From the Margins of Chabad History

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Was the Kopuster Rebbe a Zionist?

In honor of the upcoming 126th yartzeit of Harav Shlomo Zalman of Kopust, From the Margins of Chabad History presents new information about his life and stance towards the Zionist movement.

When Fake News About the Rebbe Maharash Sparked a Public Rebuttal

2 Iyar marks 192 years from the birth of the Rebbe Maharash. From the Margins of Chabad History relates an episode of fake news from the contemporary maskilic press that gives us a glimpse of the respect in which he was held, details about his travels, and the loyalty of his devoted chasidim.

Newspapers Report the Leadership and Sacrifice of Harav Levi Yitzchak

In honor of 18 Nissan, 148 years from the birth of Harav Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, the Rebbe’s father, From the Margins of Chabad History presents a series of newspaper articles about his appointment as rov of Yekatrinoslav and his mesiras nefesh under Soviet rule.

When Chabad Royalty Reached the Edge of the World

The Australia series From the Margins of Chabad History continues, now relating the story of R. Chaim Yaakov Slonim of Chevron, a great-grandson of the Mitteler Rebbe who helped strengthen frum life in Ballarat and Melbourne at the turn of the century.

From Chevron to the Outback: A Chasid’s Wild Australian Journey

After relating the stories of the first Chabad visitors to Australia, From the Margins of Chabad History now tells the fascinating and colorful story of R. Yosef Chaim Meizlish, the first Chabad chasid to settle in Australia.

Revelry and Radiance: Purim in Lubavitch

In honor of the approaching yom tov of Purim, From the Margins of Chabad History presents two unknown accounts of Purim with the Rebbeim—from Lubavitch with the Rebbe Rashab and Riga with the Frierdiker Rebbe.

Genius, Tragedy, and Mystery: The Tshashniker Iluy Revisited

In one of the first installments of From the Margins of Chabad History, we patched together the fascinating and tragic tale of the mysterious Tshashniker iluy. Now, ahead of his 127th yartzeit, we return to his story with new information that answers some questions and raises others.

The Untold Story of Chabad’s First Shluchim Down Under

Who was the first Chabad chasid in Australia? Ask any Australian Lubavitcher this question, and you will be told—R. Moshe Feiglin. But while the Feiglins did certainly lay the foundations for contemporary Chabad in Australia, there is also a fascinating pre-history of Chabad shadarim and residents in Australia, dating all the way back to 1856 (5616). In honor of Australia Day this Monday, From the Margins of Chabad History tells the stories of these colorful pioneers.

The Poilishe Chabad Rebbe Almost Lost to History

Harav Levi Yitzchak Guterman of Sirotshin was born into Poilishe chasidishe royalty, as a grandson of the Radziminer Rebbe. But after becoming the son-in-law of the Tzemach Tzedek’s son, Harav Chaim Shneur Zalman of Liadi, he became a staunch Chabad chasid, and eventually—a Rebbe. In honor of his 121st yartzeit on 22 Teves, we present detailed accounts of his remarkable personality.

Solving the Mystery of the Rov of Niezhin

The name of Harav Eliyahu Dovid, the rov of Niezhin, is known to Chabad talmidei chachamim as a close associate of the Tzemach Tzedek’s son, Harav Yisrael Noach of Niezhin, and a leading Chabad posek in his time. But his full name and biography have remained a mystery until today—his 133rd yartzeit.

From Latvia to London: Farbrenging with the Legendary R. Itche Masmid

10 Kislev marks the 84th yartzeit of the legendary chasid R. Itche Masmid. 'From the Margins of Chabad History' presents a series of contemporary newspaper articles that give us a glimpse into his remarkable personality and dedicated work.

From Dokshitz to Sioux City: The Spirit and Flavor of Yud-Tes Kislev

In honor of Shabbos Mevorchim Kislev, From the Margins of Chabad History surveys Yud-Tes Kislev celebrations in Chabad history, exploring the spirit and flavor of farbrengens across the world, from the shtetlach of White Russia to the small towns of the American Midwest.

The Chabad Mashpia Who Challenged Lord Balfour

108 years ago, on November 2, 1917, British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour issued a declaration of support for the “establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people.” Many Jews rejoiced, seeing this as a salvation from antisemitic persecution. But the Chabad Rebbeim and chasidim saw things differently.