BD’E – -Reb Kalman Mordechai Kahane, Z”l

Hamodia is saddened to report the petirah of Reb Kalman Mordecahi Kahane, z”l, who was niftar on Wednesday after an illness. He was 65 years old.

Reb Kalman Mordechai was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, where his father, Harav Tzvi Kahane, zt”l, a talmid of the Chazon Ish, was the Spinka Rebbe of LA. His mother, Rebbitzen Sarah Liba, came from a family of prominent Gerrer chassidim. Both of his parents had moved to Eretz Yisrael before WWII.

At the young age of 13, Kalman Mordechai left his home and travelled across America to learn in Yeshiva Torah Vodaas. Without any relatives in New York, he would be hosted by different families each Shabbos, but nevertheless was not deterred in his commitment to grow in his learning. After several years, he transferred to Bais Medrash Govoah in Lakewood, where he continued his learning.

In December, 1976, Reb Kalman married Chaya Blum, the daughter of Reb Leibel Blum, z”l, a well known Gerrer chassid. He continued learning in kollel for several years, but never left his lifelong pursuit of limud haTorah, even after he took a course in computer programming and landed a prestigious position at the Federal Reserve Bank, despite his lack of a college education.

His demeanor at work was an example of a kiddush Hashem, as his workmates looked up to him not only for his brilliance in solving vexing issues, but also for his integrity.

Throughout his life, Reb Kalman Mordechai was a role model for all as he showed that his Torah was the mainstay of his life and his career just a means to earn his parnassah. He was known for his yiras Shamayim and his ehrlichkeit, and was trusted by all to handle the funds for the mosdos he was involved in, including the Gerrer Beis Yaakov, where he was appointed to serve as a member of the vaad  by the Gerrer Rebbe, shlita.

Reb Kalman Mordechai is survived by ybl”c his wife, Mrs. Chaya Kahane, a beloved teacher in Tomer Dvorah High School in Boro Park; his sons Harav Aharon of Yerushalayim, Reb Dovid, Reb Sruly, and Reb Moshe Chaim; and his daughters Mrs. Shainie Gitty Gottlieb, Mrs. Tzirel Garfinkel, Mrs. Rifky Feller, Mrs. Sarah Landau and Mrs. Toby Frand.

The levayah is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon at 6:30 p.m. in the Gerrer Beis Medrash at 19th Avenue and 50th Street. Kevurah will be in Eretz Yisrael.

Yehi zichro baruch.