Rav Eliyahu Sternbuch zt”l

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Rav Eliyahu Shternbuch zt”l, rosh av bais din of Khal Machzikei Hadas in Antwerp, Belgium. He was 86 years old.

Born in London, England, in 1931, Rav Elya was a son of Rav Asher and Rebbetzin Devorah Shternbuch. After learning at the Gateshead Yeshiva in England and Chevron Yeshiva in Yerushalayim, he married his wife, Miriam, a daughter of the Imrei Boruch of Seret-Vizhnitz, in the mid-1950s.

Already in his younger years, Rav Elya was recognized for his hasmadah, his kishron, and his exalted levels of avodas Hashem.

He served as a R”M at Yeshivas Yacheil Yisroel-Vizhnitz in Haifa for a few years before receiving an offer that was a watershed in his life, when he was asked to become the rov of Machzikei Hadas kehillah in Antwerp. He served in that position for 54 years.

In addition to his wide-ranging yedios haTorah, Rav Shternbuch was well known as a selfless baal chessed. He opened his door to anyone who had a tzarah or challenge, and he labored to help each one. He served as a comforting, listening ear to so many people.

His wife, Rebbetzin Shternbuch, passed away several years ago. Rav Elya passed away Shabbos afternoon at Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center in Yerushalayim.

Rav Elya is survived by his siblings, Rav Moshe Shternbuch, raavad of Yerushalayim; Rav Dov Shternbuch (Gateshead); Rebbetzin Shulamis Arieli; Rebbetzin Yehudis Soloveitchik (wife of Rav Dovid Soloveitchik); and Rebbetzin Rochel Ehrentreu (wife of Dayan Chanoch Ehrentreu); and his children, Rav Asher Shternbuch of Antwerp; Rav Boruch Shternbuch of Modiin Illit; Rav Shlomo Shternbuch and Rav Yisroel Shternbuch of Yerushalayim; Rav Eliezer Shternbuch of Boro Park; Rebbetzin Yocheved Stempel, Rebbetzin Esther Rabinovich, Rebbetzin Rivka Borenstein, Rebbetzin Rochel Eichenstein and Rebbetzin Naomi Auerbach.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com Israel News Bureau}