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Chassidim Rally for Shliach Who Led Iran Rescue

As Rabbi Sholem Ber Hecht, prominent shliach and CEO of NCFJE, continues to recover from a health incident, family, friends, shluchim and chassidim have rallied to do mitzvos in his merit. Plus: Pirsum Rishon • Full Article, Watch

Shluchim, Anash, friends, and family of Rabbi Sholem Ber Hecht – senior shliach to Queens, longtime rabbi of the Sephardic Jewish Congregation & Center of Forest Hills, and CEO of the National Committee for the Furtherance of Jewish Education (NCFJE) – have been rallying with tefilos, mitzvah campaigns, and special initiatives in his merit following a serious health incident.

Rabbi Sholom Ber Hecht was born in 1946 in Brooklyn, New York, the firstborn of the famed Chabad activist and devoted chossid Rabbi JJ Hecht and his wife, Rebbetzin Chave Hecht. From his earliest days, he was instilled with a deep sense of devotion to the Rebbe and a lifelong commitment to fulfilling the Rebbe’s wishes with selfless dedication. After marrying Rebbetzin Channah (née Gutnick), he began forging his own path in rabbinic leadership and Chabad outreach.

In 1976, Rabbi Hecht became the rabbi of the Sephardic Jewish Congregation & Center of Forest Hills in Queens. In that role, he developed strong ties with the local Iranian Jewish community. In 1979, he traveled to Iran to inspire and encourage the Jewish community in their Torah observance and mitzvah fulfillment.

During his visit, the Islamic Revolution erupted, drastically changing the situation on the ground. In response, Rabbi Hecht’s mission shifted from outreach to rescue. Over the following years, he played a central role in the dramatic rescue of thousands of Jewish students and refugees from Iran, which had become increasingly dangerous for its Jewish population. That chapter of his life resonates now more than ever, as the world closely watches the unfolding events in Iran. He recently authored and published a book recounting that experience, titled Escape from Iran.

Following that remarkable chapter of his life, Rabbi Hecht continued his lifelong commitment to Chabad activism and leadership. He served in a range of roles, including as a teacher of science and religion at the Beth Rivkah Girls Seminary in Brooklyn, interpreter for The Rebbe’s live public addresses, translator of the Rebbe’s sichos for Sichos in English, and editor of English-language Chabad publications. He also serves as the senior Chabad Shliach to Queens.

On 15 Av, 5750, the Hecht family was struck by tragedy. Their father, Rabbi JJ Hecht, then in the prime of his life and at the height of his activism, suddenly collapsed and passed away. With countless initiatives, projects, and institutions under his leadership, new leadership was urgently needed.

It was the Rebbe himself who urged Rabbi Sholom Ber Hecht to step into his father’s role as head of NCFJE. This is clearly seen in a previously unpublished ma’ana from the Rebbe, which the Hecht family is releasing now for the first time, as a merit for Rabbi Sholom Ber’s complete recovery.

In a note written by Rabbi Binyomin Klein, one of The Rebbe’s secretaries, following a conversation with Rabbi Sholom Ber, he recorded: “Sholom Ber told me that if he would know that it is the Rebbe’s wish that he take upon himself the position, without any doubt he would accept it upon himself.”

The Rebbe personally crossed out the words “would know that it is,” leaving: “the Rebbe’s desire that he take upon himself the role.” He then added in his own handwriting: “And it should be in a good and auspicious hour. And in the language of Chazal: k’ish echad b’lev echad.”

Essentially, the Rebbe was personally guiding Rabbi Sholom Ber to assume his father Rabbi JJ Hecht’s role as full successor, while simultaneously giving his bracha that this be done in a spirit of unity with his siblings, who are themselves accomplished Chabad activists.

Rabbi Sholom Ber went on to fulfill both of these directives. He assumed the role of CEO of NCFJE while also establishing an executive committee that included his brothers, Rabbi Shea Hecht and Rabbi Shimon Hecht, as well as his brother-in-law, Rabbi Shloma L. Abramowitz.

Rabbi Sholom Ber’s leadership, undertaken in accordance with the Rebbe’s guidance, was officially recognized by Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch, which acknowledged him as the head shliach of NCFJE with the authority to appoint shluchim under its umbrella.

On Shabbos morning, Parshas Vayishlach 5785, Rabbi Sholem Ber Hecht suffered a fall and entered into a coma. Chassidim, Shluchim, and thousands around the world joined his fourteen children and extended family in heartfelt tefilos for his recovery. Baruch Hashem, he has been slowly recovering and has undergone treatment in several rehabilitation facilities.

Nonetheless, 185 days later, he remains in need of continued tefilos and a complete refuah sheleimah.

In his merit, family and friends have launched a number of meaningful initiatives as he continues his journey of recovery. A new Sefer Torah was written, yeshivos dedicated days of learning, and countless acts of Torah, tzedakah, and mitzvos have been undertaken.

As part of these efforts, and to mark Rabbi Sholom Ber’s 79th birthday on 23 Sivan, l’orech yomim v’shonim tovos, the family launched an international Sheva Mitzvos campaign, with several initiatives to spread awareness of the Sheva Mitzvos among all people. The most recent initiative is the production of a custom card, created in partnership with Chabad.org, which will be sent as a gift to all the shluchim across America.

These efforts are a tribute to the decades that Rabbi Hecht has served as a deeply respected rabbinic leader, educator, and humanitarian, with a legacy that spans Sephardic and Ashkenazic communities, youth outreach, international rescue efforts, and the global propagation of Chabad values. All this is done with the heartfelt tefillah that he merit a complete and speedy refuah sheleimah, and live to see the continued success of his life’s work, both through NCFJE and the miraculous conclusion of his historic efforts in Iran.

Please continue to keep Sholom Dov Ber ben Chava in mind in your Torah, tefillah, and tzedakah, especially on his birthday, 23 Sivan.