By COLlive reporter
R’ Shmuel Isaac Popack, a long-time resident and baal Tzedaka in Crown Heights whose wealth is traced to a single motion at an opportune time, has passed away on Friday night, 4 Sivan 5772.
He was 93.
He was born in Barre, Vermont, known as the world’s largest granite quarry, where his father Rabbi Avrohom Popack OBM served as a Rabbi, shochet and mohel, at the instruction of the Frierdiker Rebbe.
The family later moved to Brooklyn, NY, but Vermont remained a focal point for Popack when his youngest daughter Zeesy moved on Shlichus with her husband Rabbi Yitzchok Raskin to Burlington.
Shmuel Isaac eventually made his home in the Crown Heights neighborhood, where the Rebbe lived and encouraged chassidim not to abandon the area in the face of its changing population.
Popack went on to become the owner of many buildings and properties in the area and his success is attributed to a farbrengen at 770 Eastern Parkway when the Rebbe offered riches to participants and he was one of the three that raised their hand to accept.
Popack, a Chossid and Talmid Chochom, was also known as a person who was always full of simcha, and greeted all with a smile and friendly word.
He is survived by his wife Miriam Popack and their children Mrs. Chana Piekarski of Crown Heights; Shliach Rabbi Yisroel Meir Popack of Denver, Colorado; Yossi Popack of the Five Towns in NY; Mrs. Toby Hendel of Migdal Haemek, Israel; Mrs. Chaya Rivka Feldman of Crown Heights and Mrs. Zeesy Raskin of Vermont.
He is also survived by his brothers R’ Sholom Ber Popack of Crown Heights and R’ Yitzchak Popack of Queens.
The levaya will take place Tuesday, leaving Shomrei Hadas at 9:30 am and passing by 770 at 10:45 am.
Shiva information:
The Popack family will be sitting shiva at 1280 President Street
Shacharis 8am, 9:30 am
Mincha 8 pm
Maariv 9 pm
Women’s hours – please use the back door ONLY during davening times
11 am – 2pm
4pm – 10pm
Email for nichum aveilim: [email protected]
Baruch dayan haemes.
It was always a treat when Rabbi Popack came to Florida to visit. B”H, his mind and sense of humor were unfailingly sharp. Boruch Dayan haEmes
Y Rudd
SZ Gurary
To one of the most aidelist and kindest lady in crown heights and to her family. So sorry to hear about your husband. Hashem should bless you with much strength and good health to carry on the legacy of your husband. You brought out the best. Your devoted computer teacher now residing in Florida. Bluma
You should know of no more sorrow!
There is most definitely a tape. And you could hear it. The Rebbe asking who wants to have the test of ashirus should raise their right hand. Please find out all the facts before publicly decrediting the story.
26 is right. Popack A”H also lifted his hand.
Who was the 3rd????
The Purim farbrengen 5717 absolutely happened with the Rebbe requesting those who were taking on themselves the nisayon of Ashirus. SB Drizin lifted his hand. Ask the chozrim, they remember
“When the Rebbe assumed leadership of Chabad-Lubavitch in 1951, Rabbi Hirsch Chitrik was the first to be sent out on Shlichus” 1951 = 5710 or 5711 depending on what time of the year he left. I knew him and know many of his descendants – someone would have told me had he been at that farbrengen. I still do not believe the farbrengen ever happened, and will not unless someone can provide a tape. These legends do no service to the Rebbe and they are best proven or disproven once and for all. The brocho for wealth that R’ SZ… Read more »
Yes it is his Uncle.
His Fathers Brother
Drizin is true.
This was Farbrengen Purim 5717.
Chitrik A”H was not in Brazil yet, so it could be him.
I heard of SZ Gurary A”H. Anyone know more?
Just received the news today in LA. I and the mispalalim of Gersel shul will miss his wit, torahs, aitzes and gimilus chessid.
Isser Goldstein formerly of Crown Heights
Condolences to Mrs. Miryam Popack from The Gedalia Shaingarten Family , children of Mrs. Popack’s co-worker the beloved Rebetzin Raizil Ruth Shaingarten of Boro Park who worked all the years for the enhancment of life in Crown Heights
SB Drizin – yes, his name is always mentioned in connection with this story.
The third may have been Chaim Serebrianski, whose business did not see lasting success.
R’ Hershel Chitrik A”H was not there – he would have been in Brazil.
That is – if this really happened. I certainly never heard it from any reliable source, such as any of the Drizins whom I know.
BORUCH DAYAN HOMES
Sholom Ber Drizin?
SNZ Gurary?
Hershel Chitrik?
המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים שלום בער בוטמאן ומשפחתו an old friend since 1954
It is with great sorrow that I just received the news of Reb Popack’s passing. I will remember him with great affection, respect, and love. He surely will be missed. My heartfelt condolenses to the family. I share in your loss.
With love,
Zepporah-Mushka, Durham, NC
He was one of the last Jews to have been there when the Friediker Rebbe came to the USA he wants told be about it he had a very clear head till the end
of Cape Town????
to popack family HAMOKOM YENACHEM ESCHEM
MEN ZOL MER NIT VISSEN FUN KEIN TZAR
REUVEN-GOLDA DEUTSCH
hamokom yenacheim eschem
our thoughts are with you in these sad moments
a true צדיק this man was. everyone will miss him.
stay strong, mushka.
Survived also by brother Reb Yitzchock Noach Popack
Boruch Dayan Ha’emes
What a wonderful man. Very good to all and a friend to all. We will miss him greatly.
Ohel Moshe Lubavitch Shul Ocean Parkway
Baruch Dayan emes
We will truly miss this wonderfull man .
Keeping a smile on everyone’s face and always making everyone feel welcome and like he had all the time in the world for them.
May his memory live on in his wonderfull family.
Boruch Dayan homes
BDE- Condolences to Rabbi Hershel Piekarski from
Carmel Valley CA.
BS”D
He was a true Tzaddik, and a leibedik character all the days of his life. I am sure he will bring this energy with him in the world to come and we will merit to experience his amazing neshoma and personal aura in the times of Moshiach Tzidkeinu techef umiyad Mamosh!
Zaidy Popak z’l was full of chayus and simchas chayim, even in his very old age! He always managed to bring a smile with his humor, and he also showed great commitment to his Torah study. May he be a meilitz yosher above, and may we merit Moshiach already!