On the 20th of Menachem Av, the day of the passing of the Kabbalist Rabbi Levi Yitzhak Schneerson zt"l, father of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, a historic circle was closed in Kiev: an official commemorative plaque was placed in the Lukyanovka detention center where he was imprisoned 87 years ago by the Soviet regime, due to his firm stance on preserving Judaism.
The commemoration was carried out after prolonged efforts by Rabbi Yonatan Markowitz, Chabad emissary and rabbi of Kiev, who also serves as rabbi of the Ukrainian Prison Service, together with his son Rabbi Ariel Markowitz - Chabad emissary in Kiev and director of Jewish activities in prisons, who worked together with the prison administration to commemorate his memory in the place where he was imprisoned.
The ceremony was attended by the commander of the detention center and his deputy, who, together with Rabbi Markowitz, installed the commemorative plaque.
During the ceremony, the commander of the detention center expressed his sorrow for the injustice done to Rabbi Levi Yitzhak, who served as the rabbi of the city of Yekaterinoslav (Dnepropetrovsk), who was imprisoned without any wrongdoing simply because he was a rabbi, and said that this is a painful chapter in history that deserves to be remembered and commemorated.
The commemorative plaque includes the story of Rabbi Levi Yitzhak's imprisonment, alongside a quote from his words about the period of detention.
In addition, the detention center was presented with the book 'Nitzotzi Levi Yitzhak', based on the teachings of Rabbi Levi Yitzhak, and it will be displayed there for the benefit and use of the Jewish prisoners.
'"There is a deep significance to the fact that on the day of Rabbi Levi Yitzhak's death, we are honored to erect a memorial plaque at the place where he was deprived of his freedom simply because he was a rabbi who spread Judaism," said Rabbi Markowitz. "This is a historical correction and an exciting 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 the heroism and dedication of Rabbi Levi Yitzhak, the father of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.".
