By COLlive reporter
Known Chabad chossid and philanthropist Reb Yissachar Dov Weiss, a long-time resident of Los Angeles, passed away Tuesday, Iyar 27 5771.
He was a few days shy of his 86th birthday.
His wife Mrs. Miriam Weiss passed away at the age of 85 in Shvat of 5771.
Reb Berel Weiss, as he was known, was a genuine baal tzedaka who had his hands open for anyone who asked – rabbis, heads of mosdos and especially individuals.
“He gave across the board,” a family member told COLlive.com. “On Purim it was known that everybody came over, but it was also all year-round.”
Weiss had an open account in a local grocery store which would be available to bnei Torah, Kollel yungerleit, and poor families.
He was born in a small town on the border of Hungary and Romania and was sent to learn in the Yeshiva of Kossin.
He survived Auschwitz and during the horrors of the Second World War lost both his parents and siblings. Two remaining siblings who lived in California helped him come to the U.S.
Beginning a new life on the West Coast, Berel bought a farm in Orange County and started producing the first commercial line of Cholov Yisroel products in the area.
He later went into the business of convalescent homes which offer a home-like environment while patients recover from long term illnesses or medical procedures.
Weiss began his connection with Lubavitch upon meeting the Rebbe’s Shliach in California, Rabbi Shmuel Dovid Raichik. He saw him as his mashpia and together they traveled to the Rebbe.
While he always had a love for learning, in later years some 6-7 hours of his day were dedicated to Torah, studying in shul and chavrusas at his home.
“Reb Berel is a funny man,” the late writer R’ Hayshke Dubrawsky once quipped, “he likes Torah and his likes tzedaka.”
He is survived by his children Shlucha Mrs. Chanie Levitin – Seattle, WA; Rabbi Yonah Mordechai (Marty) Weiss – Los Angeles, CA; Shliach Rabbi Moshe Aron Tzvi Weiss – Sherman Oaks, CA.
He is also survived by a brother, Aron Weiss of Los Angeles.
The funeral will take place Tuesday 2:00 pm at Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad, 7215 Waring Ave in Los Angeles
He will be buried at Mount Carmel Cemetery, 6506 E. Gage Ave., Commerce, CA 90040.
Baruch dayan haemes.
that sounds a little interesting as Reb Berel was a very humble man he didn’t tell ppl how he helped ppl he did everything Bhatzney Leches, he wouldn’t tell any1 about the chesed that he did so maybe he told u privately but in general I don’t think any1 else knows this until u made it known bec he was not the type of man 2 do that.
Condolences to all,and thanks for everything. you did for so many.
He told me he supported over two thousand families weekly.
That was an underestimate.
David Benveniste,Tsfat
HAMAKOM Y’NACHEM ESCHEM B’SOCH SH’AR AVAILAI TZIYON VEERUSHALIYIM
WE WILL FOREVER REMEMBER YOUR DEAR PARENTS FOR ALL THE AMAZING CHESSED AND SUPPORT THEY SO GENEROUSLY CONTRIBUTED TO OUR FAMILY THROUGH THE YEARS . WE WILL FOREVER BE INDEBTED TO THEM . THEY WILL FOREVER BE SHINING LIGHTS IN THIS DARK GALUS , THEIR AMAZING ACTS OF TZEDAKA SHINING BRIGHT LIGHTING THE WAY FOR MOSHIACH.
THE LASKEY FAMILY
I understand he was the biggest donor to mrs devorah benamin, kscvk.
Mr. Weiss and his wife leave tremendous light to this world. Two luminaries who were people of extraordinary strength, generosity, ambition and determination. Their personalities and will were the kind that graces this world only rarely.
They were beautiful people as well as Chassidim who shone as an example to all who knew them.
Mr. and Mrs. Weiss you will be so missed. Thank you for everything.
I know R’ Berel personally and He is such A True Tzaddik! He didnt just give Tzeddakah he gave his time and interest in everything that you needed. He was such a happy man and always very involved in his family simchos. He was the most special man I know! I will nevr forget all he did for me and his memory will live on in my heart! -Baruch Dayan Haemes WE NEED MOSHIACH!
he was such a special man and a big baal tzedaka! this is so sad. may his neshama go higher and higher ! boroch daayan emes!
R’ Berel’s tzedaka was legendary, his Torah learning to be admired by all. Perhaps not as widely known was his special custom of lighting candles every day for those lost in the holocaust. Every morning R’ Berel could be seen lighting dozens of candles while saying a special tfilah. This he did for decades……
I will never forget R’ Berel.
Hamakom yenachem eschem b’soch shear avelei tzion virushalaim l’ptiras avichem ha’anak b’arzay hatov v’chachesed asher yadav hayu pesuchois m’el umeaiver ligvul haenushi v’zacha litzor musag chadash kpazran litzdakah ukemaamar chazal al hapasuk tzedek umishpat atah asisa, achi ezer vaachi samach l’moisdis hatorah ubifrat l’hafatzas toras habesh”t v’chulhu. V’en shoom tzel shel safek usfek sfeika ahser brega zeh mamash kvar mishtaasheah im hazadikim gedolei eretz sheherizuhu v’kibduhu b’emes b’alma dain val achas kama v’chama b’alma dikshoit.
I ALREADY MISS HIM!!!!!!
Yehi zichroi bauch!!!!
MMS
what a special Tzaddik
He had wealth, but, as noted, he seemed to give more than he had. And then somehow he always had it to give. So he gave more than that as well and before long he had that too. The Airbershter will always repay tzedakah in abundance. The more you give, the more you’ll get.
His open grocery concept to poor families is already going on for decades… it’s mind bogelling and a Peleh to realize what an enormous amount of tzedaka has been given out by this one man. May he continue to shep nachas from above. Amen.
Special is an understatement! most people cannot fathom the amount of tezdakah he gave throughout his life! he was literally one in a billion, he gave more than he had!
He was a special person, and B”H had the merit to send his children to Lubavitch. may they be comforted with knowing that he really gave the REBBE loads of Nachas.
BS”D
Say Mishnayos in his memory everyone! get the books open or the memory flowing!
we lost a tzdik today
A true ISH Chessed.
so sad to learn of the passing of this special person and chosid. although i didn’t know him personally, i only heard of his goodness and kindness to everyone as far back as i can remember. May his family continue his example as a z’chus to him and for them. Hamokom Yinachem Eschem as well as all chasidim of the Rebbe. May we only hear good news from now on.
BDH AN AMAZING PERSON ALWAYS READY TO GIVE AND WOULD BE SEEN LEARING IN HIS OFFICE EVERYDAY