By COLlive reporter and Hasidic Archives
Mrs. Thelma Levy, wife of OK Kosher’s longtime director Rabbi Berel Levy obm, passed away on Wednesday, 22 Adar, 5780.
She was 95.
Born in the Bronx in 1924 to her parents Yitzchak and Sarah Horowitz, Thelma grew up speaking Yiddish. Thus, even though she was born in America, people would refer to her as a grinner, a greenhorn, a title she wore with pride.
Mrs. Levy always spoke about the sacrifices her mother made so that her children could receive a Jewish education, studying Aleph Beis after school at a local synagogue and later attending Talmud Torah.
In 1944 she married Rabbi Berel Levy obm, and they lived in Brooklyn, where he taught at Lubavitch Yeshiva on Bedford and Dean.
They later moved to New Haven, where Rabbi Levy founded the Chabad school, and Mrs. Levy served as a teacher.
Mrs. Levy stood by her husband’s side as he worked as an administrator for the OK Kosher Laboratories and later as its Director, today a leading Kashrus service company with branches around the world.
Mrs. Levy also accompanied her husband on many trips to the Soviet Union at the behest of the Rebbe, to assist Jews behind the Iron Curtain, with great self-sacrifice and bravery.
She is survived by her son Rabbi Don Yoel Levy – Crown Heights, her daughter Fruma Gartenhaus, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband Rabbi Berel Levy obm and her son Rabbi Eliezer Yitzchak Levy obm.
Levaya info for Mrs. Thelma Levy
The levaya will take place on Thursday, passing 770 at 2:30pm
2:35 pm passing 1347/1372 Carroll st
3:30 Montefiore Cemetery
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
Moshiach Now!!!
A very special woman. When is the Levaya?
May her Neshama rest in peace.
We love you so much.
My father did work for them and Mrs. Levy always treated him with the greatest respect.
I had the pleasure and fondest memories having worked for Mrs. Levy. Her smile is what I remember most and she was truly a lady!!!
To the Levy family
We are saddened by news of your mother, grandmother and great grandmother’s petira. May your fond memories of her help to ease the pain in this difficult time. Hamakom yenachem eschem….
Hashem should comfort the choshuve family
Hamokoim yenachaym eschem besoich sheor avaylay Yerusholayim
Ach toiv vochesed yimotzay eschem tomid kol hayomim
Hokitzu veranenu shoichnay ofor v’hee besoichom.
As the great-grandson of Abraham Goldstein, who founded the OK, and the grandson of George Goldstein, who sold the OK to Rav Berel Levy, and then having worked at the OK for many years under HaRav Don Yoel Levy, I knew Thelma Levy well. At the OK, she was often known simply as “Savta.” She always represented the essence of grace. She cared about everyone at the OK. The OK, which grew magnificently under Rav Berel, was so special to her. Aside from her family, I think it was her heart and soul. I believe that we owe a massive… Read more »