Dear Chabad Community,
Let me share with you a little about my uncle, Rabbi Sholem Lapidus A”H, the dedicated Menahel of the Cheder Toras Emes in Yerushalayim.
By now, you may have heard about him and learnt the story of his tragic and untimely passing just last week.
To share briefly, about a month ago he flew with his family to Hanover, Germany to marry off his son. While he was walking to Sheva Brachos on friday night, he was tragically struck by a bus and thrown into a desperate fight for his life. After 3 weeks he sadly succumbed to his wounds leaving behind his wife and 9 young Yesomim.
While much has been written about him since his Petirah, his unwavering Yira’as Shamayim, his excitement and passion for Limud Hatorah and his selfless dedication towards the progress and success of each of his Talmidim, I would like to share a little about him through the lenses of a family member.
A man with a giant heart and loving smile, Uncle Sholly, as he was affectionately known, provided love and friendship to all those who came in contact with him. He was attentive to people. He listened to people. Local community members, younger Bochurim and people from all circles of life would find comfort and love in his non judgemental and friendly nature. He respected every individual for who he was. Indeed, like Aharon Hakohen, he found beauty and light in every being, as they are.
More importantly, he was an incredibly loving husband and father to his children. He cared and concerned for each of them and their needs. He looked after them and felt proud to be their parent. Together with his dear wife יבלחט”א, his lovely home was imbued with tangible love towards Yidishkeit and Chassidishkeit. I vividly recall what I felt like at his Shabbos table. It felt like Gan Eden. There was a sense of serenity and peace. There was a sense of elation and elevation. Every child was seen, listened to and part of the experience.
He was one who would go out of way for the convenience of another. And he would do it joyfully. I can hear him saying ‘If you are doing it anyways do it with a smile’. During a visit to Eretz Yisroel, I had wanted to visit a particular Kever in Har Hamenuchos to Daven, yet I did not know its location. He so graciously took off time from work to drive me there and show me its location. This is just one of the many such stories of selfless acts to his family and friends, with a gracious smile and happy heart.
Uncle Sholly, we miss you. Your parents, wife and children miss you. Your thousands of students miss you. The world misses you. Please come back.
Dear Yidden, Rachamonim Bnei Rachmonim, until then, let us rally together to help his young family. Let us show up for an Almana and Yesomim. We are here for each other and this is an opportunity to be here for another. Let us alleviate some of their pain by showing our financial support to the family. They need it as every Frum family knows very well.
We continue to raise funds to keep the family on their feet as they adjust to a life without their beloved father and without the main breadwinner of the family.
Please open your hearts and give as much as you can to this special cause.
No amount is too small or and no amount too large.
https://www.charidy.com/Keren316
And let’s not forget Hashems promise about supporting Yesomim and Almonos
אם אתה משמח את שלי אני משמח את שלך
Thank you so much, and may this be a huge zchus for you!
M.O.
Beautifully written article!
May we be reunited with Moshiach!!
He was always with a smile.