It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Sheftel Meir Halevi Neuberger zt”l, the beloved menahel of Yeshivas Ner Yisroel in Baltimore. Rav Sheftel had battled illness for the last year.
Rav Neuberger was a son of Rav Naftali Neuberger zt”l, famed president of Ner Yisroel. He was named for his zaide, Rav Sheftel Kramer zt”l.
Rav Sheftel took over for his father as president of Ner Yisroel upon Rav Naftali’s passing in 2005.
Rav Sheftel was supremely devoted to the yeshiva, guiding it and sacrificing to ensure its vitality and growth.
He was also renowned as an outstanding baal tefillah, whose tefillos inspired thousands of the years. He was a baal tefillah during the Yomim Noraim at Ner Yisroel, and his nusach has been used and replicated by baalei tefillah the world over.
Rav Sheftel is survived by his rebbetzin, Mrs. Judy Neuberger, and their family: Rabbi Yosef Neuberger, Rabbi Boruch Neuberger, Mrs. Devorah Krakauer, Mrs. Laya Basch, Rabbi Chaim Shimon Neuberger, Mrs. Feige Schwebel, and Rabbi Shlomo Dovid Neuberger. He is also survived by his siblings, Rav Shraga Neuberger, Reb Yaakov Neuberger, Reb Yitzchok (Isaac) Neuberger, and Rav Ezra Neuberger.
The children and Rav Shraga Neuberger and Rav Ezra Neuberger will sit shivah at 418 Yeshiva Lane through Tuesday Morning. Minyanim will be private. R’ Yitzchok Neuberger and R’ Yaakov Neuberger will sit shivah at 500 Mount Wilson Lane. Masks and social distancing are required by the family.
The levayah will held tomorrow, Wednesday, at 1 p.m. at the Ner Yisroel bais medrash, located at 400 Mt. Wilson Lane in Pikesville, Maryland. No visitors from outside the yeshiva’s bubble will be allowed into the yeshiva bais medrash or mechina bais medrash buildings. The ezras noshim will be open to women, but women must enter and exit through the door facing the yeshiva‘s administration building. The kollel will be in the Friedman Family Bais Medrash and the Wolf Dining Room. There will be space for guests in the dining room with socially distant seating. Masks must be worn everywhere on campus. Only family will be allowed into the cemetery due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Due to Covid, people are encouraged by the yeshiva to participate in the levayah online or via teleconference.
Watch the levayah live HERE. Listen to the levayah by calling 301.715.8592 and entering ID# 824 6010 6228 and passcode 551184.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{Matzav.com}
BORUCH DAIYAN HAEMES!!!!!!!!!
Upon the recent Petira of Rav Eliyahu Sorotzkin, ZT’L, I posted here that when we suffer the Petira of a Gadol B’Torah, and then we suffer the Petira of the next generation of that Gadol, the pain is much, much more intense.
I well remember the Petira of Rav Boruch Sorotzkin, ZT’L; in fact, I was actually at the Telz Alumini Beis Medrosh in Boro Park when, right after Ma’ariv on Motzoei Shabbos, they received the telephone call informing them of the Petira. The next day, I was at the Levaiya in Boro Park. So, it was exceedingly painful to read about the Petira of his next generation of Rav Eliyahu Meir Sorotzkin, ZT’L.
I well remember the Petira of the Raban Shel Yisroel, Rav Moshe Feinstein, ZT’L, and was at the Levaiya in the Lower East Side and several of the numerous subsequent memorial assemblies. So, it was exceedingly painful to read about the Petira of his next generation of, who was certainly also of the Rabbanim Shel Yisroel, Rav Dovid Feinstein, ZT’L.
I well remember the Petira of Rav Naftoli Neuberger, ZT’L. I had been residing with my parents in Northern California and had just picked up my mail — which included the weekly edition of the “Yated Ne’eman” Torah newspaper — from the local mail box store. Upon reaching my car, I looked at the Yated’s front page and saw the announcement of his Petira. So, it is now exceedingly painful to read about the Petira of his next generation of Rav Sheftel Neuberger, ZT’L.
I just returned from the bais avel for HaRav Sheftel Meir ben HaRav Naftoli HaLevi Neuberger. I told the avelim two stories about Rav Sheftel that were told to me by his mother, Rebitzen Judith Neuberger A.H. over 50 years ago.
Story 1.
It was mid-December in the late forties and Rebitzen Neuberger was traveling on a city bus with young Sheftel from their Forest Park neighborhood to downtown Baltimore to do some shopping. A lady entered the bus and sat down next to Sheftel. She inquired, “And what will Santa Claus bring you for Christmas?” A puzzled Sheftel looked at the lady and responded, “Who is Santa Claus?”
Story 2.
From an early age, young Sheftel would daven shacharis with the Ner Israel yeshiva. One morning, when he returned home for breakfast, he was very excited. He told his mother in astonishment, “Mommy, all the talmidei chachomim were in the Bais Medrash and they asked ME what the letter was in the sefer Torah!”
May his memory be a blessing for Klal Yisroel and may he be a melitz Yosher for us.
Dr. Bert Miller