Reb Yechiel Benzion (Benny) Fishoff z”l

September 20, 2021 8:40 am

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Reb Yechiel Benzion Fishoff z”l. He was 97 years old.

Reb “Benny,” as he was known, was a link to a bygone era, an askan of unparalleled insight and wisdom, and a devoted oveid Hashem.

Reb Benny was born in Wloczewa, a small town in Poland, and his family moved, in 1925, to the city of Lodz when he was a young boy. His father, R’ Dov, established a unique kesher with the Chassidic court of Ger, drawing close to the Imrei Emes and imbibing the special ruach of the rebbe and his chassidim.

A young Gerer chossid, in 1939, at the age of 16, he made a solo trip to Vilna as war broke out. He would never see his parents again. He later learned that all the residents of his town were rounded up by the Nazis and shot on the holy day of Yom Kippur.

Ultimately, Benny became one of the lucky few to get a visa to Japan and then to Shanghai thanks to the kindness of Chiune Sugihara, the Japanese Consul to Lithuania who saved thousands of Jews.

After the war, Benny established himself as a financial success, moved to New York, married, raised an exceptional family, and formed a reputation as a magnanimous philanthropist.

At the same time, Benny was involved in so many tzorchei tzibbur, from Ger to Agudas Yisroel and many others, always giving of his time and resources for the betterment of the klal.

He was a true leader in askanus, the consummate doer, with an ayin tovah for everyone, and a desire to guide and help in any way he could.

He leaves behind a legacy of remarkable hachozkas haTorah and gemillus chassodim, strength of character and unbending faith in Hashem, having rebuilt from the ashes, establishing a foundation for the growth of Torah and Yiddishkeit going forward.

The levayah will be held at 11:30 a.m. at Shomrei Hadas Chapels, located at 3803 14th Avenue in Boro Park, Brooklyn. Watch the levayah LIVE HERE.

Reb Benny leaves behind his wonderful family, including his children, R’ Dov Fishoff, R’ Avi Fishoff, Mrs. Maybrook, Mrs. Gold and Mrs. Zucker, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Agudas Yisroel of America released the following statement:

Mr. Fishoff, whose own miraculous story of survival during the war years led him from Poland to Lithuania, and then with the Mirrer Yeshiva to Japan and China before eventually settling in America, was one of the prominent members of the She’aris Hapleitah who helped Klal Yisroel rebuild from the ashes of Churban Europa. He was a devoted Gerrer chosid and a supporter of countless mosdos haTorah and other vital tzedaka institutions and initiatives.

Reb Yechiel BenZion was beloved by all who knew him. He enjoyed a special relationship of friendship and trust with Rabbi Moshe Sherer z’l, and played a major role in the growth of the Agudas Yisroel movement. He served for many years as chairman of the Agudah’s board of trustees.

Agudath Israel’s Chairman of the Board, Reb Shloime Werdiger credits Reb Benzion with creating the model by which the next generation of Klal Askonim followed. “R’ Benny was a pioneer, a Shearis Haplaita Yid who taught us all how a Yid rebuilds and lives a Torah life. He was my mentor, my guide, my Rebbe in klal askanus and my dearest friend. His influence is everywhere and his loss to Klal Yisroel is incalculable.”

Agudas Yisroel extends its heartfelt tanchumin to the choshuve Fishoff mishpocha:

Yehi zichro boruch.