R’ Menachem Mendel New, one of the senior chassidim of the Anash community in Melbourne, who played a significant role in the establishment of Chabad in Australia, passed away on Monday, 20 Adar.

He was 96.

Born around the year 5690 (1930) to his parents, R’ Yisroel and Rivka New, he grew up in Australia. Already as a young man before his marriage, while living in Australia, he merited receiving letters from the Rebbe with brachos for parnassah, which the Rebbe linked to his support in expanding Yeshivas Oholei Yosef Yitzchak in Melbourne.

In the 5710s (1950s), he married his wife Assia, the eldest daughter of the well-known chossid Harav Isser Kluwgant, who was a relative of the Rebbe. In keeping with the Rebbe’s letters to him, when he purchased a home on Gartlands Road, he temporarily housed the yeshiva in his home for several months until a permanent location was found.

R’ Mendel and Assia New contributed enormously to the growth and establishment of the Chabad community in Melbourne. Their home was renowned for its extraordinary hachnosas orchim. For seven years, Mrs. Assia served as president of the community’s donors’ club, and throughout her life she was a central figure in the local N’shei U’Bnos Chabad organization.

With the wave of immigration from Russia, the couple devoted their energy and resources to helping the new arrivals acclimate and integrate into the local Chabad community. Mrs. Assia also assisted in fundraising for the Chernobyl Children Project, for which she received the Rebbe’s personal encouragement. Through their family’s close ties, they maintained a warm and personal connection with the Rebbe’s household.

They built a family that is a true kiddush Hashem—children and grandchildren who are shluchim, chassidim, and mekusharim across the globe.

He is survived by his children: Mrs. Stera Gutnick (Melbourne-Singapore), Rabbi Moishe New (Montreal, Canada), Rabbi Yossi New (Atlanta, Georgia), and Rabbi Ruvi New (Boca Raton, Florida), as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his wife, Mrs. Assia New, AH, and his son, R’ Chaim New, AH.

Levayah and shiva information will be announced.

Boruch dayan ho’emes.