JEWISH WORLD

JEWISH WORLD • JUNE 14-20, 2024 11 9abbi Moshe 2otlarsky, A¹3 He traveled the globe to expand Chabad-Lubavitch’s work R abbi Moshe Kotlarsky, the energetic vice chairman of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, the educational arm of the Chabad- Lubavitch movement, passed away after a lengthy illness on Tuesday, June 4 (27 Iyar). He was 74, four days shy of his 75th birthday. Kotlarsky was instrumental in growing Chabad’s global footprint. With an endearing personality and ability to easily connect with others, Kotlarsky encountered thousands of people in his decades of peripatetic travel on behalf of Chabad- Lubavitch, serving alternatively as rabbi, fundraiser and friend. Kotlarsky became well-known for his role in the annual Kinus Hashluchim, or International Con- ference of Chabad-Lubavitch Emis- saries, directing an army of plan- ners, staff and volunteers to ensure every detail of the massive event was perfect. As Chabad’s institu- tional network expanded over the years to almost 6,000 emissary cou- ples in more than 100 countries worldwide, so did the Kinus. Its banquet eventually became the largest sit-down dinner in New York City, outgrowing all its formal venues. In 2023 more than 6,500 Chabad emissaries and their guests gathered at the New Jersey Con- vention Center. Kotlarsky would emcee the ban- quet annually, calling the roll of Chabad emissaries by country and state, memorably bringing it to a crescendo with a call for “sponta- neous dancing.” Though comfortable in the spot- light, Kotlarsky also worked tire- lessly behind the scenes. When in need of communal advice or facing personal hardship, emissaries knew they could count on Kotlarsky for his mentorship and support. His dedication to projects large and small, while remembering to bring chocolate for far-flung emissary children, earned him affection and respect among generations of emis- sary families. Rabbi Moshe Yehuda Kotlarsky was born on May 28, 1949 (1 Sivan, 5709), in Brooklyn, to Rabbi Tzvi Yosef and Golda Kotlarsky. While his mother was Ameri- can-born, his father was a survivor from Poland who lost most of his family in the Holocaust. Rabbi Tzvi Yosef studied in Yeshivat Chachmei Lublin and then Tom- chei Temimim-Lubavitch in War- saw and Otwock, escaping the Nazi onslaught with the help of a visa issued by Japanese diplomat Chi- une Sugihara, which allowed him to find refuge in occupied Shanghai. Kotlarsky was raised in Crown Heights and attended yeshvah there The amiable 9abbi 2otlarsky encountered thousands of people in his decades of peri- patetic tra]el on behalf of Chabad 3uba]itch. continued on page 23 I5 M,M69I(M Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky (1949-2024).