[4] His father, Rabbi Tzvi Yosef (Hershel) Kotlarsky (d. 2008), was a native of Otwosk, Poland[5] who spent the World War II years in Shanghai.

Fusing organizational abilities and fundraising skills, he became a crucial resource - connecting field operatives with Chabad headquarters.

Kotlarsky presided over the massive Kinus Hashluchim,[8] the annual international conference of Chabad emissaries which takes place in New York City.

[9] He served as director of the conference,[10] where more than 4,000 emissaries and their families participate in workshops, social events, a shared Shabbat and a banquet.

[16] His brother-in-law was Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Kazen who became a pioneer in the use of internet and email technology to spread Jewish knowledge.