ב"ה
Wednesday, 26 Adar I, 5784
  |  March 6, 2024

Rabbi Ori Shonthal, 76, OBM

After going to the Mikvah on Erev Yom Kippur, long-time principal of Beth Rivkah of France Rabbi Ori Shonthal went home, lay down on his bed and passed away. Full Story

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shocked and saddened
October 11, 2011 6:00 pm

I was privileged to be his student for 2 years.He was as wise in secular matters as he was in Jewish ones..So easy to talk to,always had good advice,great sense of humor,available to talk to when ever needed.Treated everyone with understanding for their individual concerns and spoke to everyone on their own unique level. If not for him Im sure many girls who attented seminary may not have because he eccepted many girls that probably would not have been eccepted elsewhere. I am trully shocked & saddened by his passing.He was a towering man,a gentle giant,both physically and emotionally.He seemed… Read more »

london
October 11, 2011 9:39 am

i remeber as a child he would come to the 7.00 minon and have a Shiur with some one. i think he came close to chabad later on in life started to learn Chsidus. and then moved his kids to chabad and moved to become the B.R princable in france. my sister went there and she would say how his house was next to the Sem and was part of the Sem any 1 at any time would go for his help etc. he was very worm and open. made MANY shiduchim. may his neshomo have an aliah

Former Student
October 10, 2011 6:09 pm

I was saddened and pained to hear of the passing of my wonderful principal Rav Schontal. Rav Schonthal was a giant of a man yet so humble. After graduating I called him at his home on several occasions to discuss things with him, like a granddaughter asking advice of her grandfather. Rav Schontal was so down to earth yet he had expectations of his students and expected us to deliver. His lessons and teachings will always be a part of me. My deepest condolences to Mrs Schontal and the Rav’s children, may we be reunited with moshiach now! Dubi (Riven)… Read more »

family r deutsch
October 10, 2011 3:36 pm

hamokom yenachem eschem betoch avelei tsiyon

A Gentlel Giant
October 10, 2011 11:00 am

Our family lived around the corner form the Schontals for many years and we had the Zechus of having Rabbi Schnotal give a Shiur at our home each Shabbos afternoon to all women from various Jewish backgrounds.

A true Torah Giant and very humble and gentle soul.
To his entire family we extend our sincere condolences of this sudden and great loss and wish you all only happiness and comfort from this time forward.

Mendy Solomon (on behalf of all the Solomon’s)

Short Hills NJ

former student
October 10, 2011 9:22 am

tears tears and more tears.

THAT THIS YEAR WE SHOULD NOT LOSE ANOTHER TZADIK!
October 10, 2011 6:29 am

Rabbi Shonthal zt’l, i was with you for nearly 4 years of my life at an early age from 16 till 19years old when you made my shidduch 27years ago, you were my mentor/father/friend and my heart ache to know that i will not see you again, you treated me and all girls as your only child and within my time at Beis Rivka you were always there for me when i needed something or just needed to talk. You guide me in my future in which direction to go! You will always have a special place in our heart… Read more »

From Israel
October 10, 2011 6:05 am

My Daughter was at the levoya in Israel she mentiond to me how there was around 200 people and the fact that one man a bossor v’dom could bring people from all walks of life together, be it frum not frum, sefardim ashkenazim, meshichist or not of the same views, Rabboisie what have we lost ? did we appriceate truly what we had ? Please H’K’B’H bring moshiach now we must put presure on botie din around the world to demand moshiach to come now now now

to 16
October 10, 2011 5:34 am

I hope and daven that the people that want to take over the seminary follow his AHAVAS YISROEL for every yidishe neshomah as they run the sem
I loved him so much as a father mashpiah freind a tru example of a chossid

Enough anguish! How much can we bear?
October 9, 2011 8:01 pm

I was with you my 2 years in seminary and you were my mentor, “my father” and what not! I was shocked to hear the sad news. I cried and sobbed bitterly today; my heart is in agony. As this arduous day passes, I realize that I have to accept your passing but only if you daven for all of klal Yisroel in Shomayim. Rav Schontal, please beseach Hashem to send Moshiach son we can have you back with us along with the rest of the yidden who have yet to return to their loved ones. The pain is unbearable.… Read more »

Goodbye Grandpa
October 9, 2011 7:42 pm

Papa, this was such a shock for us all. We will miss you dearly. Please daven for all of us.
Love your grandson, Ezzy

BORUCH DAYEN EMES
October 9, 2011 5:51 pm

RABBI SCHONTHAL WILL BE GREATLY MISSED!

BDE
October 9, 2011 4:02 pm

BDE

sad
October 9, 2011 4:01 pm

i met you a few times, i wish it would have been more times. we spoke a few times, you had a very intresting outlook, saw the world in a way most dont. i miss miss you. and i am sorry.

HASHEM YERACHEM!!!!!!
October 9, 2011 2:37 pm

i dont know who this is but this story is touching

The Best and Most Ehrlicher Principal in the Whole World
October 9, 2011 1:35 pm

We had the z’chus of having Rabbi Schonthal amongst us for too few years. He was the most ehrlicher tzaddik several students were fortunate to call principal, myself included. Everything he did was purely l’shaym shomayim. He was, is and will always be a shining example of what a true yiddishe Principal and mensch is. Probably the only Principal in the world who accepted students from all different backgrounds, rich, poor and even poorer, and treated everyone excatly the same.
What a welcome Rabbi Schonthal is receiving now in Shomayim.
Hamokom yenachem eschem bsoch sha’ar avlei tzion vyerushalayim

soo sad
October 9, 2011 1:02 pm

baruch dayan haemes

HIRSCH & TZIVIA PEKKAR [ CROWN HEIGHTS ].
October 9, 2011 12:42 pm

Wishing Mrs. Shontal, her dear Children and Family, a long and healthy life, and only Simchas and Nachas from now on.
We knew the Shontal’s from London, when they lived there, before they moved to France. We are sending our condolences. HAMOKOM YENACHEM ESHEM BETOCH SHAAR AVELEI ZION VIYERUSHOLAYIM.

sad
October 9, 2011 12:21 pm

Sad news…he was a tzadik…first cousin with rabbi lau .over a thousand people present at his levy..

Boruch Dayan Emes
October 9, 2011 12:12 pm

Knew him very well whilst he lived in London. A wonderful person, very knowledgeable on all matters and a good sense of humour. Shocked to hear the news of his passing so soon in life. He was a very good teacher and was not given the possibility to teach in London Chabas mosdos, therefore he took his wonderful talents abroad, where they were finally were acknowledged in Bais Rivkah. May Hashem give all the family and friends the strength to overcome their loss.

BDE
October 9, 2011 12:05 pm

Rabbi Schontal a”h, was actually exclusively responsible of the seminary.

BDH
October 9, 2011 10:04 am

WE ARE ALL VERY SAD TO HERE THIS , HASHEM GIVE THE WHOLE FAMILY STRENGTH. He was a very nice person i spent many days in his home.

BS"D
October 9, 2011 9:43 am

BORUCH DAYAN HOEMES!
A groise Tzaddik, may his Neshuma have only the greatest Aliyos in the Shomayim!

BDH
October 9, 2011 8:38 am

he was a very special person.

BORUCH DAYAN EMES
October 9, 2011 8:33 am

HAMOKOM YENACHEM ESCHEM BETOCH SHAAR AVELEI TZION VIYERUSHOLAYIM.
IT IS SO SAD. MAY HASHEM GIVE STRENGTH TO HIS FAMILY. I NEVER HAD THE ZECHUS TO MEET THE RAV.
IN MY TIME IT WAS HARAV SHLAME LECHAIM TOVIM VEARUCHIM.
MY OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WHO LEARNED UNDER HIS WATCH, LOVE HIS MANNERS, HIS MENCHLICHKEIT, AND COURAGE HE SO ELOQUENTLY BESTOWED ON THEM. HE WILL BE SORELY MISSED.
IT IS A NEW YEAR AND MOSHIACH MUST COME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BDE
October 9, 2011 7:12 am

What an exceptional person.He genuinely cared for every pupil.A true talmid chochom.May his family be comforted at this sad time but knowing how many lives he affected for the good.

BDE
October 9, 2011 4:31 am

rachmone letzlan!!!

BDE
October 9, 2011 3:35 am

He didn’t tell his wife, she found him downstairs on the guest bed

BDH
October 9, 2011 2:36 am

Such a tragedy! Such a loss! May Hashem comfort his wife nad family and give them the strength to overcome this tragic passing

Yehi ratzon
October 9, 2011 2:34 am

Yehi ratzon milfonecha, Hashem Eilokeinu v’Eilokei avoiseinu, she hashonah hazeh lo yihiyeh Tzaddik echod niftar mei haoilom hazeh. Viyishlach bracho v’hatzlocho v’moshiach tzidkeinu bimheyrah viyomeinu omain seloh.

Boruch Dayan Ho'emes.
October 9, 2011 2:23 am

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