By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Wolosow, one of the Chabad Shluchim in New Jersey who dedicated his life to teaching and engaging Jewish people, passed away on Monday, 5 Shvat 5785.
He was 43.
Rabbi Wolosow was raised on Shlichus in Sharon, Massachusetts, where his parents Rabbi Chaim and Sara Wolosow direct the Chabad Center of Sharon.
He learned at the Educational Institute Oholei Torah in Crown Heights, and completed his smicha ordination at the Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch – 770 Eastern Parkway.
After his marriage to Chanale, daughter of Rabbi Boruch and Tova Chazanow, Directors of Chabad of Western Monmouth County in Manalapan, Rabbi Wolosow and his wife moved on Shlichus to New Jersey.
Rabbi Wolosow served as the Director of Adult Education at Chabad, where he taught classes on Torah, halacha and Chassidus. This Wednesday, he was scheduled to begin teaching Decoding the Talmud, the new course from the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute.
Two weeks ago, he posted on Facebook a photo of the brochure for the upcoming class. “In today’s mail!” he wrote. “Getting ready for an awesome new JLI class.”
But his role at Chabad extended far beyond just teaching classes for adults. He has taught Bar Mitzvah classes to 13-year-old boys, organized holiday celebrations and community programs, and personally visited people’s homes to hang Mezuzahs and set up kosher kitchens.
He was a beloved Shliach known for his thoughtfulness and friendliness to others. Earlier this month, he attended a Shabbaton with fellow Shluchim of New Jersey. “I spent an amazing Shabbos with our amazing extended family of Chabad Shluchim in the State of NJ! May Hashem continue to bless all of them!” he wrote.
For Yeshiva Week, when many frum Jewish families go on vacation, the Wolosow family went to Pennsylvania. Last night (Sunday), they attended the Poconos Midwinter Concert at the Kalahari Convention Center in Pocono Manor.
Headlining the concert was Jewish music star Avraham Fried, singing some favorite Jewish and Chassidic songs. At one point, Fried offered the microphone to Rabbi Wolosow, who sang a version of the song Tzama Nafshi, using the words from Tehillim (42:3): “When will I come and appear before Hashem?” Fried was visibly impressed by his vocal abilities and encouraged the crowd to give him a round of applause.
On Monday, Rabbi Wolosow suddenly collapse during an outing with the family. Just as the extended family began davening and heading to the Ohel, they received the horrible news of the passing.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Chanele Wolosow (Chazanow); their children Nochum, Dov, Mendel, Tzipa, Miriam, and Uziel; and their adopted children, Naomi and Tani.
He is survived by his parents, Rabbi Chaim and Sara Wolosow – Sharon, Massachusetts; siblings, Mrs. Rivky Horowitz – Canton, Massachusetts; Mrs. Goldie Plotkin – Crown Heights and formerly of Toronto; Mrs. Mimi Wilhelm – Portland, Oregon; R’ Pasi Wolosow – Toronto, Canada; Mrs. Mushkie Lowenthal – Crown Heights; Mrs. Chanie Minkowitz – Sharon, Massachusetts; R’ Leibel Wolosow – Crown Heights; Mendy Wolosow – Hallandale, Florida; R’ Berri Wolosow – Crown Heights; R’ Zalmi Wolosow – Crown Heights; R’ Shmuly Wolosow – Pittsburgh, PA; nieces and nephews.
LEVAYA & SHIVA
The levaya will take place on Tuesday, 2:00 PM at 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn and 3:20 PM burial at the Old Montefiore Cemetery in Queens. It will be followed by Mincha at 5:00 PM.
SHIVA LOCATION:
The Wolosow family home, 41 Heather Dr, Manalapan, NJ 07726
SHIVA TIMES:
Wed, Thurs, & Sunday:
10am -12 Noon, 2:00 – 5:30 pm, 7:00-9:00pm
Friday, 10am – 1:30 pm
MINYANIM:
Wed, Thurs, Fri, & Sunday:
7:40 & 8:30 am Shacharit (3 minyans)
2:00 pm Mincha (2 minyans)
5:00 pm Mincha & Maariv (on Friday @Chabad House)
7:30 pm Maariv ( not on Friday)
Monday:
7:40 & 8:30 am Shacharit (3 minyans)
A fund has been set up to support his wife and children. Click here to donate to the support of his family.
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes – Levi Yitzchok ben Chaim Tzvi
VIDEO: One of the many classes Rabbi Wolosow has given
Hashem end Golus now!!!!!
Hashem end gulos now!!!!!
Terrible terrible we need משיח enough is enough!!
I had the privilege of spending a year with R’ Levi, staying at his home for shabbos a few times, going with him on mivtzoim, and dealing with him in many different scenarios, and I was lucky enough to know him as such a good person with a good nature in and out, who was truly devoted to his shlichus and his family. I am shocked to lose him, and he will be sorely missed…
I’m shocked to hear such sad news about this amazing young man I have no words but too send my deepest condolences to his family may G D look after them always amen
I remember him from s I yeshiva now Westchester BDE
This is not ok
Link to donate please!
Moshiach has to come already. Why is the first instinct where to donate? maybe let his family grieve with dignity and allow them the space they need
I think it is naturally people’s instincts to want to help. When they aren’t close enough in proximity to help with other tasks they want to help in any way they can, and providing money is the simplest & easiest way they can contribute.
Lots of cost when chos v’sholom someone passes including funeral, burial, people should be able to offer assistance. Sometimes it’s even managed by a slightly more distant relative (like an in-law) to collect donations to not burden grieving family with worries of management
https://raisethon.com/leviwolosow
WHAT IS THIS ??? HASHEM!!! THIS IS TOO MUCH TO BARE !!!
Was such a good person though we are only distantly related always made a point to say hi
Hashem enough we need only revealed good news and simchos
This is beyond awful and heartbreaking! He was a truly special person.
Ad masai?! Ad masai?! Ad masai?!
💔 such a hard news
HASHEM!!! AD MASAI!
I am a non Chabad local Rabbi in his area. This is horrific & painful. R’ Levi was a very Choshiv young man who had great influence. YBLCTA he has such a wonderful family. So painful. May HKBH have Rachmanus.
B”DE
Ad mosay!
We need moshiach now!!!
BDH
The most wonderful person. A lichtige ponim. Open, warm, caring with a lightness of being that drew people in. The most magnificent family, beautiful and loving with room in their hearts and lives for 2 additional children that the Aibishter sent them.
Our hearts are with Chanale and her children. And all the very special oak extended family.
No words can comfort…only sending our hearts to you..
So sad, even in the last hours he brought joy to the world, his voice is iconic.
A truly exemplary human being, chossid, father, shliach and so much more.
Genuinely kind and giving to everyone he met – and always with a vibrant smile.
A true, precious gem of a soul.
Hashem, ad mosai!!
ברוך דיין האמת
BDE, we need Moshiach now!
We did so many Mitzvos for so many years and we were promised each Mitzva puts a brick on the Beis Hamikdash, AD MOSAI!!
An indiscribable loss. No words. A very special person. Was always there for us.
May the family find the strength to go on an honor him for the person he was.
I never knew this man but my heart is broken. He looks like such an incredible person and shliach of the Rebbe. May Hashem comfort the family.
Hashem should send koach to his parents. To deal with this tragedy for a second time. Friends, WAKE UP! Its not ENOUGH to write BDE etc. WE MUST DO TESHUVA! We must have Ahavas Yisrael. We MUST do better!. Its not not enough to sit and learn Basi L’gani. We need to truly make this world a better place. Sit and think how you can be nicer and kinder to each other and to Hashem.
I thought it was NOTHING! The Rebbe told us “All the work has been done” The buttons have been polished. So much so, that they are rubbed out! The Rebbe said Moshiach is here! All we need to do is accept him as our King! Yechi HaMelech! Let us all say with one heart Yechi Adonainu Morainu V’Rabeinu Melech HaMoshiach Lioilum Vaed!! You can do it. It’s that simple and if it could change the darkness into light – you only start to gain! Cause deep down inside you know it’s TRUE! NOW WE MUST TALK TO G-D HIMSELF! Hashem… Read more »
Goodbye my rabbi, my friend, my teacher!
We NEED moshiach right NOW! Our broken hearts cannot bear another moment.
Moshiach now!!!!
נמאס כבר תביא משיח מיד!!!!
Hashem believed Levi, and heard his thirst for Him. And so He took his soul to be closer to Him. He was taken directly – only from Hakodesh Baruch Hu with no intervention. Like the Tzadikkim whose souls were accepted right away. May the family be comforted amoung the mourners of Yerushalayim and Tzion.
Never met this person. But so clear that he is full of life, warmth and goodness. What a horrific loss. We want Moshiach now. Ad Mosai!
Can someone confirm that the levayah will be at old montifiore? We’ve known the Wolosow family for almost 30 years and are devastaed by this tragic loss. Levi was a wonderful young man and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
From: Steven Dress Date: February 4, 2025 at 8:46:11 AM EST Subject: BDE This is the instantaneous reaction I had when my son, Jonathan Dress, texted me the tragic news regarding R. Levi Yitzchak Wolosow, z”l shocking passing. “NO. Not Levi Yitzchak… I saw him grow up. We had heart to heart conversations. We danced together on Simchas Torah. In fact, at a young age, it was usually Levi Yitzchak who insisted on handing me the Torah to lead a hakafah with a rousing “sheyiboneh beis hamikdash” after I finished hakafot in my conservative movement synagogue. Levi Yitzchak was the oldest… Read more »
Very sad….
We need mashiach now