By COLlive reporter
R’ Zvi Halperin, a descendant of the Alter Rebbe whose mission in life was to spread love and joy, has passed away Thursday, 12 Elul 5772.
He was 88.
Originally from Jerusalem, he served for many years as a chazzan in a large synagogue in Montreal, before retiring to Toronto in Ontario, Canada.
“Chazzan Halperin,” as some would call him, had a special affinity for interacting with people, emulating his mother, Mrs. Breindel Halperin who would call for Ahavas Chinam (unconditional Jewish love).
His father was R’ Zev Dov Halperin, a decendant of Rebbetzin Menucha Rochel Slonim and a 7th generation from the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi.
“Everybody I meet tells me how my father was a special man,” his son, R’ Daniel Halperin, told COLlive.com.
“He was a big advocate for Ahavas Yisroel. He always had a good ‘vort’ to tell people and made them feel good. He always had a nice thing to share.”
In 5711, R’ Zvi married his wife Chana, a daughter of Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Rosenstein, a respected Boyan (Ruzhin) chossid in Tveria, Israel.
The couple then moved to Montreal, Canada. They were accepted for Yechidus many times at 770 Eastern Parkway. The family said R’ Zvi got “many kiruvim from the Rebbe.”
He is survived by his wife Chana; children Rabbi Yaacov Halperin – Lakewood, NJ; R’ Daniel Halperin – Toronto, Ontario; Michal Davidowitz – Rochester, NY; and Leora Zewebner – Toronto; grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He is also survived by his siblings R’ Yosef Halperin, R’ Yehoshua Halperin and Rabbi Avrohom Michoel Halperin, member of Beis Din Chabad of Israel and Rabbi of the French Hill neighborhood in Jerusalem.
LEVAYA & SHIVAH
The funeral will take place on Sunday, September 2 at 9:00 am at Agudas Yisroel Shul, 129 Mcgilvary Ave.
The Niftar will be taken to Israel for burial on Monday at Har Hazeisim in Jerusalem.
The Halperins will return to Canada on Tuesday evening and will be sitting Shivah at 3636 Bathurst St Apt. 405 (until Shabbos).
Baruch Dayan Haemes.
I still think of you all the time Sabba. To me you were always a tzaddik and always made me feel like I am the most special person to you and to the world. No one can ever make someone feel as precious as you do. You always gave me your full attention as though I was all that mattered.
In your zchus I will try to make others feel as special as you made us feel.
I miss you deeply Sabba
The world feels emptier without you.
as a child I sang in your choir at the young Israel….as a teenager you were my guide….as an adult I follow your derech that you instilled in me when it comes to improvisation when I daven for the omud….you are missed tremendously…
Chazzan Pinchas Wolf at Dovid Ben Nochum Synagogue, Oak Park, Michigan…
trying to get hold of the warm sensitive grand father taken away from me my grandfather that brought great light in2 this world! we NEED MOSHIACH NOW!!!!!!
my family and i would visit my sabba weekly,he always greeted us with a warm smile and asked how we were doing.he would tell me stories and perform magic tricks for me
i miss sabba greatly.
When I think about my Sabba, I remember the twinkle in his shining eyes. Sabba always had a kind word to say to anyone he would meet. I remember as a young girl when we would visit Sabba and Savta for Shabbos there was always someone at their Shabbos Seuda, either a widow, or a lonely person, or someone who needed Chizuk. Sabba was able to relate to a little child with his famous magic tricks and he also connected to adults. He always had a Dvar Torah or an amazing Gematria to offer. He kept his life private, he… Read more »
My Sabba was very special. Sabba loved me and he did magic tricks. Sabba loved Hashem and Sabba was a tzaddik and I think Hashem is making a gold, silver and diamond seat for him, right next to Hashem.
It is not unusual to find someone who is completely devoted to his family. A bit more unusual is to find someone devoted to all Jews. It is rare to find an individual who seamlessly combines both. Abba’s genuine care and concern for those who have less,was the foundation which gave our lives more. There is much more to say about Abba A”H,but he would have preferred it this way because less is more. An eternally grateful child.
Every yom tov that he stayed with the Halperins, he would greet me with a warm nod, not knowing who I was. That was his speciality. Unconditional love for every Jew.
Sabba was the most inspirational person of my life.
Always had something nice to say and he knew how to make you feel good about yourself. He was the best grandfather I could ask for and I will miss him dearly
Hamokom yenachem
an extremely special man
A great loss.
He was a true tzadik and chosid.
He will be missed.
A lichtiker gan eden
My Grandfather was one of the quiet Tzaddikim of this generation. His life was dedicated to Chessd and Limud Torah. As a young girl I never saw a Shabbos go by without my Sabba bringing home poor or sick guests who had no where to eat. His Shabbos table was always accompanied with beautiful zmiros and chazzanos. He loved a good joke, a good vort, and his specialty was performing magic for all his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a loving husband and father. Hamakom yenachem.
Boruch Dayan Haemet Chazan Zvi Halperin, Neim Zemirot Yisrael ,Ohev YIsroel, Chosid, Yiras Shomayim and Lamden, Zechuto Yagen Aleinu was the one most responsible (aside from my father Z’L and my mother zol gezunt zein) for my Chazonishe career. Our family were refugees, having escaped from Hungary during the revolution in 1956 and being welcomed by Canada in 5717(1957). As young children, my older brother Yosef Zvi sheyichye and I were accepted into Chazan Halperin’s choir in the Young Israel of Montreal Shul on Hillsdale, with choir leader Robert Birnbaum sheyichye. I have been singing Chazan Halperin’s Yomim Noraim nusach,… Read more »
Chazan Halperin brings back many great childhood memories.
He was a great Chazan & along with the team of Rabbi Mendel Lewittes ZT”L Rev. Meller zol gezunt zein, were the leaders of the most prestgious shul in Montreal for over 30 years.
He was a tremendous person, witty & always ready to help.
The Simchas Torah Kidushin in his home on Soissons, bring back great memories.
Tehia Nishmosi Tzeror Betzeror Hachaim.
I had the honor of meeting Rabbi Halperin A”H many times, he was a very special man.
I remember hearing that he would deliver food to a woman house every Erev shabbos , thats just one of the many amazing things that he would do
Chazan Halperin – a very memorable part of my chidhood.
Such a personality but yet so down to earth. Always a good word, always making us kids laugh and enjoy his MAGICAL tricks.
Too bad the “magic man” (as we refered to him in our youth) will not bring any more smiles to children’s (and adults) faces.
May he be a gute better together with the rest of his very respected family in shomayim and help bring the Laughter on all of our faces with Moshiach NOW!