By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Mordechai Dov Altein, the first Chabad Shliach in modern times and the oldest Chabad Rov, passed away on Sunday, 3 Kislev, 5780.
He was 100.
Born in 5679, he was sent by the Rebbe Rayatz to establish Yeshivos and schools in Pittsburgh, New Haven and the Bronx of New York. He was considered the first Chabad Shliach in modern times.
He was married to Rebbetzin Rochel Altein, the daughter of Sheina and Rabbi Yisroel Jacobson, the Chairman of Agudas Chassidei Chabad in America and a leading Chabad Rov.
The Rebbe and Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson attended their L’chaim engagement celebration. The Altein couple also had the great merit that the Rebbe was the Mesader Kidushin at their wedding.
He is survived by his wife Rebbetzin Rochel, and their children, Mrs. Malka Cohen – Manchester, England, Mrs. Sara Pinson – Nice, France, Mrs. Chanie Gurarie – Montreal, Canada, Mrs. Sima Zalmanov – Tzfas, Israel, Rabbi Avrohom Altein – Winnipeg, Canada; and Rabbi Leibel Altein – Crown Heights; grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his son Yossi OBM.
He is also survived by his sister Mrs. Miriam Popack of Crown Heights.
The Levaya will take place tomorrow, Monday, leaving Shomerei Hadas at 1:30pm and passing 770 at 2:30pm.
Shiva will be at the Altein’s
1378 Union Street
Minyanim:
Schachris 8am and 9am
Mincha/Maariv 4:10pm
Shiva Hours:
10am-1:30pm
3:30pm-9:00
Emails can be sent to [email protected]
Baruch Dayan Haemes.
I can’t believe it. He was such a tzaddik. He will surely be missed. Baruch Dayan HaEmes.
I was a student at the Lubavitcher Yeshiva in the Bronx during my 6th and 7th grades. I recall his commitment to G-D as well as his commitment to our education. He made “arrangements” for those families unable to afford tuition. Though only two years, I never forgot him. There is a special place close to the lord for people like him. A blessing to have known him. Jules K.
Rebbe, u were my principal in elementary school from kindergarten thru 8th grade. When I was bad and sent to your office u would sit me down and start dialing the rotary telephone. U would tell me that before u call my father, u are calling the truant officer. I would then promise to be good. I will always remember u as a distinguished, honorable gentleman. U will be missed by all who knew u and those that didn’t. May u be a מליץ ישר to your family, students from אחי תמימים – חבד, and כלל ישראל.
Leibe H.
Woe is to us on the lost of this Great Chosid Rosh Yeshiva My first Rosh Yeshiva k-8th grade from 5728 The last of the 10 Talmidim who were sent to the Friediker Rebbe right before the onset of WW2 in Poland & to help pave the way for the Friediker Rebbe’s Arrival here in America 1 yr later
Some time ago, I asked him if it is true that his father in law Rabbi Jacobson cursed Joseph Kennedy on the ship from Europe to US in 1940. His answer was it is true but he does not remember the details.
I was so blessed to have personally known Rav Altein and benefitted from his sage advice! What stands out most in my mind, was his patience….. always giving clear answers, never implying that your questions were anything less than important. The world has lost a one of a kind human being! BD”E
Bd”E..
A true chasid…the accolades the Freirdiker Rebbe writes abt him are unique…
We had the good fortune to have him spend time with us at Beis Menachem shul in Boro Park 15 years ago or so.
Iy”H we’ll share some of that later in week…
Zol er zein ah gutter better far zein gantze mishpacha un far unzer teierer Mashpia, the Rebbe’s chozer and publisher and editor of Chasidus Mevueres, HaRav Laibel Altein.
Where is the funeral
Where is Rebitzen doing shiva ??
Rabbi altein held me at my bris !
My family was very close to his family .
I remember playing with Yossi as a child !
Some amazing memories
Shomrei hadas chapel in boro park 14thaveand39th st
It was with a smile and his gentleness that he gave us our first Torah on loan from the bronx NY that opened the Chabad House at the University of South Florida in Tampa Florida 5736 1976
Baruch dayan Hoemes
Rabbi Lazer Rivkin Merkos Chabad Lubavitch of Tampa and Central Florida
I remember attending the daily minyanim with him in his shul in the Bronx in the late 70s. Always with a smile.
What yrs? I am one of the few Jewish Frum & chabadniks Bronxites stil living here
It was an honor and a pleasure to have known him. I will remember him fondly.
One of my earliest memories in chabad in the 1970s was getting to know him and his wonderful rebbetzin. Such a loss! BDE
BD”H
I was a student at Lubavitcher Yeshiva in the Bronx where Rabbi Altein was the Rosh Yeshiva. He taught me my Bar Mitzvah Parsha and helped me put on tefillin for the first time.He instilled in me a love for Yiddishkeit that I have passed on to my children. He was a long time family friend and he will be sorely missed.
Josef and Estelle Brandler and family
RABBI ALTEIN got me my first tefillin about 38 years ago. I still put it on everyday.
I grew up one block away from Rabbi Altein, in the Bronx. I was friendly with his daughter Chani. After my marriage, my husband a”h worked for Rabbi Altein, at Lubavitch on Olinville Ave in the Bronx. I saw him last when he was honored by Rabbi Kotlarsky of New City, New York, in the town of Ramapo.
Our eldest daughter attended Lubavitch on Olinville Ave for kgn and also 1st
grade, as I did too. I have very fond memories of both Rabbi Altein and his
wonderful Rebbetzin. Baruch Dayan Emes. Brenda Wolinetz Schlanger
A tzadek.talmud chchom. In true seance of the words. I attended the Bronx yeshiva. Also rabbi altein was mesadan keddush when my wife and I got married. The haluches were rather complicated. But rabbi altein took charge and knew just what to do.
A very special person.
MAY YOUR FATHER BE A GUTTA BETTA FOR YOUR FAMILY AND KLAL YISRAEL AND YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY MORE SORROW ONLY SIMCHAS.
Phyllis (Leistner) Stiefel