By Hershel Rosenbluh

17 Sivan marks the yahrtzeit of Reb Yisroel Jacobson, one of the most influential Chabad chassidim in America. He was responsible for strengthening Yiddishkeit, helping rescue chassidim from Europe and Russia, establishing mosdos, and inspiring generations of bochurim through his warmth, sincerity, and hiskashrus to the Rebbe.

Born in Zuravitz in 5656 (1895), Reb Yisroel Jacobson (born Paretzkin) was only ten years old when he arrived in Lubavitch. There were no proper melamdim in his hometown, and a local Yid convinced his father to send him to the yeshiva of Rabbi Reines in Lida.

Hashgacha protis led him elsewhere. On the journey to Lida, he and his father met an elderly misnaged who asked where they were headed. “I’m a misnaged,” the elderly Yid told them, “but if you want your son to remain an erlicher Yid, send him to Lubavitch.”

That encounter changed the course of his life. Reb Yisroel spent the next decade learning in Tomchei Tmimim, first in cheder and later in yeshiva, becoming deeply connected to the ways of Chassidus and the Rebbeim.

In 5680 (1920), he married Shaina Levin, daughter of Reb Yehoshua Heschel Levin. Her sister was married to the renowned chossid Reb Aron Lazer Zeitlin, who was later murdered by the KGB. The young couple settled in Homel, where they spent the first years after their marriage.

In 5685 (1925), Reb Yisroel was chosen by Anash to travel to America and help secure immigration papers for chassidim seeking to escape Soviet Russia. Before leaving, he met with fellow chassidim and pledged to do everything in his power to assist those who remained behind.

Upon arriving in New York, he became the rav of Anshei Babruisk, a Nusach Ari shul in Brownsville, Brooklyn. Alongside his rabbonus, he immediately threw himself into communal work, strengthening Yiddishkeit and sending desperately needed funds back to Russia.

In 5687 (1927), Reb Yisroel played a major role in the efforts to secure the release of the Frierdiker Rebbe from Soviet imprisonment. Using his connections with influential government officials and politicians, he helped apply pressure on Soviet authorities, ultimately contributing to the Frierdiker Rebbe’s release and departure from the Soviet Union to Riga, Latvia.

As Sukkos approached during those early years in America, Reb Yisroel realized he could not obtain Yanover esrogim, something unthinkable for a Lubavitcher chossid. Refusing to compromise, he arranged for esrogim to be shipped from Europe.

In 5715 (1955), he personally began traveling to Italy to oversee the cutting and export of the esrogim. The work was later continued by his son-in-law Rabbi Mottel Altein, and today remains in the hands of his grandson Rabbi Leibel Altein of Crown Heights.

From the mid-1920s until the Frierdiker Rebbe’s arrival in America in 5700 (1940), Reb Yisroel served as the central address for virtually all Lubavitch activities in the United States. Matters involving Agudas Chabad, shiurei Chassidus, ma’amad collections, and communal Chabad activities all passed through him.

One of his greatest impacts was on American bochurim. At a time before Tomchei Tmimim had been established in the United States, Reb Yisroel would farbreng and teach Chassidus to students in yeshivos such as Torah Vodaas and Chaim Berlin. Bochurim were captivated by his sincerity and his fiery hiskashrus to the Rebbe. He would describe the greatness of the Rebbe and the tremendous zechus of being connected to him.

Many of those talmidim later traveled to Tomchei Tmimim in Otwock, Poland, where they became distinguished chassidim, rabbonim, mashpiim, and shluchim. Among them were Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Hecht AH and Rabbi Mottel Altein AH, who later married his daughters. Rabbi Avrohom Hecht, Rabbi Avrohom Barnetzky, and Rabbi Berel Levy were also among his talmidim who traveled to Otwock at his encouragement.

Reb Yisroel was also instrumental in securing visas for the Frierdiker Rebbe and his family, including the Rebbe and Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka. He likewise obtained visas for Reb Mendel and Rebbetzin Sheindel Horenstein, though tragically they were unable to use them.

Many great chassidim for whom he arranged visas, including Reb Itche der Masmid, Reb Chatshe Feigin, and Reb Mordche Cheifetz, were ultimately unable to escape Nazi-occupied Latvia and were murdered al kiddush Hashem.

After the Frierdiker Rebbe’s arrival in America, Reb Yisroel’s extraordinary range of abilities and tireless dedication became even more apparent. It was difficult to find a major Lubavitch initiative in which he was not deeply involved.

Soon after the founding of Tomchei Tmimim in America in Adar Sheini 5700 (1940), he was appointed mashpia together with Reb Shmuel Levitin. Among his many responsibilities were helping establish the Chevra Kadisha, founding Beis Rivkah schools, building mikvaos, and strengthening shmiras Shabbos across communities.

His work touched every type of Yid. He served as mashpia to bochurim and young couples alike, founded women’s auxiliaries and Achos Temimim groups, and worked tirelessly to spread Yiddishkeit among unaffiliated Jews.

Following the histalkus of the Frierdiker Rebbe, Reb Yisroel was among those who immediately urged the Rebbe to accept the nesius. He wrote letters to chassidim and mashpiim around the world, encouraging them to connect themselves to the Frierdiker Rebbe’s younger son-in-law, the Rebbe.

In 5718 (1958), he played a key role in the establishment of the yeshiva in Newark, New Jersey, which later relocated to Morristown, where he also served as mashpia.

In the 1960s, shortly after the founding of Yeshiva Hadar Hatorah, Reb Yisroel was appointed Rosh Yeshiva. Through this role, he brought hundreds closer to Yiddishkeit. Though his approach was firm and uncompromising, every talmid felt the genuine care and concern he had for them.

Prospective students understood clearly that entering the yeshiva meant accepting his standards. There were no shortcuts. Yet decades later, talmidim continued speaking about him with deep love and longing. For many, he became the father figure they never had.

During the final weeks of his life, Reb Yisroel became ill and was hospitalized. Reb Heishke Dubrawski later shared a remarkable observation. Despite everything Reb Yisroel had accomplished over more than fifty years of tireless avodah, he remained focused only on what still needed to be done. Even as his physical strength faded, his neshama burned with energy and purpose.

Reb Yisroel Jacobson passed away at the age of 80 on 17 Sivan 5735 (1975). He left behind generations of chassidim, shluchim, and rabbonim continuing in the Rebbe’s ways.

His memoirs, originally published in the 1960s and 70s in Di Yiddishe Heim magazine, were later compiled into the sefer Zikaron L’vnei Yisroel. They remain essential reading for anyone interested in Chabad history or inspired by the life of a chossid who devoted every ounce of his being to the Rebbe’s mission until his final breath.

Special thanks to Rabbi Michoel Seligson.