Rabbi Yosef Rosenberg, a beloved father and grandfather from Mountaindale, NY, passed away on Monday night, 29 Iyar, 5785 after a long battle with illness.
He passed away on his 80th birthday.
A pioneering figure in Chabad education and outreach, Rabbi Rosenberg was one of the founders of the Chabad Substance Abuse Program in Los Angeles. Throughout his life, he counseled and supported countless individuals struggling with addiction and mental health challenges, offering guidance rooted in Chassidic ideals and deep personal compassion.
He received a number of brachos from the Rebbe encouraging him to use his formal training to help individuals and communities in need. In one letter, the Rebbe wrote: “You will ignite the souls of many Jews until the coming of Moshiach.”
During a private yechidus, when Rabbi Rosenberg requested a bracha to move to Israel, the Rebbe replied: “A soldier does not choose the battlefront on which to wage a war. You are to continue your work in America.” And so he did—with dedication, humility, and unwavering commitment.
Rabbi Rosenberg was also a pioneer in the public menorah campaign. His menorah in Pittsburgh became part of the historic U.S. Supreme Court case County of Allegheny v. ACLU, which helped set a national precedent allowing public menorah displays and advancing religious expression in the public square.
He was among the first campus shluchim, serving at his alma mater, the University of Pittsburgh, as well as Carnegie Mellon University. He also helped establish alternative Chabad high schools, creating a lifeline for students who needed a nurturing and individualized educational approach grounded in Torah values.
In his final year of life, Rabbi Rosenberg continued to inspire and influence the Chabad community in S. Clara, California, sharing his Torah wisdom, kindness and humor with a new generation.
Known for his sincerity, passion, and depth, Rabbi Rosenberg shared his unique understanding of Chassidus with everyone he met, inspiring generations through both teaching and personal example.
He is survived by his children: Avi Rosenberg – Miami, FL; Rabbi Rafi Rosenberg – Skylake, FL; Rochel Shifrin – North Miami Beach, FL; Shimon Rosenberg – Crown Heights, NY; Leiba Costello – North Miami Beach, FL; Tany Swimmer – Johannesburg, South Africa; Rabbi Yigal Rosenberg – Santa Clara, CA and grandchildren.
The Levaya will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, 12:00 at 770, 1:00 at Montefiore Cemetery.
Shiva at 643 Montgomery St (Between Kingston & Brooklyn)
Shachris:
Thursday 8:30 & 9:30 AM
Friday 7:00 AM
Mincha and Maariv Bizmano.
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
Baruch Dayin Haemes❤️
Yossel played a major role in helping people come closer to Yiddishkeit when he lived here in Long Beach California. There are many families that were influenced by him and have gone on to raise beautiful children and grandchildren my wishes for his offspring is that they be comforted in their loss and from now on have only simchas
We were one of those families! We spent one of our first Shabbosim at the Rosenbergs! I was only 5 or 6 years old but I still remember it ❤️
Shulammis Saxon
Special Yid
Wow, what a powerful story. He must have been a special man.
He definitely has incredible kids!
May they all be comforted with the ultimate comfort of Moshiach.
He used to visit Morristown. Real Chosid. Taught me how to look deep into Tanya and apply the words more than face value. BDE.
He was beyond words, an amazing person on so many levels. One of the first real McCoy “BT” individuals that I met back in the early 70’s, when i began my own journey of return. He became both a close friend and role model. Years later our families grew even closer as we became mechutanim, when our eldest daughter, Hindy, married the Rosenberg’s son, Rafi. They’re now shluchim of the Rebbe and run the Chabad of Skylake in south Florida. To me, Yossel was larger then life. Besides being an excellent surfer and ocean lifeguard in his early days, he… Read more »
Dear Rosenberg fam. so sorry to hear about the passing of your father. I have fond childhood memories of him.
My sincere condolences,
Devorah Schoenberg- Lipsh
Ramat Bet Shemesh, Israel
He did so many amazing things
BDE..Yossel was one of my father’s closest friends and he was like my uncle growing up, in Long Beach, CA…always happy and bubbly and making people laugh!! That’s how I will remember him! Yossel and Fruma truly inspired my family to become Lubavitch in the summer of 1978, and convinced them to settle in Long Beach!! He’ll truly be missed!
Our special friend Yossi , He was a very special man ! He will be sorely missed by us all . When I went to his home for shabbos he asked me if I wanted to bentch . I hadn’t bentched In years ! I couldn’t believe how my life changed after that . I married a frum guy and I became frum. He always wanted a good adventure or to sit and learn with my husband . Yossi had so many amazing outlandish stories that were actually real ! We loved him and his wife they were truly the… Read more »
Dear Rachel so sorry to hear of the loss of your dear husband. knowing you, you took wonderful care of him and this is going on for years. May hashem reward you for you kindness and dedication to your husband and console you at this difficult time.
We and our children remember you well;)
So sadden to hear of yossel ‘passing . have known him for decades instrumental in making my shidduch in Morristown early 70s as well bringing my husband to LA as a drug counselor at chabad rehab program on Pico /Robertson Further he helped us get settled in long beach calif .do many memories and gratitude for his help and vibrant energy . Now l am sure he will meet and continue to farbreng with my husband in olam ha emes with a little schnapps and honey cake . He will b sorely missed.המקום ינחם אתכם התוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים… Read more »
Baruch Dayin Haemes
B.H.
Condolences to the entire family.
With his charisma and Jewish aliveness, Yossel made a great impression on me.
Yossel got to the core of things, and was known to affectionately address his interlocutors simply as “Jew!”
Once, together in a sukkah, I saw him giving a non-health-food lolly pop to one of his young children. Upon questioning this (for he was into health food), he explained to me that more important than health food is that a child knows that being in a sukkah is a sweet experience.
May he bring blessing to his family and all!
I met Yossi in Morristown in the70’swhen I was a Boucher in Tiferes Bachurim.Yossi was a Yid who really,genuinely cared about everyone.BDE.May we him and all the other Yidden in HaIlM Haba very soon with the Geulah Shlaimah and Techias HaMaisim.I have a question though-why aren’t there any photos of Reb Yossel’s Levaya on COL-live?