Rebbetzin Esther Bukiet, the widow of Rabbi Chaim Meir Bukiet, passed away on Shabbos morning.
She was 92.
Mrs. Bukiet, together with her husband, Rabbi Chaim Meir Bukiet, the Rosh Yeshivah of Central Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch, had an open home where she served her famous dishes, while dispensing large spoon fills of advice and wit.
Born in Wislica, Poland, to Shalom Yaakov and Malka Bukiet, in the year 1925, at the age of three her family picked up and moved to Montevideo, Uruguay, where her parents raised her with a deep appreciation for Yiddishkeit.
After her cousin, Rabbi Chaim Meir, arrived in New York, following WWII, the Rebbe Rayatz encouraged him to go and meet his cousin in faraway Montevideo. With a passport and tickets, arranged and paid for by the Rebbe Rayatz, he travelled to Uruguay, where the couple later married. Shortly afterwards they returned to New York.
A brilliant woman, who had a keen understanding of people, she would go out of her way to help another. With that she was a great cook, and many of her recipes are recorded in the Lubavitch cookbook.
She did everything she could to make her husband’s hectic life as Rov of a shul, custodian of a Mikvah, Rosh Yeshivah, member of the Vaad Rabonei Lubavitch, Gabai of the Lubavitch Chevra Kadisha and sought after rov for questions, as tranquil as possible.
She raised a family who chose to be leaders in Jewish communities across the globe.
She is survived by her children, Mrs. Rochel Stillman – Los Angeles, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Bukiet – Los Angeles, CA, Rabbi Avraham Shmuel Bukiet – Kfar Chabad, Israel, Rabbi Levi Bukiet – Chicago, IL, Mrs. Chaya Bukiet – Crown Heights, Rabbi Alter Fishel Bukiet – Boston, MA, Mrs. Sarah Tzirel Kramer – Montreal, and Rabbi Shneur Zalman Bukiet – Miami, FL.
The levaya will take place tomorrow, Monday, leaving Shomrei Hadas in Boro Park at 10 AM and passing by 770 at 10:45 am.
Rabbi Avrahom Bukiet from Israel and Mrs. Chaya Bukiet from Crown Heights will be sitting Shiva at the Chazan Residence 734 Empire Blvd. till Friday afternoon.
Shachris 8:35
Mincha 1:45
Maariv Bizman
Family, besides Rabbi Avraham Shmuel and Chaye, will then be returning to Los Angeles and sitting at:
343 North Formosa Avenue
Los Angeles, CA
90036-2526
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes: Esther Zisel Bat Shalom Yackov.
When my husband came East from California to learn in New York, Rochie Stillman sent him to her parents house ,the Bukiets, where he was welcomed with open arms and watched over. He spent many enjoyable Shabbos meals there. When we married they greeted me the same way, as family. When they visited their son Levi Bukiet in Chicago, they always looked forward to our visits with them. Wonderful, emesdik Chassidishe people with warm hearts, and seichel.
Yale and Chaya Rochel Zimmerman, Chicago
Many are our fond memories of your Mother’s visits to Montreal.
She was such a warm and friendly, woman and she was so proud of you, Shmuel , and the family. We feel privileged to have known her and may her memory always be a blessing.
Roz & Yankel
המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים
משפחת אברהם ורוזה כהן
BDE. To all the bukiet siblings. I am so sorry to,hear about the loss of your mother. She was a real tzadeikesde. May you all,only know from Simchas from now on iyh.
I ‘m sorry I did not know Reb Bukiet, o’h, but I know three of her children,; Rochie, Alti and Zalman and they are wonderful, caring and productive people and great shluchim. I’m sure the other siblings are as well because Reb Bukiet was clearly a special person and mother. May her family continue to give her and Rabbi Bukiet nachas and more nachas.
Fay Kranz Greene
Ach tov vochesed yimtzo eschem tomid kol hayomim
She always had that huge smile and gave full attention to whoever she was speaking with. She was a true example of a Chassidista in every way.
Wishing Rabbi Zalman and all his siblings and family arichas yamim, and may you be reunited with your dear parents with the coming of Moshiach.
Hamokem Yenachem eschem b’soch sha’ar aveilei Zion v’Yerushalayim.
Simcha & Hindy Lewis, Israel
We mourn the loss of Rebbetzin Bukiet a”h an eshyet chayil par excellence who side-by-side with our sorely missed Rabbi Bukiet, obm, provided an oasis of love and warmth to all who were privileged to know them.
The Metal families
Mrs. Bukiet was kind, caring, and personable. She was dedicated to her family and her husband’s work. I heard many humorous stories from her that I repeat often. Just told one over a couple of days ago.
She did make the most beautiful and delicious cookies; very professional.
Hamokom yenachem eschem besoch shaar aveilei Tzion Vyerushalyaim.
BDE Harav Yosef Yitzchok Bukiet.May you be consoled with the mourners of Tzion and Yerushalayim and know only simchas all your days with Moshiach Now!!!
She was a warm, wise & dignified woman. She always welcomed me into her home with a big smile and a hug and her home was always open.