Rabbi Yechiel Michel Yehudah Leib Zalmanov (10th of Elul, 5686 – 25th of Tevet, 5777) was the secretary of Tzeirei Agudas Chabad in Eretz HaKodesh and one of the founders of the Chabad community in Bnei Brak. He was born to his father, Reb Shmuel Zalmanov, a shochet, on the 10th of Elul, 5686 (1926), in the city of Kursk, Russia. As a child, he moved to the city of Kremenchug, where he studied at the Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva under the guidance of the chassidic educator Reb Bentzion Maroz. In 5696 (1936), he immigrated with his family to Eretz HaKodesh, settling in Tel Aviv, and began studying at the Achei Temimim Yeshiva in the city.
In 5712 (1952), he enlisted in the IDF and served as a military chaplain. He used this service as an opportunity to spread Judaism among the soldiers. He organized lectures and study days for them and published the Rebbe’s teachings in the military magazine Machanayim. For this work, he maintained a correspondence with the Rebbe and received guidance from him.
In 5713 (1953), he won a raffle for a ticket to travel to the Rebbe, becoming the first winner from Eretz HaKodesh. Due to his position as a military chaplain, it was challenging for him to obtain exit permission, but he eventually succeeded in traveling a year later, in Iyar 5714 (1954). During the Shabbat Mevarchim Sivan farbrengen, the Rebbe spoke about soldiers, saying: “Since there is one present from the military, who is also an officer, a religious officer with a full beard, and in the military they sing the 'March,' let him ensure that a 'March' is sung here.” During this visit, he had a private audience with the Rebbe and received directives for his activities in the military. The Rebbe instructed him to illustrate to soldiers the concept of kabbalat ol (acceptance of the yoke of authority) by comparing it to military discipline, where every soldier obeys the commands of his superior, and even a high-ranking officer submits to the orders of those above him. From this, one learns the importance of “Naaseh V'Nishma” (we will do and we will hear). Four years later, he won the raffle for the second time.
He married his wife, Mrs. Hania Malka, daughter of Reb Fishel and Sarah Esther Herzog, and settled in Bnei Brak. He was one of the founders of the Chabad community in the city and spread the teachings of Chassidus through the classes he delivered and more.
In Sivan 5718 (1958), he was appointed as the director of the Beit Rivka girls’ school in Kfar Chabad. Later, he managed the Chabad Talmud Torah in Bnei Brak.
He was one of the mashpi'im of the Chabad synagogue on Avraham Street in Bnei Brak.
He passed away on the 25th of Tevet, 5777 (2017).
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