R’ Avrohom Rappaport, 89, OBM

By COLlive reporter

R’ Avrohom Chaim Yisroel Rappaport, one of the founders of the Lubavitch community in Toronto, Canada and supporter of many charitable causes around the world, passed away on Monday, 18 Adar, 5776.

He was 89.

R’ Avrohom was born in 1927 in Riminov, Poland, and spent the War years in Siberia.

As a bochur he emigrated to Canada, from where he visited Crown Heights often, and merited a close relationship with the Rebbe from the early years of the nesius.

The Rebbe took a personal interest in him, and through the years, R’ Avrohom had many Yechudis meetings with the Rebbe, and received many personal letters of advice, as well as Shlichus missions, from the Rebbe.

The Rebbe encouraged R’ Avrohom to get married, and in 1955 he married Rechyl (nee Rubin), and they settled in Toronto, Canada, where they became pillars of the Lubavitch community.

Building a successful real estate business, R’ Avrohom soon became a major supporter of Chabad causes around the world.

He was named by the Rashag as the guest of honor at the Lubavitch Yeshiva dinner in New York for many years, and later was the given the honor by Rabbi Zalman Gurary for the dinners benefitting the Neshek campaigns.

A familiar figure in 770 Eastern Parkway, R’ Avrohom was a frequent visitor to Crown Heights for occasions such as Selichos, the Simchas Torah holiday, and Chasidic celebrations throughout the year.

Throughout his life R’ Avrohom was a supporter of charitable causes around the world, including Chabad of Toronto and Miami, the Colel Chabad organization, and most notably his recent rebuilding of the famed Tzemach Tzedek Shul in Tzfas, Israel.

His wife Rechyl passed away nearly one year ago on 2 Nissan, 5775.

He is survived by his children, Chanie Rapoport – Shlucha in Syracuse, NY, Ruthie Backer – Crown Heights, Yossi ‎Rappaport – Toronto, Lala Slansky – Far Rockaway, NY, Judy Kagan – Los Angeles, CA and Ezzy Rappaport – Miami, FL, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who are Shluchim and Chasidim going in the ways of Torah and Chasidus.

The Levaya will take place tomorrow, leaving Shomrei Hadas in Boro Park at 1:30 pm and passing by 770 at 3:00 pm.

The Kevurah will be Wednesday in Tzfas, Israel.

The family will be sitting Shiva in Toronto from Thursday.

Baruch Dayan Haemes.