Reb Yisroel Lefkowitz z”l

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yisroel-lefkowitzIt is with great sadness that we report the passing of Reb Yisroel Lefkowitz z”l, noted baal chessed and tomeich Torah, who was niftar this evening.

Reb Yisroel learned in Yeshiva Torah Vodaas in his younger years and went on to establish a beautiful and upstanding mishpacha of bnei and bnos Torah together with his devoted wife, Mrs. Shoshanah Lefkowitz.

Reb Yisroel owned the Palm Gardens, Palm Tree and Palm Beach assisted living facilities in Brooklyn, NY, and utilized his sharp mind and bright intellect to build the institutions into well-recognized facilities. Despite his hatzlacha, Reb Yisroel was unusually humble and self-effacing. It is related that Reb Yisroel’s conduct toward the employees at his facilities demonstrated all one needed to know about his sterling character. He always addressed them – even the lower-level employees – with immense respect and dignity. His mannerisms and the way he carried himself taught timeless lessons in derech eretz and how a Yid is to act at all times.

One specific incident depicts his sensitive and caring nature. Following the devastating earthquake last year in Haiti, Reb Yisroel immediately inquired with the offices at his institutions as to which of his employees have family in Haiti. Once he determined which employees had relatives in Haiti, he told them that should they be lacking the funds needed to travel to Haiti for the funerals, he would give them the money. This was one small example of the manner in which Reb Yisroel, quietly and discreetly, displayed concern for others and created a kiddush Hashem. It was with these ideals and this sensitive nature that he conducted himself his entire life.

Reb Yisroel was active and vibrant even in his later years. Despite battling illness over the last period, he attended the annual dinner of Yeshiva Bais Moshe of Scranton just two weeks ago, showing his support for the yeshiva, which honored his son, Reb Shimon, at the dinner. Yeshiva Bais Moshe was one of many Torah and chessed institutions with which Reb Yisroel had a close kesher.

Reb Yisroel is survived by his dedicated aishes chayil, Mrs. Shoshanah Lefkowitz; his children, Mrs. Paneth, wife of Reb Chezky Paneth; Rav Avrohom Lefkowitz, rov and rosh kollel of Kollel Bnei Torah of Lakewood; Mrs. Rochel Scherman, wife of Reb Avi Scherman of Lakewood, NJ; Reb Shimon Lefkowitz of Flatbush; and Rabbi Dovid Lefkowitz of Baltimore; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The levaya will take place tomorrow, Shushan Purim, at 2 p.m., at Shomrei Hadas Chapels, located at 3803 14th Avenue in Boro Park, Brooklyn. Kevurah will take place in Eretz Yisroel.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Yossi Schneider-Matzav.com Newscenter}


16 COMMENTS

  1. Small item: Reb Yisroel donated the Aron Hakodesh that is used for the Agudah Convention. Prior to his considerate donation, makeshift carpentry was used. Reb Yisroel felt that the Agudah Convention deserves more. It is a truly beautiful Aron Hakodesh. The man was a Tzaddik. He will be missed and remembered.

  2. Amongst the Chosuva people that would be guest of his legendery Hacnosas orchim were my parents and on Sunday there would be a line of Meshulachim sitting on Either side of his Spiral staircase waiting to be seen. A sight to behold
    Yehai Zichro Boruch.

  3. he was a great supporter of torahand was dedicated to the talmidim of the vaad hatzalos nidchei yisroel in the cities of aizerbeijan and georgia.he always greeted one with a brochoh and an open hand.he will be sorely missed.

  4. R. Yisroel Lefkowitz was a great man every word on this article is true, he was a very humble person, I remember that every shabbes I was by him it was always the same, you could see the happiness in his heart when he sang the zmiros by just looking at him, the most important is I had the great honor in having him at my wedding and giving him a brocha under the chupah, for he was a remarkable man always with a smile even when he was ill a smile was always there, and he will be always missed and remembered by all that have met the renowned Reb Yisroel Lefkowitz z”l

  5. much of his chessed was done under the radar. he championed the cause of children who had no yeshivah to attend and he was very kind to so many people. Yehi Zichro Baruch!

  6. Boruch Daiyan HaEmes!

    One of his daughters is Mrs. Rochel Scherman, wife of Reb Avroham Scherman of Lakewood, NJ; Avroham Scherman is one of the sons of Rav Nosson Scherman, Sh’lita, the director of Art Scroll/Mesorah Publications — i.e., Rabbi Lefkowitz, ZT’L, is a Mechutan with, Yibodel L’Chaim Tovim V’Aruchim, Rav Nosson Scherman.

  7. One year, I was privileged to be a guest at his table for Pesach.

    One noteworthy Minhag of the Seder that he has is the following. After all of his children have said the “Four Questions,” then, everyone present at the table, including himself — the Ba’al HaSeder — all together say aloud the “Four Questions”! For, as he explains, we are all saying the questions to our Real Father — HaShem; we are thus asking HaShem “Why is this ‘night,’ i.e. this Galus, so different, i.e. so exceedingly longer, than all of the other exiles were?” Thus, it is really a prayer begging HaShem to please end this Galus.

    (I had seen this P’shat of the “Four Questions” in a Sefer before. However, at Mr. Lefkowitz’s Seder, it was the first time I had ever seen this Pshat of the questions carried out in this way.)

    Y’he Zichro Boruch.

  8. A big heart was an understatment! Reb Yisroel was a person that did what most talked about, but either couldnt do or didnt do. His entire life was about others that needed and he maid sure what ever it was that they had it. klal yisroel lost a real father/friend. BDE

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