Three large events in different cities across the globe marked the shloshim of the passing of the renowned Rosh Yeshiva and senior Lubavitcher rov, Harav Yitzchok Meir Hertz AH.

Harav Hertz served as rav and Rosh Yeshiva in London for over 60 years. He founded the Lubavitch community’s shul in London, as well as Yeshiva Gedolah Lubavitch, where he educated thousands of talmidim over the course of his remarkable lifetime.

In London, hundreds of people gathered at the Yeshiva, where the shloshim coincided with a grand siyum by many of the bochurim on the masechta learned that year. Mashpia Rabbi Mendel Gordon highlighted the connection between the two occasions, noting that the end-of-year siyumim held a particularly cherished place in Rabbi Hertz’s heart.

The evening opened with Rabbi Gedalia Hertz, a grandson of Rabbi Hertz and the newly appointed Rov succeeding his grandfather. Rabbi Menachem Hertz of Belgium made a siyum on the entire Mishnayos and connected the opening and closing teachings of Mishnayos with the character and personality of his father.

Rabbi Gedalia Lieberman, the newly appointed Rosh Yeshiva taking over from his grandfather, delivered a passionate address describing the greatness of his grandfather, while Rabbi Zvi Lieberman, Rov of Edgware Adas and son-in-law of Harav Hertz, shared words highlighting the personality and authority of Harav Hertz.

In New York, an event was held at Chabad of Bensonhurst – Congregation Tifereth Torah, where Rabbi Avrohom Hertz delivered a siyum before reflecting on his father’s life.

Rabbi Hertz was followed by others speakers including: Rabbi Sholom Rokeach, Rabbi Hershel Rosenbluh, Rabbi Yakov Figa, Rabbi Boruch Wilhelm, Rabbi Velvel Farkash, and Rabbi Mordechai Hertz. Speakers shared how Rabbi Hertz lived with unwavering commitment to truth, humility, dedication to halacha, and genuine care for every student, leaving a lasting impact on all who knew him.

A special booklet containing a collection of his chiddushim was also printed and distributed as a fitting tribute.

In Chicago, over 500 people from across the broader Jewish community participated in a deeply moving event. The gathering was attended by many leading rabbanim from across the community and featured heartfelt niggunim by Rabbi Levi Stern and Rabbi Yoel Wolf.

Rabbi Baruch Hertz, rov of Anash in Chicago, opened the event, sharing memories and stories of his father before making the official siyum.

Two grandchildren, Rabbi Moshe Markowitz, Associate Rabbi of Congregation Bnei Ruven, and Rabbi Choni Hertz of Chabad Lincoln Square, also spoke, followed by two former students, Rabbi Yossi Brackman, shliach in Hyde Park, and Rabbi Mendel Moscowitz, senior educator at Cheder Lubavitch, who each spoke about the profound influence Rabbi Hertz had on their lives.

The formal program concluded with moving remarks from Dr. Ira Weiss, the Rebbe’s longtime physician, who shared personal memories and reflections.

Among the city rabbonim who came to pay their respects were Rabbi Shmuel Fuerst, Rabbi Yona Reiss, Rabbi Yaakov Robinson, Rabbi Yehoshua Eichenstein, Rabbi Pinchus Eichenstein, Rabbi Moshe Unger, Rabbi Hershel Unger, Rabbi Zvi Engel, Rabbi Shaanan Gelman, Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik, Rabbi Meir Shimon Moscowitz, Rabbi Yosef Shmuel Moscowitz, and Rabbi Yitzchok Simcha.

A farbrengen continued afterward, led by Harav Hertz’s talmidim Rabbi Boruch Epstien and Rabbi Meir Schanowitz, as many participants shared personal stories and memories of Harav Hertz.

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