By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Don Yoel Levy, head of one of the world’s largest kosher certifying agencies, passed away on Thursday, the 8th day of Pesach, 22 Nissan, 5780.
He was 72.
Rabbi Levy was born in 1947 to his parents, Rabbi Berel and Thelma Levy, and was always dedicated to his learning.
He learned in the Philadelphia Talmudical Yeshiva and later at the Yeshiva in Kfar Chabad, Israel. Rabbi Levy received Smicha from three leading Jewish figures, among them the esteemed Rabbi Moshe Feinstein.
In 1970, Rabbi Levy married Malka Deutsch of Jerusalem. Determined to establish their life together on a strong spiritual footing, the young couple settled down in the Israeli community of Kiryat Malachi, where Rabbi Levy pursued his Jewish studies over a 7 year period.
In 1977, his father, Rabbi Berel Levy, asked Rabbi Don Yoel Levy to return to the United States to assist in the running of the OK Kosher Certification. Some 10 years earlier, Rabbi Berel Levy had purchased the OK, at the time a minor kosher certifying agency, from George Goldstein. In a little over a decade, Rabbi Berel had succeeded in building the OK into a formidable force and leader on the kosher scene.
In 1987, upon the untimely passing of Rabbi Berel Levy, Rabbi Don Yoel Levy assumed leadership of the OK Kosher Certification.
As the head of the world’s most prestigious kosher agency, the OK Kosher Certification, Rabbi Levy was a renowned personality in the Kosher industry.
He was known for his vast scholarship and unshakeable principles, which drove his passion to expand and enhance the industry of Kosher certification to the highest standards. Under his leadership, the OK Kosher Certification has emerged as a trailblazer for the entire industry, establishing the standard for kosher in the United States, Europe and the Orient. Under his guidance the agency has led the development in a new era of global economic growth, advances in technology, and soaring demand for kosher food worldwide.
Rabbi Levy was also the Rov of Bais Eliezer Yitzchok Shul in Crown Heights.
He was also a renowned baal tzedaka, supporting many Jewish and Chabad causes around the world, among them many related to Chinuch of children, the Shluchim office, as well as the yearly food distribution for thousands of guests and residents every Tishrei in Crown Heights.
He is survived by his wife Malka, and children Rikal Fogelman (Crown Heights), Yitzchak Levy (Miami, FL), Pnina Hanoka (Crown Heights), Menachem Levy (Crown Heights), Esty Scheiner (Miami, FL), Devorah Leah Chein (Crown Heights), Chaya Camissar (Miami, FL), Shmuly Levy (Miami, FL), and Berel Levy (Crown Heights).
He was predeceased by his daughter Rivka in December of 2018.
The Levaya will take place Friday, passing by 770 at 1:30 pm, then 1347 Carroll, 391 Troy Ave, and 394 Kingston Avenue.
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
Oh no. So sad. What a loss for crown heights, khal hachassifim and klal Yisroel! Boruch dayan emes!
May his family be comforted !!! Moshiach now !!
When I started the Menachem Education Foundation in 5768 few people believed a moisad Chinuch will succeed. Rabbi Levy was a big fan, he gave his his shul to use Rent Free for 4 years, in addition to other monetary support.
He cared for our community, and our children.
May Hashem Bentch his family, Ad Mosai. Enough!
Zalman Shneur
He was such a special kind Baal Tzedakah.
The world lost a treasure.
We are so sad.
BDE so sad to hear, To the family: Hamakom Yinachem Eschem Bsoch Shar Aveilei Tzion Yirusholoyim!
I am the great-grandson and namesake of Abraham Goldstein. (Just to correct the article, Abraham was long deceased when Rav Berel Levy bought the OK from my grandfather, George Goldstein, in 1968.) I am sitting here, crying. For many years, I ran the Jewish Homemaker for the OK. I was privileged to watch Rav Don Yoel, zt’l, at work. But “work” is the wrong word. Rav Don Yoel saw his kashrus role as a sacred mission to bring more kosher food to more Jews. It was not work, it was a shlichus. Rav Don Yoel’s integrity was part of the… Read more »
Rabbi Levy was a very special person and helped many causes quietly. May his family find true strength to continue, and may he be a true mailitz yoisher for all his loved ones.
עד מתי
Rabbi Levy was a giant. A man who breathed Torah and Chassidus from morning to night, who gave Parnossa to so many, Tzedoka to so many, and who brought Kosher to Jews around the world. His untimely passing is unbearable.
It happened to me & I know it happened to others. If one or more times you saw him & interacted a small conversation it was as if he knew who you are…..& just the BIG smile he always had…..what a great lost to our community. He will be missed.
Harav don yoel levy was a very special person
He was a big Bal tzedakh very kind and caring ,he was a true mentch and a real Chossid he helped thousands of people in the most respectful manner ,
He will truly be missed
May hashem give his family strength to continue
And very soon we should have moshiach now and be reunited with harav don Yoel Levy
Rabbi don yoel was a very special person, people like him are not to be found, very honest very straight, his standards of kashrus was kept very strict, very caring and very good heart, many Jews observed kashrus because of him, many jewish families and many moisdois are standing because of him. The oibershter should grant his family with the best of the best always and with good health and happynes.
Baruch Dayan Emes
Just tears, and more tears.
what a terrible loss for the whole world . This man was an angel. He did good his whole life; I am so sorry for this loss. One of a kind. Bd E
BDE
What a loss for the whole community! May the family be comforted
I used to daven in Rabbi Levy’s shul. I was very inspired by his seriousness that the chazan should daven at normal pace and not too fast, and most importantly how he really made sure no one spoke during davining. I think we should all learn from him not to talk at all during davining. Of course that’s in addition to the fact that he was a tremendous baal tzedaka and baal chesed and gave hundreds of people paranasa including shluchim all around the world. He will be very missed. I was crying a lot when I heard the news.… Read more »
I have not met him but I know a family that he supported for years happily and never making them feel bad. What a special baal tzedaka
I happened to work for the late Rabbi Levy’s mom the late Thelma Levy …what a remarkable person he was……my sister Rashi and I would like to extend heartfelt sympathy to the families…our prayers and thoughts are with you all…goodbye are not an easy task but I shall bid Rabbi Levy farewell on his journey…
B.D.E. We lost a great Talmid Chochom, a great Chosid, a great Marbitz Torah and a great Baal Chesed, and the world lost an Odom Godol who elevated the standards of kashrus throughout the world. May his family be consoled with this knowledge, and may we all be Miapallel for Moshiach Now!
We really miss you Zaidy.