We regret to inform you of the Petira of Hagaon HaRav Yisroel Yechezkel Plutchok ZATZAL, the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Derech Chaim in Boro Park. Rav Plutchok was in critical condition from COVID-19 and was Niftar on Thursday afternoon.
Together with his brother in law, HaRav Mordechai Rennert Zt”l, Rav Yisroel Plutchok founded Yeshivas Derech Chaim in 1974 with eight students. Both of them were Talmidim of Hagaon HaRav Chaim Pinchos Scheinberg ZATZAL. The Yeshiva – located at 16th Avenue and 39th Street – grew into a major Makom Torah and now has thousands of alumni. He leaves behind a large Mishpacha of Talmidei Chachomim and Marbitzei Torah
We regret to inform you of the tragic Petira of Lipa Freidrich Z”L of Monsey. He was 39. The Niftar was a perfectly healthy young man with no prior medical condition. He tested positive for COVID-19 three days ago and was in isolation at home.
Last week he had severe shortness of breath and Monsey Hatzolah was called. Paramedics intubated him and he was placed on a respirator at Good Samaritan Hospital. Unfortunately, he was Niftar 2 hours later.
The Niftar was part of the Satmar Kehilla in Monsey. He drove a bus for Parnasah. Tragically, he leaves behind a wife and 6 children – the youngest just 5 weeks old.
The first victim of the coronavirus in the Antwerp community was Meir Mishka Elyashkov, 64, of the Georgian kehilla,Michael Freilich, a frum politician from Antwerp told JTA that Jews may suffer a higher infection rate “because Antwerp Jews all know each other, each synagogue is an extended family.”
WN regrets to inform you of the Petira of Hagaon HaRav Avrohom Levi Bresler ZATZAL of Lakewood. He was 55.
The Niftar was an Adam Gadol – literally – someone who has been learning with tremendous Hasmadah, nearly 20 hours a day for decades. The Niftar did this while maintaining his extreme humility, never showing anyone his true Gadlus Batorah. He was a brilliant Talmid Chochom, who was a Baki B’shas and Halacha, and mechaber Seforim.
R’ Bresler had COVID-19 symptoms last week, and was rushed to the hospital on Shabbos afternoon in critical condition. Unfortunately, his condition deteriorated until his Petira on Tuesday afternoon.
The Niftar lived in the Westgate section of Lakewood, and prior to that in Bensonhurst Brooklyn, where he learned in the Kollel at Yeshiva Bais Hatalmud for many years. As a Bochur he learned in Yeshiva Torah Temimah, followed by Bais Hatalmud and by Rav Dovid Soloveitchik in Brisk.
He leaves behind an Almanah, an Isha Chashuva, Mrs. Gittel Bresler (Eckstein) who is the principal at Tehilas Chaya Sara in Lakewood, and his children Miri Gaz (wife of Reb Dovid of Chaim Berlin), Habochur Yehuda Dovid, and daughter Rivka. His siblings Reb Shuey Bresler from Eretz Yisroel, Reb Mordy Bresler from Flatbush, Reb Chanoch Bresler from Detroit and Mrs. Eidi Schwartzman of Lakewood.
His parents were Rav Shlomo Z”L and Mrs Sara A”H Bresler of Boro Park. His wife, Mrs Bresler is a daughter of HaRav Tzvi & Mrs Tzivy Eckstein of the Mirrer Yeshiva in Flatbush. The Levaya will be in Lakewood – details still unknown.
Harav Avraham Yechiel Kraus, z’l, 67, of Montreal, was niftar on Wednesday night from the coronavirus.
Reb Avraham’s death was sudden – he was still at home with his family only three days when he began to feel ill and his condition swiftly deteriorated.
He was brought to the hospital on Wednesday in critical condition, where he was niftar after only a few hours, leaving his family in utter shock. There have been 26 fatalities in Canada from the coronavirus and 2,746 confirmed cases.
The Torah community of Paris was plunged into mourning with the death of Hagaon HaRav Massoud Ben Chamu, 72, the Rav of the Kehillas Mekor Chaim in Paris and the posek of the Chareidi community, from the coronavirus, B’Chadrei Chareidim reported.
After Purim, during which hundreds of congregants flocked to his home for a bracha, Rav Chamu began feeling weak. His condition deteriorated and last week he was brought to the hospital in serious condition. French Jewry gathered to daven for him but the decree was sealed and he was niftar on Wednesday morning.
Just a few weeks ago, Harav Ben Chamu participated in the Yeshivas Mir dinner which was held in France, where he was the speaker of honor. Harav Ben Chamu, beside serving as the Rav of the Mekor Chaim kehilla with hundreds of members, served as the Dayan and Moreh Tzedek of the Beis Din of Hagaon Harav Mordechai Rottenberg in Paris.
The Torah community of Paris was plunged into mourning with the death of Hagaon HaRav Massoud Ben Chamu, 72, the Rav of the Kehillas Mekor Chaim in Paris and the posek of the Chareidi community, from the coronavirus, B’Chadrei Chareidim reported.
After Purim, during which hundreds of congregants flocked to his home for a bracha, Rav Chamu began feeling weak. His condition deteriorated and last week he was brought to the hospital in serious condition. French Jewry gathered to daven for him but the decree was sealed and he was niftar on Wednesday morning.
Just a few weeks ago, Harav Ben Chamu participated in the Yeshivas Mir dinner which was held in France, where he was the speaker of honor.
Harav Ben Chamu, beside serving as the Rav of the Mekor Chaim kehilla with hundreds of members, served as the Dayan and Moreh Tzedek of the Beis Din of Hagaon Harav Mordechai Rottenberg in Paris.
YWN regrets to inform you of the Petira of R’ Yitzchock Zylberminc Z”L, a long-time Hatzolah member (RL-31) in Far Rockaway. He was 56.
The Niftar suffered from multiple health issues, and despite having a prosthetic leg, he remained an active Hatzolah member – responding to emergency calls as recently as three weeks ago.
Unfortunately, he contracted COVID-19, and due to his underlying issues, his condition turned critical until his Petira on Wednesday morning.
R’ Yitzchok left behind a wife, 2 married children and 3 children at home.
Far Rockaway Hatzolah sent out the following message to their members:
It is with tremendous grief, sadness and anguish that we share the news of the Petira of Yitzchok Zylberminc, RL, Z”L, a member for over 30 years, and a friend to all.
The Levaya will take place today for immediate family only. In spite of the different social media posts, the family is requesting that only immediate family attend. Please respect the family‘s wishes
At a later date, when time and the circumstances allow, rest assured we will have an event to properly pay respects to our friend, colleague and long time member.
May the family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Yerushalim. May we share Besuros Tovos.
Boruch Dayan HaEmmes…
Giorgio Chaim Sinigaglia, z’l, 54, a well-known member of the Jewish kehilla in Milan, Italy, succumbed to the coronavirus on Monday.
Sinigaglia was well-known for his generosity and volunteer work for Jewish causes in the community, including hachnasas orchim, volunteering with the elderly, visiting the sick, collecting funds for various causes and ensuring the security needs of the Jewish community.
Giorgio Chaim Sinigaglia, z’l, 54, a well-known member of the Jewish kehilla in Milan, Italy, succumbed to the coronavirus on Monday.
Sinigaglia was well-known for his generosity and volunteer work for Jewish causes in the community, including hachnasas orchim, volunteering with the elderly, visiting the sick, collecting funds for various causes and ensuring the security needs of the Jewish community.
Friends and relatives say he was always b’simcha, had a wonderful sense of humor and was a wonderful father to his four children.
There are 69,176 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Italy and 6,820 deaths, double the amount of deaths that China has suffered. The epicenter of the outbreak is in the Lombardy region, where Milan is located.
An updated list of those lost to coronavirus
*Boro Park*
R’ Michel Tzvi Fettman Z”L, 39 years old
Reb Berl Kohn, z”l, 95 years old.
Reb Aharon Leib Schneid, z”l
Reb Yeshaya Englard, z”l, 66 years old.
Reb Avraham Yaakov Katz, z”l (Boro Park-Linden), 71 years old
Reb Yisroel (Izzy) Fogel Z”L from Boro Park.
Reb Zvi Yehuda Schmidt, z”l, one of the owners of the Paskez Candy company.
Reb Yitzchok Banash Z”L. He was 50 years old.
Reb Mordechai Zev Halberstam Z”L, 42-years-old, from the Bobover Kehillah.
Reb Dovid Don Reiss z”l, 77-years-old, and a prominent Belzer Chosid.
Reb Aharon Hersh Kleinman, z”l.
Reb Yitzchak Warman, 91 years old. Comptroller of Women’s League.
Dr Mark Allan Respler, upper 60s, lived in Boro Park near 17th avenue.
Rav Yosef Yitzchak Grossman, z”l, age 65, leaving behind his wife Leah and six children.
Reb Aryeh Roth, an elder Sanzer chassid who recently moved to Boro Park from Bnei Brak.
Reb Yisroel Menachem Rosenberg, z”l, 70 years old. Shamash in Swan Lake shul.
Reb Avraham (Romi) Kohn, z”l, 92 years old
Reb Mordechai Zev Halberstadt, z”l
Reb Dovid Farkash, z”l
Reb Tzvi Elimelech Hoenig, z”l, 48 years old.
Mrs. Tziporah Feiga Greenfield, a”h, 69 years old.
*Williamsburg*
Reb Boruch Hersh Feder z”i. 73 years old, a long-time melamed in Satmar of Williamsburg.
Dr. Yaakov Meltzer, z”l (Kew Gardens, Queens), 60 years old.
Mrs. Golda Brach, a”h. 94 years old.
Mrs. Breindel Hiller, a”h. 92 years old
Reb Avraham Yehoshua Freund, z”l
Reb Slomo Zev Fried, z”l
Reb Yechiel Michel Rosenfeld, z”l
Reb Tzvi Elimelech Kahana, z”l
Reb Mordechai Mendel Gutman, z”l, 55 years old.
Mrs. Liba Ettel Zilberstein, a”h. 102 years old.
***
*Flatbush*
Mr. Raymond Cohen, z”l
***
*Kensington*
Hagaon HaRav Shimon Susholtz, zt”l, Mora D’asra of Cong Keren Orah in Kensington.
Harav Yaakov Yitzchak Speigel, zt”l, Ostrov-Kalishiner Rebbe
Harav Yisroel Yechezkel Plutchok, zt”l, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Derech Chaim, upper 70s.
***
*Seagate*
Mrs. Basha Silka Feffer, a”h. 88 years old.
***
*Long Island*
Reb Moishe Leifer, z”l, Lawrence
***
*Lakewood*
Reb Avrohom Eliezer Gordon, z”l. Long time Rebbi in Yeshiva Bais Dovid of Monsey.
Rabbi Avraham Levi Bressler, z”l, Rosh Chaburah and mechaber of seforim.
Rabbi Chaim Weil, z”l.
Mr. (Alexander) and Mrs. Pacifico, a”h, originally from Los Angeles.
***
*Rockland*
R’ Lipa Friedrich, z”l, Monsey, 39 years old
Mrs. Breindel Shteif, a”h, Monsey.
Reb Pinchos Tzvi Elimelech Goldminzer, z”l, New Square
Rabbi Gershon Sabel, z”l, Executive at Yedei Chesed for special needs community in Monsey.
***
*Crown Heights*
Rav Menachem Mordechai Nissim, z”l, age 69.
Rebbetzin Guta Shapiro, a”h, almanah of Rav Levi Yitzchak Shapiro, z”l, age 99.
Rav Chaim Tzvi Dovid Konikov ,z”l, Rebbi for many years at Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim, eminent ba’al koreh, age 58.
Harav Mordechai Gurary, Rav of the Chevra Shas Shul, one of the most prominent Rabbanim in Crown Heights, age 84.
Mrs. Thelma Levy, a”h, wife of OK Kosher’s longtime director Rabbi Berel Levy, z”l, age 95.
Siman (90) and Mary (83) Bronshtyn, an elderly couple who lived in Crown Heights.
***
*Los Angeles*
Mr. Izzy Schuman, z”l, Los Angeles
Harav Nachman Morgan, z”l, Los Angeles
***
*Montreal*
Reb Avraham Yechiel Krauss, z”l, 67 years old.
***
*England*
Harav Uri Ashkenazi, Stanislover Rebbe, zy”a, London
Mr Stanley Esofsky, Secretary of Gateshead Yeshiva
Mr. Zev (Willy) Stern, London, 88 years old
Mrs. Freida Feldman, London. Age 97
***
*Paris*
Harav Masoud Chumu, zt”l. Age 72
Harav Masoud Tovol, zt”l. Age 60.
(This article was compiled with information from the Yeshiva World News (YWN) web site. Read more at: yeshivaworldnews.com)
