R’ Michel Raskin, the iconic founder of Raskin’s Fruit store on Kingston Avenue, passed away on Sunday, 22 Teves, 5782.
He was 92.
R’ Michel, the eldest of four brothers, was born in Leningrad to his parents, the Chosid Reb Aaron Leib Laine HY”D and Doba Raiza Raskin OBM, who lived and raised their children with Mesiras Nefesh.
Before the War, Michel went to reside with his Zeideh, the famed Rov and Mashpia, Reb Yehoshua Laine HYD (R’ Shiya Beshinkovitz) in Rudniya, near Lubavitch. As the Germans advanced on Leningrad, Michel joined his mother and brothers in Gorki, where they lived out the war years in the home of his grandparents, Reb Shlome and Basya Chaya Yente Raskin. Michel’s young father perished on 10 Shevat in the siege of Leningrad, leaving the young Michel responsible for his family.
The family would eventually leave Russia during the “Great Escape”, arriving in New York in 1953.
After his marriage to Dania (nee Rubashkin), he founded Raskin’s Fruit Store on Kingston Avenue, an iconic shop for produce and groceries. The shop provided fruits and vegetables to the home of the Rebbe and Rebbetzin.
The shop on the corner of Kingston Avenue at the corner of President Street has since grown to a world renowned family-run enterprise.
He and his wife were renowned for their open home, welcoming guests from around the world at all times.
He is survived by his wife, Dania and children, Arik Raskin – Crown Heights, Gutel Edelman – Deerfield Beach Fl, Mashie Markowitz – Crown Heights, Avremi Raskin – Melbourne, Australia, Zeldie Treitel – Hampstead, Canada, Shalom Raskin – Crown Heights, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his brothers Dovid Laine and Benzion Raskin of Crown Heights.
The Levaya will take place tomorrow, Monday, leaving Shomrei Hadas in Boro Park at 1:00 pm, passing by 770 at 2:00 PM.
The family is sitting Shiva at 1355 President St.
3 minyanim
Shachris
8 am – 9 am – 10 am
Mincha 4:15pm
Mariv bizmana
To share memories and nichum aveilim, email [email protected]
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
He will be missed what a lovely gentle person
BDE. SOmetimes, there are just no words to express.
A giant of a man, a profoundly huge loss to a community.
Very sorry to hear that! BDE
ברוך דיין האמת
A great baal chesed.
He and his wife raised a beautiful family. May it be a comfort to them for what he accomplished.
Goldie and Reuven Deutsch.
Will remember his warm personality and strong handshake
One could only have good memories of him.
I knew his Mother; she taught her children to be kind and gentle; which they are.
a loss for the whole community
May Hashem bentch the family with strength and comfort
Moshiach NOW
I am thankful that he provided my husband with a job when my husband needed it. .
He would tell my husband that he couldn’t stand to see food wasted because of his family’s experiences during the seige of Leningrad.
BD”E! When I would go into his store, he always had a kind, encouraging word, he was just the nicest person. Words can’t describe his gentle, kind nature. May his wonderful family be comforted. Moshiach Now!!
ברוך דיין האמת .
Vov Tishrei 5725 the ambulance insisted on getting $200 in cash (a substantial amount then) before they would take the Rebbetzin Chana (and the Rebbe) to the hospital. He immediately ran to open the store and gave it.
ר’ שמואל לו מספר
על ר’ מיכל ע”ה.
BDE
Wow. What a loss. 2 very fond memories I have. 1). In the store. It was before Pesach. Knowing I don’t come from a wealthy family. Was buying for Yom Tov. He saw my choice pick, considering my abilities. He whispered to me and says…. Reb Mechoel nem di beser, I’ll charge you the same price,,, 2) he would insist I come to his home on Simchas Torah for a Lechaim. the whole family included. Every year it ended up a full Seudas Yom Tov. Fun di shenste un beste. Can’t ever forget. A true Baal Chesed. BD”H zol zein… Read more »
Sad.
Wish all elderly people who still can come and share something to the yeshiva boys and girls, all their personal stories. Some Tales to the youngsters to hear
Every time we came from out of town, we made it a point to stop by to say hello. We always got the biggest genuine welcome. He was concerned about everyone. He asked about all family members. He had a special warm, real heart! He will be missed. והקיצו ורננו שוכני עפר
A man of kindness of light of joy who respected humanity and was such a gentleman always a welcome home and good heart
A genuine gentle giant with an enormous heart.
My first time meeting the Rebbe was Simchas Torah 1973. Reb Michel zl as was his custom hosted a grand kiddish upstairs from his store at his apartment.
The simcha, ahavas yisroel and mashka was overflowing.
There I met and spoke with Reb Hendel Lieberman.
An addition to the life changing experience being in the Rebbe’s daled amos was the beautiful experience in the home of Reb Michel zl.
Whenever I met him in CH, I always shared how he had a very powerful impact on a 17 year old Bochurs first visit by the Rebbe.
Moshiach now.
What a Great Jew, for years he would talk to me about life, and give me advice, the last to I saw him in the fruit store he told me I getting old, “This is messed up” That’s a honest quote from a Great Jew!!!
Just last week i saw him in the store, i always wanted to ask him about the story i read that the Rebbe told him of putting fruits outside the store so people can see what he has…
I also remember helping him go down the stairs with his walker..
Hope the family and people from ch post more stories with him, especially with the Rebbe…
You couldn’t have really seen him in his store last week. I don’t really think he’s been there recently,
Please send stories and memories to [email protected]
Great man I use to work for him 40 years ago in Crown heights my first job when I came to this country from Iran
I used to deliver fruits and vegetables
And set up the store for him very great
Chasid baroukh dayan Emes
so sorry to hear…another memorable Raskin..what a legacy, what a tradition. I remember his warm smile and welcoming spirit. also, remember decades ago, I believe it was his wife, (maybe another family member, not sure) who use to work in the store, picked fruit, etc for customers while always wearing black soft cotton gloves…albeit she was probably protecting her hands, I thought it quite fashionable and coming from California, it was quite an eye-opener, enough to remember it years decades later. BDE . Chana
a very special gentle kind man and lovely welcoming family.
my children and myself always were made to feel so welcome in their home.
it was a home away from home for all the goodman family from australia.
Reb Michel and dania had an open home for everyone with sincerity and happiness such an eidele gentle man radiating goodness and kindness with his wife to all who came into their home.Outstanding hachnasas orchim!
wishing dania and the whole family only simchas from now on and may hashem comfort you and wish you lots of koach best wishes gita
No one could tell from his demeanor how difficult life was for him growing up in Europe and serving as a super devoted son, brother and surrogate father to his siblings during the worst of times. He was positive without being drippy Pollyana-ish, and a devoted chossid like those of yesteryear. May his AMAZING wife Danya, zol gezunt zein, a real eizer k’negdo, and his wonderful children bask in the legacy of the goodness and kindness he personified.
Moshiach NOW!
Loss of a legend