By COLlive reporter
Reb Kalman Mendelsohn, a frequent visitor at the Chabad of Ocean Parkway Shul and founder of the famed Mendelsohn’s Pizza in Boro Park, Brooklyn, passed away on Shabbos, 21 Tammuz, 5777 in Jerusalem.
He was 65.
Reb Kalman, son of Rabbi Mayer Mendelsohn obm, a Gerrer Chossid from Israel, moved with his family in the late 1950s to the neighborhood of Crown Heights.
Growing up in Crown Heights near the Chabad community, he soon developed a strong connection to the Rebbe and the Lubavitch community.
He often told of an incident which happened when he was 5 years old, playing on the corner of Kingston Avenue and President Street near Raskin’s fruit store. He recalled running into the street to retrieve a ball, directly into oncoming traffic. Suddenly, a hand grabbed his shirt, pulling him to safety. Looking up, he saw that it was the Lubavitcher Rebbe who had saved him, he told.
As a bochur, Reb Kalman learned in the famous Yeshivas Chiddushei Harim, and after his marriage, he founded the famed Mendelsohn’s Pizza Dairy Restaurant in Boro Park, Brooklyn, a place for families to be able to enjoy a fresh, nourishing and affordable hot meal in a proper environment.
The store, known as “the crossroads between Boro Park, Flatbush and Crown Heights,” also became a place of Chesed for the entire New York community and beyond. Shiva homes would receive big orders at no charge. Newly-married couples would come to Mendelsohn’s during Sheva Brachos for a free delicious lunch as a wedding gift and would also receive Brachos from Reb Kalman.
Anyone traveling from Eretz Yisroel or Europe to seek help in America knew that he could get a fresh hot meal, a warm smile, a listening ear and good advice, at Reb Kalman’s restaurant on 18th Avenue, and all at no charge.
The Mendelsohn’s home in Boro Park as well, was open to guests at all times. Their Shabbos table often had ten to twenty Yeshiva boys in addition to many others.
Reb Kalman moved to Israel several years ago and would come often to visit his family in New York. Even on his final Shabbos, there were guests in the Mendelsohn home in Jerusalem.
Reb Kalman would often visit the Congregation Ohel Moshe – Chevra Thilim Lubavitch Shul at Lubavitch Yeshiva on Ocean Parkway, where his son Motti serves as the Gabbai.
He is survived by his wife, Basya and children Motti Mendelsohn, Heshy Mendelsohn, Meyer Mendelsohn, Chaya Friedman, Devorah Weinberg and Esther Chana Nussbaum, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his siblings, Miriam Weber, Rochele Abramowitz, Leah Greenbaum, Menachem Mendelsohn, Yankel Mendelsohn.
The levayah and Kevura took place on Motzei Shabbos in Yerushalayim.
Shiva in New York is at 1809 – 51 Street in Boro Park, Brooklyn NY.
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
So sad to hear this news motti. May Hashem comfort you and your family and may you only know of simchas always!
…as an out-of-towner who dormed in Ocean Parkway.
His father, who I think was with the Lubavitcher Bochurim in Otvotzk, would have us go eat in the back of the store when the girls would come to the pizza store.
He kept us on the straight and narrow, but in such a refined eideler, soft-spoken way.
He is standing in front of my eyes. I can’t get him out of my mind. What nice person, always with a smile, despite the fact that he went through so many yesoorim. Yehi Zichro Boruch!! B”H he left behind a beautiful family!
BD’H
as I remember being in Elementary in ULY on Ocean Parkway His father was the original owner of the Pizza shop then R’ Kalman took it over, I distinctly remember (etched in my memory) how his father would call him in a very deep authentic accent… Kalman kim a’heyar… I was maybe 9-10 at that time, yes very sweet nice ppl wonderful family
He was a special Yid with a big Neshoma. Always with a smile and a Gut Vort. Was very proud of his years in Crown Heights. A truly Vareme Yid. He should have a Lichtige Gan Eden and come back quickly with Moshiach Now.
Chessed beyond
Dear Mendelsohn family,
We are so sorry for your great loss.
We are with you and feel your pain.
We are committed to have programs in our beautiful Shul to honor his holy Neshama.
We extend to you our condolences and friendship.
Very soon, Moshiach will come and end this pain, when you will be reunited with your dear father.
Rabbi Heshy & Etti Korenblit on behalf of all Mispallelim
I remember him from when he had a small crowded store on 18th Ave.
also when he came to north miami beach at chabad..bde
So pained to hear, motti… may you hear only good news from now on smadar and continue having nachas from your children! !!!