ב"ה
Tuesday, 25 Adar I, 5784
  |  March 5, 2024

Rabbi Shaya Gansbourg, 57, OBM

Rabbi Shaya Gansbourg of Crown Heights, who served as a Shliach in Harlem, NY, passed away at the age of 57. Update: Levaya at 770 at 3:45 pm. Full Story

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Reem
March 5, 2013 7:19 pm

I am not a Chabadnick but have benefited from their didecation and self sacrifice, living in places far removed from the comforts of an observant community. They literally spend their lives trying to share Torah with the millions of Jews who have grown up without the privilege of a Jewish education. I suggest that anyone interested in Jewish continuity consider how that would differ without Chabad. Though I disagree with those who feel that death did not end the Rebbe’s opportunity to be Moshiach, I feel that the Rebbe has left the Jewish world a rarely equaled legacy, with hundreds… Read more »

The Joseph Family
February 20, 2013 7:17 am

We think so highly of your family and were so saddened to hear the news. Goldie is the real deal- truly a real person- she exudes this. Goldie only wishing you all the best all the time.

you are wonderful woman .
May G-d comfort you amoung the other mourners of zion and Jerusalem.
love alissa and aryehleib joseph

Dr Bill and Mrs. Marilyn Stein
February 19, 2013 3:45 pm

B”H Dear dear Goldie and Rychel and Shandy and the entire mishpacha… Rabbi Shalom Raichik (Maryland) called a few hours ago to tell us the sad news…We are speechless… Purim was the time (wasn’t it?..my memory is shot) that Shaya obm with Goldie and the ‘little’ kinderlach would (SHLEP TO) come to Virginia Beach to make it a frailacha Purim for us all… Our hearts are broken…we know that Shaya obm will pray for us all…and that we will see Moshiach soon ! We do NEED AND WANT MOSHIACH NOW!!! HaMakom yenachem et’chem b’toch shar avay’lay Tzion vee’Yerushalayim. May the… Read more »

Moshe
February 18, 2013 6:10 pm

Times for davening?

remarks
February 18, 2013 5:38 pm

I must say some of the comment are really so well written both in content and style.
reb Shaya brought out the best in people in his passing as he did in his life.

email address for condolences?
February 18, 2013 3:00 pm

Is there an email address we could have to email the family?

Ahuv al Habriyos
February 18, 2013 2:27 pm

I will always treasure the summers he came by and visited with his Traveling Camp. May Hashem provide Nechama to his wife and children. He was a true “Ahuv al Habriyos”. I will miss him.

Vehikitzu Veranenu Shochnei Afar.

Chaim Bryski
Thousand Oaks, CA

A friend
February 18, 2013 10:17 am

Reb Shaya, a person with true Ahavas Yisroel. We know you will be back shortly but it still hurts.

Moshiach Now.

Shloime

Z. Teitlebaum
February 18, 2013 7:15 am

I remember, as a bochur in Oholei Torah 25 years ago, Reb Shaya would invite the bochurim to his home to farbreng . Spent many a night, farbrenging together.

Years later he would still greet us , and reminisce the fond memories.

What a tayereh, varmeh neshomo !

Mehn zol zich zehn in gichin, doh lematoh.

Beis Rivka former student In Sydney
February 18, 2013 1:42 am

Morah Gansbourg, we just started a shiur for ladies in Sydney learning the Megillas Esther inside, remembering all you taught me in tenth grade and the Torah Temimah meforshim with the Shaar Bas Rabim. Those meforshim make my class come alive! I can never forget how you taught us Megillah and Parshas mishpotim with all the meforshim and clarified such difficult inyonim. You were a very dedicated and special teacher making us yom iyun and other programs and made us strive for excellence! Your lessons come alive even though I’m teaching them years later, may the Torah you taught so… Read more »

Reb Shaya, You will be sorely missed
February 18, 2013 1:35 am

You were the mensch, par exellence!
Our hearts go out to the wonderful mishpoche.

May you have a lichtige Gan Eden,

Rabbi Yehuda and Miriam Ferris
Berkeley

Aryehleib
February 17, 2013 10:23 pm

Oy!

Mrs. Robyn Blumner
February 17, 2013 9:22 pm

May his memory serve as a blessing to his dear family, community and klal Yisrael!

Life
February 17, 2013 9:00 pm

He impersonated the love of the three fundamentals of Jewish reality: Yisroel (Jews), Orayta (Torah), Kudsha Brich hu (God). He exuded love for all Jews, not just his Lubab brethren. He loved learning and had encyclopedic knowledge of all our books (not just the yeshivish ones) – and mastered the Rambam when it became the daily regimen. And he loved god. And as with Keser Shem Tov Oleh Al Gabay-hem. he had a Shem Tov – a good name. All who crossed his path walked away feeling better about themselevs and life and judaism. He was a chosid, living with… Read more »

What A Prince Of A Guy! I'm Choking From Tears!
February 17, 2013 8:57 pm

Shaya, You will always be remembered as a prince of a guy. Your character and personality were so rich you naturally flowed to the top. The only one I know who would object to this characterization of you would be you yourself. With your passing I have lost a childhood friend and a venerated בר דעת peer, a fellow Shaliach I truly admired who gave me cause to believe that a genuine friend with stellar virtues still exists (though far and few in between, which is why your passing is so painful).. I will miss you very much. May your… Read more »

Rabbi Shaya
February 17, 2013 8:41 pm

Rabbi Shaya was a one man army. When he saw there was a drop out problem in Crown Heights, he started the Bais Rivkah summer bus tours to let the girls see the idealism of the shluchim. R. Shaya was involved in seris of having the Mamorim translated in an educated English. Then we went and started a Chabad House. We lost a true and loyal soldier.

Baruch Dayan Haemes
February 17, 2013 7:47 pm
Dearest Rashi,
February 17, 2013 7:39 pm

We hope you know that we are all there for you every step of the way. Baruch Dayin HaEemes. May his neshama have an aliah.
Love, 8th grade.

Baruch dayan Haemes
February 17, 2013 6:55 pm

I just met him last week and had a half hour converation about his recent stroke and about life. I can tell he was a very special person. Hard to believe he is gone now.

Sheila (former CCNY employee)
February 17, 2013 6:41 pm

Rabbie Gansbourg was such a welcoming person, making sure to bring a feeling of belonging to all programs he had at City College. We will always remember the Tues. and Thursday lunch and learn programs. Rest in Peace. You will always be remembered.

BDE!
February 17, 2013 5:51 pm

I do not know Rabbi Shaya, but it is heartbreaking to hear of his loss. He sounds like an incredible neshama, who truly left an impact on all who he was in the presence of. May we follow his lead and do even more mitzvot in honor of Rabbi Shaya! My heart goes out to his family

Debbie
February 17, 2013 5:34 pm

Rabbi Gansbourg always struck me as a deeply dedicated man – dedicated to Hashem, his wife, his family, the Harlem Jewish community he worked so hard to create. He meant a lot to our family, opening Chabad up to us during a time we had nowhere else to land. Our hearts go out to his beautiful family today.

Shaya was a man of TRUE CHESED
February 17, 2013 5:12 pm

Shaya and his wife Goldie are truly people of REAL Chesed. When I was a youngster and a family member of mine was in the hospital for many months, Shaya would bring over to our home prepared gourmet meals for many Shabbosim and Yomim Tovim ofr our family and for the many guests we hosted. His wife Goldie prepared it together with her sister Sara Leiberman, and Shaya would respectfully deliver the many many meals with dignity and kavod. The way he did this Chesed left an impact on me for over 25 years later, as Shaya was one who… Read more »

A former classmate and dear friend
February 17, 2013 4:43 pm

Shaya was a most beautiful and dignified person and friend caring and loving. I recently sat Shiva in C.H. and guess what, Shaya came running in – being in his ill state – to be menachem avel! א טייערע נשמה

May he be a מליץ יושר for his family and all.

rashi
February 17, 2013 2:54 pm

Bdh we love u

moshiach now
February 17, 2013 2:17 pm

I am sitting here in shock. It was just a few days ago that I saw his special wife in Florida at a chasunah…this is unreal. from when I was a child, their home was a second home to me; the entire family are such giving, good and emese people. as a student of mrs gansbourg, we all still remember her very thorough chumash and megillas esther lessons like yesterday, and even more importantly, her regal, tznius bearing and true concern for each student. on the 10th grade program, it was incredible to see rabbi gansbourg’s dedication and ibergegebenkeit. I… Read more »

Baruch Dayan HaEmes!
February 17, 2013 2:02 pm
Boruch Dayan HeEmes!
February 17, 2013 1:53 pm

Reb Shaya, your smile, your attitude and your warmth will truly be missed. I am so saddened by this terrible loss. May Hashem comfort his entire family.

ah Chosid with Mesiras Nefesh-
February 17, 2013 1:29 pm

He spent his summers bringing Bais Rifkah girls to visit shluchim throught the west coats etc, giving them a taste of shlichus, we loved everytime he woudl visit us.

Shayah, we will miss you, say hi to “Pappa Bear”
and tell the Rebbe – shoin genug tzoros.. and to come to hisgalus

Prison
February 17, 2013 1:19 pm

He would go every year to prison for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, for many many years, he had many keviusen in learning, invaluable and chassidus he was inergegeben to the Rebbe totally, may he be a meilitz yoisher for his family whom he loved and all of klal Yisroel.

Baruch Dayan Haemes
February 17, 2013 1:10 pm
nn
February 17, 2013 1:01 pm

awesome man

Rabbi Moishe Leider
February 17, 2013 12:41 pm

Shaya and I were good friends from Morristown days. He would come to our community San Diego each summer with his wonderful wife Goldie leading the Bais Rivkah travelling camp and we would enjoy hosting them. What a great guy. A true chosid of The Rebbe and a good friend. I will greatly miss him. Our summers will never be the same.May Hashem comfort the family among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem

dinie gorman
February 17, 2013 12:31 pm

This is such sad news~Morah Gansbourg was my ninth grade Tanya teacher in Bais-Rivkah,and a truly amazing one at that! I still know the perakim that she taught us by heart! Today, 25 years later,I’m teaching Tanya to the ninth grade at Bais Chomesh toronto, and Morah Gansbourg still serves as an inspiration to me-hamakom yenacheim eschem b’soch shaar avlei tsion v’yerushalayim-may we merit the coming of moshiach now

Ribono Shel Olam --How Many More!!!!
February 17, 2013 12:29 pm

My heart is broken, there ןד NO substitutes for you my dear friendת we have all lost one of the best I’ve ever known. Shaya ז”ל (how surreal that these letters follow his name)… A true friend, a heart the size of the entire ספירת החסד. .אהוב לכל — רוח הבריות נוחה הימנו, רוח המקום נוחה הימנו A real person (תוכו כברו). A דור השבעי chossid, no dressing just purpose. A soldier with no conditions, the Rebbe’s front line! Wise, smart, frum, humor-humor- humor and then some more humor! Old school and new school warped in one. Never allowed his… Read more »

We will miss you
February 17, 2013 11:58 am

Shaya was a classmate of mine for many years. He always had a style that was unique and not replicable. He was a wonderful individual, always with the right thing to say. we will miss you, Shaya. We love you.

an old friend
February 17, 2013 11:35 am

Shaye always put me in a good mood
May his wonderful family have only simches

A Real Giant of Torah and Mitzvos
February 17, 2013 11:32 am

Just have no words, very sad.

Chaver from Londom
February 17, 2013 10:54 am

I’me shocked to hear this tragic news, we were in Kfar Chabad together on chof heh, chof vov, he came to our simchos in LA and NYC!
He was truly a good neshomoh and cant find the right words to express my grief!
May Hashem comfort his wonderful Almonoh, children & family!
Hamokom Yenachen Eschem Betoch Shear Avelei Tziyon Veyerusholayim

Yossy Hershkop
February 17, 2013 10:24 am

Are favorite Chazan and also very cool and with farbrengener. Was always happy to help us with any mivtzoim or farbrengen fund even though he was running his own Chabad house at the time…

Chovevei Torah Mesivta 06-08

A Sad Day for Lubavitch
February 17, 2013 10:23 am

A sad day for Lubavitch. Hashem took away a very special soul. Baruch Dayan EMes

Leah Mushka (Jamie)
February 17, 2013 10:16 am

Shaya is the reason I have Yiddishkeit in my life and that I even have a Jewish name. I can’t believe I won’t see him at Chabad of Harlem again. Heartbroken and sending my love and prayers to his family and the entire Harlem/crown heights community.

and we say moshiach has already come
February 17, 2013 9:57 am

We need moshiach now!!!!!!!

What a loss!
February 17, 2013 9:34 am

An emeser yid

AD MOSAI!! AD MOSAI ????
February 17, 2013 9:28 am

AD MOSAI???? AD MOSAI????? AD MOSAI????
AIBERSHTIER – LET US LIVE!!

To 5
February 17, 2013 9:26 am

Amein!!!

An admirer of the family
February 17, 2013 9:11 am

I did not know him personally, but his wife Goldie is the most special person around. Where is the rachmanus of Hashem the rachman?

Chaim
February 17, 2013 9:06 am

Rabbi Shaya was a true example of what it means to be a Chossid. He loved Hashem and the Torah and most of all, the Jewish people. All are welcome in Chabad of Harlem and there was never any judgements. Rabbi taught me what is means to love a Jew unconditionally with my heart and my soul. To love all people as G-d’s creations. He is what the Rebbe teaches us to be – a person who devotes his life to others by teaching and showing kindnesses. My life is better for having known him and I will miss him… Read more »

So young.
February 17, 2013 8:58 am
BDE
February 17, 2013 8:49 am

How sad! May his family only know of simchas!

BDE
February 17, 2013 8:48 am

So sad and shocking.

HELLO???
February 17, 2013 8:47 am

AD MOSAI!! AGAIN??? WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY????I DON’T KNOW HIM PERSONALLY BUT WE CANNOT TAKE THIS ANYMORE, HASHEM, WHY???I WISH THE FAMILY COULD BE COMFORTED BY THE TRAIL HE LEFT BEHIND, A GEZUNTEH BLOSSOMING TRAIL!! MOSHIACH NOW!!!!! WHAT HAPPENED??

Boruch Dayan Haemes
February 17, 2013 8:46 am

We want Moshiach Now!

boruch dayan haemes
February 17, 2013 8:40 am

Such special people. May hashem comfort his wonderful wife, children & family!

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