Rabbi Yosef Rosenzweig z”l

Adapted from a tribute by Yaakov Brown on Jewish Musical Notes

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Rabbi Yosef Rosenzweig z”l, who was niftar yesterday afternoon. The levayah was held in Oak Park, Michigan.

Reb Yosil, as he was fondly known, touched the lives of countless individuals through his teachings, music, and rabbinical care. Even his birth was a symbol of hope when he was born to Holocaust survivors Helen (Chaichu) and Jacob Rosenzweig on April 23, 1947, in a Displaced Persons camp near Innsbruck, Austria.

Many knew Reb Yosil as a dedicated teacher, imparting his wisdom through formal programs, serving communities from Winnipeg, Manitoba to Windsor, Ontario; Newport News, VA to Schenectady, NY. But you might recognize his name for his many well-known compositions, as he was also a gifted composer of Jewish music.

Songs made popular by The Diaspora Yeshiva Band, such as “Asay L’ma’an,” “Lo Es Avoseinu Bilvad,” “Tzaddik Katamar Yifrach” and many others, profoundly influenced Jewish music since the 70s. His Chassidic Song festival classics “Hu Yiftach” (1977) and *“Pitchu Li” (1980)* were prize winners and helped his collaborator and brother-in-law, Avraham Rosenblum, attract worldwide acclaim.

We had the privilege of having him for Shabbos and Yom Tov meals as well as the occasional Malave Malka at my in-laws a few blocks away. When he entered, the house felt as if it had expanded. With his jovial, booming voice and his ever-present signature smile, Reb Yosil had a way of transforming every occasion into a significant and uplifting affair.

He would regale us with tales from his youth and the life-lessons he learned through each exciting experience. He always had an original dvar Torah up his sleeve, followed by a joke or by a poignant witticism. And of course, the music. The music that drove it all home. Life inspired him to sing, and through song he taught others to do the same.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}