Mrs. Mussia Schtroks, a prominent figure in the London Lubavitch community and the matriarch of a large Lubavitch family, passed away on 25 Adar 1 5784.
She was 90.
Mussia was born on 26 Av 5693 (1933) in Leningrad to her father, Reb Avraham Yeshaya Schapiro (Shaya Karlevitzer), a tomim from Lubavitch and a devout chossid, and her mother, Bluma, a dedicated eishes chayil.
She grew up in a home where her parents had complete mesiras nefesh to be G-d-fearing Jews. Her chinuch was of utmost importance, and her parents fought with mesiras nefesh that she and her siblings should not attend Communist schools. Her father would teach them himself to ensure that they had a true Torah upbringing.
In the Siege of Leningrad during World War Two when food was rationed, he was extremely careful that they would not eat non-kosher food. In the winter of 1942-43 her parents and two of her siblings passed away from hunger. Mussia and her sister, Riva Raskin, being orphans with no family, were placed in a government orphanage.
They remained in the orphanage for two and a half years, where they survived despite experiencing hunger and great torment as Jews. At one point, they saw two bearded men and recognized them as Chasidim, despite having entered the orphanage at a young age. Riva called out to the Chasidim, who attempted to secure their release, but were unable to do so. However, these Chasidim managed to provide them with contact information for living relatives. In a miraculous turn of events, they were found by their relatives and were able to travel to Samarkand. There, Mussia was taken in by Mrs. Manya Dubravsky, and her sister Riva by R’ Zalman Shimon and Mrs. Tzivia Dworkin. Mussia later wrote an account of her story in a booklet entitled ‘My Name is Riva’.
She escaped Russia during the great exodus in 1946-47 via Lvov and met and married her husband, R’ Ovadia Schtroks, in France. Upon instructions from the Rebbe, they moved to London, England, where they helped build the Lubavitch community. Mussia worked as a nursery teacher for many years and merited to raise a beautiful Chassidishe family. She was aidel and tznius and always strived to do what was right.
She is survived by R’ Yossel Schtroks (London, England), Mrs. Bluma Perl (Mineola, NY), R’ Nochum Schtroks (Crown Heights), R’ Falik Schtroks (Surrey, British Columbia), Mrs. Fruma Weg (Crown Heights), Mrs. Sheindel Levertov (Crown Heights), R’ Mendel Schtroks (Cologne, Germany), and Mrs. Nechama Reinitz (Crown Heights).
She is predeceased by her husband, R’ Ovadia Schtroks, son R’ Avraham Yeshaya Schtroks, and sister Mrs. Riva Raskin, O.B.M.
Levaya at Schonfeld Square at 1:30 PM, followed by passing the Lubavitch House and onto the Bais Hachaim Enfield Cemetery.
Shiva information to follow.
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
We have very fond memories of Aunty Moussia from kindergarten
She was a remarkable woman
הַמָּקוֹם יְנַחֵם אֶתְכֶם בְּתוֹךְ שְׁאָר אֲבֵלֵי צִיּוֹן וִירוּשָׁלַיִם
Growing up in London, Mrs Schtroks was an inspiration. My early childhood memories include her gently encouraging us to daven on shabbos, despite us coming to shul just to see friends and our behavior that reflected us. Never a harsh word, she managed to give us the message. To seeing her more recently the consistent light of emes and varemkeit shone through her. And continued in her beautiful family she raised.