Baruch Dayan Ha’emes. The founder and chairman of the Gift of Life Association (Matnas Chaim), Rabbi Yeshayahu Haber ZT”L, passed away on Thursday evening at the age of 55 after contracting the coronavirus. Nearly 1,000 people donated a kidney thanks to his activities. Rabbi Haber passed away in Hadassah Ein Kerem after contracting the virus and being admitted to their isolated department for those ill with the disease. On Thursday afternoon, his situation began to deteriorate rapidly. He was intubated and put on a ventilator. Rabbonim added the name Raphael to his name in order to try to save him and his family asked that people say Tehillim across the globe. Unfortunately, these efforts did not change the end result and Rabbi Haber died later on Thursday evening.

YWN regrets to inform you of the Petira of Hagaon HaRav Mordechai Marcus ZT”L, the Rov of the Beth Medrash Govoha Minyan (Lakewood Minyan) in Flatbush. The Levaya will be held at 11:00AM today in Lakewood, and can be accessed via Zoom meeting ID 87869821149 password 024588. Call in +1 346 248 7799 or +1 646 558 8656 with same meeting ID and password as above. IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE NIFTAR, PLEASE NOTIFY YWN Boruch Dayan HaEmmes… (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

YWN regrets to inform you of the Petira of Hagaon HaRav Mendle Rabinowitz ZATZAL, the Rosh Yeshiva of Mesivta Keren Hatorah and head of Yeshiva K’tana of Lakewood. He was 70-years-old. The Rosh Yeshiva had been hospitalized in critical condition from COVID-19, and was Niftar on Tuesday afternoon. The Niftar took over as Rosh Yeshiva of Keren Hatorah after the Petira of his brother, Hagaon HaRav Moshe Z”L around 4 years ago. The loss of the Niftar is a tremendous to the Lakewood community. Additional information will be published when it becomes available to us. Boruch Dayan HaEmmes… (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

YWN regrets to inform you of the Petira of Hagaon HaRav Aryeh Leib (Leibel) Katz ZATZAL. He was approximately 75. Rav Katz was Niftar from COVID-19. The Niftar prepared thousands of Chasanim for their weddings with his classic Sefer Ohel Aryeh (among many others). He was a well-known Posek, as he led his Shul “Zichron Yosef” in Boro Park for decades. His Sefer Ohel Aryeh is one of the best known seforim on the all-important halachos of Taharas Hamishpachah. He was a Talmid Muvhak of Hagaon HaRav Yaakov Kaminetzky ZATZAL. Additional information to follow. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

YWN regrets to inform you of the petira of HaRav Don Yoel Levy Z”L. He was 72. Rabbi Levy was the Rov of the Beis Eliezer Yitzchak Shul in Crown Heights and was the director of the OK Kashrus Agency since 1987, after he assumed leadership upon the passing of his father. Sadly, his mother Mrs. Thelma Levy A”H was Niftar on Wednesday, 22 Adar, 5780 due to the coronavirus Rabbi Levy was renowned for his vast scholarship and unshakeable principles, coupled with an impassioned desire to inspire the kosher industry to strive for ever higher standards. Over time, the name “Don Yoel Levy” became synonymous with all that is strictly kosher. In his adult life, Don Yoel studied at the Philadelphia Talmudical Yeshiva and later at the Yeshiva in Kfar Chabad, Israel.

Family and friends are in profound shock and sadness by the sudden petirah of R’ Mordy Weiner z”l, Mordechai Ziskind ben Meir Elchonon. The family just marked his 57th birthday this week, as he lay in the hospital with the dreaded coronavirus disease. Mordy was greatly beloved and cherished by family, friends, and all who were zoche to know him. He leaves behind his beloved daughters Hennie and Tova, his beloved mother Devorah, sisters Esther, Naomi, and Fraidel, as well as his cherished grandchildren. He was always the life of the party, putting a smile on the faces of young and old alike. He had a giant heart, and extended it to the care of the elderly and sick, who truly adored him. He drove countless sick to hospitals for treatments, and selflessly took care of their families.

The ground is still soaked with fresh tears on a newly dug grave. Reb Alter Boruch Weiss ז”ל was suddenly taken from this world, leaving an אלמנה and 3 yesomim crying at home. Together we will ensure a stable future for these 3 children by creating a Keren Yesomim for them. CLICK HERE TO DONATE  Reb Alter Boruch was a loving melamed in the cheder in Skver Shtetel all his years, known for his steady warm, happy and uplifting character. The story of this devoted father, with his exceptional connection with his children still continued this past week as usual. The lovely atmosphere at the Seder table with his children was second to none. Little did they know what awaits them in the coming 24 hours.

YWN regrets to inform you of the Petira of Reb Naftali Gelman z”l of Montreal. He was Niftar on the second day of Yom Tov. Rav Naftali was originally from Lemberg, Ukraine. He was one of the founders of the yiddishe community post Iron Curtain in Lemberg. Rav Naftali is survived by his wife Mrs. Tanya Gelman and two daughters. Shiva will start motzei yom tov, Thursday night through Wednesday morning. Phone calls only please: Mrs. Tanya Gelman (438) 934-5219 Mrs. Rachel Basilyan (415) 370-1121 Mrs. Leah Shkolnik (514) 733-8235 Boruch Dayan HaEmmes… (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

YWN regrets to inform you of the Petira of Morah Rochel (Felice) Blau A”H. Morah Blau, who helped found BYA elementary school, was an Ishah Chashuvah who always greeted everyone with a sever panim yafos, and שם ה’ היה שגור בפיה. In her capacity as principal, she used her talents as a songwriter (most notably of the well-known song about Sarah Schenirer), playwright, and artist. Her innovations have been implemented in schools throughout the Jewish community. Morah Blau A”H has been an icon in Chinuch Habonos in Brooklyn and beyond. There are Moros throughout the world today that have been trained by Morah Blau, widening her legacy. Generations of mothers have been taught by Morah Blau. And in BYA today, she was the much admired Principal of the current talmidos.

YWN regrets to inform you of the Petira of R’ Yaakov Radin Z”L of Flatbush. He was Niftar on Sunday. His Levaya was held on Sunday and kevura was held with a “tnai”, since it was his wish to be buried in Eretz Yisroel. Yaakov was an active, outstanding member of Kehillas Young Israel of Avenue K / Congregation Ahavath Israel – for many, many years. He was a Member of the Va’ad Ha’Kohol of the SHul for over twenty years, and served for a number of years as one of the “Zayin Tuvei Ho’ir” / an Officer on the Executive of the Kehilla. Boruch Dayan HaEmmes… (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)