State Senate Honors Crown Heights Jewish Leader, Lubavitcher Rebbe

CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — A late pillar of Brooklyn's Jewish community got a special birthday gift this week.

The State Senate passed a resolution on Monday honoring the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, for what would have been his 120th birthday, State Sen. Zellnor Myrie announced.

The resolution, introduced by Myrie, was presented to Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman, Director of the Lubavitch Youth Organization.

“The Lubavitcher Rebbe was a pillar not just of the Jewish community, but of Crown Heights and New York City, revered by Jews and non-Jews alike," Myrie said. “The rebbe was known for building partnerships across communities, and inspiring good deeds, philanthropy and scholarly pursuits that reverberate to this day."

Schneerson, who died in 1994, was the seventh leader in the Chabad-Lubavitch dynasty and "is considered to have been the most phenomenal Jewish personality of modern times," according to Jewish outlet Chabad.org.

In his 44-years leading, Rabbi Schneerson established over 1,500 Lubavitch Centers, according to the resolution.

Known as "the Rebbe," Schneerson also spoke about food insecurity with then-U.S. Rep. Shirley Chisholm, who later spearheaded the creation of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, according to Myrie's office.

"While some look to sow division, I know the rebbe and so many others worked to build bridges across communities," Myrie continued. "That work continues, and I am proud to fight for the rebbe's abiding belief in a world that honors the light and goodness in everyone."

Find the full resolution here.