Rabbi Menachem Shmuel Dovid Raichik

Rabbi Menachem Shmuel Dovid HaLevi Raichik (known as Shadar) (April 2, 1918 - February 4, 1998) was a member of the board of Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, Machne Israel, Agudas Chassidei Chabad, and the first Chabad emissary in Los Angeles, California.

Life History

Rabbi Raichik was born on April 2, 1918, to Shimon and Leiba Dvora Raichik in Mlawa, Poland. In 1936, following the advice of the Rebbe of Amshinov, he enrolled in the Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch Yeshiva in Otwock, Poland. During this period, he grew in his observance of mitzvos and prayer service. His Shabbos morning prayers sometimes lasted six hours. At night, when reciting the bedtime Shema, he would often be immersed in deep contemplation until the early morning hours, sometimes until morning prayers. During the day, he devoted himself to studying Talmud.

In yeshiva, Rabbi Raichik became close to the Previous Rebbe (Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn) and quickly became one of the "chozrim" - those responsible for memorizing and transcribing the Rebbe's talks for publication.

When World War II broke out in late 1939, the yeshiva students had to flee Otwock. Shortly before Chanukah, they arrived in Warsaw, Poland, where the Rebbe guided them and provided money to escape to Vilna, Lithuania.

After reaching Lithuania, Rabbi Raichik worked tirelessly to save his fellow students from occupied Poland. Despite being caught once by border police, he organized smuggling operations - bringing many refugees across the border to safer territories.

When Japanese Consul Chiune Sugihara in Lithuania issued transit visas through Japan for Jewish refugees, Rabbi Raichik helped obtain visas for his friends and other Jews. After spending nearly a year in Kobe, Japan, the yeshiva moved again, this time to Shanghai, China, where many other Jews spent the remainder of the war years. In Shanghai, Rabbi Raichik became the primary administrator of the Chabad yeshiva and served as a father figure to the younger students. Despite many opportunities to leave, Rabbi Raichik chose to stay until the very last student left in 1946.

Throughout this period, Rabbi Raichik maintained contact with the Rebbe, who, in addition to massive fundraising for rescue efforts of Jews from German-occupied territories and Russia, raised money to send to Shanghai.

Upon arriving in the United States, the Rebbe appointed him to travel throughout North America to seek out Jews, both in groups and individually, to identify local community needs and strengthen Jewish identity. For many months, he crisscrossed the United States, eating only sardines, fruits, and vegetables, visiting Jews in places like Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Cheyenne, Wyoming, to establish schools and mikvahs, generally paving the way for future Jewish renewal.

Due to his gentle nature, people took an immediate liking to Rabbi Raichik. Much of the post-war Jewish infrastructure in many cities across the United States can be attributed to his tireless efforts.

After his marriage in 1949 to Leah Rapoport (born in Kolno, Poland), herself a Holocaust survivor, Rabbi Raichik and his new bride were sent to Los Angeles, California, on a personal mission from the Previous Rebbe.

After the Previous Rebbe's passing on January 28, 1950, Rabbi Raichik was among the first Chabad Chassidim who urged the Previous Rebbe's son-in-law, the Rebbe, to accept the leadership. The Rebbe, who had suggested sending Rabbi Raichik to Los Angeles, wrote to Rabbi Raichik that his position should not be limited to one synagogue, but rather "his net should be spread over the entire city and its surroundings."

In addition to his work as the Rebbe's emissary in Los Angeles, he continued traveling throughout the United States for several months each year to spread Judaism and pave the way for future emissaries in certain locations. Another of his duties as the Rebbe's traveling emissary was to collect funds (called "ma'amad"), which were personal funds for the Rebbe's private use. These funds traditionally contain an amount of money given annually by Chabad Chassidim.

When in spring 1967 the Rebbe launched the Tefillin campaign, Rabbi Raichik became actively involved, making daily rounds in the Fairfax area of Los Angeles where he lived, to find Jewish men who had not yet put on tefillin that day. He continued this practice until his passing.

In 1990, Rabbi Raichik was appointed to the board of Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, Machne Israel, and Agudas Chassidei Chabad.

Towards the end of his life, he suffered from a serious illness but refused to let it disrupt his busy schedule.

He passed away on February 4, 1998. His funeral, which began in Los Angeles and continued to New York, was attended by thousands. In New York, the funeral procession passed through Chabad World Headquarters and continued to Montefiore Cemetery in Queens.

He left behind ten children and their families, many of whom serve as rabbis worldwide. His wife Leah passed away in 2007.

Family

A biographical book about Rabbi Reitchik's life history:

• Rabbi Avrohom Abba Reitchik
• Rabbi Shimon Reitchik OBM - was Mara D'asra of the Chabad community in Los Angeles
• Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Reitchik OBM - Kfar Chabad
• Rabbi Elazar Reitchik - World expert on Mikvaos
• His daughter, Leiba Devorah Wilhelm. Wife of Rabbi Moshe Wilhelm. Shluchim in Portland, Oregon
• His daughter, Sterna Sarah Klein. Wife of R' Avrohom Klein
• Rabbi Levi Reitchik. Gabbai of Chabad synagogue in Los Angeles (in La Brea neighborhood)
• Rabbi Shalom Dovber Reitchik. Shliach in Gaithersburg, Maryland
• Rabbi Yaakov Yochanan Reitchik
• His daughter, Chana Chanukah. Wife of R' Chaim Chanukah, Shluchim in Pasadena, California

Further Reading

• David Zaklikovsky, Shadar - The Life History of Rabbi Reitchik, New York 2018 (English)
• Yaakov Yosef Kuperman, Mit An Emes, in the 'Eisanei Eretz' section, 'Bnei Heichala' publication Issue 2 Kislev-Teves 2025, page 122