Remembering Rabbi Zalman Kazen, 92
Ches Tammuz was Rabbi Zalman Kazen‘s first Yartzheit. Rabbi Kazen was a most modest, frielicher, and emeser Chosid. He hated publicity and honor, but he certainly deserved it.
Rabbi Kazen was zoche to see the Frierdiker Rebbe as a young boy of 8. The Rebbe blessed him to grow up to be an Erlicher Chosid, which he truly exemplified.
When he left Russia, Rebbetzin Chana traveled with his family as their grandmother to freedom. The passport was arranged by his mother, the legendary Mumme Sara Katzenellenbogen. In Paris, Rabbi Kazen worked tirelessly to raise funds for the newly established Bais Rivka School. At the same time he would find young Zionist Chalutzim waiting to go to Israel and speak to them about the beauty of keeping Mitzvos.
Upon his arrival to the United States Rabbi Kazen and his family settled in Cleveland, Ohio, where he served as Shochet, Rav, Chazan and Mashpia to hundreds of people. With the influx of Russian Jews to Cleveland, he tirelessly devoted his time to bring them to Tzemach Tzedek Shul, where he patiently tought them about their rich heritage. He also found work and housing for the newly arrived immigrants. Since he was a shochet he would offer them free chickens so that they would eat Kosher.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe once asked Rabbi Kazen when he planed to travel back to Cleveland. When Rabbi Kazen responded “today,” the Rebbe asked him to stay on. Rabbi Chadakov told him that the Rebbe was on his way to Gan Yisrael Overnight Camp and wanted Rabbi Kazen to join him, which of course he did.
A small incident that shows Rabbi Kazen’s warm and caring character: When he was a shochet, he worked from 5AM to 7PM. One evening, when the clock struck 7:00pm, all the workers ran out, but Rabbi Kazen stayed behind to feed the chickens. One of the workers saw him and yelled “Hey Rabbi, tomorrow you will shecht them, save your money.” Rabbi Kazen responded calmly: “Tomorrow I will Shecht them but today not to feed them is Tzaar Baalei Chaim,” and he proceeded to feed them.
Whenever he had a spare moment you always saw Rabbi Kazen with a Sefer, learning and humming a Freilichen Niggen. He treated everyone as family and always sent in a monetary gift to every invitation he received in the mail. For himself, Rabbi Kazen needed little. He was satisfied with the little he had, but for a fellow Jew he would give the shirt off his back.
Rabbi Kazen was married for 71 years to Rebbetzin Shula Kazen, with whom he had six daughters and one son. All of his children, and most of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, are shluchim all over the world. His only son, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Kazen, OBM, was the founder of Chabad.org.
The Tzemach Tzedek community in Cleveland is writing a Sefer Torah in his memory, and would like for all to participate. Please click here to participate.
such a special person
Rabbi Kazen was the kindest man you ever wanted to meet. It was so nice to be in his company. He was always upbeat, clever and very knowlegable. May he pray for all of us.
married to an einikel
What a special person. He was always in a good mood, always with a smile – no matter what difficulty he was going through.
I was fortunate to be at the event marking his first Yahrtzeit – it was a truly moving and special event. He and his wife Rebbetzin Shula touched so many lives – each in their particular way – and together they raised a generation of chassidshe children.
He is dearly missed!
What a Tzadik
What a special Rabbi. Those of us who truly knew him were very lucky. The Rabbi really cared about each and everyone as though we were family. He even paid my doctor bills.
He cared
You don’t even touch on a tiny amount of goodness< Rabbi Kazen did quietly for everyone.He gave me a job when I was penniless. No one else even cared. Rabbi Kazen sensed that I was desperate and took care of me in no time.
I am only one person. Multiply me a hundred times over.
May he be a gutter bettern for us all.
Henya, you are the best!
Rabbi kazen has left behind him greatest child’s. Henya Laine is the best! she helps somanypeopleand always says such nice things, she is so helpful, rabbi kazen thank you for giving us scuba wonderful child!!! Your memory is safe with her!
Great Chikdren
What a legacy this special Rabbi left us.
All the Kazen children are shluchim of the Rebbe. Each one is a legend on their own. They are powerhouses whose only goel is to touch another Jew. What a Zchus for the Neshama.
tzemach tzedek
I was lucky enough to grow up in his shul, week in, week out. A very varem place, you could breathe the kedusha.
This is Chinuch
Zaidy always davened with a MINYON.
One grandchild came to shul and left to play outside right after he finished the Amida.
Since he was busy playing this little grandchild did not come back for KEDUSHA
Zaidy was so upset that he administered the one and only smack he ever gave anyone . Zaidy couldn’y understand how anyone could MISS A KEDUSHA!!!!!!!!!