Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Kalmanson, a distinguished talmid chacham in the Lubavitch community and longtime Rosh Yeshiva in Connecticut, was niftar suddenly on the first night of Rosh Hashana. He was 70 years old.
Rabbi Kalmanson was born in France, one of a pair of twins alongside his brother, Rabbi Yechiel Menachem Mendel Kalmanson. They were the sons of R’ Yekusiel Dovber Kalmanson and his wife Batsheva (née Rabinowitz). Their father was a devoted Chabad chossid from Brunoy and traveled as a shadar, raising funds for Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch in Brunoy.
The brothers learned in the Brunoy yeshiva, where they were shaped by the Chassidim who taught there. They studied under the guidance of figures such as the Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Yosef Goldberg and the mashpia Reb Nissan Nemanov.
Both twins later went on to lead yeshivos — Reb Yosef Yitzchok becoming Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Beis Dovid Shlomo in New Haven, Connecticut, while Reb Yechiel assumed the position of Rosh Yeshiva in Brunoy.
Reb Yosef Yitzchok gained a reputation for his vast knowledge in both nigleh and Chassidus. As a bochur, he dedicated himself to listening to recordings of the Rebbe’s farbrengens, analyzing them with passion.
He continued learning in Brunoy until 5735, after which he served as a shliach and was selected to present the Rebbe with a golden key marking the inauguration of a new mitzvah tank. In 5738, with the Rebbe’s blessing, he established the New Haven yeshiva. Under his leadership, it expanded into a mesivta and later a zal, where he shaped generations of students. He became widely known as a brilliant teacher and the author of numerous Torah writings.
In 5748, Rabbi Kalmanson began publishing his Reshimos Shiurim, a series of seforim containing chiddushim on masechtos of Shas studied in Chabad yeshivos. These works earned broad acclaim among talmidei chachamim, receiving warm haskamos from prominent roshei yeshiva.
His stature was evident at the annual Global Yarchei Kallah of Chabad rabbonim, Roshei Yeshiva, and mashpiim held each summer at Camp Gan Israel in Parksville, New York. His shiurim were delivered with depth and clarity, prompting attendees to remark, “The world doesn’t know the ge’onus of the Kalmenson brothers.” Fellow rabbonim were always eager to receive his newly published volumes.
Rabbi Kalmanson suddenly became ill on the first night of Yom Tov and was niftar.
He leaves behind his wife, Mrs. Hindy Kalmenson (née Sanowicz), and their children: Mrs. Chani Altein of Pittsburgh, PA; Mrs. Nechama Hendel of Yerushalayim, Israel; Mrs. Menucha Schochet of Los Angeles, CA; Rabbi Mendel Kalmanson of London, England; Rabbi Yekusiel Kalmanson of Los Angeles, CA; and Rabbi Moishy Kalmanson of Rockwell, Texas; as well as many grandchildren.
He is also survived by his siblings: Rabbi Yechiel Menachem Mendel Kalmanson of Brunoy, France; Mrs. Doba Raiza Vorst of Amsterdam, Netherlands; Mrs. Chaya Uminer of Crown Heights; Mrs. Baila Goldstein of Crown Heights; Rabbi Yisroel Shimon Kalmanson of Crown Heights; and Mrs. Shterna Spritzer of Crown Heights.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{Matzav.com}
You left out an important detail, namely that R. Kalmanson visited the tomb of his late leader, the last Chabad-Lubavitch Rebbuh, on erev Rosh Hashanah, just a short time before his passing.
why is that important?
Going to the tomb of the Rebbuh is not important???