Rabbi Chaim Shmuel Menachem Mendel Liberow (Liberoff, 6th of Tishrei, 5688 - 6th of Nisan, 5780) was one of the prominent Chabad activists in London, England.

He was born on the 6th of Tishrei, 5688 (1927), in Russia to Rabbi Saadia Liberow and Mrs. Miriam Maryasha.

In his youth, he studied at the underground Tomchei Temimim Yeshivas, and in 1947 (5707), he left Russia as part of the great escape operation. He married Mrs. Dabrusha, daughter of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Futerfas, while R. Mendel was imprisoned in Russia.

Public Activity

After his marriage, he settled in London and worked as a shochet. In a letter from 1954 (5714), the Rebbe expressed appreciation for his work, saying: "I was pleased to receive your letter from Rosh Chodesh Sivan, in which you write about your efforts with the shochatim who are slowly progressing towards the study of Chassidus, its teachings, and customs. Surely, as you continue this work with pleasantness and peace, which are the ways of Torah, you will achieve even greater success."

Rabbi Liberow received specific directives from the Rebbe regarding the daily study of Chitas, which were published in the Igrot Kodesh. In a special letter from the early months of the Rebbe’s leadership, he received specific guidance on studying Chumash with Rashi: "Regarding the daily Chumash study, the usual practice is to complete it throughout the day, and if not completed during the day, it can be made up the following night... I have not heard of a strict order in the daily Chumash, Tehillim, Tanya study."

In another exceptional letter dated 28th of Sivan, 5717 (1957), the Rebbe wrote to him about the daily Tehillim study, emphasizing that, in times of necessity, the monthly Tehillim reading should start immediately after prayers and be completed throughout the day.

Regarding his work with Chabad’s Women’s Organization, the Rebbe advised: "It is proper to read the talks of the Rebbeim at the meetings of the Chabad Women’s Organization. While reading secular books can be harmful, it is known that progress must be gradual, especially with women, as reflected in our sages’ interpretation of the giving of the Torah, where Hashem told Moshe to speak gently to the women of Beit Yaakov."

On the 8th of Tammuz, 5718 (1958), he received another letter from the Rebbe addressing various topics, including vaccination. The Rebbe wrote: "Regarding the injection being given, it is done by the majority of those currently in their region, and it should be done for good health and blessing."

On the 8th of Elul, 5731 (1971), his wife tragically passed away in a car accident in London at the age of 36, leaving him with 11 children, the youngest just a few months old. Rabbi Liberow himself was severely injured in the accident and was given the additional name "Chaim." Two weeks later, he received a letter from the Rebbe with his new name.

He was involved in the Mivtza Matzah campaign, particularly among the Lithuanian rabbis in London, as well as in the Tefillin campaign even before the Rebbe officially launched it in 1967 (5727). He also raised funds for Tzach (Lubavitch Youth Organization) in Israel and worked for the Chernobyl Children’s Project through Tzach in Israel.

He passed away on the 6th of Nisan, 5780 (2020), at the age of 92, having raised a blessed family.

חבדפדיה