Ep. 60: How American Chassidim Were Made with Rabbi Leibel Altein

In this episode, Rabbi Leibel Altein of Crown Heights shares fascinating stories and memories spanning generations of Chabad.

He speaks about his grandfather, Reb Yisroel Jacobson, his early years in Lubavitch and his close involvement with the Frierdiker Rebbe and the Rebbe, as well as his pioneering askanus in the early years of Chabad in America. He also discusses his father’s becoming close to Lubavitch through his future father in law, Reb Yisroel Jacobson, his various Shlichus’n, and especially his shlichus in the Bronx.

Rabbi Altein shares the fascinating story of the esrogim from Calabria that his grandfather began preparing for the Frierdiker Rebbe and later the Rebbe, including unique details about the Rebbe’s esrog purchases.

He discusses his own upbringing and shlichus in Australia, and especially his remarkable work preparing Likkutei Sichos for the Rebbe to edit. He shares details of this unique zchus, along with personal stories with the Rebbe.

The episode also explores Rabbi Altein’s lifelong involvement in Hafatzas Hamayanos, including Heichel Menachem and Chassidus Mevu’eres.