By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Yehoshua Dubrawsky, one of the most prolific Chassidic writers in Yiddish of his time, whose children and grandchildren are Shluchim worldwide, passed away Thursday morning, Iyar 29, 5770.
He was 82.
Born in Krolewedz, Russia, he moved with his family to Paris, France, where he met and married his wife Asia Menkin.
For over three decades Hayshke was one of the main editors of the Lubavitcher Rebbe‘s published talks in Yiddish into the first few volumes of the Lekutei Sichos series.
That work earned him the rare compliment from the Rebbe on one of these talks – “this is the best hanocho of my talks I have ever seen.”
Hayshke was best known for his writings, as one of the main writers for Di Yiddishe Heim, a Lubavitch publication, and the two yiddish weeklies Algemeiner Journal and the Forward.
In his weekly columns, Hayshke, in his inimitable style, would cut to the heart and soul of issues ranging from Jewish thought to general philosophical quandaries, from different controversial issues to book reviews.
Gershon Jacobson OBM, founding publisher of the Algemeiner, has lauded Hayshke as perhaps the most under appreciated Yiddish writer of our times.
Simon Jacobson, current publisher of Algemeiner Journal, told COLlive.com: “Less known, perhaps, was that he was a brilliant thinker and scholar, with a prodigious knowledge of Torah in all its dimensions, as well as mathematics, science and the arts.
“With all his knowledge and skill, Hayshke was unique in remaining a humble Chassid, true to his roots. He captured the agonies and joys of Jewish life in the past century – both under the cruel Soviet regime and later in a free America.
“All our readers were deeply inspired and moved by his unparalleled style of weaving together profound Torah and Chassidic insights, tragedy, humor, and above all – giving us an authentic taste of the Chassidishe warmth (varemkeit) and passion that permeated his family’s life and the life of the Chassidim he grew up with.”
He is the father and grandfather of many Shluchim around the world and was proud of their work as leaders of communities, education and outreach.
He is survived by his wife, Asia, and children: Sarah Gurevitch – shlucha in Lyon, France, Yosef Yitzchok Dubrowsky – shliach in Curitiba, Brazil, Lipa Dubrawsky – Shliach in Vancouver, Canada, Mendel Dubrowsky – Shliach in Dallas, Texas, Miriam Labkowsky – Shlucha in Los Angeles, CA, Zlata Geisinsky – Shlucha in Bethesda, Maryland and Chana Katzman – Shlucha in Staten Island, NY.
The funeral will be leaving Shomrei Hadas at 1:00 pm and will pass by 770 at 1:45 pm.
Boruch Dayan Haemes
They are sitting Shiva at the Dubrawsky Residence: 1456 President St.
I didn’t know him, but I know his son – Fitchi – and grand children. They are the real proof that he was a very good man, because of the family he left. He will be always the light to iluminate the teach of judaism. Roland Hasson, Brasil.
Does anyone know where the family is sitting Shiva?
im zaides grandson i will miss him very much
I got to know this tsadik when they cam to stay with Zlota in the past few years. I got to know him as one of the most learned, caring and reverant people that I have ever known. He had a genuine love for his fellow man and had a wonderful sense of humor. We will miss him!
dear everyone we are family in italy ,oy how sad my dear oy , reb heishke ,no words,,,,,, my best way to discribe this very very unique person , is that if one reads WELL the seifer hazichreines , of the rebbe rayatz , that will give one some idea of who this great man was , no words mamesh , very sad
Boruch Dayam Haemes
One of the best around, he will be missed greatly.
Knowing the sons and daugthers, we realize how special he was!!!
we will miss you
Your comment was beautiful and heartwarming, yet I wanted to point something outto you. Boruch Hashem Rabbi Dubrawski was Zoiche to many many HEIRS and may his wife live manyt more long healthy happy years having more and more heirs. What he didn’t have was AIRS, he was a humble Yid with the deepest sense of Emunah and an Emesseh Chassid.
BTW: HEIRS: descendants
AIRS: Pride and Gaavah
What a special person, an erlicher yid and a true chossid. No shticks, pure sincerity and a beautiful warm and kind heart. How rare for such a gifted person, intellectually and otherwise, to have no heirs about him, so humble and down to earth. He and his beautiful wife Assia yidlch”t are a true example of chassidim with mesirus nefesh, living on their own for years, with ALL their children on shlichus. May the whole family be gebentscht and their is no doubt that he has earned a prestigous place in Gan Eden…. The loss of such a luminary is… Read more »
what is hashem thinking? is he trying to give over a message? everyday when i open a yiddeshe ch website there is another old god fearing jew that passed-away…..hashem send moshiach! ad mosi!
hes my uncles grandfather….boruch dayin emes
ad mosia
I remember my parents looking forward to his articles in the Algemeiner Zjurnal and discussing his articles as well. Boruch Dayan Emes
For 2 years I was lucky enough to eat at their Shabbos table nearly every week.
His warmth and sweetness was so beautiful.
They both made me feel loved.
What special people!!!
The entire Yiddish Forward newspaper “family” expresses deep sadness at hearing of this great loss.
Rabbi Dubrowsky was a beautiful person,I remember him, always with a smile on his face, asincerity and warmth, like no other; He was a very specialman, and will be very much missed; He has raised a beautiful family, together with his most wonderful wife, may she live and be well.
Heartfelt nichum aveilim to her and all his children, who are doing such amazing work all over the world;May Hashem give them only besuros tovos from now on;
Boruch dayan Haemes
What an irreplaceable loss. His writings will be sorely missed. What a beautiful, elegant and erudite command the Yiddish Language. I enjoye reading every word of his
A very special man