By COLlive reporter
At the conclusion of the levaya of Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky OBM, a “Farewell letter” that he wrote in his final days was read out loud at the Old Montefiore Cemetery in Queens, New York on Wednesday.
The letter in Hebrew was emotionally read by his eldest son-in-law, Rabbi Zalman Wolowik, Director of Chabad of the Five Towns on Long Island, with many participants standing in silence.
Rabbi Kotlarsky was interred alongside his parents Rabbi Hershel and Golda Kotlarsky, and his late brother Yaakov Dovid Kotlarsky who passed in his youth. The graves are in close proximity to the Ohel of the Rebbe.
In the public letter addressed to “my brothers and friends, the Shluchim,” Rabbi Kotlarsky wrote that it was his privilege to work in the service of the Rebbe for the benefit of the Jewish people.
He asked forgiveness from anyone he may have hurt or offended during his lifetime and in his public dealings.
He requested that his second son Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky assume his responsibilities “that I received from the Rebbe,” mentioning how they’ve worked for 18 years together at Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch, the educational arm of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement.
He wrote that Mendy has been successful in work at Lubavitch World Headquarters – 770 Eastern Parkway and that he should work with his uncle, Moshe’s brother, Rabbi Mendel Kotlarsky.
Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, known for his boundless energy up until his passing at 74 on Tuesday, wore more than one hat and held various positions, among them:
- Vice Chairman of Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch
- Chairman of the International Kinus Hashluchim and Kinus Hashluchos, the annual conventions of Chabad rabbis and rebbetzins.
- Coordinator of the regional Kinusei Hashluchim, local conventions held across the United States, Canada, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia.
- Organizer of Merkos Shlichus, the roving rabbis program to smaller communities and remote locations for Tishrei, Pesach and in the summer.
- Chairman of Chabad on Campus International, serving students on over 950 campuses Globally.
- Chairman of the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI), provider of adult Jewish education active in 900 communities worldwide and on the internet.
- Chairman of Merkos 302, a division of Merkos, with its many subsidiaries – CKids (Chabad Kids Network), CTeen (Chabad Teen Network), Chabad Young Professionals, Chabad-on-Call, My Shliach, Jnet, Moshiach Office, Mitzvah Society and more. His son Mendy already directs Merkos 302.
He blessed the Shluchim and encouraged them to continue working in peace, in good health, with joy and diligence to prepare the world for the coming of Moshiach.
Following the reading of the letter, Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky stated in both Hebrew and Yiddish: “We undertake, that with Hashem’s help, we will listen to everything that was requested here and verbally to connect every Jew to the Rebbe, and to bring Moshiach now.”
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Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky has more than proven himself to be a worthy ממלא מקום of his father’s holy position. I pray he is given the support he needs to continue his שליחות.
Dear Reb Mendy, we are with you in these difficult times and look forward to working together to fulfill the Rebbe’s mandate as your father spearheaded so powerfully throughout the past fifty years.
Wishing you all the hatzlacha in the future.
There is no better person to continue do the work of his dear father.
Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky was nifter in parshas Bamidbar. He helped the ‘desert’ bloom with his care and commitment to all Jewish communities. May his son be successful in helping the world to greet Moshiach. May his father be a meilitz yoshar and beg Hashem for the geula shlaima. now.
Yesterday’s chumash speaks about counting the Yidden, and Rabbi Kotlarsky (among many other things) was well known to do the roll call by the Kinus Hashluchim
Also today’s chumash starts off with speaking about the descendants of Moshe and Aharon; and Rashi says the Torah only mentions the sons of Aharon, the reason why they’re called the sons of Moshe is because he taught them Torah. Similar Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky helped many people learn Torah and do Mitzvos, especially through the Shluchim
Moshiach Now!
Gave over things so clearly and with warmth, sincerity and passion for what he lived by
I know with the support of the shluchim Mendy will take things to the next level!
Worthy succession plan, we’re in good hands.
The task is huge, but Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky will iyh have much Hatzlacha as he is a dedicated soldier of the Rebbe. Looking to fulfill the Rebbes holy mission.
We are with you and are rooting for you Mendy you have so many of the qualities of your father.
Hatzlacha Rabba in your holy Shlichus
Love you man
What is mendy holding on the bag?
A round of applause for all of Moshe Kotlarsky’s personal interest and care for the shluchim; may his son continue in the same way.