Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Wilschanski, 74, AH

Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Wilschanski, from the Rebbe’s shluchim to Eretz Yisroel and Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Chasidei Chabad Lubavitch in Tzfas, passed away on Shabbos, 8 Adar.

Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Wilschanski, from the Rebbe’s shluchim to Eretz Yisroel and Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Chasidei Chabad Lubavitch in Tzfas, passed away on Shabbos, 8 Adar.

He was 74 years old.

Rabbi Wilshanski was born to his father, Rabbi Fuleh Wilshanski, on Gimmel Adar Beis, 5711 (1951), in France. At the tender age of three, he lost his mother, and he was subsequently raised by his grandfather, the noted shadar, Rabbi Alexander Sender Menkin of Paris, as well as in the home of his uncle, Rabbi Yehoshua Dubrawsky.

In his youth, he studied in Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim Brunoy under the rosh yeshiva, Rabbi Yosef Goldberg. In Tishrei 5730 (1969), he traveled to 770, where he continued his learning in the Rebbe’s presence.

In Iyar 5731 (1971), he was among the group of talmidim hashluchim sent by the Rebbe to strengthen the mosdos in Australia.

Upon returning to 770 in 5733 (1973), he became actively involved in the Vaad L’Hafotzas Sichos, playing a key role in preparing the weekly publications of Likkutei Sichos, reviewed and edited by the Rebbe.

In Elul 5735 (1975), he married Mrs. Malka Perel, daughter of Rabbi Moshe Ashkenazi, and granddaughter of Rabbi Eliezer Karasik, the esteemed Rav of the Chabad community in Tel Aviv. He continued his learning in the Kollel in Crown Heights.

In Shevat 5736 (1976), he was chosen as one of the Rebbe’s shluchim to Eretz Yisroel, where he became part of the historic group of shluchim sent to strengthen Yiddishkeit and Chassidus in the Holy Land.

In Iyar 5737 (1977), Rabbi Wilshanski AH established Yeshivas Chassidei Chabad Lubavitch in Tzfas. Under his leadership, the yeshiva flourished and produced generations of devoted talmidim, many of whom continue to serve as shluchim, rabbanim, and mechanchim around the world.

He is survived by his wife Malka Perel and children: Rabbi Menachem Mendel Wilschanski – Chaifa; Rabbi Meir Wilschanski – Tzfas; Rabbi Chaim Eliezer Wilschanski – Tzfas; Rabbi Sender Wilschanski – Milan, Italy; Rabbi Yisrael Shneur Zalman Wilschanski – Tzfas; Rabbi Betzalel Wilschansky – Chaifa; Mrs. Zlata Lipshitz – Migdal HaEmek; and Mrs. Chaya Mushka Nislevitch – Tzfas.

He is also survived by his siblings: Rabbi Chaim Elye Wilschansky – Crown Heights; and Devorah Reicher – Melbourne, Australia; and step-siblings Mrs. Dini Lebovic – Crown Heights, Mrs. Chani Ceitlin – Toronto, and Rabbi Avraham Friedman – Coral Springs, Florida. His brother Rabbi Schneur Zalman Wilschanski AH of Morristown passed away almost one year ago.

His aron is at the yeshiva where his students will recite Tehillim all night.

The levaya will depart tomorrow at 12:00 PM from Heichal Levi Yitzchak shul in Kiryat Chabad, Tzfas. The procession will pass by the Yeshiva Gedolah on Yerushalayim Street at approximately 12:45 PM, continuing to the Yeshiva Ketana, and concluding at the Beis HaChaim in Tzfas, where he will be buried.

Boruch dayan haemes.