Rabbi Shneur Zalman Wilschanski, a Maggid Shiur and Rosh Yeshiva in the Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva in Morristown and the Rov of the Morristown Anash community, passed away on Wednesday.
Rabbi Shneur Zalman Wilschanski, a Maggid Shiur and Rosh Yeshiva in the Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva in Morristown and the Rov of the Morristown Anash community, passed away on Wednesday.
He was 74 years old.
Born in Paris, France, as the eldest son of Rabbi Raphael Wilschanski, the secretary of the Lubavitch European office, and Mrs. Zlata Wilschanski, Rabbi Wilschansky was nurtured within the vibrant Chabad community in France. From a young age, he was deeply influenced by prominent chassidim, such as Reb Yisroel Noach Belinitzky, absorbing the rich traditions and teachings that would later define his path in life.
In 5722 (1962), as a young boy not yet of Bar Mitzvah age, Rabbi Wilschanski embarked on his lifelong journey of Torah study at the Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva in Brunoy, France. He continued his studies until 5730 (1970), when he moved to the central Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva located in the Rebbe’s headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway.
In 5732 (1972), he composed a nigun “Kemoifeis hayisi lerabim” from the Rebbe’s new Tehillim, kapitel 71. This nigun, set to the tune of “Keohel hanimtach,” became one of the four Chabad niggunim accepted that year.
Upon reaching marriageable age, he married Esther, daughter of Rabbi Tzvi Yosef Kotlarsky.
In 5737 (1977), Rabbi Wilschansky was appointed to lead the Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva in Morristown, New Jersey, a position he held with distinction until his recent passing. Renowned for his eloquence and warmth, Rabbi Wilschansky was a cherished speaker at numerous events.
Rabbi Wilschanski is survived by his wife, Esther, and children: Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Wilschanski – Tzfas; Rabbi Yaakov Dovid Wilschanski – Crown Heights; Rabbi Tzali Wilschanski – Kenosha, WI; Rabbi Meir Wilschanski – Coral Springs, FL; Rabbi Sendy Wilschanski – Phoenix, Arizona; Rabbi Mendy Wilschanski – Raleigh, North Carolina; Mrs. Zlata Benjaminson – Morristown, NJ; Mrs. Ada Cunin – Los Angeles, CA; and Mrs. Chaya Roitblat – Crown Heights.
He is also survived by his siblings, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Wilschansky – Tzfas; 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.
The Levaya will pass by Tonight will be passing RCA Morristown on Wednesday night around 9:15 pm.
It will then pass by 770 on Thursday at 12:00 pm, and be at Montefiore cemetery at 1:00 pm.
The family will be sitting Shiva in Morristown until Sunday night after Maariv. Address: 14 Tikvah Way Morristown NJ 07960. From Monday to Wednesday in Crown Heights at 1634 Carroll St. (between Schenectady and Utica).
There are 6 Minyanim needed. Shacharis Shiva Minyanim: 7:00 AM, 7:15 AM, 7:30 AM, 8:00 AM.
Boruch dayan haemes.
He was also the Rov of Morristown, and of Congregation Levi Yitzchok in Morristown, where he had the Blessings of the Rebbe to fulfill his role
A special warm man that I met and enjoyed every minute of being around him years ago when my daughter Dina got married to Shmuly Estreicher from Morristown. He made my late wife and I feel very special with his Divrei Torah and a very eloquent French when he addressed us. People of his caliber are slowly vanishing from our environment, but the baton is passed to us from these giants to continue emulate them for the values that they stood for.
Baruch Dayan Haemes !