Rabbi Zalman Wilschanski, 74, OBM

By COLlive reporter

Rabbi Shneur Zalman Wilschanski, one of the longtime Rosh Yeshivos of Chabad who was also known for leading Chassidic farbrengens,

He was 74 and suffered an illness.

He was born in Paris, France, as the eldest son of Rabbi Refoel Wilschanski, secretary of the European Lubavitch Lishka bureau, and his mother, Mrs. Zlate Wilschanski. who passed at a young age.

As a child and later as a bochur at Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim in the small town of Brunoy, he grew up around and was deeply influenced by the legendary chassidim such as R’ Yosef Goldberg, R’ Yisroel Noach Blinitzky, R’ Shlomo Chaim Kesselman, R’ Nochum Labkovsky, R’ Nissan Neminov and R’ Zalman Shimon Devorkin.

He learned in Brunoy until the year 5730 (1970) when he traveled to the United States for the first time to be near the Rebbe and learn in the Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch at 770 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, NY.

Over the years, he assisted his brother Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Wilschanski (later Rosh Yeshiva Chassidei Chabad in Tzfas, Israel) in his work on Vaad Lehafotzas Sichos, the group which edited, printed and distributed the Rebbe’s sichos to the world.

Upon reaching marriageable age, he married Mrs. Esther Wilschanski, the daughter of Rabbi Tzvi Yosef and Golda Kotlarsky, Chassidim and residents of Crown Heights.

In the year 1978, he was appointed Rosh Yeshiva of Tomchei Tmimim of Morristown, one of the institutions of the Rabbinical College of America led by Dean Rabbi Moshe Herson. Rabbi Wilschanski also served as the Rav of Congregation Levi Yitzchak in Morristown and moreh hora’ah of the local Chabad community.

Over the years, he has educated many bochurim who grew up to be Chassidim and Shluchim. Despite being a Rosh Yeshiva and delivering shiurim in Gemara, Rabbi Wilschanski was known for his Chassidic warmth and wide knowledge of stories and anecdotes. He led many farbrengens for Bochurim and Chassidim over the years.

He was an honored guest at the Global Yarchei Kallah, the annual summer gathering of Chabad Rabbonim and Roshei Yeshiva at Camp Gan Israel in Parksville, New York. He often served as the emcee of the main session or the Melave Malka in honor of the Rebbe’s father.

He is survived by his wife Mrs. Esti Wilschanski – Morristown, NJ, and their children Rabbi Levi Wilschanski – Tzfas, Israel; Mrs. Zlate Benjaminson – Morristown, NJ; Mrs. Aida Cunin – Los Angeles, CA; Rabbi Yankel Wilschanski – Crown Heights; Rabbi Tzali Wilschanski – Kenosha, WI; Mrs. Chaya Roitblatt – Crown Heights; Rabbi Mayer Wilschanski – Coral Springs, FL; Rabbi Sendy Wilschanski – Phoenix, AZ; Rabbi Mendy Wilschanski – North Carolina; and grandchildren.

He is also survived by his siblings Rabbi YY Wilschanski – Tzfas Israel, Rabbi Chaim Elle Wilschanski – NY, Devory Reicher – Melbourne, Australia and step-siblings Dini Lebovic – Brooklyn, NY, Chani Tzeitlin – Toronto and Avrumi Friedman – Coral Springs. FL.

On Wednesday night, the aron will be passing the Yeshiva of Morristown and the Shul which he led.

The levaya will be held on Thursday 12:00 PM at 770 Eastern Parkway and 1:00 PM at the Old Montefiore Cemetery in Queens.

The family will be sitting Shiva in Morristown until Sunday night after Maariv. Address: 14 Tikvah Way Morristown NJ 07960

And from Monday – Wednesday in Crown Heights at 1634 Carroll St.
Minyonim and Shiva times to be announced.

His brother, Chaim Eliyahu, will be sitting Shiva on Sunday night from 5pm-9pm, at 789 Montgomery St. And then he will continue sitting Shiva with the family on Monday and Tuesday at 1634 Carroll St.

Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.