Nechemia Vogel

Life History Born in 1975 in London to his father, Rabbi Nathan Vogel ('The Righteous One of London').

As a young boy, his father began to approach Chabad Hasidism, and at the age of 11 he first traveled to the Rebbe for the month of holidays in 1977.

During the sessions he attended with his father, the father said that as proof of their seriousness, the children paid for their own travel tickets from their savings, and the Rebbe responded with a broad smile and took a $50 bill from the drawer for each of the children as a contribution to the cost of the trip.

In 1971, he again visited the Rebbe, this time alone, as a yeshiva student. In response to his questions, the Rebbe replied that he should devote himself to his role as a yeshiva student and study diligently.

After his marriage, he went to work on the Rebbe's mission in Rochester, New York.

During the 1980s, he broadcast a weekly radio program called "The Jewish Voice."

After Passover 1981, he chose to travel to the Soviet Union (along with his brother-in-law, Rabbi Berel Shor) disguised as a tourist and meet with Jews beyond the Iron Curtain.

Most of the holy paraphernalia they brought with them in their suitcases were confiscated at customs, but they later had the privilege of meeting with many Jews in Moscow who were crammed into a crowded house in the suburbs of Moscow. The participants in the meeting sent the Rebbe a bottle of Chaim that was on the table, and Rabbi Wagel gave it to the secretariat when he returned from Moscow along with an explanatory note. The Rebbe placed the bottle on the table the following Shabbat and referred to it at length during the meeting, asking that the bottle be mixed with other bottles and distributed to all those present at the meeting.

In 2008, he was chosen to serve as the keynote speaker at the festive banquet at the World Shluchim Conference[1].

External links Taking full advantage of freedom, my story, Issue 514, Seventh of Pesach, 5785