Rav Shneur Zalman Wilschanski zt”l

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Shneur Zalman Wilschanski zt”l, one of the longtime Roshei Yeshivos of Chabad. He was 74.

Rav Wilschanski was born in Paris, France, the eldest son of Rabbi Refoel Wilschanski, secretary of the European Lubavitch Lishka bureau, and his mother, Mrs. Zlate Wilschanski. who passed away at a young age.

As a child and later as a bochur at Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim in the small town of Brunoy, he grew up around and was deeply influenced by chassidim such as R’ Yosef Goldberg, R’ Yisroel Noach Blinitzky, R’ Shlomo Chaim Kesselman, R’ Nochum Labkovsky, R’ Nissan Neminov and R’ Zalman Shimon Devorkin.

He learned in Brunoy until the year 5730 (1970), when he traveled to the United States to learn in the Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

Over the years, he assisted his brother, Rav Yosef Yitzchak Wilschanski, later Rosh Yeshiva Chassidei Chabad in Tzfas, Israel, in his work on Vaad Lehafotzas Sichos, the group which edited, printed and distributed the Rebbe’s sichos to the world.

Upon reaching marriageable age, he married Mrs. Esther Wilschanski, the daughter of Rabbi Tzvi Yosef and Golda Kotlarsky, residents of Crown Heights.

In 1978, he was appointed Rosh Yeshiva of Tomchei Tmimim of Morristown, one of the institutions of the Rabbinical College of America led by Dean Rabbi Moshe Herson. Rav Wilschanski also served as the rov of Congregation Levi Yitzchak in Morristown and moreh hora’ah of the local Chabad community.

Over the years, he educated many bochurim. Besides being a Rosh Yeshiva and delivering shiurim in Gemara, Rabbi Wilschanski was known for his Chassidic warmth and wide knowledge of stories and anecdotes. He led many farbrengens for Bochurim and Chassidim over the years.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Esti Wilschanski – Morristown, NJ, and their children Rabbi Levi Wilschanski – Tzfas, Israel; Mrs. Zlate Benjaminson – Morristown, NJ; Mrs. Aida Cunin – Los Angeles, CA; Rabbi Yankel Wilschanski – Crown Heights; Rabbi Tzali Wilschanski – Kenosha, WI; Mrs. Chaya Roitblatt – Crown Heights; Rabbi Mayer Wilschanski – Coral Springs, FL; Rabbi Sendy Wilschanski – Phoenix, AZ; Rabbi Mendy Wilschanski – North Carolina; and grandchildren.

He is also survived by his siblings, Rabbi YY Wilschanski – Tzfas Israel, Rabbi Chaim Elle Wilschanski – NY, Devory Reicher – Melbourne, Australia and step-siblings Dini Lebovic – Brooklyn, NY, Chani Tzeitlin – Toronto and Avrumi Friedman – Coral Springs. FL.

The levayah will be held today at noon at 770 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights and at 1:00 PM at the Old Montefiore Cemetery in Queens.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}