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Chabad Mourns the Untimely Passing of Rabbi Avraham Levitansky

 West Coast Chabad Lubavitch
During four decades of service, Rabbi Levitansky reached out to the people of California.

S Monica, CA — Rabbi Avraham Levitansky, Chabad’s longtime representative in S. Monica, passed away at his home this morning at the age of 67. Arriving in California in the mid-1960s, Rabbi Levitansky was the first emissary, or Shliach, appointed by the Lubavitcher Rebbe to serve under Rabbi Boruch Shlomo Cunin, director of Chabad on the West Coast.

In addition to directing Chabad of S. Monica, Rabbi Levitansky was instrumental in opening Chabad’s first Gan Israel Day Camp, and he helped establish the release-time program enabling children in public schools to receive a Jewish education. Rabbi Levitansky also helped launch Chabad’s Talmud Torah and educational institutions in California, and was active in opening of Chabad in Long Beach.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as we mourn the tragic, untimely passing of our dear Rabbi Levitansky. He was a cherished friend and partner who worked tirelessly for the community — and was greatly loved in return,” said Rabbi Cunin. “Rabbi Levitansky was a man who, along with his beloved Rebbetzin, dedicated his entire life to the mission of the Rebbe. His contributions were beyond measure, and his legacy will endure.”

Funeral services are scheduled for Monday afternoon to allow family members from outside the country to attend. Rabbi Levitansky will be buried in Chabad’s Mount Olive Cemetery at 7231 East Slauson Avenue in the City of Commerce, where his mother and brother were also laid to rest.

The West Coast Chabad Kinus Hashluchos, or women’s convention, that takes place Monday in Glendale will be dedicated to Rabbi Levitansky to honor his work. Transportation is being provided for convention participants to attend the funeral services.

“The greatest tribute we can give to Rabbi Levitansky now is to follow his example,” said Rabbi Cunin. “We should all strengthen our service to the Rebbe, and rededicate ourselves to bringing about the Ultimate Redemption.”

Arriving on the West Coast in the mid-1960s, Rabbi Levitansky made countless contributions to Chabad’s efforts in the region.
As an emissary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Levitansky worked tirelessly to advance the organization’s mission.
In addition to leading Chabad of S.Monica, the Rabbi participated in many outreach efforts.
Rabbi Levitansky’s dedication won him the love and respect of the community

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31 Comments

  • Former Counsler at Westward Chabad

    An emiser Chosid who will be sorly missed. Condolences to the family.

  • a lucky person

    totally ibur-gegeben to the Rebbe MH”M and the cause, and always with a smile on his face and a kind word to everyone. I know, I was a recipient of his kind words.

  • Chayah Sarah Cantor

    I was deeply indebted to Rabbi Levintansky, a”h, for his untiring presence at the Chabad of S. Monica. He helped me on the road to Yiddishkeit. Truly a model chassid. Condolences to the family.

  • levi b.

    i think that reason there are so few comments here is becuase people are speachless/stunned at this shocking news.

  • A former CIT

    I was in Rabbi Levitanskys Camp almost thirty years ago. we used to sing.. Rabbi Levitansky is a real cool cat. He has a lot of this and a lot of that. ( I think those were the words)
    He really was a “ cool cat” and I can’t believe I am saying was…. in the past tense. He was really someone special and will be sorely missed. Hamokom Yenachem eschem Besoch Shaar Avaylay Tzion VeYerushalayim… to the entire Levitansky family

  • FORMER CALI, PRESENT SHLIACH

    No politics. No ego. No personal agenda. Just real! They don’t make ;em like that anymore!

  • Moshe Sani

    BS“D

    CORRECTION:

    Rabbi Levitansky, ZTZ”L was just short of 64 by a few months.

    He was like a father to all who knew him.

    He will be missed, BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN!!!!!!!!!

  • Yitzi Moorvitch

    i am crying as i am writing this. i knew him very well mml this goes out to you you know your father the best you knew what kind of person he was we can go on from today till who knows when telling stories of the goodness and kindness selflessness the list is endless. He will be greatly missed by all. and I agree he was a shliach without the B.s. that most come with nowadays he actually cared about us and not about the money. his chabad house is on the verge of being seized by the court but somehow he gets the money to pay it off. G-d was/ is watching over him and his family from the begining until always.
    hamakom yinachem eschem bisoch sharei avalei tzion verushalayim.

    and to the cit
    the song went
    Rabbi Levitansky is a real cool cat,
    da na na na
    he wore a baseball cap instead of a hat,
    da na na na……

  • A former counselor in CGI S. MONICA

    Rabbi Levitansky was the real thing. He was always upbeat and even when there were problems, he made it all work out.
    He was the person to call when in need.

  • Former helper at chabad of s.monica

    Hamokom yenachem eschem b’soch shaarei tzion v’yerushalaim.

  • Nechuma Dina Vail (zimmerman)

    To Sara Rashka shetichye
    and family sheyichyu

    hamakom yenacheim eschem besoch shaar aveily tzion v’yerushalayim

    may we all be zoche to the hisgalus now!

  • Avrohom and Chaya Franklin and family

    Rabbi Levitansky, was a true Chossid, Tzaddik, Teacher and Oheiv Yisroel of the highest calibre.

    Anyone who met R. Avremel was immediately affected by his warmth, earnestness and his devotion to the Rebbe and Chabad.

    There are no words to express how much I admired, loved and respected him, or to express the shock that I am now feeling. My heart goes out to the Rebbitzen and to the entire family.

    Hamokom Yenachem eschem Besoch Shaar Avaylay Tzion VeYerushalayim. May he convince HaShem to bring the Geulah.

  • Chaim Jacobs Scotland

    Avremel was a true friend to all of us when we were in yeshiva at 770 in the mid sixties. He never had a bad word to say to anyone or about anyone. He lived life to the full and will be sorely missed by his family and all who knew him. Our thoughts pour out to his family at this time.
    Hamokom Yenachem eschem Besoch Shaar Avaylay Tzion VeYerushalayim. Vehukeetzu Veranenu Shochnay Ufur vehee besochom!
    Chaim and Sora Jacobs
    Glasgow Scotland

  • gordon770

    i had the opportunity to know Rabbi Levitansky ob“m personally and i went to kapporos by chabad of santa monaca and i can tell you that
    Rabbi Levitansky ob”m was a tzaddik!!!

  • Chana Schoenberg

    soon after I met Avremele some 38 years ago, he and his wife were soon to become my spiritual parents…and like a parent he schepped nachas as well as empathizised with the tzuris I faced over the years……..he was there for me, my parents, my brother, my husband, my children…so unpretentious, no shtick, no nonsense, so deeply compassionate such an example of a true Chasid,..his warmth knew no boundries.his humour, good commen sense within the confines of halacha were so soothing and refreshing …one always could talk with avremle, and get the “emes”, especiallly when the confusion was overwhelming…somehow he would make sense of it all, set you straight…, May his memory be a blessing. His legacy will be joyously and courageously carried on by his wonderful wife and my friend Chai Devora and his very special children.Hamokom Yenachem eschem Besoch Shaar Avaylay Tzion VeYerushalayim. Vehukeetzu Veranenu Shochnay Ufur vehee besochom.

  • Mordechai Lightstone

    Speechless is true.
    We have no words to fathom the loss.

    May his entire family be comforted.
    Hamakom yenachem eschem besoch shar aveilei tzion v’yerushaliam.

  • The Zipp Family

    We hope and pray that the family should get all of the strength that Rabbi Levitansky ob”m gave all of us. He will be sorely missed by everyone. Our hearts are breaking at this time, my Hashem hear all of us and bring Moshiach now.

    Hamakom yenachem eschem besoch shar aveilei tzion v’yerushalayim

  • A former CIT

    In the middle of the night I remembered… he wore a baseball cap instead of a hat.Why are so many of our special people being taken form us… Rabbi levitansky was way too young to go!

  • Moshe

    I didn’t know him, but reading all of this, is making me cry. May Hashem bring his family true happiness and give them the strength to go on… We must learn from all of this and emulate him as much as we can. Hashem, bring moshiach already, we can’t take this any longer! May we merit to see him back with the coming of moshiach now!
    Hamakom Yerachem Eschem B’toch Sh’ar Aveilei Tziyon B’yurshalaim.

  • new him well

    to all of us that knew rabbi levitansky he was someone you could count on yes he did wear a baseball cap as the song goes
    rabbi levitansky is a real cool cat
    da da da da
    he wears a baseball cap instead of a hat
    da da da da
    davens shachris in 5 mins flat
    da da da da
    and mincha maariv even shorter than that
    da da da da
    flying tzitzis four sides with eight strings
    rabbi levitansky is a real cool jew
    he dips in the micky before davening

  • Former Counselor

    I worked in his camp a few years ago, and all of us counselors were so impressed with chassidishket, caring and his CHAYUS. And this was while he was sick. We only found out he was sick half way into the summer and we couldnt even tell. A real Chossid and a real Shliach. We really lost out. Didnt give up one drop of shassidishkeit or frumkeit even though he was living in Cali. And the camp, we were surprised to see all the kids in the girls camp were frum. Why? Cuz they were second generation of hundreds of pple that he brough to Yiddishkeit over the years.

    BTW, the song continues,

    With flying tzitzis four sides and eight strings, badadad
    Dips in the Mickey before davening badada
    HE doesnt eat without a OU badada
    Hey Levitansky is a real cool Jew

    Theres more to the song, more to the person, he will be sorely missed

  • typo

    didn’t the Rebbe send Him out under Rabbi Raichik Olah V’shalolm?

  • Deborah Leah Kunin Rome

    In the late sixties and then continuing for years, Rabbi Levitansky would drive busses of Gan Israel campers up the hill to use the swimming pool at our house in Brentwood, CA. Four busloads of children from the fledgling Gan Israel camps of West Los Angeles and Long Beach, a boys and a girls bus from each camp, would be brought. Beginning in the early morning and then continuing throughout each day, our home served as the focal point of programming under the watchful leadership of Rabbi Levitansky. Not only were the thousands of children brought throughout the years a blessing to Hashem through their outstanding Midot and behavior, but the memories of this “Pied Piper”-type Rabbi who led the masses of children through his charisma, love, and interest in each child have remained with me. Rabbi Levitansky’s greatness will in part be measured by the thousands he led and touched. May his memory always be for a blessing.