By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Yosef Chaim Hakohen Rosenfeld, the Brooklyn-born spirited Executive Director of Educational Institute Oholei Torah in Crown Heights, a premier Chabad boys Yeshiva, passed away on Wednesday night, eve of 19 Elul, 5782.
He was 89.
Born in Brooklyn to R’ Chanoch Henoch and Esther Miriam Rosenfeld, he was one of the Talmidim Hashluchim sent by the Rebbe to comfort the residents of the Kfar Chabad village after the Yad Hachamish terror attack in 1956.
He was married on the 23rd of Kislev 5718 to Malka Reizel Lokshin and merited to have the Rebbe officiate the Chuppah in the courtyard of 770 Eastern Parkway.
One of their Sheva Brachos meals took place at a farbrengen of the Rebbe (as well as Rabbi Berel and Batsheva Shemtov) on Shabbos Parshas Miketz and merited to have the Rebbe bless them for success in spreading Judaism.
Immediately after their wedding, the Rosenfelds were sent by the Rebbe as his Shluchim to San Francisco in California.
They later returned to Crown Heights, where Rabbi Rosenfeld joined the administration of Educational Institute Oholei Torah led by its founder Rabbi Michoel Teitelbaum.
Founded in 1956 (5716) with just three students, Oholei Torah has since grown to be a premier Yeshiva for the worldwide Chabad-Lubavitch movement, educating over 1850 students of all ages.
With the teachings of the Rebbe as an integral part of the curriculum, Oholei Torah’s unique educational standards are among the highest to be found and have led to phenomenal growth.
Upon the passing of Rabbi Teitelbaum, Rabbi Rosenfeld took on the role of Executive Director. He led the large institution for decades, with incredible dedication, strength, and a good sense of humor.
Oholei Torah today includes a preschool, elementary, Mechina, Mesivta High School, Beis Medrash (Zal) Talmudical Seminary, Gan Menachem day camp and the Yeshivas Kayitz Program in the summer.
He is survived by his children: Rabbi Menachem Mendel Rosenfeld – Montreal, Canada; Mrs. Rivkah Grossbaum – Stony Brook, Long Island; Rabbi Yitzchok Rosenfeld – Toronto, Canada; Mrs. Shterny Fogelman – Los Angeles, California; Rabbi Yisroel Rosenfeld – Melbourne, Australia; Rabbi Sholom Rosenfeld – Crown Heights, Brooklyn; Mrs. Chana Konikov – Roslyn, Long Island; and Mrs. Nechama Dina Katz – Crown Heights, Brooklyn; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his siblings, Rabbi Avrohom Rosenfeld (Boro Park) and Baila Lerner (Boro Park).
He was predeceased by his wife, Mrs. Malka Raizel Rosenfeld, on 9 Iyar, 5782.
The Levaya will take place on Thursday, leaving Shomrei Hadas in Boro Park at 1 pm, passing by Oholei Torah at 2 pm and 770 at 2:30 pm.
To share memories with the family, email [email protected]
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes – R’ Yosef Chaim Hakohen ben Chanoch Henoch.
VIDEO: Blessing students of Oholei Torah
He brought tremendous financial security and growth to Oholei Torah, he was a really superb administrator and a fair person to deal with. Rabbi Sholom ably carries on his father’s work, but Rabbi Rosenfeld’s legacy is unique.
A tremendous loss
A gevaldiga Chossid Mekusher
A true devoted dedicated person to education and everything holy
A dear and beloved caring father and uncle
הכהן הגדול מאחיו
תנצבה
His caring nature knew no bounds. He was administrator for Oholei Torah raising funds for the institution at all hours of the day. He helped his nieces and nephews and extended family in all ways he could; always happily. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather in the most sincere giving way.
He was a devout Jew and Chassid who will be remembered forever.
What a great man. Devoted to the Rebbe. Rabbi Rosenfeld lived Oholei Torah.
His energy and ahavas Yisroel knew no bounds.
The last of the Crown Heights Giants, we are now all officially יתומים 😢
Rabbi Yosef Chaim Rosenfeld, we love you.
You were a great man. Thank you for being a great friend. You were THE true Emeser Chosid Par-Excellance. You developed true Torah and Chassidus Chinuch for Chabad-Lubavitch. We at Lubavitch Shul – haMerkazi in Flatbush are honored to have been your Talmidim. We will nevet forget you Emeskeit and Ahavas Yisroel.
May you have and enjoy, the great Gan Eden and the 310 worlds – reserved for Tzaddikim.
Please continue to fight for Klal Yisroel, for all of us to have a happy and healthy new year. Moshiach Now!!
Such a tremendous loss!!!
We will forever be grateful to all his tremendous accomplishments!!
Lubavitch lost a general in the rebbe’s army