By Anash.org reporter
Rabbi Sholom Chaim Osher Kahanov, a longtime Crown Heights resident and devoted Chosid, passed away on Tuesday, 20 Nissan 5780.
Rabbi Sholom Chaim Osher Kahanov, a longtime Crown Heights resident and devoted Chosid, passed away on Tuesday, 20 Nissan 5780.
He was 96.
Born in Akhaltsikhe, Soviet Georgia in 5683/1923, Reb Chaim Osher was a son of the chossid Reb Eliyohu Shmuel Kahanov, a tomim in Lubavitch, and was a talmid in the Lubavitcher underground yeshivos. His father had been sent there by the Frierdiker Rebbe. Reb Elya Shmuel was a brother in law of Reb Shmuel Levitin.
He left the Soviet Union with the mass exodus in 5706/1946 and first arrived in Prague, where he was active in arranging visas for his fellow refugee yidden. Soon, by the efforts of the Rashag, he and three others were granted a visa to the US in 5707/1947.
Reb Chaim Osher was an example of a Chassidisher yungerman who worked hard to provide for his family but never lost the varemkeit of Tomchei Tmimim. Totally devoted to the Rebbe, he raised his children in the Rebbe’s ideals. He was for many years a member of the board of Tzach in New York.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Sarah Kahanov (nee’ Rosenblum) and children Mrs. Chavie Bendet – S. Paul, Minnesota; Mrs. Chana Hayes – Ottawa; Rabbi Yossi Kahanov – Jacksonville, Florida; Mrs. Chaya Levin – Kfar Chabad; Mrs. Rivky Block – S. Antonio, Texas; Rabbi Dovid Kahanov – Crown Heights and Rabbi Meir Kahanov – Crown Heights, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
The levaya will take place today passing by 770 at 3:15 pm and then Ksav Sofer Shul on Empire and Albany.
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
30 years ago, I went to meet Lubavitcher Rebbe with my Shliach, R’ Kahanov’s son-in-law R’ Chaim Block. After Shul at 770 I was ushered into the Kahanov home on Empire by all his amazing Kohanim sons for Kiddish. The beautiful Chabad custom is each head of a household should make their own Kiddish on a becher. Back then, as a new Baal Teshuvah, my Hebrew was spotty at best. Reb Kahanov took delight in my effort and was never judgemental of my lack of Chinuch. My parents were survivors of the Shoah, and instead of focusing on what had not been taught, he understood we were in another generation of redemption. Geula. We had many more encounters over the decades, in San Antonio, Texas and in Crown Heights. One thing I will always have in mind, is when the famous story about the Baal Shemtov is told about Baale tchuva, I have Reb Kahanav’s face in mind. Just too clarify the reference: The Baal Shemtov’s Tulmudei complained that their Rebbe davened with the villagers that would butcher the Hebrew as they lacked education. ( I could totally relate to that) .
He tool their hands, asked them to close their eyes and they were all transported to on high. There they heard the most heavenly sound imaginable. He let go of their hands and they were back at the Beit Midrash. His chassidim asked what was that heavenly sound? The Baal Shem answered, it was what Hashem hears when the villagers pray. This was Reb Kahanav. A true shliach of the Rebbe .and Chabad Chassidus. I will always remember his kindness.