Shimon Raichik
Rabbi Shimon HaLevi Raichik (13 Tevet 5713 - 20 Kislev 5782) was the rabbi of the Chabad community in Los Angeles, California.
Life History edit
Born on 13 Tevet 5713 (December 30, 1952) together with his twin brother Yosef Yitzchak, to his father, the Shadar (emissary of the Rebbe) and member of the Central Committee for Educational Affairs, Rabbi Menachem Shmuel David Raichik, and to his mother, Mrs. Leah, in California. He was named after his paternal grandfather.
In 5731 (1971), he studied at the Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva in Montreal, and while still a young man, he was among the members of the third group of student shluchim (emissaries) to the Chabad Yeshiva in Melbourne, Australia, where he studied between the years 5731-5733 (1971-1973).
After his wedding to his wife, Mrs. Chana Liba, daughter of the Chassid R' Yaakov Ginzburg in 5739 (1979), he settled in Crown Heights and studied for two years in the Kollel Avrechim under the Rebbe's secretariat. In 5741 (1981), he joined the staff of Yeshiva Gedolah Ohr Elchanan in Los Angeles and served as a mashpia (spiritual mentor).
Subsequently, he was appointed as the rabbi of Congregation Beis Levi Yitzchak and served as a posek (halachic authority) and rabbi of the local Chabad community, as well as a member of the Rabbinical Association of California.
He passed away on the holiday of redemption, 20 Kislev 5782 (November 24, 2021), after a period of illness during which he suffered from pneumonia.
During the funeral, it was announced that his son, Rabbi Yisroel Noach Raichik, would fill his position as the rabbi of the Chabad community.
Family edit
- His son, R' Avraham Abba Raichik - Los Angeles
- His son, R' Yosef Yitzchak Raichik
- His son, Rabbi Yisroel Noach Raichik (formerly a Rosh Mesivta at Ohalei Torah and Mashiv at 770, after his father's passing he was appointed to take his place in the rabbinate)
- His son, R' Moshe Raichik
- His son-in-law, Rabbi Shmuel Gurary - one of the Rebbe's shluchim, Los Angeles, California
- His daughter Mrs. Mushka, wife of Rabbi Levi Zaltzman - Crown Heights
- His son-in-law, R' David Goods - Los Angeles
His Books edit
- Concise Laws of Shabbat and Annual Holidays
Further Reading edit
- R' David Zaklikovsky, "Rabbi of Kindness," Kfar Chabad Weekly, Issue 1937, page 47
External Links edit
- Gimmel Tammuz 5775 Farbrengen, on the 'Heichal Menachem' Monsey website
- When Anash Filled 770 with Learning During Chol HaMoed (English)