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The Joshniks

A new film honoring Rabbi Yehoshua B. ("Josh") Gordon on his 10th Yahrtzeit

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The Joshniks: A new film honoring Rabbi Yehoshua B. ("Josh") Gordon on his 10th Yahrtzeit

Discover how Torah classes given more than a decade ago continue to enrich lives and touch souls.

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Very frequently, the team at Chabad.org receives a startlingly similar message. It usually reads something like this: “I’ve been learning with Rabbi Gordon every morning for months. I feel like I know him. I just looked him up, and I’m in shock—I had no idea he passed away years ago.”

This week marks the 10th yahrtzeit of Rabbi Yehoshua B. (“Josh”) Gordon. Yet, the confusion is understandable. For hundreds of thousands of students worldwide who log on to Chabad.org and a cluster of Chabad.org apps to study Chumash, Tanya, and Rambam, he is still very much alive.

“The Joshniks” explores the unique story of the continued impact and legacy of Rabbi Gordon. While Rabbi Gordon's classroom is global, the film focuses intimately on a community of learners in Port Washington, New York. It captures the story of people who never met him, yet live and learn with him every day, proving that his teaching—witty, clear, and personal—is eternal like the Torah he teaches.

Today, we invite you to join and begin studying with Rabbi Gordon daily at Chabad.org/RabbiGordon.

Click here to leave your message of love and appreciation for the Gordon family.

In everlasting memory and appreciation to
Rabbi Yehoshua Binyomin
ben Harav Shalom Dovber
Gordon

This presentation was made possible by Russell and Ivy Herman.

© Copyright, all rights reserved. The content on this page is provided by our content partner, Chabad.org. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further, provided that you comply with Chabad.org's copyright policy.

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79 Comments

Elizabeth Matusak Torrance, CA February 16, 2026

I was first introduced to Rabbi Yehoshua Gordon's Mishneh Torah podcast by Rabbi Zalman Gordon at the JCC in Redondo Beach, California. Rabbi Zalman briefly mentioned his uncle & the podcast that was ongoing. I was captivated by the desire to listen to his podcast & chose the one chapter a day option. I completed the three-year course on 2-2-2026.

Every day, first thing in the morning, I would listen to Rabbi Yehoshua's eloquent, thought provoking, & humorous detailed explanations from the Rambam! Hearing his voice & laughing at his jokes each morning made me grateful that I had been introduced to him.

I attend retreats in Encino & Rabbi Gordon often spoke about the Ralphs and Gelsons that are nearby. I frequent those markets, so each time I anticipated our chance meeting at the butcher case. However, this never happened.

Last year, I mentioned to Rabbi Zalman what joy it would be to meet his uncle & then I learned he had passed away. He was a "Spark" to me, a non-Jewish woman. Reply

Bridge Hennessey Blainville February 16, 2026

I just found out today Rabbi Gordon was no longer with us. I am deeply grateful for hearing him daily, he is my go-to reference to Chumash and Tanya. May his memory be for blessing. Reply

Avigail Helen Effendy KOTA JAKARTA PUSAT February 16, 2026

My name is Avigail Helen Effendy from Jakarta, Indonesia.i have been listening to Rabbi Gordon teachings daily for 3 years. I have been blessed so much from his teachings of Judaism. I believe that his soul is in Gan Eden now and may HaShem bless his family abundantly. Thank you Chabad for making all Torah classes online. HaShem should bless Chabad and all the people of Israel and may Mosiach come speedily in our days. Reply

Jack Saranta London February 16, 2026

Amazing teacher ❤️
Scholar and wit.
'I love 7 layered cake '.
I love learning from the good Rabbi.
Jack
UK 🇬🇧 Reply

Gal Montreal February 16, 2026

He connected me to Torah like no other could. Thanks to him I have a knowledge that I can pass on to my son. Reply

Steven Mason Manchester, England February 16, 2026

I am from the UK and was in Encino visiting a friend in 2003 and had the pleasure of spending the shabbos meals at the Gordon's family home as well as attending Rabbi Gordon's shul. I had no idea who the Rabbi was at that point or how highly he was regarded, both in his own community and afar.

It was a wonderful experience, I still remember him discussing at the shabbos table how the Rebbe encouraged the use of the first Rashi in Bereshis as the ultimate rebuttal to those who question our claim to Eretz Yisroel. I also remember his pride at a poem his daughter had written and subsequently shared with the shabbos guests.

Wherever I have gone in the world and visited Chabad houses, I have been proud to say I had spent a shabbos with Rabbi Gordon OBM.

I have had the pleasure of listening to Rabbi Gordon's Tanya shiurim over the years and it always takes me back to that wonderful shabbos in 2003.

Wishing the family arichas yomim

Steven Mason
Manchester, UK Reply

Lorraine Leah Gittel Montreal February 16, 2026

To Sarah Barth from Beth Shemesh and to Rabbi Gordon's Family. Maybe it isn't a coincidence that Sarah Barth who had just began to learn with Rabbi Gordon one month before his passing, had come to Encino for her aunt's Miriam Bas Avraham Benyamin's first Yarezeit, and miraculously she finds out that this is where Rabbi Gordon is buried a few rows away from her aunt as she meets members of your family visiting his grave at that time. Maybe this is a sign that not only should she keep on studying with Rabbi Gordon's teachings but that she should also be close with you, his family, and to stay connected with you. Rabbi Gordon maybe wanted this. Maybe she too is a special soul.
What a beautiful 🎁 Gift for all of us to be able to study with Rabbi Gordon's scholarly teachings, with his warmth and love for everyone and his humour, and all the other wonderful Rabbis at Chabad, each in his own way bettering our world and bringing in Maschiach. Reply

Judi Shill Plano Tx February 16, 2026

I love listening to Rabbi Gordon. His teachings have changed my life for the better. It’s like I’ve known him for many years and I love his sense of humor. I can’t wait each day to hear what Rabbi Gordon has to teach me for the day. Reply

Yosef Binyamin Crown Heights February 16, 2026

Been through a lot with Rabbi Gordon. I hadf a lot of changes over the past 7 years. He kept me company and was my chaverusa when I didn’t have another. I, too, was shocked and saddened to learn just a few years into our relationship that he had passed. So grateful for this work and happy whenever I meet another person who appreciates him, too. It makes referencing his jokes much easier. May he continues to spread the wellsprings of Torah and Yiddishkeit. Reply

Keith Caswell February 16, 2026

I may have posted this in the past: I recalled the day he died. I had shared him with a friend who practices that "larger religion", here in the US. A man very respectful to the Jewish people. and hungry for Torah knowledge. He loved Rabbi Gordon. He called me that morning at a rather odd time, for hm. I asked if everything was okay. He said: "My Rabbi just died".

Worst Jokes on the planet. I cracked up every time :)

May his memory always be a blessing and bring with it great inspiration. Reply

David Abrams Rigaud, Wuébec, Canada February 16, 2026

I was introduced to Rabbi Gordon ZL by my Rabbi in St. Lazare, Québec, Canada, Rabbi Nachum Labkowski, I study Chumash and Tanya daily with Rabbi Gordon and as many have said, it is as if he is still alive, sharing his wisdom and knowledge a non-threatening way with the world.

I’m truly sorry that I did not have the opportunity to meet Rabbi Gordon before his untimely passing.

I thank Chabad.org for bringing Rabbi Gordon onto my home every day. Rabbi Gordon’s memory is a true blessing. Reply

Ab February 16, 2026

Bright start to my day = listen to Rabbi Gordon's class on Tanya.

His Neshama should have the highest Aliya right back down to this world, with the coming of Moshiach now! Reply

Mojgan Nachassi San Diego February 16, 2026

May Rabbis Gordon’s Neshama have an Aliyah to the highest places and be a source of blessing for am Israel.
I personally loved him. I started learning Chumash and Tanya with him many years ago and as so saddened by his passing. Until today I study with him and he still makes me laugh. In my mind and heart he’ll always be alive. I never met him but my heart and soul warms up with his voice and his demeanour. He’s beyond wise and insightful. I’m very slow to learn but he makes everything so clear, his teachings are very interesting, clever and with great sense of humour.
I will continue to learn from him. He’s a light in our world. Reply

Joy Krauthammer Northridge, CA, USA February 16, 2026

I remember well, Rabbi Joshua Gordon, Z"L, and the projects that together we did, to bring Judaism into community:

The Lubavich young rabbis (Abend and Einbinder) that we brought to the expansive educational consortium Jewish Women’s World (when I was director from 1980) in the north Valley, to teach us women in our program at all our local Jewish organizations. The Rebbe gave permission to Rabbi Gordon for him to share his Shluchim.

And the large Chanukiah that I asked Rabbi Gordon to create for the Northridge Fashion Center a few decades ago, over 40 years ago, after the mall manager gave me permission to bring the Menorah into the mall - continues to bring light. Each year for our Chag, there is still a lit Menorah standing in the Northridge mall. This last Chanukah, my Chabad publicly celebrated, lit, and sang at the mall.
Continued

When I called to ask Rabbi Gordon a Halachic question for a community member, he personally answered the phone, knowing I was calling even minutes before Rosh HaShana.

Rabbi Gordon in 1990 involved new friends I ‘adopted’, recent Russian immigrants in 1990, to speak in English about freedom, and go up high in the cherry picker in the south Valley’s Galleria mall to light the candles for the huge light-filled joyous Chanukah celebration. A famous actor was delayed, and Rabbi Gordon invited ‘my Russians’ to take over! To this day, the then young adults are still grateful that they could send the Chanukah video with them presenting, to their ill grandfather who remained in Ukraine. They had not been allowed to practice their faith until arriving here.

While serving as the Jewish Calendar Magazine’s Arts and Culture editor, I wrote about Chabad and included their projects because I knew beloved Rabbi Josh Gordon, and blessed, I had also met The Rebbe, z”l, at 770 in 1970. Reply

Ruth Ellsworth Boise, Idaho February 16, 2026

I have been watching Rabbi Gordon every morning, except Shabbas for nine years. It starts my day and sets the tone of my life for the whole day. I love his teachings and sense of humor. B”H in his merit my life has been changed and I give thanks for the opportunity to learn from him. May his memory and merit bring peace, comfort and great blessings to his loved ones. Reply

Keishelle Achong Columbia February 16, 2026

Rabbi Gordon would have been incredible to meet. His classes are enlightening and entertaining. To his family and Chabad thank you for allowing the Rabbi to continue to be a spark that help flame others like myself. All praise be to Hashem. Reply

Arnold Bloch Cape Town RSA February 16, 2026

I have been listening and studying with Rabbi Gordon z"l every day (except Shabbos) for the past approx six years. Listening to the documentary commemorating the 10th yaharzeit of Rabbi Gordon, I now realise that I am also a Joshnik. I was suggested Chabbad.org by our then Rabbi, R Dovid Weinberg and our present Rabbi Pini Hecht.
May Rabbi Gordon's memory be for a blessing and his neshoma receive an aliyah.
Arnold Bloch, Cape Town RSA. Reply

Rich Synagogue Mouse 17 NYC February 16, 2026

With Rabbi Gordon's shiur, I transformed from rags to riches. Thank you! Reply

Magen Moriah Linkovsky Los Angeles, CA February 16, 2026

I grew up in Chabad of Encino. I had the honor and privilege to experience Rabbi Gordon’s speeches every Shabbos. As I grew older I started shying away from Yiddishkeit, but that did not stop me from attending Shul on Shabbos and sitting front row, while Rabbi Gordon shared his powerful sermon. And every single person in that audience always said the same thing afterwards, “I feel like Rabbi Gordon was talking specifically to me!”
Because of Rabbi Gordon I am a frum Jew, a proud Lubavitcher, with a beautiful family. I will always cherish those days, and have immense gratitude for the kindness and guidance that Rabbi Gordon gave me. He saw a Yid in a burning house, on fire, and pulled her out. He fulfilled the Rebbe's mission, and continues to do so. We miss you Rabbi Gordon. Reply

Sandra Ontario February 16, 2026

I thought I was watching Rabbi Gordon, live, until today. A beautiful man indeed. Thank you for helping me Rabbi Gordon. Reply

Rabbi Gordon

Study the daily Chumash with Rashi, Tanya and Rambam with master teacher Rabbi Yehoshua B. Gordon.

The Joshniks

A new film honoring Rabbi Yehoshua B. ("Josh") Gordon on his 10th Yahrtzeit

The Joshniks: A new film honoring Rabbi Yehoshua B. ("Josh") Gordon on his 10th Yahrtzeit

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The Joshniks: A new film honoring Rabbi Yehoshua B. ("Josh") Gordon on his 10th Yahrtzeit

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Join the Discussion

Synagogue Services

Adult Education

Youth Programs

Holiday Celebrations

Women's Events

Community Services