By COLlive reporter
Mrs. Sara Esther Feigelstock, a shlucha in Montreal since 1945 and a beloved teacher in Montreal for over 40 years, passed away on Simchas Torah, 5777.
She was 85.
Mrs. Feigelstock (nee Winter) was born in the small town of McKeesport, Pennsylvania in the 1930’s. She told JEM’s My Encounter project that she was the only Jewish student in her class and the only Jew on her block.
Her parents were both active in the Jewish community, with her father teaching an early morning class in the Talmud at the nearby synagogue, and afterwards going off to work, selling dry goods door to door.
“He did this because in those years – the 1930s and 1940s – that was the only way of making a living and not having to work on Shabbos,” Mrs. Feigelstock said.
In 1941, when she was 10-years-old, her parents brought home for Shabbos two Shluchim of the Frierdiker Rebbe, and from that point onward, they became involved in Jewish outreach.
Their family developed a close relationship with the Previous Rebbe, writing to them every few months, and he advised them how to do outreach in the community and how to conduct ourselves religiously.
After her marriage to Rabbi Reuven Tzvi Yehuda (Hershel) Feigelstock, they moved to Montreal, where they served as Shluchim for over 40 years, and her husband served as the longtime principal of the Lubavitch Yeshiva.
Mrs. Feigelstock was one of the first teachers in Beth Rivkah Academy in Montreal, also teaching Chassidic thought in the Montreal teachers seminary for many years. She impacted many generations as a Kallah teacher and Mashpia to many.
She is survived by her husband and children, Rabbi Yossi Feigelstock – Buenos Aires, Argentina, Shternie Greisman – Crown Heights, Rivky Teitelbaum – Miami, Avrohom Feigelstock – Vancouver, Chaya Medalie – Johannesburg, Shneur Zalman Feigelstock – Montreal, Sholom Ber Feigelstock – Los Angeles, Devorah Leah Davidson – Pittsburgh, Alter Yehoshua Feigelstock – Los Angeles; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her son Menachem Mendel Feigelstock in 2008.
She is also survived by her brother Yankel Winter and sister Chaya Gansburg, both of Crown Heights.
The levaya will take place tonight in Montreal on the way to NY.
Leaving from 5168 Bourett to the Yeshiva, 6405 Westbury at 10 pm.
The Levaya will pass by 770 Eastern Parkway tomorrow, Wednesday, at 12:30 pm.
Shiva:
Rabbi Feigelstock and children will be sitting in Montreal
5168 Bourette St. Montreal, Canada
Chaya Gansburg will be sitting shiva at 565 Crown St. Apt. 3M
11 AM – 9 PM
Yankel Winter will be sitting shiva at 443 Crown St.
5:30 to 10 PM
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
My Bubby was an amazing person. I can’t even begin to fathom how happy she was, even in times of distress she was still willing to keep her smile on her face. She set a perfect example as a woman who inspires others, her constant acts of chessed were tremendous and her heartwarming personality just topped it all. She has inspired me greatly in many ways. I remember when spending time with her, I would analyze her davening, her kavana was incredible and she really had a special connection with HaShem and the Rebbe. She always made time in her… Read more »
All the comments epitomize this very special lady. I too was fortunate to be touched by her in my childhood when Mesibos Shabbos and later Bnos Chabad was a very important part of my life. She will certainly be a “gutter Better” for her family and for Klal Yisroel.
does anyone have a cell number for sholom ber?
With or without any official title, she epitomized what a true rebbetzin looks and lives like. By no means sheltered, but even with her worldly knowledge and unconditional acceptance of and love for all others, she kept steadfastly to her chosen, righteous path. Spent one year in Montreal and, sorry to say, there were many women busy yenting, judging and sticking their noses in the business of others. But R’ Feigelstock? Always busy doing! Constantly growing, sharing and most especially GLOWING. I think it would be impossible to look at and interact with her, even if briefly, and not walk… Read more »
I don’t believe I ever had the privilege of meeting the Rebbitzin, but I did become acquainted with some of her sister’s in Crown Hgts. Also I had the zechus of meeting her mother, Mrs.Winter, a few times when she visited her fmly. All very special, lovely people. I can definitely imagine she must have been a wonderful lady. Hashem should comfort her family and send us our Holy Redeemer Moshiach Bekarov Mamosh!
I owe everything to this marvelous woman! I am an orphan and feel missing an arm or a foot right now
BDE , My condolences to the whole family.. She was a fantastic kallah teacher , seminary teacher and inspired so many. She always took my calls if I had any questions…She taught with so much love, using our foremothers and history in all her classes.. She was completely selfless and her dedication to the community was boundless. I will miss her smile and seeing her on the street I grew up on
One of my dearest friends lost her mother and before I even knew her (Devorah Leah Davidson), I was privileged to be a student and neighbor with her mother . I always admired my teacher for her soft spoken intelligence , advice, and charm. Devorah Leah has many of her mothers fantastic characteristics ( esp. humility and running to give), and I hope she will be comforted . Along with rest of the family who many have been a wonderful part of my life.
So sad.she was the most wonderful,warm,kind person i ever met..
She will always have a very special place in my heart
As will the family..Esther Malka
To Rabbi Feigelstock and all of Mendy’s z’l siblings and their families: Hamakom yinachem eschem bisoch shaar avayley tzion veyerushalaiyim. We are so sorry for the loss of the matriarch of your mishpacha. IYH we look forward to spending time with all of you in happy times and at wonderful ocassions in the future…
May all the people she touched spread the wellsprings of her teachings. Her wonderful children, both Mendy z”l and Devorah Leah are examples of her kindness and caring for everyone they encountered. And, of course, it is the same for her grandchildren who live in Pittsburgh. Our condolences to the entire family.
So sorry to hear, Devorah Leah. You were raised by the Real Deal. Thanks for passing it on.
A Fellow Pittsburgher
In her 80+ years, this wonderful woman and her husband raised a family that continues to teach and inspire people throughout the world. I’ll never forget the one Tanya class that she taught us when she visited Pittsburgh. Brilliant. Although she’s now reunited with her son, Mendy z”l, we pray that in their zechusim (and those of her mother, who worked hand in hand with the Posners to bring Yiddishkeit to Pittsburgh), Moshiach with finally arrive. Our sincere condolences to her children and grandchildren.
the Frierdiker Rebbe wrote to Rabbi Hecht in Chicago to learn from Tante Sara and her sister (ages 11-13) how to accomplish with the youth,
see igros kodesh of the Frierdiker Rebbe vol 12 pag 217
Hamokoim ienachem eschem besoich shear abeilei Tzion Birushalaim
Sara was a charming woman with a special sparkle in her eye. I felt comforable to ask her anything, she was so wise. she also helped kallahs (hachnosas kalla) & was a Mashpia to many women. May her good deeds bring her straight into Gan Eden!
What a real דוגמה חיה!!!
A true example of kevudas bas melech pnima!!
Will be missed!!
BDE.. i am sorry to hear of this loss. I didnot know Mrs Feigelstock, but I know her daughter, Devorah Leah, in Pittsburgh, who is a wonderful model of chesed, simcha and ahavat Yisrael. I can imagine thst she learned this in her home,growing up.
May her soul have an Aliyah, and may her loved ones be comforted with the Mourners of Zion.
Very sad to hear.
Mrs. Feigelstock was also one of the first madrichot of Montreal’s famous mesibas shabbos .
A special figure who will truly be missed by every Montrealer worldwide.
Montreal has a very special spice stemming from its noshim tzidkonios.
Moshiach NOW!
I’ve known Rebettzin Feigelstock when I was in the Yeshiva in the 1940’s. She was the best of the best – always available with an abundance of warmth, kindness, wit and wisdom. She will be sorely missed. Can’t wait for Moshiach! Moshe
Truly, being that she was niftar on Simchas Torah, it’s a sign that in an instant this Golus will end and Simchas Hageulah will begin in its true glory with the ACTUAL coming of Moshiach whence we will have Techiyas Hameisim and be reunited with all our loved ones! Amein Kein Yehi Ratzon!
A Home away from home ,5168 Bouret to many of the students who studied at TTL Montreal Ca . A true living example of devoted mechanchim both Rav feigelstock yibodlu lechaim tovim )And his wonderful eishes chayil helped thousands of students become real Chasidishe and living examples of what a Chabad shliach stands for we miss her as our great aunt and a true mother away from home The shabbos tish with delicious warm chicken soup and rice chicken and side dishes , a real treat to be at the feigelstocks table , what good memories , I am sure… Read more »
She was a wonderful lady. She was always full of joy. You will be missed.
Very sad.
She was always happy & passed away on the happiest day of the year.
She always made me feel special.
She taught Taharas Hamispacha classes over the years.
Had classes for post seminary girls in her home.
She collected money for Hachnasas kallah for Montrealers too.
Mrs. Feigelstock, OBM has been my mashpiah in Montreal, ever since I was a little girl, arriving off the boat as a Hungarian refugee. I studied with her, and followed her guidance, as she guided me through my high school years, my shidduch and wedding, my shlichus with my husband, cheered us on as we started Likrat Shidduch, and was always with an encouraging word to help us inaugurate each and everyone of our many peulos, as we strove hard to give the Rebbe naches. She was there to console me at the challenging moments as well. I’ll miss her… Read more »
Very special yorei shomayim tsadekes!!
And naftoli, very special to hear from u!!! Where r you? I remmber you and your sister very well.you were by the shimanowits oleihem hasholom and then by jurkowits..
So sad.she was the most wonderful,warm,kind person i ever met..
She will always have a very special place in my heart
As will the family..Esther Malka
My sister and I were foster kids, and we lived 2 blocks from her house. We would go there all the time, it was like a second home. My sister Esther and Chaya Feigelstock were best friends. I read every single Talks and Tales in their house.
Both her and her husband walk the walk and were a TRUE example of what true giving, מידות טובות means. They are people I have always admired.
Nafta like Muenz (נפתלי מונץ)
She was a Shlucha and a teacher/mashpia for close to 70! Years. She was one of the pillars of the Montreal community and perhaps the foremost woman Mashpia…Who had a tremendous influence on many of the woman through out the years.
We love you and will miss you!