Yochanan Gordon

Rabbi Yochanan Gordon (23 Iyar 5654 / 1894 - 29 Av 5729 / 1969) was the chief gabbai at 770 for many years, and a member of various Chabad organizations in the United States, including: Agudas Chassidei Chabad, Machne Israel, and Chevra Bikur Cholim.

Rabbi Yochanan Gordon

Life History

He was born on 23 Iyar 5654 / 1894 to his father R' Yisrael, who was the mohel in the Chassidic town of Dokshitz, and to his mother Mrs. Esther. His parents' family had lived in the area for decades, since the time of the Mitteler Rebbe when his maternal grandfather was sent by the Mitteler Rebbe to serve as the town's shochet.

He studied in the Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch and Tomchei Tmimim Schedrin yeshivas between the years 5669-5677 / 1909-1917, and was considered a distinguished student of the mashpia Rav Shaul Dov Zislin.

In 5677 / 1917, he married his wife Mrs. Zisha, daughter of R' Nissan Klubanov. The wedding took place on Shushan Purim, and during the wedding celebration, news arrived that a revolution had broken out against the Czar, and the celebration took on new life.

After the wedding, he returned to Dokshitz and learned shechita and bedika (ritual slaughter and examination) from the shochet in the nearby town of Globke. After his father's passing, he did not want to take on the responsible position, and only after the intervention of Rav Leib Sheinin did he agree to fill his place.

In 5689 / 1929, he traveled to meet the Rebbe who had left Russia after many years when it was not possible to meet him. He was honored to lead the prayers on Rosh Hashanah and to read from the Torah. Shortly after his return to Dokshitz, he traveled again to Warsaw and merited to participate in the Rebbe's wedding.

In 5692 / 1932, at the instruction of the Frierdiker Rebbe, he immigrated to the United States, where he continued his occupation as a shochet and examiner alongside his older brothers who had already settled there. After the purchase of 770, he was appointed as gabbai and Torah reader and continued in this role until his last day.

When the Frierdiker Rebbe issued his call "L'alter L'teshuva, L'alter L'geula" (Immediate Repentance, Immediate Redemption), he opened his life insurance pension and gave the entire sum to the Frierdiker Rebbe, and with this money the Rebbe went on his first publicity tour.

He served as chairman of Chevra Bikur Cholim, secretary of Rayondshel, board member of Agudas Chassidei Chabad and Machne Israel. He was also one of the 'three shepherds' whom the Frierdiker Rebbe appointed over Achei Tmimim Association in the United States.

He founded and managed the Shomrei Shabbos Gemach (free loan fund). After his passing, the Gemach was transferred to his son-in-law, Rabbi Shimon Goldman. The Rebbe especially cherished the activities of the Gemach, and mentioned it several times in his holy talks.

He was gifted with writing talent and documented many stories from Chassidic history in Chabad publications that were published in the United States over the years.

He merited many kirvim (expressions of closeness) from the Rebbe, which was expressed in various areas: when the Frierdiker Rebbe was not feeling well, he sent him to lead the prayers in his place on the yahrtzeits of his relatives, referred to him as one of the "good friends," and when he worried at a farbrengen that he was getting too close to the Frierdiker Rebbe, the Rebbe told him: "You do not cause me any discomfort."

He compiled the index of people for the Frierdiker Rebbe's Likkutei Dibburim.

He passed away on 29 Menachem Av 5729 / 1969.

Family

• His son, Rabbi Nissan Gordon
• His son, Rabbi Shalom Ber Gordon
• His son, Rabbi Yisroel Gordon
• His daughter, Mrs. Esther, wife of Rabbi Shimon Goldman

Further Reading

• Yosef Ashkenazi, Otzar HaChassidim - The Personalities and Chassidic Teachings of Chabad Mashpi'im in New York, Chazak Publishing, 5773/2013

External Links

• Balanced Rebuke - His son Rabbi Yisroel Gordon tells about an incident that happened with his father during his yeshiva studies, in an interview for the 'My Encounter' program by JEM
• With Heart and Soul, his life story and photographs
• A review of his life from the magazine A Chassidisher Derher (in English)
• Letters he received from the Rebbe, included in the teshura from the wedding of his descendants Marozov-Grossbaum, 5782/2022