By COLlive reporter
Mrs. Sema Zeilingold, a long-time devoted Chabad Shlucha in Minnesota for over 5 decades, passed away on Tuesday, Sivan 22, 5776.
She was 73.
Mrs. Zeilingold was the eldest daughter of the Frierdiker Rebbe’s Shluchim to Connecticut, Rabbi Moshe Yitzchok and Rivka (Krinsky) Hecht.
In April 1966, she arrived along with her husband Rabbi Asher Zeilingold to lead the new Adath Israel Synagogue in Highland Park, Minnesota. Together they led the congregation for over 50 years.
Their first activity in town was to organize a Purim dinner and they sent an invitation to the Rebbe as well. A short while later, they received an envelope from the Rebbe containing two five dollar bills and a typed note stating that this was to cover the cost of two tickets to the event.
It was extremely meaningful to me and my wife that the Rebbe had wanted to make us feel like he was participating from afar,” the rabbi said in an interview with JEM. “We were young and inexperienced but we were trying our best, and it meant so much to us to be supported in this way.”
In recent years, Adath Israel maintained a stable membership of about 200 families. Known as a working and involved congregation, services are held 365 days per year and the congregation offers a full measure of programming for adults and children.
In February, the couple was honored at a celebration and Torah Scroll completion for their decades of leadership and guidance to the community.
She is survived by her husband, Rabbi Asher Zeilingold and daughter, Mrs. Miriam Rochel Piekarski, Shlucha in Hamden, CT and grandchildren.
She is also survived by her siblings, Rabbi Yossi Hecht – Eilat, Israel, Rabbi Shea Hecht – New Haven, CT, Mrs. Dreizel Kaploun – Monsey, New York, Mrs. Malkie Katz – New Haven, and Mrs. Shani Fellig– Montreal, and Mrs. Rochel Mathless – New Haven.
The funeral will begin tomorrow, Wednesday, June 29, at 6:00 a.m. at Adath Israel Synagogue.
The Levaya will pass by 770 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights at 3:00 pm
Followed by burial at the Old Montefiore Cemetery.
The family will be sitting Shiva in Crown Heights on Wednesday night at 1373 Union Street.
Baruch Dayan Haemes.
A true loss to the Minnesota community and the world of Chabad. Mrs. Zeilingold was a refined, warm, wise and loving woman. Miriam Rochel and family may you be comforted.
I was so saddened to hear about this loss…we were girls together years ago…..
Sima was a great Shlucha and made a huge impact on her community. May she be a gutter better for all of us.
Fay Kranz
Sima lived in an apt. next to ours while we were attending seminary, 1960-1963. We often visited them and always she greeted with her unique smile and her wonderful hachnosas orchim. She was a true chasisdiste in the full sense of the word. Very uniqe and very devoted to the Rebbe’s inyonim.
A great loss.
May the family be spared further sorrow.
Hamokom Yinochem Eschem besoch shear availai Tzion virushalayim.
A beautiful soul who was so kind. I’m very sorry for your loss.
Are very sad! Rabbi Z & family we ask Hashrm to heal you.
BDM so sorry for your loss Rabbi Zelingold. Mrs. Zelingold always visited my
Sister Gita when she was ill and made sure to comfort her.
You will be missed.
a great loss to all of us!
Rabbi Zelingold has the best 5-minute daily shiurim (209) 647-1408. Let’s make a point to call in every day le’ilui nishmasa…
Ill miss your warm smile and sincerity about everything.
BD”E
Moshiach Now!!!
BDE- we are sorry Rabbi Zeilingold and Miriam to hear about your loss. your wife and mother will sorely and truly be missed. May we only hear good news from now on iyh.
Rebbetzin Sima Zeilingold and her dear husband, Rabbi Asher, may he be comforted and may he be blessed, were my inspiration to open the door for me to a life of Torah values as directed by our Rebbe MH”M.
Rebbetzin Sima, I will never forget you. For me, you will always be alive.
many years ago we were very good friends. Breaks my heart. so so so so sorry.
sorry that we didn’t reconnect.
there’s a lesson in that. connect with your friends. today its’ easy. Do it NOW.
She was an ehrliche yiddishe tochter who will not be forgotten
Such sad news. May the family be comforted.
I remember her kindness and inclusiveness in the late 1970’s when I started going to Adath Israel.
BDE.
Mrs. Zeilingold was a wonderful, warm woman who led our community with kindness and attention to everyone. She will be very missed
She will be missed. BDE
She will be missed. BDE
May Hashem comfort the family
She was a trooper, even in her illness she shared in others simchas.
Another giant amongst us gone!
May the family be comforted!