R’ Baruch Shalom Kahan, the beloved mashpia and longtime member of the Chabad community in New Haven, passed away on Motzei Shabbos, 25 Cheshvan.

He was 91 years old.

R’ Baruch Shalom was born on 22 Av 5694 (1934) in Kharkov, Russia, to R. Michoel Yehuda Aryeh Leib Kahan. In Elul 5696 (1936), his family emigrated to Eretz Yisroel and settled in Tel Aviv.

As a young boy, he learned in the cheder Bnei Temimim in Tel Aviv, later continuing in Yeshivas Achei Temimim in Tel Aviv, which relocated to Lod in 5711 (1951). He remained there until 5717 (1957).

Even as a bochur, his chassidishe heart was evident as he organized farbrengens for students in the Bnei Akiva yeshivah in Kfar HaRoeh and for Yemenite bochurim learning in Lod. For these efforts, he merited a written response from the Rebbe: “Fortunate is his lot for having merited to see fruits from the influence of the farbrengens he arranged.”

On 10 Shevat 5717, R’ Baruch Shalom traveled to the Rebbe and remained to learn in the central Tomchei Temimim yeshivah at 770. During those years, he often accompanied the Rebbe on the walk from 770 to the Rebbe’s home.

He was involved in typing and preparing summaries of the Rebbe’s sichos, published as “Tochen Inyanim B’Dach – L’Chazarah B’Batei Knessios.” He was also entrusted with collecting maamad funds from the bochurim and bringing them to the Mazkirus.

In 5720 (1960), R’ Baruch Shalom settled in New Haven, Connecticut, where he initially served as a shochet. On 27 Elul 5721, he married Dvora (née Drebin), daughter of R. Yisroel Drebin and granddaughter of the renowned chossid R’ Klonimus Kalman Drebin.

After his marriage, he continued to live in New Haven, working in the local Jewish-owned plastic factory run by the Deitsch family. When the Rebbe’s Mitzvah Tank initiative began gaining momentum around the United States, R’ Baruch Shalom rented a tank of his own and traveled throughout the region, bringing countless Yidden closer to Torah and mitzvos.

R’ Baruch Shalom was a tremendous talmid chocham. Over the course of his life he completed the entire Shas. He was known for his meticulous observance and refinement in mitzvos and for being mekushar bilev uvenefesh to the Rebbe. He lived in constant hope and yearning for Moshiach.

At the Rebbe’s instruction, he went to New Haven to strengthen and build the local community. As the New Haven Chabad community expanded and found its footing, Rabbi Kahan served as its mashpia, guiding generations with humility, warmth, and unwavering devotion to the Rebbe’s path.

He is survived by his wife Devorah and their daughter, Mrs. Sara Dubov of Wimbledon, England, and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Many of his descendants are shluchim around the world.

He is also survived by his siblings R’ Aharon Kahan, Kfar Chabad, Mrs. Rivkah Tenenbaum, Kfar Chabad, Mrs. Slava Chitrick, Miami and R’ Berel Kahan, Crown Heights.

He was predeceased by his brother R’ Binyomin Kahan in Sivan 5784.

The levaya will pass by 770 at 2:30 pm, with kevura near the Ohel at 3:30 pm.

Shiva will be in New Haven.

Boruch dayan haemes.