Founding
The sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn wrote in "Cheshvan, 5684" (Fall 1923) to the Chabad community in America instructing that they formally organize themselves into a community. He outlined the goals for this communal body, to "unify the Chasidim (adherents) of Chabad; to establish ordinances in every Chabad synagogue concerning the communal study of Chasidus... To establish Cheders for children and with God-fearing teachers. To establish Yeshivot for students to learn, from whom Torah may spread forth... and to support the organizations founded by the previous (Chabad) Rebbes."
The organization was incorporated in New York state in July, 1924, with the name "Agudas HaChasidim Anshei Chabad Beartzot Habris" (The Union of Chasidim, Members of Chabad), which was later shortened to "Agudas Chassidei Chabad Beartzot Habris veCanada" (Union of Chabad Adherents of the United States and Canada).
The first president of the organization was Moshe Eliezer (Morris L.) Kramer, and it's secretary was Dovid Shifrin, who was one of the earliest Chabad Chasidim to arrive in America. The first offices were in Morris Kramer's pants factory at 643 Broadway, New York City. Upon Morris Kramer's death of in 1925, his eldest son, Chaim Zalman (Hyman S.) Kramer, became president. Today it is largely headed by Rabbi Avrohom Shemtov.
In 1926, Rabbi Yisroel Jacobson immigrated to New York, and he was appointed as one of the vice-presidents. He played a leading role in the organization's activities for the next generation.
Among Agudas Chassidei Chabad's notable achievements during this time were developing the network of Nusach Ari synagogues in America; supporting the Lubavitch organizations and community in Russia and Israel; facilitating the visit of Rabbi Joseph Isaac Schneersohn to America in 1929-1930; helping with rescue efforts for Rabbi Schneersohn at the outbreak of WWII; and helping with humanitarian relief and rescue during WWII, and in the post-war years.
Read more about this topic: Agudas Chasidei Chabad
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