Mrs. Miriam Popack, a long-time Crown Heights resident and wife of Shmuel Isaac Popack obm, passed away on Friday, 5 Shvat, 5780.
She was 95.
Miriam Popack was born Rosh Chodesh Kislev,5675, November 28, 1924, to her parents Tzvi Hirsh and Chana Altein, from the illustrious Spalter (Shapiro) family from Poland, descendants of the Megalah Amukos.
Miriam was born in NYC to her immigrant parents. When she was of high school age, Rebbetzin Vichna Kaplan, a student of Rebetzin Sara Shneirer, began a Bais Yaakov school. Miriam was part of the second year Bais Yaakov class. She was also a Bnos leader, leading Mesibos Shabbos groups for children who had no formal Jewish education.
In 1945, Miriam married Shmuel Isaac Popack A”H. They began establishing their family in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, NY. They were dedicated chassidim to the Friederker Rebbe and to the Rebbe, Nosi Doreinu. Miriam was one of the first members of N’shei Chabad of America. She played a leading role in the organization as well as coordinating mid-winter conventions for N’shei UBnos Chabad. The Rebbe also assigned her to speak for English speaking groups when she visited Eretz Yisroel.
In the sixties when many young people were seeking to discover their roots, Miriam opened her home to welcome them. She and her husband had a profound effect on some of these young people. She was also instrumental in finding Shidduchim for many of them. Their home continued to be open to guests from all around the world.
In the sixties, after her children were of school age, Miriam went back to teaching Talmud Torah at the New Hyde Park Jewish Center. The Rebbe gave her a lot of encouragement in this endeavor. To this day her students speak about her devotion and caring for them, her teaching and the Shabbatons she hosted for them in Crown Heights. She affected many lives through her students: their parents, spouses, children and grandchildren for generations to come.
Miriam then worked for 20 years as a school counselor, helping children and families in need. She also was her husband’s life partner who supported him in all his Chesed and charitable contributions to many Chabad Mosdos.
She is survived by her children, Chana Piekarski, NY; Rabbi Yisroel Meir Popack, Shliach, Denver, CO; Yosef Yitzchok Popack, NY; Tobi Hendel, Shlucha, Migdal Haemek, Israel; Rivka Feldman, NY; Zeesy Raskin, Shlucha, Burlington, VT. She is also survived by grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a great, great-grandson, many of whom are the Rebbe’s Shluchim in many cities across the globe.
Miriam was pre-deceased by her siblings, Sara Devorah Kaplan, Malden MA; Rabbi Mordechai Dov Altein, Bronx/Israel/Crown Heights; Rabbi Yisroel Altein, Pittsburgh, PA.
The levaya will take place today, Friday, leaving Shmorei Hadas at 1:00 pm and passing by 770 at 1:30 pm.
Shiva will be at 1280 President Street, Brooklyn NY
Shachris:
Sunday/Monday – 8:30 am
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday – 9:00 am
Daily: Mincha Maariv- 4:50 pm
Ladies Shiva Hours: 11 am to 10 pm
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
Boruch Dayan Haemes!
Dynamic woman, dynamic personality. Knew her over 45 yrs.! Family should Only hear of simchas from now on!
so sorry about the passing of your dear mother. I remember having lively conversations with her in 770, your home and elsewhere. she had a lot of spunk! often the topic geared towards shidduchim, everyone’s favourite topic. she had a lot of insight and wisdom. Also, she visited your family in Long Beach, Summer 1977. We had just arrived from CH to this wonderful community and needed a place to rent. She went out of her way to find a sweet little house for us to rent on Lewis Ave., the price seemed really high, $375, but she encouraged us… Read more »
Bubby Popack was my husband’s grandmother. She was so pleasant to be around, with her generous compliments and encouraging words. I remember how she would tell me how wonderful my husband is with the most genuine and effusive praise, and then to my husband she’d make sure to praise me. She touched so many lives with her kindness and care. May she be a gutte beter and storm the Heavens for Moshiach!
Is there an e mail address for nichum aveilim?