Reb Shaul Yitzchak Schiff, a veteran Israeli journalist and writer who was deeply connected to the Rebbe, passed away on Motzei Shabbos, 9 Iyar, following a prolonged illness.

He was 85 years old.

Born in Tel Aviv in 5702 to R’ Moshe and Mrs. Tzipporah Schiff, he studied at Yesodei HaTorah before continuing to Yeshivas Nachalim and Yeshivas Kerem B’Yavne.

R’ Shaul’s journalistic career began at Bat Kol, a student newspaper, and he went on to edit and host programs at Radio Moreshet for approximately two years. He then dedicated nearly four decades to the Hatzofe newspaper, serving in a wide range of capacities — from managing the subscriptions department and covering political and parliamentary affairs to serving as night editor and general correspondent.

He was widely known as a figure who bridged the worlds of journalism and Torah Judaism. He published the bulletin Besod Siach, where he shared thoughts, reflections, and impressions from his spiritual world, and contributed to the B’Rosh Yehudi and Bachodesh Tov bulletins in Ra’anana.

In 5731, R’ Shaul had a yechidus with the Rebbe at 770, during which the Rebbe expressed warm appreciation for his communal work and encouraged him to continue.

Over the years, he grew increasingly close to Chabad, expressing his deep hiskashrus to the Rebbe in warm, personal writing and in numerous articles.

On 25 Tishrei 5751, while passing by the Rebbe for Sunday Dollars, he told the Rebbe that he was a loyal soldier of the Rebbe and of Chabad in Eretz Yisroel, and requested brochos for himself and his family.

Boruch dayan hoemes