Rabbi Moshe Gurkov, 90, AH

Rabbi Moshe Yitzchok Gurkov, longtime shliach to Boston, MA, and founder of the Shaloh House and Beis Chomesh, passed away on Friday, 30 Tishrei. 

By Anash.org Reporter

Rabbi Moshe Yitzchok Gurkov, longtime shliach to Boston, MA, and founder of the Shaloh House and Beis Chomesh, passed away on Friday, 30 Tishrei.

He was 90 years old.

Born in Kharkov, to his parents Rabbi Yaakov Yosef and Sonia Gurkov, he immigrated with his family to America during his childhood. After one farbrengen in which the Rebbe strongly encouraged Torah teaching, Rabbi Gurkov moved with his family to Boston, MA, to spread Torah without knowing where they would stay that night.

In another instance, he was in yechidus with the Rebbe and asked him to personally choose his shlichus: “I didn’t want my nefesh habehamis to influence my future; I wanted to be where the ratzon ha’Elyon—the Higher Will—would place me.” The Rebbe told him to “shreib arein”—write in—and he was eventually blessed to take on the cheder in Boston.

Rabbi Gurkov pioneered the flourishing educational institution “Shaloh House” to teach Jewish children in Boston. He also founded “Beis Chomesh,” a center in Boston focused on the city’s Russian-speaking Jewish community.

He is survived by his wife, Kraina, and their children: Rabbi Lezer Gurkow (London, Ontario), Rabbi Zalmen Gurkow (Westford, MA), Mrs. Faigy Bronstien (Andover, MA), Mrs. Chani Wolowik (Toronto, Ontario), Rabbi Mendel Gurkow (Stoughton, MA), Rabbi Velvel Gurkow (Montreal, Quebec), Rabbi Meir Gurkow, and Mrs. Sheina Silver (Crown Heights).

He is also survived by his siblings, Rabbi Sholom Ber Gurkow (Montreal, Quebec), Mrs. Gittel Edelman (Casablanca, Morocco), and Mrs. Fruma Pikarsky (Crown Heights).

The levaya will pass by 770 this Sunday, Beis Cheshvan, at 9:30 AM.

The family will be sitting Shiva at 1486 Carroll Street.
Shacharis minyanim: 7:30, 8:30, and 9:30 AM.
Mincha and Maariv at Bizmano.
Visiting hours: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM and 5:30 – 9:30 PM.

Rabbi Sholom Ber Gurkov will be sitting Shiva at 16 Klingher Ct Pomona, NY (front door entrance), until Thursday morning. He will be sitting in Montreal at 4964 Kent Ave IYH Thursday evening until Friday before Shabbos.

Boruch Dayan Ha’emes