By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Yisroel Mordechai Teitelbaum, a longtime Shliach and one of the founding members of the Chabad community in Morristown, NJ, passed away on Thursday, 11 Cheshvan, 5781.
He was 75.
Known affectionately as Sruly or “Rabbi T,” Rabbi Teitelbaum was the son of Rabbi Yaakov and Rebbetzin Freida Teitelbaum obm, mara d’asra in Kew Gardens Hills in Queens.
Rabbi Yaakov Teitelbaum sent his son Yisroel, along with his brothers, Shlomo obm (Queens), Eli obm (Boro Park), Menachem Moshe obm (Boro Park), Yitzchak Meir (Miami Beach), and Yoisi (Lakewood) to the Lubavitcher Yeshiva at Bedford and Dean for elementary and High School, and had a very close relationship with the Rebbe and Chabad.
Rabbi Yisroel later attended Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva in Montreal and then 770. He was the head counselor at Camp Gan Yisroel Detroit in the 1960s for many years.
After his marriage to Chaia (nee Lewin), a granddaughter of the known ‘Bubbe Maryasha,’ in 1970 he began working as an educator, first at the Rabbinical College in Newark, NJ with Rabbi Moshe Herson and then for a year in the Chabad Yeshiva in Worcester, Mass.
He later moved with his family to Detroit, and they later moved along with fellow Shluchim Rabbi Yaakov Kranz and Rabbi Josh Gordon, to Los Angeles, CA where they served as Shluchim under Rabbi Boruch Shlomo Cunin.
In 1976 he moved with his family to Morristown, New Jersey, where he was one of the founders and pillars of the Chabad community.
He served as a shliach in Morristown for over 4 decades, working as administrator of the Rabbinical College of America. He also directed the Camp Gan Israel in Morristown.
Rabbi Teitelbaum was a passionate activist for school choice, dedicating much time and energy to this cause and advocating for it based on the Rebbe’s directives. He founded the organization ‘Parents for Free Choice in Education’ to advocate for school choice, and was a very vocal advocate, working tirelessly with government officials on this cause.
Rabbi Teitelbaum was diagnosed 2 years ago with ALS, which he bravely battled. In the last year, he was living at the home of his daughter and son in law, Rabbi Mendy and Chana Devora Solomon, Shluchim in Short Hills, NJ, where he was beloved by the entire community.
He is survived by his wife Chaia and children, Chana Devorah Solomon – Short Hills, NJ, Yankee Teitelbaum – N. Miami Beach, Dini Felzenberg – South Carolina, Dassi Leader – Manalapan, NJ, Rabbi Zalman Teitelbaum – Bronx, NY, Faye Rosenberg – Teaneck, NJ, Choni Teitelbaum – Hollywood, FL, Moshe Teitelbaum – Los Angeles, CA, Dovid Teitelbaum – Morristown, NJ, Sarah Pruce – Ithaca, NY, Beryl Teitelbaum – Los Angeles, CA, Shayna – Jersey City, NJ, and Mendel Teitelbaum – Valhalla, NY.
He is also survived by his siblings, Rabbi Yitzchok Meir Teitelbaum (Miami Beach, FL), Rabbi Yosef Teitelbaum (Lakewood, NJ), Miriam Leiser (Boro Park), and Leah Feldman (Toronto, Canada).
He was predeceased by his siblings Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum OBM, Rabbi Eli Teitelbaum OBM and Rabbi Shlomo Teitelbaum OBM (the Rav of Hadas Yerayim).
The levaya will take place tomorrow, Friday, leaving from Rabbinical College of America in Morristown at 10:15 am, and continuing to Chabad at Short Hills, 650 South Orange Ave, at 11:15 am.
Burial in Woodbridge Cemetery.
Shiva details to be announced.
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
Bde. So heartbroken. The most gentle and loving soul. A special Rabbi- had a very unique kind and warm way about him. Sending all love to the family. May Hashem give everyone comfort. And moshiach now xx
BDE In addition to being one of the kindest men I have ever known and a true “unsung hero”, Rabbi “T” will forever be known as the “father of school choice”…may his family and all of us be comforted in this time of deep sadness for his passing from our midst
I have know Israel for 20 years now …. always a pleasure, and he was always and tirelessly focus on Universal School Choice …. his passing is both a personal lost and a lost for the movement …. I will feel his lost as I work for Universal School Choice …. but it would not be the same without him!
HaShem please show revealed mercy !!! May this family know of only REVEALED a good here and on !!! Wishing you strength! I’m heartbroken
He was so kind to my family and never wanted to be paid for
helping. What a special man he was!!! He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
I remember Srulie
What a sweet man bde
I feel so blessed to have met Rabbi Teitelbaum- such a sweet pure neshama with a heart and soul of gold. Sending strength to you Chaia
What a sweet and gentle man .
Her never complained , I didn’t know he had ALS . He was so passionate about school choice . He was very kind to me personally . I will miss him
lovable gentleman. He will sorely be missed but let us remember that really really soon Moshiach will come and all those who passed, will come back to life!
What a great man he was this is shocking news I remember him when I was a student in Morristown he was just a harmless person & you were able to talk to him he gave me so much comfort & I hardly knew him, that’s how great he was. The way he treated us as students……he was just a great man to be around. What a loss. We need moshiach now. (If I say anymore I’ll cry)…….He will be missed.
we are in shock from here in Israel. WE spent the evening telling wonderful stories about him He is truly missed.
So sorry upon the loss of your dear husband, father and zaidy. May you find comfort in your fond memories.