By COLlive reporter
R’ Baruch Shalom Kahan, the beloved mashpia and longtime member of the Chabad community in New Haven, passed away on Motzei Shabbos, 25 Cheshvan, 5786.
He was 91 years old.
R’ Baruch Shalom was born on 22 Av 5694 (1934) in Kharkov, Russia, to R. Michoel Yehuda Aryeh Leib Kahan. In Elul 5696 (1936), his family emigrated to Eretz Yisroel and settled in Tel Aviv.
As a young boy, he learned in the cheder Bnei Temimim in Tel Aviv, later continuing in Yeshivas Achei Temimim in Tel Aviv, which relocated to Lod in 5711 (1951). He remained there until 5717 (1957).
Even as a bochur, his chassidishe heart was evident as he organized farbrengens for students in the Bnei Akiva yeshivah in Kfar HaRoeh and for Yemenite bochurim learning in Lod. For these efforts, he merited a written response from the Rebbe: “Fortunate is his lot for having merited to see fruits from the influence of the farbrengens he arranged.”
On 10 Shevat 5717, R’ Baruch Shalom traveled to the Rebbe and remained to learn in the central Tomchei Temimim yeshivah at 770. During those years, he often accompanied the Rebbe on the walk from 770 to the Rebbe’s home.
He was involved in typing and preparing summaries of the Rebbe’s sichos, published as “Tochen Inyanim B’Dach – L’Chazarah B’Batei Knessios.” He was also entrusted with collecting maamad funds from the bochurim and bringing them to the Mazkirus.
In 5720 (1960), R’ Baruch Shalom was sent by the Rebbe to live in New Haven, Connecticut, where he initially served as a shochet. On 27 Elul 5721, he married Devorah (née Drebin), daughter of R. Yisroel Drebin and granddaughter of the renowned chossid R’ Klonimus Kalman Drebin.
After his marriage, he continued to live in New Haven, working in the local Jewish-owned plastic factory run by the Deitsch family. When the Rebbe’s Mitzvah Tank initiative began gaining momentum around the United States, R’ Baruch Shalom rented a tank of his own and traveled throughout the region, bringing countless Yidden closer to Torah and mitzvos.
As the New Haven Chabad community expanded, Rabbi Kahan served as its mashpia, guiding generations with humility, warmth, and unwavering devotion to the Rebbe’s path.
He was known as a big Talmid Chocham, and he finished the entire Shas in his lifetime. He would Daven with special Kavana and was mehader in Mitzvos. He was the embodiment of a Chossid in character and hishkashrus to the Rebbe – “mekushar b’lev vnefesh”.
He is also survived by his siblings, Reb Aaron Kahan – Kfar Chabad, Israel, Slava Chitrik – Miami Beach, FL, Reb Berel Kahan – Crown Heights and Rivka Tenenbaum – Kfar Chabad, Israel.
The Levaya will take place today, Sunday, passing by 770 at 2:30 pm, and burial at Old Montefiore Cemetery at 3:30 pm.
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
BDE. Debbie and Sara my heart goes out to you both. I am so sorry to hear the of your husband and father. We should only hear simchas from now on iyh.
I recall going to Deitch factory to pick something up and he was just sitting there next to this machine saying Tehilim!
A real legend! He will be deeply missed!
Had the honor sitting next to him in shul. Even during his last several months, he was always sensitive and asking how family members are doing. Had the honor of bringing him many hot coffees before Dovening.
Reb Boruch Sholom used to daven with us every day in Yeshiva. A real example of a chossid and yirei shamayim.
He was a special yid and a true chossid! I remember him being the candy man in shul as a kid and he loved hearing our brochos on the lollipop so he can say amen!
Good memories
His mother was Chaya the daughter of the famous big chossid and Rav Aaron Tumarkin of Kharkov.
So sad. Such a special person.
Any NH mesivta amuni fondly recalls the R’Boruch shalom’s “question of the day”.
I grew up in New Haven and remember Reb Baruch Shalom as a true chossid, whom we all looked up to.
I traveled with him many times, together with my father a’h, to receive dollars and other holy items from the Rebbe.
May Debbie, Sara, and the entire beautiful family be comforted and strengthened, with the ultimate nechama of Moshiach now.
When the new haven yeshiva opened in the 70s, Reb Boruch Shalom volunteered to do the grocery shopping for the yeshiva kitchen. He had the zchus to keep this up for many years.
Sara, please accept my heartfelt condolences. Your father’s sincerity, his old-world Chassidic warmth, and his devotion left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. May the beauty of his legacy hold you and your family during this difficult time C. Schoenberg, Ramat Bet Shemesh
המקום ינחם אתכם בתוק שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים