By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Shmuel Osher Begun, a longtime Shliach in S. Paulo, Brazil, who dedicated his life to the chinuch and spiritual growth of hundreds of students, passed away on Shabbos morning, 12 Tishrei 5786.
He was 65 and suffered from an illness.
Known affectionately to many as “Rabbi Schmulosher,” he was a dynamic educator who served as principal of Lubavitch Cheder in S. Paulo. For nearly four decades, he devoted himself to Jewish education, shaping generations of young people with his caring heart and teaching methods.
A gifted teacher and curriculum developer, Rabbi Begun was admired for his personal attention to each student and his unique system of learning, designed to help children grasp complex material even without prior background. His talents extended to the graphic arts, through which he produced and printed educational books and visual materials that became staples in Jewish schools throughout Brazil.
He was also the author of an encyclopedic volume detailing the timeline of events throughout the Torah and Tanach, helping students connect historical context with their Torah studies.
Together with his wife, Raya Begun (née Levenhartz), Rabbi Begun opened their home every Shabbos to countless guests. Their Friday night meals were a cherished institution. Numerous families in the community trace their renewed connection to Yiddishkeit to those evenings around the Begun table.
After being diagnosed last year with a serious illness, friends and former students from around the world rallied to support him and his family during his treatments in New York, in gratitude for the decades of devotion he had shown them. He passed in New York.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Raya Begun; their children, Mrs. Feigy Lapidus – Buenos Aires, Argentina; Mrs. Chani Feldman, Simcha Begun, and Mendy Begun – Brooklyn, NY; Dovi Begun – Miami, Florida; and Mrs. Etty Labkovsky – Los Angeles, California; and grandchildren.
He is survived by his father, Rabbi Tzvi Aryeh Begun, Shliach in S. Paulo, Brazil, and siblings Rabbi Mendel Begun, Mrs. Rosy Naparstek, Mrs. Chana Ende, and Rabbi Moti Begun, all of S. Paulo, and Mrs. Sternie Lew of Peachtree, Georgia.
He was predeceased by his mother Mrs. Rivkah Begun (née Herson) OBM.
LEVAYA & SHIVA
The levaya will be on Sunday, passing 770 Eastern Parkway at 12:00 PM, with burial at the Old Montefiore Cemetery in Queens at 1:00 PM.
The family will be sitting shiva at 501 Montgomery Street (entrance from side door) on Sunday 5:00-10:00 PM and on Monday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Baruch Dayan Haemes.
Rebe Shmulosher was very unique — בעל חושי רבים, intelligent, proactive, creative, and with a great sense of humor. He was the kindest, most attentive, most engaging, and most uplifting teacher (and dean!) the Jewish kehila of Brazil ever had. And that’s not an exaggeration — at all. In so many ways, he was a דוגמה חיה שאין כמוהו — a living example of what it means to care, to build, and to believe in others. He was always starting something new — projects, mivtzoim, books — always creating, always moving forward. A true giant in chinuch and kiruv. Now,… Read more »
BDH! He will be very missed!
He was great in many areas, but I especially enjoyed having him as a Chazan for RH and YK my entire childhood.
Love to the family!
Terrible terrible news!
Ad masai?
I remember him as head counselor in gan Yisroel new york in the 80’s
R’ Shmulasher was a favorite teacher , in a most creative and loving way. The kids who grew up in Brazil and had him as their Rebbi will remember him with the fondest of memories. He would make the hachnosas Cheder a special day for each child separately. He will be missed. Sending strength to the whole Begun family
I remember him as BOCHUR in Montreal
He was the life of the Zal
BDE
A gem of a Yunger Man
I have fond memories of him as head counselor, he was a quality person, warm, nice, smart and מקבל כל אדם
בסבר פנים יפות.
המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים.
בִּלַּ֤ע הַמָּ֙וֶת֙ לָנֶ֔צַח וּמָחָ֨ה אֲדנָ֧י יְהֹוִ֛ה דִּמְעָ֖ה מֵעַ֣ל כָּל־פָּנִ֑ים
עד מתי
I remember him CGI Montreal. He had a tremendous “chayehs” he led the sports activities and always included the boys who were not good at it. BD’E so sad to see this news.
I had the merit having rebbe shmulosher as a teacher in Brazil (cheder Lubavitch), he tough us alef-beis. He would always make thinking exciting and engaging.
A gem of a person, will forever be missed.
BDH
R’ Shmuel Osher, amongst his many maalos, was a talented artist. In the early years of the Kinus Hashluchim , before computer generated signs, he would make the main sign behind the speaker. They were excellent. He was a dedicated Shliach, husband & father.
יהא זכרו ברוך
Rabbi Lipa Brennan
Using Gashmius for Ruchnius
Mastering bein Adam lamakom and bein Adam lachaveiro
Condolences to the family in this terrible loss:(