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By Beis Moshiach Magazine and Chabadinfo

The heavy rain that flooded the plaza in front of 770 in Kfar Chabad seemed to join the tears of thousands of Chabad Chassidim who gathered for the levaya of the shliach, Rabbi Zvi HaKohen Kogan. As the Daled Bavos emerged from thousands of mouths, they brokenheartedly escorted the young man who fell while on shlichus in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

No eulogies were delivered, as per Chabad minhag—but farewell words stirred the hearts to think and reflect on the terrible event, and to call out to beneath the Kisei HaKavod: The time of Geulah has finally arrived.

In the same place, in the same days before the Kinus HaShluchim, and the great pain returns with those same scenes from 16 years ago. When thousands from across the country came to escort the couple, Rabbi and Mrs. Gavriel Noach and Rivky Holtzberg, the Rebbe’s shluchim, who were murdered al kiddush Hashem in their Chabad House in Mumbai, days before the Kinus HaShluchim.

PILLAR OF THE COMMUNITY

The entire Jewish people was enveloped in mourning and sorrow on Sunday Morning (UAE time), when the horrific news arrived that after two days of extensive searches, the body of the Rebbe’s shliach in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the holy Rabbi Zvi Kogan, may God avenge his blood, 28, was found after being brutally murdered.

According to reports, special forces in the United Arab Emirates located the murder victim in the city of Al Ain, an hour and a half drive from Dubai, with signs of violence on his body.

Upon learning the difficult news, heavy mourning descended on the Rebbe’s shluchim throughout the Jewish world, as well as on the entire Anash community – but more so on the Jewish community and the Rebbe’s shluchim in the United Arab Emirates, as Rabbi Kogan was one of the pillars of the community, assistant to the shliach and rabbi of the local Jewish community, Rabbi Levi Duchman.

Rabbi Kogan worked in recent years to establish and expand Jewish life in the Emirates. Among his many achievements were establishing the first Jewish educational center in the Gulf and providing strictly kosher food for local Jewish community members and the many tourists who visit to the country.

YEARS OF GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

R’ Zvi was born in Yerushalayim on the 26th of Menachem-Av 5756, to his parents, Rabbi and Mrs. Alexander and Etel Kogan, from the Ramat Shlomo neighborhood in Yerushalayim. In his youth, he studied at the Meoz Chayil yeshiva for bachurim in Yerushalayim, then at the Rabbeinu Chaim Ozer yeshiva in Bnei Brak and the Mir Yeshiva.

Over the years, he and his brother R’ Reuven drew closer to the Chabad movement. In 5780, Kogan joined his older brother Reuven and the Chabad rabbinical team in the United Arab Emirates. Initially, he began handling the basic physical needs of the Chabad House – reservations, team management, and logistics. He was also very involved in building the first mikvah in Dubai, which was completed in 5781. Over time, he became the right hand of the Shliach Rabbi Duchman.

On the 5th of Adar II 5782, he married his wife, Rivky, from the Spielman family from Crown Heights, the niece of Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, Hy’d, the Rebbe’s shliach in India, who was murdered in a terrorist attack in Mumbai 16 years ago.

Ari Katz, Zvi’s friend, said that at his wedding, R’ Zvi wore the suit of his relative Gabi Holtzberg. “Before the wedding, I told him, ‘A chassan wears a new suit,’ but he answered with a line that is all the more poignant today: ‘If to die, then to die al kiddush Hashem,’ and this was indeed a part of his life.”

“Zvi was one of the most well-known people in the Dubai community,” Ari Katz adds. “A man of action, of helping those in need. Endless messages and phone calls, no matter what time, he would always be there to help everyone.”

After their wedding, the Kogan couple moved permanently to the Emirates. Rivky taught at the local Jewish school, and Zvi managed logistics at the Chabad center in Abu Dhabi.

One of his close friends spoke about him: “He was a smiling person who never said ‘no’ to anyone, always helped and assisted every person. Everyone was properly squared away thanks to him; he always knew how to guide and help. He was a humble person who honored his parents in a special way; a yerei shomayim and always modest. His sense of gratitude was legendary.”

Zvi Kogan maintained a close connection with the Jewish residents who made the United Arab Emirates their home in recent years. He is especially remembered for his natural kindness.

“Zvi was the heart of people, like a brother to everyone he met,” said an Israeli businessman in Abu Dhabi who wished to remain anonymous. “He was a nice guy who was very active in the community. His family is devastated and the Israeli and Jewish community is shocked. Kogan also established and managed the community’s kosher supermarket.”

“I ate at their home every Shabbos – myself and at least 20 others,” says another member of the local Jewish community. “When I went through a difficult separation, Zvi accompanied me through it; he was there for me. And I was just one of the people; there were many others he helped. The hospitality he and Rivky offered was unimaginable. I can’t believe he’s gone.”

Rabbi Itzik Sandroi, head of the Chabad Mitzpe-Yitzhar Yeshiva, who was Zvi’s teacher, said: “My connection with Zvi began five years ago when a talmid of mine brought him to the yeshiva. He studied with the bachurim, guided and was with them. He was a goodhearted person with infinite giving.”

He added, “From his military salary, he donated to yeshiva students from families in poor economic situations or contributed to helping soldiers. When he started his shlichus work in Dubai, we were in regular contact. We were on a trip to kivrei tzaddikim in Russia and when we returned, we passed through Dubai, and during the layover, he took the entire yeshiva to his brother’s house, arranged taxis for everyone, organized a big meal with songs and musical instruments, and that was our last experience with him. That was him. He was the Rebbe’s shliach in the simplest sense. In every place, whether in the army, in the yeshiva, or in Dubai, he always felt the need to take care of everyone, down to the smallest details. A very special young man.”

Two days before his disappearance, he met his friend Dudi Kapler, who shared their encounter: “Zvi told me that the security expenses per month are enormous, due to the security situation and the war in Eretz Yisrael. Everything is photographed and documented to allay any suspicion. He was humble and did not want to be photographed.”

In his parents’ neighborhood of Ramat Shlomo they also speak of his character. He would always come to minyan when kohanim were missing to bless the people of Israel with love. “He was a golden person, everyone always wanted to be in his company,” said one of his neighbors.

CONCERN, WORRY, AND PAIN

On Thursday, the 20th of Cheshvan 5785, R’ Zvi disappeared without leaving any trace. Suspicion began when he did not arrive for planned meetings during the day. After he did not contact his family, his wife turned to the Chabad House’s security officer, who contacted the authorities. The local police and the Israeli Mossad began investigating the case, and his disappearance was reported in the global media.

The investigation revealed that three Uzbeks followed him after he left the grocery store, and the suspicion is that they are the ones who murdered him. Kogan’s car was found abandoned the next day in the Al Ain area, an hour and a half drive from Dubai.

According to the report, the murderers flew to Turkey but were extradited at the request of the United Arab Emirates government and are now behind bars, awaiting trial.

The next day, the Interior Ministry of the United Arab Emirates announced that Kogan’s murderers were captured. They emphasized that a special investigation team was immediately established upon receiving the report of his disappearance, which led to finding the victim’s body, identifying suspects, and arresting them. Legal proceedings were already initiated.

The ministry noted that Kogan entered the country with a Moldovan passport and described him as a Moldovan citizen. In their statement, they highlighted: “The speed with which the murderers were captured demonstrates our commitment to dealing with all those who undermine societal stability. The full investigation details will be made public later.” According to the report, the investigation was completely classified.

Israeli government officials closely monitored the situation. In a joint statement from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Foreign Ministry, they declared Kogan’s murder a “heinous anti-Semitic terrorist act” and pledged to use all means to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States (ARIS) also mourned the murder of R’ Kogan, may Hashem avenge his blood, and published a notice of mourning regarding the shocking murder: “We are deeply pained to the core of our being by his murder by wicked people while standing guard over kashrus and holiness. Our colleague and friend, a rabbi of the Jewish community in the United Arab Emirates, a Chabad Shliach, a highly active and pleasant individual with good traits, beloved by Heaven and by people, the holy Rabbi Zvi HaKohen Kogan, may G-d avenge his blood.”

ARIS was established with the aim of connecting and supporting the activities of Rabbonim and Shluchim, who serve Jewish communities in countries and regions where the population is predominantly Muslim. “The pain is immense, oh what we have lost!” the ‘Alliance of Rabbis’ in its mourning message continues. “Our condolences are sent to his wife the Rebbetzin, his parents, and his brother – our partners in holy work – and to the rest of his family… We call upon all members of our communities to strengthen themselves in Torah, prayer, and acts of kindness for the elevation of his pure soul.”

The letter was signed by the esteemed Rabbonim, members of the executive board, and the member rabbis of the Alliance, residing in the countries: Albania, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, Morocco, Nigeria, Tunisia, Turkey, Ivory Coast, Central Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Uganda, as well as those living in the republics of Tatarstan, Shkorotostan, and North Cyprus.

Thousands at the funeral (Photo by Menachem Muati/Chabadinfo)

THOUSANDS MOURN

On Monday night, thousands of Chabad Chassidim from across the country accompanied Kogan’s aron, which arrived by flight from Dubai. The funeral procession began at the famed 770 building in Kfar Chabad, lasting five heart-wrenching hours under heavy rainfall.

The first speaker was the chairman of the village council, Rabbi Shimon Rabinowitz: “We stand today by the bier of the dear and honored shliach, Rabbi Zvi Kogan, who was murdered al kiddush Hashem, for spreading the light of Yiddishkeit and Chassidus. Rabbi Kogan was devoted with all his heart and soul to the shlichus. He beamed a welcoming face and brought dozens of people closer to our Father in Heaven. Rabbi Kogan’s dedication has become an example that obliges each of us to continue the light he spread, to strengthen the work of the shluchim.”

Rabbi Shneur Ashkenazi, the Rav of the kehilla in Rishon L’Tziyon, shook the audience: “We gather in shock and horror to bid farewell to our brother, the shliach to the United Arab Emirates, Rabbi Zvi HaKohen Kogan, may his blood be avenged. Reb Zvi, get up and say that this is all a dream, a wild imagination. What did these predators want from you? To whom have you done harm?”

He added: “You never removed the smile from your face. You never harmed a fly. You only raised people up, illuminated, gave. Zvi, you fell like a soldier at his post. When they wanted to harm Jews in Am Yisrael, they knew where to strike. Not in business centers, not in skyscrapers, not among the wealthy – they struck at the refined soul of Am Yisrael, you, the symbol of purity, kindness, and giving. Reb Zvi, you lived little but you lived a lot.”

Rabbi Meir Ashkenazi, the Rav of Kfar Chabad, also said words of farewell. Subsequently, the Chief Rabbi of Israel, the esteemed Rabbi Kalman Bar, bid farewell: “The Gemara says that it is a good sign for the deceased when it rains. The Holy One, Blessed be He, chose a korban tzibbur; He needed to choose a sacrifice for all of Klal Yisrael – and found no one better than you. You were the korban tzibbur for the entire Am Yisrael. Everyone knew that Reb Zvi was the address for every matter, always with a pleasant demeanor, with a smile, nothing was too big or difficult for you.

“We ask you, shake the throne up there! Am Yisrael can no longer bear it! You are a korban tzibbur, you can do it. Awaken mercy for the shluchim, Chabad Chassidim, and for all of Am Yisrael.”

The Chief Rabbi, Rabbi David Yosef, said: “The shluchim live for the sanctification of Hashem’s name, and now we see, to our sorrow, that they are also being killed for the sanctification of Hashem’s name. The heart is broken, Reb Zvi, you were privileged to be mekadesh sheim shomayim not only among Klal Yisrael but also among the nations of the world,” said the Chief Rabbi of Israel in sorrow. “To the shluchim: Blessed are you and blessed is your lot. Continue with this great mission, do not lose heart.”

The fresh grave of the slain shliach, Hy’d

The shliach and chief rabbi of the United Arab Emirates, Rabbi Levi Duchman, stood resolutely before his friend and colleague, who was murdered in cold blood for being Jewish. He cried out and declared before the multitude in Kfar Chabad and another forty thousand people who watched the live broadcast from around the world:

“We will not be broken. We are not afraid. We are not running away. We will stay, we will build, we will expand, we will develop. I declare that we are founding here and now ‘Beis Zvi,’ a new building of a new Jewish center in the United Arab Emirates. ‘Beis Zvi’ will be a beacon of kindness, giving, light, and joy in the spirit of the holy shliach Rabbi Zvi Kogan, may his memory be a blessing.”

A few minutes passed, and Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law who was watching the live broadcast, posted an exceptionally lengthy message announcing that he and his wife Ivanka are donating one million dollars to the newly announced project!

Just five minutes passed, and his brother Joshua Kushner, who was also excited, responded and wrote, “My wife Carly and I will also donate a million dollars.” Harley Finkelstein responded to his friend’s words and added: “My wife and I, inspired by you, will also donate a million dollars. Thank you, Joshua.”

Thus, already during the funeral, the foundation was laid for the establishment and expansion of the activities of the Rebbe’s shluchim in the United Arab Emirates, with pride and strength, from which redemption and salvation will emerge from this tragedy.

***

Later, the mourners proceeded to the burial on Har Ha’Zeisim in Yerushalayim. The large crowd that gathered near his grave during the burial sang “Ani ma’amim b’vias HaMoshiach” as the heavy rain poured down and the warm tears mingled with the fresh earth.

R’ Zvi, may his memory be a blessing, left behind his devoted wife, Rivky, his parents, his family, his brother and sisters, and a large family of thousands of shluchim.

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