Sea Gate Center to be Renamed L’Chaim After Late Shliach

Hundreds gathered last Sunday night for the shloshim memorial of the Shliach to Sea Gate & Coney Island, Rabbi Chaim Brikman. The evening featured moving speeches, meaningful presentations, and heartfelt tributes, leaving a deep and lasting impact on all who attended.

VIDEO: Full Replay:

Message from the Brikman family:

We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to everyone who attended the shloshim gathering in memory of Rabbi Chaim Brikman, of blessed memory. Your presence meant more to us than we can say, and we are deeply moved by the outpouring of support, love, and friendship we have received during this difficult time.

For 34 years, Rabbi Brikman served not only as the rabbi of Kneses Israel – Chabad, but as a true leader of our community in every sense of the word. He brought vibrancy, joy, and warmth to all who walked through the doors. He cared for every individual, tending to both their spiritual and material needs with sincerity and heart.

The shloshim was not only a memorial. It was a celebration of his extraordinary life, an opportunity to learn from his example and to reaffirm our commitment to carry his work forward. To continue bringing light, warmth, and the joy of Yiddishkeit to Sea Gate and beyond.

At the event, we shared that the Community Center, the hub for our programs, events, and celebrations, will be renamed the L’Chaim Community Center in his honor and will be remodeled. “L’Chaim, to life” is a most fitting tribute, not only because his name was Chaim, but because he truly lived. He radiated life in everything he did.

We also pledged to complete the restoration of the original synagogue building, a project that was so close to his heart. G-d willing, a beautiful and modern sanctuary will soon rise once again to serve the community for years to come.

Completing this restoration is a significant undertaking, one that belongs to the entire community. Those who wish to participate by dedicating areas or assisting with early commitments are warmly invited to do so. Your partnership will help bring this dream to fruition.

Our sages teach that when a person’s children and students continue along the righteous path he established, it is as if he continues to live. This teaching, especially meaningful for someone named Chaim, inspires us with even greater strength to carry forward Rabbi Brikman’s legacy.

You are invited to share your memories of Rabbi Brikman and to take on a mitzvah in his memory at chabadseagate.com/rabbi

The Brikman Family