BDE: Rabbi Yakov Yehuda Weiser, 73, OBM

With great sadness we report the passing of Rabbi Yakov Yehuda Weiser OBM, an influential figure in the Chabad-Lubavitch community of Vienna, Austria, following an extended illness.

He was 73 years old.

Rabbi Weiser merited in his youth to study under Rabbi Shlomo Chaim Kesselman OBM in Kfar Chabad. After his marriage to the daughter of the Rov of Vienna, he settled there and became an expert shochet.

He was among the founders and builders of the Chabad community in the city. Later, when the Chabad Shliach, Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Biderman, arrived in the city, Rabbi Weiser stood by his side to assist in establishing the institutions and Chabad houses.

Rabbi Weiser, a Chassid Mekushar to the Rebbe, was of the earlier Chassidim to print the Tanya in Vienna, taking on the Mivtza at the instruction of the Rebbe. An unassuming man, he strived to remain outside the spotlight, doing his work without looking for recognition.

He leaves behind his wife, Mrs. Chana Weiser, and their children: Mrs. Rivka Schwartz (Eretz Yisroel), Mrs. Miriam Loew (New York), Rabbi Yechiel Weiser (Crown Heights), Rabbi Shaul Weiser (Crown Heights), Aizik Weiser (Vienna, Austria), Mrs. Nechema Dina Perlstein (Montreal, Canada), Mrs. Leah Sosover (Monsey, NY), Mrs. Sara Alevsky (Cleveland, OH), Mrs. Rachel Lustig (Monsey, NY), Rabbi Shlomo Yosef Weiser (Crown Heights), Mrs. Mushka Pinson (Berlin, Germany), Rabbi Chaim Weiser (Crown Heights), and Rabbi Menachem Mendel Weiser (Antwerp, Belgium).