Honoring the Rebbe’s Father — Living His Legacy Through Kollel Tiferes Zekeinim Levi Yitzchok

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson OBM, The Rebbe’s father, was a renowned Torah scholar, Kabbalist, and Chief Rabbi of Yekaterinoslav. A devoted supporter of Colel Chabad, his personal donations and fundraising appear in our archives, along with a heartfelt public letter urging greater support. His legacy lives on through Tiferes Zekeinim Levi Yitzchak, a network of 100+ senior learning centers across Israel. Men and women gather daily to study Chumash, Mishnah, Gemara, and Jewish law in a warm, respectful environment. These kollelim provide not only rich Torah learning, but also dignity, friendship, and a renewed sense of purpose in later years.

In the Colel Chabad Donor Books from Yekaterinoslav

Our archival donor registers (“pinkasim”) from Yekaterinoslav list Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson both for his own personal gifts and for funds he forwarded from supporters in his city—evidence of his hands-on commitment to Colel Chabad from afar. (Scan from the Colel Chabad Archive.)

The Rebbe’s Mother

Rebbetzen Chana Schneerson OBM

Continuing the Legacy

After Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson’s passing in 1944, his wife, The Rebbe’s Mother, Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson, lovingly continued her support for Colel Chabad. When she arrived in the United States, Colel Chabad would send her an esrog from Israel each year. Warm, personal correspondence preserved in our archives reflects the deep bond she shared with our mission.

Public Letter of Support

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak also penned a public appeal urging support for Colel Chabad’s work on behalf of the poor of Eretz Yisrael. The original handwritten letter is preserved in our files alongside an English translation; the wording calls on “our generous brethren… to reinforce and increase… and accomplish more” for this cause. (Original letter on display in the Library of Agudas Chasidei Chabad)

Read the Letter

FREE TRANSLATION
Letter of Recommendation

By the grace of G-d,

A dependable emissary was dispatched to us from our brethren Colel Chabad Vohlin in Jerusalem and in other parts of the holy land, whose eyes are turned to us in hopes of receiving material assistance from their brothers in the diaspora.

That which is well known requires no proof. Who is not aware of the great virtue of this important and immense mitzvah of providing charity to those living in the “land of life.” Particularly now, in a time of vast poverty, when the need for basic necessities grows from day to day, and the cost of living continues to rise.

There is no need to elaborate on this well known concept, which for hundreds of years has been established and rooted in the heart of every Jewish person. I will only encourage the hearts of our generous brethren in the diaspora, and anyone for whomthe memory of Zion and Jerusalem is on his mind, to reinforce and increase with courage and purity, to strive to do and accomplish more in this regard.

The consecrated monies collected will certainly reach their intended recipients through the present emissaries sent from there, who are deserving in their own right of being brought close and welcomed with a delightful countenance.

Until the time that G-d has mercy on His enduring nation of Israel, returning our dispersed and comforting us with the rebuilding of Zion and Jerusalem by our righteous
Moshiach, may it be speedily in our days, amen.

This is the desire of every Jewish person, including myself, who anticipates salvation.

Signed on Wednesday, the 19th of Shevat 5679, in Yekaterinoslav.

Levi Yitzchok Schneerson

“I encourage our generous brethren… to reinforce and increase with courage and purity, to strive to do and accomplish more in this regard.”

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson

19 Shevat 5679, Yekaterinoslav

Honoring his Legacy - Tiferes Zekeinim Levi Yitzchak Today

Fulfilling the Rebbe’s directive to establish Torah learning kollelim for seniors in his father’s memory, Colel Chabad operates a fast-growing network across Israel, messaged recently as “over 80 centers,” in honor of 80 years to his passing. It has grown this year to nearly 100 branches nationwide.