Rabbi Yehuda Leib "Leibel" Alevsky

Rabbi Leibel Alevsky, 86,

Reb Yehuda Leib Ben Reb Chayim Boruch Alevsky Zt'l passed on the third of Iyar 5786, April 20, 2026, at the age of 85 in is home in University Heights, Ohio.

Builder of Jewish Life in Cleveland

Rabbi Alevsky has served as Executive Director of Chabad of Cleveland since 1972. Under his stewardship, Chabad in Cleveland has grown to encompass a string of institutions serving college students, children with special needs, families, and everyone else.

Born in Soviet Russia, he was raised as part of the Chabad underground, where Judaism was secretly kept under the watchful eyes of Stalin’s minions.

After escaping to the west, he was educated in Israel and France. After a decade of organizing activities for Chabad Youth Organization in New York, he was dispatched by the Rebbe to Cleveland, where he remained for the rest of his life.

In addition to his wife, Devorah, he is survived by his children,

Sarah Freedman - Bahia Blanca, Argentina

Chani Glitzenstein - Maaleh Efraim, Israel

Kaila Sasonkin - Akron, Ohio

Chayim Boruch Alevsky - Cleveland, Ohio

Miriam Greenberg - Solon, Ohio

Dinie Greenberg - Shanghai, China

Estie Marozov - Pepper Pike, Ohio

Rochie Sudak - London, UK

Rivky Friedman - Brooklyn, New York

Mendy Alevsky - Cleveland, Ohio

as well as countless grandchildren and great-grandchildren serving as Chabad emissaries around the world.

The funeral will take place today:

Monday, ג׳ אייר April 20, at 4:30 PM at the Waxman Chabad Center, 2479 S. Green Road, Beachwood, Ohio.

Burial will follow at Anshe Sfard Cemetery, 310 Swartz Road, Akron, Ohio.

Shiva will be at the home of Mrs. Devorah Alevsky

4481 University Parkway, University Hts. Ohio, 44118

Shiva Times: 1:00pm - 8:00pm

Davening Times:

8:00am Shacharis

8:00pm Mincha

9:00pm Maariv

הַמָּקוֹם יְנַחֵם אֶתְכֶם בְּתוֹךְ שְׁאָר אֲבֵלֵי צִיּוֹן וִירוּשָׁלַיִם