By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Eliyahu Tzion Niasoff, a Torah scholar who helped establish the Bukharian community in New York, passed away on Sunday, 27 Nissan 5773.
He was 74.
Rabbi Niasoff was born in Jerusalem, and moved to New York after his marriage to Sophia (nee Levy) at the direction of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
What was meant to be a short stay in New York turned into many years, at the request of the Rebbe, who insisted on Rabbi Niasoff remaining with his family in Boro Park, Brooklyn, where he became active in community affairs.
Rabbi Niasoff, a diamond cutter by trade, was involved in the establishment of the Bukharian communities in both Brooklyn and Queens, helping many new immigrants as they arrived in New York in the 1970’s.
Rabbi Niasoff brought many from the Bukharian community to the Lubavitcher Rebbe, including, years ago, a young Levi Leviev, who spoke with the Rebbe at a farbrengen for the first time while accompanied by Rabbi Niasoff, also receiving a bottle of Mashke and a blessing for a kollel he was establishing.
Known as a great Torah scholar, Rabbi Niasoff was involved in giving many shiurim in Boro Park, with many different Rabbonim, and also gave advice to many.
“He loved learning,” a relative told COLlive. “Everyone knew him as someone who always wanted to hear another chidush, and another chidush – up until the last moment of his life.”
Rabbi Niasoff was also known for his love of Hashem and his dedication to instilling yiras Shomayim in his children. “You would never hear him say anything negative about anyone,” said his relative. “He taught all to have love for Hashem, and to use every moment wisely, not to waste time.”
He is survived by a large family raised “al taharos hakodesh,” with many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, many on Shlichus around the world.
He is survived by his wife, Sophia and children Uriel – Crown Heights, Yoel Menachem Abba – Manchester, UK, Yehoshua – Sydney, Australia, Esther Weber – Boro Park, Yosef Yitzchok – Los Angeles, CA, Yehuda Schneur – Sydney, Australia, Yigal Yisroel – Crown Heights, Moishe Dovid – Los Angeles, Nechama Dina Zarchi – Crown Heights, Shmuel Tzvi – Monsey, NY, and Boruch Avraham – Boro Park.
The levaya will be held today, Sunday, leaving Shomrei Hadas at 2:30 pm and passing by 770 at 3:15 pm.
Shiva information:
Shiva will take place at 1371 43rd st., Boro Park, Brooklyn, NY
Shachris: 7:00, 7:30, 8:00
Mincha: 6:30, 6:45, 7:00
Maariv:8:00, 8:10, 8:20
Baruch Dayan Haemes.
The greatness of R’ Eliyahu Tziyon, zichrono livracha, is evident in his offspring. Just reading comment #12 gives one a glimpse into the kind of person he was and the strong, emesdike, sweet, warm, chassidishe and wonderful einiklach (and children, of course) he left behind. May his memory live on forever through his special family, their exemplary midos, their kindness and their ma’asim tovim! Hamakom yenachem eschem b’soch sh’or aveilei tziyon v’yerushalayim. Wishing you all a peaceful, Moshiach Shabbos. From the Carib with Love, Your GREAT Aunt.
My zaidy was and still is a special zaidy and man he is still the warm kind zaidy I know. May hashem have mercy on us and take us out of golos NOW.Whenever I come he greets me with a smile and embraces me also I give him imaganary kiss and he pretends to catch it. He was a big torah scholar (TORAH Giant).MAY Hashem bring Tchias Hameisim and we will be together forever and ever!!
Such a special man, such amazing children!
May Hashem send comfort to the entire family.
Boruch Dayan Emes. So sorry to hear. HaMokom Yenachem Eschem Bsoich Shaar Availay Tzion Virushalayim. Special heartfelt condolences to Yigal and family.
we are saddened to hear of Rabbi Niasoff’s untimely passing. I knew him as a caring man with a lovely smile that always graced his gentle face. His love and pride for his children was always so clear and evident, which was so beautiful to see. TIHYEH NISHMOSO TZRURA BITZROR HACHAIM May Hashem Yisborach be Menachem the Family in only the way that He knows how and that is By bringing him back VEHAKITZU VERANENU SHOCHNEI OFAR and tzaddikim will be the first.. May this happen bekorev mamash I wish to extend a deep expression of hishtatfus in the pain… Read more »
shiva times and minyonim?
An absolute Giant! A unique human being! A personal tribute to a man so dear …. Someone who when you would come in contact with, you could of felt like a warm ray of sun has just embraced you, His smile & laugh and his positive approach to life was exceptional. Someone who was so well versed in so many areas of life, be it in the realm of Torah, Ecology, Music, Health and medicine, psychology, these are just some of the topics that I merited to discuss with him on many occasions, his wisdom was absolutely incredible, his personality… Read more »
My father obm, my brother and I used to always stand together with him during the yomim nOroim in 770! He was a very special man and il always remember him fondly! Im sure he and my father are in gan eden side by side now listening to a sicha from the rebbe! Bde! May his family be comforted
Such a great man, a warm yid chossid of the Rebbe; and a lovely family. May they be comforted.
BDE from poway,
May the Niasoff family be comforted and only share in simchas.