Rabbi Shmuel Butman, 80, AH

Rabbi Shmuel Butman, longtime director of Lubavitch Youth Organization – Tzach of America and head of the worldwide Siyum HoRambam Organization, passed away on Monday night, 17 Tammuz.

Rabbi Shmuel Butman, longtime director of Lubavitch Youth Organization – Tzach of America and head of the worldwide Siyum Horambam, passed away on Monday night, 17 Tammuz.

He was 80 years old.

He was born on the 3rd of Teves, 5704 (1944) in the Soviet Union to Rabbi Shneur Zalman and Mrs. Yehudis Butman. His mother was a descendant of the Tzemach Tzedek and a close cousin to the Rebbe.

After WW2, the family arrived in Paris and he had the privilege of being present when the Rebbe visited Paris to accompany his mother, Rebbetzin Chana, on her journey to the United States. The family immigrated to the United States in 5714 (1954).

In 5726, he married Rochel Geisinsky, the daughter of Reb Moshe Aaron Geisinsky.

As director of Lubavitch Youth Organization, Rabbi Butman was instrumental in organizing central menorah lightings across New York City, including the world’s largest menorah lighting, which featured public figures and senators. He also organized the international sukkah in Manhattan.

Rabbi Butman maintained close ties with the Jewish Federation, the United Jewish Appeal, the Israeli Consulate, and other Jewish organizations in the United States.

Annually, he organized a gathering with the Governor of New York State on Yud Aleph Nissan, where they declared Education Days based on the Rebbe’s age.

As director of the Siyum Horambam organization, he would arrange and lead the central Siyum HaRambam celebration held in Crown Heights.

After years of research and compilation, he published the book “The Rebbe in Paris” detailing the events surrounding the three periods the Rebbe spent in the city. The full color with numerous photos and documents was first published in Hebrew and later translated into English.

He is survived by his wife, Rochel, and children: Rabbi Velvel Butman, Westchester, New York; Rabbi Yossi Butman, Crown Heights; Mrs. Yehudis Newman – Alexandria, Virginia; Mrs. Chana Korf – Miami Beach, Florida; Mrs. Bassie Munitz – Buffalo, NY; Mrs. Dassie Heber – Yorktown, NY; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his sisters Mrs. Leah Kahn and Mrs. Miryam Swerdlov, both of Crown Heights. He was predeceased by his brother Rabbi Sholom Ber Butman, shliach in Tel-Aviv.

The levaya will pass in front of 770 on Tuesday at 1:00 pm with kevura in Old Montefiore Cemetery.

Boruch Dayan Ha’emes.