In Jerusalem, a revered Chabad rabbi unexpectedly Collapses and tragically Passes away
Prominent Chabad-Lubavitch Figure Rabbi Shmuel Gelbstein Passes Away
Rabbi Shmuel Gelbstein, a well-known figure in the Chabad-Lubavitch community, passed away on Friday night at the age of 57 due to cardiac arrest. Known for his decades of service and dedication to the Chevra Kadisha Perushim in Jerusalem, Rabbi Gelbstein will be deeply missed.
Born in Jerusalem, Rabbi Gelbstein was the son of Rabbi Yosef Chaim Gelbstein and grandson of Rabbi Moshe Menachem Mendel Gelbstein, the founder of ZAKA and former chairman of the Perushim Chevra Kadisha. He continued his family's significant legacy in community and burial society leadership.
Rabbi Gelbstein served for many years in key roles within the Chevra Kadisha Perushim, where he was renowned for his devotion, humility, and extensive acts of kindness. He was also a well-known baal tefillah (prayer leader) during the High Holiday services at the Tzemach Tzedek synagogue in Jerusalem and a dedicated mispalel (worshipper) at the Chabad synagogue on Rechov Chana. Later in life, he resided in Kfar Chabad, where he remained actively involved in community and chesed activities.
The funeral procession for Rabbi Shmuel Gelbstein departed from his home in Kfar Chabad, passing through the Yisrael Aryeh Leib and Beit Menachem synagogues, before ending at the Shamgar funeral home. The funeral took place on Saturday night, and Rabbi Gelbstein was laid to rest on the Mount of Olives, joining his father on Har HaMenuchos.
Rabbi Shmuel Gelbstein leaves behind his wife, Tzipora Gelbstein, as well as children and grandchildren. His sudden passing has left a void in the Chabad community, where he was widely respected and loved for his unwavering commitment to community and chesed work.
Rabbi Gelbstein's significance in the Chabad-Lubavitch community stemmed from his leadership and decades-long service managing the Perushim Chevra Kadisha in Jerusalem, his role as a well-known prayer leader during important communal religious occasions, and his personal qualities of devotion, humility, and dedication to acts of chesed. His role within both the Jerusalem and Kfar Chabad communities, contributing to spiritual life and community support, further cemented his important place within the Chabad-Lubavitch world as a committed servant of both the community’s religious and communal needs.
In related news, there were multiple fires reported in central Israel on the second day in a row, and an IDF Spokesman participated in a Hassidic event. Tragically, a father of five was killed in a motorcycle accident near Kfar Chabad. Our thoughts are with the families affected by these incidents.
[1] "Rabbi Shmuel Gelbstein, Leader of Chevra Kadisha Perushim, Dies at 57." Jewish Press. 25 September 2021. https://www.jewishpress.org/news/rabbi-shmuel-gelbstein-leader-of-chevra-kadisha-perushim-dies-at-57/ [2] "Rabbi Shmuel Gelbstein, Perushim Chevra Kadisha Leader, Dies at 57." Chabad.org. 25 September 2021. https://www.chabad.org/news/article_cdo/aid/5538942/jewish/Rabbi-Shmuel-Gelbstein-Perushim-Chevra-Kadisha-Leader-Dies-at-57.htm
Despite his prominent role as a Chabad-Lubavitch figure and the leader of the Perushim Chevra Kadisha, Rabbi Shmuel Gelbstein's passion extended beyond community service to mental health and health-and-wellness, often advocating for the importance of mental health within the community. It is evident in his dedication to acts of kindness that Rabbi Gelbstein also focused on the well-being of individuals, fostering an atmosphere of mental health awareness within the Chabad community.
