By COLlive reporter
Mrs. Irene Vagner, a Chabad Shlucha who left Russia only to return there later, passed away on Shabbos day, 24 Tishrei 5775.
She was 65.
The tragic news was received at the conclusion of the first Shabbos of the year by many Jews who learned from and were inspired by her and now live in Russia, Israel and the United States.
“It’s simply impossible to believe that she is no longer with us,” said Miriam Portnoy, a resident of Beitar Illit, Israel, who attended the funeral on Monday which began in Moscow and continued to Jerusalem.
“I remember when I gave birth to my son, she came with me to the hospital although her son wasn’t feeling well. I was in very poor condition. She brought a bag of goodies and made me eat – almost spoon feeding me.”
Mrs. Vagner and her husband Rabbi Zeev Vagner fled the Soviet Union in 1976 and spent 13 years in Israel before returning on Shlichus toward the end of President Mikhail Gorbachev‘s turbulent reign.
“Every little detail of my life is different today than it was under Communism,” Rabbi Vagner recalled in an interview. “To wear a yarmulke at work was impossible. So was wearing Tefillin. To even find one to buy required a terrible amount of work.”
The Vagners returned to Russia to witness the beginning of the renaissance with the perestroika movement for Soviet reformation. Together, they worked to keep the Jewish flame alive and personally teach and guide Russian Jews.
“Siberia was the worst place to be Jewish during Soviet times,” Rabbi Vagner said. “The KGB was much more strict than in Moscow, which made a show for tourists and visitors. In Siberia, you couldn’t make a move.”
With the fall of the Iron Curtain and the Chabad movement being able to openly operate in the country, Rabbi Vagner went on to become the traveling Chief Rabbi of Central Russia and Head of the Educational Department for the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia.
He also become the editor of the Encyclopedia of Russian Jewry, published with the help of Israel’s Ministry of Culture and Sport, Yad Hanadiv, NADAV Fund, the Memorial Foundation of Jewish Culture and Access Industries.
“She loved everyone without exception,” said her son, Krasnoyarsk’s Chief Rabbi Benyamin Vagner. “Her life didn’t only mean her home but a very large range of people,” she assisted.
She is survived by her husband Rabbi Zeev Vagner – Tula, Russia, their children Rabbi Aaron Wagner – Irkutsk, Russia; Rabbi Benyamin Vagner – Krasnoyarsk, Russia; Mrs. Nataniela Neimark – Perm, Russia; Mrs. Miriam Scheiner – Beitar Ilit, Israel; Mrs. Rachel Ferdani – Jerusalem; Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Vagner – Kfar Chabad, Yehudis Vagner; and grandchildren.
Baruch dayan haemes.
Encyclopedia of Russian Jewry was published by the SHAMIR Publishing House under Prof. Herman Branover, Editor-in-Chief.
Please give credit where credit is due.
Dorit we are sorry for this terrible loss!!
So very sorry to hear.
Hamokom yenachem eschem.
of mesirut nefesh, of creating a magnificent family, of dedication to the Rebbe’s inyonim.
I never knew this woman, but she is truly insipirational.
may th efamily find comfort and only hear of happiness from now!
Moshiach Now!!!!