By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Yosef Aharonov received a warm welcome in the central Israeli village of Kfar Chabad where he returned to his home after serving a prison sentence for financial irregularities.
As chairman of Tzeiri Agudat Chabad (“Lubavitch Youth Organization”), which oversees activities of Chabad centers across Israel, he took the blame for the tax fraud of the organization.
The Tel Aviv District Court sentenced him to 2 years in prison but specified that he wasn’t accused of pocketing any of the funds. The government appointed an outside accountant to rehabilitate the organization.
Members of the Chabad Beis Din of Israel were among the dozens who came during Pesach to the 770 building in Kfar Chabad to celebrate with Rabbi Aharonov his early release.
Rabbi Aharonov thanked everyone for their support and recited a maamar – chassidic discourse recited on special occasions. The get together included singing Chassidic melodies and words of inspiration.
The Canadian-born Aharonov was appointed by the Rebbe to led the organization known as “Tzach.” He was also entrusted with returning the Schneerson Archive from Russia.
He is credited with leading the growth of Chabad’s outreach activities in Israel, as well as its educational institutions as Chairman of Reshet Oholei Yosef Yitzchak school network.
In 2004, he was appointed Chairman of Agudas Chassidie Chabad of Israel, the umbrella organization for the Chabad-Lubavitch movement in the Holy Land.
