Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn
Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn (1880-1950) was the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, a prominent Hasidic leader, and a towering figure in Jewish religious leadership in the first half of the 20th century. He was born in Lubavitch, Russia, and succeeded his father, Rabbi Sholom Dovber Schneersohn, as Rebbe in 1920. Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak led the Chabad-Lubavitch movement through turbulent times, including the rise of Soviet communism and the Second World War.
Under his leadership, the Chabad movement was known for its clandestine activities to sustain Judaism throughout the Soviet Union, despite severe religious oppression. He was arrested and sentenced to death by Soviet authorities for his activities in 1927, but international pressure modified his sentence to exile, and he was eventually allowed to leave the Soviet Union. He spent the remainder of his life in the United States, establishing Chabad’s world headquarters in Brooklyn, New York.
Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak was a prolific writer and thinker, and his works include discourses on Jewish mystical thought, Chasidic philosophy, and numerous letters addressing all aspects of Jewish life and learning. His leadership not only preserved but also expanded the reach of the Chabad movement globally. His legacy continues to inspire and guide Chabad Hasidism worldwide.