By COLlive reporter
Mrs. Nechama Baumgarten, matriarch of a large Lubavitcher family in Crown Heights who influenced thousands of people over the years, passed away on Friday, 1 Av, 5776.
She was 87.
She was born in New York to the Chassidic Groner family whose lineage traces back to the founder of Chabad, the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi OBM.
Her parents immigrated to the United States from what was then the British Mandate of Palestine. She was one of 8 children. Among her siblings: Australia’s Head Shliach Rabbi Yitzchok Dovid Groner OBM and the Rebbe’s secretary Rabbi Leibel Groner.
Together with her husband Rabbi Menachem Mendel Baumgarten, her home was nicknamed “Avraham Avinu’s house” for the open and hospitable approach of the couple.
For the many, including future baalei teshuva, visiting the Rebbe at Lubavitch Headquarters – 770 Eastern Parkway and then lodging at the Baumgarten’s warm home inspired many to build a Chassidic family of their own.
Mrs. Baumgarten helped many single boys and girls in pursuing the dream of having a family by acting as a Shadchanis for many years. When she once considered quitting the tedious and thankless job, the Rebbe demanded she continue.
She also helped these individuals take the next step into married life by serving as a personal kallah teacher for many young brides before their wedding day.
She is survived by her husband Rabbi Menachem Mendel Baumgarten, their children Rabbi Yossel Baumgarten – Johannesburg, South Africa; Mrs. Shterna Rodal – Los Angeles, California; Mrs. Breina Popack – Tzfas, Israel; Rabbi Leibel Baumgarten – Hamptons, NY; Rabbi Sholom Ber Baumgarten – Crown Heights; Rabbi Zalman Baumgarten – Crown Heights; Mrs. Chanale Posner – Plantation, Florida; Mrs. Tzirl Suede – Mexico; Rabbi Levi Baumgarten – Crown Heights; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by her brother, Rabbi Leibel Groner of Crown Heights.
The levaya will take place on Sunday, leaving Shomrei Hadas in Boro Park at 1:00 pm and passing by 770 at 2:00 pm.
The family will be sitting Shiva at 1608 Carroll Street, corner Schenectady Ave.
Shachris: 7:15 am, 8:30 am 10:00 am
Mincha & Maariv: B’zman
Baruch Dayan Haemes.
A true “Eim beYisrael”, it seems somehow fitting that the week of her Shivah is in the time when all Klal Yisrael mourns the Churban Beis Hamikdash. Mrs.Baumgarten,your warm words and smile greeted us always at Khal Chassidim, and how you beamed with Simcha as we shared how much the Tefillos of Rabbi Baumgarten (may he live and be well) enriched and elevated our Yamim Noraim and Yomtovim. It has been an honor and a privilege to be your neighbors. Surely your commitment to duty,your warm interest in the wellbeing of each one, your very real, practical Ahavas Yisrael, are… Read more »
Our Rebbeim taught us “a Chossid is a lamplighter”. Mrs ,. Baimgarten ignited many lamps that will continue to shine ,even though she is no longer here to ignite them physically.
She is a descendent of Rebbeim ,and in her case her actions were actions were a vibrant testimony to this fact. May she be a gutteh better for all of us. MOSHIACH NOW
hamakom yenachem eschem besoich sharei tzion yerushalaim To the dear unique one of a kind Baumgarten family.-So sad to hear about this special woman who was the matriarch of the baalei teshuvas.. Never too busy, never too tired and always with a smile she had time for all of us. Her beauty on the outside and inside remained with her from the olden days to the current days. She leaves an unbelievable legacy and impact on the world. A real “dugma Chaya.” V’yetan Chai Al Libo”. We owe so much to her. Blessings to Reb Mendel and her amazing family… Read more »
The BTs of the early ’70s, for most of us, was a time of confusion and bewilderment . We were making major lifestyle changes, the anxiety pervasive and yet we knew that much of our prior lives, although comfortable, were not fulfilling anymore on many levels. Nechama’s presence, kind words of encouragement and home were like a verdant oasis, a comfort zone and our personal “city of refuge” during those turbulent times. We thank you, Nechama as well as the whole Groner family, May Rabbi Groner and Yehudis continue to be well. Now decades later we are the givers comforting… Read more »
Have you ever been hosted by Chabad? Then your host probably learned to host from this woman. Well, wait. More likely your host learned to host from someone who learned Chabad-style hosting from someone who learned from her. Or someone who learned from someone who learned from her. What I’m trying to say is Nechama Baumgarten opened her heart and home to everyone. And I mean everyone. In a dining room smaller than most kitchens, occupied by a table that took up all the room, which you had to slide by to get to your seat, at that table passed… Read more »
My first shabbos in CH was, of course, at the Baumgartens. I came in from out of town and arrived quite early. Nechama just welcomed me and put me to work like one of the family.
A couple of years later I was at the Baumgartens for shabbos and had difficulty sleeping because of a recent disappointment. Nechama stayed up with me until the wee hours of the morning. She would not go to sleep until she was sure I felt settled.
Hamakom yenachem eschem…
Mrs. Baumgarten was there for the new group of girls from Machon Chana, hosting us and befriending us.
I remember how lovingly, kindly, softly, and in such a caring way she spoke to us. What she said had an impact on us because we heard truth in her words that came from the heart. We went to her house because we wanted to be near her. My husband also went to their house as a bochur. It was a very uplifting and encouraging atmosphere and we girls loved it.
to learn of the passing of Sara Nechama Baumgarten, one of
the noblest matriarchs in the world of Chabad. Just this past
Shabbos, before learning of her passing, we spoke of her
legendary hospitality in a joint talk we gave to some forty
women who were participating in the summer session of our
Bais Chana being held at Lubavitch House in West S.Paul.
The Baumgarten home was our home away from home for
decades – a tremendous asset to our Shlichus.
Tehei zichra baruch.
Rabbi and Mrs. Moshe Feller
Twin Cities, Minnesota
What a wonderful person – so real and friendly. There were several times I would call Mrs. Baumgarten to discuss the best way to help another person in need we both knew or about a shidduch for someone. Her advice was always right on the mark. A few years ago my family were guests at her Seder – a very special memory for us. Without question Mrs. Baumgarten will be a melitz yosher for her special immediate family and all of us who felt like part of the family too!
Tamar Adelstein
hamakom yenachem eschem besoich sharei tzion yerushalaim.
you should only have simchos from now on and the ultimate simcha of mashiach now.
bashie
BDE Mrs Baumgartem! Synonymous with the Chesed that Crown Heights was known for to us many of our generation of Balei Tshuva. Always an open door, always an ear, always a generous heart. An example of how to conduct oneself as a Chasid of the Rebbe. She always conveyed to me that it was a privilege to be counted among the Rebbe’s Chassidim and that we should recognize this zchus by doing all it takes. Always with a smile, always with a positive note….SHe made my Shabbos Kallah and showered me with brochos and many examples of SImcha B’Tu Le… Read more »
בס”ד
המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים
העשא 7 & שבתי חיים טורנער
שיקאגו
we drove to expo 67 in montrael, then to crown heights for יב תמיז . all our family staid in your house, unannounced. we were treated royally; but you are the royal family. there was another unannounced visit to you, with the same wonderful treatment.
our words are empty.
R’Mendel and the children should bask from your goodness.
She was a very special Rebbetzin. One of a kind of which there seem to be getting very few of them left. Her family should be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Yerushaliyim and know no further sorrow.
i have no clue why she was so warm to me! so loving! but she was. i used to get so happy when i saw her in shul (khal chassidim, known affectionately as “Rabbi Baumgarten’s Shul”. a warm welcome, a sincere hug, always. i loved her back.
Mrs. Baumgarten, with her warm-hearted gusto, showed us how a Chassidishe family should be led. It is no wonder that she and her husband (zol zein gezunt) raised children who reflected all the traits that she exemplified: warmth, compassion, dedication to klal Yisroel and \unbounded kindness. She was smart and intuitive; maybe that’s how she made so many shidduchim. (I remember one time when I asked how she made a particular shidduch. With characteristic humility, she said, “when I heard that (he) was looking, I pulled the girl’s description out of my file and told him, ‘Give it a try.’… Read more »
So much about her…Mrs. B was a giant in hiskashrus, but connected to plain people with her effervescent, down to earth personarality, befriending everyone. She always filled her shabbos table to the max, in effect raising a whole generation to live with the joy of the Rebbe. I was blessed to be one of those special guests in whom she invested her time and energy.
May her family be comforted.
Hamakom Yenachem eschem b’soch sha’ar aveiley tzion V’Yerushalayim
Wishing all the family a long life. So sorry for your loss. May Hashem comfort you all in this difficult time.
With Love
The Levit family
BDE we want moshiach now
Baruch Dayan Emes. Chani, your wonderful mother touched the lives of so many and this loss will be felt worldwide. She exemplified Ahavas Yisroel and was truly one of the pillars of our Crown Heights community. May it be of some comfort to know that your mother was so beloved and respected. The picture posted of your mother smiling hugely at the Rebbe is exactly how I remember her; always smiling and exuding positive energy and kindness. You are so blessed to have been raised by such a special woman and it is evident in who you are and how… Read more »
Mrs Baumgarten is truly a great Tzadeikus … she was so amazingly kind to me … May her wonderful family be comforted amount the mourners of Zion and may they all know great and revealed happiness love and good health
Mrs Baumgarten Shlichus; Crown Heights Yartzeit: Rosh Chodesh Menchem Av, appropriately the same as Aaron Hakohen, and like him,a lover of peace. Available; 24/7 She took care of us balaei teshuva. She was concerned for our Shabbos meals, our apartments, who our roomates were, if we had jobs. Later made our shiduchim, (even our childrens shiduchim!) taught us kallah dinim, became wedding planner. She even found us our house, right next to hers allowing us to fuflil this weeks pirkei avos “a good neighbor”– the best!! A place to observe her at her helm, her kitchen where she prepared for… Read more »
She also made uncle Moishy the singers shidduch
Was Mrs. Baumgarten our camp nurse at Camp Pardes Chana in the late 70’s?
BDE!!
Hamakom Yenachem eschem b’soch sha’ar aveiley tzion V’Yerushalayim
Big loss for everyone.REBBE MHM NOW!!!!
So sad…
Tante Nechama’s home was all embracing for family from afar.
We felt the love, warmth and generosity which made us feel so at home. With a nod of her head, a warm greeting and an open invitation… we felt so connected. Feter Mendel , may he be well and dear cousins we feel the loss of our dear aunt who was a powerhouse of chessed.. Love to you all from afar
Hamokom yenachem eschem b’soch sha’ar aveiley tzion v’Yerushalayim
Mrs B was our shadchan also. such a special person who influenced thousands and is responsible for so many happy marriages including ours.
She was an amazing woman who left many young ladies with the best hoshkofos for marriage. My memories of her lessons will live forever in my mind and all the young ladies she taught.
May her family be comforted and may we have Moshiach right now!!!!!
To hear of Mes Baumgartens passing. That was a house one went to for Shsbbos meals ( without an invitation) some sound advice, a listening ear, a she a brochos, Sholom bayis issues, Kallah classes & a whole lot more!!!!
Condolences to the entire mishpacha.
So sad
One day, over 30 years ago, I ,a young BR seminary girl from out of town was told that Mrs Baumgarten was looking for me. Thinking she wanted to invite me for Shabbos as countless friends of mine ate by her and considered her home as their own. I later realized that she was looking for me to suggest a Shidduch. It is to you, Mrs Baumgarten to whom I owe the gifted life I have today. The Rebbe surely sent you to find me and I have no words to thank you with my entire heart. Over the years,… Read more »
Very sorry to hear this, Mrs. Baumgarten was a lovely, cheerful person, always smiling & she greeted everyone with a good word. Our deepest condolences go to the entire family & especially our long-time neighbor at 555 Crown, Rabbi Shneur Zalman Baumgarten. May we always be zoche to hear of simchos.
Hamokom yenachem eschem b’soch sha’ar aveiley zion v’Yerushayim
Bde so sorry to hear about your loss. May we only share good news from now on. May we only share in simchas from now on.
The first waves of Bal T’shuvas were arriving, and the Baumgarten house, along with several other incredible families here, was immediately a “home away from home” for so many of us. Many of us had been brought up in spacious suburban luxury, but the packed dining room table, the beautiful nigunim sung by R. Baumgarten and “the boys,” the delicious and seemingly endless food that came out of that none-too-grand kitchen, and the very obvious deep respect and love that everyone in the family had for each other was truly Heaven on Earth. Later came the first-ever women’s Megilla leining,… Read more »
She had the best smile…. Always made everyone feel so good! Her house was always full of guests….what a special person!!!!
Mrs B ah was a giant! Happy b’simcha caring and not shy to say things the way they were. Countless people are living torah lives bec of Mrs B ah. Her hachnosas orchim was legendary!
A real loss!!!
Another generation gone! May her family find comfort & continue her legacy
Bde. She was the great mashpia
May she continue to advocate for all.
May her wonderful family be comforted by Hashem amongst the mourners of Zion.
I was lucky to meet the Baumgartens in the late 80’s when I was an out of town student in seminary in Beis Rivkah. I enjoyed and appreciated the amazing hachnasos orchim, as I was a guest for countless Fri. nights at Mrs. Baumgarten’s shabbos table. I always felt just like one of the family. I became engaged and merited to have Mrs. Baumgarten, a”h, as my personal kallah teacher. She even made my husband and I a beautiful shabbos sheva bracha. Being very close with one of her children, I know how much pride she had in her children… Read more »
Wow what an amazing smile. remembering the good old days!!
They are now together again in Gan Eden best friends never separate
המקום ינחם אתכם
Our Mother also went to Gan Eden on Friday
604 Empire and family
I met the baumgarten during my 1st tishrei in ch
3 years later, with a 5 wk old child we moved into the upstairs apt, where we still reside.
My chikdren grew up knowing Tanta Nechama was always there for them, everyday day
30 years later we are still here and it’s been a blessing to be treated as part of her family.
Nechama, you will be in my heart forever and be truly missed
My your neshama comtinue tiv shine within your cgikdrens lives and cintinually have aliyahs
She was kindest women I ever new I have known her my entire life her home was always open to have shabbos guest