Mr. Yaakov Meir (Jacky) Zippel, one of the longtime gabbaim and driving forces at Milan’s Ohel Yaakov shul, and devoted supporter of the shluchim in Italy, passed away. He is the older brother of Utah Head Shliach Rabbi Benny Zippel.

He was the son of R’ Chaim and Mrs. Kelly Rachel Zippel and was named after his grandfather, R’ Yaakov Meir, for whom Ohel Yaakov was named.

His father was one of four Zippel brothers who became close to the Rebbe in 5711 through Rabbi Yaakov Gansbourg and Rabbi Perlow, who were then the two Lubavitchers serving the Jewish community in Italy.

Over the following years, the Zippel family’s fur business expanded in Russia, requiring Reb Shlomo Yosef “Carlo” Zippel and his brother Reb Avraham “Foffo” Zippel to travel there frequently. During those trips, the Rebbe sent him on various shlichus assignments. They were also instrumental in bringing many of the Rebbeim’s writings to the Rebbe.

Following World War II, thousands of Jewish refugees arrived in Milan from Poland, Romania, and elsewhere. Many were Chassidishe Yidden who needed a shul where they could speak Yiddish and daven in their familiar nusach. The Zippel brothers established Ohel Yaakov, named after their father, to serve the growing Ashkenazi community.

In 5718 (1958), when the elderly rov of Ohel Yaakov, Rabbi Perlow, prepared to leave Milan for Australia, Jacky’s uncle, Reb Shlomo Yosef “Carlo” Zippel, approached the Rebbe and requested that a young shliach be sent to lead and develop the community. The Rebbe sent Rabbi Gershon Mendel and Rebbetzin Bassie Garelik, as shluchim to Italy, and for Rabbi Garelik to serve as Rabbi of the Ohel Yaakov shul.

Mrs. Kelly Zippel, known as “Zia Kelly” by the Garelik children, was like an older sister to Rebbetzin Garelik, helping her with the children, after births, and during all times and situations. When one of the Garelik children needed to undergo a medical procedure in the hospital, and his mother was unable to be there because she had to teach at the school, it was Mrs. Zippel who stayed by his bedside throughout the entire procedure, caring for him and providing comfort until it was over.

Jacky was among the first bar mitzvah boys whose simcha Rabbi and Rebbetzin Garelik attended after arriving in Milan. He later studied in a yeshiva before entering the business world, where he achieved considerable success.

He held Rabbi Garelik and the other shluchim in Italy in tremendous esteem and generously supported their work. He served for many years as one of the gabboim of Ohel Yaakov and was one of the driving forces behind the shul and its communal life.

He is survived by his wife and children; his siblings, Mrs. Ilda Minkowitz of Milan, Mrs. Sonia Weitman of São Paulo, Mr. Raffi Zippel of Milan, and Rabbi Benny Zippel of Salt Lake City; and grandchildren.

Baruch dayan hoemes