by COLlive reporter
Rabbi Chaim Osher Kahanov, a longtime Crown Heights resident and devoted Chosid, passed away on Tuesday, 20 Nissan 5780.
He was 96.
Rabbi Kahanov was born in Georgia. His father was Rabbi Eliyahu Shmuel Kahanov who was sent by the Rebbe Rayatz to the city of Akhaltsikhe to serve as a Rov, shochet and mohel.
He learned in the branch of Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim in Georgia and with the conclusion of the Second World War escaped to Poland as part of the “Russian exodus” of chassidim at the time.
While in Prague, he was appointed by leading Chabad activist Rabbi Yisroel Jacobson as a member of the committee to arrange visa permits to Lubavitchers in transit camps.
He first met the Rebbe during his visit to Paris, France. During the Rebbe’s time in Paris, Rabbi Kahanov would attend to Rebbetzin Chana’s needs and accompany her on walks in the city. He also accompanied Rebbetzin Chana and served as a witness when she applied for a passport to travel to the US.
Upon immigrating to New York, he learned at Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch and married Sarah Miriam Rosenblum.
He was a member of the board of Lubavitch Youth Organization (Tzach), which oversees Chabad’s outreach activities and Chabad centers in the Greater New York area.
He is survived by his wife, Sarah and children Mrs. Chavie Bendet – Minnesota; Mrs. Chana Hayes – Ottawa; Rabbi Yossi Kahanov – Jacksonville, Florida; Mrs. Chaya Levin – Kfar Chabad, Israel; Mrs. Rivky Block – S. Antonio, Texas, Rabbi Dovid Kahanov – Crown Heights and Rabbi Meir Kahanov – Crown Heights, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The levaya will take place today passing by 770 at 3:15 pm and then Ksav Sofer Shul on Empire and Albany.
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes: Sholom Chaim Asher Hakohen ben Eliyahu Shmuel.
He was such an eidel person.
He will be missed.
Rabbi Chaim osher was a great Yid who was kind caring and most of all someone who made a difference in the community.. Yoel and other was by him every Friday night learning a Sichah and L , chaim
Kind sweet an unassuming talmid chachum and Chossid. Mashiach now
He was such a devoted chossid of the rebbe, knew the rebbe and rebetzin Chana in paris. Big loss! So sad!
Hamokom yenachem vechu