When Rabbi Sudak Came to Class

My Shliach, My teacher
By Rabbi Zalman Lewis, Director of Chabad at (UK’s) SE Coast Universities

This Sunday, Rabbi Nachman Sudak OBE, director of Chabad Lubavitch UK for over 50 years, passed away at the age of 78.

I remember how in the early 90s, during a particularly challenging time for London’s Lubavitch senior boys school – Mechina, Rabbi Sudak stepped in to fill the void and taught me and my classmates from 4-6pm daily for the entire year.

The more I reflect on that year, the more I am humbled and awed by his dedication. In my position as director of a relatively ‘small’ Chabad House, serving university students in Brighton and the UK’s SE Coast, I am simply baffled by how Rabbi Sudak managed to find the time, never mind the patience and state of mind, to deal with twenty 14/15 year-olds every afternoon.

But he did it, and tremendously well.

Those two hour sessions were unquestionably the best of all my schooling. To this day, I clearly remember much of what he taught. His ability to communicate Chassidic Thought, even to us boys, was phenomenal. And through it all, you would never have thought that there were pressing national, and international, issues in the office that needed his urgent attention.

I believe that I speak on behalf of my classmates, many who serve as Shluchim in the UK and throughout the world, when I say that his family can take great comfort in knowing that those lessons in 1992/3 continue to inspire us, and in turn our own students, to this day.

Yehi Zichro Boruch – May his memory be for a blessing

(Despite my attempts in discreetly taking the attached photo in the middle of a lesson, the shutter’s click was heard across the room. I panicked, expecting to be admonished. My panic turned to relief when Rabbi Sudak raised his face to identify the click, and offered me a broad and warm smile).

* * *

Retain The Image
By a grandson

With great sorrow, Anash, shluchim and other recieved the news of the passing of my dear Zayde Hara Nachman ben Pinchas. Besides for the thousands of children who went through the school system that he built there are also the hundreds if not thousands of people whose lives were deeply affected through the Shlichus that the Rebbe entrusted in my Zedie. Through personal relationships, shiurim, farbrengens or guidance and of course through the network of schools and Chabad houses he established with great personal care throughout the past fifty five years.

Around the world, many have told me of their experiences with him and undoubtedly many of them are now recounting these experiences. whether touched by his care, inspired by his dedication, uplifted by his shiurim or simply experiencing spending time with him.

A generation comes and a generation goes, the challenge is to connect the growing generation with the one that went. to inspire the youth, our future to continue in his way. If this would be said about any Chossid, how much more so should this be said about a personality such as his, who devoted his life to to educate youth and try influence them to join the truth, a lifestyle with this dedication.

Human behavior will not change merely one read an instruction book on how and what to do. A person needs an image of a quality model or community to emulate.

Now here is my plea. These precious memories of such experiences and personal encounters are much needed for the purpose of molding youth to be dedicated chassidim and therefore must be recounted and recorded. if all those affected by him, would simply post their stories, whether on this page or via other means, it will affect others to aspire to lead such lives.

Help us retain the image of an emmese chossid, help us transmit the image to your child, your student and those around you.

Soon, Moshiach will come and he will see the fruits of his labour. כי זרע ה’ המה
may it be speedily in our days.