Rabbi Chaim Dovber (Berel) Zaltzman, a veteran chossid, renowned chazzan, and longtime shliach of the Rebbe, who dedicated his life to strengthening Yiddishkeit among Russian-speaking Jews, passed away on Tuesday, 8 Tammuz.

He was 92 years old.

Born in 1934 (5694) in Kharkov, Ukraine, to his father, Rabbi Avraham Zaltzman, he became involved in the underground chassidic network centered in Samarkand, working tirelessly to preserve and spread Torah and Yiddishkeit throughout the Soviet Union under the auspices of the clandestine organization Chamah, directed by Rabbi Moshe Nislievitch.

Following the guidance of Reb Berke Chein, R’ Berel married his wife, Mrs. Chaya Esther, daughter of Rabbi Yehuda (Kulasher) Butrashvili.

After leaving the Soviet Union in 1971, R’ Berel came to the Rebbe in New York. The following year, in 1972, he moved to Eretz Yisroel and settled in Nachalas Har Chabad.

In 1980, he went out on shlichus at the Rebbe’s direction and established a Chabad center in Los Angeles serving Russian-speaking Jews. In 1992, he relocated to Fair Lawn, New Jersey, where he founded the Bris Avrohom community, which became a major center for Russian-speaking Jews in the region and beyond.

Rabbi Zaltzman was also widely known as a distinguished baal tefillah and chazzan. At the Rebbe’s repeated encouragement and direct instruction, he served as chazzan on many occasions and brought much joy through his heartfelt davening and niggunim. The Rebbe personally encouraged him to record and release several albums, supporting and guiding him closely throughout the process, including contributing significantly toward production costs.

Throughout his life, Rabbi Zaltzman remained deeply devoted to his shlichus, continuing his work through Bris Avrohom in New Jersey and inspiring countless individuals with warmth and dedication.

He was predeceased by his wife, Mrs. Chaya Esther Zaltzman, who passed away on 9 Tishrei 5765.

He is survived by his children: Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Zaltzman – Toronto; Rabbi Baruch Zaltzman – Toronto; Rabbi Menachem Mendel Zaltzman – Fair Lawn, NJ; Mrs. Sheina Browd – North Miami Beach, FL; Mrs. Rivka Sirota – Denver, CO; Mrs. Shterna Sarah Kanelsky – Fair Lawn, NJ; and Mrs. Rochel Matusov – Calgary, Canada.

The levaya will take place today, Tuesday, passing by 770 at 2:45 PM, and kevurah near the ohel at 3:30 PM.

Boruch dayan hoemes

Audio of R’ Berel singing: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WIAQUExiwBRf7NGBjGzUV8QLebB2wrdM