BDE: Reb Dovid Krasnjanski, 88, OBM
With great sadness we report the passing of Reb Dovid Krasnjanski OBM, a direct descendent of the Baal Shem Tov and a much loved resident of Crown Heights. He passed away one week before his 89th birthday, as Shabbos was leaving, on the 8th of Tishrei, 5784.
He was 88 years old.
Born on the 16th of Tishrei, 5695 in Kiev, Ukraine, Reb Dovid was a direct descendant of the Baal Shem Tov (ninth generation) from both the his son Tziv and daughter Udel.
He learned in the underground Chabad Cheder in Samarkand, the Yeshiva in Brunoy, and eventually came to America and married Ettel kibada lchaim Tobin Charitonow, the granddaughter of R’ Aron Charitonow from Nikolayev.
After living in Crown Heights for many years, they were advised by the Rebbe to move to Philadelphia to continue his job as an engineer for the US Navy. For forty years, he was a pillar of the Lubavitch center in NorthEast Philadelphia, led by R’ Avremel Shemtov. They then lived for a few years in San Diego and had a huge impact on the community.
He was a tremendous Talmid Chacham and a dugma chaya for so many in his humble unassuming way. A model of a true Chassid who carried himself with real and deep humility. A dedicated husband, father and grandfather through and through.
Torah was his life. Never seen without a sefer, giving shiurim everywhere he went. His “retirement” was becoming the Rosh Kolel of Tiferes Zekeinim Levi Yitzchak in Crown Heights.
He passed on his love for learning to his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and all that met him. His children and grandchildren are Shluchim of the Rebbe, literally all around the world and credit their constant inspiration to their parents for their love of Torah and Yiddishkeit.
He is survived by his wife Ettel, his children Mottel (Melbourne, Australia), Itchel (Hawaii), Ben Zion (Manhattan), Tzivia Friedman (Crown Heights), Moshe (Montreal), Yossi (Monsey), Sara Rivkin (New Orleans) and Chanie Krasnjansky (Riverdale), and siblings Genya Tikotsky (Bnei Brak) and Yumtov Krasnianski (Bnei Brak).
The levaya will be held Sunday, Erev Yom Kippur, passing by 770 at approximately 12:00pm, and traveling to the Old Montefiore Cemetery in Queens for 1:00pm Kevura.
The family will be sitting shiva at the Ohel for a brief period. Shiva ends with Yom Kippur.
Boruch Dayan Hoemes
BDE
He was a regular of the 6:20 shachris minyan in 770.
As a descendant of the Alter Rebbe, he passed away on the yortzeit of Reb Boruch. The Alter Rebbe’s father.
Yossi (Joe) Fleisher
Reb Dovid had a great impact on my life. His davening, teaching, and especially his example as a father to his young children will forever be remembered by me and I’m sure all who had the merit of being in his presence. My condolences to his beautiful family.