R’ Avraham Zarbiv, a beloved member of Anash in Netanya and father of Lubavitcher singer R’ Yoni Shlomo, passed away on Tuesday night. He devoted his life to putting tefillin on tens of thousands of Jews, continuing even in old age when it was hard for him to see.

By Anash.org reporter

R’ Avraham Zarbiv, a beloved member of Anash in Netanya and father of Lubavitcher singer R’ Yoni Shlomo, passed away on Tuesday night.

He was 82 years old.

Throughout his life, R’ Avraham dedicated himself to the mivtzah of tefillin, helping tens of thousands of Jews put on tefillin. Even in his later years, when his eyesight had weakened and he could only see silhouettes, he continued his rounds through the center of Netanya, visiting shopkeepers and passersby and encouraging them to don tefillin.

Remarkably, just this Monday, he was still following his regular route, putting on tefillin with many people in Netanya. On Tuesday evening, he suddenly returned his soul to his Creator.

“It is beyond words to describe the reception prepared for him in Shamayim, as countless merits accompany him on his way to the Rebbe’s chamber,” Rabbi Nochum Goldschmidt, shliach to Downtown Netanya, shared. “With that same holy determination that defined him and never let him compromise, he will continue to arouse mercy for all of us – that we should immediately be reunited with the Rebbe in the true and complete Geulah, now.”

Chabad of downtown Netanya has announced a special initiative will be launched in his memory to continue and expand the holy work to which he devoted his life.