Rav Yehoshua Dubrawsky z”l

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Rav Yehoshua Dubrawsky z”l, one of the most prolific Chassidic writers in Yiddish of his time. He passed away this morningat the age of 82.

Born in Krolewedz, Russia, he moved with his family to Paris, France, where he met and married his wife, Asia Menkin.

For over three decades, Rav Hayshke, as he was known, was one of the main editors of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s published talks in Yiddish in the first few volumes of the Lekutei Sichos series.

That work earned him the rare compliment from the Rebbe on one of these talks: “This is the best hanacha of my talks I have ever seen.”

Rav Hayshke was best known for his writings, as one of the main writers for Di Yiddishe Heim, and the two Yiddish weeklies Algemeiner Journal and the Forward.

In his weekly columns, Rav Hayshke, in his inimitable style, would cut to the heart and soul of issues ranging from Jewish thought to general philosophical quandaries, from different controversial issues to book reviews.

He was a brilliant thinker and scholar, with a prodigious knowledge of Torah in all its dimensions, as well as mathematics and science.

With all his knowledge and skill, Rav Hayshke was unique in remaining a humble chossid, true to his roots. He captured the agonies and joys of Jewish life in the past century – both under the cruel Soviet regime and later in a free America.

He is survived by his wife, Asia, and children: Sarah Gurevitch of Lyon, France; Yosef Yitzchok Dubrowsky of Curitiba, Brazil; Lipa Dubrawsky of Vancouver, Canada; Mendel Dubrowsky of Dallas, Texas; Miriam Labkowsky of Los Angeles, CA; Zlata Geisinsky of Bethesda, Maryland; and Chana Katzman of Staten Island, NY.

The levaya will take place at 1 p.m. at Shomrei Hadas Chapels in Boro Park.

Yehi zichro boruch.

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