Mrs. Chana Etka Feldman, who served as the principal of Bais Rivkah primary for over forty years at the directive of the Rebbe, passed away early this morning, on Shabbos Parshas Chayei Sara, 27 Cheshvan 5781.
Mrs. Feldman was born in Montreal, Canada to her parents Yakov Chaim and Rikel Rosenblum, who had emigrated from Poland after WWI.
At the young age of 10, Mrs. Feldman moved to Crown Heights to live with her sister, Sara Kahanov and her family. At that time, the young Mrs. Feldman was zoiche to a yechidus with the Rebbe during Chanukah, where the Rebbe asked her if her parents gave her Chanukah gelt. She answered that she had received a nickel from her father. The Rebbe replied that that’s not enough, and gave her a silver dollar.
In 1974, Mrs. Feldman asked to fill the position of assistant principal of the primary division of Bais Rivka in Crown Heights. Being a full-time mother with a baby at home, Mrs. Feldman wasn’t sure if she should accept and wrote to the Rebbe. “How can I take this job if I have a baby?” she asked. The Rebbe answered,
“וואס איז די אונטערשייד אויב זי וועט שלאפן ביי דיר אדער ביי די babysitter?” (What’s the difference if the baby will sleep with you or at the babysitter?)
And since then, Mrs. Feldman devoted her heart and soul to Bais Rivka, which she fondly referred to as “The Rebbe’s Moised.”
Mrs. Feldman was an outstanding wife, mother, grandmother and machnis oirech. For many years, she hosted, nurtured, and tended to the every need of shluchim grandchildren who lived with her from a young age so they could receive a chinuch al taharas hakodesh. She took pride in the shlichus of her children and actively participated in their work.
She is survived by her husband Rabbi Zushe Feldman of Crown Heights and her children: Mrs. Esther Raitman – Wilmette, Illinois, Mrs. Sara Sharfstein – Crown Heights, NY, Rabbi Mendy Feldman – Halifax, Nova Scotia, Rabbi Zalmy Feldman – Crown Heights, NY, Mrs. Dina Deutch – Samara, Russia, Rabbi Yitzchok Feldman – Bend, Oregon, Mrs. Rivkie Hecht – Morristown, NJ and Rabbi Shmuly Feldman – Clay County, Florida.
She is survived by her sister Mrs. Sara Miriam Kahanov and her brother Rabbi Velvel Rosenblum of Crown Heights.
Mrs. Kahanov is not aware of her sister’s passing and the family asks that no one mention this to her.
She was recently predeceased by her brothers Rabbi Ephraim Rosenblum of Pittsburgh, and Rabbi Sholem Rosenblum of Crown Heights.
The Levaya will take place Sunday, leaving shomrei hadas chapel at 2:00 PM, passing by Bais Rivkah Lefferts at 2:40 PM and passing by 770 at 3:00 PM. Burial at 4:00 PM at Montefiore Cemetery.
Family is sitting Shiva at 24 Balfour Pl. the following hours.
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
4:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Shachris – 9:30 am
Mincha/Maariv bizmano
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
She was such a sweet caring principal
May Hashem comfort the family and reveal Moshiach now!!
A True Ashes Chayal, An Aidle perfect example of what a principal should be. We only have True good memories of her. BDE
May she be a Gutte Gibetter for all of her students ( which is most of Lubavitch.)
moshiach NOW
Mrs Feldman was a remarkable woman, principal and mother and I’ve witnessed this first hand. Sending Nichumim to her wonderful children.
BDE. I am sorry to hear the loss of your wife and mother. My heart goes out to each and everyone of you. She was a true eishes chayil.
May you all only know from Simchas from now on.
What a kind, Aidel principal she was. BDE
What a special lady!
Boruch Dayan Hoemes
המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים Dear Rabbi Feldman, Estherke, Sorole, Mendy, Zalmy, Dina, Yitschok, Rivkie, Shmuly and families, It is with deep shock that I heard about the passing of your dear wife and mother. Klal Yisroel and Chabad in particular has lost a giant of a lady with an even bigger heart, a queen and smart mother to you and many others. She took me under her wing and I could live in your house many times for weeks. She found a shadchan for me and a shidduch and saw this thing through with love, help… Read more »
When i started teaching in Beis Rivkah 28 years i had the privilege to have mrs Feldman as my guide. She taught me so much. As i’m still teaching, i think of her help very often and teach what i learned from her to the teachers i guide.
Hamokoim jenachem eschem betoch she’ar aweile tsion wiyusholoyim
Sara Katzman-Vorst