By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Yitzchok Zirkind, a respected figure in the Crown Heights Jewish community who held key positions in its institutions, has passed away Monday, 18 Adar 5772.
He was 57.
A son of Rabbi Eliezer and Raizel Zirkind, was was raised in a family that is known for its stringent standards and that continues to wear Polish chassidic clothing, tracing back to the “Malachim” group.
After marrying Shterna, daughter of the Rabbi Yitzchok Dovid Groner, the late Head Shliach of Melbourne, he lived and built his family in Crown Heights.
He was a talmid chacham with broad and deep knowledge in Torah, chassidus and especially halacha. For many years he has assisted local rabbis in answering questions and in dinei Torah.
It was that background that led Moshe Rubashkin, then Chairman of the Vaad Hakohol, to introduce Rabbi Zirkind in 2006 as a candidate for membership in the Crown Heights Beis Din.
He was voted in alongside Rabbi Shlomo Segal and Rabbi Yitzchok Raitport in an election process that was deemed controversial (it was annulled in 2012 by a Zabla Beis Din headed by Monsey Rabbi Avrohom Rosenberg).
Friends say Rabbi Zirkind never accepted the position and instead focused on repairing the CHK (Crown Heights Kosher supervision) and traveled to Uruguay and Iowa to oversee meat plants.
For a living, he worked as a bookkeeper for Associated Beth Rivkah Schools in Crown Heights. His colleague there Rabbi Benji Stock remembers him as “a friendly, eidel and nice person.”
“He always sat and learned,” Stock told COLlive.com. “His desk was filled with seforim and when he would wait on the line for the Internal Revenue, he would learn meanwhile.”
Rabbi Zirkind’s knowledge also came to play in Tzivos Hashem’s annual “Chidon” learning contests for children worldwide where he would regularly sit as a judge quizzing the contestants in various subjects.
He is survived by his wife Shterna and children Yehuda Ber Zirkind, Sholom Zirkind, Bryna Zirkind, Nechama Dina Milecki, Menachem Mendel Zirkind, Aidale Zirkind, Levi Zirkind, Chaya Mushka Zirkind and Yosef Zirkind.
He is also survived by his parents Rabbi Eliezer Tzvi Zev and Raisel Zirkind, and siblings Yehoshua Shlomo Zirkind, Gershon Zirkind (Montreal), Shaina Rochel Schmidt, Shaza”k Zirkind (C.H.), Yaakov Mendel Zirkind (Morristown), Yehuda Michoel Zirkind (C.H.) Shmuel Yosef Zirkind, Meir Zirkind (Weston, FL), Chana Rissel Moscowitz (C.H.), Chaim Nachman, Dovid Zirkind (C.H.) and Chinka Zirkind (Ontario).
The levaya will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, leaving Shomrei Hadas at 10:00 am and passing by 770 at 10:45 am.
Shiva will take place at
842 Eastern Parkway
718 771 4342
Please note, for Wednesday only:
The Zirkind family requests that no nechum aveilim should come today between 5:30pm and 8:30pm. All Mincha minyanim will be prior to 5:30pm, and Ma’ariv will be after 8:30pm.
Shachris
8am
9am (2 Minyanim)
10am (2 Minyanim)
Mincha 3:15pm and Bizmanoh
Marriv Bizmanoh
Rest Period 1:30 – 3:00pm
Please refrain from visiting After 10pm
Condolences can be sent to [email protected]
Today, Shabbos Shuva, I had the zchut to meet his son, Yehuda Ber, here in Melbourne, with whom stories were shared and to hear how lovingly his son spoke of his Father, Rabbi Zirkind’s neshama for sure is being elevated daily by all of his family’s mitzvot in his memory.
His smile will always be remembered. His positive attitude towards us was endearing and supportive. Baruch Dayan HaEmes. I will miss him.
Another Bais Rivkah Sudent,
Every year we would wait for Rabbi Zirkind to come down from his office to blow the shofer. The whole shul was silint not even a wesper would be herd. He was a quit man that was upstirs in his office. The whole bais rivkah will miss him thus year by euplul , but Moshica is coming before that so we don’t have to worrie about that. May the whole family only see reveld good and may we merrit to see moshica rite now!
you are very special
your father should have much nachas from you always
and very soon you should hug him again
and we will all dance together
with the coming of moshiach
Yiten El Libo.
I remember him always learning Shulchan Aruch of the Alter Rebbe, hilchos Shabbos, in 770 with a chavrusa.
Zechuso yagen aleinu, and may Hashem comfort his wonderful family.
So socked nothing i can say…but …Hamokom Yenachem Eschem Besoch Shaar Aveilei Tzion VeYerusholoim…We need Moshiach now!!!Ad mosai!!
Mendy Kreiman
Why do people always need to know the cause? If the family wanted you to know they would publicize. Will it bring him back? It is grob, it is a new thing in this media-world we have ot know every fact and detail. Go say some tehillim for his neshomo and family and don’t worry about things you can’t change.
Very raw emotions uncovers in time of such tragedy. Emotional pain and heart wrenching grief is immediate. Sympathy and comfort for those who r”l lost a loved one. But, chevra, SHOCK! SHOCK! Let us not ch”v become immune to this horrific event. Such a young beautiful person – taken from our midst. We are past the stage of asking WHY – We want to know WHEN! When is Moshiach coming? What we see in this dark, long and dreary Golus is pain and suffering and so sadly r”l within our Young. Please, please Hashem ENOUGH! Zol SHOIN Zein Dee GEULAH!!!… Read more »
Shterna, I am so saddened and shocked by your terrible loss! Hashem should give you the strength you need at this most difficult time. With blessings for Moshiach RIGHT now!
Brocha Leah Greenberg
Please could we know what was the cause of this tragedy?
The whole community are with the Zirkinds at this time of immense sorrow; May we only hear good news
shterna, i am so sorry for your loss. I am mamish so sad for you. It is very sad to loose someone so dear.
My heart goes for you, Love Toby
I personally did not know R’ Zirkind, but from reading all the tragic reactions to his sudden petirah, I realise that Chabad, and Klal Yisroel in general, have really lost a great man;
my heart goes out to his parents, wife, siblings and children; I cannot begin to imagine their shock, pain and grief at his passing;
May Hashem give them the strength to continue, and may their father be a Gutte better, for them all and for us;
May they know of no more tzzaar;
Hope Hashem comforts you from this terrible loss
With the coming of Moshiach now!
we will try to always remember and emulate your great husband and father
You and your family have my heartfelt prayers and deepest sympathy.
Hamokom yenachem eschchem bsoch shaarei avelei tziyon v’Yerushalayim.
My deepest sympathy to you during this most painful time.
I have never had a Shabbos meal in a more Heimish atmosphere than your home. I have never met a more humble and unassuming Moreh Horaah than your dear father and husband. He was loved and respected by all.
Dovid Leib
Toooooo many Toooo freeeeekquently! Ad mossai!
what are we todo differently?!
Reb Yitzchok’s youngest boys are still teenagers. Baruch Hashem he lived to see a grandaughter and a grandson from his daugher who lives in Australia. May each of his adult children find their zivug hagun immediately, and may they be blessed with many Yitzchok Zirkind’s by the first yhartzeit, who will follow in his footsteps. Gevalt! We need Moshiach. I still can’t believe this! Yizchok, I will alway remember your smile, your joy of living, your efforts to turn machlokes into peace, and to educate us regarding halacha.
AD MOSAI!
A true soldier of the Rebbe!
There are no words to describe the great shock and pain. May Hashem comfort his dear parents, wife and children as only He can. A family that is renowned for their devotion to Ahavas Yisroel, Hachnosas Orchim to an amazing extent. From now and onwards may they know only tov ha-nireh ve-ha’nigleh and no more tzaar chas ve’sholom.
Reb Yitzchok was a realMentch, we are all going to miss a mentch like him, very few like him.
his wife is my teacher and she is an amazing woman. so sorry.
Dearest Shterna and family,
Hamakom yinachem eschem b’soch she’ar avaylay tzion
virushalayim. I am so sorry for your loss.
to the Zirkind family, our deepest sympathy to your family, I didn’t know Rabbi Zirkind personally, but I knew one of his daughters and heard such wonderful things about him. May Hashem bless your family and help you through this somber time
this soooooo sad
The entire community is shocked by this terrible news. May Hashem comfort your family and bring you Nechama. All day memories of Rabbi Zirkind flood my head, I can’t believe this has actually happened. Just utterly shocked.
does anyone know if he has little children?
I can not process this information. I love him as a rov, and a yoetz. I wish his family from this point on only lots of goodness.
the chidon is a project of the Iggud Menahalei Hayeshivos – not Tzivos Hshem
i”m so sorry to hear that rabbi zirkind passed away
i wish the zirkind family only good news and happiness
to the family i want to say to my teachers miss
zirkind you are the best person you could ever be and your father is very proud of you for all you have done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i still can’t believe it, how could this be?
aibishter you must fix the gerechtige taine fun yidin azmoshiach muz kumen yetzt!!!!
To Shterna and family, his parents and siblings,
Hamakom yinachem eschem b’soch she’ar avaylay tzion
virushalayim.
I’m lying here crying, my father knew Rabbi Yitzchak Zirkind for over 50 years he was one in a million.
He was the only person in Ch that not a single person had a bad thing to say about.
He cared and loved everyone.
BDE!
“Vehachai yiten el libo”, the living shall take to heart.
Something like this is only part of Hashem’s master plan to bring moshiach- and that’s where we come in.
We should take this terrible thing and use this as a springboard to wake ourselves and everyone around us up, that Moshiach is mamash almost here and we need to shrei “AD MOSSAI”, for real!
This is surely what Rabbi Zirkind is watching and waiting for us to do.
Dearest Sterna and family,
I am very saddened by this terrible news, may hashem comfort you and yours.
all my love
Brigetta
Dear Sterna,
terribly shocked,
My thoughts are with you and your dear family.
Gita
I didn’t know rabbi Zirkind personally but a special person he was! He would always nod his head, and you could tell just from looking at him what a pure neshama he was. i agree with the girl that wrote about the shofar blowing every elul. Wow, incredible! And he used to speak to us about halachic matters like tznius and others. This person will surely be missed and I can’t believe we won’t be seeing him around anymore!! 🙁
Why Hashem!!
BDE
May we know only of Simchas.
You were visibly aidel.
From the little that I know of your family, I am deeply impressed and touched by your goodness.
Yehi ratzon that Crown Heights should be zoche to give you nachas.
M
Moshiach now
Yitzchok, you will be missed very much by all. Baruch Dayan HaEmes
The reason why the Levya s tomorrow s The Rav sad they should wait for hs Oldest son Yehuda Ber who lves IN Eretz Yisroel to come in. His daughter from Australia will presumably not make it on time. My memories of Rabbi Zirkind go back to when he was my Rebbe in Yeshiva Chanoch Lenaar b 5741 his quick wit vast knowledge etc. Will be sorely missed. Who could imagine seeing hm Shabbos Afternoon that less then 48 hrs later he would be taken from us!!! AD MOSAI AD MOSAI AD MOSAI !!!!
Hamokom Yenachem Eschem Besoch Shaar Aveilei Tzion VeYerusholoim. I had the privilege of studying with R’ Yitzchok at Bedford and knew him to be a Yirei Shomayim, Lamdan and a person who cared about others. May the family know of only goodness and happiness from now on. Tehay Zichro Boruch.
Kalman Shor and Family
abishter – enough aleady – stop taking the good ones from our midst – take the rasha’s –
my heart aches for the zirkind families – his parents, wife, children and sibling.
ad mosei – please NOW
BDE — such a special man, such a loss for us all!!! Once, when my daughter was a finalist in the Chidon, and the program ended late at night, he (with his daughter) walked her home at 2 am!! I couldn’t believe my eyes when I opened the door. And he did it with such simcha and humility. Moshiach — we need you even before the levaya!
BDE AD Mosai???
this is so sad
So sorry:(
BDE
did he live on eastern parkway by any chance???
moshiach now, what a loss, ad mosai
and 1 son lives in Israel
He was 57, what is going on here????????????????????????????????????????
Bd”e, so sad… We lost a special choshuve cousin, even I am far away in Belgium my heart is in ny with the family…
אין מילים להביע את הכאב הגדול
אבידה גדולה של חסיד שמקרין שמחה ואהבת ישראל אמיתית
משתתפת בצערכם מרחוק ומאחלת לכם שתזכו להפגש איתו בקרוב ממש עם משיח.
מושקא מלכיאלי
Why does hashem take the good ones? He was SO nice and understanding with lots of patience and made you feel like you were taking to a good friend.
He will be sorely missed.
May his family find nechama in how special he was.
So sad…
Hashem Yinochem eschem besoch shaar avolei tzion veyerusholayim.
Moshiach NOW
1 of the kids live in australia
What a special kind, person, who always had a smile on his face when he saw me or my family.Hamakom yenachem eschem bsoch shar aveilei tzion v’yerushalayim. May his family find comfort and his neshama should have a an aliya. May he pierce the heavens and demand MOSHIACH TO COME NOW!
Hamokom Yenachem eschem Besoch Shaar Avalay Tzion Yerushalayim. Vehukeetzu Veranenu Shochnay Ufur Vehu besochom.
Zulst Mer Nisht Visen Fun Kein Tzaar.
kozlovsky family
Rabbi Zirkind was a true talmud chochom and rov, and i’m sure achrei mos kedoshim emor, besides the “regular Justified cries of ad mosai and achdus’ i think we should learn to Appreciate the other good pepole of CH both in public office and outside of office that are alive!
May Hashem comfort his dear wife and children!!! Moshiach now!!!!!!!!!
i can’t believe what i’m reading. this is so unreal. what a special, erliche person. and what a beatiful famiy. my heart is bleeding for you. mrs. zirkind, may hashem give you koach to cope and continue raising your wonderful children in the a way that sets an example for the rest of us of what chassidishkeit is. you are all in our thoughts.
to us beis rivka girls he wasnt just the accountant…yes we remember him sitting behind his desk up those crickety stairs in his office, but most of us remember him as the man who blew shofar for us during the entire month of elul!!! probably the only time the shul was completely silent, what a special memory to have of such a special man, and may he be reunited with us and his family with the ultimate blow of the shofar, with moshiach now!
rd
And I am very sorry for the whole family. I didn’t know him, but his brother is the rov of Bais Franklin.
thanks to Rabbi Zirkind (and a few others), I now have a very good knowledge of more than half the Sefer Hamitzvos of the Rambam (I was a very active participant in the Chidon years 5763-5765)
This is the crazziest sadest news, to say he was a tamim, an honest upright man who completely abided by the shulchan aruch is an understatement… what a special person, he will be greatly missed….
He was a very special man. I would see him come home from work at crazy hours and he wasa very hones persont.You don’t find such people today.
🙁
We as a kehilla needs to stand behind our current rabbonim. Here was a Rov who has a private paying job and was able to balance both his work and rabbonium, He wasn’t bought off by either side of the argument. Torah stands for all without politics. BD”E and hopefully his children can get some nechamah knowing what a father they had!
Shocked and saddened!
Oy! Unbelievable…tragedy…terrible.
“Ha’makom yenahem etkhem betokh she’ar avelei Tziyonvi’Yerushalayim.”
I know a number of wonderful Zirkind family members.
I’m numb…awful…we must all do ‘teshuva,’ NOW!
3 days of crying will not be enough for this loss…..
So true
may his family and community have nechoma
So sad:( what did he pass away from?
he has a daughter in australia,
wow!! so young. was he ill??
Reb Yitzchok was a chossid of a rare kind. A man of Halakha that never compromised on the details. He will be dearly missed. Crown Heights has lost one of its best today.
b/c i think one or some of his children are flying home
B”H I believe that he was also on the hanhala of Hadara Torah
boruch dayan hoemes, may we see moshiach now! why is the levaya tomorrow.
this is very scarry .. mamsh ah shreck B-D-E
We want moshiach now
sorry to hear that , !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
no words!!
????????????????????????????????????????
Sad soo many good Rabbonim passing away young.