Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Volovik, a Chosid and scholar who served as the Gabbai of FREE Shul in Crown Heights, passed away after a short illness on Wednesday, 8 Elul, 5777.
He was 71.
Born in 1946, to an illustrious lineage, his grandfather, R’ Eliyahu Eber, was the famous Mashpia in Nevel, older brother of the Rosh Yeshiva of Tomchai Temimim, Reb Yehudah Eber. His father, R’ Chaim Volovik, risked his life to assist in the transport of Chassidim out of Russia. For the next twenty five years, he continually ran from the KGB, and hence raising his children as Frum Lubavitchers in Russia was done with great Mesiras Nefesh.
Rabbi Yosef Volovik, at the young age of 17 years old, known for his brilliant mind, taught many Jewish students in the underground yeshiva in Samarkand. As a young Bochur in Russia, he also memorized the Likutai Amarim Tanya Baal Peh, as a gift for the Rebbe.
After many requests to leave Russia, in 1971, a newly married Yosef Tzvi with his wife Sarah were finally granted permission to leave the Iron Curtain. Several weeks later, they traveled to the Rebbe for Yechidus. The Rebbe informed the young couple that they must move to Crown Heights due to their ability to teach, mentor and spread Yiddishkeit to the many Russians immigrating to America at that time.
Thus began their life Shlichus of mentoring, caring for, and teaching Russian Jewry.
Rabbi Yosef Volovik has since been very involved in the FREE organization, Gabbai for the Shul for over forty years, and many other projects. His many lectures conveyed his tremendous Lamdonus as he utilized his photographic memory to quote Baal Peh many parts of Gemarah and Sichos easily. Many described him as an “Ish Chesed” due to the countless loans he gave to so many in need.
He is survived by his wife, Sara Volovik, and children Aida Junik, Crown Heights, Chani Junik, Crown Heights, Levi Volovik, Berkshires, Massachusetts, Chumy Ezagui, Lake Success, New York, Shmuly Volovik, Monmouth County, NJ, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his brother Eli Volovik, living in Nachlas Har Chabad.
The levaya will take place today, Wednesday, leaving Shomrei Hadas in Boro Park at 1:00 pm and passing by 770 at 2:00 pm.
Shiva will be held at 461 Empire Blvd.
Shachris: 8 am, 9 am
Mincha & Maariv: 7:15 pm
Family requests that people refrain from coming between the hours of 2:00-4:00
And not after 9 pm (except Motzei Shabbos).
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
Wising his wife and family comfort during this difficult time. He was a wonderful and kind man, always ready to help anyone in need. BDE.
An untimely passing for such a great man
What a tremendous shock! Hoping his wife and children are ok. He should be a gutteh beter for his family.
A fixture in crown heights and one of the warmest people I knew, to talk to him was to get positive energy and to be taken to a happy place, he will be sorely missed.
Ish Chesed. He will be sorely missed
An Ish Chessed indeed! He was always there for all people in need. He will be missed by many!
Rabbi Volovik and his warm and genuine smile and care will be very missed. He was always ready with a smile from ear to ear to cheer up those around him.
I remember him in camp Gan Yisroel-NY leading the Ashrei prayers with the Russian Campers in the main building.
I can hear it now – it was so loud and powerful it went into our bones even sitting in the Gan yisroel dining room.
One of the main backbones of the FREE Shul and he made many True Bal Teshuvas that have families – kids and grandkids that are frum.
He will have a lichdike Gan Eden close up to the Rebbe.
Msy he be a kuta bette for his entire family a special family and for all of us.
I would shop at merkaz stam just so I can converse with him. He was so Knowledgeable and cared for each person. He will be missed.
Reb Volovik was the living spirit of our Russian speaking community. We cannot imagine our prayers, Farbrengen, our Jewish life without his leadership, understanding and kind smile. Our condolences to the family.
Kofman Abraham and Geula of Crown Heights
The greatness and brilliance of Rabbi Volovik was extraordinary. He will be very missed by so so many!
The greatness and brilliance of Rabbi Volovik was extraordinary. He will be very missed by so so many!
One of my joys was shopping in his store and just talking to him. I feel the loss.
Our heartfelt condolences to the entire family.
Esther and Zev Donin
Chabad of Lake Success
Chabad of the Five Towns
10
Great loss.
May Hashem comfort you all and give you the strength to withstand this terrible pain and loss.
sending our love and warmest wishes from Aventura FL.
What a terribble loss for us all, to loose such a special man. Baruch Dayin haemes.
I boarded in their house. Rabbi Volovok – a true mentch, good natured to the core, humble with a chassidishe varmkeit. With all his virtues of a brilliant mind etc, at the end of the day he was a cherished and exemplary husband and father. His children and grandchildren were his pride and joy. Praying for Moshiach..
Anyone with such special children, had to be special himself!
The world has lost a gem. A true chossid.
אבד חסיד מן בארץ. Irreplaceable. Will be truly missed.
Dear Rabbi Levi Volovik and respectable Mishpacha,
All of us in NYS Capital Chabad, and in the Maimonides School, extend our Sincere Nichumim to you on the passing of your dedicated and beloved father. May you only know simchas.
The world has lost a gem. A true chossid.
Rabbi Volovik,
We love you, we miss you, we will always remember your glowing smile and giving heart!
His warmth and humble kindness was always visible. Ive never heard anything negative from him. Even as he became weaker this last year i didn’t know he was sick because of his simple humility. For 5 years I knew him one thing he taught me was not to speak negatively of myself. I will miss being amoung his presence. BDE
What a Chossid! What a loss!!
A special Yid
Devasting. May Hashem comfort the family.
I would walk into the store and buy something just to be able to talk to him, he had a chssidisher Vahremkeit that was contagious. He will be missed.
Wow BDE
May Hashem comfort you all and give you the strength to withstand this terrible pain and loss.
sending our love and warmest wishes from Aventura FL.
Rabbi Yosef volovik was someone I always admired, his comittment to the rebbes inyanim and his yerai shamayin was par none, he left shoes that will be impossible to fill, but a legacy that will allow us to continue to learn from all his ways. Bde
One didn’t need to know him very well to see there was something extremely special about this man. משיח אכשיו!
ברור דיין אמת
In the name of the Kolel minyan we share in your terrible loss.
Hamokom……
The Gaboyim
He also was a fixture in Merkaz Stam.
They don’t make chassidim like rabbi volovik any more, he was a giant like no one will ever know
BDE. Was he the one always in the Merkaz Stam/Mishulovin store?
BDE. So very sorry to have found out about the loss of one of the finest men I’ve known. A true Chossid and YirHashayim always there to help a fellow yid in need. Will be truly missed.
Isser Goldstein Los Angeles
What a special Yid. May he be a Gute Beter for all of his family and all Yiddin and Chasidim