By COLlive reporter
An event marking the Shloshim, 30 days since the passing of Rabbi Shmuel Butman OBM, head of Lubavitch Youth Organization (“Tzach”), took place in Crown Heights last week.
Rabbonim, Shluchim, friends, and family members of Rabbi Butman gathered for the event held at the Jewish Children’s Museum.
In addition to his role at the Lubavitch Youth Organization, Rabbi Butman was appointed by the Rebbe to serve as the Chairman of the International Siyum Harambam, celebrating the completion of the daily learning cycles of Mishneh Torah, the Rambam‘s digest of Mitzvos of the Torah.
Rabbi Butman served as the Chairman of the Association of the Descendants of the Alter Rebbe (Igud Tzetzoei Admur Hazaken), Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of Chabad and author of the Tanya and Shulchan Aruch. The Rebbe encouraged the annual Melave Malka and the organization’s activities, which Rabbi Butman organized and directed.
Rabbi Butman was a gifted speaker who often presented Chabad to the public, was interviewed on Jewish-related issues, for many years he hosted a weekly radio show, and often shared the Rebbe’s message and the teachings of Chassidus, in a variety of public and media outlets.
He published the Weekly L’chaim Publication since 1988 and wrote a weekly column in the Jewish Press newspaper and hosted the weekly Shabbos Night Live program on COLlive.com.
The Shloshim opened with Tehillim and speakers each shared and spoke of Rabbi Butman’s love for and dedication to the Rebbe and his tireless work in the many leadership roles throughout his life.
The event’s featured speakers were Crown Heights Rabbi Avrohom Osdoba; Rabbi Yosef Minkowitz, Menahel of Beis Rivkah girls school in Montreal; Rabbi Leibel Wulliger, Rosh Kolel Torah V’daas; Rabbi Kasriel Kastel of the Lubavitch Youth Organization; Head Shliach of Long Island Rabbi Tuvia Teldon; R’ Heshy Korenblit of the Jewish Press, Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin of COLlive.com, Rabbi Michoel Seligson of Igud Tzetzoei Admur Hazaken, and Rabbi Butman’s sons Rabbi Velvel Butman and Rabbi Yossi Butman.
The evening concluded with a special video presentation about Rabbi Butman’s life and a Siyum on Mishnayos. Participants all said L’chaim and wished that we would soon merit seeing the final redemption.
VIDEO:
As an individual who worked a few years in Rabbi Butman’s office, I saw first hand how Rabbi Butman was uniquely and extraordinarily gifted in many ways. He had a special warm heart and a warm personality. Rabbi Butman was a bridge connecting the Chassidishkeit and values of Lubavitch in Russia and connecting and trailblazing innovative new projects and activities to honor the Rebbe in modern times. Never did Rabbi Butman deviate from the directives of the Rebbe. Every new project was done in the correct manor and proper balance. Every project had to meet the Rebbe’s standards. Over the… Read more »