By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Chaim Swued, a spiritual leader of the Jewish community in Mexico and a Chabad Shliach, has passed away Shabbos after suffering from lung cancer. He was 67.
Popularly called “Chacham Swued” by the locals, he is credited with engaging many Mexico City Jews through extensive outreach work and discreetly advising married couples and singles on various issues.
Born to an observant Jewish family in Argentina, young Chaim Swued was sent to learn at the Central Lubavitch Yeshiva – 770 in Brooklyn, NY. It was there that he received ‘kiruvim’ from the Rebbe and was close to the Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Mordechai Mentlik.
After marrying his wife Miriam Goelman, Rabbi Swued decided to answer the call and go on Shlichus. The Rebbe sent him to the capital city of Mexico.
His Sephardic roots served him well as local Jews connected with his warm personally and saw him as a spiritual figure, as the rabbi of Congregation Bais Yosef and his other roles in the community.
“It was not always easy,” a family member told COLlive. “Some in the community were jealous of his success and made it hard for him. Whenever he asked the Rebbe permission to leave, the answer he got was ‘Chas V’Shalom.’
“His influence in the community was tremendous and I guess the Rebbe saw the importance of him staying at his post. He saved countless Jewish souls over the years,” COLlive was told.
He is survived by his wife Miriam and children dedicated to Shlichus: Rochel Levy – Shlucha to Buenos Aires, Argentina; Rosa Cohen – Shlucha to Montreal, Canada; Rabbi Eliyahu Swued – Shliach to Barranquilla, Colombia; Naomi Heber – Crown Heights and Shevy Piekarski – Shlucha to Bogota, Colombia.
The funeral will take place in New York on Sunday leaving from Shomrei Hadas Chapels at 12 pm and will be passing by 770 at 12:30 pm.
Jajam sued; no hay palabras para expresar nuestro sentimiento para con toda su extraordinaria familia. Nosotros le debemos nuestro matrimonio y nuestra familia a el, sus consejos y su guia estaran con nosotros por siempre. Jacobo y Sylvia rahel Askenazi. Mexico city.
thank you!
the family is sitting shiva at the hebers house 472 malbone st. 3rd floor.
anyone know where the family is sitting shiva? in ny? or elsewhere??
From all your friends in CAlifornia: Hamakom Yenchem Eschem Besoich Shaar avelie tzion verushalaim.
chacham swed was a true chosid given over entirely to the rebbes things. one thing about him was that he never took anything for-granted, when ever I would call him and ask how’s he doing he would always “boruch hashem yom yom”! after a meal he would always say “boruch hashem”. a true person who belived in everything about he was doing.he will be missed ementsly and he is very loved by anyone who knew him.
we need moshiach now, its too much to handle!
ninyo
to rabbi eliyahu and family
hamokom yenachem eschem bsuch shar availay yerushalaim
Boruj Dayan haemes, were very sorry to hear about the passing of such a great chossid. We want to send our condolences, from all the kehilla in Bogota to our dearest Rebetzin Shevy, Rabbi Yossi, their mother all the Swued family. Hamokom yenachem etchem betok havelei tzion veyerushalayim.
for writing such a respectful farewell to a Shliach who is worthy of it
what a wounderful person..
a true chosid and a mentsch…
we will miss him…
may he be a gute better…
Chacham Swued was a great man and received many kiruvim from the Rebbe. He stayed in Mexico City because the Rebbe sent him and lived every day of his life as a true soldier of the Rebbe. All his children are on Shlichus ….therefore Mitoso Shleima….tehe nofsho tsrura bitror hachaim
Rabbi Chayim Swued obm, was a true Shliach of the Rebbe in Mexico. He and his wife Miriam, may she live and be well, were Moser Nefesh to raise their children as Lubavitcher Chasidim. They sent their childtren away from home at a young age. Two of the daughters, Rochel and Shevy lived with us from 7th grde on. What wonderful and exceptional daughters! They are Zoche that their children are all Shluchim.
May Hashem Comfort the entire Swued family. Rabbi Dovid and Henya Laine