YWN regrets to inform you of the Petira of the famed Mashgiach of the Mir Yerushalahim, Hagaon HaRav Aharon Chadash ZATZAL. He was 92. HaRav Chadash contracted COVID-19 in October and was hospitalized a few days later. His condition deteriorated and was placed on a ventilator until his Petira. The Mashgiach suffered from weakness and breathing issues in recent years (prior to the coronavirus pandemic) and walked around with an oxygen tank. He was also hospitalized many times due to weakness. Nevertheless, despite his weakness, HaRav Chadash had been Makpid to come to each and every Tefillah at the Mir with great Mesiras Nefesh. In later years he moved to an apartment next to the Yeshiva so it would be easier for him to come.

YWN regrets to inform you of the Petira of Hagaon HaRav Elya Meir Sorotzkin ZATZAL, the Rosh Yeshiva of Springfield Yeshiva in NJ. He was approximately 62. Rav Sorotzkin took ill a number of years ago, and despite his illness kept delivering Shiurim with great Mesiras Nefesh. Unfortunately he contracted COVID-19 a few weeks ago, and his condition deteriorated until his Petira on Erev Shabbos. The Rosh Yeshiva was a son of Hagaon HaRav Boruch Sorotzkin ZATZAL, the late Telzer Rosh Yeshiva, and a son-in-law of Hagaon HaRav Shmuel Berenbaum ZATZAL, the late Mirrer Rosh Yeshiva. Rav Sorotzkin founded Yeshiva Tiferes Boruch in Springfield around 30 years ago. It relocated to North Plainfield NJ a number of years ago.

A woman was R”L stuck and killed by a vehicle in Flatbush, Tuesday evening. Flatbush Hatzolah was on the scene at around 5:30PM, and transported the approximately 60-year-old victim to Maimonides Hospital. Unfortunately, doctors were unable to save her life, and she was Niftar. The vehicle remained on the scene, and the NYPD was investigating the incident. Additional information will be published when it becomes available. Boruch Dayan HaEmmes… (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Rebbetzin Chana Shmuelevitz, a’h, the wife of HaGaon HaRav Shlomo Halevi Shmuelvitz, z’tl, passed away on Monday at the age of 96. The nifteres was born in Berlin, Germany. During World War II, she fled to Shanghai with Yeshivas Mir, where she married HaRav Shomo, the younger brother of Hagaon Rosh Yeshivas Mir, HaRav Chaim Shmuelevitz, z’tl. After the war ended, the couple moved together with the yeshivah to the United States. The Rebbetzin, a’h, was known for her chachmah, her noble middos, her simplicity and her mesiras nefesh for Torah, sacrificing her entire married life for the sake of her husband’s Torah. She was zocheh to see a fifth generation of descendants following in the path of Torah and mitzvos.

At his daily press conference held today, NJ Governor Phil Murphy spoke about Dr Elliott Samet Z”L, who was Niftar from COVID-19 in April. The Governor mentioned how Dr Samet was a noted pediatrician, and “treated every patient as if they were a member of his own family.” “Dr. Samet was devoted to the Jewish community, his faith, and the study of the Torah. He selflessly supported families in need, whenever and wherever he could”. “He was one of the founding board member of Hatzolah of Passaic. “May Doctor Samet’s commitment to his community be his legacy, and may his memory be a blessing”, Murphy concluded. The Governor also tweeted about Dr Samet following his press conference.

Former UK Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, z’l, passed away on Shabbos at the age of 72. “Baruch Dayan Ha’Emet. It with the deepest sadness that we regret to inform you that Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks (HaRav Ya’akov Zvi ben David Arieh z’’l) passed away early this morning, Saturday 7th November 2020 (Shabbat Kodesh 20th MarCheshvan 5781),” a post on Rabbi Sack’s Twitter account stated on Motzei Shabbos. Rabbi Sacks was diagnosed with cancer last month and had been undergoing treatment. Rabbi Sacks served as the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth from 1991 to 2013 and was the official Av Beis Din of the London Beis Din. Baruch Dayan Ha’Emet.

YWN regrets to inform you of the Petira of Hagaon HaRav David Feinstein ZATZAL, one of the Poskei Hador and a member of the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorh in the United States. He was the Rosh Yeshiva of Meshiva Tiferes Yerushalayim in the Lower East Side on Manhattan. He was 91. Rav David was born in 1929 in Lyuban, (the former USSR), and immigrated to the United States in 1936 with his father, the late Posek hador, Hagaon HaRav Moshe Feinstein ZATZAL. After the Petira of Rav Moshe in 1986, Rav David assumed the leadership of the Yeshiva. He wrote many Seforim. His Anivus was legendary, never putting on the attire worn by most Roshei Yeshiva and Rabbonim (Frock – long black jacket, and up-hat). For those that have ever visited the Yeshiva, it says it all.

YWN regrets to inform you of the Petira of Hagaon HaRav Yaakov Busel ZATZAL, the longtime Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Rabbeinu Yaakov Yosef of Edison NJ. Rav Busel was the son of an Alter Mirrer, and was born in Shainghai as the Mirrer Yeshiva was fleeing the Nazis. After hsi family settled in East New York, Brooklyn, the Rosh Yeshiva learned in Yeshiva of Eastern Parkway as a young Bochur, and then went to learn in Lakewood’s BMG until he became the Rosh Yeshiva of Edison for around 40 years. His first wife Rebbitzen Rasia A”H (who was Niftar in 1998), was a daughter of the Telsher Rosh Yeshiva, Hagaon HaRav Boruch Sorotzkin ZATZAL.

Mrs. Hannah Storch, a’h, the legendary Baltimore Jewish community matriarch was nifteres on Sunday, October 25th, at the age of 98. As HaRav Aharon Feldman, shlit”a, Rosh Hayeshiva, Ner Yisrael, mentioned in his hesped at the socially-distant levaya held outdoors on Sunday, October 25, Mrs. Storch was a true Aishes Chayil – woman of strength. “When I was a little boy here in Baltimore, the name M. Leo Storch was a household word. He had to do with everything educationally, spiritually, organizationally, and so much more. When he was niftar, his almanah continued in his ways, expanded him to this day.

Rav Chaim Baruch Amar, z’l, of Netivot, passed away of the coronavirus at the age of 49 in Soroka Hospital in Be’er Sheva in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Rav Amar, who had no pre-existing medical conditions, was a Rebbe in the Talmud Torah Ohel Moshe and the Netivei Ohr kiruv school and was devoted to his students. He also was involved in being marbitz Torah through distributing Daf Yomi material. The niftar dedicated his life to saving lives and doing chessed. He was a volunteer for Hatzalah, Magen David Adom and the Chasdei Yosef chessed organization and often distributed food to the needy, especially on Friday afternoon.