It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Elchonon Schwimmer zt”l, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Orchos Meir in Bayit Vegan, and previously rosh yeshiva at Yeshivas Chevron Geulah. He was 66.
Rav Shwimmer suffered from a severe illness, and in recent days, his condition deteriorated. He passed away at Hadassa Ein Keren Medical Center in Yerushalayim.
Rav Shwimmer was born in the United States. In his youth, he studied at the Chevron Yeshiva. After his marriage, he joined the Mir Yeshiva and became a talmid of Rav Nachum Partzovitz, whose derech halimud deeply influenced him. Rav Shwimmer maintained a close relationship with Rav Nachum and even learned together with his son, Rav Tzvi. At the Mir, he also heard shmuessen from Rav Chaim Shmulevitz.
For years, he served as the rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Chevron Geulah following the passing of the rosh yeshiva Rav Chaim Sarna. Rav Shwimmer was one of the founders of Yeshivas Chevron Geula and was a confidant of the rosh yeshiva Rav Shmuel Yaakov Borenstein.
After some years, he was appointed as the rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Orchos Meir in Bayit Vegan, which was established by Rav Avraham Gershon, the nosi of the Beis Shmuel community in Venezuela, recognizing the need for additional yeshivos for the flourishing Sephardic Torah community.
Rav Shwimmer delivered shiurim and taught many talmidim as the rosh yeshiva. Rav Shwimmer was known as an exceptional talmid chochom. He taught his many students in a uniquely warm manner, forming a fatherly relationship. He also served as the rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Tiferes Tzvi in Modi’in Illit.
While living in Bayit Vegan, he became close to Rav Moshe Shapiro, who lived in the neighborhood and to whose teachings he became deeply connected. Every Shabbos, he would visit the home of Rav Shapiro.
He merited to leave behind a wonderful mishpacha. His brother-in-law, Rav Dovid Cohen, is the rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Chevron.
The levayah was held at Bais Haknesses Minchas Shlomo on Rechov Rav Mutzapi in Bayit Vegan, passing Yeshiva Orchos Meir en route to Har Hamenuchos for kevura there.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{Matzav.com Israel}