Baruch Dayan, the truth teller: In New Jersey, the cantor and prayer leader, the Hasidic Rabbi Berel (Berella) Salzman, passed away tonight (Tuesday) at the age of 92. His unique voice touched hearts and his life story is intertwined with heroic devotion to Hasidism and Judaism behind the Iron Curtain.,
The late, who was a living testament to the steadfast Jewish spirit that did not succumb to Soviet oppression, when his extraordinary musical talent became a tool for spreading the springs of Hasidism and strengthening broken hearts, was born in Kharkov, Ukraine, in 1932, to his father, Rabbi Avraham Salzman - from a Hasidic family that was known for its musical roots and in the world of cantorship.
From a young age, the rare talent bestowed upon him by the Creator was evident, and in the underground synagogue where his family secretly guarded the embers of the Torah under the strict communist regime, worshippers predicted a bright future for him in the world of music and prayer.
As he grew older, he became a well-known and highly sought-after figure in public life in the Soviet Union, appearing as a popular and classical singer on state radio networks, but his heart and thoughts were always devoted to a much higher goal – preserving the spiritual lives of his Jewish brothers.
Upon reaching his maturity, he married his wife Chaya Esther, daughter of the great Rabbi Yehuda Botrashvili.
Alongside his public career, the late Rabbi was deeply involved in underground Chabad activities in Russia, and for several years hosted an underground yeshiva in his private home in the city of Samarkand, under the noses of the communist regime and at enormous personal risk.
For 14 years, he served as a cantor and prayer leader in underground synagogues, utilizing his powerful voice and his knowledge of Hasidic music and prayer to inspire and bring together many young Jews who were cut off from their roots.
In his final years in the Soviet Union, he was appointed chief cantor at the Great Synagogue of one of the major cities, and even received a prestigious offer to serve as chief cantor of the Great Synagogue in Moscow, but he refused the position for fear that it would thwart his many efforts to leave the country.
In 1971, after five nerve-wracking years of stubborn struggle with the authorities, he finally received the long-awaited exit permit.
Together with his wife and their six children, he fulfilled his lifelong dream and immigrated to the Holy Land, leaving behind years of sacrifice and persecution.
That same year, in preparation for the Tishrei holidays, he traveled for the first time to see the Lubavitcher Rebbe, the late Rebbe.
Rabbi Salzman, who was a Chabad Hasid in every way, even during the dark years in Russia, received immense honor when, at the Rebbe's instruction, he approached the prayer stand and led the Rosh Hashanah Musaf prayer at the Chabad Center's 770 World Center.
Those present at that historic event still remember the pulsating prayer that shook the walls of the Beit Midrash and left an indelible impression on thousands of Hasidim.
After that holiday, he received tempting offers to stay and serve as a cantor in prestigious and wealthy Jewish communities. Despite the temptation, he chose to heed the direct guidance of the Lubavitcher Rebbe and settled in the Nahalat Har Chabad neighborhood of Kiryat Malachi, where he made his home among the Hasidic community.
Only in 1954, again following the explicit direction of the Rebbe, who saw the great need to bring immigrants from Russia closer, did he move his residence to the United States and begin working among the communities of ex-Soviet Jews in Los Angeles, California - where he became a beloved and revered figure.
Later in their lives, in 1992, Rabbi Salzman and his wife moved to Pierre Lone, New Jersey, where they established the 'Brit Avraham' community for Russian Jews, and continued to spread the springs of Hasidism, the love of Torah, and the sweetness of prayer.
He left behind a glorious legacy of Hasidic music, ardent faith, and uncompromising dedication to the continuity of the Jewish people even in the darkest days.
He left behind many children and descendants:
His son, Rabbi Yosef Yitzhak Salzman - Chabad Mishluchei in Toronto, Canada.
His son, Rabbi Baruch Mordechai Salzman - founder and director of Yeshiva Or Temimim in Toronto, Canada.
His son, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Saltzman - Chabad emissary in Fair Lawn, New Jersey.
His daughter, Mrs. Shaina, wife of Rabbi Shraga Feivel Braud - Crown Heights.
His daughter, Mrs. Rivka, wife of Rabbi Aharon Sirota - Chabad Mishluchei in Denver, Colorado.
His daughter, Mrs. Shaterna Sarah, wife of Rabbi Mordechai Kanelsky - Chabad Mishluchei in New Jersey who works with the Russian community within the framework of the 'Brit Avraham' organization.
His daughter, Mrs. Rachel, wife of Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Tussov - Chabad Mishluchei in Calgary, Canada.
His funeral will take place today at 2:15 PM in front of the Chabad Center-770 on its way to the Montefiore Life Center in Queens, where he will be laid to rest.
