotten, to thank him for everything that he gave us, most of all for his son, our Rebbe,” said Rabbi Yeshaya Cohen, director of the Chabad-Lubavitch of Kazakhstan, according to CrownHeights.info. The website chronicles Rabbi Levi Yitzchak’s life: Born in 1878, he became the chief rabbi of Yekaterinoslav, Ukraine, in 1909, leading the community, together with his wife, Rebbitizin Chana, for three decades. Stalin’s forces captured him and imprisoned him in 1939, sending him to a remote region to make sure he could no longer influence other Jews. But thanks to his followers (plus some bribing of officials), he was able to continue his mission work.

In Kazakhstan, his burial site in Almaty attracts thousands, reflecting his enduring impact. Brooklyn’s own Chabad community, deeply tied to his teachings, mirrors the dedication seen in Almaty, showcasing the global reach of his spiritual influence.

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