Reb Moshe Shuchat, a longtime Crown Heights resident who prepared the Mikvah the Rebbe used for many years, passed away on Monday, Motzei Shavuos, 5778.
He was 97.
Reb Moshe was born on 3 Cheshvan, 5681 (October 15, 1920) in Harlem, NY. As a young boy, he attended Harlem Yeshiva. When it closed, he was sent to Jacob Joseph Yeshiva.
His parents, Zalman Zvi and Rivka Shuchat (nee Yalkut, of the illustrious Jerusalem family, descended from the Maharsha) immigrated to Israel when he was 14 because they were worried about giving their children proper chinuch.
Reb Moshe went into the workforce in Dubek Tobacco (British Cigarette Company in Israel) and continued to work hard his entire life.
He moved to America as Israel became a state and married Lena (Brocho Lifsha) Pinsker in 1948.
After their marriage, the couple lived in the East New York area of Brooklyn, and when the neighborhood declined, moved to Crown Heights.
Reb Moshe worked as a distributor for Shaklee and Fuller Cleaning products. He would be seen traveling all over Crown Heights distributing household products door-to-door, rain or shine, for many years.
He served as the Gabbai of Lefferts Avenue Shul for many years, as well as a noted Chazan in Manhattan’s Beis Medrash Hagadol. He is remembered by many Crown Heights residents for his Nusach haTefilla, which was unique and melodious. He was also known as a staunch advocate for Shleimus Ha’aretz.
His wife Lifsha Shuchat was the caretaker for the Mikvah on Union Street, and when she became ill and could not do so anymore, Reb Moshe took on her duties, preparing the Mikvah for the Rebbe’s use.
A devoted Chosid, after moving to Crown Heights in 1973-1974, he participated in every farbrengen and merited to sit on the dais very close to the Rebbe. During the years that his wife was ill, at each farbrengen, he would approach the Rebbe and say “L’chaim.”
At one farbrengen, when R’ Moshe did not go up to the Rebbe, the Rebbe told his secretary to call him over, and when he approached, the Rebbe said, “I was waiting for you.”
Known as a tremendous Yerei Shomayim, Reb Moshe always davened with a Minyan, and never missed a fast day, even when he was in the hospital.
He is survived by his children, Rabbi Menachem Gedalya (Mendel) Shuchat – Teaneck, NJ, Rabbi Avrohom Leib (Leibel) Shuchat – Caracas Venezuela, Chaya Devorah Shuchat – Kensington, Brooklyn, R’ Zev Nosson (Velvel) Shuchat – Flatbush, NY, R’ Zalman Tzvi Shuchat – Crown Heights, NY, R’ Mordechai Yehuda Shuchat – Kingston, PA, Mrs. Yocheved Leah Ben-Oni – Crown Heights, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his wife Brocha Lifsha (Lena) in 1989, and his son Shmuel Tanchum in 2005.
The Levaya will take place on Wednesday, 9th of Sivan, 23rd of May, leaving Shomrei Hadas at 10:15 am and passing by 770 at 11:00 am.
Shiva will take place at 688 Lefferts Avenue, upstairs.
Shachris: 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:45, 9:30
Mincha and Maariv: B’zmano
To share stories or memories with his family, email [email protected] .
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
His precious neshama should have an Aliyah. May he be a malitz yosher for his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
BDhE, he was a shining light in our communityand he is missed
My zeidy used to read the entire tehilem 1 to 3 times a day.
He was a true chosid of the Rebbe.
He would tovel in the mikva after the Rebbe toveled .
Every time the Rebbe would go to the mikva . The Rebbe would inquire about Reb Moshe ,and family ,and would bentch him
He had big mekusher to the Rebbe .
He will truly be missed
If you read Sefer hazichronos or likutei diburim there are all these stories of “Tehillim Yidden” who said Tehillim all day and saved their community from gezeiros. I wonder how many gezeiros Reb Shuchat protected us from during his long and fruitful life. He completed Tehillim at least once a day. He always had a niggun or a vort to share. The Baal Shem tov’s ish poshut in our time.
Very few manage to be so humble, yet so great. May your family be comforted in knowing that your father/grandfather touched the lives of so many in such a positive manner.
Yehudis Leiter
Our bell would ring, and then we’d hear, “Schuuuchat!”
After trudging up the steps with his wares and catalogues, Mr. Schuchat would help us choose a cleaner or this “new tool your husband will love!”
His cheerful visits were like a little farbrengen, with chassidishe stories and brochas.
Only fond memories….
Levi and Raizel Reiter
Worked hard and made an honest and respectfull living. We loved him. Like in der alter heim
Mr. Shuchat was an man of such special character. I would order from him some of the products he sold and he was always very honest and responsible. He and his wife raised a family of remarkable children and grandchildren!
Hamakov Yenachem Eschem besoch Shaar Aveilei Tzion V’yerushalayim.
BDE
BDE. Rabbi Shucat was a true Tzadik and a Pillar of the Lefferts Shul. His davening always was a truly inspiring experience. He took care of his wife during her illness with exemplary care. He will be greatly missed. May his memory be a blessing for all.
I remember R Moshe well from Lefferts shul. Yehi Zichro Boruch.
A real Tzaddik
In the year 5749 Simchas Torah farbrengen my father stood up the Rebbe motioned to sit then the Rashag got up to say l’chaim as usual saying l’chaim and then my father was called up Rebbe asked him why didn’t you come he said the Rebbe made a motion to sit the Rebbe said דו האסט נישט געדארפט קוקען דו און אייערע ווייב זאלען לעבען אריכות ימים ושנים טובות
BDE. A good Jew. Objected to talking during Davening.
Although we knew that he had not been well for quite some time, we always hoped that soon Mr. Shuchat would get better.
Mr. Shuchat obm, was one of the first neighbors on our former Lefferts Avenue street to welcome us to Crown Heights in the 1970’s. We had a wonderful kesher with him which continued unbroken. Dear Yocheved and all members of the extended family, we, who had the privilege of knowing your dear father, mother and dear brother Shmuel,obms,we are heartbroken as we mourn the loss.
Yeshaya and Penina Metal
He will be missed