New Shluchim to Arizona

By COLlive reporter

A new young Lubavitch couple was recently appointed as the Chabad Shluchim to Goodyear, a city in Maricopa County, Arizona.

Rabbi Berel Zaklikofsky and and his wife Chana (nee Levertov) will be spearheading Jewish activities locally and in the nearby cities of Avondale, Litchfield Park and Buckeye, considered “the Gateway to California.”

Berel was born and raised by parents who are on Shlichus in Detroit, Michigan. He learned in Chabad Yeshivas in Manchester, UK and Miami, Florida and was chosen to go on shlichus to Sydney, Australia.

Besides for his studies, he has traveled over 20,000 miles on behalf of the Merkos Shlichus Roving Rabbis program and the Aleph Institute helping Jews in far-flung areas and prisoners to reconnect with their heritage.

Zaklikofsky was also a teacher in Yeshiva Ateres Menachem in Ottawa for 2 years. He connects with 100 of their alumni worldwide with occasional farbrengens and shiurim.

Chana was born and educated in Crown Heights. Among her accomplishments is her 3 years of Shlichus in Portland, Oregon, working for Head Shliach Rabbi Moshe Wilhelm.

The two told COLlive.com they were very excited to move to the southwestern region of the United States. An estimated 3,000 Jews are living in the area they are moving to.

“Only 5-10 years ago it was all cotton fields,” they said. “Between 2000 and 2008 the area was rated one of the top 5 fastest growing cities in the nation.”

“One woman told us, “We really need Chabad here,” adding that Chabad are successful everywhere else and she knows we will be a success here too,” Rabbi Zaklikofsky said.

They were appointed by Head Shliach Rabbi Zalman and Tzippy Levertov, Directors of Chabad of Arizona.

To help the new Shluchim by committing to a monthly (or one time) donation please email: [email protected]