Mrs. Mindelle Feller, one of the first Shluchos in the United States, passed away on Wednesday, 18 Kislev, 5778.
She was 75.
She had been suffering from a terrible illness which took a turn for the worse in recent months.
Mrs. Feller was a dedicated Shlucha alongside her husband, Head Shliach to Minnesota Rabbi Moshe Feller.
Rabbi Moshe and Mindelle Feller founded Upper Midwest Merkos–Chabad Lubavitch in Minnesota in the winter of 1961, a mere month after their marriage.
“Before my wife and I moved out to Minnesota, we had a private audience with the Rebbe,” Rabbi Feller told Chabad.org. “The Rebbe spoke mostly to my wife. However, among other things, the Rebbe told me—and he said this word in English—that I would need to be ‘flexible.’ ”
Rabbi Feller credited that flexibility with his ability to constantly adapt and innovate during his and his wife’s long and fruitful career.
“The last place in the world I wanted to go was back to Minnesota,” he said. “But the Rebbe told us that he wanted us to go there to establish Chabad in the Upper Midwest, and we went with joy.”
They began their work in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul, traveling to small towns that had no organized Jewish life, arranging Hebrew schools, adult-education classes and holiday programs.
By 1963, they had founded what may have been the first Gan Israel day camp in history, a success that has been replicated in hundreds—if not thousands—of cities around the world.
In 1965, the Fellers opened the Lubavitch House in a 12-room home. Then an innovation, it served as a retreat for Shabbat and other Jewish gatherings.
When the Lubavitch House was burned by arsonists in 1968, the Fellers buried the Torahs and went on to purchase a mansion in Highland Park.
In 1971, together with Rabbi Manis Friedman, the Fellers founded Bais Chana—the world-renowned educational institute for women seeking to learn about Judaism—which today boasts some 20,000 alumnae. In 2000, Chabad again relocated to a new 23,000-square-foot facility in West St. Paul.
More than a decade later, in 1977, the time came to found a Chassidic day school in St. Paul, and Lubavitch Cheder Day School was born, with Mrs. Feller serving as founding principal.
Today, under the directorship of Rabbi Shlomo Bendet, the school continues to thrive as a bastion of Jewish education and excellence.
Mrs. Feller is survived by her husband, Rabbi Moshe Feller, and children Rabbi Mendel Feller – S. Paul, Minnesota and Rabbi Levi Feller -Miami, Florida.
She is also survived by her siblings, Sara Bleich – Boro Park, Itty Mendelson – Boro Park, Rochel Zukerman – Lakewood, Rabbi Shmuel Lew – London, Chaim Lew – Flatbush and Luzi Lew – Lakewood.
She was predeceased by her brother Rabbi Yitzchok Yosef Lew.
The levaya will take place today in Minnesota.
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes: Mindelle bas R’ Dovid
We just learned about the death of Mindy Feller. Over the years, we saw and spoke with her occasionally when she and her husband, Rabbi Moshe Feller, attended various events supported by Chabad. She was a lovely woman. We are so sad for her husband, children, and the rest of her family and many friends. May her memory be a blessing.
It was 21 when I stayed at my cousin Mindy house in sSt. Paul for Passover one I truly learned soooo much about my religion. I also tour Baisa Chana. These memories mean the world to me and I am passing them on for my family..now living in San Antonio being with Chabad family I’m able keep in touch with my family. You’re all in my thoughts as we all feel the loss of Mindy.
Is there an email address? I’m so saddened. Hamakom yenachem eschem besoch shaar avelei Tzion VeYerushalyim.
BD’E
my heart go out to the family Rebbi Feller, Moshe, Levi, please know how special your mom was to so many, especially me. She will be greatly missed.
Rabbi Feller…we grieve with you.
You are a great man.
Goldie and Tzur Netz
What sad news. Mindy was one of my first teachers, the one who smoothed my way the first time I was at Bais Chana. She was the first one who taught me Taharas HaMishpochah and she was one of the first Aishes Chayals that I had the privilege to meet. What a loss! Condolences to Rabbi Feller and the boys. Simchas by Yidden!!
I and many are at a loss… you impacted so many of us. And you cared…. you listened… you advised…. you prodded…. you made it happen… you made us happen!
Miss you!!! May Mindy be a gutta Berta for her beautiful family, Rabbi F, sons and grandchildren and us the students!
Mindy O”H was the camp mother in Gan Yisroel’s opening year 65 years ago. She always had a good word for everyone and never shied away from hard work. She was beloved by all.
Hamokom Yinochem eschem besoich shear availei Tzion virushalayim.
Although I did not have much personal interactions with Mindy, I cannot even think of a time that we have met nonetheless she has had a tremendous impact on my life. If not for the hard work and sacrifice that Mindy and Rabbi Feller committed to, my mother, Mindy’s Bais Chana daughter, wouldn’t have committed her self to a path that resulted in a family of seven raised in Crown Heights. The generation of Bal Teshuvas whose offsprings are driving force in contemporary Chabad, mourn the loss of a daring, loving, selfless Mother that lived, breathed, implementing the Rebbes vision.… Read more »
To the Feller Family . My heartfelt condolences to you and all of the girls/ladies that Mindy impacted. I feel that I had a special relationship with Mindy but so many said “they had a special relationship with Mindy.” That is how she made everyone feel. She was my mentor, my sister & my friend. She enjoyed all my mishagash, jokes and loved when I chapetzed her. She literally drove me on my maiden voyage to NY while I was still wearing jeans. She prepared me for me wedding which was in Lubavitch House and prepared me for making a… Read more »
May Hashem bless the family with only comfort, peace, love, kindness, and Simchas. Everything the Rebbetzin represents.
המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבילי ציון וירושלים. Very very sad to hear of the passing of our dear, precious Mindy Feller. She was truly and totally ibergegebn to the cause of Taharas Hamishpacha and Mikvah observance. She kept in touch and we had many conversations. She was always encouraging and willing to participate and assist in every way we needed. When we were producing the first mikvah calendar, she flew all the way from Minnesota on her own expense, especially to be here and worked through the night on every word and every syllable that it be correct 100… Read more »
Anytime I go to an all nite grocery I remember Mindy…was more fun going with her. Huge fan of her husband, the Rebbe and the Minnesota Twins. Her warmth, quick wit and Ahavas Yisroel were her legacy. Her vibrance will be remembered with love by many of us who loved her.
We’re losing giants of a generation. She would want us to step up to the plate…
Bracha
So so sorry to hear! A huge loss to the Chabad community. Mindy gave of herself without limit with mesiras nefesh. She had a fantastic witty sense of humour and loved her students and her family. Her grandchildren were so precious to her.
She walked the walk and talked the talk.
Sadly she suffered a lot in health. R’ Feller and sons always devoted!
Hamokom…..
To the feller & Lew families.
Dear Rabbi Feller and Family;
Please acce pt our sincere condolences on the passing of an Aishes Chayil par excellence. I have wonderful memories of spending beautiful Shabbosim at your home and the chassidshe environment that your home provided. Mindy was a rare individual, she had a positive affect on thousands of women, myself included. HaMakom Yenachem eschem besoch shaar avaiei tziyon vYerushalayim
Baruch Dayan HaEmes
Rabbi Feller, Mendel , and Levi
We all feel deeply and intimately your pain and anguish.
Mindy was a support for many woman in time of need.
המקום ינחם אחכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים
BDE
What a loss to Rabbi Feller and family and to klal Yisroel
Ad Mosay! Ad Mosay Ad Mosay
May we see the geulah mammosh now and may Hashem send nichum to reb Moshe and all the family
Wishing long life to the Fellers
MENDEL MENDEL A SPCL PERSON
…we do not have hespedim.
There are no words to properly convey the loss we all feel.
May Hashem comfort the Feller family for the loss of the matriarch of this special family. Warm, generous and kind people who are always there to help others. Hamokom yinachem eschem b’soch shaar avalei tzion v’yerushalayim.
A loss to Chabad! A wise intelligent humble devoted shlucha!!! Rabbi Feller and family may Hashem give you healing and comfort! R’ Feller spoke so highly of his aishes chayil! He respected His Rebbetzin and spoke of her glowingly.
What a legacy she left for her family and Chabad and the students of bais chana MN
One thing not yet mentioned is how well-read and especially intelligent Mrs. Feller was! An eishes chayil with “alleh ma’alehs” doesn’t come along every day, for sure.
Rabbi Feller, we grieve with you. May you be comforted, please Hashem!
So sad! I feel so sad! I am so sorry… a giant of a woman. May R’ Feller and the family be comforted. Only good news!!!
Rebbetzin Mindy Feller was available for anyone needing a chat, counsel, a sounding ear or a meal. Mindy what a loss
Rabbi Feller BE STRONG we still need you! May Hashem comfort you on this great loss
Mashiach now
A shlucha par excellence,a mathematician, humble and wise. Extremely capable and she inspired more than can be counted! Mindy loved her family and extended family. A huge loss to klal yisroel
May Hashem comfort the family!!!!!
I feel so sad
That was Mindy’s most honored and well deserved title. In life we were always sisters, as Rabbi Feller would always ask, “so do u want to speak to your sister?” Mindy you were the heart n soul of Taharas Hamishpacha and you will always remain as such – a treasured, priceless gem. חבל על דאבדין ולא משתכחין.
I always felt at home in the Fellers’ home and Mindy was there for me She always had a lot going on but still had the time and patience for me
Mindy has a hand in adding encouragement and humour to the lives of many many woman.
I am so saddened by this news.
Mindy – I will never forget you!
Your friendship meant the world to me.
You and Rabbi Feller were the pillars of strength that build the community. I remember well when you arrived in Minnesota. May we be reunited very very soon with the coming of Moshiach!!
A great lady! Hamakom yenachem eschem besoch shaar evelei tzion veyerushalyim
This is so very, very saddening. Mindy’s intelligence, her wisdom and modesty were unique. She found humor in unexpected places, and even so many years later, I still light up recalling her laughter. Thinking of dear Rabbi Feller. May Hashem give you comfort and nachas. The warm memories of time spent with the Fellers will always be with me.
The first 3 posters said everything so profoundly & special that I can find no more words except, please משיח אכו!
Also survived by thousands of daughters
The mother of Beis Chana. Hundreds of ballas teshuvois. No words …
May God himself comfort the family.