Rabbi Berel Shemtov Celebrates 90th Birthday

By Sruly Meyer – COLlive

Rabbi Berel Shemtov, one of the first Shluchim of the Rebbe in the United States, joyously celebrated his 90th birthday this week with a Chassidic Farbrengen.

Rabbi Shemtov and his wife Mrs. Batsheva Shemtov were dispatched by the Rebbe some 60 years ago to Michigan, as Head Shluchim.

Over that time, Chabad in Michigan has grown by leaps and bounds, establishing over 25 Chabad centers, Mikvahs, schools, a renowned Yeshiva, summer camps, and the trailblazing Friendship Circle for people with special needs.

Another significant accomplishment was the founding and operating of Camp Gan Yisroel in Lubavitch City, Michigan. They have recently purchased a second campground, allowing for two months of programming for both boys and girls and giving the camp the ability to serve hundreds of additional campers.

“The Rebbe started so many things and made them so much a part of our routine that we don’t realize that these things didn’t exist 60 years ago,” Rabbi Shemtov said in a past interview with COLlive.com.

“I was once looking in the mafteach (contents) of the Igros Kodesh and found a very interesting point,” he said. “There were hundreds of entries for ‘Hafotzas Hamayonas Chutza’ just for the first 20 volumes.

“Out of curiosity, I looked up the mafteach of the Frierdiker Rebbe’s Igros Koshesh (in Chelek 12) and was surprised to see that there was no entry at all!”

The Head Shliach went on to state that “our generation is completely different than any other previous generation.”

Celebrating his milestone birthday, and saluting his dedication to Shlichus, were his siblings, children, grandchildren and a few friends who gathered in his home in Oak Park, and on Zoom.

During the Farbrengen, Chabad supporter Ron Ferber shared his personal experience of acquiring a very small yet high-quality pair of tefillin. Initially, they didn’t use it frequently, but after facing some personal challenges, they took Rabbi Shemtov’s inspiration and emphasis on Mitzvos and Tefillin to heart and began dedicating more time to both practices.

The Farbrengen highlighted the significance of learning Igros Kodesh as the Rebbe himself had suggested. They emphasized that by delving into the teachings found in the Igros, one could also gain the Rebbe’s advice and blessings.

In honor of the 90th birthday, a momentous initiative was organized where over 5000 Igros were studied by Rabbi Shemtov’s children and grandchildren, creating a commemorative poster presented to him. Participants all wished Rabbi Shemtov to continue his Shlichus in good health.