Historic Full Circle: Memorial Plaque Unveiled at Kyiv Prison Where the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s Father Was Imprisoned
A remarkable chapter of Jewish history came full circle on Monday, 20 Menachem Av, the yahrzeit of the renowned gaon and mekubal, Harav Levi Yitzchak Schneerson zt”l, father of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, as an official memorial plaque was dedicated at Kyiv’s Lukyanivka Detention Center — the very prison where he was incarcerated under the Soviet regime for his unwavering commitment to Judaism.
The dedication marks a moving act of historical recognition, taking place exactly 86 years after Harav Levi Yitzchak was arrested and imprisoned simply because he courageously continued to serve as a Rav and strengthen Jewish life despite relentless Communist persecution.
The memorial became a reality following extensive efforts by Rabbi Yonatan Markovitch, Chabad shliach and Chief Rabbi of Kyiv, who also serves as Chief Rabbi of Ukraine’s Prison Service. Working together with his son, Rabbi Ariel Markovitch, a Chabad shliach in Kyiv who oversees Jewish activities throughout Ukraine’s prison system, the two spent many months coordinating with prison authorities to ensure that the site where Harav Levi Yitzchak suffered for his faith would receive permanent recognition.
The dedication ceremony was attended by the commander of the detention center and his deputy, who joined Rabbi Markovitch in unveiling the commemorative plaque.
During the ceremony, the prison commander expressed deep regret over the injustice committed against Harav Levi Yitzchak, acknowledging that he had been imprisoned despite having committed no crime other than being a Jewish rabbi and spiritual leader.
He described the imprisonment as a painful chapter in history that deserves to be remembered and preserved for future generations.
The memorial plaque recounts the story of Harav Levi Yitzchak’s arrest and imprisonment and also features one of his own reflections from that difficult period.
In addition, the prison received a copy of Nitzotzei Levi Yitzchak, a volume based on the Torah teachings of Harav Levi Yitzchak. The book will remain in the prison’s library, where it will be available for the benefit and use of Jewish inmates.
“There is profound significance in the fact that specifically on the yahrzeit of Harav Levi Yitzchak we have merited to establish a memorial at the very place where his freedom was taken from him simply because he was a Rav spreading Yiddishkeit,” Rabbi Markovitch said.
“This represents a historic rectification and an emotional closing of the circle. At the very place where the Soviet regime sought to silence the voice of Judaism, there now stands a permanent memorial telling the story of the courage, sacrifice, and unwavering mesirus nefesh of Harav Levi Yitzchak Schneerson zt”l, the father of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.”
