What The Rebbe Did With $5,000

This year marks 80 years since the passing of the Rebbe’s father, Harav Levi Yitzchak Schneersonon, Chof Menachem-Av 5704.

Sixty years ago, on the 20th yahrzeit-hilula of his father, in 1964, the Rebbe established a new charitable fund in his father’s name to provide free loans for Yeshiva teachers. Throughout the years, the fund’s purpose developed to include filling other financial needs as well.

The Rebbe launched the fund with a $5,000 donation (today’s equivalent of appx. $50,000!) he had received from a woman who was a teacher and had unexpectedly received this amount in back pay.

The Rebbe expressed his deep appreciation by referring to her as a “righteous woman” who he knew to be of modest means, yet wholeheartedly gave these funds to the Rebbe as an unrestricted gift, and wanted no publicity or fanfare for her very generous donation.

Since its founding, the Rebbe would annually make a personal appeal, encouraging those who wished to honor his father to donate to this special fund.

In a letter of the Rebbe, Motzoei Tisha B’Av 5744 (1984), the Rebbe writes: “…It is my obligation and great zechus to suggest and request, etc., that everyone should study together from his teachings and donate to charity in his memory on this day, in the memory of his soul.”

Today, Keren Levi Yitzchak continues in its mission as charged by the Rebbe, offering financial resources to educators in memory of the Rebbe’s saintly father.

Donate Now at KerenLeviYitzchak.org.

To study Torah in Rabbi Levi Yitzchak’s honor, download a study guide here.