A young Jewish woman from New Zealand in 1987.
A middle-aged Christian from Nebraska in 1992.
An atheist Jewish scientist exploring Antarctica in 1996.
A holocaust survivor from none other than New York City, unable to take visitors but seeking Rabbinic guidance.
Their unifying factor: They are searching for more.
In 1998, at the young age of 44, the world lost an icon. Rabbi YY Kazen, the legend behind chabad.org and the Jewish internet, left the world and his work undone.
In many ways, YY Kazen was a visionary. In the 1980’s, he saw what others didn’t. Rabbi Kazen recognized the potential for a Jewish internet, a platform where Yiddishkeit was readily available to the public. His goal: bringing Jews closer to Judaism from the comfort of their own homes.
Rabbi Kazen had a very good teacher, none other than the Lubavitcher Rebbe himself. At the start of the world wide web, YY sprung into action, downloading text upon text into digital form and creating the first international Jewish community. Slowly, people around the world began to know him as “the Rabbi of the Internet”.
One day he’d receive an email from a serviceman stationed at an army base in Germany. The next day, it was a question from a Jewish doctor in a small town in Australia. And if that wasn’t far enough, the third day an Indian Christian was writing from Malaysia to learn what Judaism expects of non-Jews!
Rabbi Kazen didn’t rest for a moment. Even while struggling with a difficult illness, he continued to digitize documents between treatments, ensuring that a Jewish education would be attainable for all.
Today, 25 years later, the internet is flourishing with Jewish content. Nancy from New Zealand is learning about her Jewish heritage with a wealth of information online.
John from Nebraska is listening to daily classes about the 7 Noahide Laws and how to build a better world for humanity.
Michael has returned from Antarctica, switching his path in life to one that is more spiritually fulfilling. He now joins his local Chabad house for classes about faith and attends Kabbalat Shabbat every Friday night.
Erwin, the holocaust survivor, has long passed. Although he had planned to be cremated, Erwin’s end of life choices changed after learning more about his heritage. He was buried in a proper Jewish cemetery, and his funeral was led by an Orthodox Rabbi. Erwin’s granddaughter, Becky, enrolled in Machon Chana to explore what it means to be a Jew. Now, she goes by “Rivka” and is a mother to 5 beautiful children, all proud members of the frum community.
Rabbi YY Kazen’s far-reaching efforts influenced generations to come. But his untimely passing left his work unfinished.
As we approach the 25th yahrzeit of a legend, Rabbi Peretz Kazen, YY’s son, is launching a campaign to honor his father’s legacy. A new plot of land in Baton Rouge, boldly displaying Rabbi Kazen’s name, will hold a vibrant center for Jewish education. The YY Kazen Campus will encapsulate everything Rabbi Kazen dedicated his life to: a new age Judaism that is available to all.
Can you contribute to Rabbi Kazen’s dream for a future of continued Jewish outreach?
Do it for Nancy. Do it for John. Do it for Michael. Do it for Rivka.
From Bytes to Bricks, Rabbi Kazen’s legacy will live on!
