It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Rabbi Dr. Shalom Gold z”l.
Rabbi Gold, originally from the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn, NY, was a talmid of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath in NY, Yeshivas Ner Yisroel in Baltimore, and Yeshivos Ponovezh and Chevron in Eretz Yisroel. He received semicha from Israeli Chief Rabbi Rav Yitzchok Isaac Herzog and Rav Yaakov Yitzchok Ruderman.
Rabbi Gold was at the forefront of establishing communities both in the Diaspora and Israel. In 1959, as a young man, he arrived in Toronto to establish Yeshiva Ner Yisroel there. Additionally, he played a key role in the development of Congregation Bnei Torah in Willowdale, a northern suburb of Toronto.
In 1971, upon becoming the rabbi of Young Israel of West Hempstead, NY, Rabbi Gold constructed one of the first eruvin in North America, which became a model for communities worldwide. Under his guidance, the local mikvah was built, contributing to the growth of West Hempstead.
In 1982, Rabbi Gold and his family made aliyah to Israel, where he quickly gained recognition as a renowned speaker, Torah lecturer, and prominent figure. He served as the rabbi of Kehilat Zichron Yoseph in Har Nof and, in 1984, established the Avrom Silver Jerusalem College for Adults. In 2002, the college merged with the OU Israel Center, where Rabbi Gold, as dean, dedicated many years to teaching Torah.
Rabbi Gold was among the founders of the Union of Rabbis for the Land of Israel and was vocal in his opposition to relinquishing any part of the land of Eretz Yisroel. He played a significant role in consolidating rabbinic resistance against the Oslo Accords of 1993, both before and after their signing.
His levayah was held today at the shul he founded and led in Har Nof, Yerushalayim.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{Matzav.com Israel}