Rabbi Menachem Mendel Deren, son of a known shluchim family who spent his entire life on Shlichus, passed away Friday, 28 Cheshvan, 5771.
He was 36.
Mendy was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, to his father Rabbi Yisrael Deren and mother Vivi, now directors of Chabad Lubavitch of Fairfield County, in Stamford, CT.
Mendy learned in Lubavitch Yeshivas around the world, and was the director for development for the Mayanot Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, a yeshiva for English-speaking men and women.
In recent weeks, his illness united the Chabad community worldwide, as people of all ages prayed for his recovery and family and friends stood at his bedside.
News of his untimely passing has sent shockwaves through thousands of Shluchim, in New York for the annual International Kinus Hashluchim convention, who were praying Friday morning at the Rebbe’s Ohel gravsite.
Kinus Chairman Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky said there was an effort being made for Shluchim to return to Crown Heights on time for the funeral.
“Mendel lived a beautiful life and made the lives of so many of us all the more special,” one of his brothers said. “I thank Hashem for every moment that I was able to feel his love and care for everyone around him, especially his family.”
“He was very diligent in fulfilling his shlichus, sweating details in so many aspects, touching countless people with his special brand of humility and warm dignity,” said Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Director of American Friends of Lubavitch in Washington DC, where Mendy was a shliach for 2 years.
Mendy is survived by his wife Sarah and his parents, siblings, uncles and aunts, nieces and nephews and the family of Shluchim.
FUNERAL & SHIVA (updated)
The funeral will leave from Shomrei HaDas, 3803 14th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, at 11:15 this morning (Friday).
It will pass by Lubavitch Headquarters 770 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY, at 12 noon; and continue to Old Montefiore Cemetery in Queens (226-20 Francis Avenue, Cambria Heights, NY 11411) for interment at approximately 1:00 PM.
Shivah will be observed at 57 Revonah Avenue in Stamford, CT.
Sunday: shachris @ 9:00AM
minchah-ma’ariv @ 4:30PM
The rest of the days: shachris @ 7AM
minchah-ma’ariv @ 4:30PM
Boruch Dayan Haemes
Im so sorry to hear of the loss, i was a classmate of Asher Deren at LYA in the 80’s before you folks left for Stamford Ct. I remember spendin many shabbos wknds with your family.Lyle DellaPenna. I attended LYA from 84-90.
Dear Vivi, our deepest condolences to you and your family. We are so sadden by your loss and pray for you to find the strength to go on and enjoy life and develop the wonderful Gan. With much love, Geyfman Family.
im sad…
To the Deren family, and worldwide family of Shluchim: Hamakom yenachem eschem b’soch sha’ar aveilei Tzion v’Yerushalayim. May HaShem envelope Mendy’s soul in the highest rungs of Gan Eden.
http://a-farbrengen.blogspot.com/2009/10/tragedies-lo-alenu-goad-to-teshuva.html
My brother and sis-in-law didn’t usually go to shul and for whatever reason they did go for Rosh H. and then had the opportunity to have a meal with this “remarkable family” and when my bro.called he told me of his wonderful experience with this lovely family.It was Rebbi Deren and he was so shocked this week.They were stunned and my bro said there was not one inkling that he had any problem-they were so inspired and had the most wonderful holiday.So for whatever reason they had to be there-it was H’s will.I hope Reb Mendel and his family knows… Read more »
I remember his Zeide Harav Cheskel ZT”L very well and was very close to him. Also died of that dreadful didease at a young age. A very chosheve Chabad family. Hamokoim yenachem eschem bisoich shar avelei zion v’yerushalyim, nisht visen mer fun kyn tzar.
sunday: shachris @ 9:00AM minchah-ma’ariv @ 4:30PM
The rest of the days: shachris @ 7AM
minchah-ma’ariv @ 4:30PM
Miy husband and I have known Mendel and his whole family since he was a child when are children were to gether in school in school in Springfield. We moved to Stanford CT. and used to tease the Derens about following us there, our hearts are broken at their loss. It was g-ds will but it still hurts so much there is nothing we can say that will ease there pain Lydia and Michael Ackerman
Shloimy, Bluma and now Mendel? AD MOSAI!!!!!!!
http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/video?id=7206301
this isn’t good! we all need to look at ourselves and think what mendy would say or do! Try and mekariv another yid for teshuva and maysim tovim, a gutten shabbos
I knew Mendy Deren when he was a bochur working in the shluchim office.
I am so saddened to hear of his passing.
May his neshama have the highest aliyah.
boruch dayan haemes
אין מילים בפי. מה שאנסה לכתוב יישמע מאולץ.
המקום ינחם אותך בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים.
שלא תדעי עוד צער לעולם.
משיח נאו!!!
חנה וואגעל ( בית חנה )
Dear Anash and Shluchim,
We ned to be Mispalel for the Hisgalus of the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach NOW!!!
Our MeShaleach is waiting for us to unite even more with this outcry of – We want MOSHICA NOW !!!
May we only share and be involved in good, sweet and happy things.
Gut Shabbos.
Mendel was like family to us and the best friend you could ask for. His wise council was often sought and always welcomed. We will miss his physical presence. We know his spirit is with us. Our love and prayers as always are with the Deren family.
Boruch Dayan Haemes! This is horrible!!
Mendy and his wife lived upstairs from us for a short time, He was such a aidele guy, such a mentch, and baal midos. Ad Mosai!
Mendel, how, how could this happen to you of all people? How?!? You were so sweet, always had time for everyone and always a smile on your face. Although I didn’t see you very often, I realized you are the sweetest person! Mendy, I will miss you so much!!! To the entire Deren family, my heartfelt apologies are with you, Moshiach now!!!!!!!! To Hashem, AD MOSAI?!!?!?!?!?!?!
Wouldn’t THIS be the BEST time for Moshiach to reveal himself????? Such tragic news over and over. It’s too difficult to tolerate such sadness. Please Moshiach….if you are listening…..THIS is the time to come….while all the shluchim are together in one place!!! May HaShem console the family of Mendy!!
bdm
hshem ishmor, may no one else knoe such a pain. may hahsme console the family and may we see him back quickly with mashiach!
Very painful. I knew Mendy as a young Bochur; a very intelligent and nice boy. May Hashem console his very special family…
Very Tragic
B- d- e. Very sad to such a gr8 family. Only hashem can console . R. Daren and his wife . No parent should ever know 0f such Paine . Moshiach now during the kinuss
i have never met a man who notwithstanding everything he was going through, never failed to have a smile on his face.
much love to the family.
baruch dayan emes
Shomrei Hadas – 10:00 am
770 – 10:45 am