Rabbi Yosef C. Rosenfeld, Oholei Torah’s Executive Director for over 60 years, was the force behind Oholei Torah’s journey from a small, fledgling yeshiva into the flagship school of Chabad Lubavitch.
Tuesday, the 19th of Elul / September 5th, 2023, marks the first Yahrzeit of Rabbi Rosenfeld. The greater Chabad-Lubavitch community will gather to pay tribute to Rabbi Rosenfeld and his wife Malka (nee Lokshin), both of whom have recently passed away.
Rabbi Rosenfeld served in an integral leadership role for over sixty years in Oholei Torah. He began his tenure in 1960 as a beloved principal and was later named the yeshiva’s Executive Director, a role that quickly became his life’s mission. He saw his work as a direct shlichus, a call of duty, on behalf of the Rebbe, and tens of thousands of children were educated under his leadership. Rabbi Rosenfeld’s six decades of leadership brought tremendous growth and prestige to Oholei Torah. Indeed, he was the primary force that turned a fledgling yeshiva into the flagship school of Chabad Lubavitch
When Rabbi Rosenfeld joined Oholei Torah, he assumed leadership along with Rabbi Michoel Teitelbaum, the founder of Oholei Torah, and Reb Dovid and Sara Deitsch of New Haven CT, who were the main supporters of the school. Rabbi Teitelbaum and the Deitschs recognized unique leadership qualities in the young educator and were eager for him to assume the role as Director with their full support. In the years that followed, he took on more and more responsibility and was well-beloved and respected by staff, parents, and students.
His promotion to Executive Director was a natural next step as he had proven himself as someone with a tremendous vision for the future and the passion and dedication to bring those visions to life.
The parents are forever grateful for his understanding and for his attempts to accommodate their needs and requests. Staff members recall Rabbi Rosenfeld warmly, knowing that he always stood behind them and gave them the fullest support.
With his great enthusiasm and unique charisma, Rabbi Rosenfeld forged relationships with hundreds of people who became staunch supporters of the school and dear close friends of both Rabbi and Mrs. Rosenfeld.
Mrs. Rosenfeld, in her own right, was an outstanding educator and stood by her husband’s side as he devoted his life to Oholei Torah.
The entire Rosenfeld family will be traveling from far and near to join in the event, and a group of loyal supporters, the “Champions of Rabbi Rosenfeld” will be honored as they pay tribute to a great leader.
Join us for this special evening as his family and friends gather to pay tribute to Rabbi Rosenfeld and his legacy and to commit to continuing his vision to take Oholei Torah to even greater heights. For more information, to make reservations, or place an ad in the Tribute Journal, please call Rabbi Nosson Blumes at 718-778-0734.
