20 Sivan is the yahrtzeit of Rebbetzin Ettel Tzerna Hodakov, a respected mechaneches and the wife of Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Aizik Hodakov, head of the Rebbe’s secretariat and director of the mosdos.

Rebbetzin Hodakov was born to R’ Meir Shmaryahu and Rochel Schochet, a respected family in Telz, Lithuania. Her siblings were Rabbi Dov Yehuda Schochet and Mrs. Chaya Henya Blau, who were drawn to Chabad through the Hodakovs.

In 5699 (1939), she married Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Aizik Hodakov, who later became the Rebbe’s secretary and director of the mosdos. The wedding took place in the month of Adar in Riga, Latvia.

At the time, Rabbi Hodakov was one of the leaders of Tze’irei Agudas Yisroel in Riga and was the head of the official government-run office for Jewish education for all of Latvia. He stood at the forefront of the fight for Torah observance, using his government position to strengthen Torah learning and observance even in the non-observant community.

Rebbetzin Hodakov was also involved in chinuch, having taught and directed Mosdos Chinuch in Lithuania, given shiurim in Yiddishkeit to adults and children in Austria, and been active in the ladies’ organization in Riga.

A certificate from the Yavneh Institute of Lithuania in Kovno, dated the 15th of Tamuz 5697 (1937), testifies that for two years she directed a Jewish kindergarten in Ponivesh, for a few years she taught in a school in Kelm, and for three years she was the Judaic principal of the girls’ orphanage in Kovno, where she also taught Limudei Kodesh and Ivrit. The certificate praises her pedagogic skills, her exceptional personality, and her faithful devotion to her holy work that benefited her students and brought joy to their parents.

Rebbetzin Hodakov taught at Bais Yaakov of Williamsburg and was one of the first teachers at Beth Rivkah Schools. She taught elementary, high school, and seminary students and was involved in the institution’s development and expansion.

She also adapted and translated into Yiddish the book “Der Rav,” a biography of the Alter Rebbe written by Rabbi Naftoli Hertz Ehrmann in German. The Rebbe praised her work, writing that it was a part of hafotzas hamayonos and would be a zechus for her and her family.

Yehi zichra baruch.

Rebbetzin Ettel Tzerna Bas R’ Meir Shmaryahu, Z”L

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