Rabbi Levi Wolosow is being remembered as “a beacon of kindness” and an amazing religious leader who always had time for everyone despite his own growing family responsibilities.

The adult education director at the Chabad of Western Monmouth County in Manalapan, died suddenly on Feb. 3 at the age of 43.

For Rabbi Shmaya Galperin, executive director of the Chabad Jewish Center of Holmdel, he was the kind of rabbi who was always there for anyone in the community. “He picked up the phone and responded immediately as if they were the only person in the world,” he said of Rabbi Wolosow, who served the community for 18 years. “He was very personable and caring. He was always ready to work with families to kasher their kitchen or whatever they needed. He was available to talk to people late into the night.”

The Holmdel Chabad is a branch of the Chabad of Western Monmouth County, which is co-directed by Rabbi Boruch and Tova Chazanow. Rabbi Wolosow was the son-in-law of the Chazanows.

For Rabbi Galerpin, nothing demonstrated his colleague’s commitment to others more than Rabbi Wolosow and his wife, Chana—known as Chanale—taking in two children from the community who were suddenly orphaned to raise with their own six children.

Ira Stein of Marlboro said Rabbi Wolosow will be remembered as an example of what it means to live a life of caring for others. “He was not just a rabbi—he was a guiding light, a source of wisdom and a steadfast friend to so many. He had the rare gift of making each person feel special, as if they were his closest friend. His warmth, his generosity and his unwavering positivity were a blessing to all who knew him. His laughter was infectious. His smile could brighten even the darkest day, and his words of encouragement lifted countless souls.”

Dr. Rimma Chertog of Morganville said that after the terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023, “the sleeping Jew in me woke up” and she began reaching out to Jewish community leaders, finding friendship and inspiration in Rabbi Wolosow.

“Rabbi Levi was so nice and kind and understanding,” she said. “He was a true Zionist and so nonjudgmental. He just wanted people in the community to learn and be involved regardless of how religious they were. I learned a lot from the programs he ran. They created a spark in me and made a huge difference.”

Chertog said that through Rabbi Wolosow she became involved with his educational programs and initiatives, preparing flyers publicizing events on social media. She became particularly involved in helping him advocate for Israel. He was especially known for his Project Rosh, a High Holiday service drawing as many as 500 people who didn’t want to attend traditional synagogue services.

“He would call me for advice about whether I thought this was a good program or to help get the message out,” Chertog recalled. “He would message me about this parsha or that parsha. But he was also very mindful that everything he did would unite the Jewish people and bring everyone together.”

For her advocacy Chertog received the Voice for Israel Award at the Chabad’s Jewish Women’s Day only a day before Rabbi Wolosow’s death on a family ski trip in the Poconos. “This is a true tragedy,” she said. “I really feel blessed to have known him.”

A campaign to raise money to help the family had brought in close to $1.8 million as of the evening of February 10, toward its goal of $2 million. To donate, visit raisethon.com/leviwolosow.

Rabbi Wolosow was the second of the 12 children of Rabbi Chaim and Sara Wolosow, who have served as emissaries of the Chabad Center of Sharon, Massachusetts since 1980. In addition to his parents, in-laws and wife, he is survived by his children: Nochum, Dov, Mendel, Tzipa, Miriam and Uziel, and Naomi and Tani Horowitz; his siblings: Rivky Horowitz of Canton, Massachusetts, Goldie Plotkin, Mushkie Lowenthal, Leibel Wolosow, Berri Wolosow and Zalmi Wolosow, all of Brooklyn; Mimi Wilhelm of Portland, Oregon; Pasi Wolosow of Toronto; Chanie Minkowitz of Sharon, Massachusetts; Mendy Wolosow of Hallandale, Florida; and Shmuly Wolosow of Pittsburgh.

Debra Rubin has had a long career in journalism writing for secular weekly and daily newspapers and Jewish publications. She most recently served as Middlesex/Monmouth bureau chief for the New Jersey Jewish News. She also worked with the media at several nonprofits, including serving as assistant public relations director of HIAS and assistant director of media relations at Yeshiva University.