R’ Sholom Ber Eber, a longtime Crown Heights resident who devoted decades to preserving and disseminating photos, videos, and recordings of the Rebbe, passed away on Monday, 14 Tammuz.

He was 78 years old.

R’ Sholom Ber was born in Tel Aviv, Eretz Yisroel, on Erev Rosh Hashana 5707, to a distinguished chassidishe family. His father was R’ Nissan Eber, was a respected maggid shiur in Lod yeshiva, and his grandfather was R’ Eliyahu Eber, a mashpia in Nevel.

In 1967, R’ Sholom Ber arrived in New York and came to Crown Heights to learn in 770.

After his marriage, R’ Sholom Ber purchased the kosher eatery at the corner of Eastern Parkway and Kingston Avenue, originally opened by R’ Chaim Boruch Halberstam. Together with his business partner R’ Sholom Tenenbaum, he renamed it Ess & Bentch Luncheonette. The eatery became a popular Kingston Avenue stop for bochurim, chassidim, and visitors to Crown Heights, in the location that is now the site of the Jewish Children’s Museum and Mendy’s Deli.

Working alongside R’ Chaim Boruch at WLCC, R’ Sholom Ber helped make the Rebbe’s farbrengens, sichos, dollars, and public activities available to Chassidim through audio recordings, videos, and photos.

The partnership began after R’ Chaim Boruch asked the Rebbe about opening a store in Boro Park for tape and cassette duplication. The Rebbe answered that he should look for something closer. As R’ Chaim Boruch left, he met R’ Sholom Ber, who had just rented a storefront on Kingston Avenue and Union Street but had not yet decided what to do with it. R’ Chaim Boruch suggested that they use the location for WLCC, and R’ Sholom Ber agreed to join him in the project.

Over the years, R’ Sholom Ber edited and distributed recordings of the Rebbe’s Chassidus, gathered photos and videos of the Rebbe, collected recordings from others, and compiled them into larger collections. He was also involved in the development, editing, and publication of photos and videos connected with the Rebbe’s distribution of dollars.

In addition to his work with WLCC, R’ Sholom Ber put together Maaseh Rav and Tmimim. He also prepared a large-print Haftorah for the Rebbe to use each Shabbos, as well as the Kadeishim, Haftoros, and Mishnayos from which the Rebbe read in later years.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Esther Eber (nee Gorowitz); their children, Chani Steigman – Crown Heights, Chevi Lepkivker – Crown Heights, Rabbi Yosef Eber – Trinity, Florida, Chaya Neuwirth – Bay Harbor, Florida, Nechama Dina Dubrowsky – Tampa, Florida, Zeldy Stillerman – Islip, New York, and Rabbi Nissan Eber – Manhattan, New York; and grandchildren.

The levaya will take place on Tuesday, passing 770 at approximately 10:00 AM, followed by kevurah near the Ohel at 11:00 AM.

Shiva information will be announced.

Boruch dayan hoemes