Mr. Samuel Klein, a philanthropist and supporter of Chabad causes in Brazil and around the world, passed away on Wednesday, 27 Cheshvan, 5775.
He was 91.
Mr. Klein was a Holocaust survivor who fought for his life in his hometown of Zaklikow, Poland, during the growing waves of anti-Semitism before the war. He was sent to five different labor and concentration camps.
While in the camps, he witnessed unspeakable horrors, including seeing his mother and younger siblings being led to the gas chambers.
Still, he had a strong will to live, sometimes surviving by smuggling potato peels from the garbage.
After the war, he emigrated to Brazil, where he started out as a street vendor going from house to house offering his merchandise. His motto was, “buy for ten, sell it for twenty.”
With this humble start, he later became one of the most successful retailers in Brazil. He founded the Casas Bahia chain of department stores in Brazil, building them into the top retailer in the country.
“Mr. Klein never forgot his roots and his past, and just as much as he earned, he gave,” a relative told COLlive.
Mr. Klein supported many Jewish and non-Jewish institutions, and helped many private individuals who reached out to him for help. People regularly appeared at his door, and he didn’t turn anyone away. He was at the forefront of the establishment and strengthening of many Jewish organizations in S. Paulo, where he lived.
For almost 60 years he served as the president of Oholey Yossef Itzchok Lubavitch and Gani, the Lubavitcher mosdos of chinuch in Sao Paulo, under the directorship of Shliach Rabbi Hersh Leib Begun. In this capacity he provided not only financial assistance but advice as well.
He is survived by his children Michael Klein – Sao Paulo, Brazil; Saul Klein – Sao Paulo – Brazil; and Eva Klein – Florida; as well as his sister Cesia Mehler – Queens, NY.
The funeral was held today, Thursday at the Jewish Cemetery Butanta.
Baruch Dayan Haemes.
יום עצוב
Max, although our path crossed only a few times. You are a true gentleman. You will be missed by everyone you touched. We love you! TC, SI, RC, JC
Baruch Dayan Haemes. What a big person, what a great merit he is taking along. He ws the helping hand for so many people, he is for sure survived not only by his family but also by all the people around the country and the world who got the help and all kind of opportunities they needed just from his kindness. May Hashem have a special space for him.
Thank you Samuel for all life changes you’ve caused.
A yid who helped so many not only the Local Yeshiva but who helped young people with large amounts to establish businesses and buy apartments
A unique man
Because of him me and so many others were able to get a lubavich education!
BaruchDayan Haemet!
I am sure he will go staright to gan eden
The world lost a great person. Thank you Mr. Klein for all your help and support
As a former student, i know he was the kindest and most generous person!
He will surely go straight to gan eden