Rabbi Michoel Kanterovitz, a father and grandfather who served in Rabbinic posts in Canada, England and Australia and recently lived in Jerusalem, Israel, passed away.
He was 81.
Born into a secular Jewish family, Rabbi Michoel Kanterovitz returned to Judaism on his own at the age of 7.
In a JEM interview he told how his connection with the Rebbe began in 1958, when he was 15.
“I felt I needed guidance, and when I heard about his reputation of caring for every Jew, I wrote to him for advice. I described the unique situation in which I found myself and I asked: “Since I live in a place where Torah is not practiced, and I myself know little, how should I behave in this environment?”
“The Rebbe wrote back – which in itself shocked me, because I did not expect a response – saying that what I was doing was a great mitzvah and encouraging me to continue spreading Judaism among my peers. This was more than fifty years ago, so I do not remember his exact words, but I can testify that his advice had a tremendous impact on me. It has been my guiding light from that day forward.
“In 1962, I finished my studies and joined the IDF. I served in the military rabbinate as an assistant to Rabbi Shlomo Goren, then the chief rabbi of the Israeli forces. For three years, he and his deputy, Rabbi Yehuda Shulman, were my study partners. This is how I gained the Torah knowledge I was missing due to a lack of formal yeshivah education.
“After my military service, I met my future wife, Malka, who was visiting Israel as an exchange student from Canada. Her father, Avraham Dovid Dalfen, who was close to Chabad, sent word to the Rebbe about our wedding and set up an audience for me to receive the Rebbe’s blessings.”
Over the course of his rabbinic career, he served Jewish communities in Canada, England and Australia. In an interview with JEM, he told how it was the Rebbe who got him his first rabbinic post in 1967.
He is survived by his wife Malka and children, Tova Levinsohn, Jerusalem, Atara Parshan, Crown Heights, Rabbi Chaim Kanterovitz, Elazar, Israel and R’ Yitzchak Kanterovitz, Beitar Ilit, Israel.
Atara Parshan is sitting Shiva at 610 Maple Street Apt 2B in Brooklyn.
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
Bd”E. Reb Michoel was married to.my father’s first cousin, Malka. He was a sensitive, educated and fine person. He had the merit of helping Jews in various communities. We must emulate his fine Torah ways. May the family, friends and others see Techiyas Hameisim, with his return, amen.
He told me he was like a shliach of the rebbe when he was a rabbi in England and the rebbe pushed him to stay there. He had a most incredible life story, was very warm and caring. I spent a few weeks at their house, besides for the multiple short visits for a shabbas here and there. He was gentle and wise – such a special yid!
May his Neshama have the highest aliya and bring Moshiach now!!!!
Wishing Malka and the rest of the family hamakom yenachem eschem….
Love your cousin Mendy
💔💔💔