Rabbi Beryl Epstein, a Crown Heights resident who gave walking tours around the neighborhood for many years, passed away on Motzei Shabbos, 20 Nissan – Chol Hamoed Pesach, 5777.
He was 58.
A Chattanooga, Tennessee native raised in a non-religious Jewish family, Rabbi Epstein moved to Crown Heights at the age of 18, after he received a call from his older brother, Mordechai, who was about to join the Israel Defense Forces, he once told CNN.
Mordechai urged his younger brother to come to Crown Heights, where he was studying before heading to Israel. “I knew there must be more – something I was missing,” recalled Epstein.
His visit to Crown Heights the following year, 1977, inspired him to move there and to join Chabad. As a baal Teshuva living among chassidim, Epstein noticed there was a misconception among outsiders that Lubavitcher Jews shun the outside world.
“I felt there was such a need to acclimate society to Hasidic Jews,” he said. “It’s one thing to have people speak about Hasidim. It’s another to have chassidim themselves speak.”
Since 1982, Epstein has helped to bridge the community and the rest of the world by leading more than 200,000 New Yorkers, tourists, scholars and others on his Crown Heights walking tours which he called “living Judaism.”
VIDEO: Rabbi Beryl Epstein and his faith
He founded the Chassidic Discovery Welcome center, which has given people from 71 countries an insider’s look at the neighborhood where he lived, educating them on the Chassidic Jewish life and culture.
His tours, which included people of all faiths and nationalities, toured Crown Heights’ Jewish landmarks, such as 770, the Matzah Bakery, Mikvah, Kingston Avenue shops, and kosher restaurants.
The tours, he would note, were “not meant to convert guests but to educate about culture and history.”
He is survived by his children, Chaya, Yosef and Mendy.
He is also survived by his brothers and sisters, Mordicai Epstein of Pittsburgh, Eron Epstein of Chattanooga, TN, and Rachel Epstein of Santa Rosa Beach, FL.
He was predeceased by his wife Dena Esther Epstein (nee Klein) OBM.
The levaya will take place tomorrow, Sunday, leaving Shomrei Hadas in Boro Park at 1:00 pm and passing by 770 at 2:00 pm.
Shiva will take place at 930 eastern parkway #3
Shachris 10:00
Mincha 7:30
Mariv bizmano
Till monday morning
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
Hamakom yenachem eschem besoch shaar aveilei tzion viyerushalayim, vehikitzu veranenu shocnei ofor vehu besoichom
yossi feigelstock
Is there a phone number/ email address to contact the availim to be Menachem Ovel and also stories?
Beryl also had a vision to set up an information center in Crown Heights for tourists. To have a shliach stationed there to do mivtzoim to the people who visit CH, for both Jews and Non Jews. Not just for mivtzoim but just to direct people who are visiting CH for their first time. (This is also important as how many guests do we see who come and don’t know where to go) . Beryl had this dream to build this information centre on the big empty plot of land on Union/ Albany. Maybe one day his vision will occur…
Hashem rachmunus
Beryl lit up a room with his warmth and Southern charm. Such a loss….may his family find comfort and strength.
Heart breaking!
Please help them at https://www.generosity.com/memorial-fundraising/epstein-family-fund
Yossi Paltiel
When I was an eltere bocher in 770, I developed a friendship with R’ Beryl. I personally witnessed one of his tours. What many people don’t know is that at the beginning of his tours he would the tourists about Frum Yiddishkeit, origins of chasidim, and the importance of sheva mitzvahs for non jews. At a Shabbos meal at his home he told me a little about his story, and how R’ Zalman Shimon Dvorkin, was mesader kiddushin at his wedding, even though he was terminally ill, still he insisted to do it. This was Rabbi Dvorkin’s last wedding he… Read more »
SHOCKT NO WORDS what aDEAR NESHAMO
I remember when Beryl got the idea of turning retired mail trucks into mitzvah tanks, and he dragged me to some lot to see them. I believe that he even obtained one and drove it around. Does anybody remember seeing this?
Dovid Pearson
Moshiach will explain all this. We’ll see it was the best possible. But till then it’s heartbreaking. He was a fine, genuinely friendly person with simple faith, a big heart and a warm smile. He loved people. May HaShem comfort us all with Moshiach NOW! And the raising of the dead SOON!!
I worked with him in Tzach in the 80s when he was just getting started. He was an ish poshut – and he knew it – and that’s why it worked. He would do whatever the task required without questioning and always had a smile and word of encouragement. Z’chuso yogein aleinu.
He had a great zechus of bringing many to the Rebbe’s shchuna.
BDE his nishama should have an Aliya and demand Moshiach Now
https://www.generosity.com/memorial-fundraising/epstein-family-fund
Appreciate all the brachos and stories about my father.
Since people keep asking to donate here is the place https://www.generosity.com/memorial-fundraising/epstein-family-fund and if anyone wants to bring meals https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/l7zd04 and Shachris is at 10 am and Mincha at 5 pm and Mariv at 8:30 pm.
Thank you. Tizku Limitzvos.
Chaya Epstein
Plz post Esther blaus info so that those that want to help…can
Dear Bais Shmuel Members and Friends,
As you already know, Rabbi Beryl Epstein tragically passed away yesterday the 4th day of Chol Hamoed.
He left behind three beautiful children including Mendy who has been part of the Bais Shmuel family for many years.
We are trying to assist the yesomim at this dire time by raising $50,000 and ask you to please join in this great Mitzvah in any way possible.
We’ve already received $3,600 total from 3 very generous BS members.
Please respond generously at http://[email protected] // http://www.baisshmuel.com or reply to this email.
I love my cousin Beryl, of blessed memory!
May his sweet spirit be blessed in the World
to come. He is already missed!
I know how good of a father he was to his children. Especially after his wife passed away. I know them. He was their EVERYTHING! He was such a good father! My heart hurts. I don’t understand why hashem would do this. Who will care for his three children?
B”H Dear Family of Reb Beryl, his children – our cousins – his daughter Chayah, and sons Yosef Yitzchak and Menachem Mendel and all our Brothers and Sisters Fellow CHassidim, Fellow Jews, and all Fellow Friends of Rabbi Beryl Epstein of Blessed Memory We are all in shock and stunned at the severe illness and then early passing of our dear fellow chassid and lamplighter and SHliach of the Rebbe Reb Beryl Alav HaSHalom Let’s all bring Moshiach by being even more welcoming and friendly to one another in honor of Beryl A”H. Here’ s a few things Beryl told… Read more »
Dear Epstein children! May Hashem heal your hearts!The community are here for you!!!
He was such a Chossid .. Ad Mosei !!! SUCH A Nice man !!!
BDE
Bde.
I knew him he was a truly kind person always smiling….
We need moshiach now!!
please set up something. we wld very want to help out.
Has anyone started a fund for the yesomim? I’d like to give.
I was in Yeshiva at the same time as Beryl’in the70s.He had a heart of gold.Hashem should give strength to all of his children brothers and sisters and oyher relatives.Beryl should ask Hashem to send the Geulah Shlaimah now!
where can i send support ??
ASAP PLEASE
A beautiful neshama. May his children be well loooked after
BDE. Beryl & his brother Mordechai. Old friends of mine from my years in Hadar HaTorah & afterwards. Sweet Chassidishe Yidden. Beryl, you will be missed. You did your Shlichus down here; now do what’s needed up there to bring Moshiach.
Moshiach & Techias Hameisim now!
Could you call Esther Blau please
Berel Epstien was one of the sweetest Neshama’s,
May his memory always be for Brachas. May HaShem give an extra measure of kindness and blessings to his beautiful children, Mendy, Chaya and Yosef.
Please tell ,..Is anyone taking care of meals for the children?
Is there a go fund me or chesed fund being set up?
He is also survived by two frum siblings, Mordechai in Pittsburgh and Yocheved in Baltimore
Have known Beryl since he was a Bochur…. Always pure, Emesdika, ibbergegeben to all the great stuff he was doing! A real Chossid!
Such a terrible loss. ברוך דיין האמת. No words suffice to describe the emptiness and void created by this loss.
Some of my fondest yeshiva memories involve chapping a shmooze or a light moment with Beryl and his brother Mordechai in Yeshiva Tiferes Bachurim. I can’t recall a single memory of himl without that infectious smile.
R’ Beryl was one of the finest people I have ever met. He would give a great big warm smile and focus on you like nothing else was going on in the world and only you mattered. He was such a great person, yet so humble and always happy! I will miss him dearly.
Yaisef we thinking of you
Friends from postville
And a fund…
In the early years he ate with us shabbos meals. So so sad
Hard to digest. Hashem please send quick healing to his lovely children!
I did not know him personally but always saw him at work. I hope his children continue his amazing work! If anyone can do it, it is them.
They saw first hand what and how he did it.
Boruch Dayan hoemes, a terrible loss. His walking tours always warmed my heart, time to walk to the geula, special man!
BDE his nishama should have an Aliya and demand Moshiach Now
BDE, I can’t believe I am saying this. Beryl was such a special individual. I remember him as an important figure in my childhood and young adulthood as a person I always respected. It is so hard to hear this news. His family should know that as a community we mourn his loss. He always had this magnificant smile on his face, helped others in their time of need, and was their for the community. I could only imagine that at this moment he knew he needed to go to Hashems doors and demand moshiach now. He always spoke about… Read more »
I remember how he and his wife helped me and my then fiancee acclimate to the community 29 years ago. He was a real help and inspiration. Will be sorely missed. C.L.
BD”E
A very big loss
He greeted you with a smile bigger then the sun.
He was a true mentch.
Stayed in his parents home.
Truly a wonderful family.
Hwe will he missed.
Nooooooooooo
Such a tragedy. He was our Ben bayis when he came to crown heights in the eighties. May H comfort his family and bring Moshiach and bring back our loved ones Now
I went along once on part of his tour. He had a special and beautiful way of relating to people of any background or culture and explaining the world of Crown Heights and its Chassidim to those folks. In a creative and effective way, he also left them with food for thought about their own individual lives and purpose on this earth. It must be that his petira, the end of his work, means that Moshiach is coming immediately. Wishing all the best to his children and family. — CS
A SHLIACH who lived in Crown Heights. What a real person and sensitive person. Beryl we will miss you!
Beryl, forever in our hearts. You accomplished so much for the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach. You brought countless people, Jews and non-Jews to 770. You have left a deep imprint on many. No one can replace you. It’s a personal loss for us and a loss to the entire Lubavitch community.
Remember him from our days in Morristown. What a refined, aidel mentch. Loved seeing him on Kingston leading his groups
Friends, can a family friend help start a go fund me ? The children have no parents !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Who will help pay the rent and bills!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please let’s help , can a family friend see if they need assistance
Boruch Dayan Hoemes. Parshas Sheminin teaches us that tremendous tragedies shown the greatness of the departed. May Hashem grant strength and comfort to his family and immediately return him through Moshiach and Techias Hamaisim
B made a kiddish lubavitch! Praying for his family!
It’s only neshamas like these that finish their mission so quickly
Some people can never be replaced. There is just one like them. This was rabbis Epstein. We will miss you.
Such a wonderful friend and tzaddik.May we see him with the Rebbe MHM at Seudas Moshiach. עד מתי
What a wonderful person.a truly great person.
may g-d give grant peace to his wonderful kids.
BDE his nishama should have an Aliya and demand Moshiach Now
המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים
May Hashem give each of you the strength and courage to follow your father’s footsteps in bieng a truly refined Yid and Chosid making Hashem and the Rebbe very proud!
Mendy keep up that beautifully warm smile 🙂
this is terrible! they are probably teens by now but if someone knows who is somewhat responsible for them , please post an email address so others can offer help. crown heights must care for these children!
He had a great zechus of bringing many to the Rebbe’s shchuna.
Who’s going to be there for his children??? So sad thinking of you kids. I remember I didn’t know you at all but I came to help when your mum passed away. Thinking of you all. From London.
BD’E His wife had been a special lady too. So sad.
Just don’t know what to say
So painful. So loved. So close to the heart
Boruch Dayan Emes
yankel ginsburg
Three children. No parents. The chabad community must step in here and help out in every way possible!! Baruch dayun haemes
חבל על דעבדין. Mendy we are thinking of you. Keep up your positive spirit!
Hashem please have rachmanus…
With all the groups he brought to 770 and had them put on tefilin he has the record of bringing the most people to the Rebbe (770) and getting the most yidden to put on tefilin. This is a world record!
So sad. My heart goes out to his children. Sad enough they lost their mother at a young age, and now their father.
May Hashem comfort them and give them strength to continue on, and may they be reunited once again with the coming of moshiach and techiyat hametim now!
Another one taken too soon. Moshiach now!
I have no words!! Berel was a giant, always smiling. He raised 3 beautiful children and brought so many people closer to Hashem! A real loss to all
Rabbi Epstein undertook a job that was crucial in so many ways yet few if any would accept it. He was the solo Lubavitch diplomat to those who showed-up on our door step wanting to explore for themselves who and what we are
A man who would never say loshen hora. May Hashem give
comfort and support to his dear family.
BDE
Hashem should strengthen and help his family and send Moshiach Now, too much already. Baruch Dayan Emes.
https://vimeo.com/146025424
Omg! BDE, what a nice person!!!! Always friendly. So sad
We need moshiach!
He was such a kind and giving person! May Hashem Grant his children the strength to carry on his important mission
He was such an amazing person! I can’t understand this!!!
ברוך דין האמת!!
Menachem we thinking of you!!!