The Dushinsky Chassidus in the United States is mourning the sudden petirah of Reb Shlomo Chaim Felsenstein z”l, a devoted chassid known for his boundless acts of tzedakah and chesed, and for his extraordinary archival work capturing decades of Jewish life through his lens. He passed away suddenly from cardiac arrest at the age of 56.
Born in the Givat Shaul neighborhood of Yerushalayim, Reb Shlomo Chaim was widely admired for his warm personality, generosity, and deep dedication to the tzibbur. He was a man of conversation, heart, and depth, who left a lasting impression on everyone he met.
From a young age, he was drawn to photography, becoming one of the most passionate and prolific documentarians of the chareidi world. With great love and reverence, he photographed gedolei Yisroel, rabbanim, admorim, and significant historical moments. His rare and expansive photo collection — particularly of Yerushalayim and its religious life over the generations — became a treasured reservoir of nostalgia for countless Jews around the world.
Reb Shlomo Chaim was among the founding members of the “Nostalgia 100 Sha’arim” group, where he generously shared hundreds of his personal photos from his private archive.
Chareidi photographer Shlomi Trachter paid tribute to him with emotion: “Shlomo Chaim was the one who pushed me to begin, who gave me the first encouragement to take up a camera. He believed in me. I can’t process this. It’s just unreal.”
The levayah will take place tomorrow.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{Matzav.com}