Rabbi Menachem Mendel Futerfas

Rabbi Menachem Mendel Futerfas
Country	Israel
Occupation	Mashpia

Rabbi Menachem Mendel Futerfas (also known as: Reb Mendel. 20 Tishrei 1908 - 4 Tammuz 1995) was a chossid and mekushar to our Rebbeim, a man of mesiras nefesh who established underground branches of Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim behind the Iron Curtain. From 1973, under the Rebbe's direction, he served as the head mashpia at the central Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim in Kfar Chabad and as a shadar abroad to inspire spiritually and raise funds. He served as a board member of Beis Rivka and the Bucharian Yeshiva institutions in Kfar Chabad. Together with Rabbi Mordechai Shmuel Ashkenazi and Rabbi Bentzion Vishetsky, he founded the Yiddish Cheder in Kfar Chabad.

Life History[edit | edit source]

Reb Mendel was born on 20 Tishrei 1907 in the town of Pleshnitz in White Russia, to his father Reb Menachem Mendel and his mother Maryasha Badna (who passed away on 5 Menachem Av 1958) - daughter of the Segalovitz family and her mother from the Kugel family. He was the fourth child after two daughters and one brother. His father passed away shortly before his birth during a typhus epidemic, and his mother named him after his father. Being fatherless, Reb Mendel grew up with his grandfather, the chossid Reb Chaim Futerfas in Kharkov, who was one of the shapers of his personality and from whom he received many chassidic stories. Reb Mendel spent his childhood with his grandmother Rachel-Leah from Nevel, who was the niece of the famous chossid Reb Chanoch Hendel Kugel. Many stories circulate about her chassidic conduct and enhancement of mitzvos.

Grandmother Rachel Leah was a childhood friend of Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah, wife of the Rebbe Rashab. When visiting Lubavitch, she would visit the Rebbetzin's home, where they would discuss Chabad stories and chassidic customs. In 1915, when her grandson turned seven, she brought him with her on her trip to the Rebbe. On this trip, he merited to have his first yechidus, following his grandmother's request to the Rebbetzin to ask her husband, the Rebbe Rashab, to receive him for yechidus. After the holidays, she indeed entered her husband's room with the child and said: "He is named after his father, he is Rachel Leah's grandson, receive him for yechidus and bless him!" The Rebbe gave him a blessing for yiras shamayim and long life.

From then on, this became a more regular practice. Almost every year, she would take him with her on her trips to the Rebbe. In Tishrei 1920, when he turned 12, was the last time he merited to be with the Rebbe Rashab.

His Yeshiva Studies[edit | edit source]

At the end of 1920, he was accepted to Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim in Kremenchug where he studied until 1924. That year, the Soviet secret police discovered the yeshiva and he was forced to flee. From 1925, he studied in underground yeshivas in Kharkov, Vitebsk, and Nevel until 1929, when these yeshivas were also closed, and the many students were forced to disperse among various underground yeshivas.

Years later, the mashpia described his memories from those days: Every Thursday night was entirely dedicated to learning. There were students who diligently studied Gemara and others who studied Chassidus; he himself would dedicate this night to studying Gemara.

He especially loved the many farbrengens where the best mashpiim of that generation would farbreng, such as Rabbi Zalman Moshe Hayitzchaki, Rabbi Yitzchak Horowitz (Itche der Matmid), Rabbi Yechezkel (Chatche) Feigin, and others.

Mashgiach in Tomchei Temimim[edit | edit source]

In 1930, he was called to serve as a Mashgiach and Mashpia for the Temimim students in the underground yeshiva in Yekatrinoslav. In his memoirs from that period, he notes the great reverence that the yeshiva bochurim had for the city's Rav, HaRav HaGaon Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, the Rebbe's father.

That same year, he also served as a Mashgiach in Odessa.

"The Karalevitz Suggestion is Correct"[edit | edit source]

Reb Mendel traveled to his mother's home in Kharkov and began arranging shidduchim for his two older sisters, aiming to match them with the finest among the Temimim. His efforts were successful, and shortly after, his eldest sister married Rav Ben Zion Shem Tov, and his younger sister married Rav Yehoshua Shneur Zalman Serebransky.

During this period, respectable shidduchim were suggested for him as well. He compiled several proposals and reported them to the Frierdiker Rebbe, who was then in Poland, requesting his guidance and bracha. The Rebbe's response was: "The Karalevitz suggestion is correct" - referring to Rav Ben Zion Robinson, who lived in Karalevitz and had suggested his daughter to Reb Mendel.

He therefore traveled to Karalevitz, arriving before Shabbos Kodesh. After davening, he participated in a farbrengen where he took mashke liberally, resulting in him falling under the table and falling asleep. When he awoke, still under the table, it was after midnight on Motzei Shabbos, and he suddenly heard Reb Ben Zion telling his wife: "It seems this bochur is an 'emesdiker chassidisher bochur' (a true chassidic young man), for he came 'to be seen,' and nevertheless took mashke, farbrenged, and is now where he is... This is a sign that he is a true chassidic bochur. We must make every effort to have him stay here and complete the shidduch with us."

Indeed, the shidduch came to fruition in a good and successful hour, and the wedding took place in the kallah's town on Tuesday, 10 Tammuz 1933.

For Tomchei Temimim and Pidyon Shvuyim[edit | edit source]

After his wedding, he stayed briefly with his mother in Kharkov, and then traveled with his wife to the city of Yegurovsk (a city approximately 100 kilometers from Moscow). Although he temporarily withdrew from his yeshiva activities for family matters, the administrators of the nationwide network of underground Tomchei Temimim yeshivas throughout Russia already recognized his talents and dedication, seeing him as most suitable for working to save the yeshivas. From a financial perspective - supporting the families of prisoners who risked their lives for Torah and mitzvos, maintaining the underground yeshivas, funding the constant relocations of the yeshivas, as well as significant amounts paid as bribes - placed a heavy financial burden on the organizers, and he was chosen to be one of those tasked with obtaining the necessary funding.

He accepted the position and entered the business world for this purpose. While he earned substantial profits, he and his family subsisted on bread and water, giving the vast majority of the profits to Tomchei Temimim. Additionally, whenever Anash activists needed large sums of money for pidyon shvuyim (redeeming captives), they would turn to Reb Mendel, and even when he didn't have the requested amount, he would borrow the money and transfer it to them.

For the Benefit of Chassidim[edit | edit source]

During World War II, when the Nazis (yimach shmam) invaded Russia, he fled Moscow with his family and after wandering arrived in Samarkand, where many Anash and Polish refugees had gathered. News of his activities quickly spread among the chassidim and many sought his help. He did everything in his power to improve their situation.

Starting in late winter 5703 (1943), at the height of the war, he began managing Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim Samarkand, where hundreds of students studied over time. In this role, Reb Mendel established branches of Tomchei Tmimim, some for students of Cheder age and most for Yeshiva age.

Among the Organizers of the Exodus from Russia[edit | edit source]

Extended topic - The Exodus from Russia 5706 (1946)

After World War II ended, the Russian government authorized the return of Polish citizens who had fled to its borders during the war, and provided freight trains for their use. Many Russian citizens took advantage of this breach and tried to cross the border using forged Polish passports through the transit city of Lvov. Chabad chassidim waited to receive the Frierdiker Rebbe's answer whether to risk illegally crossing the border. When approval was received, only a few managed to utilize this opportunity before the Russian government stopped issuing exit visas.

Following the actions of Reb Yehuda Leib Motzkin, who bribed senior government officials at genuine risk to his life, the border was reopened. A special committee was established for this purpose, with Reb Mendel and other activists as members. The committee's activities were divided into several areas: encouraging Anash in Russia to cross the borders, forging documents, raising funds to bribe various officials, and taking care of all other necessary details, such as safe houses in Lvov until departure and maintaining constant contact with Anash who arrived in Lvov to cross the border.

Arrest of the Nine Chassidim[edit | edit source]

Reb Mendel himself did not join his family in escape despite estimating that the secret police would track him down and could arrest him within a short time. He remained in Russia and continued to work on smuggling operations until he decided to leave the Iron Curtain with a small group of only nine people:

Rav Shmuel Notik, his wife and daughter, Reb Mendel Futerfas (in new documents: Feivish Steingel), Reb Yosef Greenberg, the brothers Reb Avraham Gurevitch and Reb Shmuel Gurevitch. The last three were listed as Rav Shmuel Notik's "sons" for the escape. As written in a secret memorandum revealed by Chabad.org: "Arrested on the same train with Futerfas was also Shmuel Notik, formerly a beloved chassidic teacher in Chabad's underground yeshivas throughout the Soviet Union, who perished in the Gulag in early 5709 (1949)."

It later became clear that the person who arranged their tickets was an undercover KGB agent who informed the authorities about the nine people planning to cross the border. The police arrested them all. The detainees were transferred to the secret police headquarters in Lvov. Initially, those arrested in this operation and other detainees from that period were held at the secret police headquarters in Lvov, later some were transferred to Kharkov.

Siberian Exile and the Lvov Case[edit | edit source]

After prolonged interrogations and terrible torture, the trial began where R' Mendel was sentenced to 10 years of exile and hard labor in work camps and was exiled to Siberia.

During the exile, he was brought to Leningrad to the 'Shpalerka' where he was interrogated again, many like him were interrogated regarding the Lvov case.

In Shpalerka, he met with his friend R' Moshe Vishetsky and they made part of the journey to exile together. During his exile period, he stayed together with the Chassid and Mashpia R' Asher Sassonkin until they were released in 1964.

Documents from KGB Archives[edit | edit source]

New documents from the Lvov case and new memories about R' Mendel Futerfas were published during 2022-2023 in Chabad media outlets:

Elul 2022: On Chabad.org (and translated to Hebrew on Chabad Online), KGB documents from 1950 were published reflecting the situation of Chassidim escaping through Lvov and Chernovitz. These documents also include documentation of arrests including R' Mendel Futerfas: "Among the Chabad leaders arrested following the operation were R' Mendel Futerfas (arrested on a train leaving Lvov in 1947, released from the Gulag in 1956); Yona Kagan ('Poltaver', arrested in 1948, died in the Gulag in 1949); and Mordechai Dubin (arrested in 1948, died in Soviet custody in 1957)."
Tammuz 2023: R' Mendel's investigation file reached Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Kratz, publisher of the book about him being prepared by author Rabbi Yisroel Elfenbein. Portions of the file were published in WhatsApp groups, which sparked discussions and debates. From the publications, it is understood that R' Mendel and the escape organizers, including his brother-in-law R' DovBer Robinson and R' Shimon Katzenelenbogen, obtained enormous sums to get hundreds of Chabad families out of Russia. The publications also include details about R' Mendel's escape attempt with Rabbi Shmuel Notik.
On 11 Tammuz 2023 (for the 12 Tammuz redemption holiday), additional photos from R' Mendel Futerfas's file were published on the Anash website.
On 17 Tammuz 2023, additional documents from the file were published in Kfar Chabad magazine issue 2016, revealing that after interrogations, investigators managed to extract a confession from R' Mendel about his activities in organizing the smuggling of Chassidim through Lvov and Chernovitz. However, several years after he left the Soviet Union, the sentence was retroactively canceled and it was decided that he had not betrayed his homeland due to his 1958 complaint that the confession was extracted through illegal means.

Chernovitz, Samarkand[edit | edit source]

After his release, he was active in many areas in the cities where he lived: Chernovitz where he worked with his friend R' Moshe Vishetsky and other Chassidim, and in Samarkand:

Organized underground activities for Anash and Tmimim
Opened mikvaos
Worked with many Jews

The Rebbe's Relationship with Reb Mendel During His Russian Exile[edit | edit source]

During his period of exile in Siberia and after his release while still in Russian exile, he merited rare acknowledgments from the Rebbe:

In 1956, Rabbi Ben Zion Schneerson, the brother-in-law of the Frierdiker Rebbe, arrived in the United States shortly after leaving Russia and had a yechidus with the Rebbe. After leaving the yechidus, he met Hatomim Shalom Ber, son of Reb Mendel Futerfas, who asked if he knew his father. Reb Ben Zion answered affirmatively and added that the first thing the Rebbe asked him during yechidus was about his father.

In a letter the Rebbe sent to Reb Mendel's wife while he was still in Russia, the Rebbe wrote exceptionally rare expressions about him: "The chossid, yarei shamayim, outstanding in Torah and mitzvos, man of many accomplishments and energy, among the best mekusharim of our Rebbeim and followers of their ways, which shall be called the holy path, the path of life, in this world of action to do them today, HaRav Mendel Mordechai shlita and his wife Leah tichye."

At the farbrengen of Yud Shevat 1962, the Rebbe described the actions of a man of mesiras nefesh in Russia, referring to Reb Mendel Futerfas, who was involved in maintaining Yiddishkeit and building mikvaos without any personal calculations or considerations.

From Samarkand to London[edit | edit source]

In 1964, he received permission to leave Russia and immigrated from Samarkand to London where his son Reb Berel Futerfas lived. Within a short time, he became one of the prominent askanim and mashpiim in the local Chabad community and was involved in establishing pure Torah educational institutions there.

Mashpia in Tomchei Tmimim Kfar Chabad[edit | edit source]

On 19 Iyar 1971, Rabbi Shlomo Chaim Keselman, mashpia of Tomchei Tmimim Kfar Chabad, passed away. About a month and a half later, the Rebbe's secretariat told Reb Mendel that the Rebbe was asking if he could come to 770 for 12-13 Tammuz. Reb Mendel arrived at 770 before 12-13 Tammuz, and during yechidus the Rebbe announced the proposal that he be appointed as mashpia of Tomchei Tmimim Kfar Chabad. The Rebbe instructed him to travel to Eretz Hakodesh and visit Chabad institutions and holy places, and regarding settling in Eretz Hakodesh, the Rebbe said they would discuss it the following year. As the Rebbe instructed, around 12-13 Tammuz 1972, Reb Mendel came to the Rebbe and during yechidus, the Rebbe instructed him to serve as the permanent mashpia in Tomchei Tmimim in Kfar Chabad.

With his appointment to the position in the 1973 school year, he wrote a new chapter in the history of Tomchei Tmimim yeshivos in Eretz Hakodesh. He was distinguished by his educational approach and became a revered mashpia for tmimim and Anash throughout Eretz Hakodesh. In farbrengens, he dedicated significant time to the topic of hiskashrus to the Rebbe, complete mesiras nefesh for the Rebbe, and traveling to the Rebbe - topics that were not the focus of farbrengens in Chabad yeshivos in Eretz Hakodesh. In his farbrengens, he wove stories and vivid descriptions from his time in Siberia, deriving lessons about the kochos that someone who has no choice, like a prisoner, invests, to the kochos that chassidim and tmimim must invest to fulfill the Rebbe's ratzon. His farbrengens gained a good reputation, and Anash, tmimim, and many mekuravim flocked to his farbrengens, which were usually held in the zal of Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim in Kfar Chabad. Even when he came to Beis Chayeinu, he would farbreng for long hours with a large crowd of tmimim.

He dedicated many hours to one-on-one conversations with tmimim to influence and elevate them spiritually.

For the Benefit of the Community[edit | edit source]

In parallel with his role as a Mashpia, he continued, following the Rebbe's instructions, in his position as a Shadar (emissary fundraiser) which he would fulfill during the months of Elul - Kislev. In this capacity, he would travel to the United States for fundraising with the Shadar Rabbi Shmuel Dovid Reitzik.

Reb Mendel would farbreng together with Reb Meir Blizinsky. Alongside his role in the yeshiva, he became one of the leading Chabad askanim (activists), working energetically for Kfar Chabad, particularly for Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim and Beis Rivka Kfar Chabad where he served as a board member. He founded the Yiddish Cheder in Kfar Chabad. In 1974, he received a letter in which the Rebbe wrote him a blessing "in the holy work in Tomchei Tmimim and in Kfar Chabad," which he saw as the Rebbe's consent to be involved in the village's affairs. It is also reported that he had an instruction from the Rebbe "to stick his nose" into all Chabad matters in Israel and to do what needs to be done.

When Rabbi (Burke) Shiff returned from our holy courts with clear instructions to establish an institution for immigrants arriving from Russia, he stood by his side to help and was appointed as a board member of the Bukharian Yeshiva institutions until his passing.

He was also among those who worked extensively for the Rebbe's shluchim to the Holy Land.

After 27 Adar and 3 Tammuz

Following 27 Adar and 3 Tammuz, against the backdrop of the concealment that appeared then and enveloped the Chassidic community, Reb Mendel's Chassidic personality and his firm faith and hiskashrus shone forth.

His Response to the State of Concealment

The Rebbe's health condition (to physical eyes) touched Reb Mendel's heart and naturally caused him a lack in the line of joy. During that period, he would sit with tears streaming from his eyes. He could barely speak, only repeating again and again in prayer to the Master of the World: We must have the Rebbe healthy! Not in secret, not in hint, not in derush, but in simple pshat, to our physical eyes! During that period, he would frequently recite Tehillim while wiping his abundant tears with his handkerchief. On the other hand, he never ceased to encourage and call everyone not to be affected and not to be impressed. To go forward with heads held high, in the way the Rebbe guides us.

After Tishrei 1993, when the Rebbe began appearing on the balcony, Reb Mendel expressed: "Nothing can be understood. Every day there are new revelations."

At a farbrengen on Shabbos Mevorchim Teves 1993, Reb Mendel farbrenged in 770 with yungeleit and baalei batim from Anash and said that everyone needs to take upon themselves something in connection with the Rebbe's condition. When one of the baalei batim asked him what he was taking upon himself, Reb Mendel answered that he took upon himself to learn Masechta Beitza, which was physically difficult for him in those years.

About two weeks after 3 Tammuz, Reb Mendel farbrenged in the yeshiva in Kfar Chabad, and although his eyes were streaming with tears, and he barely spoke anything, he said one sentence which he repeated again and again: "He, the yetzer hara, wants us to 'fall' into despair and depression - no and no! We will not 'give' him in any way! Zogt a nigun, a freilichen nigun!, Freilacher, freilacher!"

He would repeatedly quote Rashi's words on the verse "Be tamim with Hashem your G-d" - "Walk with Him in simplicity and wait for Him, and do not investigate the future."

In Sivan 1995, shortly before Reb Mendel's passing, his grandson Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Liberow asked him regarding the printing of the translated Likkutei Sichos books which he refused to print without the title "Shlita" for the Rebbe, but this involved great difficulties and pressures. Upon hearing the question, Reb Mendel immediately responded: "We need to whistle at the world and write shlita." After a few moments of thought, Reb Mendel continued and said: "And if it's possible to act in a way that won't cause argument - certainly good." Following this, Rabbi Liberow found a solution to print the books with the title shlita and note on the title page: "May this be the year of wondrous redemption."

I'll translate this document while keeping Judaic terms intact and organizing it with headings.

Traveling to the Rebbe for Tishrei and Kvutza[edit | edit source]

Before Tishrei 1993, the first month of holidays after 27 Adar, Reb Mendel farbrenged with the Tmimim and Anash in the yeshiva in Kfar for about five hours, with his words being interrupted by crying and prayers that the obstacles should be removed. Along with this, he emphasized that from our side we must "make vessels" - travel to the Rebbe as we were accustomed to every year, and the "vessels" themselves will "draw down light" and hasten the Rebbe's revelation. Reb Mendel's words were written down by his student Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Ginzburg and published for all Anash in the 'Opinions' section of the Kfar Chabad weekly and stirred reactions.

Another point that Reb Mendel expressed was that even when we see the Rebbe, we don't understand the Rebbe - "We understand the Rebbe like a goat understands a human being, therefore, one needs to travel to the Rebbe even if we don't see and hear." Reb Mendel himself was among the few elder Chassidim who came from Eretz Yisroel to 770 at the beginning of Tishrei 1993.

During the yechidus and dollar distribution that the Rebbe held on 26 Tishrei 1994, the Rebbe unusually extended his hand and gave a dollar to Reb Mendel, while all other passersby extended their hands and took the dollar from the Rebbe's hand.

Even after 3 Tammuz, before Tishrei 1995, Reb Mendel expressed a firm position about the need to travel to the Rebbe even in the current situation. In discussions of the Tomchei Tmimim Kfar Chabad administration when it was proposed to shorten the stay of Kvutza students in 770, Reb Mendel protested: "A complete year! Not even one minute less!" He was also asked then by his student Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Ginzburg if it could be said in his name that even now after 3 Tammuz one needs to travel to the Rebbe for Tishrei. Upon hearing the question's wording, Reb Mendel exclaimed: "What? 'Need to travel'? We must travel!" Reb Mendel himself began traveling to the Rebbe for Tishrei 1995 but due to health reasons was stopped midway in England with his family where he stayed until his passing.

Encouragement and Vitality in Matters of Moshiach[edit | edit source]

The niggun "Chayalei Adoneinu Moshiach Tzidkeinu" was always familiar on Reb Mendel's tongue.

In summer 1992, Tomim Yitzchak Axelrod approached him and expressed his shock at cold and cynical talk heard from respected Anash regarding the Chassidim's faith, and Reb Mendel responded: "This comes from haskalah without avodah."

Before 10 Shevat 1993, when there were those who tried to obstruct the satellite broadcast event and its transmission in Eretz HaKodesh by convening a meeting of rabbonim, Reb Mendel's student Reb Betzalel Kupchik approached him and asked him to come to the meeting to express his positive opinion about holding the event. Initially, Reb Mendel strongly refused to participate in the meeting at all, saying he wasn't willing to be in the same room with them. However, after his mashpia Reb Zev Keselman came to his home and requested and instructed him to still go to the meeting, Reb Mendel agreed and arrived at the location and expressed sharp words to the participants, saying their opposition stems from their worry and fear of 'perhaps not' which is actual apikorsus, that their greatness is expressed in casting doubts and coldness, the matter of Amalek, in the matter of Moshiach. He even said then that the Rebbe's opinion in such a case is known since the Rebbe says that 'one needs to go with the most chareidi party' and also in this case when there are two groups one needs to go with the most chareidi, and this is not the group opposing the matter, etc.

In a conversation with Reb Yechezkel Sofer and Reb Tuvia Plass in winter 1993, he revealed his opinion about the 'rationalists' who supposedly worry about "saving the Rebbe's honor" from disgrace through publicizing matters of Moshiach etc.: "Don't try to understand them, I know them well, they are apikorsim yemach shmom! One who cools down the enthusiasm of a Jew who believes in the coming of Moshiach is a misnaged and..." And Reb Mendel even added and told them that these words could be published in his name.

At an Anash gathering on 28 Nissan 1993 for strengthening matters of Moshiach, Reb Mendel proclaimed the holy proclamation of Yechi Adoneinu.

In a letter from his student Reb Sholom Ber Reichman from Iyar 1993, Reb Mendel's words are described in response to what he told him about Reb Amir Rozen, a close student of Reb Mendel who was then learning in 770, who would have Shabbos meals at the home of Reb Yoel Cohen - one of the flag bearers of spreading the message of Geulah and Moshiach's identity in those days. This brought joy to Reb Mendel, and he said: "If so, then he is from the 'Meshichistim' - I have nachas from him, he has a good memory and can receive a lot from him." At a farbrengen in the yeshiva in Kfar in Iyar 1993, one of the mashpiim farbrenged and about an hour after the start of the farbrengen, Reb Mendel came from resting in his room and sat on the side while listening with visible pleasure to the mashpia's words that were said with tremendous enthusiasm about "Yechi Adoneinu" and how it comes from prayer.

Even after 3 Tammuz, Reb Mendel continued to adhere to the proclamation of "Yechi Adoneinu Moreinu V'Rabbeinu Melech HaMoshiach L'olam Va'ed" after prayers, and to show this to people who were doubtful about it, he would often say it in a loud voice. When one of the young married men told him there were arguments whether to proclaim "Yechi" or not, Reb Mendel responded decisively that whoever the Rebbe is alive for needs to say "Yechi."

During that period when they would proclaim "Yechi", Reb Mendel would stand at his full height and respond despite not being able to stand in various places during the rest of davening due to his weakness. One day, one of the Roshei Yeshiva in the yeshiva in Kfar came to Reb Mendel and tried to "explain" to him how supposedly the matter of "Yechi" distances Jews etc. Reb Mendel was silent the entire time until he finished his words and then responded to him, that when someone would argue with Reb Abba Pliskin he would be silent and listen until the end and then say: "But I don't agree with you" without additional explanations, "so too I say to you: 'I don't agree with you.'"

After 3 Tammuz, when they wanted to donate a 'Yechi' sign for the walls of the zal in the yeshiva in Kfar Chabad, they asked Reb Mendel whether to add before it "and soon we will merit to Yechi..." and the like because of the differences of opinion, he answered: "No! Don't add, don't subtract, and don't change!

Love Between Chassidim and Rejection of Discord[edit | edit source]

During this period of helem v'hester (concealment) when differences of opinion increased, Reb Mendel emphasized several times the absolute necessity for love and unity to prevail among chassidim.

He frequently quoted and aroused attention to the words of the Alter Rebbe: "And do not think in your hearts about your fellow's wrongdoing."

On one particular occasion when asked about disputes on the subject, he gave a mashal about a bear that would gorge on honey until its owners devised a plan to place a branch that would whip the bear's face every time it approached. Indeed, when it approached, the branch struck it and the bear turned to fighting with it until it became exhausted and fell. The nimshal being that as a test, an antagonist is placed before us, where fighting and quarreling with them diverts our attention from the honey and the main matter.

His Passing[edit | edit source]

Towards Tishrei 5755, he was on his way to travel to the Rebbe, when he stopped for an intermediate station in London to collect funds for Tomchei Tmimim. He felt unwell and stayed there with his son. On Pesach he suffered a stroke and on 4 Tammuz 5755 he passed away and there lies his honored resting place.

Documentation of His History and Stories[edit | edit source]

After his passing, several series of memories and stories connected to his chassidic personality were published in the Beis Moshiach weekly by Rabbi Chaim Levi Yitzchak Ginsburg.

A few years later, Rabbi Eliyahu Wolf published a book called "Reb Mendel" which was partially based on these articles. The book drew criticism from some of Reb Mendel's students who felt it didn't reflect his approach regarding faith in the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach and proclaiming "Yechi Adoneinu."

Rabbi Chaim Levi Yitzchak Ginsburg published a book called "HaMashpia" containing stories about Reb Mendel's character and stories from him. Additionally, in Rabbi Ginsburg's series of books called Pninei HaTanya, he included many stories and meshalim from Reb Mendel.

In 5782, Rabbi David Zaklikovsky published a small album book in English called 'My Gulag Life: Stories of a Soviet Prisoner', collecting stories and meshalim from Reb Mendel along with biographical impressions and original documents from the editor, reviewed by the family and students.

In 5783, it was revealed that a new comprehensive book about Reb Mendel would soon be published, called 'Reb Mendel'. Published by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Kratz and edited by Rabbi Yisroel Alfenbein. Since then, chapters from the book began to be published in the Beis Moshiach and Kfar Chabad weeklies.

In 5784, in honor of his yahrzeit, a new book was published by Mamash called Reb Mendel Futerfas.

For Children[edit | edit source]

Author and illustrator Menachem Taizi published a comics book in 5768 called 'What My Father Told Me' from Reb Mendel's stories and meshalim, after it was published in installments in Torascha Sha'ashuai magazine.

In 5781, author Ohad Bar Sela and illustrator Shneur Zalman Farkash published two volumes of comics called 'Comics of Hiskashrus' published by Mamash.

His Students[edit | edit source]

Among his famous students and those influenced by him: Rabbi Moshe Naparstek, Rabbi Shai Sokonik, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Landa, Rabbi Tuvia Bolton, Rabbi Ozer Alperowitz, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Gurevitch, Rabbi Chaim Levi Yitzchak Ginsburg, Rabbi Yosef Beizer, Rabbi Shlomo Maidanchik, Rabbi Ofer Miyodovnik, Rabbi Zamroni Tzik, Rabbi Moshe Mordechai Ernstein, Rabbi Moshe Ornstein, Rabbi Shalom Dovber Keselman, Rabbi Zev Keselman, Rabbi Betzalel Kupchik, Rabbi Shalom Dovber Reichman, Rabbi Elimelech Shachar, Rabbi Chaim Yitzchak Eizik Landa, Rabbi Michel Vishetsky, Rabbi Nachman Yosef Twersky, Rabbi Tzvi Ventura, Rabbi Chaim Poizin, and many others.

Family[edit | edit source]

His father, Rabbi Menachem Mendel - passed away on 25 Nissan 1906. His mother, Mrs. Mariasha Badna - passed away on 5 Menachem Av 1958.

His grandfather was Rabbi Chaim Poterfas.

His wife was Mrs. Leah, daughter of R' Ben Zion Robinson - passed away on 5 Kislev 2003, buried in London cemetery.

His brother was Rabbi Hendel Lieberman - a Chassidic artist.

Brothers-in-law[edit | edit source]

Rabbi Yehoshua Shneur Zalman Serebransky
Rabbi Bentzion Shemtov
Rabbi Yehoshua Korf

Children[edit | edit source]

R' Mendel had six children, four of whom passed away in childhood during the difficult days in Soviet Russia:

His daughter, Mrs. Dabrusha, wife of Rabbi Chaim Shmuel Menachem Mendel Liberov. She was killed in a car accident on 8 Elul 1971, leaving 11 orphans. R' Mendel and his wife devoted themselves to raising her children.
His son, Rabbi Shalom Dov Ber (Berel) Poterfas - formerly a board member of Chabad institutions in London, moved to Crown Heights in 2008.
His son, Leibel - passed away in childhood.
His son, Avraham - passed away in childhood.
His daughter, Rachel - passed away in childhood.
His daughter, Alta - passed away in childhood.