Mrs. Assia New, matriarch of a large family and pillar of the Melbourne Jewish community, passed away on Wednesday, 25 Teves, 5783.
She was 91.
Born in Leningrad in 1931, she was the oldest child to Reb Isser and Chaya Kluwgant. Her father was a first cousin of the Rebbetzin Chana, to whom the Rebbe referred to as “שאר בשרי״.
She emigrated to Australia in 1949 together with her parents and siblings, one of five families sent by the Fredierker Rebbe to establish Lubavitch in Australia.
Upon her engagement to Mendel New in 1952, the Rebbe sent an extraordinary letter to her father regarding her wearing a Shaitel, stating that her wedding was the “Shabbos B’raishis” for Lubavitch in Australia and will set the tone for the future development and success of Lubavitch in Australia. This past Rosh Chodesh Kislev, Assia and Mendel celebrated their seventieth wedding anniversary.
Her home was legendary for its openness and extraordinary Hachnosas Orchim, opening her home and her heart to those in need- emotionally and materially. Ever the Balaboste she was the personification of elegance and grace.
She served for seven years as President of the Yeshiva Centre Mother’s Club.
She was very active in N’shei Chabad, hosting many N’shei events at home.
She was a legendary ba’alas chessed, thoughtfully, devotedly, and selflessly giving of herself to others on both a communal and personal level.
When Russian immigrants started arriving in Australia in the late seventies and nineties, she was instrumental in resettling them in the Melbourne Community.
Blessed with a beautiful operatic voice, in wake of the Chernobyl disaster and the launch of Children of Chernobyl, she traveled throughout Israel, the former Soviet Union and Australia, raising funds for Children of Chernobyl. Her efforts were strongly encouraged and blessed by the Rebbe.
When she took leave from New York on one occasion the Rebbe said to her, “מען זאלן זיך טרעפן אלץ משפחה און גוטער פריינט.”
When visiting New York, she would always visit the Rebbetzin with whom she shared a close relationship.
She was an incredibly devoted daughter and daughter-in-law, wife to her husband Mendel New, and devoted loving mother to her large family of children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchild.
Over the course of the last number of years she faced severe health challenges with complete Emunah, Bitachon and optimism.
She is described by many as someone who embodied royalty and regality.
She is survived by her husband Mendel, brother Rabbi Mendel Kluwgant, daughter Stera Gutnick, Melbourne, sons Rabbi Moishe New, Montreal, Rabbi Yossel New, Atlanta and Rabbi Ruvi New, Boca Raton.
She was pre-deceased by her son Chaim New and sister Sima Paltiel.
The funeral will take place at Melbourne Chevra Kadisha at 3:00 PM Melbourne time and on the Chevra Kadisha Website.
The family will sit Shiva at her home, 9 Goathlands St.
Baruch Dayana Ha’emes.
BDE-May we only hear good things
The most generous woman.
Asia New was a most a most aristocratic woman as befitting of a family of Malchus our Rebetzin Chana’s cousin. She was the epitome of a ba’alas chesed. I can attest to that. She will be sorely missed by the Melbourne community of which she and her family were pillars
I did not know Mrs. New a”h personally, but to have raised such wonderful children, Shluchim between them, she and her husband yblct, must be amazing people.
Thanks for sharing your children in Lubavitch!
She was also the granddaughter of the Lubavitcher Rov of Leningrad, Harav Shimon Lazarov
I am going to miss her very much she definitely was achnasat uorchim I used to be a handyman helping her and her sister Sima build the suka and fixing Everything she asked me she always offered me food and she paid me on time. I’m happy that she doesn’t have to suffer from her illness. I miss you very much but I still Help her daughter start a good daughter is Stera gootnick and she’s a copy of her mother she always offer me food and pay me on time and be such a helpful support to me and… Read more »
ברור דיין האמת
When I first went to Melbourne from Sydney, I was invited to Shabbos meals at the New home, Mrs New AH answered my questions about Yiddishkeit in a very sophisticated and eloquent manner.
Her husband זאת געזונט זיין generously helped me with parnoso at a pivotal time in my life.
We are talking about remarkable people.