By COLlive reporter
R’ Yoseph Yehoshuah – Jeffrey Firestone, a beloved father and active member of Chabad in Shenzhen, China, passed away on 21 Av, 5781.
Jeff, who had been living in Shenzhen, China, passed away after an illness in the Philippines on July 30th and was brought to kevura in Beit Shemesh, Israel.
Jeff was a contracts lawyer by profession, but more importantly, he was a lifelong student and a consummate mentor to the many young Jewish expatriates in Asia whom he befriended at Chabad, enthusiastically sharing his knowledge of Torah, business, and ultimately, life’s wisdom.
Jeff’s greatest pleasure was to show a Jew in China how to put on tefillin and pray, whether he had to defray the costs or not. Indeed, there are entire families that Jeff brought close to Torah over the years.
Jeff is survived by his children, Temima, Sara, Gershon, and Devora, and grandchildren in the US and Israel.
He is also survived by his sister Harriet Feig.
The shloshim since his passing will be on Elul 29.
Friends and acquaintances who would like to share any personal anecdotes and stories about Jeff, his projects, and many acts of kindness, are encouraged to post here on this site.
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes – R Yoseph Yehoshuah ben Yoel.
A great man! My father really misses him.
Jeff was an amazing and uniquely special person. He was like a father to my father. His loss will surely be missed. May his soul be blessed
Personally very devastated for his loss
open, warm, charismatic man a
real mensch who cared about all Jews
never had a bad word to say about anyone
had the pleasure of knowing him for 10 years
until he returned his soul to his maker
bye my dear friend and Moshiach now!
Very sad to hear, BDE. May his family be comforted.
Jeffrey was such a great guy to know. He had many great stories about his travels around the world. He will be missed.
Jeff was my uncle!
He was such an amazing person.
Jeff had such simchas hachaim, and loved his family.
It was a zechus to have such a kind person to be my uncle.
He was a real mensch!
Jeff should be a malitz Yosher for us, and beseech Hashem to end this galus.
May we hear good news with the comming of Moshiach in our days.
He was a special character we really enjoyed talking to him. Especially on the chagim we spent together at Chabad for the years we lived nearby. Always a nice and interesting word to say.
Although I am technically an ex brother in law
I still have fond memories.
As a young man a few years out of kolel
You were instrumental in helping me land a prestigious sales job in a fortune one thousand company.
You encouraged me to broaden my horizons
and spent time with me in creating a professional resume and outlook
Yedei zichro boruch
I was a young Jew in Shenzhen who had the great honor of getting to know Jeffrey Firestone. He took me under his wing, bought me Tefillin, and made me feel at one with the Jewish community worldwide. He was full of a million stories & a great love for Torah and family.
Jeff was a friend, a business mentor and an all-around hilarious individual who lived life as if he was 30 years younger than his actual age. His generosity and enthusiasm was infectious and he was always ready for a talk or a dish of food in the food court. And I loved going with him to the Chabad whenever I was in Shenzhen and he would make me laugh and smile. I was completely taken aback when I heard about it – and I absolutely lost it when I heard. I send him my love and affection – and the… Read more »
התמזל מזלי להכיר מקרוב את ג’פרי איש יקר, בזמן שהותו במוסקה. אדם גדול מהחיים, אופטימי באופן קבוע ומלא שמחת חיים. תלמיד חכם יודע ספר, ותמיד פתוח לייעץ ולסייע. ההיכרות שלנו קשורה למקרה שבני בכורי היה בביקור באלן טאון פנסילבניה, וסיפר לי על יהודי קדוש שנפטר בזמן עלייה לתורה ביום שבת. הסתבר שהוא היה אביו של ג’פרי, לכתו של ג’פרי אובדן גדול של איש יקר. יהי זכרו ברוך!
דניאל
Jeffrey Firestone was an incredible mentor. He imparted invaluable knowledge and skills with patience and kindness. Jeffrey taught technical expertise and professional conduct, leading by example with integrity. I’m forever grateful for his guidance.