ב"ה
Wednesday, 26 Adar I, 5784
  |  March 6, 2024

Mrs. Gita Gansburg, 86, OBM

Mrs. Gita Gansburg, beloved dorm mother at Machon Chana school in Crown Heights and sister of R' Yoel Kahn, passed away. Full Story

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Penina from London
December 3, 2014 3:46 am

She was my dorm mother for 3 years and I have to say we had our struggles and challenges..but her unswerving devotion to Machon and her girls, her wisdom and love of yiddishkeit kept us all together and on the right path. every friday night when I rush my kids to light, I remember her hurrying us to light and not be late….she was an incredibly special lady who has guided the lives of thousands…it is a huge loss to the community..she wil be forever very fondly be remembered….

mrs gansburg
December 1, 2014 3:10 pm

tenachamu min hashamaim
yechi hamelech hamoshiach leolam voed

In the name of Mrs Gansburg's children
December 1, 2014 10:39 am

Thank you all for sharing all the memories with us. Some of u are thanking us for sharing Mrs Gansburg with you. We want you to know that we never felt like we were sharing. She always gave us both 100%. We would love if you can share pictures and memories with us at [email protected]

BDE
November 30, 2014 7:11 pm

I was dorm counsellor at m.c. for a few years… those years I treasure very much! Mrts Gansburg was a true role model for me. I remember she once asked me if I write a duch to the Rebbe every week (din vecheshban). I told her that I had never heard of that. So she explained to me how important it is to let the Rebbe know what you are doing on a regular basis. This small piece of advice really affected my life and made me very focused and aware of my progress and what I need to do.… Read more »

Ethel Brazil
November 30, 2014 6:10 pm

Baruch daian haemet!
So hard to belive! I think she was one of those people that we belive that will live forever!!
Me like many thousands of girls that had the previlige to know how special she was, how serious she was on her shlichus… know that she”ll definatly live forever in our hearts and in our families!! B”H’ I went to visit her last year with husband and son bc of his bar mitsva and showed them what a tzadekes she was…
We should only hear good news and meet her soon with Moshiach, now!!!

Shiva info
November 30, 2014 1:49 pm

Shiva will take place 587 Montgomery street shacharis is 7:30 mincha 415 maariv bzman

Model Lesson
November 30, 2014 8:23 am

I remember when I did model lessons for her in Seminary. She was able to pinpoint where I went wrong but at the same time make me feel like a million dollars- as she found some of the things I did right :).. She started me on my teaching career, which I’m still on over 20 years later B”H.
Baruch dayan haemes.

Year 1985/86 down under
November 30, 2014 5:34 am

Firm but fair. Caring and sincere.
An example for me and guess what Mrs G, you taught me to always light a little earlier than later and I have passed that on to my daughters and granddaughters.
The Rebbe knew who was best suited to be mother of so many. Thank you to her family for sharing both a wonderful father and mother.

BDE
November 30, 2014 5:32 am

Another Machon Chana girl who is saddened by this news.
She taught me a great deal and like many of the previous posters, she knew what I needed. The world will be a different place without her.

a shlucha
November 30, 2014 1:54 am

When Mrs. Gansburg heard that we are on shlichus and do not have a megilah or money for it she went to the next room and gaven me rav Gansburg megilah.
I love you Mrs. GANSBURG and we will meet very soon with the coming of the Rebbe, our Moshiah tsidkeinu.

Baruch Dayan Haemes
November 30, 2014 1:31 am

Hamakom yinachem eschem b’soch she’ar avaylay tzion
viyrushalayim. We were honored and privileged to spend
five Pesachs with Mrs. Gansburg and her esteemed husband a”h at Machon Chana. The highlight for all of us
was the Rebbe ZY”A’s visit to Machon Chana on the first
night of Pesach. Mrs. Gansburg was the mother of Machon
Chana, adored and beloved by her thousands of daughters.
T’hei zichrah baruch.
Rabbi and Mrs. Moshe Feller
Bais Chana Minnesota

Baruch dayaan emes
November 29, 2014 10:30 pm

Just seeing how people reacted to the news of her death shows what and impact she had on so many lives. The world has lost an incredible human being, but her legacy with live on forever in the form of all the many lives she has touched. She was such an incredibly principled person. She stood for what was right and did it. It wasn’t a choice for her- she did what had to get done and that’s it. Baruch dayaan haemes

Baruch Dayan Haemes
November 29, 2014 9:36 pm

Mrs. Gansburg always was so hard on me. My skirts weren’t the right length ever, my socks made her nuts (the funky ones were to loud and the boring ones weren’t high enough), pesach cleaning I got double what everyone else got, etc… however, now years later I get it. She knew what I needed and did it because she wasn’t worried about being popular but out of love to build me up into the person she knew I could be. Just like any mother, each daughter was different and she gave us what we needed.

Share with the Family
November 29, 2014 9:30 pm

bs”d
If you have photos or stories about Mrs. Gansburg you can share them with the family at [email protected]

a Tzedakis
November 29, 2014 8:23 pm

Mrs.Gansburg helped me so much when I was in the dorm in 1978-1979.what a schus to have been with her and her husband and The Rebbe came down the stairs on the pesach seder and spoke to her about us girls for quite a while.i still can’t believe that such a dream was happening.every time I went to crown heights from so Africa I always visited her.what a vacuum

BaruchDayan Emes

A Mother With a heart of Gold
November 29, 2014 6:53 pm

Mrs G was my housemother a few years back. I learned form and loved her dearly. She will be missed. I feel so blessed to have known her.
Gittle

Incredible Woman
November 29, 2014 12:31 pm

Given over to the Rebbe in her role as dorm mother which not only required her sincere Ahavas Israel but attention to many details. She ran a home for 30-40 (perhaps more at a time) girls and managed to make it feel like family. This meant so much, especially to those of us who did not have family support during our time in Crown Height learning at Machon Chana. Oh! how she will be missed!

Wonderful Rebbetzin!
November 28, 2014 5:09 pm

Yes she was a mother to us. For some of us who left our families to come closer to Yiddishkeit she really was there for us during our Yomin Tovim, simchas, and our daily mitzvahs. Words can not describe her upmost devotion but her actions and good deeds have expressed her life. May we merit to see Moshiach Now!!

BDE
November 28, 2014 4:51 pm

To Reb Yoel, Nechamie, Yossi & Fradie,
We were sorry to hear about Gita. She was really a special person. We are out of town, so we cannot be there in person. Hamokom Yenachem Eschem B’soch Shaar Availai Tzion V’yerushalaim. You should have simchas from now on. Berel & Chaye Freyda Kahan

old timer
November 28, 2014 4:19 pm

I had pleasure of being at many speeches given over by Mrs. G. I went to machon chana beflre her husbanf was niftar. When he passed away i was so sad. Now that she is gone i am sure the dorm will feel very different. She had a special kedushah from her generation. She was a very special rebbetzin i wont ever forget. Now i am married with a baby and wish i took more seriously the time i had in that seminary.

Gaby esther
November 28, 2014 4:14 pm

She is a big tzadekes. She did a lot for the girls and keep on doing may Hashem confort the family

I will miss her!
November 28, 2014 4:12 pm

I will truly miss her!! she was my dorm mother for almost 3 years!
She has taught me many things and always treated me like her daughter…
May her neshama have an aliyah and may we all be reunited with her very soon with the coming of Moshiach!

Pittsburgher
November 28, 2014 3:42 pm

Mrs Gansbourg was a true eved ad chassidister. I was always amazed how much patience she could have for girls in the dorm, down to having us clean up our rooms and bench licht on time. She always remembered to ask about my children, husband, and sister when I would visit her. She learned with me in Machon Chana, bringing it alive. Her children truly shared her with us, along with Rabbi Gansburg. May we be united soon.

Thanks everyone for sharing ....
November 28, 2014 3:42 pm

These are beautiful comments, and they reflect the very special woman that she was. I can only hope that all of us, and firstly myself, can take example from her “Ahavas Yisroel” and “frumkeit” and being a “chossid” and wise beyond… and her sincerity, and translate it into our lives — vehachay yiten el libo, and help bring Moshiach NOW!!! when we can all be happy again!

so sad
November 28, 2014 3:06 pm

SHE WAS A UNIQUE AND STRONG WOMAN

Ita Rochel Khanin
November 28, 2014 12:57 pm

My mother went to Machon Chana so some fifteen years ago. When she got married she would always come to visit Mrs.Gansbourg later when we girls were born we would come too. She was like a grandmother to me. Whenever we would go to New York I would always be excited to see Mrs. Gansburg. I remember the first time I came, she served us kids cake and soda. When i spilled the soda all over the table, she was very patient and kind. The last time i saw her I cried a lot because I had not seen her… Read more »

Shira Gold, Miami, Florida
November 28, 2014 11:58 am

We have all said what an amazing woman Mrs Gansburg was. I would like to thank her children for sharing her with us. It cannot have been easy, and thank you for letting us also have her. And a huge thank you to her grandchildren also…

rspershin
November 28, 2014 10:16 am

ps daughter of the famous chassid ” Raphael Kahn “

Mrs. Gansburg loved me and changed my life for the better!
November 28, 2014 9:36 am

I was a student in Machon in 1990 and 1991. She was a real example of a Chassiidishe woman. Because of her, I never leave the house without my shaitel on, keep my feet covered in my home, and keep smiling just like her. I’ll never forget when I had chicken pox while in the dorm, she invited me to have shabbos dinner with her and Rabbi Gansburg. Mrs. Gansburg made such a delicious pureed vegetable soup. Rabbi Gansburg had me laughing with his great sense of humour. It was truly one of the many special experiences I had whilst… Read more »

to #34
November 28, 2014 9:30 am

Thank you Hindy. You said it so well.

We need Moshiach Now!!!!
November 28, 2014 9:26 am

Mrs. Gansburg was not a dorm mother but a Mother. She’s family I’ll miss her so much. She always treated us like we were frum from birth. She molded us to be strong Mother’s to be able to raise are families in a Chassidishe way. She stopped me in the street after I was married and asked me to come to her Shabbos table. I told her I didn’t want to bother Her she needed time for her immediate family. She said your my family so you should come. Please Hashem reveal Moshiach Now!!!!! Squire family

Hindy Borenstein, Poughkeepsie
November 28, 2014 9:12 am

I taught in Machon Chana for a few years and was involved with the dorm and very close to Mrs. Gansbourg a”h. She was literally like a mother to thousands of girls, and considering that she came “fun di alte heim” it is truly amazing how she was able to relate and understand so many girls over the years who cam from such different backgrounds. She and her husband were so loving and kind and knew how and when to say and how to say things to the girls. It is in her zechus that I was zoche to be… Read more »

Such a beautiful sweet neshama
November 28, 2014 8:03 am

you will always live in my heart and the hearts of many, Hope to see you soon with Mashiach

raizel sora pershin - oak park michigan
November 28, 2014 7:58 am

I was in the dorm when Rabbi and Mrs Gansbourg first came. The Gansbourgs were coming from Israel and were on their way to another schulchos(south america) stopping in to see the Rebbe in 1976. The goverment was having major problems and they weren’t allowed to go then. Fortunately or should I say hasgaha protis the Machon Chana dorm desperately needed dorm parents. A couple who would care for us girls ” newcomers”both spiritually and physically . B”h a new shidduch was quickly made .Perhaps the Gansbourgs thought for a short while but hashem had other plans and they never… Read more »

Miriam P.
November 28, 2014 6:02 am

Baruch Dayan HaEmet. An incredible woman. May her memory be a blessing

Ever the Optomist
November 28, 2014 3:27 am

I was a recent student at Machon Chana and I recall finding it difficult settling in , Mrs Ganzburg was known to be a Stern lady and i was initially intimidated by her , one evening she had especially wanted to see, me on intuition. Anxiously I went over to her door with trepidation as though I was being called in to the principals office,expecting to be reprimanded… I didn’t know …? Mrs G invited me in to her home , sat me down and began to ask me how am I ,how was school how was I finding it… Read more »

old timer
November 28, 2014 2:46 am

I had pleasure of being at many speeches given over by Mrs. G. I went to machon chana beflre her husbanf was niftar. When he passed away i was so sad. Now that she is gone i am sure the dorm will feel very different. She had a special kedushah from her generation. She was a very special rebbetzin i wont ever forget. Now i am married with a baby and wish i took more seriously the time i had in that seminary.

BDE
November 28, 2014 2:45 am

Mrs. Gansburg was a very special person.. Words can only begin to describe how much so.. I was very blessed to have had the opportunity to learn from her for a whole year. She was my role model and had a great impact on my Yiddishkeit. I’m so glad to have known her… She has changed my life forever.
Baruch Day an HaEmes..

sweet memories
November 28, 2014 2:25 am

BD”H! I will always recall her constant involvement in the dorm even at her elderly age. I had the privilege of spending a friday night meal in her dining room whilst I was sick in the dorm & will always remember her kindness to me. A role model & friend eventhough she appeared tough, she had such warmth when you got to know her.

Shoshanna Silcove
November 28, 2014 1:44 am

I lost another mother. BDE.

Mrs Gansburg was like my grandmother
November 28, 2014 12:53 am

The first time I walked into her little apartment in Machon Chana I remember seeing such a vibrant, holy woman. She made an immediate impression on me, shortly after talking, she led me downstairs because she realized I hadn’t eaten the whole day, I had traveled from far to get to New York. Mrs Gansburg called someone to show me the kitchen and said: “Rochel, we have a new daughter”… From that moment until the last time I saw Mrs Gansburg, she was ALWAYS with me, loving me, supporting me, teaching me, inspiring me, comforting me and being the most… Read more »

Baruch dayan haemes
November 28, 2014 12:35 am

We have lost such a special woman
Moshiach NOW

a terrible loss
November 28, 2014 12:02 am

A major loss of a great person, mashpia, teacher, storyteller, friend, and mekusheres of the Rebbe. Knowing her and her husband for over 30 years was a great honor. May we and our children emulate their avodah.

Ad Masai?
November 27, 2014 11:59 pm

Baruch Dayan haEmes!!!! It was the greatest of privileges to have lived in the dorm with Mrs. Gansbourg as the dorm mother. My husband and I, and our family have been immeasurably blessed to have been part of Machon Chana. Mrs. Gansbourg’s utterly complete dedication, bitul, and mesiros nefesh to Machon Chana girls has shaped the lives of generations of families. To interact with her was a lesson in how Chassidim used to be and what Chassidim ought to be. To her dear family: Thank you for sharing your extraordinary parents with us! May Hashem comfort you and all of… Read more »

Her neshama is in gan Eden, even higher!
November 27, 2014 11:54 pm

She should pray for us down here, we need moshiach!
Mrs gamsbourg not only will be missed by the many she has touched but she is being lived on through the women she influenced ad thier children an thier children!!

What a special woman!
November 27, 2014 11:42 pm

המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים
Moshiach now!
Stevens Family, Toronto

BDE
November 27, 2014 11:36 pm

A true chassidista in a generation of extraordinary Lubavitch women.

BDE
November 27, 2014 11:35 pm

Mrs Gansburg was my role model . I can really say that I learn all my chassidishkeit from her . I was in the dorm for 2years in תשמז- תשמח. The best learning years of my life . She was a true tzadekeis and a true Chassid of the Rebbe .i think that all those who stayed in the dorm were very fortunate . I will always remember you mrs Gansburg.

Mrs Gansburg - you were the light that kindled my Jewish soul.
November 27, 2014 11:27 pm

Baruch day an Haemet . Mrs Gansburg had a huge impact on my journey to Judaism I cherish the many depth conversation that we had , her wisdom, her commitment to Torah life and to us the girls and of course her sense of humor I could never thank her enough for what she gave me. May she always be with the living – tzadeket of Israel.

BDE
November 27, 2014 10:50 pm

Condolences to the family

Leah j
November 27, 2014 10:38 pm

bde. Fondest memories of her as my dorm mother.

Lived in the dorm in 1979
November 27, 2014 10:26 pm

Mrs. Gansburg somehow picked up that I was stressed out and advised me to take a day off from Seminary. She had that 6th sense when something was not right. She was so proud of Machon Cnana and so dedicated to the Rebbe. What an amazing woman she was!

I respected her
November 27, 2014 10:16 pm

I lived in the dorm 33 years ago, but unlike most others, I did have my family nearby, albeit not frum. I was not your model seminary girl, not studying and running on my own schedule, especially home to my parents. I look back how Mrs. Gansburg was always so respectful and patient, never to say an unkind word. BDE .

A loving student
November 27, 2014 10:04 pm

A mother to so many. Totally ibergegeben to the Rebbe.
A true tzadeikis.

BDE
November 27, 2014 10:03 pm

May the family be comforted and know no more tzar.

HaMokom Yenachem Eschem BSoich Shar Aveiley Tzion Virushalayim.

Chosid
November 27, 2014 9:49 pm

THIS is a Chassidishe woman, if ever there was one. Baruch Dayan Emes!!

Machon student of 1989
November 27, 2014 9:48 pm

Mrs. Gansburg was very very special,wise and
Full of love.iam happy I had the merit
To get to know and learn so much from her.
I am going to miss her but definitely
Always remerber. I love you mrs. Gansburg!

malca bayzmam
November 27, 2014 9:30 pm

All ‘her’ girls, myself included, will morn her loss,
. She was my CH mom, someone I could turn to for answers, was there fire me when I got married, had my chikdren, etc.
Bd’e

Baruch Dayan HaEmes
November 27, 2014 9:29 pm

Mrs Gansburg has played such an incredible roll in my life. I spent 2 years living in the dorm at Machon Chana. Mrs Gansburg, already in her 80s was always fully involved in dorm life. From welcoming each girl and making roommate matches, to folding napkins to look just right for shabbos and Yom Tov meals spent in the dorm. Ich lernen Yiddish mit Giveret Gansburg fun tzvei yoor. I learned Yiddish with Mrs Gansburg for 2 years. Starting with translating sichos and moving on to Yiddish stories. Whenever we came to a word that the dictionary couldn’t explain, Mrs… Read more »

Very nicely written.
November 27, 2014 9:20 pm

Thank you for giving her the respect she deserves.

A friend from Brazil
November 27, 2014 9:18 pm

Baruch dayan haemes.
I will always remember her with a lot of love.

she left behind many grandchildren and great grandchildren
November 27, 2014 9:11 pm

Shluchim and chassiddim proud to say she’s the root of their tree.

oish
November 27, 2014 9:03 pm

Baruch dayan haemes. Hashem, enough already. It’s too much. To many people are passing away. Enough, please. Moshiach now

Hensha
November 27, 2014 8:58 pm

Baruch Dayan Haemes. I am so sad to hear this news. Gita had a special zechus of influencing so many women with her warmth and wisdom. She will be missed by many, not only her immediate family but those lives who she touched.
I am so grateful I was able to visit with her when I was last in Crown Heights last September. My condolences to Chamie, Yossi and Fradie.

Worcester shlucha
November 27, 2014 8:55 pm

She was my dorm mother 35 years ago. What a role model. She always showed how much she loved her daughters.

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