By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Okunov, the Director of the Yeshiva and Camp of FREE organization who devoted his life to the Rebbe’s Shlichus and was beloved by his many students, passed away on Wednesday, 13 Adar II, 5782.
He was 70.
Reb Mendel, as he was affectionately known by his friends and Talmidim, lived in Crown Heights and has devoted his life to the Rebbe’s Shlichus, directing Yeshivas Ohel Dovid and Camp Gan Yisroel of the F.R.E.E – Friends of Refugees of Eastern Europe organization – showing thousands of students from the former Soviet Union the warmth and light of Yiddishkeit.
He grew up in the Former Soviet Union, keeping Torah and Mitzvos with great Mesirus Nefesh while hiding from the KGB.
Reb Mendel lived by example, showing all the ways of Chasidus, the embodiment of what it means to be a Chosid.
He just recently celebrated his 70th birthday and many of his students attended a large Farbrengen to celebrate. Many emotionally shared how Reb Mendel has changed their life. Many of his students have established beautiful frum families, among them proud Lubavitchers and Shluchim of the Rebbe.
Reb Mendel showed tremendous love to all and was dearly loved by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife Zahava, children Dovid, Levi Yitzchok, Aharon, Moshe, Yosef, Chaya Mushka Rutman, Bassia Rivkah, Sholom Dov Ber, Shneur Zalman, Shmuel, Yisroel Arye Leib and Boruch.
He is also survived by his siblings Rabbi Meir Okunov and Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh Okunov and sister Ita Altein.
The Levaya will take place today, passing by ULY – Yeshivas Ohel Dovid F.R.E.E at 841 Ocean Parkway at 1PM and passing by 770 at 1:30 PM.
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes – Menachem Mendel ben Dovid Okunov.
I learned so much from him and his way of life. He will be missed.
Bde
A real chasid, good heart, Smart
ברוך דיין האמת
ברוך דיין האמת
Sad
ברוך דיין האמת
what an amazing Chossid! he will be missed, I have many fond memories of the crown street Okunev crew
ברוך דיין האמת
all in one word אמת in the most purest form really miss him
Exemplified what a chosid is. Endearing smile, fatherly love, nurturing, going out of his way for each and every neshama. If you met him only once, he made an impact on your life.
May those that he inspired continue in his legacy.
What a incredible Neshomo. BDE. AD MOSAI
Baruch Dayan Haemes, R’ Mendel was an incredible person, doing and sacrificing so much for students (like me) and others. His impact is incalculable – just the number of people who became observant because of him is too great to count, not to mention their descendants and so on. He was a true tzaddik.
The Levaya Live
https://youtu.be/PKw0HG1m2pk
Can someone post Shiva info?
1715 Union Street Apt 2B
Apt 2E
Reb Mendel was a tzadik in every sense of the word. He was a guiding light for what it means to be a Jew in today’s world. He was a real inspiration for me and my family. A tremendous loss for all of us that looked to him for guidance in our everyday life. He had a deep understanding of people and was able to connect with clarity in a very meaningful way. At his Birthday Farbrengen, I was listening to students, one after the other, getting up and saying how Reb Mendel has changed their lives for good. Many… Read more »