Eliyahu Akiva Lipsker
Rabbi Eliyahu Akiva Lipsker (5678-29 Tishrei 5748) [1918-1987] was a Chassidic philanthropist who greatly assisted the underground activities in the Soviet Union, and after leaving Russia served as a Chassidic educator in Toronto according to the Rebbe's instructions. He was among the founders of the local Chabad community and was a multi-faceted community activist.
Life History[edit | edit source]
Born in Poltava in 5678 (1918) to his father Rabbi Chaim Tzvi who served as the city's rabbi and to Mrs. Bas Sheva Yaffa. His brothers were: Rabbi Michael Lipsker, Rabbi Aryeh Zev Lipsker, Rabbi Yaakov Lipsker, and others.
His father was not a Chabad chassid, but sent his children to study in Tomchei Tmimim and claimed that this was the only way to ensure his children would not be swept away by the winds of Communism and would continue to observe Torah and mitzvos.
When he was 12 years old, his father was arrested by the secret police for the "crime" of spreading Torah and Judaism, and during the harsh interrogations accompanied by torture - he passed away.
While still a young man, he began to engage in commerce, and simultaneously worked to support Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim. He collaborated with Rabbi Nissan Nemenov, Rabbi Ben Zion Shemtov and Rabbi Avraham Mayor, and donated large sums for the underground yeshivas.
When World War II broke out, he was drafted into the Russian army and fought against the Nazis. When he was wounded and permitted to leave for medical treatment outside the city of Leningrad with an escort, he left with the daughter of Rabbi Shneur Zalman Duchman, Mrs. Rachel Beila who was knowledgeable in medical matters.
His Marriage And Activist Work[edit | edit source]
After wandering, he arrived in Tashkent and joined the local Chabad community, where he entered into marriage with Mrs. Rachel, daughter of the chassid R' Shneur Zalman Duchman, who had accompanied him in his difficult time.
When he and his wife fell ill with typhus and were quarantined in the hospital, the chassid R' Yisrael Konson cared for them and managed to save them from death.
In Tashkent, he was among the leading Chabad activists, and stood alongside Rabbi Aharon Chazan in establishing underground cheders for children.
At the same time, he engaged in business and achieved great success, donating enormous sums for underground activities throughout the Soviet Union. For his business, he moved to live in Moscow, and at great personal risk and mortal danger continued to support generously all the underground activities of Chabad chassidim in Russia.
He merited to greatly assist in the release of Rebbetzin Chana, the Rebbe's mother, from Russia, and her smuggling to the displaced persons camps in Germany.
Later, he himself joined the Chassidim who escaped Russia in an operation that later became known as 'The Russian Exodus of 5706 (1946),' and even while in the displaced persons camps where he stayed for about four years - he continued to take part in communal activism, and did much to spread Yiddishkeit and Chassidus.
Chabad Activist in Toronto[edit | edit source]
In 5712 (1952), he arrived in Toronto, Canada, where he worked in education according to the Rebbe's instructions, and served as a teacher in the 'Eitz Chaim' Talmud Torah in the city for thirty-six years. He also served as a spiritual supervisor at Gan Israel camp during summer vacations for twenty years, and as a teacher in the teachers' seminary in the city.
In addition to his teaching activities, he was among the founders of Chabad community institutions in Toronto, and worked extensively with Russian immigrants.
He also served as a gabbai for Kollel Chabad in Eretz Hakodesh and for the Ezras Achim office.
He established and taught a Tanya class attended by many members of the upper class in the city, and also gave additional classes in Torah and Chassidus, and would regularly share the Rebbe's sichos and maamarim with the congregants of the Chabad synagogue in the city.
He was known for his hospitality and pleasant ways.
He passed away at a good old age on 29 Tishrei 5748 (1987).
His Family[edit | edit source]
- His wife, Mrs. Rachel Beila
- His brother, Rabbi Michael Lipsker
- His brother, Rabbi Yaakov Lipsker
- His brother, Rabbi Aryeh Zev Lipsker
- His sister, Ida, wife of Rabbi Alexander Sender Menkin
- His sister, Menucha, wife of Rabbi Gershon Eliezer Lazaroff
- His son, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Lipsker - one of the Rebbe's shluchim in Miami Beach, Florida
- His son, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Lipsker - one of the Rebbe's shluchim and director of Chabad institutions in South Africa
- His son, Rabbi Shalom DovBer Lipsker - the Rebbe's shliach in Bal Harbour, Florida, and director of the 'ALEPH' organization for Jewish prisoners in the United States
- His daughter, Mrs. Sheva Shochet - South Beach, Florida
- His son, Rabbi Chaim Tzvi Lipsker - passed away 4 Teves 5757 (1996)
See Also[edit | edit source]
- Rabbi Shneur Zalman Duchman, Lishma Ozen pages 383-406