Closing a Circle: Memorial Plaque of the Lubavitcher Rebbe's Father Placed in the Detention Center Where He Was Imprisoned, on the Anniversary of His Father's Death
On the 20th of Menachem Av, the anniversary of the death of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, an official memorial plaque was placed at the Lukyanivka Detention Center in Kyiv, where he was imprisoned under the Soviet regime. The initiative was led by Rabbi Jonathan Markovitch, Chief Rabbi of Kyiv, and his son Rabbi Ariel Markovitch, in cooperation with the prison administration. The ceremony was attended by the detention center's commander and his deputy, who expressed regret over the injustice done. The plaque includes the story of his imprisonment and a quote from his words, and the book 'Nitzotzei Levi Yitzchak' was presented.
On the 20th of Menachem Av, the anniversary of the death of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, father of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, a historic circle was closed in Kyiv. An official memorial plaque was placed today (Monday) at the Lukyanivka Detention Center, where Rabbi Levi Yitzchak was imprisoned during the Soviet regime, after being arrested and jailed for his steadfastness in preserving Judaism. The initiative was led by Rabbi Jonathan Markovitch, Chabad emissary and Chief Rabbi of Kyiv, who also serves as the rabbi of the Ukrainian prison service, together with his son Rabbi Ariel Markovitch, Chabad emissary in Kyiv and director of Jewish activities in prisons. The two worked with the prison administration to commemorate his memory at the site of his imprisonment. The ceremony was attended by the detention center's commander and his deputy, who together with Rabbi Markovitch set the memorial plaque. The commander expressed regret over the injustice done to Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, who was imprisoned without guilt solely for being a Jewish rabbi, and said this is a painful chapter in history that deserves to be remembered and commemorated. The plaque includes the story of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak's imprisonment alongside a quote from his words about the detention period. Additionally, the book 'Nitzotzei Levi Yitzchak', based on his teachings, was presented to the detention center and will be displayed there for the benefit of Jewish prisoners. Rabbi Markovitch said: 'There is deep meaning in the fact that specifically on the yahrzeit of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak we merit to place a memorial plaque in the place where his freedom was taken away only because he was a rabbi who spread Judaism.' He added: 'This is a historical correction and a moving closing of a circle; in the place where they tried to silence the voice of Judaism, there is now a memorial site that tells the story of his heroism and devotion.'