R’ Benzion Eliezer Hackner, a community activist and Gabbai of the Stamford Hill Shul in London, passed away this morning, 12 Nissan, 5780, after a short illness.
He was 81.
When WWII ended, he was from the first children to be enrolled by his parents R’ Shmaryohu O”H and Mrs. Leah O”H in the Yesodey Hatorah Talmud Torah in London while most others were attending public school, and only went to Cheder for a couple of hours in the afternoon.
As a Bochur he was from the organizers of Camp Aguda and the midwinter Siyum Mishnayos of Pirchei.
In the early 1960’s he was heavily involved with the establishment and legalities of many of the projects of Lubavitch London at the time that they were building themselves up and knew who to call and how to negotiate the officials and how to get things resolved.
He was the Lubavitch representative to the Hisachdus Hachareidim of the Greater London Community.
He was also a staunch pivotal member of the Lubavitch and general London community.
He spent many nights working the Shidur, the live hookup, for the Rebbe’s Sichos and Farbrengens in London, for the whole UK, Europe, Eretz Yisroel, South America and Australia, that enabled Chassidim and Shluchim to be connected and hear the Rebbe live.
He was also in charge of collecting Maamad from the Chassidim in London to be sent to the Rebbe.
He was a long-standing Gabbay of the Lubavitch Stamford Hill Shul.
Since the Rebbe instituted the daily learning of Rambam, he has continuously given a daily shiur of the Rambam, as well as an Ein Yaakov shiur between Mincha and Maariv.
Was also the Gabbay Tzedakah for many Organizations.
As well as the administrator for the Chuppas that took place in the Lubavitch community of London as well as helped many people all over the world.
R’ Benzion was the heart of Beis Lubavitch in London, and was involved in many other community affairs, many of which are not known.
He is survived by his devoted wife Mrs. Shoshana Hackner (London, England), his children; Mrs. Miriam Edelman (Brunoy, France), Mrs. Soroh Eidelman (Manchester, England), Mrs. Yocheved Zirkind (Weston, Florida), Moshe Hackner (Crown Heights), Rabbi Chaim Hackner (Boca Raton, Florida) as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his brother R’ Yonason Hackner (Crown Heights).
The Levayoh will be passing Lubavitch House at approximately 4:25 PM then at house 29 Leabourne Road, London N16 6TA.
To send nichum aveilim or memories of him, please email [email protected]
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
Many many good deeds he was responsible…everyone in the UK that needed an esrog or shumra matza had to go through him…he was the connection to the Rebbe in the 60’s-90’s. BDE
So much to say about my Uncle Benzion AH and Aunty may she have a complete refua shelma
im very grateful for having be able to live by them for high school.They treated me like one of theirs.i wouldnt be where i am if it wasnt for them
Moshiach Now :(:(:(:(
as well called him, but he was much more than a Mr. A figure who was larger than life, who knew everything and everybody, who was extremely active in every area and always with a smile. When I was in Mechina, there was a period of time that I would go to his daily 1 Perek Rambam Shiur; he taught it as if it was so simple, and with so much clarity. No one was beneath his dignity, and no one was to small for him to talk to and to chit chat. He had time for everybody, even us… Read more »
BDHE I cannot believe that my Brother in Law has passed away , I thought he was getting better. How many more of our special people going to be taken away from us ,before their time because of this terrible virus. May Hashem grant that Mashiach will come before Pesach , to meet these special people .
I wish my Sister in Law Shashana a Refuach Shalama, may she be home soon fully recovered.
On the topic of his Rambam shiur, although he personally learnt the 3-chapters-daily cycle, he also gave a shiur on the 1-chapter-daily cycle.
In many ways, he was the nerve center of UK Anash and the enabler of many of the Chabad minhagim.
May we follow his example.
Yisroel Sandman
leaves a real void, a emeser gishmaker yid
This is so very sad. We need Moshiach NOW.
May Hashem comfort his family among the mourners of Zion and Yerushalaim.
So shocked and saddened to hear. From my earliest memories, growing up in Stamford Hill, Mr Hackner was amongst the pillars of the community. Always involved in everything the community was doing, always aware of all the goings on, always there, always available, always concerned. He was an individual that one thought would always be there. Such a loss. So sad. Our hearts go out to his wife and children. Wishing them strength at this very difficult time, may the aibishter comfort them, as only He is able.