Mrs. Riva Raskin, 84, OBM

By COLlive reporter

Mrs. Riva (Rivka) Raskin, matriarch of a large Lubavitch family, passed away in London on Monday, Sivan 11, 5774.

She was 84.

Mrs. Raskin was born to Rabbi and Mrs. Avrohom Yeshaya Schapiro, devout chassidim of the Rebbe Rashab and the Frierdiker Rebbe who lived in Leningrad. When she was 11 years old, her parents and two siblings passed away due to starvation, and she and her younger sister were sent to live in a state orphanage.

After 3 years in the orphanage, Mrs. Raskin was reunited with her extended family and was adopted by Rabbi Zalman Shimon and Tzivia Dvorkin in Samarkand.

Together they escaped the Soviet Union and emigrated to Paris, where they lived for several years.

In 1951 she married Rabbi Sholom Ber Raskin obm and they settled in London, where they were one of the founding families of the London Chabad community.

Mrs. Raskin stood by her husband for many years in support of his holy work for the community, and was involved in local Nshei Chabad activities.

As a teacher in the local Chabad girls school, Mrs. Raskin taught sewing and cooking to generations of girls.

Mrs. Raskin was known for her tremendous hachnosas orchim, with an open house to many guests. She was also known for her kindness to others and her adherence to Tznius and the Chassidic way of life.

She merited to have children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who are shluchim around the world in England, Holland, US, Canada, Israel, Australia and Peru.

She is survived by her children Bluma Jacobs – Amersfoort, Holland, Yeshaya Raskin – London, UK, Mendel Raskin – Melbourne, Australia, Yeruchem Raskin – London, Suri Schtroks – Morristown, NJ, Chanie Gourarie – Detroit, Benny Raskin – Crown Heights, and Dayan Levi Yitchok Raskin – Rov of the Chabad community in London.

She is also survived by her sister Mussia Schtroks.

The Levaya will take place Monday from Schonfeld Square N16 at 12:30 will stop at Lubavitch House, 107-115 Stamford Hill, N16 5RP at 1:00pm on way to Adath Yisroel Beis Ha’Chyim in Caterhatch Lane, Enfield.  EN1 4JY.
 
Shiva will be held in take place in the Old Shul at Schonfeld Square, Lordship Road, London N16 0QQ.

Contact for For Nichumim:
Phone: +44 20 8802 4898 
Or: +44 20 8800 0022 ext 1112 
US Phone: (702) 527-2745
Email: [email protected]
 
Baruch Dayan Haemes.