Rebbetzin Basya Brus, a”h

Due to the proximity to Shabbos, the levayah took place Thursday afternoon at the John F. Kennedy International Airport, with only two maspidim — Rabbi Aharon Rabinowitz, a son from her first marriage, and Rabbi Refoel Brus, a son from her second marriage.

Born in Russia to Reb Eliezer and Gittel Wainbrand, the young Basya spent the war years in Siberia. Arriving in New York after the war, Basya married Harav
Eliezer Rabinowitz, z”l, a maggid shiur in Yeshivah Rabbi Chaim Berlin who was famed for his brilliance and knowledge of Shas. Tragically, her husband was niftar at age 31 after the couple had two children.

In 1962, the young almanah remarried to Rav Brus, a Rosh Yeshivah in the Bais Hatalmud in Bensonhurst who had also lost his wife at a young age. For the next half century, she devoted herself to teaching and allowing her husband to learn undisturbed.

Rabbi Rabinowitz said at the levayah that his mother was a giver throughout her life, teaching girls, helping her husband, arranging countless shidduchim and doting over her progeny.

“She was always makpid to give back to people who did her favors,” he said. “Her biggest enjoyment was in giving.”

Shortly after the passing of her husband five years ago, Rebbetzin Brus became sick but was lucid until she was put on a respirator about a week ago. Hospitalized in Maimonides Medical Center, she passed away early Thursday afternoon surrounded by her family.

Rebbetzin Brus is survived by her children, Rabbi Pinchos Rabinowitz, Rabbi Aharon Rabinowitz, Mrs. Feigy Altusky, Rabbi Peretz Brus, Mrs. Chani Kaminetzky, Rabbi Refoel Brus and Mrs. Gitty Kotler, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Kevurah will be on Friday at Har Hazeisim near her parents.

Shivah will be observed at 1350 52nd Street in Boro Park.

Yehi zichrah baruch.

This article appeared in print on page 1 of the February 14th, 2014 edition of Hamodia.