Changing The Name Of A Shul To Congregation Levi Yitzchok-Lubavitch

by Raphael Tennenhaus – Chabad of South Broward

With tonight and tomorrow being the 81st Yahrzeit of the Rebbe’s father, Rabbi Levi Yitzchok, I’m attaching Rebbe’s Responsa from last year regarding our Shul being named Congregation Levi Yitzchok-Lubavitch, and numerous letters concerning our Congregation.  

When we first came to town (Hollywood, Florida) in 1980, Dr Marvin Shuster z”l had incorporated the Synagogue as Shomrei Hadas Chabad. 

Being that Shomrei Hadas is the name of a Funeral Home in Brooklyn, I asked the Rebbe for a Brocha to rename our Shul after the Rebbe’s father זי״ע.  

The Rebbe agreed on the condition that we run the Shul according to the will of his father, based on what’s known about his father and what can be assessed about his father. 

Many times in our Shlichus, challenges we faced were resolved with this particular answer from the Rebbe. 

A letter was addressed to our Annual Dinner every year, usually addressed to: The Participants of the Dinner of Congregation Levi Yitzchok-Lubavitch, including the last letter the Rebbe signed a couple of hours before his first stroke in March 1992, 27 Adar Rishon 5752.  

In 1963, on Rosh Hashanah 5724, my father z”l introduced my brother z”l and myself to Rebbetzin Chana, זי״ע, the Rebbe’s mother and Rebbitzen of Rabbi Levi Yitzchok. 

We had the merit that after my  father asked the Rebbitzen to give a Brocha to his two sons, Rebbitzen Chana blessed us with the three verses of Yivorechicho.  

A year later my father flew in for Rebbitzen Chana’s funeral. 

https://www.chabad.org/therebbe/letters/default_cdo/aid/1919956/jewish/The-Last-Letter.htm