It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Rav Eliyahu Yehoshua Geldzahler zt”l. He was 90 years old.
Rav Geldzahler was the rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Ohr Yisroel in New York and a son-in-law of the Michtav M’Eliyahu, Rav Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler zt”l.
A son of Rav Menachem Shalom Geldzahler zt”l, Rav Eliyahu Yehoshua learned in his youth at Yeshiva Torah Vodaas in Brooklyn, where he was greatly influenced by the legendary pioneering Torah builder in America, Rav Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz zt”l, as well as Rav Gedaliah Schorr zt”l. Already then, Rav Geldzahler was recognized for his unrelenting hasmadah, his yiras Shomayim, and his wide-ranging knowledge of Torah.
When he became of marriageable age, the shidduch of Henney Dessler, a daughter of Rav Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler was redd to the young talmid chochom and the couple got married.
For decades, Rav Geldzahler was marbitz Torah in Queens at the yeshiva he founded, Yeshiva Ohr Yisroel, which is named after Rav Yisroel Salanter zt”l.
He ultimately moved to Monsey, NY, and passed the leadership of his yeshiva on to his son, Rav Leizer Geldzahler zt”l, who tragically passed away in a car accident in Eretz Yisroel about ten years ago. He was also predeceased by his daughter.
Rav Geldzahler authored a number of seforim, including Kodshei Yehoshua on Seder Kodshim and Emunas Yehoshua on Seder Zeraim.
He is survived by doros yeshorim umevorachim, including Rav Moshe Chaim and Toby Geldzahler, Rav Doniel and Shaindy Geldzahler, Rav Leibel and Bluma Wulliger and Rav Shmuel and Chaya Blau, and grandchildren and great-grandchildren carrying on his legacy.
He was predeceased by his wife, Rebbetzin Henny Geldzahler a”h, his son, Rav Eliezer Geldzahler zt”l, and his daughter, Rebbetzin Chana Mindel Teitelbaum a”h.
The levaya was held this morning at Bais Medrash Tiferes Gedalyahu in Monsey, followed by kevurah next to his rebbetzin in the Monsey Vizhnitz Bais Hachaim.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{Gavriel Sitrit-Matzav.com Newscenter}
Rabbi Geldzahler had a very unique intuition in hiring excellent and talented Rebayim. Though the curriculum and schedule was very demanding at the Yeshiva in Queens, ultimately the boys left the Yeshiva with wide range knowledge in many facets of Torah.
Most importantly, there was a special motivation and desire to continue to learn for lifetime, that he implanted in all of us.
I am grateful to Rabbi Geldzahler Z’t’l; and he will forever be remembered.
B’D’E.
Zichrono Tzadik Livrocho.
I attended Rav Geldzahler’s yeshiva in queens for grades 1-5 until I moved to Los Angeles. Rabbi Nissen Wolpin was the English Principal. I spent half my time in the principal’s office! But I did learn well in this yeshiva with Rav Geldzahler, Rav Sochetchevski and Rav Flamm.
his first chinuch was in the yeshiva etz chaim of hiede belgium under the sainted rabbi mordechai progemonsky his family were devout dzikover chassicim. much thanx for teaching his students to be outside the box by completing full masectos &especially zeraim &taharos yehi zichroy boruch