14 Nissan marks the second Yartzeit of Rabbi Leibel Groner obm, one of the most prominent figures in Lubavitch of the last generation who served as a secretary and was one of the closest people to the Rebbe.
The yartzeit was marked today at Khal Chasidim (Baumgarten) Shul in Crown Heights, where Rabbi Groner was a Mispallel and would say Mamorim.
A newly discovered Maamar about Pesach was printed in Rabbi Groner’s memory.
Rabbi Groner learned in the Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch at 770 Eastern Parkway and become an immense Talmid Chacham.
In 1949, the Rebbe asked Rabbi Groner if he would like to assist him in his “spare time.” Rabbi Groner agreed and began working in the Kehot Publication Society, a branch of Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch which the Rebbe founded.
In 5711 (1951), when the Rebbe officially assumed leadership of Chabad-Lubavitch at an inaugural farbrengen, the Rebbe asked Rabbi Groner to stand by him in case he would need anything. Rabbi Groner has stood by the Rebbe’s side ever since.
After he got married, Rabbi Groner continued his work in the Rebbe’s secretariat (mazkirus) for over 40 years. He was arguably the most visible mazkir as he stood by the Rebbe during davening, Yechidus and later when the Rebbe distributed dollars to charity on Sundays.
His devotion to the Rebbe and his directives and institutions were reflected in the Rebbe’s comment about him during the distribution of the Tanya on 11 Nissan 5744: “My general.”
Rabbi Groner passed away after Bedikas Chometz at the age of 88 after a battle with coronavirus.
May we all be united together this Pessach in Jerusalem. 🙏
Yes definitely a special Neshoma
The neshomos of two Leibels entered Gan Eden on erev Pesach.
Those who knew R’ Leibel Singer know what an exalted neshama that is! Never really identifying himself as a Lubavitcher, he was an example in this community of all of the core traits of a chosed! An exemplary yorei Shamayim, a true talmid chochom, a ba’al midos – someone with true integrity and humility.
We were privileged go have him living in our community; his neighbors and fellow mispallelim saw him as an incredible model of what a chosid should be!
what a special man he was!
It was fitting that these two Leibels accompanied each other into the holiest levels of Gan Eden!
Each in his own way deserves to be in the embrace of our Rebbe!
He is one of the most unforgettable people of this community; anyone who knew him was privileged. He wasn’t ‘out there’ letting people know his depth of character and breadth of learning; he was a man of true character and unparalleled humility. Making his living as an accountant, everyone knew that his word was nothing but emes. He is who should have been in front of our children to learn from him what it means to be, truly, a ‘chassidish’ person.
A dugma Chaya of a chosid