Rav Aaron Mordechai Brafman zt”l

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Rav Aaron Mordechai Brafman zt”l, longtime menahel of Yeshiva Derech Ayson of Far Rockaway, NY. He was 74.

A son of Mr. and Mrs. Shlomo Zalman Brafman, Rav Brafman was a musmach of Mesivta Torah Vodaas, where he was very close to Rav Yaakov Kamenetzky and Rav Gedalya Schorr.

Rav Brafman was a noted marbitz Torah and mechanech who was greatly admired by the generations of talmidim he inspired and guided at Yeshiva of Far Rockaway, where he worked together with his longtime partner, the rosh yeshiva, Rav Yechiel Yitzchok Perr. Rav Brafman gave his heart and soul to the yeshiva and its talmidim, becoming inextricably linked to Derech Ayson and the lives of its many students, proud members of Torah communities the world over.

In addition to his impact at Yeshiva of Far Rockaway, Rav Brafman was well-known for his clear hashkafic views and standpoints on chinuch and all matters related to Yiddishkeit, which he expressed so eloquently as a speaker at events such as the Agudah Convention, and in articles, many of which were published over the years in the Jewish Observer, where Rav Brafman was a regular contributor, and other publications.

Decades ago, Rav Brafman served as the learning director at Camp Agudah in Ferndale, NY, a position he used to impart the beauty of Torah and its hashkafah to numerous youngsters.

At Derech Ayson, Rav Aaron worried about the talmidim with the concern of a father. He impacted thousands of talmidim in life-altering ways, both in limud haTorah and in their outlook on life. His love and compassion for the young bnei Torah of the yeshiva knew no bounds. His yiras Shomayim was tangible, and his genuineness touched the talmidim and inspired them to try to emulate him.

The challenges and struggles of talmidim became his very own, and he did everything in his power to bring out the potential in each one, guiding, encouraging and uplifting them and their parents.

Rav Brafman’s passing leaves a gaping void in the Far Rockaway community, where he was a leading pedagogue for decades, and beyond. He leaves behind a rich legacy. It is hard to believe that someone so full of life and love for others is no longer among the living. His passing has plunged his many talmidim and admirers into deep mourning.

The levaya will be held at noon at Yeshiva of Far Rockaway, located at 802 Hicksville Road in Far Rockaway, NY. The aron will be flown to Eretz Yisroel for kevurah there.

Rav Brafman is survived by his wife, Mrs. Susie Brafman, and their family of children – seven daughters and a son – and grandchildren following in his ways of Torah and avodah. His children are R’ Avrohom Boruch Brafman, Mrs. Naomi Ullman, Mrs. Esther Braun, Mrs. Sima Rottenberg, Mrs. Rina Block, Mrs. Aviva Guzik, Mrs. Shoshana Friedman, and Mrs. Batsheva Feldman. He is also survived by his siblings, Mr. Benjamin Brafman, Mrs. Malky Aaron and Mrs. Shevy Kooperberg.

The family is sitting shivah at 746 Mador Court, off of Cornaga Avenue, in Far Rockaway, NY.

Yehi zichro boruch.

Update: Hespeidim were delivered by R’ Zevi Braun, son in law; Rav Yehoshua Kalish, R”M at Yeshiva of Far Rockaway and rov of Bais Medrash of Harborview; Rav Moshe Perr, R”M at Yeshiva of Far Rockaway; Rav Nosson Sherman via hook-up; R’ Shmuel Mordechai Ullman, son-in-law; R’ Leib Rottenberg; Mr. Benjamin Brafman, brother; and R’ Avrohom Boruch Brafman, son.

{Matzav.com}