Photo: Lubavitch Archives.

Boruch Dayan Hoemes: Rabbi Zalman Posner, 87, OBM

With great sadness we inform you of the passing of Rabbi Zalman Posner, OBM, Head Shliach to the state of Tennessee for 65 years, spiritual leader of congregation Sherith Israel in Nashville for over 50 years and noted author and lecturer. He was 87 years old.

Rabbi Zalman Posner was sent as a Chabad Shliach to revitalize Jewish life in Tennessee by the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe in 1949. He continued in that post for the next half century and well into the 21st century.

Reb Zalman is predeceased by his wife Risya, OBM, who passed away in 2007. Together they founded the Akiva Jewish Day School in 1954.

He is survived by his children: Mrs. Vivi Deren (Stamford, CT), Rabbi Mendy Posner (Atlanta, GA), Mrs. Sussie Denebeim (Palm Springs, CA), Mrs. Mimi Liberow (Porto Alegre, Brazil) and Rabbi Shimon Posner (Rancho Mirage, CA); as well as dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren – many of whom serve as Chabad Shluchim across the far reaches of the globe.

From the Lubavitch Archives Facebook page:

A senior Chabad-Lubavitch emissary, Rabbi Posner, American born and bred, utilized his talents by giving lectures at events for Jews with no Jewish knowledge. For many years he was the the keynote at the Encounter with Chabad weekends for college students.

He headed Congregation Sherith Israel for over 53 years.

“The future for Jewish people in the United States was not a very encouraging one,” Posner recalled in an article to the Jerusalem Post, “As far as the Orthodox synagogue, it was not a happy time.” Yet, he was successful in bringing up the membership in the synagogue and growing it to the great Jewish institution it is today.

A noted author, he translated portion of the Tanya, the core text of Chabad philosophy and of the acclaimed book Think Jewish.

In 1954 Rabbi Posner founded the Akiva Day School, with many of its alumnus serving Jewish communities around the globe. “We felt like our function would be teaching others what we have, a Torah home, raising and educating Jewish children,” he said.

He will be remembered by many not only as a charismatic leader, but as a kind man, who always was ready to listen to anyone who sought out his advice and wisdom.

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The Levaya will take place tomorrow, Friday, 25 Nissan. It will leave Shomrei Hadas Chapels at 10:00am and pass by 770 at 10:45am. From there it will continue on to the Old Montefiore Cemetery in Queens for burial.

The family will be sitting Shiva at 1378 Union St. [between Kingston and Brooklyn Aves.] in Crown Heights.

Memories and condolences can be sent to RZPcondolences@gmail.com.

Boruch Dayan Hoemes

4 Comments

  • efraimy yosef-ISRAEL

    rabbi posner was the best of the best,
    he took care of me for few years when i was
    in nashville.
    rest in peace

  • BDE

    Klal Yisroel has suffered a great loss. Ad Mosai??? The Posners touched so many people and elevated so many neshamos. Rabbi and Mrs Posner made you feel important even if you knew little to nothing about yiddishkeit. Everyone was welcome to come and learn with Rabbi Posner. With warmth, humor, quiet dignity and great patience he was able to convey Torah and Chassidus through in a non-condescending manner. The Posners were a true team and their memory will inspire the lives they touched forever.

  • Seth Sicroff

    I prepared for my Bar Mitzvah under Rabbi Posner and Reverend Abrams back in the early 60s. Even in my state of ignorance I understood that he was an exceptional rabbi, a great voice, a true mensch. I’m sorry I never saw him again after my family left Nashville in 1964.