Entire School Attends Funeral of Beloved Teacher

By COLlive reporter

Hundreds of students, former students, parents and Chassidim participated in the funeral of Rabbi Shmarya Katzen, the longtime beloved teacher who taught generations of children in Crown Heights.

Learning at the United Lubavitcher Yeshiva on Crown Street came to a stop on Monday as the entire faculty and boys of the school stepped outside to pay their respects to their pre-1a teacher who passed away at 76.

Keeping true to Rabbi Katzen’s spirit, the boys recited the 12 Pesukim and sang songs – some of the tunes he composed and have since become classics renowned around the world.

The levaya began at Shomrei Hadas Chapels in Boro Park and passed by Lubavitch Headquarters – 770 Eastern Parkway, where Rabbi Katzen spent many hours davening, receiving guidance from the Rebbe and leading Mesibos Shabbos rallies for children.

Heartfelt condolences were shared with the family from around the world, with many expressing the deep and life-long impact Rabbi Katzen had on them. Over a teaching career of 47 years, which he took upon at the instruction of the Rebbe, Rabbi Katzen taught hundreds of young boys the Alef Bais, instilling yiras shomayim and love of Hashem in each generation of students.

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He is survived by his wife Rivka, and children, Chani Laufer – Chevy Chase, MD; Mica Soffer – Crown Heights; Moshe Katzen – Crown Heights; Esther Malka Schlanger – Bakersfield, CA; Dini Simons – Crown Heights; Lieba Kahan – Crown Heights; Shaina Fine – Montreal, Canada, and grandchildren.

The family will be sitting Shiva at 736 Lefferts Avenue, second floor, until Sunday morning.

Shachris:
7:00 am – Slichos, 8:00 am – Shachris
Mincha: 6:30 pm
Maariv: B’zmano
Please no visiting between 3:00–6:00 pm or after 10:00 pm.