Mrs. Rochel Kaplan, longtime Head Shlucha to Maryland who headed many educational and communal projects, passed away on Monday, 19 Shvat, 5784.
By Anash.org reporter
Mrs. Rochel Kaplan, longtime Head Shlucha to Maryland who headed many educational and communal projects, passed away on Monday, 19 Shvat, 5784.
She was 69 years old.
Born in East Flatbush to Rabbi Peretz and Yuta Hecht, Mrs. Kaplan was sent by the Rebbe, together with her husband Rabbi Shmuel Kaplan, to Maryland in 1974. Together, they spearheaded the Chabad Center and Lubavitch of Maryland, bringing the light of Yiddishkeit to countless individuals.
A passionate, active, and creative shlucha, Mrs. Kaplan also founded and directed the Aleph Learning Institute, which brought learning opportunities to Jewish women. She was also the driving force behind Mikvah Mei Menachem of Baltimore.
Mrs. Kaplan also authored two books of poetry, utilizing that form of art as well to spread messages of Torah and mitzvos. Her first book, ‘G-d In the Details’ brings to life the concept of how Hashem is manifest in every aspect of your life, and her second book , ‘Triumph of Truth’, published just last year, consists of 144 poems strongly focused on inspiration during times of struggle and challenges.
Together with her husband yibodel l’chaim tovim, Mrs. Kaplan helped transform the landscape of Jewish Maryland, which today consists of nearly 50 shluchim families, 27 Chabad houses, 4 Chabad university centers, 2 schools, 4 preschools, and countless Yidden inspired.
In an article published by the Baltimore Jewish Time after her first book was published, the interviewer put it as follows: “If Chabad epitomizes welcoming the stranger, Rebbetzin Rochel Kaplan has been a dedicated ambassador.”
She is survived by her husband ybadel lechaim aruchim Rabbi Shmuel Kaplan and their children Rabbi Levi Kaplan – Pomona, NY; Rabbi Chanoch Kaplan – Franklin Lakes, NJ; Rabbi Mendel Kaplan – Potomac Village, MD; Mrs. Devorah Leah Riesenberg – Pomona NY; Mrs Chani Feldman – Greenwich, CT; Mrs. Esther Kavka – Rockville, MD; Mrs. Mushka Minkowitz – Chevy Chase, MD; and Rabbi Yaakov Kaplan – Baltimore, MD.
She is also survived by her siblings: Rivkah Piekarski, Shea Hecht, Shterna Weinberg, Devorah Halberstam-Ingber, Faigy Carlebach, Brocha Karp, Yisrael Hecht.
The levaya will be today Monday, at 4 pm starting at the entrance to Old Montefiore cemetery.
Our deepest condolences and sympathy to all family.So sorry for a loss of a great person.