By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Dovid Steigman, a renowned expert and Senior Rabbinical Coordinator of Kashrus for over 30 years, passed away suddenly during a kashrus trip to Italy on Wednesday, 24 Adar 5777.
He was 67.
Rabbi Steigman grew up in London, England and learned in Chabad’s Tomchei Temimim Yeshivos in in Brunoy, France; Kfar Chabad, Israel; and, Yeshivas Toras Emes in Jerusalem, Israel.
As a bochur in yeshiva, he was trained in safrus and after yeshiva was trained in shechita, which would lead him on a life-long journey, becoming known for his expertise in the intricacies of kosher meat production and certification.
In 1969, he married his wife Shulamis Fucs, daughter of a respected Viznitz family in Bnei Brak. They settled in Lod, Israel, where he worked as a sofer (scribe), writing mezuzos, tefillin and megillos.
He first started working in hashgacha and kashrus in 1970 for London Beth Din and then worked as a shochet for many different companies, including Ribco in Rochester, NY, Falls Poultry, Sunflower in York, Essen Chicken in Boston, MA, and in Mexico.
Rabbi Steigman started working for the OK Kosher Certification in 1988, as a shochet in Boston, and was recognized for his excellent interpersonal skills. Rabbi Steigman lived in Crown Heights and later moved to Boro Park.
In his 30 year career at the OK, he served as a Senior Rabbinic Coordinator at OK Kosher and was also highly sought after for his vast knowledge of kosher beverages, including high end alcoholic beverages and the related kosher concerns.
“He has shown real mesiras nefesh for kashrus over the years by not being afraid of the most powerful figures in kashrus and always having the strength to stand up and speak the truth,” said Rabbi Don Yoel Levy, CEO and Kashrus Administrator of OK Kosher Certification.
“With all of Rabbi Steigman’s fine qualities, it is no wonder that he was especially well liked by my father, Rabbi Berel Levy, OBM. While standing up for halacha and the highest standards of kashrus, Rabbi Steigman has always displayed a certain charm that makes it impossible not to love him.”
With his vast knowledge in hand, and fueling himself on coffee, Rabbi Steigman worked with the largest companies certified by the OK, including Kraft, Snapple, ConAgra, Cargill, Kerry, DSM, Danisco, and others.
“I work with a great team of people to ensure that every product we certify meets our stringent kashrus standards and that our companies are provided with a high level of customer service,” he once described.
The Nirbater Rav, Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum, head of the Vaad Kosher Supervision, described Rabbi Steigman as “extremely knowledgeable in all areas of hilchos kashrus” who did not hesitate “to say that he does not know something and needs to find out about it.” He praised him for “his emes, fine middos and derech eretz towards others.”
Rabbi Chaim Fogelman, Director of Marketing and Education for the OK, said: “Rabbi Steigman radiated calm and was so well respected and loved by those with whom he interacted. He was an expert on kashrus and an expert on interpersonal relations. Rabbi Steigman’s warm and kind demeanor allowed him to present even the most challenging situations in a way that made it palatable, and even positive, to all those involved.
Yossi Pels, Executive Director of Chayenu publication, said he learned a vital lesson from Rabbi Steigman while working at the OK. “If we have respect and perseverance we can achieve anything we want to; respect for the many diverse people we deal with on a daily basis and perseverance in trying until we get it right. That is a formula for success.”
News of the sudden passing in Milan has shocked many in the kashrus community. “He passed away in middle of his holy work that he loved so much, while visiting factories overseas,” Rabbi Levy said. “He was loved and admired by all that knew him and he will be sorely missed.”
He is survived by his wife, Shulamis and children, Mendy Steigman – Boro Park, Rochie Kirszenberg – Midwood, Brooklyn, Effie Steigman – Crown Heights, Chumy Delevkovitz – Crown Heights, Chaim Meir Steigman – Crown Heights and Mechy Steigman – Midwood, Brooklyn.
Details of the levaya will be announced when available.
Baruch Dayan Haemes.
i’ll never forget how he left his families own personal seder to come hang out with me a few mins, as i was alone on mashgiach duty, amazing how a person’s few mins can leave a lasting lifetime impression, a musor haskol laKol
eli @davidsons @disney’05
Shulamis, Pinchas and I are crying with you and your family.
What a loss of a wonderful, warm, loving, human being. we
share in your tremendous loss of long for Moshiach to unite
all our Neshams! Stay strong!
moshiach now.
Please contact the Steigman family, they would like to hear from you. Please email [email protected]
Thank you
By his demeanor he was mekadesh shem shamayim.
He should storm the heavens to bring Moshiach Now!!
Baruch Dayan Haemes
I had the pleasure to work with Rabbi Steigman for three years. He was an extremely wonderful and knowledgeable man. I looked to him for his kindness and learned a lot from his teachings. He was very outgoing, and would call or answer my questions overseas while he was busy. I was always appreciated that he took the time for me. He is greatly missed. I pray for his family and all those that knew him during this extremely difficult time.
Dovid was my mentor in Shechita for years. He found me my first job in a production beef Shechita (I replaced him in that position). Dovid’s experience, knowledge, and understanding in Shechita was vast and unsurpassed. Yet this man was humble, good-humored, lovable, and unassuming.He will be sorely missed not only by his own family, but by all in the Kashrus community, And everyone whose day he brightened.
One in a million!!!
Boruch Dayan Haemes. Everything He Does is for the good!
Dovid Z”L, was sooo calm and thought out. When he shected it looked as if he was barely moving, there were no wasted movements. All the good that everyone is saying is only the tip of the iceberg of this Holy Neshamah.
Y’HEY ZICHRO BARUCH
about 50 years ago we were friends, a very wonderful family and special man.
Although I have lost touch with him, I never forgot him.
very sad.
ה ינחם אתכם בתוך ציון וירושלים
I’m reading so many words that express that, charm, kindness, you name it and it will apply, yet it cannot fully express that something… I’ve personally dealt with thousands of people around the world and although I can rightfully use the cliche that each one was unique, still not in the way rabbi steigman was.
That something lives on with me and others forever. His body may have given but Rabbi Dovid Steigman truly does live on forever! What he was about can never die!
We wish the entire family and Rochie only simchas- your father was so amazing when we saw him when he stopped by in the local companies for hechsherim- ומחה ד׳ דמעה מעל כל פנים
Too shocked!
No words……
What a shocking loss for us!
I merited to work under his direction as a schochet, a job that unfortunately comes with lots of politics, pressure, etc.
It was an honor and pleasure to work with him.
B’DE Mr.Steigman was the most devoted husband and father we neighbors have ever seen. No words can express the deep sense of loss.
52nd Street
BS”D very sad news, he must have been born with a smile on his face, always greeting with a smile and as Rabbi F mentioned he always radiated a sense of calm BDE
No words can convey our deep sense of loss.
Moishe and Shoshana
What a special man!
Kind, caring , detail oriented
and so knowledgeable of Halacha,
the Metzius, what is practical
and most of all how to best deal with people
Boruch Dayan Emes
Ben zion Chanowitz
NO WORDS
Yossi Newfield
Great person. Liked him very much.
חבל על דאבדין
המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים
במעשיו הטובים ובהליכותיו הנעימות תמצאו ניחומים
והקיצו וירנני שוכני עפר והוא בתוכם
בקרוב ממש
A gentle and special person.
Manor
Way too early!!! A true patriarch. What a beautiful and loving family R’ Dovid and shula made. We will miss you dearly.
והחי יתן אל לבו
בן אדם עדין נפש ומיוחד
חבל מאוד מאוד על דאבדין ולא משתכחין
A Gentleman passed on
Shocking shocking tragic news! We’re finding it difficult to process. Long time neighbor on crown street. Hashem yerachem and should give nuchumim to everyone, Effy big hug!
SM and Sari
I was sitting next to him last night at dinner at re salmone in milan we spoke for around 15 minuets very sad a really sweet man
***********
EDITOR’S NOTE:
To commenter # 13
Please contact the Steigman family, they would like to hear from you. Please email [email protected] .
Thank you.
a TZADIK!!!!!!
Everyone please stop for a moment and say a kapitel for Dovid Avraham ben Shlomo a”h
He should be released quickly and smoothly
Italy’s laws are very strict
So we need to storm the heavens to break the laws down here NOW
We lost a great man.
BD”E!
He will truly be missed.
Words can’t describe the shock.
I remember Rabbi Steigman from when he lived on Crown St. What a beautiful person. Always a kind word and a gentle smile. Humble and sweet.
Rabbi Steigman was a tremendous person. Warm, caring and a true chosid in every sense. Brought up a beautiful family with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren going in the ways of Torah and Chasidus. His grandchildren are Shluchim to remote China. True Mesiras Nefesh.
The finest and most beautiful family.
I am sitting here and crying.
May Hashem comfort his beautiful family.
Boruch Dayan Ho’Emes
Baruch Dayan HoEmes – AD MOSAI
We are so very sorry.
R’ Dovid was a very good friend and Mispalel.
A wonderful, intelligent, Baal Midos Tovos.
What is going on this is awful.
Shulamit I feel for you it’s uncomprehandable.
Enough is enough we need Moshiach NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hashem Yishmor!!!! Ad Mosai!!!! What a gem he was!!!!
!!!אנחנו צריכים משיח עכשיו
BDE
A real mentch , always greeted you with a smile.
He was kind and thoughtful.
Very sorry to hear this news
such a great yid
Our hearts are saddened by the sudden loss of your father and husband… he was a beautiful person. BDE