Nikolayev.pdf

Nikolayev, Ukraine, was the birthplace of the Rebbe and played a significant role in Chabad history. The city was founded in 1789 as a shipyard for the Russian navy, and many Jews settled there. However, in 1829, the Jewish community was expelled, except for a small group that remained due to the intervention of Mume Leah, a Jewish woman married to the non-Jewish Military Governor.

In 1850, Harav Avraham Dovid Lavut, a Chossid of the Tzemach Tzedek, joined the community and became the rav. The city became a thriving Jewish community, with many Chabad Chassidim settling there. The leadership of the community remained in the Rebbe's family, with Harav Avraham Dovid Lavut being succeeded by his grandson, Harav Meir Shlomo Yanovsky, and later by Harav Shmuel Schneerson.

Nikolayev was known for its joy and breitkeit, and the Chassidim were famous for their niggunim, with over 60 melodies preserved to this day. The city had two shuls, "Chabad" and "shpitz Chabad," which served as the "strike force" of the Lubavitcher Rebbe's dedicated Chassidim. Despite the challenges faced by the Jewish community, including the spread of socialism and Zionism, the Chassidim of Nikolayev remained determined to preserve their faith and traditions.