Bahia Blanca Shlichus to Continue

By COLlive reporter

“In the name of the family, I would like to notify that we will continue the Shlichus in Bahia Blanca.”

It was with these words that Rabbi Tzvi Grunblatt, Head Shliach of Argentina, was notified of the tragic passing of the neighboring Shliach Rabbi Moshe Freedman at the age of 57.

Even before her husband’s funeral in New York, Mrs. Sarah Freedman courageously stated that she plans to continue to serve the Jewish community in Bahia Blanca, a small city 500 miles south of Buenos Aires.

Rabbi and Mrs. Freedman arrived there in 1985 after the Rebbe introduced the idea of ‘Shliach ose Shliach’ – an established Chabad Rabbi to bring another Rabbi and Rebbetzin to the area, to bolster activities and their reach.

Rabbi Freedman was born in Jerusalem, while Mrs. Freedman (nee Alevsky) grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. Although neither spoke Spanish, the Rebbe encouraged the couple to move to the small community and take up the position.

“For almost 30 years, Reb Moshe overcame all the challenges and difficulties that a Shlichus in a city such as Bahia Blanca presents,” said Rabbi Grunblatt. “There was no Jewish life of Torah, but there were and are Jews.”

“Along with his wife, Sarah and their children, he carried out his mission with success, bringing dozens of families to shomrei mitzvos, many are Shluchim here in Argentina and in other countries – all the fruit of his great work,” he added.

The Freedmans stayed put even when an economic crisis hit Argentina in 2000 affecting their community of working and middle-class Jews. They again returned to their positions after Rabbi Freedman underwent a lung transplant in Ohio some 10 years ago.

Rabbi Grunblatt recalls: “When he returned after he recovered, I offered him to move to Buenos Aires where he would have more spiritual and material comforts. He replied decisively: ‘The Rebbe sent me to Bahia Blanca and I’m not moving from there’.”

Friends of the family launched the “Freedman Family Emergency Fund aiming to raise $100,000 that will enable Mrs. Freedman and the family to support themselves and continue their Shlichus.

“They’ve incurred many thousands of dollars in medical related bills, which have greatly compromised their financial resources,” organizers said. “Your kindness will mirror their kindness and bring much needed love and support to the family and to the entire world.”

“The determination of his family to continue his Shlichus is the proof of the strength of the work of Reb Moshe, which will continue to bear fruit and activity with greater energy,” Rabbi Grunblatt commented.