By COLlive reporter
Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Noach Dear, one of the long-time dedicated public servants that came out of the frum Jewish community in New York, passed away on Sunday, 25 Nissan, 5780.
He was 67 and was infected with coronavirus.
As a child, Dear was in Eli Lipsker‘s Pirchei Agudath Israel Choir, and sang on the first New York Pirchei album, “Pirchei Sings אליך ה’ אקרא.”
He served as a member of the New York City Council from 1983–2001, during which time he advocated for support for Israel and concern for the issues impacting the primarily Jewish-and heavily Orthodox Jewish-residents in his community, which included Midwood, as well as large swaths of Boro Park and Bensonhurst.
While Crown Heights was not part of his constituency, Dear was a regular at Lubavitch World Headquarters – 770 Eastern Parkway. He would regularly come to see and consult with the Rebbe. Most of their conversations and interactions remained on a behind-the-scenes level.
In a diary of happenings at 770 from 2 Kislev 5747, it records that after davening Mincha, Dear walked over to the Rebbe and whispered a few words. The Rebbe listened, it reported, and then they both went into the Rebbe’s room where the conversation lasted for 25 minutes.
“He was very close with Lubavitch and the Rebbe,” said community activist Chanina Sperlin, who added that many of Dear’s interactions with the Rebbe were facilitated by the late Mazkir Rabbi Leibel Groner obm.
Dear headed the Transportation Committee and opposed commuter vans, otherwise known as “dollar vans,” as a transportation alternative while in office. In 2015, Dear was elected as the Brooklyn Supreme Court after serving as a judge for 20 years in the civil court system.
Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president of the Rabbinical Alliance of America stated, “Justice Dear was the consummate public servant, serving the community first as an activist, then as a New York City councilman, a New York City commissioner and finally as a judge. Justice Dear brought with him a sense of professionalism, respect and honor. His number one priority was to serve G-d by helping all people with whom he came into contact. Justice Dear cared for all people regardless of who they were and treated everyone with respect and dignity.“
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
VIDEO: Noach Dear debates about the Crown Heights Riots
BDE. He was a good, fair judge.
ברוך דיין האמת
Judge Dear was an exceptional person. I remember him here rallying with us during the Crown Heights Riots. He was a very caring Yid.
I have been in his courtroom on several occasions, he made a tremendous Kidush Hashem every day.
He showed compassion for each human being. He Davened with utmost devotion. He was a very proud Yid who did all the right things.
We desperately need משיח during these most difficult times.
טאטע טאטע, ביטע האב רחמנות ע
Noach, frequently visiting the Rebbe. He was always a strong supporter of Lubavitch. He was often seen in 770 by Farbrengens and by Dollars. He brought many distinguished dignitaries to meet with the Rebbe. As a Democratic councilman, he broke party lines to support Jewish causes. During the 1991 Crown Heights riots, he sought the Rebbe’s advice and direction and was always a staunch support of Crown Heights and Lubavitch. Despite opposition from his parties leaders, he fought for the Crown Heights community and for Jewish causes. He was a giant of a leader and never sought the limelight like… Read more »
BDE
He was a great person
Sweet Noach Dear is back to being a soloist in Eli Lipsker’s heavenly Pirchei choir.
Dear, Judge Dear was a walking Tzaddik, he helped out many people, in his courtroom, dug in the mire of consumer debt regardless of who they were.
He was the shliach in helping me out in his courtroom.
May Hashem watch over his gentle soul and may he continue beseeching and helping from on high as he did all these years. BDE
ברוך דיין האמת
Sitting in his courtroom watching his gentle eyes, you can see this humble giant had the kindness and courage to help out those in need in the most righteous manner.
When my home was to be auctioned off, in his most humble way suggested a settlement conference to the bank and they agreed to his fair and just suggestions thereby saving my home and giving me a chance to make a reasonable payment plan.
He helped all no matter race or religion. He made a tremendous Kiddush Hashem.
יהא זכרו ברוך
תהא נשמתו צרורה בצרור החיים
The world just lost a very special man! May his neshama have an aliya and may comfort come upon his family
Bde
I appeared before Judge Dear on the side of the homeowner in over 100 foreclosure cases. He was like no other Judge I ever saw. He cared greatly for people. He used his office to the fullest extent that he could to help save people from ruin, conscious of the fact that if he departed from the rule of law he would be swiftly removed by the powers in Albany. He was savvy, kind and intelligent. He used to to call me for a sidebar conversation and then he would gleefuly share a mishna he had learned that morning. He… Read more »