Mrs. Rochel Mathless, a Chabad educator for over 55 years, passed away on Simchas Torah after a long illness.

She was 77 years old.

Mrs. Mathless was the daughter of Rabbi Moshe Yitzchok and Rivka Hecht, Shluchim of the Frierdike Rebbe and the Rebbe to New Haven, CT.

Upon her birth, Rabbi Hecht received a call from the Rebbe (then known as the “Ramash”) with a unique personal request: Being that there was no one named after the Rebbe’s grandmother, Rebbetzin Rochel (wife of R. Meir Shlomo) Yanovsky, would Rabbi Hecht consider naming his daughter Rochel? Of course, Rabbi Hecht agreed. (See Igros Kodesh v.2 p.317 where the Rebbe thanks R. Hecht, explains the significance of the name, and gives his bracha).

Through her parents’ Shlichus, Mrs. Mathless grew up in an atmosphere dedicated to Chinuch, which became her life’s work as well. After marrying Reb Nachman Aryeh Mathless A”H, the couple settled in Columbus, Ohio, where she taught in the local Jewish day school. A few years later, they returned to New Haven, where she worked alongside her parents in Yeshivas Achei Tmimim Lubavitch/Southern Connecticut Hebrew Academy & Beis Chana, the schools they founded.

After the untimely passing of her husband, Mrs. Mathless assumed leadership of a large pre-school in Long Island, providing authentic Yiddishkeit to thousands of children from non-frum backgrounds. She served in this role with dedication for 25 years, becoming a beloved educational figure in the community.

She was predeceased by her sister Sima Zeilengold of S. Paul, MN

She is survived by her children, Aron Mathless (Crown Heights), Mrs. Miriam Abrams (Woodmere, NY), Rabbi Mendy Mathless (Albany, NY), Mrs. Souchie Kievman (Crown Heights), and Shulie Mathless; and many grandchildren.

She is also survived by her siblings, Mrs. Malkie Katz (New Haven, CT), Mrs. Dreizel Kaploun (Miami, FL), Rabbi Yossi Hecht (Eilat, Israel), Mrs. Shani Fellig (Montreal, CA) Rabbi Sheya Hecht (New Haven, CT).

The Levaya will pass by 770 at 12 PM on Thursday. The Kevura will be near the Ohel at 1 PM.

Shiva will be at 903 Woodmere Blvd. Woodmere, NY 11598.

Updated Davening and Shiva times:

Sunday and Tuesday – Shachris 8:00 and 8:45, Mincha 5:40 and 5:50, Maariv 6:40 and 6:50.

Monday – Shachris 8:30, Mincha 5:45, Maariv 6:45.

Wednesday – Shachris 8:30.

Shiva Sunday-Tuesday – 10 AM-10 PM.

Please note: On Monday, Rabbis Shea Hecht and Mendy Mathless will be in New Haven and Albany, respectively.