By COLlive reportet
Mrs. Bracha Levertov, a longtime Crown Heights resident who served as the beloved chief Mikvah Director and attendant at the Crown Heights Union Street Mikvah, passed away on Sunday, 25 Tishrei, 5785.
She was 90.
Mrs. Levertov was born in the Bronx in 1934 to Aharon and Esther Muskal.
In 1954, she married her husband, Rabbi Moshe Levertov. The Rebbe was the mesader kiddushin at their wedding and soon sent them on Shlichus to Pittsburgh.
They later established a welcoming home of Chesed in Crown Heights, where she always put others first, minimizing her own needs to cater to others.
Together with her husband, she helped establish and run Lishkas Ezras Achim, an organization that helped thousands of Jews in the former Soviet Union by sending care packages and helping refugees establish themselves in their new country.
Bracha served as the chief Mikvah director and beloved attendant for many years, and was known for her easygoing personality and tireless efforts to accommodate every woman she served. She was zoche to prepare and service the mikvah for the Rebbe to use in preparation for visiting the Ohel.
Mrs. Levertov was also a member of the chevra kadisha for many years, often dropping everything on a moment’s notice to help bring a fellow yid to kevuras yisroel.
In addition, she served as an unofficial mentor for hundreds of new Mikva ladies and members of the chevra kadisha.
Known as “Bubby” to many beyond her immediate family, Mrs. Levertov will be fondly remembered for her warm smile, bubbly personality, and positive perspective on life, as well as her devotion to tefilla and doing mitzvos behidur.
Through brachos of the Rebbe, she was zoche to raise a dynamic family of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, shluchim across the world.
She is survived by her children, Rabbi Yosef Levertov of Austin TX, Mrs. Elka Matusof of Crown Heights, Mrs. Chana Marozow of Melbourne, Australia, Rabbi Berel Levertov of Santa Fe, NM, and Rabbi Noteh Levertov of Aubervilliers, France, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by her siblings Mrs. Malka Sara Kuperman of Crown Heights and Yankel Muskal of Crown Heights.
She was predeceased by her husband, Rabbi Moshe Levertov, in 2005.
The Levaya will be held tomorrow, Monday, Passing the Union Street mikvah followed by passing 770 at 2:30pm. Burial at 3:30 pm at the Ohel.
Shiva will be held at 688 Lefferts Ave, between Albany and Troy.
Mrs. Malka Sara Kuperman will be sitting Shiva for her sister in her own home, at 591 Lefferts Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11203.
Nichum aveilim and memories can be emailed to [email protected]
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
A very modest woman with a vibrant personality who welcomed everyone to Rabbi Levertov’s Chabad House in Austin, TX! What an awesome treat to spend many Pesachs with her there. Beautiful memories for a lifetime. She is already greatly missed. BDE
Mrs. Levertov was my Mikvah lady when I was a kallah, and presented me with a very special gift. Yehi Zichra Boruch!!
When I went to Mikvah as a kallah it was a few days after my wedding and we came back to CH very late from out of town Sheva Brachos. I was too overwhelmed to realize or appreciate it at the time, but Mrs. Levertov guided me with patience and enthusiasm even though it was well after midnight!! Thank you for allowing me to remember and express gratitude for that.
Mrs. Levertov was so sweet, friendly, and wise. This parsha is connected to her with the 40 seahs of the mabul which correspond to the 40 seahs of the mikva. I never thanked her enough for her helping countless women fulfill the fundamental mitzva of taharas hamishpocha.
She was so modest, sensitive, kind and joyous to everyone. She had a witting sense of humor, and took her Mikvah role with poise. Thank you for your dedication to our community. BDE
The best Mikava lady. All the tiime with a smile and real אשת חיל
She treated you with respect
She greeted a young néw kallah made you feel.special.and not over whelming.
Had the zchus to be in shul and kiss the sefer torah and say yizkor for
She was pure neshoma.
BDE
There aren’t enough words to describe Mrs Levertov, to know her ..was to love,honor,respect and cherish every word of guidance she gave. An integral part of my life, whose words of advice, I carry every day. May we thank Mrs. Levertov for her example of what it means to live a Torah Filled life without compromise. As we wipe our tears, may we strive to give over to others, her dear and wise caring, and loving way, she greeted and treated each one, lucky enough to call her,mentor, teacher and beloved friend. Know that you live on inside each and… Read more »
In singing her special praises Lets emulate her as much as we can & make this world ready for Moshiach!!
We can all add or change one thing!
A heart of gold and warmth with the best smile to put you at ease
BD’E A Great Lady who built great Things….
New to Crown Heights and new to marriage, I didn’t have a mother who could guide me through the steps of mikvah. Mrs. Levertov exuded love, calm, caring and joy. I sensed it immediately and felt a warmth and love envelope me in her presence for the tevila. Kedusha. Simcha. Sensitivity to the other while maintaining extremely high standards. That is how I imagine our holy imahos were. I’ve lived away from Crown Heights (BH on shlichus for many years) but always remember Mrs. Levertov as the ideal example of a “mikvah lady.” BDE for Mrs. Levertov, and may all… Read more »
As a frequent visitor to their home in connection with activities of Ezras Achim I met Mrs Levertov on many occasions. Her care and concern for the Jews in Russia as well as the travelers going to visit them was always evident. She will be missed
Bracha was a true eishes chayil. Always greeted me with a smile, put me at ease as a kallah.
The family is sitting shiva in the Levertov house 688 Lefferts Ave between Albany and Troy.
Shachtis 8am, 9am and 10am
Mincha and maariv bizman.
To send over a meal: takethemameal.com/EHPN5099
If you can’t send for the whole group, please consider sending for just the children and spouses. It will be appreciated
she was the nicest mikva lady !!