Shmuel Lew
Early LifeEdit
Rabbi Shmuel Lew (born 1940) is the Rebbe's emissary in London and principal of the local Lubavitch Girls High School. He is known as an articulate speaker and sought-after lecturer.
Born on 20th Adar I 5700 to Torah-observant parents Rabbi David and Yenta Lew, who were not Chabad Chassidim. His grandfather was a beloved student of Rabbi Chaim of Brisk and belonged to the Misnagdim circles.
In his youth, he served as a counselor at Camp Gan Israel summer camp, which drew him strongly to Chabad activities and influenced his entire family to follow.
EducationEdit
He studied at Torah Vodaath Yeshiva in Williamsburg and first attended the Rebbe's farbrengen at age 15 during the last day of Pesach. While in yeshiva, he regularly attended Chassidus classes given by Rabbi Nachman Sudak and Rabbi Gershon Mendel Garelik.
Before Tishrei 5718, the Rebbe instructed him to study at Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva in Montreal. During Hakafos that year, he received the Rebbe's blessing to succeed in his studies there.
Marriage and Early ShlichusEdit
He married Hinda Malka on 15 Tammuz 5723. Despite the Rebbe rarely performing weddings then, after much pleading from his father-in-law Rabbi Zalman Jaffe who was close to the Rebbe, the Rebbe agreed to officiate under certain conditions. This was the last wedding where the Rebbe participated and was mesader kiddushin.
Public ServiceEdit
In 5725, the Rebbe sent him to London, England, where he pioneered outreach work in universities and brought many young people closer to Chabad, including Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, who later became Chief Rabbi of England.
In summer 5728, he was sent to South Africa for Jewish outreach. Though asked to stay permanently, the Rebbe directed him to continue his work in London.
He has been involved in education alongside his outreach work, becoming a school principal in 5736 and later establishing the local Lubavitch Girls High School which he still heads today.
FamilyEdit
His brothers-in-law include Rabbi Moshe Feller.
Sons:
- Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Lew - Rebbe's emissary in Atlanta, Georgia
- Rabbi Menachem Mendel Lew
- Rabbi Pinchas Lew
- Rabbi Shalom Dovber Lew - emissary in Glendale, Arizona
- Rabbi Ben-Tzion Lew - California
- Rabbi Yisroel Lew - Rebbe's emissary in Bloomsbury, London
- Rabbi Moshe Lew - Florida
Sons-in-law:
- Rabbi Shimon Hillel Posner - emissary in Rancho Mirage, California
- Rabbi Menachem Mendel Junik - emissary in London
- Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Lipskar - emissary in Pennsylvania
- Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh Vogel - emissary in London
- Rabbi Yossi Kaplan - emissary in Chester County, Pennsylvania
- Rabbi Moshe Shapiro - emissary in Hoboken, New Jersey
- Rabbi Uriel Vigler - Rebbe's emissary and director of Chabad Israeli Center, Manhattan
- Rabbi Chaim Shimon Zev Grunwald - Pittsburgh
Additional ReadingEdit
Collection of Private Audiences - Wedding celebration memento of Rabbi Uriel and Bat Sheva Vigler, 10 Adar I 5763