Rabbi Yona Slapochnik, one of the elder Chabad Chassidim and a mashpia in the Chabad community of Sanhedria Hamurchavet in Jerusalem, passed away on Monday, 25 Kislev, 5786.
He was 89.
Rabbi Slapochnik was born in 5696 (1936) in Cuba to a family of Lithuanian origin. He merited to be present at the historic farbrengen of Kabbalas Hanesius on Yud Shevat 5711, marking the Rebbe’s acceptance of the leadership of Chabad.
He was also privileged that the Rebbe himself was mesader kiddushin at his wedding, which took place in the courtyard of 770 Eastern Parkway.
Following his marriage, Rabbi Slapochnik and his wife Chaya Rochel went on shlichus to Brazil and Uruguay. In 5732 (1972), they moved with their family to Israel, settling in Jerusalem, where he became a respected figure and mashpia in the local Chabad community.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Chaya Rochel Slapochnik, and children: Menachem Mendel Slapochnik, Crown Heights, Pinchas Schneur Slapochnik, Kfar Chabad, Yehuda Slapochnik, Arad and Mrs. Tova Dubinsky, Morristown, NJ.
He was predeceased by his son, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Slapochnik, OBM.
The levaya will take place tonight at 10:00 PM, departing from the Chabad Shul in Sanhedria Hamurchavet, and proceeding to Har Hamenuchos.
Baruch Dayan Ha’Emes.
A giant of a man. A true Chossid and Mechanech. Harav Yonah Slapochnik will be dearly missed by the many he affected in his dedication to Chinuch.
Rav Yona was a true chossid, devoted to the Rebbe’s shlichus, B’Lev V’Nefesh. He will be sorely missed. Sending much love to the whole family.