Rav Yechezkel Grubner zt”l

By Dovid Bernstein, Matzav.com

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Rav Yechezkel Grubner zt”l, a talmid of the famed Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin, longtime former rov in Detroit and head of the Vaad Harabonim of Detroit (VHD).  Rav Grubner, one of America’s senior rabbonim, was 91.

Under the leadership of Rav Grubner, the Vaad Harabonim of Detroit, which has been the voice for the Orthodox rabbinate in Detroit for close to 60 years, participated in and oversaw the development of kashrus, mikvaos, geirus, gittin and kiddushin, and sensitive issues such as adoptions, day schools and yeshivos, all with the clear daas Torah and his trademark warmth.

After the passing of Rav Leizer Levin zt”l, the legendary rov of Detroit who was the nosi of the Vaad, in 1992, Rav Grubner took over that post and continued to lead the Vaad for more than a decade. Rav Grubner, menahel of the Vaad for close to 55 years, was a guiding force of the VHD and dealt with the management of every facet of the organization, including piskei halacha, botei din, geirus and kashrus. In addition, Rav Grubner was in charge of fundraising and ensuring a balanced budget.

Several years ago, Rav Grubner’s son-in-law, Rav Yitzchok Sorotzkin, described his father-in-law’s leadership style at a Vaad Harabonim dinner:

“The position that he holds is not an easy one. On the one hand, to bring people closer to Judaism, to educate them and teach them the Torah way. On the other hand, this sometimes necessitates taking a stand against those who seek to make breaches and attack Judaism. Only someone imbued with a deep ahavas Yisroel, and a tremendous love for Judaism and his fellow Jew, can possibly keep this delicate balance and still be esteemed and respected by all.”

Due to his advanced age and weakened condition, Rav Grubner retired several years ago and moved to Lakewood, N.J. Rav Grubner’s wife, Rebbetzin Roizel Grubner a”h, was niftar one year ago.

Rav Grubner leaves behind an illustrious family of bnei and bnos Torah who follow in his exemplary ways. His four daughters are Mrs. Kraindy Sorotzkin, wife of Rav Yitzchok Sorotzkin, rosh yeshiva in Mesivta of Lakewood and Telshe Cleveland; Mrs. Chavi Nachem, wife of Rav Yehoshua Nachem; Mrs. Suri Lowy, wife of Rav Moshe Mordechai Lowy, rov of Agudas Yisroel of Toronto; and Mrs. Estie Rubinstein, wife of Rav Arye Rubinstein, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Mishkan Hatorah in Lakewood.

The levaya will take place this morning, at 8:45 a.m., at Beth Medrash Govoha, followed by a levaya at the Congregation Sons of Israel Holocaust Memorial Chapel off of East Seventh Street at 10 a.m. The niftar will be flown at approximately 4 p.m. to Eretz Yisroel for kevurah via John F. Kennedy Airport, El Al Cargo Area B, Gate 23.

Yehi zichro boruch.

The Sorotzkin, Nachem, Lowe and Rubinstein families will be sitting shivah beginning Thursday at the Rubinstein home, located at 6 Cabinfield Circle in Village Park in Lakewood, N.J. The telephone number there is 732.901.8922. The fax number is 732.901.4097.

  {Dovid Bernstein-Matzav.com Newscenter}