Schneerson Menachem Mendel
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902-1994), known as the Lubavitcher Rebbe, was a towering figure in Judaism in the 20th century. He was the seventh and last Rebbe of the Chabad-Lubavitch dynasty, which he led from 1950 until his death. Under his leadership, Chabad-Lubavitch became one of the world's most widespread Jewish movements. The Rebbe was born in Nikolaev, Ukraine, and was recognized early on for his exceptional intellect and spiritual depth. He pursued secular studies at the University of Berlin and the Sorbonne in Paris, before escaping Europe during WWII and settling in the United States in 1941. In America, he initially served at the Brooklyn headquarters of Chabad-Lubavitch, and became Rebbe after the passing of his father-in-law, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, in 1950. As Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson was known for his extensive outreach initiatives, which aimed to rejuvenate Jewish life across the globe after the Holocaust. He emphasized education and the importance of the individual, launching numerous programs that are still active today. These include the international network of Chabad Houses, the Shluchim emissaries program, and a host of educational and social services. His teachings, which blend rigorous analysis with mystical insights, have been published in many volumes and continue to inspire. Despite his passing in 1994, the Rebbe's influence persists through his writings and the ongoing activities of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement.