Rabbi Yosef Raices, a longtime educator who also spread Chasidus to many, passed away on Shabbos, 15 Iyar, 5780.
He was 91.
Rabbi Raices was born in Russia, to his parents Rabbi Shmuel Yitzchok and Alta Yehudis Raices.
As a child, he learned in the Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva until he immigrated with his family to America in 5706.
In Crown Heights, he learned in Tomchei Temimim, and later he was sent to Boston for Merkos Shlichus to spread Yiddishkeit among the students in a local university.
When Oholei Torah was established in Crown Heights, he joined as one of their first educators, and later taught at Lubavitcher Yeshiva, serving as a devoted teacher for over 50 years.
He was also very involved in spreading Judaism and Chassidus, and walked to many Shuls far from Crown Heights, to teach chassidus and relate Chasidishe words from the Rebbe, as well as encouraged many others to do so.
He also operated a mobile library, built on an old bus that was converted to a library, and drove around New York to give Tanya Shiurim.
Rabbi Raices was known to many, as he Chazered a Sicha each Shabbos in 770 for many years.
He is survived by his wife, Rivka, and children, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Raices – Postville, IA, Rabbi Sholom Dovber Raices – Skokie, IL, Rabbi Levi Raices – Kharkov, Ukraine, and Chanie Serebryanski – Toronto, Canada.
The Levaya will take place today, Sunday, passing by 770 at 1:30 pm.
Please maintain social distance and stand at least 6 feet apart at all times.
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
So sorry to hear this. Rabbi Raices was my Rebbe in ULY and I remember him fondly. Despite the fact that I was a handful he believed in me and helped me to learn. May his memory be a blessing.
Oy meh haya lano!!!!
Another one of Zikney Hachassidim!
I met him once in a big snow storm he told me he goes by taxi evrey day to put on tfilin on a you but that day he couldn’t find a taxi so I. Took him
I was privileged to be in Rabbi Raices’ class in 1975-1976 school year. He taught us with a bren for yiddishkeit. The warmth he showed to every boy can never duplicated. His smile, care and concern for each child was evident and had a deep impact on all of us. The foundation he laid for us has produced hundreds of ehreliche yidden.
BDE
Zalkind Blum
BDE Oh vey we lost a tzadik Real Chosid.
Aibishter send Moshiach NOW
In addition to being a most charismatic educator for many decades during the off months He used to travel & Sell Books/Sforim for Merkos Kehot
Baruch Dayan HaEmes. My wife and I will always be grateful to him, because when our son didn’t learn alef-beis at the same rate as the other kids and he fell behind in yeshiva, no school was willing to accept him–but Rabbi Raices was willing to take him in his class. Actions speak louder than words!
He was my 1st grade rebbe in ULY around 1976.
Of all my rebbes @ ULY Rabbi Raices remains my favorite.
He was fun and firm.
I remember the honey candies he’d hand out if we did well.
And standing on a line by his desk if we didn’t look inside the sefer or follow.
I don’t remember much from those early years of my life but I DO remember the earnest warmth and care from Rabbi Raices.
He will be missed!
May his memory be for a blessing.
My rebbi 1978 he made sure every last boy knew how to read after leaving his class a real bal shemske chossid.
BDE
I am 61 years old, my early years of חינוך were in אהלי תורה. As I fondly reflect back to my childhood and my classmates, it is naturally true that each of us turned-out different in regard to our level of scholarship. Yet there is one common denominator that we all share, it is the ability to read and pronounce לשון קודש and אידיש properly. No matter the individual child’s aptitude no child who ever learnt by Rabbi Raices grew-up lacking the fundamentals. You can walk into 770 to this day and listen to a person (raised in the U.S.)… Read more »
What is the biggest memory from my mind of him is standing up by farbrengen every single Shabbos until not too long ago and giving over and nothing and nobody stopped him. He was always kind friendly with a smile on his face and a good word to say
I remember clearly all my teachers. Some tought but some connected.
Rabbi Raices put in his very last Kochas to reach every boy of the class. you felt that it meant his life that each boys knows how to read…..
I even remember once getting some dicipline from him, I sincerely thank him for it because I know it came out of love and concern for me.
Looking forward to seeing you with the coming of Moshiach!
Rabbi Raices stood me on my feet. I forever remain indebted to him for the solid foundation of Torah and Tefilla which he so lovingly implanted in us.
Yehi zichro boruch!
What an amazing person. I still remember eating in his house every shabbos when I was in high school.
My first grade teacher
miriam and i spent 2 seders with the Raices family when we first came to CH. a warm and generous family. BDE
Very sweet & a real Chassidishe guy. I bought my first Tanya from him in Gan Yisroel , 5733 for $2.00. I still have it. Growing up in Flatbush I was welcomed in their homes for many Simchas Torahs, they were hospitable to me. It meant a lot to me to be able to be with the Rebbe for Yom Tov. May Rabbi Raices intercede upstairs for us & Klal Yisroel & help bring the Geulah now!!
Yankel