By COLlive reporter
Mrs. Rivka Dina Minkowitz, a long-time Crown Heights residents whose roots trace back to an illustrious Chabad family is Russia, passed away on Sunday, 24 Adar II 5776.
She was 92.
She was born in Russia to the Chabad Chassidim R’ Yosef Yehuda Chein and Ita Henya (nee Levin), both natives of the Chassidic town of Nevel.
Her father was sent by the Rebbe Rashab to teach Jewish children near the city of Novgorod, at times risking his life to continue spreading Judaism.
At the conclusion of the tumultuous Second World War, her family was able to escape from Russia and settled in France. R’ Yosef Yehuda worked as a ‘shadar’ in support of the local Chabad institutions.
Riva, as she was called, married R’ Yisroel Minkowitz, also born to a Chabad family in Russia. His father, R’ Yitzchok Yaakov Minkowitz was one of the bochurim the Frierdiker Rebbe swore to dedicate their lives to uphold Jewish tradition in the Soviet Union.
Living in Crown Heights, Yisroel and Riva Minkowitz worked for a living but were most known for their open home. They warmly welcomed immigrants from behind the Iron Curtain, families and orphans into their home. During their Tishrei month, guests were treated as family.
Mrs. Riva Minkowitz took an active role in the Nshei Chabad women’s organization, helping to coordinate programs and classes for local and visiting women and girls.
She is survived by her children R’ Meir Minkowitz – Crown Heights; Mrs. Chanie Lipskar – Bal Harbour, FL; Mrs. Bassie Medalie – Johannesburg, South Africa; R’ Itche Minkowitz – Crown Heights; Mrs. Sarah Shusterman – Beverly Hills, CA; grandchildren; great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild.
She is also survived by her sister Mrs. Raya Rivkin of Crown Heights and currently in Florida.
The levaya will be held tomorrow, Monday, leaving Shomrei Hadas in Boro Park at 12:45 pm and passing by 770 at 1:30 pm.
The family will be sitting Shivah at her home on 605 Montgomery St. between Kingston and Brooklyn.
2 Minyanim are needed.
Shachris: 7:00 am and 9:00 am
Micha 7:00, 7:05 pm
Maariv: Bzmano (8:00 pm)
Please no visitors between 1 pm to 3:30 pm and after 10 pm.
Baruch Dayan Haemes.
one really nice person, thru and thru
and that’s rare.
Sara, I didn’t know your mom, but I know you and it seems that the kesher of your mom and you is striking. so now it all maks sense; I see where you got your good middot, refinement and chein. Your parents did a good job raising you and your siblings. may her memory be a blessing. BDE
Mrs. Minkowitz treated my family like it was her family. How I remember the zechus of sitting at her, and her husband’s z”l, Shabbos and Yom Tov tischin. To eat at their table was to see royalty, tzidkus, chesed, and gemulas Chasodim. It was one of the Shuster and Greenbaum families crowning glories and honor to be mechutonim with her and her husband.
nicest family, way back in sem. They took me as a daughter, such a warm wonderful home, and what a regal mother, a queen, and soft spoken kindest father, may the legacy continue,
you should only know simchas, and she should be a gute beter for Moshiach Right Now!!!
Our hearts go out to the family for the loss of this very special lady, who we remember so fondly. Gracious and beautiful inside and out.
What a special and regal woman. She often helped me in my home when so many visitors came to Crown Heights and N’shei had gatherings there. She exemplified chasidic royalty. May her family be comforted. BDE.
I was a guest in one of the homes of Mrs. Minkowitz’s daughters while Mrs. Minkowitz was visiting and i saw her light Shabbos candles and it was enough to make a lasting impression on me; simple and purposeful…
May her neshama have an aliya and be a guta beta for everyone!
spunk and wit and neshama combined- testimony to her wonderful upbringing, and she followed it all up by instilling these midos in her children..may she be a gutteh betterin for klall yisroel and seriously bring Moshiach now!
Whenever I met her at a simcha, I would be struck anew by her elegance and refinement. Dignified, regal. True royalty. Her family should know only simchas.
I had the zechus (along with many other Machon Chana students over the years) of renting a room in the upstairs apartment of the Minkowitz home. Although officially we were tenants, Mrs. Minkowitz treated us as though we were her daughters. She taught me many things, both in the ruchniousdike realm and very practical gashmiousdike kitchen tips….. She made me feel so special and important and so proud of the fact that my husband was a shochet (still is!)…Whenever we found ourselves in CH we made it a point to visit Mrs. Minkowitz and her incredible husband, sharing our nachas… Read more »
I remember her well – she was truly a regal lady and a devoted mother and wife. She left behind a beautiful, illustrious legacy and that she be source of strength and inspiration to her entire magnificent family.
– A great niece
i stayed in your basement when I came to Machon Chana. You and your husband were very kind to me and us new girls werre smokers, and it made your gowns smell, you didnt get angry with us, you ust asked us to open the window lol. That basement was very important to me at the time. And my children know your house as where their mum lived for part of her journey. Gd bless your soul. May you rise quickly and be at peace. You did good Mrs M, you did good. Im sure the rest of the girls… Read more »
bd”e
All of the Above
I remember her parents, when they were coming to Antwerp, Belgium to collect money they were staying at my parents house, as a little girl I recall the stories her mother was telling us. Latter on I got the privilege to come to the Rebbe for my bas mitsve yud shvat time ,and we were staying at Riva’s house, As we arrived late, we went staignt to the farbrengen in 770 and only after the farbrengen we went to the Minkowits, not to let my parents go in the basement, she just whok her daughters up to give there room… Read more »
As a guest in her house I remember that she went out of her way always with a smile and a good word.The family should have only simchas.
She was a real regal lady.
Always a good word, and a smile.
BDE
She was an amazing and wonderful women! I used to have many long talks with her!
May her family only know of simchas!
what an incredible LADY. Everyone in her home was treated like royalty.
an impeccable balaboste. Impeccable taste. Impeccable bearing. Smart as a whip. Insightful. Regal. oy.