By COLlive reporter
R’ Moshe Tzvi Hakohen Mayberg, a pioneer of the Lubavitch community and its institutions in Miami Beach, Florida, passed away on Hoshana Rabba, 21 Tishrei 5777.
He was 89 and was in New York.
The last day of the Sukkos holiday was of personal significance for R’ Mordy, as he was called by his friends. He would often recall how he passed by the Rebbe on this day to receive a blessing and piece of ‘Lekach’ honey cake.
The Rebbe commented: “Mayberg – bist a cohen?” (- you are a kohen?)
After replying in the affirmative, the Rebbe asked whether he plans on reciting Birchas Kohanim during the upcoming Simchas Torah holiday.
Mayberg again answered in the affirmative, to wish the Rebbe then said: “Hob mir oich in zinen” (-have me in mind too). The Rebbe then commented, “Apparently we are relatives.”
Mayberg was a son of the Shaulson family which traces its roots to Rabbi Yehuda Leib of Yanovitch, also known as the Maharil and author of the Sheiris Yehuda. He was the brother of the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liady.
“Mordy was one of the pioneers of Lubavitch in Florida,” said Rabbi Leibel Schapiro, Rosh Yeshiva Gedola – Rabbinical College of Greater Miami and the rabbi of Congregation Beis Menachem in Miami Beach.
Mayberg was instrumental in establishing the Landau Yeshiva in Miami’s South Beach, which serves as the home of Merkos Lubavitch of Florida and the renowned Yeshiva. Mayberg was a regular at Beis Menachem on West 40th Street.
Rabbi Schapiro credited him with supporting the Rebbe’s initiatives. “He was involved in many Lubavitcher institutions in Miami. He was loved by all – Lubavitcher and all others alike,” he said on Sunday.
“Mordy Mayberg a”h made a great effort, together with his son Menachem Mendel, to be in the new Bais Menachem in Miami Beach for Rosh Hashona and Yom Kippur,” said R’ Yossi Lipskar, a founding member of the shul.
“He always greeted everyone joyfully. He was a true Chosid and focused his life always to the Rebbe,” Lipskar said. “He always stayed young by us all, even though he was the eldest here in our Miami Beach community.”
He is survived by his wife Mrs. Yurah Malah (Judy) Mayberg, their children, Mrs. Miriam Friedfertig – Crown Heights, Mrs. Aviva Fistel – Flatbush, R’ Yosef Yitzchok Mayberg – Los Angeles, Menachem Mendel Mayberg – Miami Beach, Schneur Zalman Mayberg – Ft. Lauderdale, R’ Sholom Dovber Mayberg – Portland; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his sisters Mrs. Raina King of Lakewood, NJ, and Mrs. Shulamis Weinreb of Flatbush, NY.
The levaya will pass by 770 Eastern Parkway at 10:30 pm tonight, Motzei Yom Tov, on its way to burial in Israel.
Baruch dayan ha’emes.
Miriam, Mrs. Mayberg and the entire mishpacha;, may you be comforted by knowing that your dear, esteemed father accomplished so much and was so admired and sincerely liked by all who met him.
Tamar Pewzner
B.H. MIRIAM & all The MAYBERG MISHPOCHA,
just heard about the loss in your Family, and may you all be Blessed with Happiness, Gezunt and a long life, full of Simchas
One of my dearest closest friends
I will miss him so much
So sad
A very fine menche
Tzvi Lang
BDE. Words could never describe the enormous loss to our community. Morty was a genuine mensch.Hamokom Yenachem Eschem. The Safra’s
I’m sad to hear. Morty was a great friend of my Dad’s z’l, Melvin Landow. I miss my Dad so much, every day. Morty was a great man. BDE
May his family be comforted by HaShem.
Karen Landow Albert
In 1964 we were the waiters of Gan Yisroel
In deland fl
Rabbi mayberg helped build the first Gan Yisroel
For many years, in Bais Menachem, my father and I would sit across the table from R’ Mordy Mayberg every shabbos (and mincha maariv during the week). He was a man that had style, very classy, so cool, and always left a great impression of such a gentleman. It was nice reading the story above about the Rebbe’s request, because i remember my father also asking him before every birchas cohanim to have my family in mind. You will be missed, have us all in mind.
Zaki
Mr Mayberg was one of the nicest people I have ever met, a true gentleman and an absolute mensch. He was one of the Miami Beach pillars since as far back as I can remember. I feel this profound sense of loss, Miami Beach religious community will never be the same. Condolences to the entire Mayberg Family
Great family, extended included. hamakom yinachem eschem.
What an incredible shabbos. What a gentle huourous and loving father. Lebedik in an amazing way.
I have never felt such positive vibes in a home as I felt that shabbos with the holy Reb Mordy and his wife and kids.
A lesson for us all. May we follow in his ways.
Was fortunate to talk to Reb Mayberg. He felt like a Kohen: kind, gentle, sweet, (a great dresser) and always a kind word…the Jewish people shouldn’t forget what he “looked like”… a real Kohen
Mordy was one of a kind! Everything that Florida has today is thanks to his generosity and devotion to Chabad. Mordy never needed any fame or respect for everything he did.
so sorry to hear, Miriam Friedfertig is so special and gives of herself and her home with unlimited chesed, may the family be comforted Moshiach now!
Be”e
Very special person
An a very special family.
BDE
So sorry to hear of your loss. If the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, your father must have been a wonderful person. Be strong. Your friends are here for you. M.Z.
very sad news to hear over yom tov . R . mordy obm was part of Rabbi a korf vaad . together with R phil brafman & R . Gempil oramland built a day school which in those days in the 60 s was called oheli torah day school it located on bay street i remember when it moved to washington av upstairs from the young isreal btw judy mayberg may she live a long life was the sectery of the school the vadd worked very hard to keep the yeshiva afloat R mordy brought the Rebba lots of naches… Read more »
A very special man
A special person, loved by all. Will be surely missed. Our deep condolences to his entire family
Amazing person, always friendly and greeted everyone with a smile!
What time passing 770 ?
ברוך דיין האמת
A special and beautiful person. Always a kind word and gesture which lives on in his wife and children. Love you guys.
BDE