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Boruch Dayan Hoemes: Reb Zalman Gelernter, 89, OBM

With great sadness we inform you of the passing of Reb Zalman Gelernter, OBM, a holocaust survivor, Kingston Avenue storeowner and veteran member of the Crown Heights community, who loved and was loved by all. He was 89 years old.

Reb Zalman was born and raised in the Polish town of Rubishov. When he was a teenager, the Nazis YMS rolled into his hometown and destroyed it, killing almost all its Jewish inhabitants.

Reb Zalman survived the holocaust, and eventually immigrated to the United States, settling in Crown Heights.

He opened a hat store on Kingston Ave., named Kesser Hats, where he greeted his customers – young and old – with a warm smile and a Yiddish expression or two on his lips.

At the behest of the Rebbe, Reb Zalman opened a Shul in the basement of his home, which he named Anshei Rubishov in dedication to the Kesdoshim of his hometown, HYD.

He is predeceased by his wife, Shaindel, who passed away in 2013.

He is survived by his children: Shani Troppe (Queens, NY), Yonah Gelernter (Crown Heights), Mina Sputz (Crown Heights), Chanie Cohen (Crown Heights), Libby Chein (Crown Heights) and Henny Wolowik (California).

The Levaya will begin at 9:40am Thursday at shomrei hadas, and will pass in front of 770 at around 10:40am. Afterwards, the Aron will pass his shul at 691 Crown St., then make its way to the bais hachaim.

Baruch Dayan Hoemes

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6 Comments

  • he greeted his customers!

    He greeted everyone, customer or not. He would be seen outside the store whenever he had no customers and he would greet everyone walking by!

  • Bde

    Soooo sad
    I went to his store once he was so nice and gentle

    AD MOSAI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • 48 yr in the hood,

    wow so sad …..B D E AH BIG LOSS TO THE SHCUNAH ..” WAT YID WAT YID . IF I LIVED
    1000 YEARS I WOULD NEVER BE HALF AS GOOD ” OR HALF OF HOLY PERSON THAT HE WAS … AH TIERA YID , AH CHOSID .
    AH REAL YID