Editor’s Picks

A Holy Jew Lived in Shanghai: The Remarkable Life of Harav Meir Ashkenazi – II

Part two of the series about the fascinating and colorful story of Harav Meir Ashkenazi of Shanghai traces his response to the Holocaust, post-war communal activism, visit to Eretz Yisrael and America, and his final years in New York as the rov and father figure of the international Shanghai diaspora.

He Saw What the Tzemach Tzedek Did Behind Closed Doors

Called into the Tzemach Tzedek’s room to copy a maamar, R. Shmuel der Shreiber was left spellbound by what he witnessed, spending all night watching the Rebbe learn until he was ultimately sent on his way.

Rebbeim Travelog Reveals Fascinating Unknown Discoveries

After years of extensive research, collecting, and sifting through archives, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Mellul shares remarkable discoveries about the journeys of our Rebbeim, including a property purchased by the Rebbe Rashab in Menton, France, and previously unknown trips of the Rebbe and his family during his youth. The 230-page full-color volume includes rare documents, photographs, and archival material.

The Chossid Who Became the Rebbe Rashab’s ‘Son-in-Law’

A son of Rebbetzin Menucha Rochel, R. Mordechai Dov Ber Slonim lived in Chevron and resembled his grandfather, the Mitteler Rebbe. After showing up at the Rebbe Maharash's home at 2 am, he became very close to the young Rebbe Rashab, earning the nickname "son-in-law."

A Holy Jew Lived In Shanghai: The Remarkable Life of Harav Meir Ashkenazi

A learned rov, a tireless activist, a fearless leader, and a devoted chasid. From Cherikov to Vladivostok, Shanghai, and New York. In honor of his 72nd yartzeit, From the Margins of Chabad History tells the remarkable and colorful story of Harav Meir Ashkenazi. Part 1 of a series.

Living With the Chasidim in Samarkand and Tashkent

During World War II, around 1500 Lubavitcher chasidim from across the Soviet Union found refuge in Samarkand and Tashkent. From the Margins of Chabad History presents accounts by fellow refugees who were deeply impressed with the chasidim’s devotion and vibrant chasidishe life.

‘Batlonim That You Are!’ He Screamed at the Hanhala

A talmid of R. Peretz Chein and his son Radatz, R. Dovid Meir Rabinowitz came to Boston in 1896, where he served as rov for 50 years. On a visit to Tomchei Temimim in Otvotzk, he nearly fainted, and then berated the hanhala.

‘Why Do We Need Chassidus?’ A Landmark Interview with Reb Yoel Kahn

In a rare and remarkable interview, the legendary mashpia and choizer Reb Yoel Kahn tackles the questions at the heart of Chassidus: Who really needs it, what is it meant to accomplish, and how can it change the way an ordinary person sees life? Marking Reb Yoel’s 5th yahrtzeit.

80 Years From Shanghai: The Epic Journey of the Lubavitcher Bochurim

Today, 26 Tammuz marks 80 years since the arrival in New York of the Shanghai bochurim, the surviving talmidim of Tomchei Temimim in Poland. In honor of the occasion, From the Margins of Chabad History tells the remarkable story of their survival, their inspiring activities in Shanghai, and their joyous arrival in America.

‘Rebbe! I’m Going to America…’

One of the first active Chabad Chassidim in America, R. Dovid Shifrin left Lubavitch to live with sons. Though he did not want to ask permission, he could not bring himself to leave without notifying the Rebbe Rashab.

America at 250: When Chabad First Reached Its Shores

On July 4, the malchus shel chesed of America will be celebrating 250 years of independence. In honor of this occasion, the present installment of From the Margins of Chabad History is devoted to the early history of Chabad in America. The article features a new interactive map of early Nusach Ari shuls in North America, and two letters of the Frierdiker Rebbe to America, published here for the first time.

‘Who is That Distinguished Looking Yid?’

A prominent chossid of the Tzemach Tzedek, R. Arche of Liozna was an exceedingly humble elder chossid. At a chassuna in Vitebsk, he saw a venerable chossid in the mirror, not realizing that it was himself.

Historic Times: The Rebbe’s First Message to American Jewry

As we approach Gimmel Tammuz, From the Margins of Chabad History uncovers reports about the Rebbe’s farbrengens before the nesius and the Rebbe’s first message to the broader American public, just days after accepting the nesius.

The Gvir Who Collected Money for Needy Chassidim

A successful businessman, R. Pesach Kuper devoted himself to raising money for needy chassidim, selling coins the Rebbe Rashab donated. When he asked the Rebbe for a special kavana in the tzedaka, the Rebbe had a practical response.

The Chossid Who Wouldn’t Stop Shouting Tanya Through the Window

A chassidishe shochet in Nikolayev, R' Asher Grossman was a devoted chossid and a talented ba'al menagen. When his friend, R' Meir Shlomo Yanovsky, was quarantined with typhus, he came daily and shouted Tanya to him, hoping it would give him the strength to overcome his illness.

‘My Generals’: The Rebbe’s Revolutionary Approach to Special Children

For generations, children with special needs were viewed through the lens of their limitations. But the Rebbe fundamentally transformed the way we understand, speak about, and care for children with special needs, and revealed the unique spiritual depth hidden within these neshamos. An in-depth conversation with author and parent of a special child, Rabbi Eliyahu Wolf.

The Refugees Who Astonished the Jewish World: Part II

In Sivan 5706, chasidim began to flee the Soviet Union for the free world. As we mark 80 years since the Great Escape, From the Margins of Chabad History continues a series documenting the vibrant chasidishe life of the escapees in the refugee centers and DP camps. Part 2 of the series is devoted to life in the Austrian DP camps in 5707.

He Learned Chassidus with Three Kids Dancing on His Head

Known as “Baruch Polisher,” Reb Baruch Friedman, who had come from distant Poland to learn in Tomchei Tmimim in Lubavitch, was known for his exceptional devotion to Chassidus. Even with three children climbed all around him, he would not get distracted.

‘With the Chassidim’: A German Writer’s Shavuos in the Rebbe Rashab’s Court

A fascinating account by a writer in the Orthodox German newspaper Der Israelit recounts his journey to Lubavitch for Shavuos 5671 (1911) to spend Yom Tov with the Rebbe Rashab which overturned everything he believed about Chassidus, leaving him awestruck by the fiery davening, soaring niggunim, and spiritual power surrounding the Rebbe.

The Choizer Who Rolled on the Floor with the Alter Rebbe

Reb Pinchas "Reizes," so named after his mother-in-law who supported his becoming the Alter Rebbe's chossid, was a wealthy chossid and devoted choizer. When the Alter Rebbe would sometimes fall to the floor in dveikus, he would drop near him to catch every word.

The Refugees Who Astonished the Jewish World: 80 Years Since ‘The Great Escape’

In Sivan 5706, chasidim began to flee the Soviet Union for the free world. As we mark 80 years since the Great Escape, From the Margins of Chabad History launches a series documenting the vibrant chasidishe life of the escapees in the refugee centers and DP camps, until they reached their final destinations.