Rabbi Leima Minkowicz, a longtime member of the administration at Beis Rivkah in Crown Heights and gabbai of the Beis Binyamin Shul on Montgomery Street, passed away on Sunday, 15 Teves.

He was 85 years old.

Rabbi Minkowicz was born in the chassidishe shtetel Nevel, to his father, Rabbi Naftali Hertz Minkowicz, and was named at his bris after his paternal great-grandfather, a renowned Chabad chassid.

In 1946 (5706), his entire family left Russia in the famous flight known as “The Great Escape.” After passing through several transit stations, they arrived in Paris in the summer of 1947 (Tammuz 5707).

Initially, the family planned to make aliyah to Eretz Yisroel and settle in Kfar Chabad. However, they received a response from the Frierdiker Rebbe delaying the move. Consequently, they remained in Paris for several years, during which time his grandfather passed away and was later interred in Tzfas. It was only in 1953 (5713) that they received approval from the Rebbe to fulfill the Frierdiker Rebbe’s earlier words – “A clear and absolute answer… that you should all come here” – and they immigrated to New York, settling near the Rebbe in Crown Heights.

In Iyar 1952 (5712), R’ Leima underwent a medical operation and merited the Rebbe’s personal interest in his recovery.

While learning in 770 in 1956 (5716), he was involved in a car accident. As a result, he was absent during the Rebbe’s distribution of Chanukah Gelt to diligent bochurim. Noticing his absence, the Rebbe inquired about him and entrusted the yeshiva menahel with a dollar coin to give to him. During this time period, he also merited to assist Rebbetzin Chana, including driving her to the hospital.

In Elul 1965 (5725), he married his wife, Shoshana, nee’ Zebrowitz. After learning in kollel for some time, he began working at Beis Rivkah in Crown Heights, eventually becoming a member of the administration.

When the Rebbe announced the Sefer Torah Hakelali campaign in 1982 (5742), Rabbi Minkowicz managed the registration and writing of the Torah scroll organized by Beis Rivkah. He also had the distinct honor of serving as the baal tefillah for the Rebbe’s minyan during the Yomim Noraim on several occasions.

For many years, he served as the gabbai and rabbi of Beis Binyamin Shul on Montgomery Street in Crown Heights. Additionally, he managed a gemach in Crown Heights named Keren Naftali Hertz in memory of his father, for which he received a letter of blessing from the Rebbe.

He is survived by his wife, Shoshana Minkowicz, and their children, Rabbi Sholom Minkowicz (Crown Heights), Rabbi Yitzchok Minkowicz (Fort Myers, Florida), Gitty Rosenfeld (Crown Heights), Chayie Abelsky (Crown Heights), Rabbi Hirshy Minkowicz (Alpharetta, Georgia), Kenny Feigenson (Crown Heights), Laykie Donin (Houston, Texas), Rabbi Ari Minkowicz (Crown Heights), and Rochie Lieberman (Crown Heights).

He is also survived by his siblings, Rabbi Yosef Minkowicz (Montreal), Chana Schmukler (Montreal), Freidel Goldshmidt (Crown Heights), and Rivie Hildeshaim (Crown Heights).

The levaya will be held on Monday, 16 Teves, passing by 770 at 10:45 am on the way to kevura near the Ohel at 11:45 am.

Boruch dayan hoemes