A deep sense of shock and mourning has descended upon the Chareidi community in Kiryat Ata, following the sudden and tragic passing of R’ Menachem Moshe Weiskopf Z”L, one of the most prominent members of the city’s Litvish community. He was 75. The incident occurred Monday afternoon at the separate “Quiet Beach” in Haifa, where R’ Weiskopf lost consciousness while swimming. United Hatzalah and MDA medics rushed to the scene and began resuscitation efforts before evacuating him to Rambam Hospital in critical condition. Sadly, doctors were forced to pronounce his death shortly after. R’ Menachem Moshe Weiskopf Z”L was born on 9 Cheshvan 5710 (1949) to his parents, R’ Zvi Z”L and Mrs. Zisel A”H.

YWN regrets to inform you of the Petira of  R’ Avi Piamenta Z”L, one of the most beloved and influential Jewish musicians of the past generation. He was Niftar on Friday, 8 Tammuz 5785, at the age of 69. R’ Avi, who was a master fluiet player, brought simcha to countless Yidden around the world with his soulful music and energy. He was the brother of the legendary R’ Yossi Piamenta Z”L, one of the greatest guitarists in Jewish music history, who was Niftar in 2015. Together, the Piamenta brothers performed at tens of thousands of chasunos and events over several decades, leaving an indelible impact on the world of Jewish music and the hearts of Klal Yisrael.

In a heartbreaking tragedy, the Yeshiva of South Fallsburg community is mourning the loss of a 19-month-old child who was struck and killed by a vehicle on Wednesday afternoon. The child, Yaakov Yisroel Jurkansky, is an einikel of Hagaon Harav Elya Ber Wachtfogel, the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva of South Fallsburg, and a son of Reb Reuven Jurkanski. The incident occurred just after 2:30 p.m. at the intersection of Estate Drive and Laurel Park Road in the Catskills. Catskills Hatzolah paramedics responded swiftly, doing everything in their power to save the young child’s life. Tragically, their efforts were unsuccessful, and the child was Niftar. Misaskim and Chesed Shel Emes are on the scene, ensuring proper kavod hames for the niftar.

YWN regrets to inform you of the petirah of Chazzan Yehuda Aharon (Ari) ben R’ Yirmiyahu Klein z”l, a beloved figure in the world of chazzanus and Jewish music, who was niftar today at the age of 76. Chazzan Klein, a resident of Manhattan, leaves behind a legacy of decades of musical avodah and simcha, having served as a chazzan in shuls across the globe, including prestigious pulpits in Sydney, Australia; Johannesburg, South Africa; and most recently, Park East Synagogue in Manhattan. A gifted vocalist and dedicated oved hashem, Chazzan Klein was misameach thousands of chassanim and kallos over the years, bringing joy and kedusha to countless simchos through his powerful voice and heartfelt davening.

The IDF has announced the tragic death of Master Sergeant (Res.) Alon Farkas HY”D, a 27-year-old reservist from the 646th Reserve Paratroopers Brigade’s 6646th Battalion, who was killed during combat operations in northern Gaza on Tuesday. Farkas, a resident of Kibbutz Kabri, fell in battle while operating in the Shejaiya neighborhood of Gaza City. According to an initial investigation, a Palestinian terrorist opened fire with an assault rifle, striking Farkas and another soldier from the unit. The terrorist managed to flee the scene. The second soldier sustained serious injuries and is receiving medical treatment. יהי זכרו ברוך. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Margot Friedländer, one of the oldest Holocaust survivors in the world, was niftar this past week in her hometown of Berlin at the age of 103. Friedländer, née Bendheim, was born in Berlin in 1921 and survived the Holocaust after losing her mother and brother in Auschwitz. Her mother’s final words, “Try to make your life,” became a guiding principle for Friedländer in the decades that followed. She was captured in hiding at age 21 and deported to Theresienstadt, where she met her future husband, Adolph Friedländer, also a survivor. The couple moved to New York in 1946 and lived there for over 60 years. After her husband’s passing, she made the remarkable decision to return to Berlin in 2010 to dedicate her life to Holocaust education and remembrance.

The young man who was killed in a boat accident off the coast of Eilat on Wednesday evening was Levi Yitzchak Leizerowitz, z’l, a 21-year-old resident of Tiveria. The niftar, a member of the Breslov community in Tiveria, is survived by his parents, his wife, and a one-year-old daughter. As a teen, he attended the Migdal Ohr institutions of HaGaon HaRav Dovid Grossman in Migdal HaEmek. He grew very close to HaRav Grossman and maintained a close relationship with him. Nine others were injured in the incident, two moderately and seven lightly. The police said that the boat overturned after it made a sharp turn at high speed, causing all 12 passengers to be thrown in the water. A witness said that none of the passengers were wearing life jackets and some fell under the boat’s engine.

(By his daughter, originally published in Hamodia) On the words in Avos (4:13), “V’kesser shem tov oleh al gabeihen”, Rabbeinu Yonah writes that the purpose of coming to this world is to acquire a shem tov, and when someone leaves this world with a shem tov, “yismechu alav krovav vohavav,” his relatives and friends will rejoice with him. My father, Reb Shimon Betzalel Edelstein, zt”l, has a glorious reputation as a gaon batorah, mushlam in middos, and baal chessed mufla. His shem tov is recognized by all who knew him, whether from yeshiva, shul, neighborhood, or the business world. It is difficult to try and find a frame of reference for my father. He was much greater than the sum of his parts.

Many in Bnei Brak are in shock after learning of the sudden passing of R’ Avraham Leibush Levi z”l, a well-known figure in the city and a prominent volunteer with Yedidim, Ichud, Zaka, Shomrim and many other Chesed organizations. He was 35. Sources tell YWN that he suddenly collapsed at home and was Niftar. In Bnei Brak, R’ Avraham was known as an extraordinary man of kindness, always eager to assist others. Anyone in need of help would call him, and he made himself available 24 hours a day to everyone. Many knew him where he worked at Kalman’s Deli in Bnei Brak, where he served customers with dedication and loyalty.

YWN regrets to inform you of the Petira of Mrs. Chaya Gutfrab A”H, the wife of Reb Yossele Gutfrab, a prominent and well-known figure in the Zichron Moshe Beis Midrash in Yerushalayim. She was 68. Mrs. Gutfrab was renowned for her exceptional Hachnosas Orchim and Chesed, and was well known by many American Yeshiva Bochrim. Born on the 22nd of Kislev, 5717 (1956) in Yerushalayim, Mrs. Gutfrab was the daughter of Rabbi Eliyahu Yehuda Lubetzky Z”L. She was known to Daven with deep Kavanah for her sons, daughters, family, and the entire Klal Yisroel, serving as an extraordinary example of modesty in her dress and conduct. She shunned worldly pleasures, and her words of wisdom and ethical teachings were likened to pearls and precious gems.