Rabbi Sholom M. M. Simpson, 90, OBM

By COLlive reporter

Rabbi Sholom Menachem Mendel Simpson, who merited to serve in the Rebbe‘s secretariat and was a Rabbi in Brooklyn, passed away on Thursday, 29 Tammuz 5779.

He passed on the day of his 90th birthday.

Rabbi Simpson was born to his father Rabbi Eliyahu Simpson who was the secretary of the sixth Chabad Rebbe Rayatz and a Rabbi in Boro Park.

Rabbi Simpson was one of the first students in the elementary division of Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch that was established in New York and traveled around the country as part of Merkos Shlichus to connect with Jewish people on behalf of Chabad.

In 1952, he married Rochel Telshevsky. The Rebbe officiated at their wedding and delivered a lengthy maamar Chassidus at the reception. At the Rebbe’s instruction, there was a mechitzah in the hall, which was not common at the time, Chabad.org notes.

Rabbi was soon asked to join the secretariat of the Rebbe at Lubavitch World Headquarters – 770 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights, a position he was entrusted with for over 40 years.

As part of his work, he managed the correspondence of the Rebbe’s letters, as well as communications of Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch, the educational arm of Chabad-Lubavitch. Many of the letters of the Rebbe that he typed were published in Igros Kodesh, a multi-volume publication in which he was actively involved.

For many years, Rabbi Simpson oversaw the Maos Chitim distribution to families in need on behalf of the Rebbe. It started out for Pesach and then expanded before Rosh Hashana as well, with each family receiving a check from the Machne Israel Development Fund.

Rabbi Simpson once told that the Rebbe would review the list of people in need and would often instruct to expand the amounts given to them. “Very often the Rebbe would ask if there are any additional families in need to be added,” he said.

At the instruction of the Rebbe, he served as a Rabbi in Brighton Beach, leading the Oceanview Jewish Center and the Mikvah in the neighborhood known for its large Russian and Eastern European communities.

He is survived by his children Rabbi Yossi Simpson – Crown Heights, Mrs. Faigy Wilshansky – Crown Heights, Mrs. Krainy Borenstein – Crown Heights, Rabbi Avremi Simpson – Crown Heights, Rabbi Ari Simpson – Crown Heights, Mrs. Mashie Preger – Crown Heights – and Rabbi Dovid Simpson of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by his siblings, Mrs. Krainie Rosenfeld – Boro Park, and Mrs. Esther Goldman – Crown Heights.

He was predeceased by his wife Rebbetzin Rochel Simpson (nee Teleshevsky) who passed away on Shabbos morning, 16 Adar, 5775.

The Levaya will take place Friday, leaving Shomrei Hadas in Boro Park at 9:45 am and passing by 770 at 11:30 am.

Shiva will be at 655 Montgomery Street
Shachris:
Sunday – 8:00, 9:00, 10:00
Monday- Wednesday – 7:30, 8:30, 9:30

Mincha:
Starting at 7 pm

Maariv: Bizmano

Baruch Dayan Haemes: Sholom Menachem Mendel ben Eliyahu.