Mrs. Sheina Tema Gurary, founder and longtime editor of “Di Yiddishe Heim” Lubavitch magazine and matriarch of a large Lubavitch family, passed away on Wednesday, 28 Cheshvan.

Mrs. Gurary was born in Leningrad (St. Petersburg) on Simchas Torah, 5688 (1927) to Lubavitcher chassidim Rabbi Chaim Eliezer and Mrs. Leah Karasik. As a young child, she merited to enter for yechidus with the Frierdiker Rebbe in Otvotzk, Poland.

In 5695 (1935), she moved with her family to Eretz Yisrael, settling in Tel Aviv, where a vibrant Chabad community was beginning to take shape. Under the instruction of the Frierdiker Rebbe, her father became active in communal affairs and later served as the head of Agudas Chassidei Chabad in the Holy Land.

In 5698 (1938), she traveled back to Atvotk, Poland and merited a yechidus with the Frierdiker Rebbe, an encounter that left a deep and lifelong imprint.

When she reached marriageable age, she became engaged to her cousin, Rabbi Nosson Gurary, in a shidduch arranged under the directive and blessing of the Frierdiker Rebbe. The marriage took place in 5709 (1949) in Eretz Yisroel.

In Adar of 5713 (1953), she moved to New York with two young children on a military aircraft, settling in Crown Height safter the Rebbe personally requested that she come. The Rebbe told her husband that he had read her letter expressing her hesitation – “the lines and between the lines” – yet wanted her close to him.

Her early years in New York were challenging. The Rebbetzin and her sister extended personal warmth and support, taking her shopping for household items and clothing. They even brought her to Barneys New York, where the Rebbetzin remarked that this was where she bought the Rebbe’s shirts.

She developed an exceptionally close relationship with the Rebbetzin, speaking with her on most nights of the week. Yet, she refused to speak publicly about the Rebbetzin in an interview with JEM, saying the Rebbetzin would not have wanted her to – and knowing her so well, she feared she might reveal something that should remain private.

In the Yechidus of 5698, the Frierdike Rebbe told the girls to speak yiddish. Later when one of her boys had difficulty speaking, the Rebbe asked how many languages they spoke at home. When he heard three, the Rebbe said to drop one, and they dropped hebrew.

At the Rebbe’s instruction, she founded the Di Yiddishe Heim magazine – Chabad’s premier and longest-running (over 45 years!) women’s journal – in 5719, serving as its chief editor. The publication, created for Chabad women and girls around the world, was issued in Yiddish and English and enjoyed a special affection from the Rebbe. The Rebbe would personally review the majority of the publication, often marking, correcting, and adding comments.

She was also the longtime president of Nshei U’Bnos Chabad, guiding the organization with clarity and steadfast dedication and in general she played a central role in Chabad’s women’s leadership

Mrs. Gurary authored two influential Chabad publications: Aura: A Reader on Jewish Womanhood (1984) and Kol Yemei Chayeha (1990), a commemorative volume honoring Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka.

She was a founding member of Machon Chana Women’s Institute, involved from its establishment in 5731 (1971).

At the Rebbe’s request, Mrs. Gurary hosted VIP officials who came for yechidus, after which the Rebbe’s secretary would follow up to hear their impressions – among them Israeli minister Geulah Cohen.

She is survived by her children, Rabbi Eliyahu Yochanan Gurary – Cholon, Eretz Yisroel; Rabbi Yossi Gurary – Crown Heights; Rabbi Motty Gurary – Crown Heights; and Mrs. Sarah Labkowski – Crown Heights; as well as grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by her sister, Mrs. Rivka Chitrik (who was not notified).

She was predeceased by her husband, Rabbi Nosson Gurary, in 5765 (2005).

The levaya will take place tomorrow, Thursday, leaving Shomrei Hadas – 10:30 am, passing by Bnos Menachem – 11:40 am, passing by Machon Chana – Crown St and President St – 11:50 am and 770 – 12 pm. Kevurah near the Ohel at 1 pm.

Shiva is at 378 Crown Street.

Boruch dayan haemes