Rabbi Reuven Sirota, 83, OBM

R’ Reuven Sirota, an elder Chosid who was the ‘baker of the Rebbe’ passed away Tuesday night, 18 Kislev 5775.

He was 83.

R’ Reuven was the son of the Chosid R’ Mordechai Sirota of Tashkent. When he was a young boy, he learned in the underground yeshiva Tomchei Temimim in Tashkent, learning from the known Mashpia Rabbi Shlomo Chaim Kesselman, who also would farbreng in their home together with other Chasidim of that generation that lived in Tashkent during the war.

He later married his wife Rochel, and together they raised a generation of Chasidishe children with true Mesiras Nefesh.

An underground Matzah bakery was built in his parent’s home, and he was in charge of the operations. For many years they produced matza for thousands of Jews who lived in Tashkent.

In the 1970’s they emigrated to Israel, and R’ Reuven would fly to New York for a few months each year to work in the Crown Heights Matzah bakery.

After a few years, at the direction of the Rebbe, he moved his family to Crown Heights, and he continued to work in the bakery, with dedication and professionalism.

He had the merit of providing the Rebbe with Matzah each year.

His home on Empire Boulevard in Crown Heights was open to many guests throughout the year, hosting relatives and other visitors.

In the past few years he had retired from work, and spent his days learning in the Kollel Tiferes Levi Yitzchok.

He is survived by his wife Rochel, children Aron Sirota – Denver, Colorado; Sara Geisinsky – Crown Heights; Izzy Sirota – Crown Heights; Mendel Sirota – Crown Heights; Tzippy Dalfin – Crown Heights, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, many of whom are Shluchim around the world.

He is also survived by his siblings: Zev Sirota – Crown Heights; Clara Goldshmidt – Nachlas Har Chabad – Israel; Rochel Klein – Nachlas Har Chabad, Israel; Moshe Sirota – Israel; Boruch Sirota – Israel; Hershel Sirota – Israel and Yisroel Sirota – Montreal, Canada.

The levaya will take place today, Wednesday, leaving Shomrei Hadas in Boro Park at 10:00 am and passing by 770 at 10:45 am.

The family is sitting shiva at 741 Empire Blvd.
Shacharis 7:00 am, 8:00, 9:00
Mincha 3:30, 4:00
Maariv 5:30
Friday mincha 12:30-1:30

Shiva hours – till 9:30 pm

Baruch Dayan Haemes.