BD’E Harav Yisroel Garber Zt”l

Harav Yisrael Garber Zt”l, a talmid and nephew of Harav Baruch Ber Lebowitz Zt”l of Kaminetz, was niftar on Shabbos.

During WWII, he escaped to Japan and joined the Mirrer Yeshiva as it found refuge in Shang Hai, China. There he developed a close relationship with Harav Chatzkel Levenshtein Zt”l, who advised him not to leave to America with a visa he received, but rather to stay with the yeshiva. Rav Garber listened to Rav Chatzkel, and remained with the Mir until they arrived in the United States in 1946.

Rav Garber, the mechaber of seven volumes of Tal Yisroel on numerous masechtos, was niftar beseiva tovah. He was the founder of the Bais Yaakov of the East Side and Camp TUBBY, which are currently run by his daughter, Rebbitzen Rachel Kahn (Menahelet of Bais Yaakov of the East Side). His other daughter, Rebbitzen Sori Ziemba and her husband, Harav Moshe Avigdor, lead Bais Yaakov of 18th Avenue and Chein Bais Yaakov in Lakewood. His son Rav Eliyahu Bentzion Garber, a noted talmid chachom, is named after Rav Yisrael’s father, who was the Rav of Horodok in pre-WWII Europe.

The levayah is scheduled for Sunday at 12:00 PM at Knesses Bais Avigdor [the Bais Medrash of his son in law, Harav Aharon Kahn shlit”a,] 1702 Avenue J (corner East 18th Street). There will be a hookup for kohanim next door at the Kahn residence, 1720 Avenue J.  The aron will be flown to Eretz Yisroel, where another levayah will take place on Monday afternoon, 2:30 PM, in Bais Medrash HaGra (Har Nof) and then in Kamenitz Yeshiva, followed by kevurah on Har Manenuchos.

Yehi zichro baruch.