By COLlive reporter
Mrs. Risha Piekarski, matriarch of a large Lubavitch family, passed away on Shabbos, 4 Cheshvan, 5777.
She was 98.
Mrs. Piekarski was born to R’ Avrohom and Sheina Rochel Bunim in the famous Russian shtetle of Klimovitch. As a child, she was ridiculed for being Jewish. She lived with Mesiras Nefesh for yiddishkeit under the threat of communism for 30 years.
She was one of many Risha’s named after her great grandmother Risha who divorced her husband (!) because of his opposition to Chassidus.
The original Risha remarried and raised the children from each of their first marriages, plus two sets of twins from her second marriage. This was in addition to managing their general store so her husband could sit and learn. The Rishas named after her were known as “Rishaniks” for their strong personalities.
After emigrating to New York, she was a longtime and beloved resident of Crown Heights, known for her personality, wit and spunk.
She spent the last years of her life in Tzfas.
She was predeceased by husband R’ Yechiel Michel Piekarski, a schochet who used to get up very early for work and would often meet the Rebbe who was leaving 770 to go back to his house.
She is survived by her children: Alexander Ziskind – CH, Ephraim – CH, Avrohom Abba – CH, Yosef Yitzchok – Tel Aviv, Rochel Rubin – Albany, NY, Sara Marzel -Tzfas, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
The Levaya is today, Sunday in Eretz Yisroel.
R’ Alexander Ziskind (Zissel) will be sitting Shiva at his house 513 Crown Street. Davening times Shachris 9:30, Mincha 4:30 Maariv Bizmaano. Please no visitors between 12-2pm).
The rest of the family will be sitting Shiva in Israel.
Email for nichum aveilim:[email protected].
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes
Such mesiras nefesh
Baruch Dayan Haemes!! my husband mother has also name Risha, Risha Dvorkin and she was born in the same year as Risha Piekarski
Mrs. Rochel Rubin will join her brother R’ Zissel tomorrow (Thursday) in sitting Shiva for a few hours in Crown Heights, at 513 Crown St.
Approximate hours she will be there, are between 5pm – 6:30pm.
ברוך דיין האמת
What a lovely lady…full of simcha despite the hardships.
Can be sent to [email protected]
She was a kind and lovely woman. I have thought of her often since she left CH; always with a smile on her face. She will be missed.
Hamakom enachem eschem besoch shaar avellei tzion veyerushalayim.
Mrs. Peikarski was a beloved member of our Crown Heights community, and we will miss her!
awww. she was a breath of fresh air. she always had something nice and refreshing to say. i loved meeting her on the street and just talking for a few minutes, i always walked away with a spring in my step.
one more reason to want Moshiach NOW.
Just wondering if an e-mail for nichum aveilim will be posted.
With thanks
Why she’s sitting shiva??
Mrs Piekarski had a kind countenance that reflected her inner being as well. She was an early role model of a bubby for me as I explored the roles of family in Chabad. May her entire family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Yerushalayim.
Mrs. Piekarski meant so much to me and brought so much love, joy, and light into my life. She was the happiest person I have ever known. I love her so much and feel so connected. She was the treasure of our neighborhood. May Hashem comfort her family among the mourners of Tzion and Yerushalayim.
Mrs. Piekarski had such energy, wit and humor, it was wonderful having a conversation with her.
We’ll miss you!
I was just speaking about “Bubby Piekarski” on Shabbos. We, who have the privilege of attending Mrs. Yehudis Groner’s Monday night shiur, always appreciated the input of Mrs. Piekarski, our neighbor on President St., whom we all dubbed, “Bubby.” She would cajole us to hurry up: “Come on KIDS.” We were her kids! Her effervescent smile, her encouragement to all of us…we missed her so much when she made aliya, but we were so very happy for her when she did. Oy! Bubby, we will all continue to miss you until the Geula Shleimah. To her dear daughter Rochel as… Read more »
Where are Reb Efraim and his brother Abba sitting?
Today’s hayom yom was about Yidden are like stars. Mrs. Piekarski was a shining star-a dugma chaya with her love for going to shiurim.