Friends Surprise Shliach on 75th

By COLlive reporter

A veteran Chabad Shliach, whose warmth and care for the Hebrew speaking community has touched many in Philadelphia, was honored on his 75th birthday last month.

Rabbi Zalman Lipsker, Director of Va’adah L’dovrei Ivrit Chabad Israeli Center, was surprised when he arrived for a chassidic farbrengen only to learn that it was being held in his honor.

Upon entering the Beit Harambam Sephardic Congregation in Northeast Philadelphia, he found many of the people he is in constant connection with sitting around tables and smiling.

A large sign wished him a happy birthday and on the dais were sitting Philadelphia’s Head Shliach Rabbi Abraham Shemtov, the sephardic shul’s Rabbi Amiram Gabai and his fellow Shliach for the Israeli community, Rabbi Levi Weber.

The event which drew some 200 people was planned by Rabbi Weber and Shai Argaman, a local entrepreneur who has grown close to Yiddishkeit thanks to Rabbi Lipsker’s weekly visits, classes and personal guidance.

Rabbi Lipsker also directs the Chaya Mushka Lubavitch Gemilas Chesed of Philadelphia, a free loan society helping many Jewish families in financial peril.

A guest speaker was Rabbi Yossi Lipsker, Director of Chabad of the North Shore in Swampscott, MA, who came in to pay tribute to his father.

Thanking his friends for coming, Rabbi Zalman Lipsker said he was humbled by the gathering and had a request. “You all know what I do, but I need you to partner with me on it. Please share the light with a fellow Jew and speak to them about Torah and mitzvos.”