Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Hecht (17 Shevat 5677 - 24 Menachem Av 5739) was an emissary of the Rebbe Rayatz (Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn) and the Rebbe (Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson) to Chicago. He was one of the pioneers in spreading Judaism in the United States under the guidance of the Lubavitcher Rebbes.

Rabbi Shlomo Zalman was born in 1917 to his father, Rabbi Yehoshua Hecht, one of the early Chabad Chassidim in the United States, and his mother, Sarah, daughter of Rabbi Yehoshua Aster. He was the eldest of six siblings, followed by Moshe Yitzchak, Avraham Dov, Yaakov Yehuda, Peretz, and Shalom.

While studying at the Torah Vodaas yeshiva, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman, along with his brother Rabbi Avraham Dov Hecht, became close to Rabbi Yisroel Jacobson, who taught Tanya and other Chassidic works to a group of students called 'Achei Tmimim.'

On 3 Nisan 5698 (1938), he became engaged to Chaya Sarah, the eldest daughter of Rabbi Yisroel Jacobson, his Chassidus teacher. After the engagement, the groom removed his beard, as was customary at the time. The wedding took place on 3 Elul that year. Following their marriage, they traveled to Poland so that Rabbi Shlomo Zalman could study at the Tomchei Tmimim yeshiva.

In 1939, with the onset of World War II, the American consulate instructed the Hecht brothers to leave Otwock due to the impending war. With the Rebbe's blessing, they boarded a ship and returned to the United States, accompanied by other American students who had come to study at the yeshiva and were among the few to survive the Holocaust.

Upon his return to the U.S., Rabbi Shlomo Zalman was involved in efforts to transfer the Rebbe Rayatz's library from Europe to America. The Rebbe legally registered the manuscripts in the names of Rabbi Yisroel Jacobson and Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Hecht, which later became crucial evidence during the court case over the library's ownership.

In 5703 (1943), Rabbi Shlomo Zalman was sent to Chicago to spread Judaism, following the instructions of the Rebbe Rayatz, and served as the rabbi of the local community. He served in this capacity for nearly 40 years until his passing in 5739 (1979).

Rabbi Shlomo Zalman was known for his dedication to outreach, connecting with Jews from all walks of life and strengthening their Jewish identity. He conducted popular radio programs in Yiddish and English and was a sought-after speaker, reaching many with his eloquence and warmth.

He passed away on Erev Shabbat, Parshat Re'eh, 24 Menachem Av 5739. His funeral took place the same day, with the participation of the yeshiva students, following the directive of the Rebbe. The Rebbe even attended the burial at the Montefiore Cemetery, standing outside the site during the entire ceremony, which was notable as the Rebbe rarely attended funerals, especially after his heart attack in 5738 (1977).

חבדפדיה