Legendary Transcriber of Lubavitcher Rebbe’s Speeches Dies at 91

BROOKLYN (VINnews) – Rabbi Yoel Cohen, a preeminent expert on the teachings of the last Lubavitcher Rebbe, passed away on Thursday at a Manhattan hospital.

Recognized even as a child in Israel for his prodigious memory, Rabbi Kahn came to New York in 1950 where he became the primary memorizer and transcriber of the 7th Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, whose lengthy speeches were often given on Shabbos when they could not be written down.

Rabbi Cohen was present for every public discourse given by Rabbi Schneerson, from the very first one given in the winter of 1951, until his final speech in the winter of 1992. A well known influence in the Chabad world for years, Rabbi Cohen had tens of thousands of students and his lectures were widely attended.

Rabbi Cohen was 91 at the time of his passing. His funeral will be held on Friday morning at Shomrei Hadas Chapels in Borough Park and will continue to Lubavitch World Headquarters, with burial taking place at Montefiore Cemetery in Queens in close proximity to Rabbi Schneerson’s final resting place.