How often is chabad.org typed into your browser?
Looking for a quick Dvar Torah for the Parsha of the week…
Checking how much longer you have until Shkiah…
Directing a secular Jew to more information about the High Holidays…
It’s not just you. Thousands browse the internet daily in search of Jewish content, words of wisdom, and uplifting spirituality. Search upon search, chabad.org is at the forefront of bringing Judaism alive, for people of all walks of life and from all over the world.
The mastermind behind these searches: Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Kazen A”H.
You may have heard of the legendary Rabbi YY Kazen, founder of chabad.org and visionary of a Jewish internet. What you probably don’t know is the inside story.
In a small basement office in Brooklyn, YY Kazen spearheaded the new age of Jewish education. Back in the 80’s, when shlichus was the only foreseeable future for a flourishing Jewry, young YY decided to take Jewish outreach a step further.
The son of Eastern European refugees, YY grew up with a dream that not many understood. It began with his involvement in the farbrengen hookups, which broadcasted the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s words to people from all over the world.
Seeing a potential in this new phenomenon called “the internet,” Rabbi Kazen dedicated his life to creating the first Virtual Jewish Library, digitizing seforim and making Judaism reachable from thousands of miles away. He worked day and night, determined to make this dream a reality.
25 years after his untimely passing, Rabbi Kazen’s vision is burning strong. Thanks to his tireless work, Judaism is available in every country, at all hours of the day, and in hundreds of different languages.
A Jewish internet was Rabbi Kazen’s vision: candle lighting times for Jewish women all over the world, a Torah thought on every topic and for every holiday, a full digital Jewish library with answers to questions from people of all walks of life. Dedicating his life to the future of Jewish education, Rabbi Kazen did not rest for a moment. Instead, he made sure to reach every person possible, offering them guidance and a wealth of Jewish information.
In 2023, we can see the extensive vision of a genius who was ahead of his times. Now, 25 years later, we’re ready to expand Rabbi Kazen’s mission of spreading Judaism to those who are far.
Introducing… The YY Kazen Campus at Chabad of Baton Rouge!
Spearheaded by YY’s son, Rabbi Peretz Kazen, the YY Kazen Campus will be exactly what you’d expect it to be – a center that demonstrates the future he dreamed of, with a large Jewish library, classrooms for children, a mikvah, student lounge, and a multi-purpose social hall for programs, Jewish events, and adult education.
If you’ve visited chabad.org before, you benefited from the devotion of Rabbi YY Kazen. Now, join us in honoring his work.
Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Kazen a”h will always be remembered as an icon. He envisioned a world where Jewish knowledge would be available everywhere. Help us expand his vision by building a campus that holds his name.
From a Screen to a Structure, Rabbi Kazen’s legacy will live on.
Click here to donate now!
He worked in ULY OP and had sons in the yeshiva. They were his pride and joy. He had loads of patience for them as well as all of us that worked in the Yeshiva and were just beginning to learn computer programming and usage. He explained and taught over and over. He was a genius and ahead of his time!
יהי זכרו ברוך
very creative.