R’ Nechemya Englesberg, 79, AH

Nechemya Englesberg, the baal koreh for decades at the Tzemach Tzedek Shul in Tzfas, passed away on 22 Shvat, 5783.

Nechemya Englesberg, the baal koreh for decades at the Tzemach Tzedek Shul in Tzfas, passed away on 22 Shvat, 5783.

He was 79 years old.

For many years Englesberg was a member of the community in Seattle, Washington, where he made sure year after year that the Hillel House would have a Kasher L’Pesach kitchen and took a lead role in many Chabad activities.  After moving to Israel around 5754, he became the Baal Koreh at Chabad in Yerushalayim and shortly thereafter at the Tzemach Tzedek Shul in Tzfas.  He was actively involved in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul until his final weeks, serving as a Baal Koreh and being a regular, friendly and unassuming presence.  He was also involved with Chabad of David Remez and Chabad Maor HaChaim, two Chabad centers in the South of Tzfas.  

Reb Nechemya would delve in the Mitteler Rebbe’s Maamorim, especially Kuntres HaHispaalus.  He would toil in Gemara and Halacha and was part of the Tzemach Tzedek’s learning program.  In his youth he had been involved in American political activism, with thought and in a way that befit a ben yisroel, ceasing involvement with the Democratic Party in 1972 when he recognized that the political landscape was turning to ideas that were not helpful or righteous.  

Rabbi Gavriel Marzel of the Tzemach Tzedek Shul eulogized Englesberg, pointing to the Rebbe’s Sicha (Chof Beis Shvat 5749) that Chof Beis always stands for the 22 letters of the Torah.  “This Tzaddik who read the Torah for decades in Yerushalayim and the Tzfas, passed on Chof Beis Shvat and joins in the Rebbetzin’s aliya. The Chof Beis Letters of the Torah will for sure be accompanied by these letters.” 

Englesberg’s sister, Mrs. Marylin Fogel, eulogized his “unwavering quest for complete truth, leading a life of truth in every way, which led him to Chabad” and spoke of how he influenced her by example in countless ways.  She and his brother, Mr. Herb Englesberg, had both traveled in from America to be with him in his final days. 

Reb Nechemya passed without ever having the opportunity to have children.  We ask that all who can please take on Mishnayos at https://sharetoremember.com/nechemya-englesberg/mishnayos and may Nechemya Yeshaya ben David be with us again speedily in fulfillment of הקיצו ורננו שוכני עפר.

Baruch Dayan Ha’emes