(Courtesy of Bris Avrohom) Last week, the 20th of Av marked the 80th yahrzeit of Rebbe Levi Yitzchok Schneerson, father of the Rebbe. Rebbe Levi Yitzchok was niftar in exile in Alma Ata, Kazakhstan, where he was sent for the “crime” of spreading Yiddishkeit and for making sure the Jewish community under his jurisdiction had what they needed to study Torah and perform mitzvot.

In 1980, the Rebbe asked that centers for learning Torah be established in memory of his father and carry the name Kollel Levi Yitzchok. Since the Rebbe’s request, hundreds of kollels have opened around the world where thousands of people sit and learn and dedicate time to study.

The Rebbe also asked that charity be given to support the kollels, and he would personally participate when a new kollel opened, saying it was his obligation and merit to his father.

We at Bris Avrohom established Kollel Levi Yitzchok where men come every Thursday evening to learn.

This past Thursday a farbrengen was held to mark the yahrzeit. A full dinner was served and Rabbi Morderchai Kanelsky shared stories of the Rebbe Levi Yitzchok’s mesiras nefesh. He also shared countless miracles of people who came to pray at the tzion of Rebbe Levi Yitzchok and were granted permission to leave Russia soon after.