By COLlive reporter
Photos: Monika Lightstone Photography
There was only standing room as hundreds gathered in Los Angeles for the launch of SHADAR: Touching Hearts, One Person at a Time, chronicling the life of Rabbi Shmuel Dovid and Rebbetzin Lea Raichik, who were the first Shluchim to the West Coast of the United States.
Penned by Dovid Zaklikowski, author and biographer, whose weekly story is featured on COLlive every Motzei Shabbos, is hailed as the first comprehensive book on a Shliach.
At the event memories were shared by longtime members of the Los Angeles Jewish community, including Rabbi Chaim Baruch Rubin of Congregation Etz Chaim of Hancock Park, Mr. Jack Mayesh and Mr. Alan Goldstein.
“Our community was home to so many broken Jews who survived the war and had lost everything,” said Rabbi Chaim Baruch Rubin, as recorded in SHADAR. “Rabbi Raichik himself was a yid who suffered immensely through that period, yet he settled in Los Angeles with the purpose of strengthening other Jews. On a daily basis, through the joys and tragedies, he was there. You didn’t have to be a Lubavitcher. He was at your side through all the very important times in one’s life.”
After completing their studies, the brothers joined their parents in the retirement-home business. “Rabbi Raichik cared for our family, as he did for many others personally,” said Alan. He recalled how Rabbi Raichik would call him and say, “Arke, how are you? How is the business doing? How are your family members doing?”
“He would take interest in all aspects of our lives, the physical and the spiritual,” Alan said, noting that in Rabbi Raichik’s well-known mantra, “Der Aibeshter vet zicher helfen” (“Hashem will surely help”), “the word ‘surely’ was so emphasized. He instilled in you a trust in Hashem.”
At the event hundreds of books were sold and just in time for the Kinus Hashluchim, the books arrived to Judaica stores in Crown Heights.
“Another masterpiece from the able hands of Dovid Zaklikowski!” wrote a shliach to Pennsylvania, “Shadar is amazing. I could not put it down as I’m sure many others won’t be able to.”
The book takes readers on a journey from Poland, Asia to the West Coast of the United States, where Rabbi Raichik in his unique way touched the lives of thousands.
The book spearheaded and co-authored by Rabbi Shimon Raichik, Rabbi of Congregation Levi Yitzchok in Los Angeles, takes readers on a journey from Poland, Asia to the West Coast of the United States, where Rabbi Raichik in his unique way touched the lives of thousands.
The book is also available on HasidicArchives.com.
Kol Hakavod Rabbi Shimon Raichik for this special book and the amazing book launch event in Los Angeles.
The holiest city on earth has not received a copy yet.Eagerly waiting for Breed Street Shul in Boyle Heights stories. ..
There are no words of hope amazing this book is. there seems to have been so many interviews conducted, so much research, a pleasurable read. we deserve more such books.
The heart and soul behind this amazing book! This book is a compilation of years and years of Rabbi Raichiks personal column in his weekly LA community bulletin. Thank you Rabbi Raichik for the accurate depiction of your amazing father as well as a phenomenal event that brought him to life!
Rabbi and Mrs. Raichik obm were the most amazing,pillars of the Los Angeles community. They mekareved 100’s and thousands of people.
Thank you rabbi raichik for all your hard work in making the event. It’s a great book
The article forgets to mention the main person behind the book, who spent years pitting it together, Rabbi Shimon Raichik. Yaasher Koach for this treasure!!!