Schottenstein Opens Shula Center

By COLlive reporter

While Jay Schottenstein was saying Kaddish at the Siyum Hashas celebration in New Jersey, his nephew David Schottentein was in Israel preparing for the inauguration of a new soup kitchen to feed the poor and the sick.

The young Schottenstein and his wife Eda traveled to the southern city of Arad to further memorialize Shula Swedlov OBM, daughter of their friends Rabbi Yossi and Hindel Swerdlov of Jerusalem.

The new soup kitchen will be joining the growing and much needed network of food distribution centers run by Israel’s oldest running charity organization, Colel Chabad. Its director Rabbi Sholom Duchman was on hand for the opening.

“This new center is in line with Chabad’s love for a fellow Jew,” pointed out the Deputy Mayor Maxim Ocanin and praised the work of Chabad in the city, headed by Rabbi Yaakov Mendelson.

Rabbi Duchman agreed. In his remarks, he thanked the Schottensteins and made special mention of all the blessings that were given to Colel Chabad over the years, from the Alter Rebbe until the current Rebbe.

Another aspect was brought out in the speech of Rabbi Swerdlov, who runs the Chabad Children of Chernobyl organization, with his father R’ Leibel Swerdlov present.

“In this week’s parsha, Vaeschanan, we’re told to love Hashem with all heart, soul, and might,” he said. We can learn that when the soul is G-d forbid taken, it can be remembered though ‘me’odecha’ which also means with your possessions, by making a donation of remembrance.”

Schottenstein, founder and CEO of Astor & Black Custom Clothiers, said he was honored to be making a dedication to a young and special girl who livened her surroundings with her smile and love.