Rabbi Chaim Dovber Wilshansky, a revered Chabad elder in Australia and one of the eldest Chabad chassidim worldwide, passed away.
By Anash.org reporter
Rabbi Chaim Dovber Wilshansky, a revered Chabad elder in Australia and one of the eldest Chabad chassidim worldwide, passed away on Monday, Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan, 5784.
He was 95 years old.
Chaim Ber was born on the 3rd of Tammuz, 5688, in Dnipropetrovsk to his parents, Rabbi Betzalel and Chaya Wilshansky, a scion to a prominent family of Chabad chassidim from the days of the Tzemach Tzedek.
Starting in 5701, he studied in branches of Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim across Russia, including in the branches of Kursk and Tashkent. After World War II, during the “great escape” of Chabad chassidim from Russia, he aided in the escape operations alongside his older brother Raphael. Subsequently, he joined the escapees and continued his studies in Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim in Poking and later in Paris until 5709.
Around that time, his parents received a bracha and encouragement from the Frierdiker Rebbe to immigrate to Australia and to bring their son Chaim Ber along with them.
After his marriage, he settled in Melbourne, where he worked in the knitting industry for several years.
He is survived by his second wife, Naomi, and 3 children.
Watch a farbrengen with Reb Chaim Ber here.
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes
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